Initial SF Sketchfest Lineup Includes Ricky Gervais, Lewis Black, Jo Firestone and More

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In the pantheon of comedy festivals, SF Sketchfest is one of the GOAT’s (that’s Greatest of All Time for you non-sportsball folks). Now going into its 17th year, this massive multi-media festival boasts one of the biggest lineups and longest run times of any other festival in North America. For 17 years, the San Francisco Comedy Festival has attracted some of the biggest names in comedy, and this year doesn’t look to be any different. The event will take place from January 11th through January 28th. Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 17 at 12 p.m. PST, and can be bought on the http://bit.ly/2hCho0G (festival’s website). With just under two months to go, we’re getting our first look at who we can expect to see at the festival this year, and things are looking great so far.

This is only the initial lineup announcement, meaning that there are still many more names and performances (over 200 total!) to be added to this list, and already the sheer amount of performers is staggering. As such, we’ve included a smattering of different names that you can expect to see at the event, and will link to the festival’s official website after the jump so that you can check out the currently-announced lineup more in-depth.

Owing to their partnership with Audible, SF Sketchfest will be presenting a handful of original Audible comedy shows like Dr. Katz: The Audio Files, The Rant is Due with Lewis Black, Hold On with Eugene Mirman, Hot Mic with Dan Savage, Story Party Live! and more, including no less than six stand-up showcases. Thanks, corporate sponsor!

The festival will be hosting a Tributes series that will pay homage to some of the biggest names in comedy, both past and present, and these events are not to be missed. Those who will have their own Tributes nights include Lewis Black, Jane Lynch, Ricky Gervais (in conversation with Christopher Guest), Dick Cavett, John Hodgman, Paul F. Tompkins, Danny McBride and Jody Hill, just to name a few. This list, too, is expected to expand over time.

Each year’s festival includes The SF Sketchfest Dozen, an elite class who are considered to be the next up-and-coming comics in the industry. This year’s fest has some very worthy names in the fold, including Marcella Arguello, Gina Brillon, Naomi Ekperigin, Josh Fadem, Jo Firestone, Josh Johnson, Jak Knight, Ryan O’Flanagan, Ramon Rivas II, Giulia Rozzi, Dulcé Sloan, and Shane Torres.

As previously mentioned, the sheer amount of performers and planned shows that have been announced so far is already overwhelming, and this is just a smattering of the seemingly-endless list of shows that will be on offer in the Bay Area come January, so keep an eye on  SF SKetchfest’s website, as well as the IBang, for more information as it comes!

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Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler
Bill Tressler
Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.