Start Fresh 2026-27

TBD but he'll have one or two in Dec/Jan

[venue TBD]

[prob noon - 4 PM]

[venue TBD]

[prob noon - 4 PM]

THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL EVENT!

WE ARE NOT WAGING A WAR ON CHRISTMAS!

[venue TBD]

milk and cookies 

probably eggnog

maybe even spiked eggnog and mulled wine if y'all behave yourselves ;)~

holiday story time and/or show and tell

bring your favorite holiday book to read!

this might piggy back off the ham thing

THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL EVENT!

WE ARE NOT WAGING A WAR ON CHRISTMAS!

[venue TBD]

yes, just like the thing you did in school

but we'll probably have snacks

bring your friends and get back into reading!

AKA Bad Gas Station Book Club

AKA Ridiculous Book Club

BYOBook

Audiobooks welcome with headphones

(please no bibles)

[date/time TBD but during weekend 1]

[venue TBD]

[date/time TBD but during weekend 1]

[venue TBD

THIS IS AN UNOFFICAL EVENT!

WE ARE NOT WAGING A WAR ON CHRISTMAS!

[venue TBD]

idk why I thought it'd be funny to bring a ham (...and a turkey... and sides) to a comedy show last year but I did  and it was a hit so we'd like to do this again so you can have a nice holiday dinner with your chosen comedy family (and friends), especially if you'd rather not be around your actual family but still want a nice dinner.

[date/time TBD, but probably Sat]

[venue TBD]

[venue TBD]

we'll probably bring back ANTICHRISTmas for the fourth year in a row. 

[venue TBD]

we're alternating the poetry reading and author reading dates from last year, the authors went second last time, so they'll go first this year.

[venue TBD] 

this is a not very surprising surprise party for a friend that loves karaoke. we're gonna open this up to the public. I haven't told her that part,  yet, but that's what will makes it a surprise.

I think she'll be v surprised, maybe a little confused. I doubt she'll read this.

come join us and celebrate her actual birthday.

[venue TBD]

I know, I know, everyone does a NYE party but we wanted to take a crack at it

champagne and NA sparkling cider at midnight

kissing optional

actually... kissing (me) discouraged

get away from me you lil freak

[venue TBD]

[prob noon - 4 PM]

[venue TBD]

[prob noon - 4 PM]

THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL EVENT!

come dry out/sober up with us!

we'll probably have mimosas and light breakfast items to help with that

[venue TBD]

[cohosts TBA]

YOLO mic returns for the third year in a row!

[venue TBD]

[mini-plays TBA]

[venue TBD] 

feature film TBA

[venue TBD]

following MPAT

probably an hour-long one-person play/storytelling show by a performer that I adore from the South West. 

you don't know 'em, they go another school.

[probably Great Notion on 28th]

2444 NW 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97210

we'll probably have Telltale bring back Rough Start

[venue TBD]

we're alternating the poetry reading and author reading dates from last year, poets went first last time, so they'll go second this year.

[venue TBD]

Join us for coffee, tea, VooDoo doughnuts while you talk shop with film industry professionals, afterwards, we'll sit down and watch and a selection of short films made by local filmmakers 

*FREE for the filmmakers

[venue TBD] 

A block of longer shorts, three 30 minute films, Q&A to follow with local filmmakers.

*FREE for the filmmakers 

[venue TBD]

we've always had a filmmaker social hour, last year we added a [secret] writer social hour, it only makes sense to add one for the theater folks.

[date/time TBD]

[venue TBD]

mind ur business.

invite only.

[date/time TBD,  but during weekend 2]

[venue TBD]

[date/time TBD, prob Sun]

[venue TBD]

[date/time TBD, could be either weekend tbh, we'll see!]

[venue TBD]

[date/time TBD,  but during the festival]

[venue TBD]

[date/time TBD, but during the festival]

[venue TBD]

[date/time TBD]

[venue TBD]

start the year off with a fun little reset to shake off the chaos of 2026. yeesh.

