Local Chicago Comedian, Brian Babylon, Produces Diverse Outdoor Comedy Show Supporting Women Comics

July 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Chicago, IL – July 7, 2010 – Every other Wednesday in the heart of Bronzeville, you can catch a free BYOB comedy show in the coffee garden of Bronzeville Coffee & Tea, 528 E. 43rd Street. The roaring laughter coming from the alley wasn’t a summertime staple, until Southsider and emerging comic star, Brian Babylon, created the Bronzeville Coffeehouse Comedy Show (BCCS) in 2006 where he wanted to accomplish 3 goals: bring some kind of evening entertainment option to Bronzeville, create a room for comics to work out new jokes, and attract a crowd that will reflect the rich diversity of Chicago.  “The Bronzeville Coffeehouse Comedy Show is the only outdoor venue in the city and gives you the opportunity to see the future Dave Chapelles and Dane Cooks, as well as enjoy seasoned comedians like Hannibal Burris (Saturday Night Live) and Vanessa Fraction (Barbershop 2) for free” says Babylon.

Now in its 4th season, Babylon has realized his vision and just last year TimeOut Chicago coined the show as the “best place to watch comedy”. Every other Wednesday night this summer, 43rd and Forrestville turns into a crowded comedy club that looks more like a night in San Fran’s Bay area than the city of Chicago. Diversity runs the gamat at BCCS; young, old, northsiders, suburbanites, hipsters, hip hop heads, nerds, and maybe even someone’s grandfather all come to enjoy a good laugh.

The BCCS is not just notable due to its diversity and popularity, but also because Babylon has one of the few shows that particularly showcase women comics. Vanessa Fraction, Megan Gailey and Ali Clayton all graced the stage for this season’s opening show on June 30th. Clayton states, “Babylon gives equal opportunity to all comics: women and men. The best thing about the show is the crowd; it is amazing how many people come out.” Vanessa Fraction is a BCCS regular and has performed at the BCCS since 2006. She is one of the hottest comedians in the business and has performed on Def Comedy Jam and Martin Lawrence’s First Amendment. Her raw performance leaves little to the imagination and usually leaves most people in tears.

Earlier this summer, both Fraction and Clayton performed at the TBS Just for Laughs Comedy Festival held in Chicago. On the other hand, Gailey is a comic newbie and for a newcomer the Chicago comedy circuit can be brutal; especially for women -- who often find themselves unable to get selected to perform in front of an audience. BCCS provides her the opportunity to get on stage and test out jokes – regardless if she’s good or bad. She teases about the venue being close to a residential building, “I loved how people were hanging over their balconies. I’m just imagining some little kid lying in bed that night, chuckling to themselves as they listen to these comedians; now that’s an awkward bedtime story.”

Brian Babylon is a comedian and WBEZ media radio personality on Vocalo.org, 89.5 FM.  He also hosts the popular Moth StorySLAM at Martyrs and the Chicago Comedy Challenge at Jokes and Notes. The Bronzeville Coffeehouse Comedy Show runs through September 8th, with shows on July 14th & 28th, and August 11th & 25th. All Bronzeville Coffeehouse Comedy Shows begin at 7:30 pm and are free to the public.

For more information visit:
www.brianbabylon.com

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