The final bell just rang! You better get out of the classroom and get your ass to the iO Theater for After School Special brought to you by iO's first all-POC house team, D.A.R.E. Dropouts. 

This show brings you something new every week, featuring a variety of local acts by performers of color and an improv set from the Dropouts themselves. The coolest kids in school, no one does a Harold (iO's signature form) quite like D.A.R.E. Dropouts. We're bringing you comedy in color; you're gonna want to tune in. 

THE DROPOUTS: 

Alexi Bolden 

Avery Ford 

AJ Reglado 

Emefa Dzodzomenyo

Grace Goze 

Jazmin Robinson 

Kelton Neals 

Michael Elluru 

Montrez Hawkins 

Rudy Fajardo 

Sabrina Odigie

You can get the drop on D.A.R.E. Dropouts by following @daredropouts.io on Instagram!

Purchase Tickets Here

Please join us for Riksha Returns, a multidisciplinary evening of Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander art, performance, and community storytelling on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Rizal Center in Chicago.

First launched in 1993, Riksha began as a literary and cultural platform, including a print magazine and live performances, amplifying Asian American voices in Chicago. In 2017, Riksha evolved into an online magazine continuing its mission to showcase AANHPC voices. After a period of quiet in recent years, Riksha returns—reimagined as a live gathering and evolving archive. 

The night begins at 6:30pm with an artist reception featuring over twenty artists, many previously published in Riksha, alongside new contributors Guests are invited to connect with artists & experience their contemporary work. 

Artists include: 

Reevah Agarwaal 
Jose G. Aggari Jr. 
Kioto Aoki 
Youngsun Choi 
Cesar Conde 
Kunio Hagio 
Kaitlyn Hwang 
Greg Jue 
Cherin Kim 
Laura Kina 
Tulika Ladsariya 
Ivan Lee 
Larry Lee 
Li Lin Lee

Cori Nakamura Lin 
Lisa Tomiko Macri 

Geraldine Martinez-Benz

Linh N.W.

Sarah Nishiura

Touly Phiachantharath 

Danielle Tanimura

Dean Yamada

Performances will begin at 7:30pm featuring:

*Banyan Asian American Writers Collective 

*CIRCA Pintig 

*Nothing Without a Company 

*Sona Umbra 

*Stir Friday Night 

*Writer Patty Cooper

*Writer Vinh Hoang

*Writer/Performer Hannah Ii-Epstein

*Writer Dwight Okita 

*Writer/performer Lani Montreal 

*Singer/songwriter Chika Sekiguchi

*Writer PJ Temple 

Throughout the night, guests can participate in a Storytelling Booth. Attendees are invited to record a short story, poem, reflection, or song. These recordings will become part of the Riksha Living Archive and may be curated into future publications and releases.

Light bites will be served (dairy/nut/shellfish-free). 

Event Details

Riksha Returns: A Celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Art, Story, and Community

Saturday, May 16, 2026

6:30pm – Art Exhibit Reception

7:30pm – Performances

11:00pm – Close

Rizal Center, 1332 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL

Featuring: Visual Art • Spoken Word • Live Music • Storytelling Booth

Art Exhibit runs from May 4 to June 5, 2026. By appointment or as Rizal Center public events allow.

CIRCA Pintig is a proud partner and sponsor of Riksha Returns: A Celebration of AANHPI Art, Music & Community, organized by Riksha Magazine. We are excited to announce that we are also accepting donations on behalf of this event. 

While the Rizal Center building does not have an elevator, a chairlift is available to access the upper floor. Staff will be on hand to assist with navigating the steps and using the lift. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Rizal Center and the FACGC Board for making a “home away from home” for our artist community.

About Riksha Magazine

Founded in 1993, Riksha Magazine is a Chicago-based literary and cultural platform rooted in Asian American storytelling. Known for amplifying emerging and established voices, Riksha returns with a renewed focus on live performance, community storytelling, and the creation of a living archive. Contact rikshamagazine@gmail.com with any inquiries. www.riksha.com

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Come join us for the 3rd Annual Asian Persuasion Variety Show! Produced by Peace of Cake Productions.

Come join us for the 3rd Annual Asian Persuasion Variety Show (AP3)! AP3 is a part of the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media's 29th annual Asian American Showcase! This variety show will feature Chicago's best AAPI performers including music, standup, dance, improv and more! The past two years of or show have SOLD OUT, so don't wait and grab your tickets now!

