Now

North Coast Comedy brings the funniest live shows to Humboldt County, striving to create a fun and inviting atmosphere for everyone. I pair Humboldt's finest with truly hilarious acts from the Western US and beyond, showcasing the best of our local comedy scene, alongside riotous comedians from out of town.*

I'm producing shows again because I have a real passion for bringing outstanding comedy shows to the North Coast community. I want folks to be able to go see talented comedians who are here to provide the audience with an experience they won't soon forget.

*No actual riots guaranteed.

Then

I launched my solo producing career under the name Stand Up! Comedy. It wasn't the most creative name, but when you looked at the posters, you knew exactly what kind of show it was. Throughout that time, I had the privilege of working with some of the funniest, most talented comedians I have ever seen. Next came a partnership called Misfits of Mayhem, which while brief was a whirlwind of chaotic fun and a valuable lesson in what kind of shows I want to produce.

One of those shows was a comedy game show that had grown popular by that point called Make Me Laugh, a live version of the 70s TV game show. Out of the ashes of the Misfits rose Make Me Laugh Productions. This was where I really found my rhythm, consistently putting on high quality, professional shows focused on delivering a night so hilarious, it would keep people coming back for more.

My comedy production roots run back to Ba-Dum-Chh Comedy Presents. After just my second stand-up performance, I told Joe Deschaine I wanted to be more involved in the comedy scene. "It's Project Mayhem," he said, and he may have added dude, but I'd like to remember him more fondly than that. The next day I bought a PA system and turned myself into a comedy producer. Running Ba-Dum-Chh with Sherae O'Shaughnessy and Joe was one of the best experiences of my life.

Mean Dave

"Big fan of all the shows that I've done for you and would work for you anytime. Please use whatever you need to promote your business and if I can help in any way please let me know."

Butch Escobar

what the comedians say

"Tony is one of the people who made my experiences doing shows in the Humboldt area most memorable. Always a great time and taken good care of, I’m very grateful he’s back at it."

The regulars

Out of TOwners

Caitlin Gill

Voted Best Comedian by the East Bay Express and named one of TimeOut LA’s 2018 Comics to Watch, Caitlin ran one of L.A.’s premier shows, Crabapples, with Bobcat Goldthwait at the Hollywood Improv. She is also a comedy writer, on Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters (TruTv), Hidden America with Jonah Ray, Take My Wife (Seeso) and in The New York Times. She is a favorite guest on podcasts like 2 Dope Queens, The Cracked Podcast, Put Your Hands Together, Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction and NPR's Snap Judgement.

Johnny Taylor Jr.

Johnny Taylor, Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and podcaster from Sacramento, California. Taylor has released two comedy albums and a charity single on Stand Up! Records. His debut, 2014's Tangled Up in Plaid, reached No. 7 on the iTunes comedy chart. His 2018 follow up album and video Bummin' with the Devil reached No. 1 on both the Amazon and iTunes comedy charts.

Matt Gubser

Matt Gubser performs across the country and internationally, touching on topics ranging fatherhood, dating, sex, politics, & religion, intermingling personal anecdotes and biting social commentary, all couched in a comfortable, relaxed delivery. Matt is a Northern California native and Bay Area resident. He enjoys sculpting, buying books faster than he can read them, and basketball. He has three exasperating daughters. He makes them eat too many vegetables.

Ngaio Bealum

American comedian, actor, writer, publisher, musician, activist and award-winning juggler, Ngaio Bealum is regarded as one of the country’s funniest comedians. As an entertainer and a cannabis advocate, Bealum, who grew up in San Francisco, is known for his hilarious comedy shows, sharing his perspective of the world as a pot lover. He has appeared on The Sarah Silverman Program, and has become well-known for his acting roles, including the hit 1995 film, Nine Months, alongside Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore. Bealum is also a former member of the hip hop band Most Chill Slackmob and is an award-winning juggler, having won the People’s Choice Award at the 1994 International Jugglers Association Fest.

David Gborie

David Gborie is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comic, actor and writer originally from Denver, CO.

Sam Tallent

Sam Tallent is a comedian, novelist and host of the Chubby Behemoth Podcast. For the last decade, he has performed more than 45 weekends per year in North America, Asia, Australia and Europe. His acclaimed debut novel, Running The Light, heralded as the definitive book on stand-up comedy, is soon to be a major motion picture. Random House is set to rerelease Running the Light in commercial paperback as well as his forthcoming follow up, Petillant Brut, in hardcover in 2025. His novella, ATTABOY, was published as an Audible Original. Sam has two comedy specials: Waiting For Death to Claim Us (available on Amazon Prime) and The Toad’s Morale (available on the Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast YouTube). He also has a travel show, Wide World, on YouTube. He lives in Detroit and cooks dinner for his wife every night.

