The Apiary

The Chicago stand-up comedy community has been a-flutter for the last week or so, due to the recent news that New Wave Entertainment (NWE) requested a SPECIAL SHOWCASE of Chicago's best up-and-coming talent, after reading the recent Comedy.com article highlighting the very same. NWE requested Lincoln Lodge producer Mark Geary provide the venue for the industry showcases, and will kick things off TONIGHT at 9 p.m., to continue FRIDAY NIGHT with two shows, the first at 7 p.m. and the second at 9 p.m. The MASSIVE LINE-UPS are as follows:

Thursday: THE PUTERBAUGH SISTERS, MIKE STANLEY, JOHNNY BEEHNER, CAMERON ESPOSITO, LIL REL, SEAN FLANNERY, DAN POLYDORIS, MIKE PALASCAK, DIVISION AND HONORE, JOE KILGALLON, JOE FERNANDEZ, MARTY DEROSA and RAY LIPOWSKI, host STEVE O. HARVEY.

Friday (7 p.m.): BETH STELLING, C.J. TOLEDANO, KEN BARNARD, CHAD BRIGGS, C.J. SULLIVAN, SASHA AND THE NOOB, DANNY KALLAS, DAN TELFER, MIKE SHEEHAN, BRIAN BABYLON, PAUL THOMAS and BILL CRUZ, host CARRIE CALLAHAN.

Friday (9 p.m.): ELIOT RAHAL, MONTE, PRESCOTT TOLK, ADAM BURKE, RICKY CARMONA, BRENDAN MCGOWAN, JUNIOR STOPKA, JAMES FRITZ, CHASTITY WASHINGTON, DREW MICHAEL and JOE KWACZALA, host ETHAN PELDO.

What does it mean that this giant entertainment industry front-runner is making a trek into the balmy 13 degree winds of Chicago, specifically to see our stand-up comedy scene? Time will tell, but we are hoping it means the world will soon be privy to what we've known about CHI stand-up talent for many years: it's raucous, it's hard-working and dedicated, it's unusual and quirky and multifaceted in voice and character, and it's a beloved art form.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. The Lincoln Lodge is located at 4008 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

--Kristy Mangel