Start semester with big laughs at ‘LOL’
Whitney Cummings headlines the third annual LOL@UIC, a free comedy show exclusively for the UIC community, Jan. 28 at the UIC Forum.
The UIC Student Activities Board wants students, faculty and staff to start the semester on a good note — with funny jokes and laughter that’s a little bit louder than usual, says Maria Molina.
“We want to welcome everyone back for the spring semester by letting them enjoy a comedic event and have fun,” said Molina, senior in applied psychology and committee chair for the Student Activities Board. “It’s a good way to de-stress.”
The third annual LOL@UIC, a free comedy show for the UIC community, features headliner Whitney Cummings and opener Barry Brewer. The event takes place Jan. 28 at the UIC Forum; valid i-card is required for admission. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. The first 480 guests will receive LOL@UIC beanies.
Actress and comedian Cummings will engage the crowd with her “relatable” humor, Molina said.
“She’s well-known and she’s hilarious so I think people will really enjoy it,” she said.
Cummings started her comedy career in 2004 and was named one of the “10 Comics To Watch” by Variety in 2007. She is creator of the 2011-13 NBC series “Whitney,” and co-creator of the CBS sitcom “2 Broke Girls.” Cummings has also appeared on Comedy Central roasts of Donald Trump, Joan Rivers and David Hasselhoff. Her HBO stand-up special, “I’m Your Girlfriend,” premiers Jan. 23.
It’s the first time the LOL event has had a female headliner, Molina said.
“As a UIC community that thrives on diversity, we wanted to make sure we started to focus on other things this year,” she said. “We’re going to continue this tradition of changes, and we plan to thrive with that change.”
Brewer, a South Side native, began his comedy career in 2001. He’s made appearances on comedy shows like BET’s “Comic View,” Tv One’s “Who’s Got Jokes” and Comedy Central’s “Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution.” He appeared in the films “Thoroughly Melted Minnie” in 2013, “Finale 2: Deader than Dead” in 2008 and “The Perfekt Plan,” a 2013 film for which Brewer also served as executive producer.
“He’s a Chicago native so it’s really great to have comedians come to UIC that are part of our hometown,” said Sladjana Grbic, assistant program director of Campus Programs.
For a chance to win VIP seats and backstage passes, follow SAB on Facebook (UICSAB), Twitter or Instagram (@UIC_SAB) and use #LOLUIC.
“It’s grown into a really great event, it’s getting better and better and it’s something that’s really special to our campus,” Grbic said. “It’ll be really great.”
