TBS- Deon Cole, Hannibal Buress and Kumail N.

This Past week end I had the opportunity to experience "What Ive been Missing", the TBS Just for Laughs festival. A friend told me that in Canada this festival was a "joke". Well in America this little festival was the shizznit.

At first, like last year I booked a show "out of town" during this festival. Last year it was Canada, this year Iowa. The Iowa thing had a complication to it and I was to move the date back a week. That was Gods work. I am sure your saying "Aaron when did you get religion?"..any way..let me finish the story. My buddy B- Cole ( Chicago comedy all star) called and while we were talking he mentioned that Deon Cole (another Chicago comedy all star) was coming in town for the festival. In passing, I told him to tell Deon to give me a call- our scene missed people like Deon.

In the middle early 2004-2009 seasons a large amount of our Chicago talents ran for L.A. or NY. Well after talking with Deon I went to pick up an old friend from the Airport. The ride home was like another life lesson- he told me of L.A. tales (none of which I will divulge) Then he took me around to all of the Festival activities (well I think he just didn't want to ride with his Kids Mother). Nonetheless I got to experience really what our talent can promise.

My career has been good- Ive traveled the world performing. Those who now me in my present form know I sell the Ive been to 42 states and four countries B.S. Its true but it has not given me anything but small amounts of money. What I saw in being with Deon was the prestige of Standup- Comedy. Here is an example of -how- I ran into Hannibal Buress- a long time friend and one I selfishly boast that I gave one of his first road gigs, helped get into a few clubs (he was under the age or 21) and whom i watched grow from "some dude" to "comedic Chicago royalty". (whether its all true, I dont know- Its only my blog and not a bible) What I did see was the look in the festival producers eyes when they spoke with him. The only way I can describe it is that I would only look at Richard Pryors resurrected soul in the same way-- or "that Girl I met a while back" (for those who know me the one that got away) They seemed to validate his existence with their every word. Asking him about his tour- 30 Rock - Saturday night live, friends, ect. These were the people whom I thought held the key to so many careers.

Kumail and Nick Vatterott were also there and they seem to be recipients of a similar praise. They were held in such a light that I flt maybe I better start focusing on this stuff. My conclusion- I have to put TBS's Just for Laughs Festival on my to do list. Yes, Ive auditioned and yes Ive made it to certain levels of the event but never the big dance-- I felt like Dirk Nowitski in 2008. But now I know better.

A few of the performers who left for the big two and made some waves

Deon Cole

DeRay Davis

Corey Holcombe

Kumail

Kyle Kinaine

Hannibal

T.J Miller

Mick Betancourt

and a long list of others.

The Queens Palace- Jokes and Notes

Seestandup.com presents the Queens Palace- Jokes and Notes

Jokes and Notes is located at 4641 South Martin Luther King Drive in Chicago IL, since created in January of 2006, it has been the meca of Chicago's Southside, comedy scene. Jokes and Notes has had a steady flow of local and national acts. Jokes and Notes has been a place for many of the local comedic artist two study and learn the craft of comedy in the black community. This venue is controlled with a velvit covered steel whip by Mary Lindsay.
Mary Lindsay was part owner of All Jokes Aside located in the downtown area of Chicago in the early '90s and late '80s. A comedy club that fell victim to the rise in Standup comedy on Television in the mid 90's. At the time she was in a partnership with two other businesspeople one of which was named Raymon Lambert who has gone on to produce documentaries. All Jokes Aside was a springboard for many careers and has been the roots of Chicago's black comedy scene. Yes, Chicago is still segregated. The former All Jokes Aside hosts included George Wilborne and Damon Williams two comedians who have risen to national prominence. It's the place where comedians such a Corey Holcomb, Craig Robinson and DeRay Davis made home while honing their skills as comedians. Those skills gave them the opportunity to appear on MTV's "Wildin Out", the movie "Hottub time machine" and many more.

As the last participating founder of All Jokes Aside - Mary Lindsay has been left the crown making her Queen of the scene known as Jokes and Notes. Proprietor and Chicago native Mary Lindsey reflects remarks on her decision to bring Jokes & Notes to the Bronzeville District. Mary states, "I am thrilled to provide the southside community with a premiere entertainment venue". Jokes & Notes is certain to provide their audience with a quality place to unwind, relax and have a good time with laughter and good company. Mary Lindsey has the knowledge and experience to provide her audience with top entertainers in an upscale venue.
(jokesandnotes.com)

