The Chicago stand-up comedy community has been a-flutter for the last week or so, due to the recent news that (NWE) requested a SPECIAL SHOWCASE of Chicago's best up-and-coming talent, after reading the recent Comedy.com article . NWE requested 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 . The Lincoln Lodge is located at 4008 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

-- Kristy Mangel