Last year, Bumbershoot relegated its comedy lineup to a sun-soaked tent, because nothing says "comedy" like sitting in a tepid, sealed fabric enclosure with zero breeze on a hot day. Bumbershoot course-corrected this year by moving its "Comedy Coop" into the SIFF theater, with luxuries like air conditioning and, er, chairs.

One thing that remains consistent with last year's stand-up lineup is an emphasis on local, working comedians, not national headliners. Chances are, if you're not regularly catching sets from homegrown talent when they open for touring artists at venues like Laughs and Emerald City Comedy Club, you may look at this year's lineup and feel your vision blurring. Which is okay! Everybody has to start somewhere, and we'll help you work up some Comedy Coop courage (CCC) with

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