A Funny (and Female) Feminist Comedy Night

You don't need much of an excuse to go to Chicago's legendary comedy club Zanies (especially this year—oh hey, 40th anniversary!), but on April 10th at 8pm you'll feel practically propelled there.

Zanies' Feminist Comedy Night features an amazing line-up of comics who just happen to be female. Hosted by male comic (and presumed feminist) Steven Haas, the evening is also a fundraiser to celebrate the 4th birthday of the Chicago chapter of the US National Committee for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (USNC). Yes, that's a mouthful but their goal is simple: to promote dialogue surrounding women's issues. And what better way to do that then through comedy from some of the sharpest, wittiest tongues in the business?

"The idea for a Feminist Comedy Night that features only female comics was to bring attention to the inequality that female comedians face. Comedy has been a historically male dominated field and we wanted to provide an opportunity to showcase local female comedians," says Suvai Gunasekaran, Director of Events and Activities for the USNC-Chicago Chapter. While things in the business are slowly changing, says featured comic Alex Seligsohn, "I'm still regularly the only woman on a lineup. Sometimes I think I shouldn't do those shows, but if I don't, then there will be NO women!" Comic Kat Herskovic agrees. "When someone makes the claim that women aren't funny, I look forward to the opportunity for myself, and for my fellow funny females to prove them wrong!" So do we. Featured comics include:

Alex Seligsohn

Kelsie Huff

Patti Vasquez

Erin Field

Jeanie Doogan

Kat Herskovic

Gena Gephart

Stick around post-show for a panel discussion with the comics on being funny and female. Get your tickets for the show here (proceeds to benefit USNC-Chicago Chapter).