100 Years of Stand-Up Comedy in San Francisco’s North Beach

Submitted by the Event Organizer

“100 Years of Stand-Up Comedy in North Beach:
How San Francisco Changed Comedy Forever!”

San Francisco, and North Beach in particular, holds a special place in the history of the performing arts-and comedy in particular. From the early days of Beat poetry readings, gatherings which themselves were frequently underground, clandestine activities, to the days of drag shows and the topless revolution, perhaps it’s San Francisco’s “anything goes” reputation that’s motivated several generations of comedians to give it a go here.

In Bay Area Stand-up Comedy: A Humorous History, authors (and comedians themselves) Nina G and OJ Patterson examine the rich, hilarious tradition of stand-up, highlighting some of its most noteworthy and notorious figures, past and present.

“The comedians of the San Francisco Bay Area changed comedy forever. From visiting acts like Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Whoopi Goldberg to local favorites who still maintain their following and legacy, the Bay Area has long been a place for comedians to develop their voice and hone their stand-up skills. Popular spots included Cobb’s, The Punch Line, hungry i, the Purple Onion, Tommy T’s, Brainwash and the holy grail of San Francisco comedy during the 1980s boom, the Holy City Zoo. For more than seventy years, these iconic venues and others fostered talents like Mort Sahl, Phyllis Diller, Smothers Brothers, Kevin Meaney, Paula Poundstone, Dana Carvey, W. Kamau Bell, Margaret Cho, Chelsea Peretti, Andy Samberg, Ali Wong, Moshe Kasher and (of course) Robin Williams, introducing them to local crowds and the world beyond. Join comedians Nina G and OJ Patterson on a hilarious and thoughtful tour through the history of Bay Area comedy.”

Nina G is a comedian, professional speaker, comedy historical consultant and author of Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen and Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History.

Presented by Beat Museum

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