This marvelous relic of Hollywood’s Golden Age is a movie palace full of wonder and surprises. For nearly four generations, the Bagdad’s Mediterranean/neon persona and daily films have made it an icon of Portland’s vibrant Hawthorne District. The interior is an attraction in and of itself, with barreled arches, ornate wrought-iron fixtures, brilliant mosaics and painted Mediterranean designs and characters. Added to the venue lineup in Bridgetown’s second year, the Bagdad has become a favorite of comedians and audiences.
The Hollywood Theatre is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to entertain, inspire, educate and connect the community through the art of film, while preserving a historic Portland landmark.
Southeast Portland rock club Hawthorne Theatre provides another opportunity for audiences to see some of the biggest names in the festival the way they should be seen. With two stages operating simultaneously, festival-goers can choose between the energy of the spacious main stage or the intimacy of the lounge, both of which saw some of the greatest performances of Bridgetown 2009.
Mt. Tabor Theater is one of the largest and oldest music venues still operating in southeast Portland. Built in 1913, the building once operated as a burlesque theater before evolving into a movie theater and, later, a local favorite music venue. For more than 20 years, “The Tabor” has hosted some of the best live music around, and its concert hall and sideshow-themed lounge served as the primary venues of the first year of the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, showcasing Patton Oswalt to a sold-out crowd of over 500 Portland comedy fans.
One of the staples of Upper Hawthorne’s “Stumble Zone”, the Bar of the Gods may seem an unlikely choice as a performance space, but from the first year of Bridgetown, it has been one of the most popular and distinctive venues in the festival. Comics take to the stage on BOG’s covered back patio to entertain a room with a capacity of only about 25 people, giving audiences an intimate, one-of-a-kind show. Even household names used to performing in front of packed theaters end up clamoring to get more stage time at the Bar of the Gods during Bridgetown, because the excitement of the venue is undeniable.
For the 2009 Bridgetown Comedy Festival, comedian Rylee Newton suggested the idea of adding a venue that would have non-stop, unscheduled comedy throughout the weekend. What sounded like an unusual format for a performance ended up being an audience and comedian favorite at the festival, as the Continuous Comedy Cavalcade at Southeast Portland’s Tanker Bar saw even the biggest names in the festival stop by to perform drop-in sets on the stage that Tanker built specifically for the festival. With an extensive array of craft beers on tap to choose from and an impressive selection of tallboys, the Tanker is one of the best places in the festival to take a break from the crowds and see some stripped-down comedy performed by household names and up-and-coming comics alike.
For more than a century, the Fraternal Order of Eagles has had a major positive influence on our region, nation, world and most importantly on our communities. It was the Eagles who pushed for the founding of Mother’s Day, who provided the impetus for Social Security and, who pushed to end job discrimination based on age. The Eagles have provided support for medical centers across the country to build and provide research for medical conditions; they raise millions of dollars every year to combat heart disease and cancer, help handicapped kids, uplift the aged and make life a little brighter for everyone. The Bridgetown Comedy Festival is excited to include as a performance venue East Portland Eagles Aerie #3256, which rests at the base of Mount Tabor on 50th Avenue and SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Venues
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Bagdad Theater - 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
This marvelous relic of Hollywood’s Golden Age is a movie palace full of wonder and surprises. For nearly four generations, the Bagdad’s Mediterranean/neon persona and daily films have made it an icon of Portland’s vibrant Hawthorne District. The interior is an attraction in and of itself, with barreled arches, ornate wrought-iron fixtures, brilliant mosaics and painted Mediterranean designs and characters. Added to the venue lineup in Bridgetown’s second year, the Bagdad has become a favorite of comedians and audiences.
Hollywood Theatre - 4122 NE Sandy Blvd.
The Hollywood Theatre is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to entertain, inspire, educate and connect the community through the art of film, while preserving a historic Portland landmark.
Hawthorne Theatre - 1507 SE 39th Ave.
Southeast Portland rock club Hawthorne Theatre provides another opportunity for audiences to see some of the biggest names in the festival the way they should be seen. With two stages operating simultaneously, festival-goers can choose between the energy of the spacious main stage or the intimacy of the lounge, both of which saw some of the greatest performances of Bridgetown 2009.
Mt. Tabor Theater - 4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Mt. Tabor Theater is one of the largest and oldest music venues still operating in southeast Portland. Built in 1913, the building once operated as a burlesque theater before evolving into a movie theater and, later, a local favorite music venue. For more than 20 years, “The Tabor” has hosted some of the best live music around, and its concert hall and sideshow-themed lounge served as the primary venues of the first year of the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, showcasing Patton Oswalt to a sold-out crowd of over 500 Portland comedy fans.
Bar of the Gods - 4801 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
One of the staples of Upper Hawthorne’s “Stumble Zone”, the Bar of the Gods may seem an unlikely choice as a performance space, but from the first year of Bridgetown, it has been one of the most popular and distinctive venues in the festival. Comics take to the stage on BOG’s covered back patio to entertain a room with a capacity of only about 25 people, giving audiences an intimate, one-of-a-kind show. Even household names used to performing in front of packed theaters end up clamoring to get more stage time at the Bar of the Gods during Bridgetown, because the excitement of the venue is undeniable.
Tanker - 4825 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
For the 2009 Bridgetown Comedy Festival, comedian Rylee Newton suggested the idea of adding a venue that would have non-stop, unscheduled comedy throughout the weekend. What sounded like an unusual format for a performance ended up being an audience and comedian favorite at the festival, as the Continuous Comedy Cavalcade at Southeast Portland’s Tanker Bar saw even the biggest names in the festival stop by to perform drop-in sets on the stage that Tanker built specifically for the festival. With an extensive array of craft beers on tap to choose from and an impressive selection of tallboys, the Tanker is one of the best places in the festival to take a break from the crowds and see some stripped-down comedy performed by household names and up-and-coming comics alike.
East Portland Eagles Lodge – 4904 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
For more than a century, the Fraternal Order of Eagles has had a major positive influence on our region, nation, world and most importantly on our communities. It was the Eagles who pushed for the founding of Mother’s Day, who provided the impetus for Social Security and, who pushed to end job discrimination based on age. The Eagles have provided support for medical centers across the country to build and provide research for medical conditions; they raise millions of dollars every year to combat heart disease and cancer, help handicapped kids, uplift the aged and make life a little brighter for everyone. The Bridgetown Comedy Festival is excited to include as a performance venue East Portland Eagles Aerie #3256, which rests at the base of Mount Tabor on 50th Avenue and SE Hawthorne Blvd.
White Owl Social Club – 1305 SE 8th Ave.
Ground Kontrol – 511 NW Couch St. Portland, OR 97209