Abi Sanchez- Taking a comedy workshop with comedic legend Rich Ramirez was all Abi Sanchez needed to realize that comedy is what he wanted to do. Abi hit the stage in 2010 and hasn’t stopped since. His standpoint on family life, relationships, friends, social media and life’s vices have all been formed by a childhood of too much TV and not enough guidance. His mellow demeanor and stage presence captivate audiences, which has allowed Abi to form a category all his own. He has related to audiences from the city streets of Chicago to deep rural parts of the Midwest. Leaving many impressed with what he has been able to do in a short amount of time, Abi has positioned himself as one of the up-and-coming comics to watch out for.
Calvin Evans is a standup/actor/writer based in Chicago. His television credits include the recurring role of GENO on Max’s SOUTHSIDE, the Fox series APB, NBC’s CHICAGO PD, and Showtime’s SHAMELESS. His debut special B.O.R.N, debuted with Helium Comedy Records in 2022. He has also performed his standup on TBS’s CONAN, the TruTV series LAFF MOBB’s LAFF TRACKS, Kevin Hart Comedy Central series HART OF THE CITY, NBC’S BRING THE FUNNY, and MTV’s ACTING OUT. Calvin was a “New Face” at the 2017 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and has since been back as a featured performer at the fest. He was the winner of the WGN Chicago’s next big comic contest, a finalist for Standup NBC, and was a featured performer at NBC’s Breakout Comedy Festival.
Joey Villagomez, born and raised on Chicago’s south side, has been performing stand up comedy for 14 years. In 2010, he appeared on the HBO Latino, 3-part series Habla Mas in Chicago. He was part of the TBS Just For Laughs Chicago Festival in 2011 and 2012 and appeared on Paul Rodriguez’s New Latin Kings of Comedy Tour in 2013. Over the past 5 years, Joey has headlined major clubs including The Laugh Factory Chicago and The Improv. He is currently part of The All Things Comedy Network is featured on the new Comedy Central stand up series Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers which premiered in January of 2020.
Elaine Golden is a Chicago-based stand-up comedian and writer, known for her mix of bubbly charm, quick wit, and storytelling. She performs around the country and notable Chicago venues, including Zanies, the Laugh Factory, and the Lincoln Lodge.
Since starting stand up in 2017, Elaine has become a well-loved and trusted performer. She’s headlined shows around the country, performed with Don’t Tell, and opened for headliners Jen Kober and Hannah Jones.
As a writer, Elaine created and co-wrote the comedy musical Rat City, which was voted second runner up for best musical in the Chicago Reader in 2023. She debuted her first solo show, Golden Girls: Intergenerational House Party at the 2024 Fillet of Solo Festival.
Currently, Elaine produces Lavender Laugh Lounge, a monthly show in Chicago featuring women and LGBTQ comedians.
