Industry panels and a New York Times Bestselling pro skater lead the way in defining the 2023 Rip City Comedy Fest performer experience.
A message from Joe Bee:
Welcome to Episode 2 of “Road to Rip City”, a behind the scenes look at one neurodivergent guy’s journey to bring a comedy festival back to Portland. It’s been a wild two months of nonstop motion, but I’m absolutely thrilled at the progress made! If our first to performer announcements are any indication, we are well on our way to facilitating a weekend filled with entertainment, networking, and resources for everyone involved. It's wonderful to see submissions coming in from as far as New York and Kentucky, as we continue to build a talent roster filled with the best in local and national talent, and a diverse selection of themed programming.
All of this has made me shift focus in the past weeks, as a means to try and create an experience for performers that goes beyond "doing shows at new venues with new comics". I'm excited to share that this includes the addition of industry and community panels, a performer, a mini golf tournament, a secret tribute show and a celebrity/comic skate at Burnside skatepark.
To those who've subscribed, applied, or submitted panels and theme shows - or even just follow on insta - the support is overwhelming and appreciated. You're all the reason I work on this daily, because I believe in it - as much as I believe in this Rip City scene, and all of the comics which helped to build this thriving entertainment community.
Also, if you're curious about sponsorship, partnership opportunities, or just have programming ideas? I'd love to hear from you! Shoot me an email using the button below or join our email list to keep up to date on artist and programming announcements!
Let's Rock,
Joe Bee | Founder Rip City Comedy Festival
JASON ELLIS debuts in Portland at #RCCF2023!
Actor, comedian, pro skater, and New York Times Bestseller Jason Ellis makes his Portland debut at The Get Down main stage! Katie Ellis and Mike Tully will join the founding member of Wolfknives to host A special Rip City Festival edition of The Jason Ellis Podcast for a night of laughs and random guest appearances! In a bit of Tony Hawk Pro Skater nostalgia, Jason will also be a part of comedian skate at Burnside skatepark and popping in on side stage shows throughout the weekend!
About Jason
Jason Ellis is the host of The Jason Ellis Show and co-host of Hawk vs. Wolf alongside skateboarding icon Tony Hawk. One of the most prolific and entertaining talk show hosts of the past decade, Jason Ellis hosted a daily show on SiriusXM for over 15 years before transitioning to his newest shows in 2020. Ellis is a New York Times Best Selling author of three books and retired pro skateboarder. He has been seen in such hits as the Emmy Award winning ‘Childrens Hospital’ (Adult Swim), Paul Blart: Mall Cop and the Howard Stern Show.
Jason has performed with Bryan Callen, Whitney Cummings, Tim Dillon and more. You can watch The Jason Ellis Show three times per week and a new episode of Hawk Vs. Wolf every Monday, anywhere you can listen to podcasts.
Free Industry Panels at #RCCF2023
After hearing feedback from throughout the comedy scene, I felt a need to create more opportunity in way of knowledge, networking, and resource availability for performers and volunteers. That's why I'm pumped to announce that RCCF weekend will include a full slate of industry panels hosted by industry and community leaders.
These Q and A panels will cover a variety of topics including: agency and industry, cultural challenges in the comedy industry, and barriers of patriarchal thinking and industry misogyny. That being said, I'm absolutely humbled to announce our first industry panel host Melanie Truhett-Posehn.
Known for films such as Mystery Men (1999), Drew Carrey's Improv-A-Ganza (2010), and We Think Nate Torrence is Dead (2012), Melanie's company, Truhett Management, currently represents artists such as Blair Socci and Ron Funchess. Melanie has been a vital supportive influence in the motivations behind Rip City Comedy, her insights are invaluable and her panel will be FREE to all accepted applicants and volunteers
Still time to apply!
RCCF features a diverse comedian pool featuring top talent from all across the country. Get a look at who's already been announced for this years festival! Applications are STILL OPEN and we look forward to announcing more talented performers soon!