Visitors in town: Something unprecedented is happening at Weiner’s Circle on Saturday night and it involves Jeff Garlin and friends! Details below!
At Zanies: Andy Woodhull (Chicago), Grant Lyon (Chicago), Emily Galati (Chicago), Tin Foil Hat podcast (Chicago), Marty DeRosa (Rosemont), Pat Tomasulo (Rosemont), Jimmy Shubert (St. Charles).
At Riddles: Damon Williams Comedy Jam with Rob Stapleton.
At The Improv: Taylor Tomlinson.
Ticket Alerts:
January 3-6: Emmy Blotnick at Zanies. She is a stand-up comedian, a writer at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and the brains behind the show’s bestselling book, Whose Boat is This Boat?
January 3-5: Laurie Kilmartin at Zanies. An author, Conan writer and stand-up whose special 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad was named one of the best of 2016 by Vulture.
January 5: Funnier By the Lake presents Laughs for Mike with Kristen Toomey, Reena Calm and special guest Steven Curry at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center. The evening benefits the Michael Yancovich No Joke Foundation which promotes comedy, community and compassion in honor of Chicago comedian Mike Yancovich who died earlier this year.
January 23-26: Emma Willman makes her Zanies debut. (Her second appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was just this past Friday!)
February 6-9: Comedy icon and Chicagoan Marsha Warfield at Zanies.
February 22-24: Jay Pharoah at Zanies. The Saturday Night Live alum and impressionist extraordinaire.
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Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home. Especially in this weather.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10
Vince Maranto at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Vince Maranto is a nationally touring headliner and one of Chicago’s iconic comedians.
Holiday Movie Night at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. An evening of holiday festivities and celebration with the latest sketch videos, short films, and web series from iO’s talented community.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11
Algorithm Nation or, The Static Quo at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The new 107th Mainstage Revue! Shows are selling out. Advanced ticket purchase recommended! Follow link for show times throughout the week.
Comedy Cocktail at House of Blues’ Foundation Room, 329 N. Dearborn, 6:00 p.m. Produced by James Allen Kamp, creator of the most excellent comedyofchicago.com. DJ Tone-Knee kicks off the evening at 6:00 p.m. Stand-up showcases at 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. RSVP for free admission. Early arrival recommended. Seats go fast! Always a great, diverse line-up of Chicago’s top comedians and surprise drop-ins.
7:30 p.m. Mickey Housley hosts Pat Chase, Jaime de Leon, Taneshia Rice
9:00 p.m. Doc Love hosts Jaime de Leon, Chris Higgins, Alex Kumin
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. One of Chicago’s best known stand-up showcases. Nicky Martin hosts Whitney Chitwood, Lainie Lenertz, Austin Lafond, Matt Drufke, Steve Gerard, and Lauren Vino and the ChUC debut of Brian Emuge.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
Home for Hanukkah with Bubbe at ComedySportz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. “An interactive holiday experience.”
Pour One Out at Volumes Bookcafé, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:00 p.m. Tonight’s theme: “The End, Perhaps?” Ada Cheng (professor, improviser, storyteller, author) hosts this storytelling event featuring Jaclyn Barker, Kim Duncan, Lindsay Eanet, Matt Lipman, Nancy Garcia Loza, Pearl Nongluk, Isabelle Rizo, and Paul Teodo.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13
TJ & Dave at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. After a long hiatus, the world-renowned improv duo is back! TJ & Dave have inspired a book (Improvisation at the Speed of Light) and a movie (Trust Us This is All Made Up). Onscreen, you can also see TJ in The Studio B Series and Dave in AMC’s Lodge 49. Buy tickets in advance! Selling out fast!
Excited State at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., 8:00 p.m. The most unexpected quintessential Chicago comedy show: “the performance takes audiences on a hilarious—and utterly improvised—journey of discovery through scientific history, breakthroughs, and common misconceptions. The troupe is comprised of Chicago’s most outgoing scientists from UChicago, UIC, IIT, Fermi Lab, Argonne and elsewhere. Each performance features a Special Guest from the scientific community. This month, The Excited State welcomes Young Kee Kim, Chair, The Department of Physics, University of Chicago.”
