Fall Preview 2019: 8 Queer Comedy Events to Lighten Your Mood

by Jeff Taylor

5h ago

We could all use a laugh right now. Thankfully, we’re living in a golden age of funny, with stand-up having yet another renaissance and the comedic world growing more diverse and queerer by the minute.

While you could stay in and check out the latest TV specials, there’s nothing like LOL-ing live with other comedy fans. This fall is packed with events worth leaving the couch and putting your Netflix queue on hold for, including stand-up, improv, variety shows, and more.

1. Fortune Feimster, Various Cities

   Hilarious comedian and actor Fortune Feimster (The Mindy Project, Office Christmas Party, Life in Pieces) is hopping around the country now through early November, performing at venues in New Mexico, California, and Arizona before pulling into North Carolina where she will film her next special in Charlotte. Check her tour schedule to see if she’s coming to a spot near you. September 12-November 9.

2. San Francisco Comedy Competition

   This year marks the 44th annual San Francisco Comedy Competition, which has helped launch the careers of comedians like Ellen DeGeneres, Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, and Sinbad. Events are spread out around the city across multiple nights throughout the month, culminating in the final show on September 29 at Biscuits and Blues, where the top five comedians battle it out to see who is crowned the winner. It’s a great chance to discover talent on their way to the top. September 12-29.

3. “The MisMatch Game,” Los Angeles

   You’ve probably seen The Match Game, a TV game show in which celebrities provide answers to fill-in-the-blank questions and contestants attempt to match those answers. While the show has a history of being irreverent, “The MisMatch Game,” hosted by Dennis Hensley, takes it to campy new heights, with its stars impersonating celebrities. You can catch two different shows, one on September 13 and one on September 14. Both nights will include the likes of Jackie Beat playing Bea Arthur, while night two will feature Drag Race alum Willam Belli as Jessica Simpson. September 13 and 14 at the Renberg Theatre at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Proceeds benefit the Center’s homeless youth program.

4. “Derry Queen’s Big Queer Variety Show,” Chicago

   Get ready for a wild night of laughs courtesy of Chicago’s top LGBTQ performers in the drag and comedy scenes. “Derry Queen’s Big Queer Variety Show” will feature performers Carly Kane, Scott Egleston, Irregular Girl, David Tarantino, Lily Ebbott-Burg, and Lily Reed, with Ms. DQ hosting. September 16 at The Hideout.

5. Bianca Del Rio, Various Cities

   Drag queen and comedian Bianca Del Rio continues her seemingly never-ending “It’s Jester Joke” tour, hitting up cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. She’ll kick things off in Toronto, then swing through America with a one-of-a-kind show that’s a must-see not only for Del Rio fans but for comedy fans period. September 26-November 30.

6. “Queerball: A Queer Comedy Extravaganza,” New York City

   The famous UCB Theatre presents “Queerball,” a comedy variety show hosted by comedian Timothy Dunn that will feature stand-up, musical acts, storytelling, drag, musical comedy, and more. Also popping are special guests from “the Gay Illuminati, Broadway, television, and the Drag-O-Sphere.” What more could you ask for? September 27 at UCB East.

7. “Varla Jean Merman: A Star Is Bored,” San Franciso

   Drag queen Varla Jean Merman has been performing for two and a half decades, and she is… tired, and more than a little bit bored. “A Star Is Bored” delves deep into her predicament. Will she be able to draw strength from the drag queens of years past and the Drag Race stars of the present to reignite her passion? October 2 at Oasis.

8. “D’Lo: To T, or Not to T,” Los Angeles

   Masculinity, transitioning. To take testosterone or not to take testosterone? These are the big questions at the center of “D’Lo: To T, or Not to T,” in which Tamil-Sri Lankan American artist D’Lo fuses stand-up comedy and storytelling to share his experiences being trans and passing as a cisgender straight man. October 4-20 at the Renberg Theatre at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Main image: Bianco Del Rio.

Journalist, editor, and artist.