Start Fresh Festival

07/31/2026

I was talking to Jon last Dec and he mentioned how he always thought it'd be a great idea to do a comedy festival in Bend, since all the musicians like going there in the summer. I thought it was a great idea, little did we know someone was already cooking up the idea for it. if you're looking for comedy stuff and maybe a hike while you're out in the mountains on Labor Day weekend then Bend Comedy Festival would be a nice thing to check out.
I'm seeing some familiar names in the lineup so I'm sure it'll be a fun time. for everyone else, we'll see you in Portland in Dec/Jan, we have lots of fun events for the community celebrating art in every iteration, including comedy! 💖❄️

01/14/2026

WOW
I could barely fit it onto the grid, we'll see what we can get up to next year. I've got some ideas on how to expand it out but I couldn't do this without the help of our amazing creative community in Portland. I'm so, so proud of what we were able to get up to with the festival. I learned so much and I'm eager to apply that to make next year even more kick ass. Seriously, I'm so, so grateful, thank you 💖 See you next year! and now, the post-fest laydown week!

01/13/2026

We had such a great crowd for the 3×30 block at Clinton St! People loved the Q&A with the OGRE band members and filmmakers! we got an extra special treat of a mini-lecture at the end by indie actor/producer/director/filmmaker/community leader Jerry Bell Jr. we'll have a regular-length lecture for you guys next time! I was so enthralled with The Ogre that I didn't snap a pic, guess you guys will have to check it out yourselves at the next screening. I loved seeing the audience reactions, though, it was my favorite part. A wonderful way to wrap up Start Fresh 25-26!
❄️💖

01/13/2026

I kept meaning to come back and post this!
The social hour and screening at Echo was so much fun! I always enjoy getting to meet and chat with filmmakers, it's a fun experience to sit down and watch a variety of films together, too! It warms my heart when we get to be the first festival for people, we got to be that twice this year. My heart 🥰
[the actual] Jose couldn't make it, but our "honorary Jose" Vincent Truman voted for Room Tone to be his favorite in the industry inside jokes block. congrats to him for winning ALL THREE of the NYE 60 second cinema challenge awards, too! Take that Jesus! (it's funny bc Jesus won all three at the Christmas one). Congrats to Timothy Blackton for winning our Audience Favorite award for this year! Trophy incoming!

01/07/2026

Olivia, our Nasha in Deception, gave a chilling performance. it was scary good but my favorite part was throwing roses at her at the end.
David D. Levine, our Aniloyoda had a great accent in the play. You guys killed it. Seriously!
(I had to crop this clip to avoid spoilers)

01/07/2026

THANK YOU to all of our wonderful actors, crew, and production team for the mini-play-a-thon! 🌹
There's not enough roses in the world for you guys and all of your hard work. I'm so glad we came together to do the damn thing. I'm so, so proud of everyone. THANK YOU
💖

01/07/2026

Rough Start had a full house! The audience laughed, cried, and awh'd along with the storytellers! Jasmine proposed this show, we wanted to include storytelling with the YOLO mic last year, so this fit in perfectly with the vibe. Jasmine and Zane cohosted! I'm so glad that we got some magic at Start Fresh this year. How lucky are we?! 💖

01/06/2026

YOLO mic returns! Josh Henri and Lori Van Deman hosted this year over at Great Notion (on 28th). I was sad to miss this show but I heard it was a riot!
We had a variety of comedians and Zane graced us with a song and even wore some sunglasses 😎
I had the "I did an open mic" shirts with me.... at the play-a-thon venue. whoops. next year we'll bring 'em.
It seems like people had fun and it's a fun tradition!
Rough Start followed the YOLO mic, Jasmine hosted and told stories with Zane, Josh, and a lineup of other comics. Great interactions/vibes with the audience!

01/06/2026

Our Featured Feature If You Should Leave Before Me was featured on Everyday Northwest this morning! Awesome!
‘If You Should Leave Before Me’ captures grief on camera

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Grief, love and loss are themes explored in many stories. We all have experienced loss, but it can be hard to find media that represents our experiences. If You Should…

01/05/2026

What a lovely group of authors/book lovers at Rose City Book Pub. The second I saw RCBP, I knew that I wanted to have an event there. Lori Van Deman hosted the reading featuring Aaron Simon, Brandon J Custy, Jennie Bricker, Jane Carlsen, Mari Matthias, and Tuna Cole*
I would like to find them and personally thank them
[an author who offered to read and joined the lineup in what I can only imagine was one of those "is there a doctor on the plane?!" situation but not as dire.] THANK YOU everyone, I was sad to miss this event but I knew Lori and Elise at RCBP would take care of you guys!