The Center for the Arts to host former Sen. Al Franken on Nov. 18

Nov. 8—Al Franken is an American politician, comedian, writer, actor, and media personality who served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018. Franken also gained fame as both a writer and performer on the NBC sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live."

During his 15 seasons with "Saturday Night Live," Franken won five Emmys for writing and producing. He also authored four number one New York Times bestsellers, including "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations," "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them — A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right," and "Al Franken, Giant of the Senate."

While working as a senator, Franken served on several committees such as the Judiciary, Energy, Indian Affairs, and HELP which stands for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. He reportedly garnered a reputation for routinely embarrassing ill-prepared witnesses and was a fierce opponent of media concentration, mandatory arbitration, and Betsy DeVos. His political action committee, called Midwest Values PAC, supports progressive Democrats, voting rights, and a host of other "non-political" things.

The Al Franken Podcast is currently one of the nation's top-10 politics and public affairs podcasts with guests like Malcolm Nance, Sarah Silverman, Paul Krugman, and Chris Rock.

Locals will have a chance to catch this diverse entertainer on Nov. 18 at the Marisa Funk Theater, the mainstage for the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin one hour after. VIP ticket holders will also have the opportunity to meet Franken before the show during a 45-minute cocktail reception in the Off Center Stage theater.

The Center for the Arts is located at 314 W. Main St. in Grass Valley. For more information about this event or to purchase tickets, visit thecenterforthearts.org.