Visitors in town: Michael Lenoci, Chris Fleming, Rajiv Satyal, Jackson Galaxy, Joe Avati.
Chris Redd and Lil Rel Howery return to their hometown. In addition to their show on Sunday, there may be some surprise appearances around the city this week.
Three Festivals in Chicago this week with too many visitors to name. Find them at SketchFest, Tomorrow Never Knows (comedy and music), and Fillet of Solo (comedy, storytelling, live lit).
At Zanies: Kelsie Huff (Chicago), Chastity Washington (Chicago), Sam Morril (Chicago, Rosemont), Jackie Kashian (Chicago, Rosemont)(Jackie was kind enough to speak with me here).
At The Improv: DeRay Davis and Just Nesh.
At Riddles: TBA
Ticket alerts:
February 13: Kristina Kuzmic at the Doubletree Lisle-Naperville. Sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop. Kristina was kind enough to speak with me last summer. I’ve been waiting for her book ever since!
March 20: Brendan Gay flies in from New York to record his album at the new Lincoln Lodge Theater.
April 25: “Laugh Your Face Off” at Park West. Pat and Amy Tomasulo’s Comedy Fundraiser to Benefit The Facial Pain Research Foundation. Save the date!
Chicago comedians in the news:
The CW Network airs The Dog Honors (the canine Oscars) on Wednesday, January 15. Look for Belle, the star of A Dog’s Journey and her trainer Bonnie Judd. The hit movie was written by W. Bruce Cameron and Second City alum and comedy writer Cathryn Michon.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, JANUARY 13
Just Us Gals at The Hideout, 7:00 p.m. Stand-up, sketch and music.
Mr. and Mrs. Wednesday Night at The Hideout, 9:30 p.m. A benefit for Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
CAMP at The Village Tap, 8:00 p.m. Samantha Berkman hosts Correy Boyd-Bell, Sarah Perry, Adam Gilbert, Geoff Asmus, James Fisher Jr. and CAMP’s Tessa Orzech.
2020 Vision at The Annoyance, 9:30 p.m. Are your 2020 resolutions taking you in the best direction? This sketch show will zero in and help you decide.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 9:00 p.m. Stephanie Weber hosts Audrey Jonas, St James Jackson, Mike O’Keefe, Lee Kimbrell, Dylan Carey and the ChUC debut of Jessica Besser Rosenberg!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15
Donovan Donovan Saves the World at Second City, 8:30 p.m. Donovan and Donavan “solve every single one of the world’s problems through Improv and Stand-Up Comedy.”
Michael Lenoci at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. From Guys Night Out.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 9:30 p.m. Derek Graff, Jonah Jurkens, Russ Williamson, Marilee, an extended set by Megan Gailey and more TBA.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
January Book Club at Second City, 8:30 p.m. “The top notch comedy duo brings out the humor of the happenings of everyday life.”
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
Nancy Drew and The Legend of Equality at Second City, 9:00 p.m. An all-female sketch show.
The Laughing Academy After Hours at The Laughing Academy, Glenview, 8:00 p.m. Larry Bloom hosts Sonal Aggarwal, Sarah Manning and headliner Kevin Kellam.
Rajiv Satyal at The Skokie Theatre, 8:00 p.m. “As an Indian/American this show is Rajiv’s love letter to his country.” This one-man show is co-writtten by Seinfeld writer Pat Hazell.
Jackson Galaxy at The Genesee Theatre, 8:00 p.m. The cat guru from Animal Planet’s My Cat From Hell.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
Dinner and Stand-Up at Continental Restaurant, Buffalo Grove, 6:00 p.m. Mark Klaber’s shows always sell out in advance. Get tickets soon! Tonight: Yael Gavish, Katie Meiners and headliner Kat Herskovic.
Las Locas at DSTRKT Bar & Grill, 8:00 p.m. ¡ The New Year, Nuevo Yo Show ! Las Locas Comedy’s shows always sell out in advance, so don’t wait to get tickets! Hosted by Las Locas Comedy Producer Janice V Rodriguez. Featuring Soli Santos (Laugh Factory), Jessi Realoza (Ratas de Dos Patas), Chrissi Hartigan (Zanies), Jesnaira Baez (Comedy Clubhouse) and headliner Eunji Kim (Zanies).
Burnt BBQ Comedy at Kedzie Inn, 7:30 p.m. Suz Ballout hosts Sukhjit Singh, Amber Autry, Mike Wiley, Jamie Shriner.
Dope Comedy Show at North Bar, 9:00 p.m. Dave Helem hosts Kevin Bozeman, Marilee, Harold Pierce, Marty DeRosa, Leon Rogers.
Chicago’s Best Stand Up at The Laugh Factory 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Always great line-ups and maybe some happy surprises, too.
The Second City After Hours at Second City, 11:00 a.m. “It’s interactive. It’s hyperactive. It’s the most fun you’ve had past bedtime.”
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
Therapy Players at ComedySportz, 2:00 p.m. A rare matinee by the Therapy Players, Chicago’s award-winning all-therapist improv group.
Chris Fleming at Thalia Hall, 8:00 p.m. Chris Fleming was one of Variety’s Ten Comics to Watch for 2019. He has over 50 million views on his Youtube channel and has appeared on Comedy Central and Netflix. He also has rave reviews from The Huffington Post, Chortle, Splitsider and Vulture who said, he is creating “some of the most bizarrely funny performance art taking place online and onstage today.”
Chris Redd & Friends: Charity Edition at Park West, 8:00 p.m. Proceeds of this star-studded benefit all go to Chicago HOPES for Kids, which provides resources to children in homeless shelters. Appearing with Chris Redd: Lil Rel, Ego Nwodim, Jak Knight, Langston Kerman, 3peat, Rashida “Sheedz”, Dewayne Perkins, Mother Nature, Sterling Hayes and more TBA.
Joe Avati at The Arcada, St. Charles, 7:00 p.m. Italian comedy via Australia. This is a family-friendly show.
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