Calendars

We all know Donald Trump’s first act as president will be to appoint Satan to the Supreme Court where he will promptly be confirmed by the Senate, including the four horsemen of the Apocalypse recently voted in claiming to represent Maine, New Jersey, Arizona and the Ninth Circle of Hell. We’ll turn sad and frightened

Much anticipated comedy news this week: Dobie Maxwell’s memoirs will be published in March. You’re invited to the launch party at Zanies on Wells on March 14 (Dobie’s birthday) which will include a show and a book signing. This will be a story of strength, heart, perseverance and comedy like you’ve never heard. It involves

Many opportunities over the next eight days to celebrate love and/or mock it. I’ve listed shows that promise fun with the highs and lows of Valentine’s Day, plus more of the week’s comedy highlights. Visiting this week: Heather McDonald (Chelsea Lately), Margaret Smith (The Ellen DeGeneres Show), Jim Norton, and the Royal Comedy Tour which

Visitors to Chicagoland this week include Derek Sheen, Vicki Lawrence with Mama, Tracy Morgan, Marina Franklin, Warren B. Hall, Tammy Pescatelli, James Adomian with Anthony Atamanuik, Chastity Washington, Dennis Regan, The Three Tenors Who Can’t Sing, and loud alert: Gilbert Gottfried and Gallagher (but not together). Random unconnected phrases and songs spontaneously ping-pong around my brain

Visitors to Chicago this week include Lewis Black, Will Durst, Marlena Rodriguez, Sean Patton, Dave Siegel, James Davis, Travis Irvine, Mitchell Potts, Austin Frields and Piff the Magic Dragon. Ticket alert!  These shows are likely to sell out fast: February 20 and 21: Dick Gregory at The Legacy Event Venue in Chicago. Some discount tickets

Chicago comedy is God’s way of apologizing for the weather. How else do you explain this combination of sub-zero temps with hundreds of reasons to go out in it? This week is especially hot with original shows that will lift your spirit. There’s a dog-centric comedy showcase where you can bring your melon collie; yes,

The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival is in its last week!  Meanwhile, two more comedy-related festivals start this week: “Fillet of Solo” features storytelling and comedy. “Tomorrow Never Knows” is mostly music, but some of comedy’s best will be visiting, too. This Saturday there’s a special seminar at The Laugh Factory with groundbreaking, comedy great, Chicagoan

Rachel Feinstein, Dave Coulier, Scott Wood, Mark Gregory and Dwayne Kennedy (originally from Chicago!) will be here this week. Beth Stelling will be at Zanies. Her career began with Chicago Underground Comedy. Since moving to L.A., she has appeared on late night with Conan and Jimmy Kimmel, filmed a Comedy Central special and toured internationally.

The biggest lesson I learned about Chicago comedy in 2015: get on the Twitter Train (and try saying that fast when you’re explaining it to people). Main reason, you’ll catch a lot of pop-up quickly sold-out shows. Aziz Ansari and Hannibal Buress each tweeted a series of spontaneous Chicago shows in 2015. This Christmas Eve,

Happy New Year and thank you to everyone for reading Comedians Defying Gravity in 2015! Lots of ways to see out 2015 and bring in 2016 with comedy. Wishing you a warm and funny NYE and all good things in the year ahead. Please confirm details and ticket availability before heading out and hey, please

This week is all about hometown Chicago and Christmas coming early. Before the holiday even gets here, there’s Junior Stopka on Monday night at North Bar with “The Twelve Comics of Christmas” and it’s free! No charge to see a dozen of Chicago’s most groundbreaking, award-winning, memorable, funniest comedians. Merry Christmas! Starting Tuesday night, Chicago

Looking for a perfect holiday gift? How about a faaaabulous showcase? The price is right. Many of Chicago’s showcases are free. Those not free are often only $5 – $10. Sometimes you’ll even find free pizza and in some cases (although not this week), free pancakes. Several people have said to me that budget keeps