Visitors in town: Billy Gardell is here. Comedians from all over the country are in town for the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.
At Zanies: Russ Williamson (Chicago and St. Charles), Des Bishop (Chicago), Reno Collier (Rosemont),
At The Improv: Drew Lynch
At Riddles: Abu Ali: Captain Arabia Comedy Tour; Damon Williams Comedy Series 2019 with Jay Deep, Hot Sauce and Kevin White
Ticket Alerts:
At Evanston SPACE– January 17: Anthony Atamanuik’s “Trump Dump: American Tantrum Book Tour”
At Bookends and Beginnings-January 23: Comedian Caitlin Kunkel, co-author of New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay
At The Lincoln Lodge– February 7-10: Rory Scovel, February 22-23: Eddie Pepitone, March 22-23: Matteo Lane, April 19-20: Jo Firestone
At The Genesee Theatre– May 17: Patton Oswalt
In the news: Highland Park native Rachel Brosnahan won a “Best Actress” Golden Globe on Sunday night for her portrayal of Midge Maisel in Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She launched her career at Wilmette’s Actors Training Center.
Be sure to catch Windy City Live this afternoon at 1 p.m. on ABC. It’s the first show of 2019 and an hour of host chat including Chicago comedians Felonius Munk, Kelsie Huff, Erica Watson, Joey Villagomez and Russ Williamson.
Here is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, JANUARY 7
New Year’s Worst at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 8:00 p.m. Best stand-ups wear their worst clothes. “Everyone wore their best clothes on New Year’s Eve, now it’s time to dress like shit! The audience is welcome to join in dressing badly.” Shannon Noll hosts Carly Ballerini, Max Thomas, Lily Schulder, Beckett Kenny.
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Free stand-up show. Samantha Berkman hosts Adam Burke, Sarah Squirm, Molly Kearney, Alex Kumin, Mickey Housley and CAMP’s Tessa Orzech.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8
80 Minutes Around the World at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. “An immigrant story-telling show” by Nestor Gomez, winner of nearly forty Chicago Moth Story Slams in Chicago and Wisconsin and the multi-time winner of The Chicago Moth Grand Slam. Serious and funny. Tonight and tomorrow night.
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. Doc Love, Steven Springer, Jason Melton, Correy Boyd Bell
9:00 p.m. Mickey Housley, Zach Peterson, Ed Town, Joey Villagomez
Correy Bell on truTV’s Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks:
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. Chad Weaver hosts Dale McPeek, Sonal Aggarwal, Steve Gerard, David Mack, Sarah Squirm, Stephanie Weber. Paul Farahvar and Kamari Stevens make their ChUC debut. This Chicago stand-up showcase has launched a lot of famous careers.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
80 Minutes Around the World at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1220 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. The Festival begins and continues over the next two weekends. Follow link for today’s line-up.
Just Us Gals at Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Comedy and music party. Comedy by Erin Grotheer (We Still Like You), Casey Larwood (Laugh Factory), Sonal Aggarwal (The Alchemy of Bliss one-woman show), Amar Dilip Risbud (Okay, New Segment podcast). Hosted by Naomi Spungen, Clare Austen-Smith and Rima Parikh. Music curated by Kate Barutha.
First Days at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. Gina DeLuca’s comedic solo show about her “bizarre and often chaotic first experiences in new places.” Tonight and tomorrow night.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all women stand-up group created and produced by Kelsie Huff. Always an unforgettable evening of memorable, diverse, hilarious voices. No two evenings the same. Line-up TBA. Seats go fast! Arrive early!
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1220 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Follow link for today’s line-up.
First Days at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. Gina DeLuca’s comedic solo show comprised about her “bizarre and often chaotic first experiences in new places.” Tonight and tomorrow night.
Hot Seat at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Improv and truth-telling. The audience asks some of the best iO players questions we’re usually afraid to ask. Expect comedy. Expect honesty. Starring: Allison Ringhand, Dina Facklis, Laurel Krabacher, Becca Barish, Lindsey Smith, Alison Gates, Dana Quercioli, Tim Lyons, Damian Anaya, Vince Portacci, Dan White, Neil Jacobsen, Lawrence Collerd, Dan Bazaldua, Justin Drogos, Meghan Babbe, Mike Brunlieb, Geoff Dow, Greg Worsley, Phylicia Mcleod, and Brett Lyons.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
Billy Gardell at the Genesee Theater, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, 7:30 p.m. Billy Gardell grew up in Pennsylvania and Florida, but has a big Chicago connection. He played a Chicago cop in the hit series Mike and Molly for six seasons. He is Herschel Sparks in Young Sheldon. He is also a very funny stand-up.
Kelsie Huff at Lincoln Lodge/Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. Kelsie Huff is funny and upbeat and lights up any room. She is the creator and producer of The Kates and can be seen on Windy City Live and The Jam.
Strip Joker at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark, 10:00 p.m. “Strip Joker is Chicago’s body positive stand-up comedy show featuring a diverse line-up of comedians from around the country! In the spirit of inclusivity, vulnerability, and uncensored comedy, Strip Joker highlights the voices of queer and POC comedians, and celebrates ALL bodies as the show’s founding mission since 2016.” Shows on 2nd Saturday with a new show each month. Tonight Kaitlyn Grissom hosts Jessica Besser-Rosenberg, Rima Parikh, Joe McMahon. Headliners: Evan & Mary Jane
The Truth and Lies About You at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. “Join us as we use sketch comedy to explore a lifetime of talking and being talked about. It’s fun! But you cannot tell anyone we told you that.”
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1220 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. Follow link for today’s line-up.
Founder’s Comedy at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S. Michigan Ave., 8:30 p.m. In partnership with The Lincoln Lodge. Featuring Deanna Ortiz (WGN Radio); Kellye Howard (Comedy Central); Marty DeRosa (Just For Laughs Comedy Festival); and Adam Burke (NPR’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!). Hosted By Chris Higgins.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
Token: A Comedic Variety Show at ALULU Brewery and Pub, 2011 S. Laflin St. 7:30 p.m. Free variety comedy show with standup, musical comedy, storytelling and “anything else that fits on their stage.” Only one white guy booked per show, thus “Token.” Line-up: Sandy Lee, Hari Rao, Whitney Wasson, Three Straight Dudes and Matt Castellvi. Hosted by Liz Greenwood and Myriam Raymond.
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1220 W. Belmont, 4:00 p.m. Follow link for today’s line-up.
Bitch and Purge at Under The Gun Theater, 956 West Newport 8:00 p.m. Comedic storytelling from service industry folks. Secret thoughts revealed!
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