Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Magic Lounge Headliners and More Set for Uptown Underground This Fall
By: BWW News Desk Aug. 11, 2016
Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, presents a full fall of Retrotainment including The Kiss Kiss Cabaret's annual Halloween-themed "Peek-A-Boo" and Chicago Magic Lounge presents a variety of celebrity magicians.
Uptown Underground is also expanding its music and cabaret offerings to include performances Sunday through Wednesday and details are updated on the website. Special performances are listed below.
Show tickets to Uptown Underground performances range from $10 to $46 and include a full evening of entertainment and stocked bar. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the first performance every night. Check the website for specific show times. Uptown Underground is a 21 and over venue. For advanced tickets or information visit www.UptownUnderground.net.
The Kiss Kiss Cabaret
The Kiss Kiss Cabaret's "Peek-A-Boo" is the show that started it all in 2009. This year's Halloween performances feature new dances by the Kiss Kiss Cabaret Coquettes and The Underground Vaudettes plus the return of the group numbers to Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand" and the premiere of Oingo Boingo's "Dead Man's Party." "Peek-A-Boo" is performed everyFriday and Saturday, Sept. 30 - Oct. 29 at 10 p.m.
The Chicago Magic Lounge
In addition to its regular lineup of acts, Chicago Magic Lounge presents nationally-recognized headlining magicians weekly on Thursdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at7:30 p.m. John Carney, Sept. 1 and 3, is considered one of the finest sleight of hand performers in the world and has received numerous awards from Hollywood's Magic Castle as well as the Academy of Magical Arts prestigious Performing Masters Fellowship. Carney integrates humor and showmanship into his performances from live theater to TV appearances such as "Late Show with David Letterman," "Spin City," and "Two and a Half Men." Eric Jones, Sept. 22 and 24, is a rising star of the close-up magic world and has performed at the Magic Castle and New York City's Monday Night Magic, the longest running magic show in New York. He has also performed for Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Howie Long, Dave Mathews, Robert Hays, David Allen Grier, and many more. October performances include Ran'd Shine, Oct. 6, as seen on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us," and Ice McDonald, Oct. 20 and 22, former Society of American Magicians National President and founder of the International Association of Black Magical Artists.
Another weekly feature is Grotesque Burlesque, a figure drawing session in the Starlight Lounge. This unique group ranges from professional artists to those without drawing background and everyone in attendance must participate. Grotesque Burlesque is open to the public and happens Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., cover is $10.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Aug.16
Zebulun Alison & The Morality Players
7:00pm
$10 Suggested Cover
Zubulun Alison & The Morality Players
From the streets of Chicago to the alleys of Cabbagetown, the Morality Players conjure images of bleak nostalgia, doubtful sentimentality and howling catharsis; a time machine blending influences of electric blues and tent gospel with Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart, Leonard Cohen,Vladimir Vysotsky, nineteenth century rock and roll, tender ballads, smoky recitations and old time hollering.
Aug, 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 19
Acrobatica Infiniti
8:00pm
$25 - $40
Acrobatica Infiniti
Acrobatica Infiniti, the phenomenal Chicago based Nerd Circus, presents "After Dark", a must-see variety show at Uptown Underground. Bringing your favorite fictional cosplayed characters to life through modern circus acts such as unbelievable aerial stunts, fire eating, acrobatics, contortion, juggling, comedy, and much more. These extraordinary acts are everything from silly to sexy, funny to heartwarming, and most of all, absolutely entertaining.
Hailed by New City as "funny, thrilling and surprisingly touching." ... Your Fridaynight just got a lot more interesting!
Aug. 26
Michele McGovern as Lady Vadula
8:00pm
$25
Michele McGovern
Michele McGovern performs as Lady Vadula in this one of a kind musical production that incorporates music, theatre, and dance/aeriel dance. Due to a tragedy in Lady Vadula's childhood she became a mute. She speaks musically through her flute which only Mr. McGafferty (narration played by American poet Marc Kelly Smith) can translate. As the provocative journey unfolds the audience will be mesmerized by through the alluring music, captivating narration, and enchanting dance.
Aug. 28
All American Sweethearts, A Salute to the Andrews Sisters
7:00pm
$19
All American Sweethearts
Join Lauren Demerath, Nelia Miller, Allison Sokolowski along with Elizabeth Tuazon on piano as they sing the top hits from America's favorite swing era trio - The Andrews Sisters. These ladies have recreated the original vocal charts made famous by Patty, Laverne and Maxine.
Aug. 29
Songs from My Closet
8:00pm
$25 Premium Seating, $20 Door, $15 Advance
Songs from My Closet
Songs from My Closet is a heartwarming and hilariously gay cabaret, featuring the witty words of award-winning lyricist Larry Todd (Johnson) Cousineau. Also featured are five great Chicago-area theatre performers: Cousineau, Christin Boulette, Ashlee Hardgrave, George Keating, and Nathan Mittleman, and the musical direction of multiple Jeff-Award nominee Jimmy Morehead.
Sept. 9 and Oct. 14
Strip Joker
9:30pm
$15
Strip Joker
Strip Joker features a roster of stand-up comics who are willing to bare it all in the spirit of totally vulnerable, inclusive, and uncensored comedy. Backed by Chicago's own guerrilla art movement, the "You Are Beautiful Campaign." Strip Joker presents some of Chicago's finest stand-up comedians revealing their candid stories about nudity, and also getting nude themselves.
