Everyone who took the time to stop in and read CDG or speak with me in 2017: thank you! You are the highlights of the year!
Only comedy can tempt me to step out into the icy chasm of New Year’s Eve. There are a lot of great temptations this year. Did I forget anything? Leave out an event? Let me know!
Please confirm all details!
Happy, healthy New Year!
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DeRay Davis’ Annual Funny & Famous Chi Town Comedy Countdown at The Arie Crown Theater, Lakeside Center/McCormick Place, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive, 8:00 p.m. Two nights: also December 30 Featuring DeRay Davis, Tiffany Haddish, Michael Blackson, Lil Duval, Lil Rel, and more celebrity guests TBA. Very few tickets left! (At the Peoria Civic Center on Dec. 29)
Patti Vasquez and Paul Farahvar at the Filament Theater, 4041 N. Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m. A family-friendly evening of comedy, music and games. Patti Vasquez is the host of WGN radio’s late night hit show Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez. Paul can be heard on Pretty Late each Monday.
Best of the Second City at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 4:00 p.m. A retrospective of Second City’s best sketches.
The Second City’s NYE Celebration Featuring Dream Freaks Fall From Space, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The Mainstage revue. Different packages include dinner to just drinks.
Second City’s NYE Celebration Featuring Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The e.t.c.’s 41st revue. Different packages include dinner to just drinks.
The Second City’s NYE Celebration Featuring Holidazed and Confused at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. Different packages include dinner to just drinks.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 3851 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. A pre-party and comedy show followed by a party.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 601 N. Martingale Road, Streets of Woodfield, Schaumburg, 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Early show (6:00 p.m.) is suitable for kids.
Gina Brillon at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Gina Brillon has appeared on Kevin Can Wait, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The View, Chelsea Lately and Rolling Stone‘s 2017 list of “10 Comedians You Need to Know.”
Mike Winfield at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. In addition to being a nationally touring headliner, Mike Winfield was Bruce in The Office.
Julian McCullough at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Julian McCullough has appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Inside Amy Schumer, NPR’s This American Life and has his own special on Comedy Central.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Comedy from ‘80s sitcom stars Marc Price (Just the Ten of Us, Growing Pains, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson) and Bill Kirchenbauer (Skippy on Family Ties, Trick or Treat with Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons).
Steamworks the Musical: NYE Party at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W Belmont, 9:30 p.m. This Windy City love story is back for one night only.
The Improvised Shakespeare NYE Spectacular at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m.
Go Fuck Yourself, 2017 (Bye-Bye 2017) at The Public House Theater, 3914 N. Clark, 8:00 p.m. Comedy show, karaoke, games, prizes, party.
Whirled News Tonight at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. This year’s news, but with laughs.
CDC Presents the Interactive New Year’s Eve at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. CDC emphasizes that it is the Comedy Dance Collective and not the Centers for Disease Control.
New Year’s Eve with Comedy Sportz, 929 W. Belmont, 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. All-ages friendly.
Steve Trevino at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schuamburg, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Dinner and a show with Steve Trevino.
The Greatest Story Never Told at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 2:00 p.m. All ages. Improv pros and kids from the audience create a story on stage.
Worst New Year’s Eve Ever at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 7:00 p.m. “True stories of the times New Year’s Eve failed us hard” from Lincoln Lodge (one of Chicago’s premier stand-up showcases) and Bitch ‘N’ Purge Productions (Chicago’s original service industry storytelling show).
Steve Cochran’s New Year’s Eve at The Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, 7:00 p.m. WGN radio’s Steve Cochran with John DaCosse, Tim Benker, and Mike Toomey.
New Year’s Eve Showcase at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Cornstravaganza at The Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Open bar, open buffet. Two sets of sketch and improv.
You, Me, and Magic at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Ensemble Virgin Daiquiri invites you to celebrate NYE with interactive improv, magic, prizes and more. Starring: Abby McEnany, Allison Ringhand, Chelsea Norment, Dana Quercioli, and Dina Facklis. Virgin Daiquiri alums include Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong.
New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m. Featuring Jonah Jurkens, Russ Williamson, Tim McLaughlin, Reena Calm, Chris Bader, a Special Guest, and more TBA.
10:30 p.m. Featuring Marty DeRosa, Kellye Howard, Russ Williamson, Abi Sanchez, a Special Guest, and more TBA.
Aaron Foster at First Presbyterian Church, Evanston, 10:00 p.m. Aaron Foster is also a Chicago radio personality and wrote for the critically acclaimed television show Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Tonight’s performance is part of Evanston’s Annual “First Night” celebration. Ticket information here.
Pat McGann’s NYE Comedy Special on WCIU at 9:00 p.m. Staying in doesn’t mean missing out! Pat McGann, who appeared on Late Night with Stephen Colbert just last month, and his guests make it possible to enjoy Chicago comedy at home. The stellar line-up: Dwayne Kennedy, Emily Galati, Jim Flannigan and Andy Woodhull. Encores on The U Too at 10 p.m. and on The U at 11 p.m. and midnight.
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