Nevada City Film Festival’s annual Comedy Nights returns, April 4 and 5 to the historic Nevada Theatre, with a double-header stand-up comedy extravaganza featuring “Locals Mostly,” a showcase of popular local comedians, and a very special, never before seen evening with Jess Riegel, host and creator of the cult favorite online series “Unlikely Gems” plus openers “The Next Great Show” – the leading, most popular, and ONLY female impersonated Wayne’s World act.
Once part of the three-day international independent film festival, NCFF Comedy Nights has grown to become its own signature event having welcomed such infamous characters as Marc Maron, Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford, Beth Stelling, Brett Gelman, Eric Andre, Nick Kroll, Natasha Leggero, Kyle Kinane, John Early and Kate Berlant to name a few.
“Every year we try to switch it up for our audiences with the intent of offering a fun, memorable experience that they’ll be talking about for years to come,” explains Jesse Locks, executive director. “This year definitely promises to be one not to miss.”
FRIDAY, APRIL 4 “LOCALS MOSTLY”
Friday kicks off with “Locals Mostly” co-presented with The BVNKR. The enigmatic Zani Salvatore and Jori Phillips – fondly referred to as the #2 and #3 winners of last year’s Herd Mentality local stand-up contest at Comedy Nights – bring the local vibes to the show. Salvatore has quickly established himself on the regional scene with his fresh humor and casual mayhem. He shares the irony of life in the bucolic town of Nevada City and will have you laughing at the idiosyncrasies of it. Phillip’s fast-paced, happily aggressive, relatable comedy will make you feel at home in an alien world as she works out what it is to be a human being.
Joining Salvatore and Phillips are Nate Shaw and Walker Glenn (SF Sketchfest) – two dudes not afraid to riff on everyday absurdities or share their hilarious personal stories. Shaw is a Sacramento-based stand-up comedian who can be found regularly at Laughs Unlimited and Punchline Sacramento, as well as hosting and performing all over Northern California. Glenn is a stand-up comic, writer, podcaster, and the grumpy dad you didn’t know you wanted. In 2023 he performed in Treefort Fest and SF Sketchfest. He is a regular at Cheaper Than Therapy and Laughs Unlimited, a frequent contributor to the punk news/satire site the Hard Times, and host of the podcast Idiotalk. He lives in Oakland, CA with his human son and canine dog, and he is not mad at you— he’s just disappointed.
Returning as master of ceremonies is Michaela King, a Nevada City-based stand-up comedian, producer and actor. She is the co-founder of The Bvnkr, Nevada County’s premier stand-up comedy coalition. Formed in 2020 with the intention of providing comics a place to work and work out, The BVNKR soon evolved into a community for stand-up fans, newcomers to comedy – on either side of the mic – and seasoned comedians alike, and continues its dedication to cultivating community, comedy and bringing laughter to Nevada County and beyond.
“It’s so exciting to be back at Comedy Nights – the audiences are so great and welcoming,” said King. “I curated this year’s local show with comedians that compliment, one another in style and content. Each is going to take the room on a wild ride of fun.”
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, “IS THIS OK?”
You may not know Jess Riegel by name, but you have definitely seen him playing a deadpan TV presenter in the Unlikely Gems video series somewhere on the internet.
Riegel has spent the last eight years absorbing life in Nevada County: doing construction, milking a goat and a cow, learning to garden, helping people grow cannabis, living in an old ranch classroom, sleeping in an uninsulated cabin, practicing Ecstatic Dance, driving a yellow taxi, and doing over 2000 cold dips in Wolf Creek and Deer Creek. All of these experiences, plus a unique childhood has helped to inform his series which aims to discover an array of local treasures.
An avid video-maker since age 12, Riegel produced three distinct feature film documentaries on the unicycling world Olympics: in Japan, Denmark, and Italy. He also was a very proficient unicyclist and won 3rd best in the world for technical downhill mountain unicycling at the 2008 unicycling Olympics. He was a finalist in 2015 for designing a public art video commission at the Golden1 Center in Sacramento. Later, success arrived when he won an Upstate Creative Corps grant in 2023 based off his Unlikely Gems video series.
Opening up Saturday night is “The Next Great Show”, a live comedy series, hosted by the ultra-funny duo of Rena Blair and Judy Merrick, who perform as Wayne and Garth – from the classic 90s SNL skit Wayne’s World – but with a twist.
“One night after one of our shows, it just came to us; we look just like Wayne and Garth,” explained Merrick. “We realized that the wild, ridiculous things happening in the world are way easier to swallow when delivered by a lovable cutie like Garth and the effortlessly cool Wayne. Basically, we’re just sugar-coating reality with hair metal and flannel.”
The audience can expect an episode just like the real show, complete with Wayne and Garth’s ridiculous antics, an outrageous Top Ten, and perfectly awkward midwestern humor.
FREE SATURDAY IMPROV CLASS
Instant Improv Class with Kimberly Ewing
Saturday, April 5, 5-6pm, FREE
Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street
In keeping with the comedy spirit, arts educator and actor Kimberly Ewing is offering a FREE Instant Improv Class prior to Saturday night’s show, 5-6pm at the Nevada Theatre. Guests are invited to participate in an hour of unscripted, in-the-moment play that ignites creativity, connection, and collaboration. No experience needed, just willing to say “YES AND” while tapping into your inner child and creative self.
Ewing has been teaching Improv, along with performing in award-winning improv troupes for years. Her ability to create a safe space for everyone invites playfulness and delight. Size is limited so please sign up by emailing Kimberly at kimberly_ewing@hotmail.com
WHO: Nevada City Film Festival presents their annual Comedy Nights
WHAT: “Is This Ok?” featuring Jess Riegel of Unlikely Gems plus special guests The Next Great Show with Ren Blair and Judy Merrick; “Locals Mostly” hosted by Michaela King with Zani Salvatore, Jori Phillips, Nate Shaw and Walker Glenn, plus DJ Fossil
WHEN: Friday – Saturday, April 4 – 5, Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
WHERE: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City
TICKETS: $25/adv, $30/door, $40/both shows
ABOUT NEVADA CITY FILM FESTIVAL
Since 2001, the Nevada City Film Festival (NCFF) has brought top independent film, music and comedy, along with attracting thousands of attendees, international filmmakers, and industry guests to the beautiful historic town of Nevada City, California.
In 2023, NCFF was named “One of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals” by Moviemaker Magazine, and voted the #9 film festival in the USA by 10Best USA Today. In 2024, NCFF was named for the fourth time by Moviemaker Magazine as one of the top 50 film festivals in the world worth the submission fee for filmmakers.
Save the Date for the 25th annual Nevada City Film Festival, June 20-22, 2025.