We got word recently that the rumor going around about Rooftop Comedy partnering with Chicago Underground Comedy is true. ChUC producer Tony Sam says, "They are going to make it all fancy and it will look like it is part of our website. The channel features sets from the tapings we did back in May last year, and clips from all the shows. The page can be accessed through the main page on their site or the comedians' page on ours. It will be a nice arrangement we have worked out for everyone. But people should go and rate our clips favorably! It is up right now."

On the heels of Sketchfest, the Bastion spoke to Chicagoist about "what not to do" in sketch. Our incriminating words can be found here.

Sick of reading about Sketchfest? Don't be yet! Time Out's Steve Heisler has got a giganto write-up in his blog, and even manages to get a barb in at a fellow arts editor (who is it though? We're sure it's not us, RIGHT STEVE!?).

Last Monday the Bastion quite accidentally ran into Kyle Cease, in town for a Zanies stint and, apparently, running around to a few open mics. It was quite the treat that topped the evening for us. We were a little too shy to say hi, but we hope he had a good time in town! You can vote for Kyle in the Comedy Central Stand-Up Showdown here.

Speaking of celeb sightings, we're treating Canada's David Dineen-Porter like a little celebrity as he hangs with us this week. This Sunday he was seen at the Bad Dog show Your Sunday Best no less than four times on stage and can be spotted tonight at the newly-instituted Tuesday Riot at i.O. We also got wind of some killer Guitar Hero action that happened his first night in town, with comedy blogger (and Bastion contributor) Krystle Gemnich and Dineen-Porter's old comedy partner, Thomas Middleditch. To be a fly on the wall for THAT one.

Eugene Mirman is putting together some delightfully weird new videos these days, over at Super Deluxe.

The Bastion caught some more sweet monkey lovin' last night at the Playground, as the cruel Impress These Apes gorilla overlords took the stage again to humiliate their enslaved human performers. This week's talent was dance, and the audience was treated to more robots, moonwalking, jazz hands, and unexpected special effects involving beer and Christmas lights than anyone could have foreseen. A great set of pictures by Brandi Ediss, who was lured away from Apiary comedy photo duties to come snap pics for the Bastion, can be found here.

Ticketmaster's got a freebie deal for next month's run of Shear Madness at the Chicago Theatre; visit the site and enter the promotional code BLOWDRY.

Photo of Kyle Cease (above, with mic) by Krystle Gemnich. Photo of Jamie Buell (above, with beer) by Brandi Ediss.

- Kristy Mangel