Stand-up showcase hosted by James Bosquez and headlined by Ben Demarco, pairing national talent with up-and-coming Portland comedians.
The Transplants returns to Helium Comedy Club on Wednesday, October 21, with Ben Demarco headlining. It's a showcase that's been a fixture at Helium PDX since 2016, and this particular night puts a touring headliner at the top of a deep bill. Demarco takes the headliner spot, and James Bosquez hosts the evening.
Below the headliner, the lineup is a full run: Camille Redd, Zachary Clark, Amir Kat, Cimberly Nickell, Andrea Joseph, and Elijah Mang, with local guest Taye Courtney added to the mix. That's seven comics before the headliner, so it's a long night of stand-up rather than a quick set.
The show's format is part of its history. Bosquez, a Texas native who's lived in Portland since 2015, started The Transplants to bring comedic talent from across the country to the same stage and pair them with some of the best up-and-coming comedians currently living in Portland. It's now the longest-running showcase at Helium PDX, and its alumni have gone on to appear on Comics Unleashed, Kill Tony, and late-night TV. The night is built for an intimate room—the venue describes it as bringing stadium-sized talent to a small theater—and the shows usually run about an hour and forty minutes, typically structured as an opener, a feature, and a headliner.
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Practical details: The show starts at 7 PM. It's 21+, and the room serves a full menu of food and drink, from craft beers and appetizers to entrees, desserts, and homespun cocktails.