LINEUP:

Host: Jin Kim

Mantra (standup)

Devin Jeong-Wright (standup)

Hao Dance

Jerry Tran (standup)

Improv from - Grace Goze, Soph Hubeny, Lauren Hugh & Maia Palma

Saku Yanagawa (standup)

Stir Friday Night (Improv)

Purchase Tickets Here

Stir Friday Night, Chicago's longest-running AAPI comedy team, is proud to host let'S F N jam! An improv jam for our wonderful, talented, AAPI community!

Whether you're brand new to improv or an improv pro, we're happy to be a space to get your reps and play!

SIGN UPS 7:00 
SHOW 7:30 

Don't stress, juSt F'N jam!

REGISTER HERE! FREE!

The podcast Improv is Dead goes completely wireless for a night of Improv and Stand-up! Featuring Tim Lyons and Damian Anaya along with special guests Mike Brunlieb and Laurel Krabacher. This month's show features Improv from Stir Friday Night and Stand-up from Talia Clay!

Improv is Dead won the "Best Comedy Podcast of 2024" from Discoverpods.com. Fast and funny – Improv is Dead commits to raw emotion and extreme silliness while allowing the two to live simultaneously.

• Tickets can be purchased online and at the door. All ticket sales are final and no refunds are permitted.

• We are a small, open seating venue and encourage large groups to arrive at least 15 minutes before show time to find seats together. Please contact us ahead of time if you need any accommodations.

• We are BYOB! (Bring your own beverage)

Purchase Tickets Here!

The final bell just rang! You better get out of the classroom and get your ass to the iO Theater for After School Special brought to you by iO's first all-POC house team, D.A.R.E. Dropouts. 

This show brings you something new every week, featuring a variety of local acts by performers of color and an improv set from the Dropouts themselves. The coolest kids in school, no one does a Harold (iO's signature form) quite like D.A.R.E. Dropouts. We're bringing you comedy in color; you're gonna want to tune in. 

THE DROPOUTS: 

Alexi Bolden 

Avery Ford 

AJ Reglado 

Emefa Dzodzomenyo

Grace Goze 

Jazmin Robinson 

Kelton Neals 

Michael Elluru 

Montrez Hawkins 

Rudy Fajardo 

Sabrina Odigie

You can get the drop on D.A.R.E. Dropouts by following @daredropouts.io on Instagram!

Purchase Tickets Here

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

Tonight at 6pm, Chicago’s longest running AAPI comedy group, Stir Friday Night is hosting the jam! You’ll have a chance to ask questions about the form and the performance, and then we’ll host a Jam for you to get up and try it.

This is available for all students, not just students on Tuesday night, but if you are student on Tuesday then feel free to just show up before your class! You can expect a different Secret Show every Tuesday night this session, hosted by a different group of improv community all stars (including a performance and a jam).

EVOLUTION Asian American Arts Festival

Lookingglass Theatre

May 2–3, 2026

The Future of AAPINH Creativity is Here!

Celebrate transformation and experience the creative power of over 125 artists and performers at EVOLUTION. From explosive performances, fine art, and independent film to a curated food and craft marketplace, join us in celebrating the growing legacy of Asian American, Pacific Island, Native Hawaiian AAPINH artistry during AAPI Heritage Month. www.AAAC.art

• May 2-3

• Lookingglass Theatre

Each ticket includes: 

•  Unique photo booth experience

•  Exclusive sticker and button to commemorate the weekend

•   Full access to the food & craft marketplace

•  Entry to all performances (capacity permitting)

Tickets are moving fast! To secure a spot before the event sells out.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

The final bell just rang! You better get out of the classroom and get your ass to the iO Theater for After School Special brought to you by iO's first all-POC house team, D.A.R.E. Dropouts. 

This show brings you something new every week, featuring a variety of local acts by performers of color and an improv set from the Dropouts themselves. The coolest kids in school, no one does a Harold (iO's signature form) quite like D.A.R.E. Dropouts. We're bringing you comedy in color; you're gonna want to tune in. 

THE DROPOUTS: 

Alexi Bolden 

Avery Ford 

AJ Reglado 

Emefa Dzodzomenyo

Grace Goze 

Jazmin Robinson 

Kelton Neals 

Michael Elluru 

Montrez Hawkins 

Rudy Fajardo 

Sabrina Odigie

You can get the drop on D.A.R.E. Dropouts by following @daredropouts.io on Instagram!