A.M.P. Gallery

1124 NW 13th Ave

$10 suggested donation 

Lou hosts a lively music-infused poetry mic every month but he just started adding in a second show at the art gallery. It's the talk amongst young poets in the community and A LOT of fun!

The Get Down

Sat 12/27 and Sun 12/28 10 - 4 PM

Sat and Sun 1 PM Bad Holiday Gift Flip 

12/27 2 PM Friendship Bracelets $5

12/27 3 PM Doodle Time $5

12/28 2 PM Paint & Laugh $20 to paint, $10 to laugh

$5 entry fee for the market 

FREE entry if you bring a gift for the holiday gift flip OR register for a workshop or event.

Sunday December 28th at 2 PM
Paint & Laugh
Hosted by Jocelyne Boyer @justjoshinwithJos
$20 to paint [capped at 10], $10 to laugh

Jocelyne is a local comedian and painter that brings the joy of painting to the comedy scene along with a group of comedians to make a comedic masterpiece. Total Bob Ross vibes... but with better jokes (but just as many happy little trees). This event is very popular and usually sells out, we have limited painting spots but it's still fun just to watch (and laugh)! We will provide canvases, paint, smocks, and bags to take your art home (if you'd like) but bring grubby clothes you don't mind getting paint on JUST IN CASE.

[this show is being rescheduled to March, more information soon]

$12-15 online, $20 door 

Curious Comedy Annex 

Ryan has a few great shows going on in Portland, which one will we showcase at Curious? It's a surprise but he has a few to choose from such as SMASH, Clown Alley with cohost Gabby, and other hit shows!

 Lee H. Tillman, Brent Lowrey, Megan Otto and Adam Pasi 

$20 

Funhouse Lounge

Cam Strong presents Roast Battle League: Portland, featuring five rounds of comedians going head to head.

Kate Shook vs Nick Altishin

Jess Bushnell vs Tylor Jones

Havana Aladro vs Chris Hudson

Olivia Jokes vs Jeff Epstein (not THAT one)

Kate Easley vs Brandon Wayne Little

Gilley vs Genevieve Church

Joy Weber vs Dan Stucky

$10 at the door

Funhouse Lounge 

Brendan Creecy presents Portland's best queer comedians. This show is pure gold!

Ally J Ward, Imani, Mack, Nick Altishin, Cody Webb, Colin Mattox

$10

Curious Comedy Annex

Michael Garcia presents a show like MST3K where a panel of comics riff on bad holiday movies. 

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Foundation Fighting Blindness and P(eye) day

Hosted by Michael Garcia and Emma Pace Jonas

Carlos Romero, Chris Hudson, Dave Lowery, Heather English, Jess Bushnell, Sean O'Neil, Shadd Foster, Tristian Spillman

Chaparral Books 

A reading from local poets 

 Amy Baskin,  Douglas Cole,  H.G. Dierdorff,  Jane Carlsen, Jerrod Bohn,  Laura LeHew, Roy Seitz, Ryan Mills 

FREE! (donations encouraged)

$15 online, $20 door

Curious Comedy Annex

Curious Comedy Annex presents: The Gauntlet
15 improvisers, one champion! if Whose Line Is It Anyway and American Ninja Warrior had a hilarious love child—hold on to your seats, it's going to be a wild ride!

The Get Down

Sat Jan 3rd and Sun Jan 4th 10 - 4 PM

Sat and Sun 1 PM Bad Holiday Gift Flip 

1/3 2 PM Mini Pottery
1/3 3 PM Mosaics
1/4 2 PM Collage

$5 entry fee for the market
FREE entry if you bring a gift for the holiday gift flip OR register for a workshop or event.

Jordan is a local comedian and collage artist and cocreator of LowArtForms, a show where comedians analyze and auction often insane thrift store art. It's a guaranteed good time, unless you're made of paper... then beware the scissors! We will provide a variety of supplies.

*Free to join if you bring your own collage materials with you!

Great Notion on 28th 

2444 NW 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97210

[VENUE CHANGED, NEW TICKET LINK]

$10

Forest Ember presents: Friendship Show, where comics go head-to-head to resolve their beef and become friends [again] with the help of the audience. 

