Bottom Shelf Comedy, a new showcase in Arlington Heights, is presenting Micks on the Mic tonight at 8 p.m., which, iffin you couldn't tell from the name, will feature all Irish stand-up comedians. Tonight's line-up is Dean Carlson, Joe Kilgallon, Brendan McGowan, CJ Sullivan, Sean Flannery, and Chuck Roth, and is dedicated to the memory of Pat Brice, who was originally scheduled to headline the showcase.

Bottom Shelf also has a Sunday show in the 'burbs, first Sunday of every month at Eddie's Lounge, in addition to the last Thursday of every month at Murphy's Pub. Producer Dean Carlson is slowly but surely taking over the north suburbs with the new free, all-ages rooms, which feature bright stand-up newcomers and veterans alike, and afford an opportunity for Chicago performers to break the city perimeter and bring their acts to a suburban audience. Carlson is also a burgeoning filmmaker, and we have enjoyed watching him come up this past year and are excited to keep our eyes on his movements in the next.

- Kristy Mangel