Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Tonight is the Night

Get warm as UV Live presents our last show of the year as "Everybody must get Steined," with stand-up Avromi Steiner in conjuction with Awesomonster Comedy's "The Gift of Awesomeness." 

Bring a crappy, wrapped gift to be part of a good ole circle up, musical gift exchange.

Enjoy our novice 4-minute hot-spot with Kyle Lisowski and our opening comic Renee Schultz and the lovely talent of burlesque dancer Lula Houp-Garou!

Closing the night is Chicago band Flow Theory and late night dubstep  DJ Sam Grey.  If you're on our emailing list check your email for a special two-for one ticket offer.  If you're not, maybe you should be, after all, 2011 is just around the corner and you wanna know what's happening at UV Live this coming year!

See you all tonight at The Kinetic Playground on 1113 W Lawrence when doors open at 7:00 for $7!  Show begins at 8:00 and will be a sure steined gift of very merry proportions.

-Nicholas Taylor, UV Live

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Three Nights Away

The last show was probably the most fun night of entertainment I've been a part of here in Chicago.  Kolin Bohannon was an awesome opener for James Adomian who absolutely left his audience in stitches.  We're glad we could be there for you James, especially after the Joan Rivers show, priceless story that ended up with me craving to check out her new documentary.

So come be part of the new fun set this coming Wedneday night on 12/22/10 and bring a gift as comedy troupe Awesomonster will be hosting the entire night while giving the gift of Awesomeness.  Bring a crappy, wrapped, reused or recycled or home made gift and take part in a traditional circle gift exchange at some point during the night where the worst gift giver gets something not too shabby!

This is the night to get steined with stand-up from Avromi "The Steiner," Steiner and opener Renee Schultz.  The four-hot-spot returns with novice, dead-pan man Kyle Lisowski doing his first stage appearance for UV Live and if that doesn't tickle your fancy we'll have burlesque from the fabulous Lula Houp-Garou (guys and gals, she is a work of art)!

The night will close out with music from local debuting band Flow Theory and DJ Falco will go late into the night.  Come for the laughs and delights and stay for the tunes.  The bar is open as long as you are, meaning 4a.m.

Tickets are $7 for the doors opening at 7:00!  Show starts at 8:00 and drinks are rather affordable.  Ask about the UV Live shot and get a taste straight from The Kinetic Playground at 1113 W Lawrence!  Merry Fun Times!

Friday, November 12, 2010

No More Hiatus


After a break, coinciding with James Adomian's work in L.A. UV Live returns!  Saturday, December 4th is the date to mark, doors open at 7:00p.m.  At around 8p.m. the show begins with always awarded prize time, the new featured UVL shot and a grand night of stand-up!!  It's Kolin Bohannon and James Adomian hosted by yours truly, $10!!!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Postponed

Howdy friends of mine and Uptown Variety Live, 

James Adomian has booked a pilot for Cartoon Network which puts him in L.A. on the 27th, meaning he can't make it to either his Chicago or Madison dates as is.  We're rescheduling and will send out and post the new date ASAP.  

Have a good, long weekend.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Only Nine Days

Come on out to The Kinetic Playground for some comedy playtime with James Adomian and Kolin Bohannon, the double scoop of hilarity.  Whatever your flavor get ready to taste the funny on 9/27/2010, 1113 W Lawrence.  Seats for this will fill so we've made it easy for you.  Purchase in advance, online, via here:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/128345

If you need a laughing fix before then, check out one of James' best sets:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h0VJwwoVT0

Friday, August 13, 2010

Two Days Later

Due to the host's recent mugging incident, he was unable to handle the night all by his poor little frightened, queerishly... (no, that's not a word) ...currishly, lonesome self; thankfully, he magically summoned, as if by acting, 3 surprise characters willing to lend their hands to move the evening along among them Crispin Glover, Tearstock from Theodore Thyme and the Forgotten Ones and finally Master Splinter from The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Gifts were given, drinks were ordered, prizes were won while tokens of laughter filled the space, then a relaxed, cool air of music palpably shifted the room as Paper Thick Walls painted the stage with sheer luminous sound.

Tearing up the four-minute hot-spot Marcos Lara drove in some naughty lands and opened the stage for Ben Bergman who set in the night with a southern style makin' that segue for The Stevens Family to stroll right up on in and round out the laugh time with giant proportions.

More to come in detail, but even if you arrived just in time to catch one of the songs from the new album or the new singles from Paper Thick Walls the night would have proved to pay for itself in full measure.

You can check Marcos Lara at Sir Robert's Roast on the 15th of this month, see The Stevens Family on Thursday nights at Comedy Sportz, 10:00p.m. while not forgetting to get your tickets to see Paper Thick Walls at Lincoln Hall August 25th for $8.

Hit yourself softly in the head if you missed this Uptown Variety Live, then smile and look forward to a great show next month!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Comedy in Concert

It's Comedy in Concert night at Uptown Variety Live.  Here are some reminders about what's going on and why.

