Big Comedy Happenings All Over Chicago This Weekend
There are gigantic events happening all over Chicago this week which is why we are swooping into town to cover them. No, we’re not talking about the grand opening of Molly’s Cupcakes down by the pier, although we definitely will be stopping in to say hi. This weekend the AV Club and the Onion and truTV host the Third Annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival at venues all over town, and Second City hosts their Second Annual Diversity Festival, showing off some of the best developing talents in the country.
Some of the highlights for those of you in town for the festival– everything kicks off tonight, Wednesday June 1 with Tracy Morgan performing at the Civil Opera House. Highlights for the week include shows with Michael Che, Chris Gethard, Jenny Slate, Cameron Esposito, New York’s Two Dope Queens, the writers for Clickhole, Reggie Watts, Jo Firestone, Sarah Silverman, and shows from Ian Abramson all at some spectacular venues including the Civic Opera House, Thalia Hall, Lincoln Hall, and The Hideout. Aftershows at the Virgin Hotel every night keep the party going through Sunday night. Get all the details at 26comedy.com.
Save some time to get over to Second City on Friday and Saturday for the Break Out Comedy Festival. The goal is showcasing diverse voices in comedy, and the result is putting a spotlight on some of the best comics in the country right now. We were here for last year’s Break Out Shows and many of those comics are well on their way to big careers now. This year, Tim Meadows hosts, and the line up includes a few of our favorites, Martin Morrow, Dave Helem and Sammy Arechar along with a line up of comics we can’t wait to check out like The Defiant Thomas Brothers, Joel Kim Booster, Erica Clark, Sonia Denis, Alex Kumin, Felonious Munk, and more. Speaking of Second City, any time you are in Chicago, if you can make time to see the AMAZING mainshow stage, Fool Me Twice, Shame On You, it’s an absolute must see. Absolutely brilliant and hilariously funny.
If you’re staying in Chicago beyond the festival, of course you should check out Zanies Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory, Jokes and Notes, iO Chicago, and a ton of great one nighters.
