2007 Chicago Sketchfest Begins Tonight
The annual festival of all things sketchy begins tonight, and what a power beginning it is. Twelve groups will take to the three stages of the Theatre Building beginning at 8 p.m. and running until approximately 11 p.m., with requisite after-partying, we're sure. You can catch lauded Chicago groups Getting Serious, Sandy Takes a Break, and KevINda (2007 Aspen Comedy Festival participants) on the South stage tonight, and that's only a brief look at the offerings for the first day of the festival.
The Web site states, "Chicago SketchFest is the largest sketch comedy festival in the nation. The 2005 SketchFest featured more than 700 performers, representing 83 troupes, who performed over 120 shows...Every year Chicago SketchFest attendance has significantly increased, with over 7200 audience members enjoying the performances at the 2005 event. As the word gets out further this year, we look forward to continuing our audience growth as we entertain Chicagoans during the harsh Chicago winter." And Chicagoans look forward to the fest scooping up the Theatre Building and turning it into a sketch circus two long weekends in a row.
If you're planning to hit the festival a different night (or five, like the Bastion is), but still want to get your laugh on tonight, the girls of SpitFire are throwing down at T's Bar, this time to benefit the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). Doors at 7:30 p.m., with raffle prizes, music, dancing, and the Chicago comedy broad squad giving it their best.
Also, Time Out's Steve Heisler has compiled a list of the funniest quips from the mouths of Chicago stand-ups this year. Did your favorites make the cut? Ken Barnard is quoted as saying “I wish I could be a centaur. Not so much because I would have the lower body of a horse, but because I would have the upper body of a man. I am skinny like a girl.”
JUST ADDED: Mike O'Connell will be rejoining the Lincoln Lodge tonight and tomorrow. If you missed him last week, BE SURE to catch him this week.
