ComedyCAPITOL CITY COMEDY CLUB features a comic's comic, Andy Kindler. In a trade where too many jokesters rely on tired premises and stale punchlines, Kindler is a stand-up prophet, fearlessly ticking off every lame routine used by the lazy comic, unashamedly calling a hack a hack. Rather than making him a pariah in the business, Kindler's comic criticism has won him fans, on and off the stage. And his career just keeps getting hotter, with gigs at the Montreal "Just for Laughs" International Comedy Festival, appearances on the series Everybody Loves Raymond, Dr. Katz, and The Larry Sanders Show, and his own talk show on the cable network Animal Planet, The Pet Shop. One of the most exciting headliners to come to the CCCC this year. Sharing the bill are Jim McDonald as feature and Jesse Pangelinan as emcee. Through Jun 28. Sat, after the second show, it's the late-night, adult-oriented Midnight Blue, with wild-man wit Eddie Gossling "unleashed," and his guests Jesse Pangelinan, J.C. Shakespeare, Chris Allen, Mark Britten, Rick Gutierrez, and others. Jun 27 only, midnight. Free. Mon, local comics explore brave new material in a Comedy Open Mike. Jun 29 only, 8pm. $2. Starting Tue, the club welcomes good ol' boy John Wesley Austin. 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, veterans of improv comedy. Enjoy fresh wit among Electrolux light fixtures and Dart Bowl tables, with a menu featuring Italian subs, barbecue chicken pizza, beer, and wine. Thu, 7:30pm, Fri & Sat, 7:30 & 10pm, at ComedySportz Playhouse, 2525 W. Anderson. Tickets: $8 Thu ($6 students); $10 Fri & Sat ($8 seniors, students, ACoT). 266-3397.
ESTHER'S FOLLIES keeps serving up the surefire satire that's kept them a local entertainment institution for 20 years. Enjoy the Esther's crew slinging comedic barbs and musical gibes at every newsmaker they can. Fri & Sat, 8 & 10pm, at Esther's Pool, 525 E. Sixth. Tickets: $14 Fri; $15 Sat ($4 discount for students w/ID). 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. Thu, 10:30pm. $3. Weekends offer more chances to catch the Monks -- Fri, 9:30pm, Sat, 8pm. $7 -- and tops in stand-up talent. This week, get a comic jolt from the savvy satire of the Bard of Velveeta, runner-up in this year's Funniest person in Austin Contest J.C. Shakespeare. Fri, 11:30pm, Sat, 9:30 & 11:30pm. Tickets: $5. 521 E. Sixth. 469-9116.
Monks' Night Out offers a high-energy mix of sketches and improv three times 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. 478-MONK.
Ongoing Comedy EventsComedy Gym is an ongoing workshop to enhance performance skills and sharpen creativity. Open to anyone interested in stand-up. Classes: Sundays, 7-10pm, at Comedy Defensive Driving School, 2700 W. Anderson, Ste 227. 467-0886.
Blue Tuesday Comedy mixes laughs and music weekly at the Continental Club. Half-hour sets of music alternate with half-hour sets of stand-up from local comics. This week: Music by McLemore Avenue. Ben Sherman emcees. Tue, 11pm, at 1315 S. Congress. No cover. 441-2444.
Dark Comedy Hour provides stand-up weekly at the Ritz Lounge. An array of local and traveling comics provides jokes. Wed, 9pm, at the Ritz, 320 E. Sixth. 474-2270.
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