Comedy is King 

Please bear with us as we share about the multi-date month of funny shows during the merry month of May from Bear Cave Comedy, the folks who feature titanically talented comics on the tiniest stages. Samantha Bearman, aka Sam Bear, hosts the Not So Secret Comedy show on May 4 at McConnell’s Ice Cream’s downtown store (728 State St.) with appearances from Brinan Weeks, Dylan Subiza, Mike Spettel, and Leigh Cummings. May the Laughs Be With You on May 13 brings the likes of Amy Silverberg, Rachel Abraham, and Adam Elder to Centennial Beer Hall (5871 Hollister Ave.). Then up-and-comers and other local hopefuls get a slot on stage for a 90-minute Open Mic Night in advance of sets from a few pros at Bear Cave’s Comedy is a Drag show featuring Noah Copfer, Stuart Thompson, Feltaan, Stephen Agyei at the Wildcat on May 18. On May 25, Bear Cave Comedy opts for the great outdoors with an evening show called Unbearable, at the fire pit bar (501 State St.) for a lineup yet to be announced. Details and tickets at www.samanthabearman.com/bear-cave-comedy-show. 

Bear in mind that Bear Cave’s Not So Secret Comedy show is a poke at Don’t Tell Comedy, the ongoing series of independent, secret, pop-up comedy shows with unannounced lineups in usually unlikely locations. These locations include everything from historic mansions to candy stores, rooftops, and rock-climbing gyms. Launched more than five years ago by a pair of frustrated comedy lovers tired of the Los Angeles club scene, Don’t Tell Comedy has established beachheads in dozens of cities across the country, including Santa Barbara. Proximity to comedy Mecca in L.A. helps amp up the level of the comedians coming to perform, but the names remain unknown until they take the stage. May’s announced shows include May 6 at 8 pm, and early and late shows on May 12, both at outdoor downtown locations and both featuring seating but BYOB drinks, food, and other refreshments. Visit www.donttellcomedy.com/cities/santa-barbara. 

The first Saturday of May brings the short-form comedy performances of Santa Barbara Improv to the Unitarian Society’s Jefferson Hall, where the sci-fi loving folks over there always give the May show a Star Wars/Star Trek theme. That’s because it’s close to May 4, as in, “May the fourth be with you.” Fortunately, most of the made-up humor on May 6 rises far above simple wordplay. Visit www.sbimprov.com/shows.