Visitors in town: Dax Shepherd. Chicago’s Luvvie Ajayi interviews Elaine Welteroth.
At Zanies: Fresh, Drunk and Stoned Tour (Chicago, Rosemont), Jacqueline Novak (Chicago), John Roy (Chicago), The Dog & Funny Show with Doug Bass (Chicago), Des Bishop (Rosemont), Michael Palascak (St. Charles).
At The Improv: Clayton English.
At Riddles: Gary G-Thang Johnson.
Ticket alerts:
August 7-11: Bentwood Comedy Festival at iO with TJ & Dave, Kate Flannery, 3Peat, Jordan Klepper & Tim Baltz, and more. Details here.
August 15: Leslie Jones at The Vic.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, JUNE 24
Monday Night Live at iO, 6:30 p.m. Written by iO’s Comedy Lab SNL Sketch Class. Produced by iO’s actors and directors. Timely and topical comedy. Free show.
Who Dis? A Variety Show at iO, 8:30 p.m. “A showcase of Chicago’s talented health warriors who identify with disability, chronic illness, and with mental health issues.”
This One Woman at Hopleaf, 7:30 p.m. Performers comment on a famous woman. Tonight, Samantha Garcia, Bob Rok, Lindsay Williams, Cybele Seif, Kate Wooters, and Jenny Epstein’s performances will be inspired by their thoughts on Chicagoan Jane Lynch. Free show, but donations appreciated and go to performers.
TUESDAY, JUNE 25
Cancer is Gorgeous at The Crowd Theater, 8:00 p.m. Comedian and storyteller Jonathan Euseppi met the love of his life, got married and within four months of marriage was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Cancer could have shut down his life, but he decided otherwise. “If he was going to die he promised himself he was going to look gorgeous! Through drag, makeup, and totally overhauling his wardrobe Jonathan began a journey of self love and self acceptance. Cancer is Gorgeous is the queer cancer love story you have been waiting for!” Tuesdays through the end of July.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
You Joke Like A Girl at Volumes Bookcafé, 7:00 p.m. Open mic followed by stand-up showcase. Elyse Nylin hosts Shannon Noll, Stephanie Weber, Lia Cundiff, Le Aboav.
10 Years of Cole’s Comedy Open Mic Celebration at Cole’s Bar, 9:30 p.m. Tonight: Odinaka Ezeokoli, (Netflix, Brown Girls), Sara Squirm, Alex Kumin. Celebrating one of the city’s best known, most loved and inclusive open mics. Founded ten years ago by Cameron Esposito and Adam Burke.
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
ComedySportz at CSz Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s longest-running, game-based, short form improv comedy show and it’s for all ages! Follow link for show times throughout the week.
Queer Eye: The Musical Parody at The Playgound Theater, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday.
Happy Baby Presents Kristen Toomey at @North Bar, 9:00 p.m. Headliner: Kristen Toomey. Great interview with Kristen by Laurie Fanelli in Rebellious Magazine here. Tonight features Larry Bloom, Aaron Putnam, Zako Ryan, Ricarlo Williams.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
Elaine Welteroth and Luvvie Ajayi at Wilson Abbey, 7:00 p.m. Luvvie Ajayi interviews Elaine Welteroth about her new book More Than Enough. Elaine Welteroth transformed Teen Vogue into a premier source for teen (and adult) changemakers. Luvvie Ajayi is “an award-winning author, speaker and digital strategist who thrives at the intersection of comedy, technology and activism.” Sponsored by Women & Children First.
Dance and Laugh Comedy Showcase at Dress Up & Dance, Mundelein, 7:00 p.m. Ricarlo Winston, Aaron Putnam, Liz Greenwood, Hari Rao. Produced by Funnier By The Lake’s Larry Bloom.
PCP at The Playground Theater, 10:00 p.m. Gayco, one of Chicago’s longest running and premier improv groups, hosts the Second Annual Pride Comedy Party. Improv and celebration. Tonight and Saturday.
Dax Shepherd at The Chicago Theatre, 8:00 p.m. A live podcast recording of Armchair Expert, “a podcast that celebrates the messiness of being human.”
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
The High Fiber Comedy Show at The Continental Restaurant, Buffalo Grove, 6:00 p.m. Doors at 6. Show at 8. Jan Slavin produces an outstanding stand-up showcase and I only wish it were every week. So take this chance to see High Fiber now! As they say, “join the movement!” Your stellar line-up is Jan Slavin, Bill Gorgo, Michelle Krajecki and James Wesley Jackson. Call (847) 459-4095 for reservations. More about High Fiber Comedy here.
Feed Wolf Ice Cream: A Comedy Show About Death at Nox Arca Theatre, 8:00 p.m. A chance to see the new Dave Maher show for free. He is workshopping it for Edinburgh Fringe. His Dave Maher Coma Show was a critically acclaimed hit with multiple extended runs, and it was hilarious and gave audiences the strength to find meaning in life, even in sickness and hellth. Seats are limited, so reserve now.
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
Everyone’s A Lawyer at Laugh Factory, 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s hit comedy game show created and hosted by comedian and attorney Paul Farahvar. Paul has been named one of the “Top 40 Up and Coming Comedians in America in 2017” and one of “Top 40 under 40” lawyers in Chicago, so you can expect a great night of comedy and legal drama as comedians take the stage to present the funniest arguments in real life cases. Tonight’s comedians at law to be announced.
Generation LatinX at iO, 8:00 p.m. “Generation LatinX is an ensemble of English and Spanish speaking artists all with Latin heritage that believe in creating a positive, family-friendly presence.”
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