FUNNY GIRLS

Barbara Holm got onstage at a comedy open mic two years ago to overcome her crippling stage fright. She's been haunting Seattle's rotating cast of open mics ever since. Here, she talks about funny sexist jokes and why Seattle needs an all-women's comedy night.

First: Why an all-lady show?

I'm at open mics nearly every night—and from my experience, you don't see a lot of funny women onstage. It's ridiculous, because there are so many funny women in Seattle, but because comedy is dominated by men, there's a stigma that women aren't as funny. So as my contribution to International Women's Day, I want to show people that, yes, we're funny.

Are you worried that people might dismiss it as gimmicky, like the Special Olympics of comedy?

No, sometimes I get bored listening to twentysomething white male comics perform. They're all, "It's so hard being a white male standup comic! Here's another story about me trying to date women!" I like diversity onstage; it exposes audiences to a different viewpoint. It can make them laugh in new ways, if that makes sense.

I see what you mean—straight men making jokes about sex mean that women are the objects of their jokes, even if it's unintentional.

Yes! Somehow I've gotten a reputation as someone who hates all sexist jokes. It's not that: I just hate unfunny sexist jokes. If you're going to tell a sexist joke or a rape joke, it has to be really short and funny.

Do you have any good sexist jokes?

When I was in college, I wanted to concoct a potion to turn any ceiling into glass, but then I remembered that women can't do science.

Ha! Now tell me about the ladies you've booked.

At Rylee Newton's last show, I laughed so hard that I cried. She has a way of saying the weirdest things that make you think, "When I was a child, I thought like that." It's insane and very relatable. Leah Mansfield is an intelligent joke writer who's quirky, friendly, and wants the audience to have as much fun as she's having.

Comedy Underground, 8 pm, $10, all ages.

JESSE CASE, BRETT HAMIL

BFFs Jesse Case and Brett Hamil will be coheadlining at Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland on March 8, and they'll be opening for Andy Kindler at Laughs on March 9 and 10. Laughs Comedy Spot; Thurs 8:30 pm, $10, 18+; Fri–Sat 8 and 10 pm, $15, early show 18+/late show 21+.