Uptown Underground Goes All Out For October & Halloween

Uptown Underground is celebrating October in a big way. Not only will there be Halloween themes throughout the month (everything from magic shows to drag shows to Rocky Horror Shows), there's a new price structure and new entertainment ranging "from the spooky to the spectacular, sexy to surprising."

Rather than patrons paying for each show individually, now there's an all-inclusive charge that covers the whole evening of entertainment, ranging from $5 to $40. Doors typically open at 7:30pm, with performances beginning at 8pm. Uptown Underground is a 21-and-over venue; minors are permitted with parental accompaniment.

In addition to Halloween offerings, Uptown Underground is also unveiling a variety of new performances during the fall including The Plucky Rosenthal Show (Tuesdays) and will play host to The Air Sex Championships (October 25 only).

• No One Here But Us Witches, Monday nights, October 19, 26 and November 2. The witch-themed cabaret imagines the unlikely meeting of Elphaba, Maleficent, Ursula, Glinda, Cruella De Vil, and a mysterious stranger as their stories collide in a surprising, hilarious, yet touching tribute to everyone's favorite witches.7pm, doors open at 6:30.
• Nick Sula's Spotlight, Tuesday nights. Nick Sula, renowned Chicago pianist and music director, performs classics and standards on a 1922 Lyon and Healy grand piano. Patrons can also bring their own sheet music for Sula to provide live accompaniment to any song. 8pm, cover is only $5 - no drink minimum.
• Brass Chuckles Comedy: Comedy that Kicks Ass! with new Trivia Night. Wednesday evenings. Brass Chuckles is hosted by Tamale Rocks and each Wednesday features a new line-up of some of the area's best and brightest comedians performing stand-up and improv based on a nightly "Performer Challenge." After the main stage show, there is an open-mic opportunity where anything is fair game. Awesome Trivia prizes. $10 cover; it all kicks off at 6pm. Open mic performers are free with a suggested two-drink minimum.
• Chicago Magic Lounge on Thursday evenings, presenting old-school illusions from table-hopping magicians to main stage acts. Following the mainstage show, new and upcoming magicians can try their tricks during the "Magic Lab," an open-mic styled stage show. October features a variety of Halloween-themed illusions to scare up good fun. Chicago Magic Lounge is at 8pm and the "Magic Lab" is at 10pm.
• Rotating roster of retrotainment on Fridays. Doors open at 7:30pm and performances start at 8pm. Some of what you can expect to see on any given Friday include:

• Boy Toy's Pocket Cabaret is a male burlesque and variety show. With a sensual but upbeat theme and performers from all genres of entertainment industry, Boy Toy features a male dominated cast of circus performers, live singers, boylesque performers, and comedians.

• Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Uptown Underground's flagship show and every show is a wild mix of hilarious hosts, quirky musicians, incredible variety performers and, of course, some of the most beautiful burlesque beauties in Chicago.

• Acrobatica Infiniti Circus performs every other Friday with its intimate variety and circus show "After Dark". A unique blend of cosplay and jaw-dropping circus acrobatics, Acrobatica Infiniti showcases new works and fan favorites each week from silly to sensual: fire eating, trapeze, straps, juggling, hula hooping, aerial ring, comedy, acrobatics and more.

• Muffy Fishbasket and Her Drag Queen Debutantes close Friday Nights with themed weekly drag shows. On the first Friday of each month, Muffy and her Gal Pal, Vallery Dolls and special guests bring their own vocal stylings in themes that change every week. Shows feature games, stories and drag performances with the Halloween themed "Whores of Horror."

• Rotating roster of retrotainment on Saturdays. Doors open at 7:30pm and performances start at 8pm. Saturday night performances change weekly and can include:

• Chicago Cabaret Project present their popular musical take on everyone and everything from Bette Midler to Houdini to the incomparable Amy & Freddy. For Halloween, Chicago Cabaret Project brings their musical cabaret and burlesque version of Rocky Horror Picture Show (below).

• Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Uptown Underground's flagship show and every show is a wild mix of hilarious hosts, quirky musicians, incredible variety performers and, of course, some of the most beautiful burlesque beauties in Chicago.

• Pervesk Burlesque (right) closes Saturday nights with theme obsessed offbeat Burlesk', performance art and variety showcase honoring the bizarre and saluting the strange including "The Queen of Halloween" Red Rum. Come visit the haunted house of the damned in their October theme "Pervesk Goes to Hell."

Special Performances:

• Tuesdays, October 6 and 13, is The Plucky Rosenthal Show, a one-woman vintage variety show with a modern twist. Cheeky but never blue, Plucky is an engaging and entertaining gal who definitely wants to grab a Shirley Temple with you and probably date your Jewish son. Show features different openers every night, showcasing the best in Chicago's alternative cabaret. The Plucky Rosenthal Show is at 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm.
• Sunday, October 25 at 8pm is the Air Sex Championships, a hilarious and raunchy competition so singularly remarkable it defies description. Think Air Guitar, but with an imaginary sexual partner (or partners) in place of a musical instrument. The show is hosted by comedian Chris Trew, produced by The New Movement and is the subject of the recently released documentary. Air Sex: The Movie.

Uptown Underground is located at 4707 North Broadway. Advance reservations recommended. Call or email for group rates or party inquiries. Visit www.UptownUnderground.net to purchase tickets or get more information.