Damon Williams has been celebrating his Jan. 9 birthday with fellow Capricorns since his days of performing at the former All Jokes Aside comedy club on Chicago’s South Side.
“It used to feature myself, George Willborn, Deon Cole and Tony Sculfield. All of us are Capricorns except Tony. He’s late January but we let him hang out with us,” said Williams, a veteran comedian who is now in his 50s.
“Those shows started at All Jokes Aside and then went to House of Blues and would be the four of us and bands. We did those consecutive years and then I kept the tradition going at Riddles since I came back there for my birthday around 2015.”
Damon Williams Capricorn Birthday Weekend features four shows from Jan. 13 to 14 at Riddles Comedy Club in Alsip.
“What I like about Riddles is it’s a traditional comedy club. It’s small and intimate with 200 seats, which is how comedy was initially designed,” said Williams, whose most current run of curating acts at the venue has been since 2018.
“Riddles is comedy-centric. It is designed by people who understand how comedy works and that’s why I enjoy it; plus it’s in Alsip, which is right outside Chicago so South Siders have a place to go without having to worry about parking and the downtown hassle.
“I’m happy to have a place and a platform to (feature) all walks of life, up and coming. I’ve been a nurturer and a mentor to comedians throughout my career.”
Damon Williams Capricorn Birthday Weekend includes stand-up sets by the namesake as well as several fellow comedians.
“Everybody comes out in support of me. It’ll be mostly Chicago comedians. Every once in a while we have special guests from out of town but I don’t announce them. There’ll be so many comedians. I’ll just select from the ones that come out,” Williams said.
“The inspiration I get for my sets comes from actual day-to-day experiences and conversations. I enjoy the craft. I’m a student of this game. I’ve watched stand-up from the time I was in early elementary school — people like Bob Hope and Rodney Dangerfield and all the comedians on ‘The Tonight Show.’
“Of course we would listen to Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. Then Eddie Murphy came on the scene and took it to rock star status. Once ‘Def Comedy Jam’ came around, it gave African Americans an opportunity to have the multicultural experiences that we have now in comedy clubs.”
Williams, who celebrates his 30th anniversary in comedy with a Jan. 26 show at City Winery Chicago, was the opening act from the end of 1999 to 2000 for the Kings of Comedy tour featuring Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer and the late Bernie Mac.
Other career highlights include hosting episodes of “Showtime at the Apollo” in 2000; filming the eight-episode 2020 series “Laugh Tonight with Damon Williams,” which is streaming on UrbanflixTV; and starring in the films “Heaven on Seven,” “Not Another Black Movie” and “White People Money.”
Damon Williams Capricorn Birthday Weekend
When: 8 and 10:30 p.m. Jan. 13-14
Where: Riddles Comedy Club, 5055 W. 111th St., Alsip
Tickets: $20 and a two-drink minimum
Information: 708-422-5055; riddlescomedy.com/shows
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Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
More things to do this week
Here are some other events taking place from Jan. 13-19 in the Southland:
Olaf’s Winter Wonderland of Golf!
Tinley Park-Park District presents miniature golf, mini sundaes, hot cocoa and more from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Tinley Junction. Registration is required. Tickets are $10 for residents; $13 for nonresidents. At 16801 S. 80th Ave. Call 708-342-4200 or go to tinleyparkdistrict.org.
Small Potatoes
The folk duo performs at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Edgar’s Place in Park Forest. Tickets are $15, cash only at door. At Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 70 Sycamore Drive. Call 708-481-5339 or go to uuccpf.org/events.
Comedy Show
Mike Toomey headlines at 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at The Lyric Theater in Blue Island. Brian Hicks opens. Tickets are $24.95-$34.95. At 12952 Western Ave. Call 708-972-0700 or go to lyrictheater.com.
Comedy Night season premiere
Michael Somerville and Jim Flannigan perform stand-up at 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at CD&ME’s The Mica in Frankfort. Comedy Night continues on select Saturdays. Tickets are $25 (ages 21 and older). At 23320 S. LaGrange Road. Call 815-469-7315 or go to cdandme.co/comedy-night.
Ray Grady
The “I Ain’t for Everybody” live comedy special tapes at 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at Tinley Park Convention Center. Tickets are $50-$300. At 18451 Convention Center Drive. Call 708-342-5485 or go to tinleyparkconventioncenter.net/public-events.
? Jessi Virtusio