Hosted by Forest Ember

Joe John Sanchez, Aimee Sinclair, Zane Thomas, Maeve Connor, Jason Burton, and more!

Great Notion on 28th
2444 NW 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97210

[VENUE CHANGE, NEW TICKET LINK]

$10

Tony Meyer presents: Sexy Talk,  a sex positive show where comics can really let loose. We'll have an "after-hours" market or "mark-it" with vendors selling fun, sexy, locally made products. 

Hosted by Tony Meyer 

Special guest co-host Emma Jonas

Luke Miller, Joe John Sanchez, Aleah Liebenau, Mack Lee

MATURE AUDIENCES, 21+

Great Notion on 28th 

2444 NW 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Hosted by Josh Henri and Lori Van Deman 

We wanted to create a mixed open mic that would encourage people to try comedy, poetry, or music for the first time on stage in front of a supportive audience. Lovingly nicknamed the "YOLO mic" by cohost Josh Henri. We had a great time last year and are eagerly awaiting the return of the mic this year. 

Followed by Telltale's Rough Start at 7 PM.

FREE!

Echo Theater Company 

$10, $15 VIP

A variety of locally written and produced mini-plays that are under half an hour, headlined by Jon Bennett's newest one-man play.  (This is a separate ticketed event)

This is the first year trying out this format, but we're excited to bring the Portland theater and writing communities together to put on a fun show!

Clinton Street Theater 

$15

A locally-made feature film!

PDX Premiere! 

 If You Should Leave Before Me features Mark and Joshua, a married couple, face a devastating loss that strains their relationship. To escape grief, they focus on their unconventional jobs as guides for the recently deceased, leading them to the afterlife. 

MATURE AUDIENCES

Join the writers and directors for the gala presentation of If You Should Leave Before Me at the Start Fresh Festival. The special screening will be followed by an intimate Q&A with the filmmakers, giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this acclaimed feature. All ticket holders are warmly invited to continue the celebration at a private afterparty at Dots Cafe, an opportunity to meet the team, connect with fellow film lovers, and toast to this award-winning film.  

Echo Theater Company 

$20, $25 VIP

Headlining the mini-play-a-thon is a NEW one hour* one-man play written and performed by Jon Bennett.

This is the Oregon premiere for this play!

This performance has only ever happened twice... So far!

Jon connects the dots, or spots, rather, between live performance and protecting exotic wildlife in his newest play. Guaranteed to be a roarin' good time! Funny, insightful, and endearing.
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE 18+

Great Notion on 28th 

2444 NW 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Telltale presents Rough Start, a show where storytellers discuss how they tried to start their year off right, or wrong, in the spirit of resolutions.

Hosted by Jasmine Nothing and Zane Thomas

Liam Kamp, Josh Henri, Jaren George, Ellis Durand, Ryan McAbery

FREE! (donations encouraged)

Rose City Book Pub

We will have a selection of local authors reading their work from a variety of genres.

 Aaron Simon, Amy Baskin, Brandon J Custy,  Douglas Cole,  H.G. Dierdorff, Jane Carlsen, Jeff Alessandrelli, Jennie Bricker, Mari Matthias 

Hosted by Lori Van Deman 

FREE! (donations encouraged) 

Echo Theater Company 

$10*

Join us for coffee, tea, VooDoo doughnuts while you talk shop with film industry professionals, afterwards, we'll sit down and watch and a selection of short films made by local filmmakers 

*FREE for the filmmakers

Clinton Street Theater 

$10*

A block of longer shorts, three 30 minute films, Q&A to follow with local filmmakers.

The Ogre by Justin Boswick [34:50]
Carpe Diem by Armen Zilic [26:31]
Invasion of the Free Box Monsters by Peter Grey [30:00]

Q&A with filmmakers 

A mini lecture for filmmakers to follow hosted by Jerry Bell Jr. actor/producer/director/local independent film community leader.

*FREE for the filmmakers