Performing Arts Next 30 Days – Free
2013 Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration
Tue., May 21, 12 p.m.Theater & Performance
Celebrate Asian-American Heritage Month with Chinese music, dance and martial arts performances.
80 Foots per Minute
Thu., May 23, 7:30 p.m.Theater & Performance
A little literary playfulness goes a long way for vocalist-musicians Emmy Bean, T-Roy Martin, and Chris Schoen, who, in their rapid-fire program of folksy musical arrangements, take on roles ranging from the pathetic oysters in Lewis Carroll's "The Walrus and the Carpenter" to Carl Sandburg reading his poem "Loam." Some songs indulge kitsch—like one that sets to music a Thomas Campion poem in which a single word ("love") has been replaced each time it appears by another ("Batman"). And though I'm generally inclined to dismiss offhand anything based on writings of the great poet Craigslist, "Past Saturday Night, Northerly Island," which adapts a missed connection into rondo form, struck me as weirdly hypnotic and catchy. The afternoon's shining ditty was "Riled Geese," inspired by Mary Oliver's poem of the same name, in which Bean does an absolutely bewitching scat-singing impression of a goose (a style susceptible to the very amusing coinage "goose scat"). —Jena Cutie
Loose Chicks
Fri., May 24, 8 p.m.Spoken Word/Poetry Slams/Open Mikes
"Loose chicks" Roberta Miles and Erin Lane present an hour-long series of comedic monologues. Loose guests include Dana Norris and Tamale.
She-nannigans' Comedy Challenge
Through 7/18: Thu 7 PMStand-Up
Five to six comics compete for a $500 prize every week.
The Shit Show
Last Friday of every month, 8:30 p.m.Theater & Performance
A few rows of chairs were set up on the second floor at the Shambles bar in Wicker Park, but most folks chose to stay on their feet (it ain't called stand-up for nothing) as they watched hosts Rasa Gierstikas and Ever Mainard introduce a string of comedians. They were rewarded with a sidesplitting show and the privilege of shouting "Best joke!" at the funniest comedians. In addition to the hosts, ten comics gripped the mike—glistening with holiday pirate decorations—to kvetch about everything from Pepe's Mexican food to Tim Burton's allegedly homophobic oeuvre and stripping to music by Aphex Twin. There were refreshingly few strained silences or hecklings during this big-hearted monthly bonanza. Comics cordially waited their turn in the crowd, last-minute performers casually dropped by, and drinks were definitely allowed. —Hannah Gold
Tonight It's Live
Open run: Sat 11 PMTheater & Performance
For someone mourning the lack of live studio audiences in Chicago since Oprah's departure, this late-night talk show provided welcome relief. And drinks, not Kleenex, were free flowing. On the night I attended, host Tom Bambara interviewed members (human and canine) of the Dog Saving Network and graphic designer Kevin Scarbrough. The dogs' cuteness factor was high, but Bambara's distaste for slobber and witty banter were equally amusing. Then he introduced "more tame but equally as hairy" Scarbrough, who reminisced about drunken tattoos and crazy clients like Big Ass Dog pet food. Andi Woody was charming as Bambara's less-flustered cohost, and musical accompanist James Manno coolly played the sunglasses-wearing Paul Shaffer to Bambara's Letterman. —Marissa Oberlander
Hug City Presents: A Night of Stand-up Comedy
Open run: Tue 9:30 PM
773-871-1600Stand-Up
Hug City presents a showcase.
Bare Knuckle Comedy
Second Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m.Improv/Sketch
Local standup and improv groups perform. Kevin White and Jack Ritchie host.
Festival of Flesh
Open run: first Sat of each month, 10 PM and midnightTheater & Performance
Gothic illusionist and proud floor-length-leather-jacket owner Ron Fitzgerald emcees Arkham Noise Productions' burlesque show, which caters to a wide array of fetishes with an alternating lineup of about 100 performers—around a dozen acts on a given night, curated by producer/DJ Miss Ellie Noise. Audience members can watch the show from their bar stools; this month's range of fantasies included domination, flesh hooks, IKEA (DIY kink?), and bathing in public. Still, nearly every act was a striptease at heart, and followed a familiar trajectory: gloves to girdle to brassiere, and then an exuberant reveal. It felt more silly than sexy, and the only clothes remaining onstage at the end were the basketball jerseys that line the back wall of the bar. —Hannah Gold
Congrats On Your Success
First Thursday of every monthStand-Up
Rebecca O'Neil hosts this BYOB comedy show that features local stand-ups and is, curiously enough, operated out of a used book store.
The Show Below
Open run: Fri-Sat 9 PMImprov/Sketch, Stand-Up
Improv and stand-up comedy by Keenan Camp and Logan Dean.
The Free for All
Open run: Sun 7:30 PMImprov/Sketch
An improv show of multiple groups, anchored by the four-man team Koleno. free
