Arts Calendar: Comedy Listings

COMEDY

SIX MEXICANS NAMED GONZALEZ are a half-dozen humorous fellows - teenage vato to middle-age vet o' WWII - all of whom reside inside Adrian Villegas. Villegas has written a show in which his six friends speak their minds, and this "socio-political, Mexi-centric, Spanglish-speaking comedy with a heart" had a sell-out run at the Santa Cruz Center for Culture earlier this summer, and now he's brought it back so more of us can meet his "friends." Warning: Some adult content. Sep 19-Oct 4, Fri & Sat, 8pm, at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd. Tickets: $8 ($6 seniors, students). 477-6007.

CAPITOL CITY COMEDY CLUB features the "Latin Lunatic," J.J. Ramirez, whose improvisational Dating Game routine cannot be topped. Sharing the bill are Doc Barham as feature and 1997 "Funniest Person in Austin" finalist Daniel Frank as emcee. Through Sep 14. Mon, Austin comics serve up their freshest, hottest jokes at another Comedy Open Mike. Sep 15 only, 8pm. $2. Weekly schedule: Tue-Sun, 8pm, second shows Fri & Sat, 10:30pm, at 8120 Research. Tickets: $7 Tue-Thu/Sun; $10 Fri/Sat. 467-2333.

COMEDYSPORTZ PLAYHOUSE is home to the ComedySportz Players, 10-year veterans of improvisational comedy. Enjoy improv among real Electrolux light fixtures and Dart Bowl tables every Fri & Sat, and now enjoy an expanded menu featuring stromboli, Italian sausage & pepper subs, barbecue chicken pizza, and beer and wine. More things you can shoot out your nose when the Sportzsters do something funny! Also this week: A classier kind o' comedy show debuts, ComedySportz Dinner Theatre. Sep 18, Thu, 7:30pm. Reservations required. Fri & Sat, 7:30 & 10pm, at ComedySportz Playhouse, 2525 W. Anderson. Tickets: $6-$10. 266-3397.

ESTHER'S FOLLIES plows into fall with a fresh harvest of the musical satire that's been its speciality for 20 years. Enjoy the latest in illusions from master of magic Ray Anderson, and watch the Esther's crew play "Cowboys and Aliens," spoofing gun-totin' Coach Switzer and his Hole in the Dorm Wall Gang as well as the extraterrestrials of the entertainment industry, from The Twilight Zone to the Men in Black. Plus, a look at the Mir, the little space station that could, Kerry Awn's Church of Elvis, Tailgate Football, Margaret Wiley's Front Row Theatre, and more! Thu, 8pm, Fri & Sat, 8 & 10pm, at Esther's Pool, 525 E. Sixth. Tickets: $12 Thu; $14 Fri & Sat. 320-0553.

THE VELVEETA ROOM hosts a variety of comic fun every week. Thursday, Monks' Night Out offers an energized mix of sketch comedy and improv (see "Ongoing"). Thu, 9pm. $5. After the Monks, Comedy Open Mike lets comics go wild with new material. Thu, 10:30pm. $3 (free for Monks' & Esther's patrons). Weekends offer the Monks again (Fri, 9:30pm, $7; Sat, 8pm, $7) and tops in stand-up. This weekend, he's "always punctual, often hilarious," he's John O'Connell. Fri, 9:30pm, Sat, 9:30 & 11:30pm. $5. 521 E. Sixth. 469-9116.

Ongoing Comedy Events

Comedy Gym is an ongoing comedy workshop to enhance performance skills and sharpen creativity at any level of experience. Open to anyone interested in stand-up. Classes: Sundays, 7-10pm, at Comedy Defensive Driving School, 2700 W. Anderson, Ste 227. 467-0886.

Monks' Night Out offers sketches and improv weekly at the Velveeta Room. Thu, 9pm, Fri, 9:30pm, Sat, 8pm, at the Velveeta Room, 521 E. Sixth. Tickets: $5 Thu, $7 Fri & Sat. 453-MONK.