The current crop of comedians is crowned by LilRel. Lil Rels high-energy storytelling style has taken him above and beyond most other Chicago comedians. He has had the opportunity to tape Bad Boys of Comedy produced by Rap mogel Puff Daddy and is a favorite of Russell Simmons of Def Jam fame. LilRel is a favorite in the Chicago scene and nationally and hosts the week ends at Jokes and Notes. Also under the rank and file of Mary Lindsay is a phenomenal comedian named Leon Rogers. Leon Rogers started his comedy career on the streets of Chicago as a youth telling humorous stories on basketball courts across the city. His current delivery/ style is so phenomenal that he has aquired a position at the local radio station. As a radio disk jockey and traveling comedian Leon has perfected the art of spewing reality with a comedic twist. You have to hear his take on the Justice system, which includes punishment by primate rape. In no way the least of the of Mary Lindsay's stable of comedians is Marlon Mitchell. Marlon Mitchell is undeniably the most underrated comedian of the late '90s and new millennium. His talent exceeds that of any of the Gersh agencies best yet his exposure has been the hiderance. Marlin Mitchell has the innate ability to take the smallest reality and turn it into a belly laughing comedic story. Marlon makes sitting in the front row an adventure in the same way past greats such as D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer and Robin Harris perfected- years ago.

If you are looking for a place to experience the next level in developing talent you will hustle down to Jokes and Notes.

Comedians you should know.- Lakeshore edition

Comedy produced by Comedians>>>>>>>..
They began their show at Fizz Bar in early 2008 and quickly developed a solid following and rave reviews around town from comedy fans and comedians alike. Their groundbreaking weekly showcase featured many of Chicago's top comedic talents as well as rising stars and established entertainers from across the nation. Shortly after adding a second weekly show they caught the attention of Chicago's Lakeshore Theater and began developing what is now a monthly showcase at one of the city's premiere comedy venues. In addition to their monthly showcase, CYSK also runs a weekly showcase at popular downtown watering hole Timothy O'Tooles.


Comedians You Should Know looks forward to proving that stand-up comedy in Chicago is not only just as relevant as that found in New York and LA, but perhaps of an even higher caliber and quality. With their new incarnation and website they will continue to entertain and engage you, one joke at a time.

Here is why this is important

For 10 years I have been performing in Chicago in every club, room, place ect and have not found a more important place to perform (south of State and Michigan) This Comedians we should know endevor is one putting money in the pockets of comedians. Its a show made by comedians- paying themselves and deserves to be supported. The Lakeshore Theater is 330 seats of fans of comedy and stand-up in particular. If you have not experienced it then you must.

Review of Funny First Saturday -Dec 5th

Funny First Saturdays is this weeks:

Seestandup.com

"Holy Grail" of comedy rooms

The headliner Dec 5rd- Corey Holcomb.

Funny First Saturdays presented and hosted by Damon Williams - a Chicago Icon and Steve Capers (Comedy Central executive) has been bringing laughter to the Black community since the closing of All Jokes aside in 1997. The show which is produced on the "first Saturday" of each month has moved from the Hilton hotel located downtown Chicago to Showtime Comedy club located at 13300 South Cicero- Crestwood Illinois. It also has brought what I believe to be the "Holy Grail" of standup comedy with it.

The show has the feel of a theater with the intimacy of a comedy club. Showtime comedy club- the space- holds 550 people seated and maybe another 200 standing in its major space (it also has a smaller club room). Funny First Saturdays has its larger room filled to the brim with a beautiful multi cultural audience ( primarily African American) and every face was smiling this Dec 5th when they presented the Chicago area with the "new and polished" Corey Holcomb.

When Corey was underground in Chicago he was in my opinion the "rawest comedian in the USA". He hailed humor straight from the streets of Chicago spilling secrets of the ghetto only he could. He joked of things that only someone who had a relationship with a "real hoodrat" could understand. The laughter Corey could produce is still unparalleled and the legend echoed. Its rumored known comedians like George Wallace and Steve Harvey did not want this "Corey Holcomb" kid on the bill with them. It is rumored they knew it was curtains for their show having to follow Corey. He was a hard act to follow because his stories cut too deep into the daily life of the black community. He would say anything no matter how personal it sounded or uncouth in nature, the crowds and even his personal victims loved the laughter he produced.

Last I spoke with him, before he went to L.A. I sat next to a broke, close to homeless Corey Holcomb. He had just won some comedy contest and had a lot of attention but no pay checks. He said he was "going to LA" and I knew that if LA saw and understood what they were gonna see, he would be a success.

A success is exactly what I saw this Saturday. A man who had found his calling and orchestrated his message with the confidence of Micheal Jordan 92. Corey went to LA and came back with the swagger of the streets and the polish of Gersh management under his belt. He was still raw as rat meat but his jokes were superbly crafted and his show was masterfully complete. His message is not for the easily offended as he will let you know.

Good pussy is Clear he professes, not this linguini alfraido looking stuff...

If thats offensive to you you may not want to see the rest.... but it is worth the rib splitting workout he will produce for you.