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Laugh Yourself Silly for 24 Hours to Help Needy Kids

By Olivia Leigh in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 12, 2006 6:58PM

We’ve done a little improv in our day, and we know just how challenging it can be to chock-full of humor and energy for an hour or two.

But being the improv giants they are, Second City will be hosting a 24-hour marathon of comedy and music beginning this evening at 7 p.m. as part of their benefit event, “The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa.” Tickets are $10 for the entire day (and night), with proceeds going to the purchase of presents for needy kids.

2006_12_letters.jpgIn “Letters to Santa,” Second City performers and alumni – including Horatio Sanz, formerly of “Saturday Night Live” – will be coming up with fresh humor on the spot in the form of scenes, songs and games until 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Short breaks will be taken about every three hours for musical performances from Jeff Tweedy, Robbie Fulks, Shellac, Sally Timms, Jon Langford, The Blisters and Jason Molina.

An auction will also be held to benefit the children in need, featuring music lovers’ dream items, including a private concert by Jeff Tweedy for you and your friends in your home, a Kim & Kelly Deal autographed keyboard used on several Breeders albums, a day of recording in the studio with producer Steve Albini, and the hand written lyrics to the upcoming album by The Stooges – autographed by Iggy Pop.

Coughing up ten bucks to listen to great music and have endless laughs for 24 hours doesn’t sound like a bad deal to us, especially when our little admission price might help put a smile on a child’s face this holiday season.

“Letters to Santa” begins at 7 p.m. tonight The Second City e.t.c. (1608 North Wells in Piper’s Alley) and concludes at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening. Tickets for the entire 24-hour period are $10 and are only available at the door.