Uptown Underground Sets 2016 Lineup

Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, welcomes 2016 with huge milestones and a new performance schedule. Chicago Magic Lounge now performs two nights, Thursdays and Saturdays; The Kiss Kiss Cabaret joins forces with Boy Toy's Pocket Cabaret and Muffy Fishbasket on Friday nights; and the popular "Underground Jazz Vocalist Series" on Tuesday nights expands. Milestones in 2016 include the fifth anniversary of the flagship show The Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Feb. 5, and the 1-year anniversary of Uptown Underground, Feb. 20. Additional special events include Valentine's Day themed performances, Feb. 12 and 13, and a special Feb. 14 "LOVEFEST!" performance by "Big Red" Meghan Murphy. In honor of Black History Month, "Saveur Noire: Uptown's Harlem Renaissance," performs a Black History Month burlesque show on Feb. 19. Nightly cover charge ranges from $2 to $40 and includes a full evening of entertainment and stocked bar. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the first performance. Check the website for specific show times. Uptown Underground is a 21 and over venue, minors are permitted with parental accompaniment. For advanced tickets or information visitwww.UptownUnderground.net.

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. Tuesday nights will feature half-priced bottled wine specials.

Special event nights at Uptown Underground include:

Jan. 12 - The Underground Jazz Vocalist Series kicks off the weekly Tuesday performance schedule with two of Chicago favorites, Petra van Nuis at 7 p.m. and Sam Fazio at 9 p.m. Every Tuesday features a different lineup of jazz vocalists as well as the "throwback" $2 cover and half-off bottles of wine.

Jan. 19 features Monika Ryan at 7 p.m. and Bernadette Garza at 9 p.m.

Jan. 24 deviates slightly from jazz to cabaret with Pride Films & Plays' production of "The Boys in Briefs: At The Beach" at 7 p.m.

Feb. 2 features The Miles Simmons Trio at 7 p.m. and The Twilight Combination at 9 p.m.

Feb. 9 is Simplistic Soul at 7 p.m. and Twilight Combination at 9 p.m.

Feb. 23 is Christy Bennett at 7 p.m. and Twilight Combination at 9 p.m.

Jan. 24 - Fight Song Charity Concert is a special cabaret fundraiser that celebrates the struggles, love, heartbreak and joy of life. The concert features performances by America's Got Talent Finalist, Branden James, Broadway's Simba from the Lion King, Jelani Remy; Chicago artists Jess Godwin, Meghan Murphy and many more. Fight Song is presented by BLOWN by bocaj and is raising awareness and money for the #NeedYourLove campaign. Show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $50 and include a host bar.

Feb. 1 - Robert Ollis with Pride Films & Plays presents: Judy Garland & Liza Minnelli "Once In A Lifetime, The London Palladium Concert" A Tribute. Originally performed on Nov. 8, 1964, Nancy Hays and Michelle Lauto will pay tribute to these powerhouse women. This loving musical tribute recalls Judy and Liza's historic concert at the London Palladium, with their classic solos, duets and medleys. Come celebrate the unique mother/daughter relationship that they enjoyed, with the playful interchange between youthful Liza and seasoned-professional Judy -- the consummate song stylist. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $20-$25.

Feb. 5 - The Kiss Kiss Cabaret 5-Year Anniversary Party. Chicago's longest running weekly burlesque show celebrates its 5th birthday with a special evening of Kiss Kiss Cabaret performances. Patrons will enjoy entertainment from the full cast of the show and cake. Diego Sol & The Metronomes kick off the evening with some live-band burlesque entertainment at 8 p.m. Kiss Kiss Cabaret begins at 10 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Feb. 12 - 13 - Uptown Underground celebrates Valentine's Day with three evenings of extra-romantic entertainment by The Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Boy Toy's Pocket Cabaret, Whiskey & Cherries (Chicago Cabaret Project), Muffy Fishbasket & Yuka Layme, Chicago Magic Lounge and Meghan"Big Red" Murphy. Friday, Feb. 12 watch the sparks fly with dynamic female duo, Whiskey & Cherries, The Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Boy Toy's Pocket Cabaret and Muffy Fishbasket. Saturday, Feb. 13 features Chicago Magic Lounge, Kiss Kiss Cabaret & friends and a special midnight show by Pervesk' Burlesk, "Last Kiss" - a tribute to tragedy, love and loss.

Sunday, Feb. 14 is "LOVEFEST!" performed by the incomparable Meghan "Big Red"Murphy, singing love songs and power ballads.Singles, couples, and everyone in between are welcome to celebrate the occasion. Show begins at 9 p.m. and tickets for all events are $20 - $40. Floral + Ticket packages for your sweetheart available courtesy of Marguerite Gardens. Full details atwww.UptownUnderground.net.

Feb. 19 - Saveur Noire: Uptown's Harlem Renaissance - Kiss Kiss Cabaret and Boy Toy's Pocket Productions are excited to celebrate Black History Month. All of your favorite midwest performers of color go Underground to bring a taste of the Harlem Renaissance to Uptown and Chicago. With a splash of color, history, and empowerment, see some of Chicago's favorite performers including Kiss Kiss Cabaret's own Camille Leon, nationally recognized performer and vendor for the evening Cruel Valentine, Shimmy LaRoux, P NoNoire, Po' Chop, Switch, Artemis Moon, Anghell from Venezuela and many more! Enjoy a collaboration of art, vendors, and live entertainment. Performance starts at 10 p.m. and tickets range from $25-$40.

Feb. 20 - Uptown Underground's One-

Year Anniversary. Join cast members from all ofUptown Underground's resident performance companies as they celebrate this wonderful milestone with a full evening of entertainment beginning at 8 p.m. There will be cake, drink specials and prize raffles all night! Entertainment begins at 8 p.m., tickets are $25 to $40.

Feb. 26-27 - Lipstick & Lyrics: Save the Unicorn Club. The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus presents two evenings of drag queens performing crowd favorites as they try and save everyone's favorite watering hole, The Unicorn Club. Performances are at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $25.

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.

THEMED NIGHTS

Tuesday: The Underground Jazz Vocalist Series is expanding and putting the spotlight on the performers. Every Tuesday features a different artist at 7 p.m. and at 9 p.m. in a Listening Room ambiance. Evening includes a "throwback" $2 cover and half-price bottled wine. Check website for full lineup: www.UptownUnderground.net.

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. Magic Bar only admission begins at 10 p.m.

Friday: The Kiss Kiss Cabaret joins forces with Boy Toy's Pocket Cabaret and Muffy Fishbasket and her Drag Queen Debutantes for a full evening of performances beginning at 10 p.m. Boy Toy's Pocket Cabaret is a male burlesque and variety show featuring a male dominated cast of circusperformers, live singers, burlesque performers, comedians, and much more! 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 Drag Queen Debutantesbring their own vocal stylings in themes that change every week. Performances happen every 30 minutes with social breaks in between each set.

Saturdays: 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.

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