Purchase Tickets Here

Join us at the April Comedy Showcase, featuring improv from Stir Friday Night and stand-up humor from local comedians!

Your ticket 🎫 supports the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago’s work to preserve our culture, strengthen community connections, and keep the Rizal Center thriving as a welcoming space for all.

Reserve your spot, bring friends, and share in a night of joy and connection!

TICKET LINK HERE

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

Use Promo Code: DeICE for Free Admission

Celebrating Bob Curry and Victor Wong Fellows from the beginning to right now. This show is a platform for all performers of color to play, workshop and learn from each other and grow together. Every style of comedy is welcome and we can’t wait to hear your voice.

Come watch, come play.

Looking to perform in The Fellowship Show? Register Here

TICKETS AVAILABLE BELOW
https://www.secondcity.com/shows/chicago/fellowship-thursdays-chi

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

A weekly comedy show featuring some of the best improv, standup, and sketch in the city!

Doors Open  7:30 PM
Show 8:00 PM - 9:20 PM
Cost $5

Tickets can be purchased online and at the door as well. 
We are a small, open seating venue and encourage groups to arrive 15 minutes before show time to find seats together.
We are also BYOB! (Bring your own beverage)

Tickets can be purchased here

Stir Friday Night is excited to put together some of our best material over the past 30 years to perform at Gangnam Market 100% FREE!

Come see us live and maybe win some prizes!

RSVP HERE

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Before the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food; having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible, we have several ticketing tiers, so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

The final bell just rang! You better get out of the classroom and get your ass to the iO Theater for After School Special brought to you by iO's first all-POC house team, D.A.R.E. Dropouts. 

This show brings you something new every week, featuring a variety of local acts by performers of color and an improv set from the Dropouts themselves. The coolest kids in school, no one does a Harold (iO's signature form) quite like D.A.R.E. Dropouts. We're bringing you comedy in color; you're gonna want to tune in. 

THE DROPOUTS: 

Alexi Bolden 

Avery Ford 

AJ Reglado 

Emefa Dzodzomenyo

Grace Goze 

Jazmin Robinson 

Kelton Neals 

Michael Elluru 

Montrez Hawkins 

Rudy Fajardo 

Sabrina Odigie

You can get the drop on D.A.R.E. Dropouts by following @daredropouts.io on Instagram!

Purchase Tickets Here

The gates of hell have reopened for Chicago's most insane comedy festival, the second annual DEVIL FEST. For one night only, all your favorite Chicago teams and shows throw out their usual forms--whether it's the Harold, musical improv, or short form--and unleash an explosion of unholy theatrical experimentation.

What mind bending chaos will they wreak? What unhinged evil performances will they conjure? At Devil Fest, expect the unexpected and prepare to have your sense of reality forever warped.

Tickets get you in for the whole night, 6pm to 12am, and every act is completely different.

Featuring:

Sand

Kohls Cash

Stank

Fizz

Blueprint

Whimsy Lohan

Baby Grand

Escandalo

DARE Dropouts

Idiot Wagon

Wet Pizza

Stir Friday Night

High Stakes

Deep Schwa

BL!MP

Riff City

Mission Acceptable

Morning Glory

HellMash

Blue.0

Clunk City

Big Tobacco

Duluth

Purchase Tickets Here

Are you based in the Chicagoland Area? Are you AAPI?

If you're a singer, comedian, dancer, poet, storyteller, AAPI historian, or drag queen, SFN wants to hear from you!

This showcase is partnered with HAIBAYÔ, a new community space, and will run biweekly.

Submit today to be part of our next event! 🙌🏽👏🏽✨

Link to Submit!

We’re so excited to announce our collaboration with @hai_bayo starting January 16th!

Every other week, Fridays at 7:30, Stir Friday Night hosts AAPI talent from all over Chicagoland! Whether it’s music, storytelling, history lectures, or something completely different you’re bound to be impressed by the abundance of talent right here in Chicago. And with Stir Friday Night closing the show, you’re guaranteed to laugh!

Then after the show, hang out with us as we get to know the people in our community!

Argyle is more than a place for delicious food, having a space for us in our own neighborhood to showcase and build community is so important!

