Jeff Tweedy, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound among acts to play Second City fundraiser

Posted by Frank

Jeff Tweedy

Second City is gearing up for this year's 24-hour "Letters to Santa" fundraiser kicking off on Tuesday, December 14 at 7 p.m., and has revealed a very solid initial music lineup for the event. So far, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, Steve Albini, Robbie Fulks, The Blisters, Bill Callahan and Danielson Famile are scheduled to perform. In addition to the musical appearances, both current Second City cast members and alumni will provide comedy throughout the benefit.

Proceeds will go toward helping local families in need. Tickets cost $15 dollars and will only be available at Second City (1608 N Wells St) starting at 6 p.m. on December 14. Letters to Santa is an all-ages event.

New late-night talk show to feature Chicago musicians

Chicago's Second City will soon be home to a weekly, live, "late-night"-style talk show that will not only feature comedy and chats with notable guests, but also serve as a platform for Windy City musicians.

The show, dubbed "The Late Live Show," will take place at midnight every Saturday night at Second City's de Maat Theater (1616 N. Wells Ave.) beginning June 26. Locally-based comedians Joe Kwaczala and C.J. Toledano will bring their humor to the show as co-hosts, and the variety format will also include a live music performance each installment. So far, the following Chicago-centric list of acts have been lined up for the first five shows:

June 26 - Tom Schraeder
July 3 - David McMillin
July 10 - The Heligoats
July 17 - Gold Motel
July 24 - The Nothingheads

While Kwaczala explained to us that "The Late Live Show" has been developed to be first and foremost a live experience, the shows will also be filmed and there are plans to make them available to view online, and possibly on TV.

All shows will be free, but tickets can also be purchased for $5 in advance to guarantee a seat. Click here for more information.