Chicago Live!

For those of you who are not aware of this fun experience, Rick Kogan’s “Chicago Live”, a radio show that we get to watch in the making ( it is taped on Thursday evening for a broadcast on WGN-720, Saturday at 11 p.m.) has moved to it’s new home, THE UP COMEDY CLUB in Piper’s Alley ( North and Wells). This is a much more intimate space than the lower level of The Chicago Theatre, bringing the audience much closer to the experience of being at a live- taped radio show.

Each week, Kogan brings a diverse crowd to the stage with the aid of many tribune staffers and the zany comedy of The Second City players ( all the more reason to be on their “turf”).Tonight’s show, which will air this Saturday, the 26th, was without the host who is Chicago, but, filling his shoes without the raspy voice is another Chicago legend, Jenniffer Weigel, who did a great job. Missing of course was Rick’s “almanac” where he takes a date in history and talks about it in great detail. None can do this as he does, but Jenniffer ran the show with her own special flavor and the nearly packed house had a great hour of entertainment.

This episode featured Jackie Taylor, of The Black Ensemble Theater, interviewed by Chris Jones as she discussed her new building and her visions for the future. A number from their current production, “The Jackie Wison Story” started the evening off with a bang ( a slick production of “Higher and Higher” with the cast doing what they do best).visit www.blackensembletheater.org

Michael Phillips then interviewed Kyle Westphal and Rebecca Hall of the Northwest Chicago Film Society as they talked about the saving and preservation of the movies of the past. Each Wednesday night, at The Portage Theater located at 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. for a mere $5 you can enjoy some of the classic films the way they were meant to enjoy- on a large screen with an audience. Vist www.northwestchicagofilmsociety.org

Ms. Weigel then had a sit down with two of the members of our Roller Derby team, Bork Bork Bork ( Molly Fannin) and Hoosier Mama(Erica Jones) about the sport. The Windy City Rollers play their games at the UIC Pavilion and while it is not as popular as other sporting events, based on the clip they showed, this might be a fun experience to see “live”. visit www.windycityrollers.com

Between segments, we are treated to comedy from the Second City ensemble members  Tawny Newsome (who many of us have seen in local theaters),Tim Sniffen and Jimmy Carlson as well as a single set by John Hartman. To finish off the evening and to bring our energy to a true high, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound rocked the theater with their music. Brooks has been a performer with local theater troupes as well and truly struts his stuff with his group. They will be at The Tivoli in Downers Grove next week. visit www.jcbrooksandtheuptownsound.com– real soul for the soul!

If you need a place to unwind before the week-end, The UP Comedy Club is the place and every Thursday night, Rick Kogan and his staff deliver the best “happy hour” in the city.Visit www.chicagolive.com to view the upcoming shows and reserve your space to be a part of a fun radio broadcast.