LA comedy calendar: Upcoming stand-up and comedy shows in LA

Every Saturday and Sunday, the UCB franchise’s longest-running, most beloved showcase starts when a base cast of the theater’s current top-brass—including founding UCB members Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts—takes the stage. Then they introduce the surprise celebrity alumnae and friends who will be joining them (think Horatio Sanz, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally). And finally, another special guest takes the stage, a non-improviser (think Flea, Cat Power, Rebel Wilson, Lena Dunham) who opens the show with a personal story, that’s deftly mined for laughs by the players. But you have to go to find out who’s there—that’s part of the fun. Looking for a cheap night out? Sunday shows are free, but seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early.

A master of dry humor and observational comedy, Tig Notaro’s years as a comedy writer helped her transition to the stand-up circuit. Whether it’s dragging a stool across the stage or a drawn out tale about run-ins with an obsolete pop singer, Notaro is sure to draw laughs.

Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler host their variety show, Hot Tub, every Monday night at the Virgil. Expect a fresh, oddball lineup each week of stand-up comics, sketch performances and new music.

Flat-out hilarious Nailed It! host Nicole Byer teams up with her longtime improv partner and former SNL cast member, Sasheer Zamata, for an evening of improvised antics.

Gentle and charming, Jared Goldstein wins over crowds with self-effacing personal jokes about family and dating. See him each month hosting this free show at the Friend; show up with a download of the day social and dating app Chappy on your phone (or Bumble) and you’ll get a free drink.

A city this sprawling and diverse has even more stories than freeway entrances. Come laugh with this lineup of top local comics as they tell jokes and tales about life in the City of Angels. (Anyone wearing L.A.-inspired Halloween costumes will be entered in a swag bag raffle!) With Very Special Guests: – Ahmed Bharoocha (Colbert, Conan, Comedy Central) – Debra DiGiovanni (Conan, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing finalist) – Paul W. Downs (Broad City, Rough Night) – Kevin Camia (Colbert) – David Crabb (host of The Moth & Risk, New York Times Critics’ Pick author) – Lizzy Cooperman (Crashing, Corporate, The Eric Andre Show) Time Out L.A.’s Comics to Watch is a new quarterly comedy series celebrating the City of Angels produced and hosted by Jane Borden (who’s behind our annual comedians to watch feature) and appearing at Dynasty Typewriter. As part of Time Out L.A.’s mission to support and spread the word about our city’s amazing pool of talent, each night will showcase our favorite local comics, while also highlighting things we love about Los Angeles. Stay tuned for future programming.  

It’s a secret-within-a-secret during this monthly stand-up show at both of L.A.’s Blind Barber locations. On the second Monday of the month in Highland Park and the last Monday in Culver City, you’ll find a free comedy show held inside of the Blind Barber, a speakeasy-style bar hidden behind an old-timey barber shop. Past lineups have included the likes of Dave Chappelle, Maria Bamford, Kyle Kinane and more. The shows are technically invite-only, but you can email barbersecretshow@gmail.com to get on the list for Culver City and barbershowhp@gmail.com for Highland Park.