Novelty Golf and Games* in Lincolnwood (3650 West Devon Ave) has everything you’d want from a miniature golf setup: big random sculptures, mechanical rotate-y things (including a windmill), and oddly difficult holes. The Bunny Hutch is right next door and there’s an Oberweis across the street for pre-game hot dogs or post-game ice cream, respectively. There are two 18 hole courses and there’s a second game discount if you just can’t get enough miniature golf.

* the “and Games” is batting cages and an arcade.

The new rule around our house is that if one of us says “We should …” and the other person says, “Yes, we should.” then we do our best to just go do that thing.

So it was that this last weekend we found ourselves driving down to Kankakee River State Park, about an hour and a half south of where we live in Chicago, and riding horses.

It was $25 each for an hour-long guided ride, and it was well worth it. We rode most of the way in quiet, just soaking in the sounds and smells of the woods around us. The State Park Stables are run by Camp Shaw and everyone we dealt with was a peach. Afterwards we had a beer and lunch at BrickStone in downtown Borbonnais and it was a great topper to the afternoon.

Recently, though, the Second City training center has added stand-up comedy to its list of available classes. There is a teen program for ages 13-17 (which has a spring session beginning Saturday April 18), and an adult class taught by amazing Chicago comedian Dan Telfer.

The training center’s stage, Donny’s Skybox Theater, even has stand-up performances on Sundays. Comedy at the Don is a weekly showcase of local stand-up, sketch, and improv. You can check that out on Sundays at 9:30pm for only $5. Donny’s Skybox Theater is located on the fourth floor of Piper’s Alley, 1608 N. Wells.

Who knows? Maybe a current student will be the next big stand-up star.

(photo from Elizabeth McQuern)

Trust Us, This is All Made Up, a feature length documentary about Chicago improvisors TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi — stars of the long-running iO show TJ and Dave — will premiere in March at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. There is also a showing scheduled for April at the Independent Film Festival Boston. A little Chicago love, fellows?

(via Coudal)

The Visitor’s Locker Room is a very funny local sports radio show. It’s hosted by local comedians (and fervent sports fans) Sean Flannery and C.J. Sullivan. The two tear into all sports news like your favorite drinking buddy, but smarter and funnier. Also appearing for their live show will be: comedians Mark Vana, Emily Dorezas, and Cameron Esposito, as well as comedy group Cook County Social Club, and college football legend Joe Paterno. Yes, Joe Paterno will really be there.

I’ll definitely be there with my big ol’ beer, and plate of chili cheese fries.

Visitor’s Locker Room – Live!
Thursday January 29th and Friday January 30th
9PM
@ Lincoln Lodge
4008 N. Lincoln
Tickets: $10

(photo from George Eastman House)

Eugene Mirman
November 7th and 8th
10PM
Lakeshore Theater
3175 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL
$15

(photo from the Eugene Mirman myspace page)

The show is at 11pm tonight at the Strawdog Theater (3829 N. Broadway) and is only $5. Tonight’s show will have two amazing Chicago stand-up comics: Chad Briggs, and Robert Buscemi. The night’s music comes from the amazing Samantha Cathcart, and the odd ball stuff will come from professional prankster Ken Barnard (the guy who protested the filling of the Montrose sink hole).

If that line-up does not sell you then perhaps some philanthropy might sway you. The Strawdog Theater has a bar with inexpensive beers. By buying the inexpensive beers at the Strawdog’s bar, you help support the non-profit artistic endeavors of the Strawdog Theater. Yup, by drinking beer, you support the arts. Never been easier to do good.

Blewtenanny!
Strawdog Theater
3829 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
11pm
$5

Here’s some stand-up highlights from a Blewtenanny! back in July (NSFW because of language):

(picture of Ken Barnard performing at Blewtenanny! from Erica Reid)

I’m a huge fan of old movies, and became a huge fan of early film pioneer Georges Melies after reading the young adult novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Which means tonight is my lucky night because tonight at 7pm at Sonotheque is the “Magic in Cinema” showcase featuring films by Georges Melies. It’s only $8 to see silent films by the first special effects wizard. Worth every movie lover’s penny.

Also, going on every Wednesday night at 8pm at ComedySpotz Theater now till November 19th is the amazing Neutrino Project. The Neutrino Project is an improvised movie. The actors get a suggestion, run out the door with a camera, and then, before you know it, the audience is watching it all unfold on the movie screen in front of them. It’s one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, and has a top notch cast of Chicago’s finest improvisers. Gather your $10 now while you enjoy this preview of the Chicago Neutrino Project: