Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
272
Tips
Chuckling the Night Away at a Comedy Club
Chicago has always nurtured young comics, and while you're here, you might
want to explore Chicago's comic side. From the storied Second City company
to scrappier , up -and-coming tr oupes, Chicago is a training g round f or the
nation's best comedians. ComedySportz caters to families; if y ou are going to
bring your teenagers to other clubs , it's advisable t o call ahead t o check out
the show's content. The box office personnel should be able t o warn y ou if
the show will be t oo racy for your kids.
ComedySportz
Most impr ov-comedy sho ws ar en't exac tly family-friendly ,
but ComedySportz does away with the barlike atmosphere and R-rated topics
to deliver shows that ar e funny for the whole family . Chicago's only all-ages
professional improv troupe sets t wo g roups of fiv e c omedians against each
other to compete for audience applause. “It isn't
about
spor ts—it
is
a spor t”
is the tag line her e. Catch the ComedySportz4Kids show on Saturdays at 2pm
(kids 10 and under w elcome; tickets $8). K ids can par ticipate in the sho w, or
just watch—either way, it's a blast. All ages (but I' d recommend it especially
for kids 10 and up) ar e welcome at the tr oupe's shows at 8pm on Thursday,
at 8 and 10pm on F riday, and at 6, 8, and 10pm on Satur day. 929 W. Belmont
Ave.
&
773/549-8080.
www.comedysportzchicago.com. Tickets $21.
Second City
For more than 40 y ears, Second City has been the t op comedy
club in Chicago and the most famous of its k ind in the c ountry. Phot os of
famous g raduates line the lobb y walls , including Elaine M ay, John Belushi,
and curr ent
Saturday Night Liv e
cast members Tina F ey, Horatio Sanz, and
Rachel Dratch. Today's Second City is a veritable factory of improv, with shows
10
House of Blues
Ages 8 & up.
Gospel as well as blues originated in Chicago, and the
House of Blues's popular Sunday gospel brunch, offering a Southern-style buffet, brings
a different Chicago gospel choir to the stage each week; the three weekly “services” often
sell out, so get tickets in adv ance. Kids will delight in the funky decor at the club , part
of a nightclub, restaurant, and hotel complex that has breathed new life into Marina City.
The largest outpost in the gr owing House of Blues chain, this 55,000-square-foot com-
plex, extrav agantly decorated with 600 pieces fr om o wner Isaac Tigrett's collection of
Mississippi Delta folk ar t, isn't really a blues club as much as a sho wcase for rock, R &
B, zydeco, reggae, and everything else.
329 N. Dearborn St. (at Kinzie St.).
&
312/923-2000
for
general information, 312/923-2020 for concert information. www.hob.com. Ticket prices vary
depending on the act. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand.
Jazz Showcase
Ages 8 & up.
The Segals make an effort to cultivate new generations
of jazz lovers: Each Sunday, the club offers a 4pm matinee show that admits kids 11 and
under for fr ee and has a nonsmoking policy . Spanning more than 50 y ears and sev eral
locations, founder Joe Segal has become synonymous with jazz in Chicago. There are two
shows a night (three on Sun), and reservations are recommended when a big-name head-
liner is featur ed. Such well-regarded musicians as M cCoy Tyner, Clark Terry, Maynard
Ferguson, and Ahmad Jamal have made appearances in recent years.
