MONDAY, JANUARY 16
Feminist Happy Hour: It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye Edition at The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave., 6:00 p.m. This comedy variety show is in tribute to the Obamas tonight. Special surprise guest Sameena Mustafa. Featuring Veronica Arreola, Jasmine Davila, Colette Gregory and Jill Hopkins-Olewnik. Hosted by Alicia Swiz.
Ladylike at Cafe Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Free show. $5 suggested donations. Comedy and stories in a safe space celebrating disgusting mayhem. Tonight features Krostin Fanchak, Ariel Atkins, Sonal Aggarwal, Lucianne Walkowicz, Kristin Ryan and Claire Swanson. Hosted by Allison Dunne. Produced by Allison Dunne, Gena Gephart, Sarah Squirm and Carly Ballerini.
Female Funnies at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Hosted by nationally touring headliner, WGN’s Patti Vasquez (Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez).
Are You Smarter Than a Comedian? at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. New show every third Monday. A stand-up showcase with trivia and audience games. With Reena Calm, Andy Fleming, James Fischer, Brittany Meyer, Mary Jordan and Andrew Tavin.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
Panorama at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 6:30 p.m. New monthly show features stories, comedy, political satire and music. Hosted by Rick Kogan (Chicago Tribune columnist & WGN radio host) and musician Michael Miles.
Bless Your Heart at The Crowd Theater, 3935 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Katie Tyner grew up religious in Oklahoma, then moved to Chicago and embraced her urban, often awkward, new lifestyle. This one-woman multi-character show is about reconciling the two. Tuesdays in January.
Fake It Till You Make It: The Winners Circle at The Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. The all-star edition. Past winners compete in this improv comedy game show for title of Ultimate Champion. Featuring Reena Calm, Kristen Lundberg, David Phillips, Ben Banach, Chris Trani, Sydney Davis Jr. Jr., Chris Higgins, Rachel McCartney, Will Stagg, Hobert Thompson and co-host Kyle Ryan. Music by Chore Boy.
Winner … of Our Discontent at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The new 105th Mainstage revue. Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
Jimmy Schubert at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Jimmy Schubert was a Last Comic Standing finalist and has appeared on Maron, Entourage and 2 Broke Girls.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. The famed alt-comedy showcase is executive produced by Meredith Kachel. Birthplace of groundbreaking comedy. Original comedy home of Beth Stelling, Cameron Esposito, Dan Telfer, TJ Miller, Kumail Nanjiani and many more. Come see the current extraordinary cast and the always stellar line-up.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
Mom Genes at Café Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:00 p.m. The “New Year New You: Doomsday Preppers Edition.” Headliner: Brandi Denise. Featuring Kelly Bolton, Steve Gerard, Kyna Lenhof and Toby McMullen. Mom Genes says take heart: “Just because you’re living in a apocalyptic bunker doesn’t mean you can’t be your best self!”
Jimmy Schubert at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Jimmy Schubert was a Last Comic Standing finalist and has appeared on Maron, Entourage, 2 Broke Girls and many more.
Laughs in the Lounge at Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood, 9:00 p .m. Free stand-up show. Hosted by Marla Depew. Featuring Adam Guerino (Rainbow Connection Queer Comedy Tour), Miles Hendrix (VHS Comedy), Sarah Perry (Laib Your Life), Melissa Richelle (Zanies) and Prateek Srivastava (Simmer Brown Comedy).
Having it All: Stories and Improv About Being Female at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Featuring storytellers Hailey Palmer, Kenzie Seibert, Mary Tilden, Katie Maggart and Mary Cait Walthall, and improvisers Caitlin Connor Joseph, Margaret LeBron, Kaydee Dolan, Lucy Walker, Lucia Reiur, Maddie Cordovano, Rebeccah Singer and Allison Reese.
TJ & Dave at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Long form improv by internationally renowned legends TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi who “improvise a one-hour play filled with elaborately imagined characters whose relationships reveal the wildly funny quirks of human nature.” TJ & Dave have inspired both a book (Improvisation at the Speed of Life) and a movie (Trust Us, This is all Made Up).