A JANGLEHEART CIRCUS Sketch and Improv Comedy Festival Returns to The Den Theatre, Now thru 8/23

A Jangleheart Circus, a three-day sketch and improv comedy festival produced by Upstairs Gallery, returns to The Den Theatre for its second year tonight, August 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. The festival will feature 111 acts on 4 stages across 3 days, including celebrated local Chicago headliners The Nerdolouges, Dummy (???'s from the Chicago Tribune), Kill All Comedy (Chicago Magazine Best Emerging Comedy Troupe 2013), and Rainbow Deli, with special guests Baltimore's Wham City Comedy, presenting an hour of sketch comedy following a critically acclaimed Chicago appearance at The Den earlier this year.

A Jangleheart Circus was created by the Upstairs Gallery (which was recently named Chicago's Best Underground Art Space in the Reader's Best of 2014 issue) to celebrate ideas and groups created independently here in Chicago and put the spotlight on all the fantastic stuff happening outside of the city's more well-known comedy venues. The festival aims to expose audiences and performers alike to the thrilling, innovative comedy happening below the radar in Chicago's vibrant improv and sketch scenes.

Constructed by comedy fanatics and featuring the irreverent conceptual shows that the Upstairs Gallery has fostered over the past four years, the festival will feature UG house improv and sketch teams, independent troupes from Los Angeles and New York City, as well as other fantastic Chicago-based collectives.

Other festival highlights include sketch shows from The Late Live Show (former Chicagoans now based in LA), Snack Time with John, Nate, and Carmen, Spend Some Time with Jamison Webb, improv from NYC-based teams Namaste and Girls, Chicago Magazine's Must See Improv Troupe of 2014 WiseSnatch, and the well-loved powerhouse Superhuman, as well as a live reading from How to Win at Everything by The Onion's Sam Weiner and Daniel Kibblesmith.

Those interested in attending A Jangleheart Circus are able to purchase passes to each night individually for $25, or a 3 day pass for entirety of the festival for $60.

Festival passes and individual show tickets are on sale now via Brown Paper Tickets. Full lineup, schedule, and ticketing information is available at jangleheartcircus.com.