Comedy Club

EAT Centinela Tequila Dinner The Bedford 1612 W. Division St. 773-235-8800 Get into the Cinco de Mayo spirit with a three-course meal featuring salmon tartare paired with chamomile punch; braised lamb shoulder with spring pea puree and pickled spring vegetables served with an Agave Old Fashioned; and tres leches cake with chile whipped cream and a Centinela tequila accompaniment. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $47. Phone or online RSVP required: bedfordchicago.com/tequila.

EAT Centinela Tequila Dinner The Bedford 1612 W. Division St. 773-235-8800 Get into the Cinco de Mayo spirit with a three-course meal featuring salmon tartare paired with chamomile punch; braised lamb shoulder with spring pea puree and pickled spring vegetables served with an Agave Old Fashioned; and tres leches cake with chile whipped cream and a Centinela tequila accompaniment. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $47. Phone or online RSVP required: bedfordchicago.com/tequila.

Chicago's comedy scene just got a little bit more serious this week after Columbia College announced Tuesday that it will be partnering with The Second City to offer a new four-year degree in comedy writing and performance. The new bachelor's degree, which will officially begin this fall, was inspired by Columbia's five-year-old Comedy Studies program that gives students the opportunity to "study abroad" at Second City for a semester and receive credit hours to take improv classes and workshops at the comedy club.

Chicago's comedy scene just got a little bit more serious this week after Columbia College announced Tuesday that it will be partnering with The Second City to offer a new four-year degree in comedy writing and performance. The new bachelor's degree, which will officially begin this fall, was inspired by Columbia's five-year-old Comedy Studies program that gives students the opportunity to "study abroad" at Second City for a semester and receive credit hours to take improv classes and workshops at the comedy club.

Tracy Morgan has earned a reputation as a wild card in his performances. But there's also a serious side to him, one that often comes out in interviews. This was not one of those interviews.   The serious questions we prepared for him quickly became irrelevant. He spent most of the interview half-yelling, straddling the line of is-he-serious-or-not as only he can. You can laugh (or not) when he plays the Improv this weekend.   How's it going Tracy?   I'm good, how are you?

Chicago comedy fans have the chance to meet the cast of TBS' latest sitcom, "Sullivan & Son," just a week after its July 19 premiere. Series star Steve Byrne and co-stars Owen Benjamin, Roy Wood Jr. and Ahmed Ahmed bring their "Sullivan & Son" Tour to UP Comedy Club at 8 p.m. July 26. The cast mates and comedy club headliners will perform their standup for Chicago fans. To get the $22 tickets, go to Up Comedy Club's website . The club is located at 230 W. North Ave, 3rd Floor in Piper's Alley.

TBS Just For Laughs Chicago has added Russell Brand, Pete Holmes, Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Posehn, Doug Benson, Todd Glass, Scott Adsit, Kevin Dorff, Jon Glaser, TJ & Dave, Horatio Sanz, Matt Walsh, Brad Morris and Joe Nunez to its festival line-up. Touted as America's biggest comedy festival, Just For Laughs will celebrate it 5th anniversary in Chicago June 11-16 all over Chicago. The festival had previously announced performances by Bob Newhart, Seth Meyers, Hannibal Buress, David Cross and others.

Name a comedian - any comedian - and chances are that performer either passed through the doors of the famed Second City in Old Town or worked with someone who has. From Bill Murray to Tina Fey, the alumni list from the improv club boasts more big names than an issue of People magazine and more stars than the Oscars telecast. The Second City celebrated its 50th anniversary a couple of years ago, and the list of those who turned up included Jim Belushi, Steve Carell, Bob Odenkirk, Harold Ramis, Stephen Colbert, Catherine O'Hara, George Wendt, Martin Short - if you've seen a...

When The Second City's UP Comedy Club celebrates its grand opening Friday, expect to see Second City alum Maribeth Monroe among the luminaries on stage. The Michigan native--who called Chicago home from 2001 through 2006 and now stars as office manager Alice Murphy in Comedy Central's "Workaholics"--began her career at Second City Detroit but moved to Chicago in 2001 and joined the mainstage cast in 2003, where she also created the character of Desdemona in the viral "Sassy Gay Friend" video series.

Kingston Mines 2548 N. Halsted St. 773-477-4646 This blues club has earned its reputation not just for its size (two stages in adjoining rooms), but also its endurance (open since in 1968) and late-night hours (listen until 4 a.m. most nights, 5 a.m. Saturdays). Lincoln Hall 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-525-2501 Although slightly larger than its sister club Schubas, this music venue shares the intimacy, sound and musical reputation of its Lakeview sibling. Past indie and rock acts include Wilco, Mumford & Sons and Chicago's own Smith Westerns.

Chicago comedy fans have the chance to meet the cast of TBS' latest sitcom, "Sullivan & Son," just a week after its July 19 premiere. Series star Steve Byrne and co-stars Owen Benjamin, Roy Wood Jr. and Ahmed Ahmed bring their "Sullivan & Son" Tour to UP Comedy Club at 8 p.m. July 26. The cast mates and comedy club headliners will perform their standup for Chicago fans. To get the $22 tickets, go to Up Comedy Club's website . The club is located at 230 W. North Ave, 3rd Floor in Piper's Alley.

Tracy Morgan has earned a reputation as a wild card in his performances. But there's also a serious side to him, one that often comes out in interviews. This was not one of those interviews.   The serious questions we prepared for him quickly became irrelevant. He spent most of the interview half-yelling, straddling the line of is-he-serious-or-not as only he can. You can laugh (or not) when he plays the Improv this weekend.   How's it going Tracy?   I'm good, how are you?