FUN-
  • $5 Comedy and Concert
DRINK-
  • $3 Tickle Pinx
  • $3 cheap-Assed Whiskey Drinx
  • $6 NEW DRINK: THE PAPER THICK WALL, comes with digital download of the NEW ALBUM from PAPER THICK WALLS (visit www.paperthickwalls.com for a sample of music)
PARTIES-
  • Bring a PARTY OF 5 or more and one person in your party gets FREE admission!
  • Bring a PARTY OF 10 or more and one person in your party gets VIP status, FREE admission DRINKS ON ME, some gift goodies and a special acknowledgement during the show!!


Doors open @ 8:00p.m.  Show starts at 9:00p.m.  So, invite some last minute guests and see about hitting the PARTY OF 5 or PARTY OF 10 challenge.

and as for why it's going on... simply, to have a good time, so wear you're good time pants...
... never seen a bulleted blog before have you?  we're all about the revolution...

See you tomorrow night!

Your Host,
Nicholas Taylor, UV Live

Monday, August 9, 2010

The Stevens Family

 Ready,
set,
offend?
Come on,
I mean,
just look at
that red, white
and blue track
jacket.  Get
set to witness
a no holds barred,
unforgiving, southern family improve troupe
bring your worst suggestions to life.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

4-Minute Hot-Spot

Think you have a talent worth showing such as a knack at stand-up, the skill for juggling, or a mind for magic?  Last month Plainwhite Tom had four minutes to show the audience what he's got and this month Marcos Lara takes up the reigns.  This opening slot is designed for new talent but is highly handy for established folk to plug an upcoming venue.  So, try something old, something new, something bold, something not, painful or painless, it's your 4-minute Hot-Spot.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Marcos Lara


Who is Marcos Lara?
Come to this
month at
UV Live and
sit through the
four minute hot-spot
and all will be
revealed.  Or if
you're not a fan
of waiting, click on
this link:
Marcos Lara

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Drink Special

In honor of our featured guest, Paper Thick Walls, this month at Uptown Variety Live order a new drink, "The Paper Thick Wall," for only $6 and receive a free download card for the new album from Paper Thick Walls.  Check it out at www.paperthickwalls.com

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Ben Bergman

I met this guy on a random occasion in the Borders across the street from The Kinetic Play - ground, now home to Uptown Variety Live.  We exchanged glances; he asked about a book and afterwards I asked if he was a comedian.  Looking a little surprised he said, "Yes, how'd you know that?"

I simply replied, "I know people."  As creepy as that sounds, he laughed, gave me his card and the rest writes itself.

"Often described by his peers as quick-witted and sarcastic, Ben’s sharp insight and honest delivery leave audiences enthralled with laughter. Ben grew up in a family of several sisters one or two brothers and three or four parents. Depending on when you check the time line. Surprisingly as much as his family has added, subtracted and multiplied Ben remains bad at math."


For a quick look check him out a quick scene here:  http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/watch/CrackerBarrel
Ben has performed all over Tennessee (yeah, another TN guy!), parts of Georgia, Indiana and Kentucky.  He lives in Chicago where he performs in different benefits, fundraisers, and roasts including a regional Pit Bull Dog Show, and The Diamond Rios Bonus Room.  Contact Ben here:  www.benbergmancomedy.com

Monday, August 2, 2010

AWESOMONSTER

All bias aside, as I am part of this amazing company, AWESOMONSTER is a comedy troupe that truly lives up to it blended two-parter name.  Awesome and monstrous skills overflow from the hearts, hands and mouths of these nine banded broads and boys.  If you missed the headlining performance for the July line-up of Uptown Variety Live, you can catch their next show on August 26th and 27th from 8-9:30 at The Kinetic Playground.  Purchase advance tickets at www.awesomonster.com




AND if you haven't already, check out some of the      
online hilarity at an of the following linkages:  

http://www.facebook.com/awesomonsters

http://www.youtube.com/user/AwesomonsterComedy

http://www.vimeo.com/awesomonsters

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Paper Thick Walls

Paper Thick Walls

"Radiohead influenced male vocals meets Catpower influenced female vocals meets the soundtrack to Juno," proves a rather perfect pitch for this progressive folk band.  Reading about such amazing vocals is one thing but why do that when they can speak for themselves.

Click on this link, listen to the welcoming song and tell me they are not destined to be heard by a grand number of ears:  www.paperthickwalls.com.  See this headlining performance for Uptown Variety Live on Wednesday, August 11th at 9:00p.m. and catch their concert at Lincoln Hall (2424 N Lincoln) on Wednesday, August 25 at 7:00p.m. for $8.

Personal favorites from the debut album include Nyquil and Desolate Place.  Buy it online now.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

August Line-Up

Come enjoy a night of comedy and music.  Our first set, The 4-minute Hot Spot features first timer to The Kinetic Playground, Marcos Lara.  Stand-up Ben Bergman follows, check him out at berbergmancomedy.com.  Improve troupe The Stevens Family will be closing out the comedy of the evening after which, enjoy the sounds of local folk band Paper Thick Walls (visit www.paperthickwalls.com to hear some early sounds).

Admission is $5 with some fun prizes and challenges to boot.

Here is your UVL reward challenge:

-Bring a party of 5 or more and one person in your party gets FREE admission!
-Bring a party of 10 or more and one person in your party gets VIP status, FREE admission DRINKS ON ME, some gift goodies and a special acknowledgement during the show!!