Holidays herald music, comedy and a couple of new nightspots
Good for the Jews, a rock 'n' comedy duo made up of David Fagin and Rob Tannenbaum, bring their holiday show, "Putting the Ha! In Hanukkah," to Chicago's Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, on Sunday. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18. They're available at the box office, online at www.doubledoor.com or by phone at (312) 559-1212.
Cabaret at ATC: American Theater Company hosts a 1940s-style cabaret to coincide with its current show, a 1940s radio-play version of "It's a Wonderful Life."
Ensemble members Suzanne Petrie and John Mȶhrlein join fellow vocalists Macie Hurwiler, Audrey Morris, Lonnie Walker, Bob Breuler, Casey Campbell, Bob Moreen, KT McCammond, Pat Rusk, John Eskola, Paul Mariano and Elizabeth Doyle for a nostalgic evening of traditional carols, comedy and letters from soldiers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1909 W. Byron, Chicago. Tickets are $25 and are available by phone at (773) 929-1031.
Speaking of comedy… Improv Playhouse's improv team debuts its holiday satire, "Insanity Claus," Saturday at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Showtime is 9 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22. Tickets are $8, $1 discount with a canned item for the Lake County Food Pantry. (847) 968-4529.
• O.I.N.K., a comedy/variety show hosted by Othy Schwering and Kannan Arumagum, runs at 10 p.m. Wednesdays at the Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Tickets are $5. (773) 871-3793.
JRJP in concert: Billy Siegenfeld's Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, a group known for its high-energy, percussive style of dance, performs at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at Northwestern University's Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston.
NU's company-in-residence for 2007-2008, JRJP received four Emmy Awards last month from the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences for its one-hour documentary that aired on WTTW earlier this year. Tickets are $25, $22 for seniors, $10 for students. They're available at the box office or by phone at (847) 491-7282.
Beer tasting at Delilah's: Delilah's hosts its ninth annual Christmas and winter beer tasting from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at 2771 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.
The Lincoln Park bar will feature more than 100 beers from around the world, including multiple vintages of Anchor Christmas Ale, King & Barnes Christmas Ale, Sam Smith's Winter Welcome and Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale among others.
Tickets are $20. Also Delilah's hosts its annual art show and sale featuring works by Jon Langford, Nina Friday, Erica Huntzinger, Joey Lala and others. (773) 472-2771.
Club notes: The building at 306 N. Halsted St., Chicago, has housed several nightspots (Rive, Generator) over the years. Its latest resident is Mannequin -- a dance club touted as a "fusion of fashion and nightlife" -- which debuted there last week. (312) 850-0065.
• A second Uncommon Ground is scheduled to open this month at 1401 W. Devon Ave., Chicago. Like the Wrigleyville original, the new cafÈ©/music venue will be eco-friendly. To that end, the tables are made from reclaimed wood; a rooftop garden includes organic herbs and produce; locally produced coffee (Intelligentsia and Metropolis) and beer are served along with organic liquor. Uncommon Ground will also feature alternative rock, folk and world music nightly. (773) 465-9801.