Sept. 9 and 10
Vertical Sideshow
10:00pm
$30 Premium Seating, $25 Door, $20 Advance
The Vertical Slideshow
The Vertical Sideshow blends the arts of burlesque, dance, theater, sideshow arts and circus arts into an immersive, fast paced show. In just two short years, The Vertical Sideshow has featured live musicians, bellydancers, male and female striptease, acrobatic pole performers, puppeteering, sideshow barkers, drag artists, and aerialists. Every show is different and runs as a narrative, rather than relying on an emcee to announce each new act. Vertical Sideshow features Ray Gunn who was titled "Mr. Exotic World" in 2013 as well as being inducted in the International Burlesque Hall of Fame. In 2011 Gunn and Bazuka Joe won "Best Troupe" at the Burlesque Hall of Fame.
Sept. 11
Cupid's Kitchen: An Evening of Music for the Mood
8:00pm
$13 Door, $10 Advance
Chicago musicians born from the cabaret tradition unite to host the first in a series of events that pay homage to the tradition of the lounge singer. The evening will feature a handful of Chicago's most demure and tantalizing artists, who will transport listeners to the timeless era of the entertainer. House band led by maestro double bassist Marc Piane will support the sultry crooning and burlesque antics of Antony Ablan, Ami Saraiya, Anna Soltys, Courtney Glascoe, Davor Palos, Sharon Lanza & Dave Smith, Shirley Rogiers, Vanessa Valliere, Zach Duenow. The rotation of singers will be peppered with burlesque dancing, perverse puppetry, and a variety of surprises to complement the celebration.
Sept. 12
Fixed Abode: A Variety Show hosted by Tyler Thompson
7:30pm
$12
Everybody has to live somewhere. Sometimes finding the right place can be hard, hilarious, and at times a little maddening. FIXED ABODE is a variety show featuring songs, stories, standup, and poetry about old houses, crappy apartments, and the endless search for a place to call home. Hosted by Tyler Thompson and featuring celebrated local acts She's Folks, Babe-alon 5, Diego Colon & Christina Hall, Trevor Reusch, Khaki Pixley & Hillary Marren, Daniel Fager, Quentin Rynbrandt, Hannah Veldt and more! The dilemma of finding a place to live is part of the universal human experience, but more familiar to global refugees in a painful way. All proceeds from the show benefit Loom, an organization that aids refugee women in Chicago.
Sept. 17
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus "The Great Gaymerican Songbook"
8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
$25-$50 (available through CGMC website)
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates American LGBT singers, songwriters and composers with this eclectic cabaret showcase. This promises to be a delightful evening of home-grown LGBT talent.
Sept. 30, Oct. 7
The Broad-Way: A Ladies Cabaret
7:30pm
$15
A night of songs written by women, celebrating women. Join Brown Paper Bag Co. and friends for a joyful evening of music from all genres for this empowering cabaret. Coordinated by Aaron Benham & Anna Schutz.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
Thursday: The Chicago Magic Lounge presents old-school illusions from table-hopping magicians to main stage acts who elicit a whole lot of WOW. After the mainstage show, magicians perform the "Magic Bar" - an historical take on the magic clubs of yesteryear where everyone is a magician, even the bartenders. The Chicago Magic Lounge mainstage show begins at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $27.50-$46.
Friday: The Kiss Kiss Cabaret joins forces with Muffy Fishbasket & Her Good Time Galz for a full evening of performances beginning at 10 p.m. The Kiss Kiss Cabaret is a wild mix of hilarious hosts, quirky musicians, incredible variety performers and, of course, some of the most beautiful burlesque stars in Chicago. Muffy Fishbasket and Her Good Time Galzbring their own vocal stylings in themes that change every week. Ticket prices range from $27.50-$46.
Saturday: Chicago Magic Lounge and The Kiss Kiss Cabaret team up for a non-stop evening of entertainment. Step back in time to Chicago's long lost magic-bar era, and become immersed in a night full of close-up magic, bar magic, table hopping magicians, and main stage acts with The Chicago Magic Lounge at 8 p.m. After the mainstage show, join an exclusive, 20 seat only experience, called the Close Up Gallery. Inspired by the legendary Magic Castle in LA, and Magic Circle in London, we invite you to sit alongside a magician in the Starlight Lounge at 10 p.m. for an intimate look at close-up magic. On the mainstage at 10 p.m., The Kiss Kiss Cabaret continues with a wild mix of hilarious hosts, quirky musicians, incredible variety performers and, of course, some of the most beautiful burlesque stars in Chicago. Ticket prices range from $27.50-$46.
Sunday-Wednesday: Find entertainment almost any night of the week at Uptown Underground. Intimate cabarets, open mics, fundraisers, concert performances and other spontaneous entertainments fill the days between weekends. Check the events calendar for details about specific dates or shows.
Uptown Underground is a 7,000 square foot speakeasy-style venue featuring the Moonlight Mainstage, 150-seat performance hall and the Starlight Lounge, 50-seat private party room with small stage and cozy atmosphere, an antique bar stocked with hand-crafted and local spirits, VIP seating and a full range of retrotainment; burlesque, magic, variety, circus arts, drag and more.Individually bagged snacks are available for purchase. Uptown Underground is also available for bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, photography packages and other special events. Package deals may include show tickets and drink specials or simply rooms for rent.
Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, is open daily per the events calendar and tickets range from $10 to $46, VIP and Premium Reserved Seating options available. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled performance of the evening. Please check the individual show listings for details. Uptown Underground is a 21 and over venue; minors admitted only with parental accompaniment. Advance reservations recommended; www.UptownUnderground.net.
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