Calendars

In town this week: MEL BROOKS IS HERE!!!!!!! L.A. comedians Jamie Campbell and Daniel Van Kirk are both back in their comedy hometown this week. Find their shows below. Jamie’s also got a great, handy list here where you can also find out how to sign up for his improv workshop. The Reader named Jamie best stand-up […]

This week in Chicago comedy: parties, festivals and an anniversary! Three comedy festivals: (1) MCL’s Premier Premieres Festival,  (2) The Second City/NBC Universal Breakout Comedy Festival and (3) TruTV, A.V. Club and Onion’s 3rd Annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival with free after-parties every night. Too many festival-related celebrities in town to list. Have a look

Visitors this week include Adam Sandler, David Spade, Nick Swardson and Rob Schneider (together on the Do-Over Tour), Shane Torres, Los Improviachis, Makeshift Up and Chicagoan Drew Michael, who returns to record his third album. We’ve also got our own British comedy invasion: on Thursday night, The Maydays and Katy Schutte perform with Susan Messing

Here comes a week of momentous comic happenings. Carol Burnett is here! Ferris Fest begins on Friday! Ferris Bueller’s parents, Cindy Pickett and Lyman Ward, are expected to attend, as well as Jonathan Schmock (maitre’d of Chez Quis), Edie McClurg (Grace) and Larry “Flash” Jenkins, one of the heart-attack inducing garage attendants. Visitors this week

Visitors this week include John O’Hurley, Bruce Bruce, Ali Siddiq, Kevin Camia, Tig Notaro and In Living Color alums, Tommy Davidson and David Alan Grier. Breaking news: on Sunday, Kevin Hart will be in the house at Jokes and Notes looking for Chicago’s next great stand-up! Seats for this show are limited. Reserve yours soon!

Visitors to Chicago this week include Loni Love, Doug Benson and Liza Treyger, who returns to her hometown. Michael Blackson, Luenell, Benji Brown and Rodney Perry are here with Seandale’s Comedy Explosion. Authors Jeff Kinney, Andy Griffiths, Sayed Kashua and Dave Barry are here for readings and signings. There are also comedians from around the

Visitors this week include Michael Palascak and Nick Vatterott who return to their comedy home. Also, Michael Carbonaro, “The Fighter and The Kid” (Bryan Callen and former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub) and Mary Louise Parker. Ticket alerts! Second City and NBC Universal announced that Tim Meadows will host the 2016 Breakout Comedy Festival on June 3

Visitors to Chicago this week include Bill Bellamy, Howard Kremer, Alycia Cooper, Iliza Shlesinger, Jen Kirkman and Felicia Day. Also, two comedy duos: The Dollop Podcast‘s Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds and Pump and Dump‘s Shayna Ferm and MC Doula (a/k/a Tracey Tee). Ticket Alerts! I’m betting on these shows selling out: Comic magician and

Visitors this week include Chicagoans returning to their comedy home. George Wilborn was born here and began his career at Jokes and Notes. Pete Holmes is here recording a special at The Vic. He isn’t from Chicago, but established his career here. Same with Ian Abramson who brings his famed Bellhop showcase back to the

Visitors to Chicago this week include Wanda Sykes, Steven Wright (in Skokie and St. Charles), Andy Kindler, Tony Roberts, Darren Carter, Nick Offerman, Ben Moore and Carlos Mencia. Jeff Foxworthy and Larry The Cable Guy are here on  their “We’ve Been Thinking” tour and Pauly Shore, Tom Green, Bobby Lee, Harland Williams are throwing a “Comedy

Visitors to Chicago this week include Alonzo Bodden, Steve Gillespie, Daniel Clowes, and the Silly People’s Improv Theater of the Philippines. It’s a short list, but it’s an interesting one. Just announced April 1: TJ Miller tonight (Friday 4/1) at The Comedy Bar at 10:00 p.m. Tickets here. Chicago’s stars shine bright this week, as

A diverse group of out-of-town visitors this week: Vir Das from India, Trevor Noah formerly from South Africa, Noel Fielding from the U.K., Sophia Loren from Italy, Ralphie May from Alabama. John Mulaney is back in his hometown with Nick Kroll for a few more days. Another former Chicagoan, Mike Lebovitz, returns to headline at