Just Us Gals at Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont, 7:30 p.m. Monthly indie music and comedy party. Featuring Audrey Jonas (Laugh Factory), Shannon Noll (We Still Like You, Limestone Comedy Festival), Michael Njuguna Robinson (Laugh Factory, Zanies) and more TBA. Hosted by Naomi Spungen, Clare Austen-Smith and Rima Parikh. Music curated by: Kate Barutha.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln, 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all women stand-up showcase created and produced by Kelsie Huff (Windy City Live, The Jam). Always a stellar evening of hilarious, memorable, diverse voices. Tonight: Hope Rehak, Kathy Pulkrabek, Tiff Streng and more TBA. Arrive early for seats! They go fast!
Chalo Haso at Seven Bar and Restaurant, 400 E. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. “The Best Only Pure Desi Comedy Show in The City Of Chicago!” Tyler Fowler hosts Hari Rao, Raghu Adibhatla, Sabeen Sadiq, Stuti Sharma with headliner Sharup Karim.
Dave Helem & Felonious Munk Live at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Dave Helem (Rel, Laff Tracks) and Felonious Munk (Second City, Windy City Live, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore) began their careers in Chicago. They are headlining together for one night only.
Diamond Comedy Hour at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 10:00 p.m. Outstanding line-up! Alex Kumin (NBC Breakout Fest), Deanna Ortiz (Lincoln Lodge), Chelsea Hood (Riot LA, Limestone), Sarah Squirm (Helltrap Nightmare), Soli Santos (The Kates), Correy Boyd-Belll (TruTV) and Just Nesh (Comedy Central) with a set from producer Elise Fernandez, and more surprises TBA.
Sonal Aggarwal at Steppenwolf Lookout Series, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. Sonal Aggarwal’s new one-woman show! “An intimate journey of personal transformation.” Follow link for all show times.
Cards Against Humanity: Late Night Writers Room at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 10:00 p.m. Improv based on the “Cards Against Humanity” card game hosted by its creators. The audience gets to pitch card ideas. The hosts will act out the best and mock the worst.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
Sonal Aggarwal at Steppenwolf Lookout Series, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. Sonal Aggarwal’s new one-woman show! “An intimate journey of personal transformation.” Follow link for all show times.
Las Locas Comedy at Richmond’s Sports Bar, 2944 W. Grand Ave., 8:00 p.m. Janice V. Rodriguez hosts Sandy Lee (Taco Takeover), Carla Cook (Second City), Malic White (Neo-Futurist Theater), Yazmin Ramos (Matt Damon Improv), Jess Martínez (Las Locas Comedy), Deanna Ortiz (Lincoln Lodge). Tickets sell out fast-advance purchase recommended!
Schweddy Ball at Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State St., 7:00 p.m. A Saturday Night Live-Schweddy Ball themed ball at the home of the definitive Saturday Night Live exhibit. Proceeds benefit The Museum of Broadcast Communications, a 501(c)3 organization.
Ten at The Store Holiday Special, 2002 N. Halsted, 9:00 p.m. Free stand-up show with Kevin Budkey, Keith Evans, Merrit Landsteiner, Lainie Lenertz, Katie Meiners, Katie Oliver, Brad Rickert, Dylan Scott, Matt Torres, and Kate Wooters.
Jeff Garlin, Steve Albini, Jeff Tweedy, Roberta “Poochie” Jackson at Wiener’s Circle, 2622 N Clark St., 9 p.m.-10 p.m. Second City’s 24-hour improv marathon for Onward Neighborhood House made it possible. The quartet will hold down the fort at Weiner’s Circle for an hour. Sure to be some memorable counter encounters.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
Comedy Tree at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. Benefit for the Dr. Patch Adams’ Gesundheit Institute. With Denise Medina, James Wesley Jackson, Pablo Pablo, Kate Cullan, Amy Sumpter, Hari Rao, Kelly Lee Williams, Shannon Kelly, Courtney Bianca, Paul Harris, Chris Trani, Jeremy West. Hosted by Dr. Ellen Wesley.
Merriam: A Matzah Ballin’ Good Time at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. “An original drag musical comedy celebrating family, musicals, and Jewish culture.”
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