Rad Stuff This Week: Comedy Edition

By Kristy Mangel in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 7, 2010 3:20PM

• TONIGHT, find yourself at the Town Hall Pub for the monthly installation of the boozy Pistol Party. They’ll be saying sayonara to fan and friend Tammie Williams, so the laughs and PBR hangovers will be extra special.
  Tonight, 9 p.m., Town Hall Pub, 3340 N. Halsted, $5
• On Wednesday, the monthly mainstage showcase Laugh it Up, Kid at Schubas welcomes none other than Rick Shapiro. Shapiro joins an already awesome line-up; Prescott Tolk, Drew Michael, and the Chicago Reader’s Best Stand-up Comedian of 2010 Junior Stopka perform.
  Wednesday, 9 p.m., Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport, $14
• The Wilmette Theatre continues their monthly comedy showcase series this Saturday with local superstar Adam Burke. The Theatre is one of the only venues in the city to offer long sets to local comics; see Chicago comedians work out longer sets on this stage now before they fly off to the Coasts.
  Saturday, 9:30 p.m., Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette, $12
• Improv group Octavarius, those pranksters behind the recent Boner: Word of the Day campaign and runner-up of Chicago Reader's 2010 Readers' Poll “Best Sketch/Improv Troupe”, begin their seven-week run at ComedySportz on Sunday. The theme for opening night is "Intergalactic" and audience members are encouraged to dress like it’s a Star Trek convention/as their favorite outer space alien. As a reward, they’ll knock off $3 at the door. After-party to follow, complete with an R2-D2 kissing booth.
  Sunday, 7 p.m. ComedySportz, 929 W. Belmont, $10

After the jump, a few more comedy bits.

Second City player Allison Bills is currently in the running for a walk-on part on the hit show Mad Men. You can vote for her quite painlessly here.

Improv super-duo T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi recently talked to WBEZ’s Steve Edwards about why they stay in Chicago, the art of improvisation, and why their show at iO Wednesday nights sells out week after week.

The local and national comedy community is mourning the recent passing of stand-up comedian Robert Schimmel. Schimmel was involved in a serious car accident a week ago, suffering critical injuries. Schimmel is perhaps best known for his long and successful battle with cancer, which he used as priceless fodder for his comedy.