You long for the days of an open mic night at the Cotton Club where B. Cole would perform his poetic comedy; a weekend at All Jokes Aside with George Willborn hosting and George Wallace headlining; or Steve Harvey and Eddie Griffin bringing the laughs at Heroes. Those days are long gone for Chicago, but the All Stars of Comedy show may warm the comedic heartstrings for an evening with Tony Rock, Sheryl Underwood, Bill Bellamy, Willborn and Don "D.C." Curry performing.

Why go: Jokes and Notes does a great job of getting top talent on its weekly schedule of laughter, but there's nothing like hearing from veterans to make you bust a gut.

Reconsider: If you are not familiar with black families driving "Down South," "da hood" or arguing with black girls.

8 p.m. Saturday at Arie Crown Theater, McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive; $39.50-$69.50; 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com