One day back in the eighties, a young man from Chicago went to L.A. on vacation and decided to take in a show at the Comedy Store. As he waited in line, Michael Alexander had no idea that a moment was fast approaching that would change his life forever. Actually, it was a comedian who […]

In August 2001, Meg Indurti immigrated to the United States from Hyderabad, India. On the bright side, she was with her family, she already excelled in English and her parents were excited to give their children new opportunities. More difficult, she stood out in her class – never an easy thing for an eight-year old […]

The Prince of Bronzeville is royalty Chicago-style. He won’t smile remotely or speed by you in a carriage and make you strain for a glimpse. Not at all. The Prince of Bronzeville, a/k/a Brian Babylon, tells the unvarnished truth, makes it one-hundred percent funny and greets fans warmly when they recognize him on the street. […]

On August 13, comedian Mara Marek got on her bike like she’s done thousands of times before. But that day’s ride was different and Mara is like no other biker. That ride launched Bike, Laugh, Heal, her epic cross-country comedy tour to raise domestic violence awareness and provide support to survivors. The 4,100 mile odyssey […]

GUEST POST by Jeff Ring. Jeff is the editor of Opus Magazine, a publication of the League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association. In 1996, an audacious young man (Note: well I think 34 is young) appeared on the stage of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival prepared to deliver his show “All Classical Music Explained (ACME)”. […]

Which town is considered the shenanigans capital of the United States? If you answered “Spurbury, Vermont,” you are correct. Spurbury’s reputation was established in 2001 by a ruthlessly funny group of state troopers who delighted in pranking everyone from their commanding officers to confused drivers pulled over and subjected to epic hijinx. In reality, Spurbury […]