Purchase tickets here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/stir-friday-night-presents-haapi-hour-an-aapi-community-showcase-in-the-heart-of-argyle

Info regarding ticket prices:
To make this show as accessible as possible we have several ticketing tiers so please feel free to purchase what works for your individual financial situation!

Thank you so much for considering auditioning for Stir Friday Night! Chicago’s longest-running non-profit Asian American Comedy Theater Organization.

Stir Friday Night! (SFN) is proud to be not only a theater organization celebrating and highlighting some of the best AAPI comedy talent in Chicago but also one of the few institutions that is frequently compensated to perform or host workshops for corporations, schools, and festivals all around the world.

In order to achieve those bookings, there is a level of professionalism and conduct that is necessary in order to meet that standard.

Consequently, if invited to join our ensemble, here are some of our baseline expectations.

SFN meets weekly on Monday Nights from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm. If you cannot make yourself available weekly, please do not audition.

Stir Friday Night is a sketch and improv team. We won’t always be working on a sketch show, and you can choose to opt out of the sketch show. However, when in process for the show, there will be an expectation to revise sketches we’ve worked on in rehearsal at home and bring them in the next week. If you do not feel like you would be able to write/revise weekly, do not audition.

Please sign up for a slot using the following signupgenius link

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACAA23A3F5C16-58561930-stir#/

Material to Prepare:

Please prepare a 1-minute original (written by you) solo piece. It can be stand-up, character monologue, spoken word, storytelling, or musical number. Honestly, it can be anything you wrote, so long as you can perform it and are proud of it! We love to see you shine in your element! You will also be asked to improvise.

Alternatively, if you are unable to audition in person, we are accepting digital submissions as well. Please tape at least 2-3 original, distinct comedic characters. This reel should be no longer than 4 minutes total. Upload your reel, headshot, and resume to wetransfer.com with "YOUR NAME - SFN AUDITIONS 2025" in the title and message subject line and email to stirfridaynight@gmail.com

Time Commitment:

We meet weekly on Monday nights 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Character Type/Restrictions:

We are looking for talent that identifies themselves as part of the Asian American diaspora.

SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT
If you didn’t know, SFN turns 30 this year!

To celebrate, we’re taking a look into the vault and putting together a show of the some the funniest material Stir Friday Night has written in the last three decades

Join us Friday, October 17th and 18th @ 7:30pm at the American Blues Theater for two memorable nights of AAPI Comedy Excellence

with alumni like Steve Yeun, Danny Pudi, and Mary Sohn there’s bound to be surprises in store!

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

https://americanblues.wufoo.com/forms/zivbjvp0uzp2bv/

SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT
If you didn’t know, SFN turns 30 this year!

To celebrate, we’re taking a look into the vault and putting together a show of the some the funniest material Stir Friday Night has written in the last three decades

Join us Friday, October 17th and 18th @ 7:30pm at the American Blues Theater for two memorable nights of AAPI Comedy Excellence

with alumni like Steve Yeun, Danny Pudi, and Mary Sohn there’s bound to be surprises in store!

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
https://americanblues.wufoo.com/forms/zivbjvp0uzp2bv/

The Detroit Improv Festival Proudly Presents The DIF All Stars featuring WolfTown, No Cheating, and Stir Fry Day Night!

The DIF All-Stars (All over the place) - You don't want to miss this show! Featuring some of the best improvisers from the entire festival including Susan Messing, Ithimar Enriquez, Jamie Moyer, Brett Guenell, Marc Warzecha, Issac Kessler and more!

WolfTown (Chicago, IL) - Fresh off performances at the Boom Chicago Comedy Festival in Amsterdam, Kalamazoo Improv festival, Detroit Improv Festival, Last Word Comedy Festival and soon Edinburgh Improv Festival: WolfTown was formed in 2023 at iO Theater as part of New Team Smell Season 6, coached by Creamboy's Matty Vergun.

No Cheating (Chicago, IL) - Open with Group Character Cocktail party nothing goes from there to callbacks tags / split screens

Stir Friday Night (Chicago, IL) - Stir Friday Night is a fast-paced improv show with a truthful monologist from a cast member, three grounded scenes, another monologue, followed by a run out of scenes

Purchase tickets here!

https://www.detroitimprovfestival.org/stir-friday-night