Fri April 17, 2026
The Wash Open Mic Returns: Tony Sparks Revives Legendary Bay Area Comedy Institution
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The Godfather of Bay Area comedy, Tony Sparks, announces the rebirth of his legendary open mic with a new name and a renewed mission. The Wash Open Mic -- formerly the Brain Wash Open Mic -- relaunches Friday, April 17, 2026, at SF Laundromat (attached to the Hotel Julian) 970 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94107.
A New Home for Bay Area Comedy
In collaboration with veteran comedian Leiroy Abueg of The Comedy Party, Sparks is
revamping the show to serve as a creative hub for both the next generation and veteran
performers in the Bay Area comedy scene. The Wash will continue the tradition of showcasing and developing new talent in the same vein that made its predecessor a rite of passage.
A Storied Legacy
The original Brain Wash Open Mic debuted on April 1, 1999, and ran through December 2017
when the longtime Folsom Street venue closed. In its final years the show ran seven nights a
week and hosted thousands of performers. The Brain Wash played a formative role in the
careers of major Bay Area comedians, including W. Kamau Bell, Chris Riggins, Sammy Obed,
and Ali Wong -- who references the Brain Wash in her book and in her viral Hot Ones interview with Sean Evans.
April 1st marks the 27th anniversary of the original debut. The relaunch with the new name, The Wash, begins Friday, April 17th. The evening will showcase emerging Bay Area comics, feature surprise guests, and honor the legacy that shaped so many careers.
show less
A New Home for Bay Area Comedy
In collaboration with veteran comedian Leiroy Abueg of The Comedy Party, Sparks is
revamping the show to serve as a creative hub for both the next generation and veteran
performers in the Bay Area comedy scene. The Wash will continue the tradition of showcasing and developing new talent in the same vein that made its predecessor a rite of passage.
A Storied Legacy
The original Brain Wash Open Mic debuted on April 1, 1999, and ran through December 2017
when the longtime Folsom Street venue closed. In its final years the show ran seven nights a
week and hosted thousands of performers. The Brain Wash played a formative role in the
careers of major Bay Area comedians, including W. Kamau Bell, Chris Riggins, Sammy Obed,
and Ali Wong -- who references the Brain Wash in her book and in her viral Hot Ones interview with Sean Evans.
April 1st marks the 27th anniversary of the original debut. The relaunch with the new name, The Wash, begins Friday, April 17th. The evening will showcase emerging Bay Area comics, feature surprise guests, and honor the legacy that shaped so many careers.
The Godfather of Bay Area comedy, Tony Sparks, announces the rebirth of his legendary open mic with a new name and a renewed mission. The Wash Open Mic -- formerly the Brain Wash Open Mic -- relaunches Friday, April 17, 2026, at SF Laundromat (attached to the Hotel Julian) 970 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94107.
A New Home for Bay Area Comedy
In collaboration with veteran comedian Leiroy Abueg of The Comedy Party, Sparks is
revamping the show to serve as a creative hub for both the next generation and veteran
performers in the Bay Area comedy scene. The Wash will continue the tradition of showcasing and developing new talent in the same vein that made its predecessor a rite of passage.
A Storied Legacy
The original Brain Wash Open Mic debuted on April 1, 1999, and ran through December 2017
when the longtime Folsom Street venue closed. In its final years the show ran seven nights a
week and hosted thousands of performers. The Brain Wash played a formative role in the
careers of major Bay Area comedians, including W. Kamau Bell, Chris Riggins, Sammy Obed,
and Ali Wong -- who references the Brain Wash in her book and in her viral Hot Ones interview with Sean Evans.
April 1st marks the 27th anniversary of the original debut. The relaunch with the new name, The Wash, begins Friday, April 17th. The evening will showcase emerging Bay Area comics, feature surprise guests, and honor the legacy that shaped so many careers.
read more
A New Home for Bay Area Comedy
In collaboration with veteran comedian Leiroy Abueg of The Comedy Party, Sparks is
revamping the show to serve as a creative hub for both the next generation and veteran
performers in the Bay Area comedy scene. The Wash will continue the tradition of showcasing and developing new talent in the same vein that made its predecessor a rite of passage.
A Storied Legacy
The original Brain Wash Open Mic debuted on April 1, 1999, and ran through December 2017
when the longtime Folsom Street venue closed. In its final years the show ran seven nights a
week and hosted thousands of performers. The Brain Wash played a formative role in the
careers of major Bay Area comedians, including W. Kamau Bell, Chris Riggins, Sammy Obed,
and Ali Wong -- who references the Brain Wash in her book and in her viral Hot Ones interview with Sean Evans.
April 1st marks the 27th anniversary of the original debut. The relaunch with the new name, The Wash, begins Friday, April 17th. The evening will showcase emerging Bay Area comics, feature surprise guests, and honor the legacy that shaped so many careers.
show less
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