San Francisco’s popular annual comedy festival, SF Sketchfest, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month with over two weeks of performance across SF.
Don’t let the name fool you, this festival is far from just sketch. It’s a celebration of comedy in all of its forms including improv, stand-up, movie screenings, podcasts, special tributes, retrospectives, panel discussions, and more.
The festival runs from January 20 – February 5 and is hosted in venues across SF including Great American Music Hall, Castro Theater, Cobb’s Comedy Club, and many others.
One of the festival’s numerous highlights includes Fred Armisen’s 3-night residency at Great American Music Hall called “Comedy for Bass Player But Everyone is Welcome.” Fans of improv will enjoy performances from Improv from Upright Citizens Brigade, The Groundlings, The Improvised Shakespeare Company, and others
Fans of the show Twin Peaks are also in for a treat. SFs Red Room Orchestra is doing a special tribute to musicians Angelo Badalamenti, Julee Cruise, and the music of Twin Peaks. The performance will also feature members of the original cast including Ray Wise (Leland Palmer), Michael Horse (Deputy Hawk), Chrystabell (Tammy Preston), and Carel Struycken (The Giant/The Fireman).
There’s an absurd amount of shows to mention but here are a few festival highlights:
- Special tributes to Cheech & Chong, Laraine Newman, Elliot Gould, and David Allan Grier.
- Anniversary celebrations for A Mighty Wind, Perfect Strangers, and Viva Variety, including original cast members.
- A star-studded roast of Evil Dead star Bruce Cambell.
- Standup performances by Todd Barry, Janeane Garofalo, Joel Kim Booster & Friends, and many more.
SF Sketchfest 2023 will take place in venues across SF and run from January 20 – February 5. Tickets are currently available.
Featured image: Tommy Lau/SF Sketchfest