Shanti CHaran

Shanti Charan is a stand-up comedian, writer, and storyteller based in the Bay Area. The daughter of immigrants, Shanti’s humor reflects her experience as an Indo-Fijian woman, growing up as a second generation American. Charan was named San Francisco Bay Guardian’s “Best Comedian” in their Annual “Best of SF” edition. SF Weekly awarded Shanti “Best Stand Up on the Way Up”, stating Charan’s writing, “is clever and confident beyond her years”. Shanti has had the opportunity to work with and feature for Bobby Lee, Fortune Feimster, Ronny Chieng, Sheng Wang, Atsuko Okatsuka, Anthony Jeselnik, Dan Soder and Hasan Minhaj.

Matt Lieb

Matt Lieb is a comedian, writer, and actor from Los Angeles. As a stand up comedian in San Francisco, he was named one of the “2016 Best Comedians in the Bay Area” by SFist and has performed at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival 2017, SF Skecthfest 2013-2017, and the 10,000 Laughs Festival in Minneapolois. Matt’s comedy has been featured on VICELAND, Hulu, SeeSo, and Gabriel Iglesias’ “Stand Up Revolution Radio” on SiriusXM. Currently, Matt is a correspondent on Emmy Nominated short form series The Star Wars Show, a writer/performer on Newsbroke on AJ+, and staff writer for Audible’s original series Bedtime Stories for Cynics with Nick Offerman, where he has written for David Spade, Tommy Chong, Nick Thune, and more. You can find Matt at the Comedy Store every 2nd Thursday at 8PM on Follow That! or at The Dresden every 3rd Monday at 8PM on The Dresden Comedy Hour.

Mean Dave

Mean Dave is a stand-up comedian. He is a regular at Cobb's Comedy Club, Punch Line in SF and Sacramento and Rooster T. Feathers and has opened for headliners such as Judy Tenuta, Big Jay Oakerson, Allan Havey, Tom Rhodes, Neil Hamburger, Brent Morin, Bret Ernst and most importantly, Barry Sobel. Most of Dave's life has been littered with utter disappointment and flat out betrayal that only a sarcastic, cynical sense of humor can remedy. Hopefully this information helps you in your decision as to whether Mean Dave's comedy will help you attain laughter as you hopefully progress through futile existence.

Butch Escobar

I believe I was destined to be a comedian. However, I didn't realize it growing up. I wanted to be something more decent. Like an electrician or a plumber. Fate had something different in mind. Growing up, adults lie to you, all the time. Small things. Usually to make you feel good. To make it seem life is going to be easier than it really will be. When I grew up and had to face the truth, it was painful, but I found humor in it. I started doing open mics. Gradually, I found my on-stage persona and a voice of truth in my heart. Now, it’s been fifteen years. I have performed all over the country and overseas. I have performed in just about every Comedy Club on the West Coast, including Punch Line San Francisco, The Comedy Store in Los Angeles and La Jolla, and the Improv Hollywood. I have toured with some great comedians including Joey Diaz, Felipe Esparza, and Las Vegas resident Edwin San Juan.

Iris Benson

Iris Benson is a stand up comedian from the SF Bay Area. She has traveled and appeared at comedy festivals across the US.

CHris riggins

Comedian. SF Int’l Comedy Competition Winner 2022. Paid Regular at The Comedy Store Hollywood. Tour Opener for Dave Chappelle

The Locals

Jessica Grant

Comedian located in Humboldt County, California who desperately needs a bio that I can easily find online.

Joshua Barnes

If you're looking for a side-splitting comedian who can leave you in stitches with his witty humour, Joshua Barnes is your man. This rising star has been making waves on the comedy circuit with his unique brand of comedy, and he's only getting started. Joshua Barnes is a master of observational comedy. He has a keen eye for the absurdities of everyday life and can turn them into hilarious anecdotes that leave his audiences rolling with laughter. His ability to find humour in the mundane is what sets him apart from the rest. Joshua Barnes is not just hilarious; he's also incredibly charming. His quick wit and magnetic personality make him an instant crowd-pleaser. He can effortlessly charm the audience with his easy-going nature and playful banter. It's no wonder he's quickly become a fan favourite.

Nando Molina

Nando Molina lives on the North Coast -- Humboldt County, California. He is in his second year of stand up comedy, but quickly has created a strong following of stoners and felons. He has performed to small crowds, large crowds, on sidewalks. Nando Molina is one of the founding members of Humboldt County's comedy troupe Ba-Dum-Chh Comedy Presents. He took part in the first Savage Henry Shits and GIGGLES Festival. He has opened for Hank III -- the most dangerous man in music. He can make anyone from a toddler to a harden Hells Angel laugh. You should book him.

Ivy Vasquez

Ivy Vasquez is witty, fantastic, driven and just down right hilarious. Her comedy is often described as intelligent, edgy and her voices and character are absolutely out of this world. She has performed all over the West Coast and just expanded to the Midwest and East! She is a force to be reckoned with and an absolutely must see.

Ivy has moved on and is no longer technically a local, but she will always be a local in my heart.