Ashland Gears Up for First-Ever Sarcasm Festival
A three-day lineup of comedy, improv, and citywide events arrives Dec. 5–7.
Ashland — best known for Shakespeare, theater, and its year-round arts scene — is about to showcase a different style of performance: sharp wit and finely crafted sarcasm.
From December 5–7, the city will host the inaugural Ashland Sarcasm Festival (ASF!), a three-day celebration of stand-up, improv, satire, and alternative comedy programmed across theaters, bars, hotels, and downtown venues.
The festival is produced by Storytown Ashland, a nonprofit focused on new cultural programming, in partnership with Epic Ashland.
“This festival is our love letter to Ashland’s clever, quirky soul — and to the power of laughter to bring us together,” said Matt Hoffman, creative director of Storytown Ashland, in the festival’s announcement. He described the event as a new cultural experience designed to elevate local performers and place Ashland on the national comedy map.
Headliners at the Angus Bowmer Theatre
ASF!’s marquee feature is “Epic Nights of Comedy” on Dec. 5 and 6 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Angus Bowmer Theatre — a venue typically dark during winter months.
Each night includes two shows at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 5:
Headliner: Moshe Kasher, known for crowd work and memoir Kasher in the Rye.
Opener: Amy Miller, with credits on Netflix and Comedy Central.Dec. 6:
Headliner: Ron Funches, an Oregon-raised comedian and actor featured in Trolls and Undateable.
Opener: Jared Goldstein, a performer featured by Time Out LA and Comedy Central.
Tickets range from $35–$75 at sarcasmfest.com.
Festival organizers say securing nationally touring comics for the Bowmer Theatre marks a major step for Ashland’s developing comedy community.
A Citywide Schedule of Shows and Events
Beyond the Bowmer stage, the festival will spread throughout Ashland with showcases hosted at bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Friday, Dec. 5 Highlights
7 p.m. — Liquid Lounge: music + comedy
7 p.m. — Resistance Wine Co.: Monica Nevi & Luke Null
8 p.m. — White Rabbit: “Wrong! A F**ked Up Game Show”
10 p.m. — Local 31 Pub: stand-up showcase
Saturday, Dec. 6 Highlights
12–5 p.m. — Sarcasm Hub at White Rabbit
1–3 p.m. — Improv workshop at Drift Collective
7 p.m. — “Hick to Hamlet” at Resistance Wine Co.
8 p.m. — Dungeons & Drag Queens at Ashland Springs Hotel
9 p.m. — Stand-up at Brickroom featuring Luke Null
Sunday, Dec. 7
11 a.m. — Drag Brunch at Bar Juillet
6 p.m. — Historical roast fundraiser at Brickroom
Most events have a cover charge; two — the Sarcasm Hub and Skout Taphouse’s Music & Games — are free.
Aiming for Economic and Cultural Impact
Organizers say ASF! is designed not only to entertain but strengthen Ashland’s position as a year-round cultural destination.
Jim Fredericks, chair of the Ashland Cultural & Economic Alliance, called it “a cultural statement” — one intended to boost tourism, energize businesses, and bring new visitors during the typically quiet early-winter season.
The event is part of Storytown’s broader effort to expand local programming, building on free summer concerts in Lithia Park that drew large crowds and spurred similar initiatives by other organizations.
With large-scale event experience that includes Coachella and national sporting events, ASF! head of operations Montana Hauser said the festival lineup is intentionally wide-ranging.
“There will be stand-up comedy, improv comedy, game shows, Dungeons & Dragons live play, commedia dell’arte, a one-woman show, a one-man show, music — and more being programmed,” she said.