It was 1975, and comedian Jose Simon had a dream. Barbra Streisand did it. A number of rock 'n' roll bands had done it, too. Even the symphony gave it a go. Free outdoor concerts were becoming more commonplace in music. So, why not one featuring comedians? A free outdoor performance in The City that is considered the cradle of civilization for comedy would be a great way for local comedians to say thank you to their fans.
Jose Simon and Robin WilliamsIt took a few years and a lot of cooperation from a lot of people to make it happen, but since 1981 more than 750 of the world's funniest comedians have performed free-of-charge for more than a half-million people at the original outdoor comedy concert, Comedy Day. It started in the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse (affectionately known as the Band Shell), moved to the Polo Fields in 1987 to accommodate larger crowds and, for the past few years, has found a home in Sharon Meadow.
San Francisco's professional comedy community joins together each year to support this highly-entertaining, five-hour show. The Punch Line, Cobb's Comedy Club, SF Sketchfest, and others help make Comedy Day the most anticipated comedy event of the year.
The State of California and The City support it, too. The Governor of California, San Francisco's Mayor's Office, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, California State Senator Mark Leno, California State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, Pat Paulsen Vineyards, San Francisco Examiner, KGO News Radio 810, NBC Bay Area TV, SF Weekly, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Villa Florence, Common Cider, The Bay Guardian, FCCFree Radio, SF Sketchfest, FunCheapSF, Reality Check TV, The Punch Line San Francisco, Cobb’s Comedy Club, U.S. Pure Water, Doc’s Lab, Sylvan Productions, Rock Medicine, Grants for the Arts (San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund), Sam's Chowder Mobile, Gyros & Cheesesteak Trolley, The Slider Shack, ForeverSprung Spring Rolls, Ben & Jerry's and many other organizations all contribute generously to Comedy Day.
Comedy Day is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible. Our tax ID number is:
94-2945255.
Comedy Day also provides outreach programs. Comedy workshops teaching conflict resolution through the use of humor are available for Bay Area public schools throughout the year. We can also arrange for comedians to perform for charitable organizations/benefits, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and hospices throughout the Bay Area.
Comedy Day has no salaried administrative staff and relies solely on the efforts of our volunteers. We derive income from donors, vendors, sponsors and SF Grants for the Arts. Please patronize our benefactors! Thank you.