SF Sketchfest, the expansive comedy festival held annually in a variety of venues throughout San Francisco, has announced its lineup for the 2016 edition, and, as expected, it’s a doozy.
Highlights from the 16-day event include a screening and cast reunion of Waiting for Guffman (part of a 20-year anniversary celebration of the mockumentary), a conversation between Sally Field and Wet Hot American Summer co-creator Michael Showalter, and a tribute to the incomparable Jeff Goldblum.
A wildly-diverse event made up of film and televisions screenings, stand-up performances, special in-person tributes, interactive sessions and more, this year’s Sketchfest will feature appearances from talented folks like actor Jon Hamm, comedian Patton Oswalt, scientist Bill Nye, author Dave Barry and musician Rhett Miller. It would be impossible to list all the cool things to see, so I’m just going to link to the show schedule.
The comedy tour de force, now in its 15th year, will run from January 7 – 24, which is a little earlier than normal — a scheduling adjustment made to avoid major conflicts with the Super Bowl in Santa Clara and all of its surrounding hoopla. Tickets for the event go on sale this Sunday.
SF Sketchfest has grown to become one of the biggest and most well-respected comedy events in the country. That’s due in large part to its eclectic lineup, which features both established comedic stars and niche performers who have drawn cult followings. The venues are all over the map too, ranging from traditional sites like Cobb’s Comedy Club to classy theaters such as the Nourse to dive bars like the Hemlock. There are even gigs scheduled for the Cal Academy of Sciences.
There’s something for everyone, from fans of a more pedantic brand comedy to lovers of low-brow laughs (I’m personally psyched for the 25th anniversary screening of Hot Shots.)
There really isn’t a comedy festival like this anywhere else, which is why it’s such a special time when SF Sketchfest comes around. It’s a great excuse to shake off your New Year’s hangover and find a reason to enjoy the otherwise miserable month of January.
