Comedy Added To This Year's Milwaukee Ave Arts Fest

By Kristy Mangel in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 23, 2010 4:20PM

As we mentioned earlier this week, an almost two mile stretch of Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square is readying itself for the second annual Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival (MAAF). An amalgamation of live music, open galleries, multimedia installations, interactive sculpture, and now this year, stand-up comedy, MAAF is a three-day long celebration of all things art.

Neighborhood newbie Cole’s Bar will be curating an outdoor stage this year, supplementing with indoor music, a tequila tasting, and after parties when the sun goes down. Included on the Cole’s stage will be some of the city’s rising stand-up comedy talents, stepping in to amuse the crowd between band changes, starting Friday at 8:45 p.m.

Voted recently as Best Open Mic in Chicago, Cole’s will present a full comedy showcase for the first time, as part of MAAF’s closing night. The showcase will feature Jeff Steinbrunner, Chad Briggs, Jason Earl Folks, Adam Burke, Ricky Carmona, Cameron Esposito, Mo Welch, and Natalie Jose. “We asked a few of our favorite Logan Square residents/Cole's regulars to light up the night with a jokestorm. On Sunday, we'll have a festival after party/hilarious ha ha show on the Cole's back room stage we love so much! I expect shenanigans,” Esposito said.

The Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival, Friday July 23 (4 p.m. - 11 p.m.), Saturday July 24 (12 p.m. - 11 p.m.), and Sunday July 25 (11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.), along Milwaukee Ave in Logan Square (see PDF map here). Cole’s Bar is at 2338 N. Milwaukee Ave.