Zarna Garg is at the Den this Saturday. Tickets are almost gone.
CHICAGO COMEDIANS IN THE NEWS
The Bear’s Carmen Christopher spoke with CBS about his new special Live From the Windy City now streaming on VEEPS.
Chicago entrepreneur Knowledge Beckom and Lil’ Rel Howery bring the What’s Funny Comedy Festival to the DuSable Museum of African American History and various Hyde Park locations the week of September 16-22. The Festival will honor Jokes & Notes’ Mary Lindsey and feature a lineup of up-and-coming and famous comedians. More information: whatsfunnycomedyfestival.com.
John Mulaney turned down an offer to host the Oscars according to 800 Pound Gorilla. Puck speculated that Mulaney’s schedule is already filled with upcoming projects and more episodes of the fabulous Everybody’s In L.A. for Netflix. Puck previously predicted that the Oscars would want Mulaney after he garnered rave reviews as host of the Governors Awards. Also passing on the Oscars gig: Jimmy Kimmel.
Kelsie Huff will teach Feminine Comique at Lincoln Lodge this fall. Class begins September 9. Sign up here.
Marc Maron hosts Beth Stelling on the latest episode of WTF and gives a shout-out to Sweethearts, the podcast Beth hosts with Mo Welch.
Molly Kearney announced on Instagram that they are leaving Saturday Night Live after two seasons. Molly made history as the show’s first openly non-binary cast member. They ended the post with “Harold forever!!!!!”
ADVANCE TICKET ALERTS
August 26: Daniel-Ryan Spaulding at Carnivale.
September 16: Yohay Sponder at Laugh Factory. GOING FAST – NY show sold out immediately
September 21: Marlon Wayans at Genesee Theatre, Waukegan
October 13: Liz Greenwood Album Recording at Lincoln Lodge
Nov. 6-10: 312 Comedy Festival. The lineup is here.
November 8: Napoleon Dynamite LIVE 20th Anniversary with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez & Jon Gries at North Shore Center for Performing Arts
December 12-14: Gianmarco Soresi at Zanies Chicago
February 14-15, 2025: Taylor Tomlinson at the Chicago Theatre
MONDAY, AUGUST 5
The Dumb Dads at City Winery, 7:30 p.m. Evan Berger & Kevin Laferriere host a night out for parents with fan favorite characters, sketches and their signature Press Conference.
Comics for Kamala, streaming, 7:00 p.m. Free, but must register. Line up includes Chicagoans Lil’ Rel Howery, Kathy Griffin, Craig Robinson, Cecily Strong, Kathryn Hahn, David Koechner and Nick Offerman. Also: Rosie O’Donnell, D.L. Hughley, Patton Oswalt and more.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6
Tuesday Good Show at Gallery Cabaret, 7:00 p.m. Nick Bonsignore and Keller Paulson host this free weekly variety show.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7
Kristen Toomey at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. Kristen is a nationally touring headliner. Very fun, original and insightful. You will feel seen and understood and leave happy. Kristen on Instagram.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
Koval Comedy at Koval Distillery, 7:30 p.m. Every second Thursday of the month! Tonight, the awesome Orly K.G. (creator and producer of the Bad Momz) hosts Amy Sumpter, Manny Petty, James Fisher Jr.
Windy City Comedy Festival at The Den Theatre, 7:00 p.m. Ariel Julie hosts Kristen Toomey, Junior Stopka, and Dwayne Kennedy. A comedy fundraiser for the festival.
Duos: Rachael Mason & Kat O’Brien at The Revival, 8:00 p.m. “Rachael and Kat are witches who were burned at the stake many many moons ago. Join them for a celebratory night of improvised Witch Shit.”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
Stand Up Throw Down Showdown at Second City, 7:30 p.m. Todd Glover’s hit show.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
Zarna Garg at The Den Theatre, 5:00 p.m. Don’t know how there are still tickets available, though they’re almost gone. Zarna Garg (former SAHM, lawyer and now selling out theaters across the country) is one of the funniest comedians anywhere. See her at this lovely intimate venue now – it won’t be long before she’s selling out the Chicago Theatre.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
Paul Farahvar at The Comedy Vault, Batavia, 7:00 p.m. Paul is a nationally touring headliner who sells out venues, so get tickets soon. His standup and podcasts appear on multiple “best of” lists – and back in his litigator days, he was voted into the “Top 40 Under 40” list. He is also the creator of hit shows including Stand Ups, Sit Down at Laugh Factory. His latest special Middle Western, Middle Eastern has rave reviews and over 12K views since its release this summer. Always unique and hilarious. Interview coming soon!
Natan Badalov at Lincoln Lodge, 7:00 p.m. Nate’s show Connect The Dots uses two stories of heartbreak – Natan’s break-up with an Ashkenazi Rabbi in New York, and his struggle to feel at home as a Bukharian Jew in America – to laugh and explore the challenges of his Jewish identity.”