The Bastion was one of more than 300 people to attend the sold out Pat Brice Tribute Show at the Lakeshore Theater this past weekend. The show was a reunion of sorts, bringing back many of Pat's old comedy friends, now living in Los Angeles and elsewhere. The night opened with a slideshow of a recent photo shoot of Pat, shot by fellow comedian David Angelo.

The photos captured the many facets of Pat, including his faux-sneer, charismatic grin, and signature smile. Set to a hip-hop soundtrack, it was the perfect welcoming segment for the friends and family gathered to watch some of the very best comics to emerge out of Chicago, who have all shared countless days and nights with Pat, performing, commiserating, and sharing memory-making times.

Pat's story of how "One Billion Pennies" came to be written was then played, an audio track recorded with his sports comedy show, The Visitors Locker Room, and his co-hosts Sean Flannery, who emceed the Lakeshore show, and CJ Sullivan, who headlined. It was coupled with animation by Jon Wilcox, and was gleeful and childlike.

Performances by Jeff Klinger, Brady Novak, TJ Miller, Kyle Kinane, and Shawn Cole were met with raucous approval, and each performer shared a favorite memory of Pat at the end of their sets. Pat's older brother Danny, who has become a friend to many in the local comedy scene within the last few months, closed the show with his remarks. It was a night of laughter, tears, and love. A pat on the back (no pun intended) to the organizers of this event, who managed to make it an energetic evening of celebration and remembrance such that Pat's family, including Danny and his parents Bernie and Mary Alice Brice, were seen leaving the show with smiles on their faces.

Photos, from top to bottom: Shawn Cole, TJ Miller, Kyle Kinane, and Jeff Klinger. All photos by Krystle Gemnich.

- Elizabeth McQuern and Kristy Mangel.