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Comedian George Willborn and Jokes and Notes owner Mary Lindsey

by Toure Muhammad

CHICAGO—Laughter. Excitement. Economic development. That’s a few of the things Jokes and Notes comedy and jazz club located 4641 S. King Dr. brings to Bronzeville. The club is fast becoming a top choice for quality entertainment, great ambiance and a who’s who of Chicago.

Mary Lindsey and Wes Clark unveiled Jokes and Notes last month with a black tie affair, ribbon-cutting ceremony and three nights of comedy headlined by Comedian Mo’Nique.

As the name suggest, Jokes and Notes is already delivering big laughs and smooth jazz in the heart of the Bronzeville district.

First of all, let’s talk about the atmosphere. From the street, you step through one door that directs you to the ticket booth. Then, upon entering, there is a large foyer with cherry red walls that give you a warm, happy sensation. Then, to the right is a fully stocked designer steel bar. Then, in front of huge windows adorned with black curtains, are giant, cushiony black booths.

From those booths, you can see the tall, elegant steel double doors that lead to the main area. And there’s no need to look longingly for the bathroom. They are in full view on either side of the giant doors.

And in the midst of it all, you see a pleasant looking woman with short, dark hair and a huge smile greeting you right before entering the main area. "Tickets please," she said. That’s the owner, Mary Lindsey, looking completely in her element: welcoming people, shaking hands, exchanging hugs and being a true "hostess to the most-est."

Once inside, the main area seems to whisper, "You are in for a treat." To your right, you see the DJ housed in a state-of-the-art sound and lighting booth. And straight ahead, you see 200 cabaret-styled seats and flat screen monitors mounted on each side of the room that informs you of upcoming shows. There are also some bar-style high chairs on each side lining the charcoal gray walls.

In front, on either side of the stage, there are two more VIP comfy, black booths. The entire place is elegant, modern and sophisticated. Then, after you get situated, if it’s a Friday or Saturday night, host George Willborn will grace the stage.

"Jokes and Notes is not just a black comedy club, it is THE black comedy club. I’m just ecstatic to be a part of it," said Willborn. "Mary has found a formula that works and it’s great to be part of it and see this resurgence."

For those who know the reputation of Mary, the former owner of the South Loop comedy club All Jokes Aside, we’d expect nothing less. She’s no rookie to the comedy industry.

Mary brought Chicagoans some of Black America’s household names long before they were that. Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L.Hughley, Adele Givens, Sinbad, Mo’Nique, and Jamie Foxx to name a few.

These comedians developed their craft on the stage built by Mary and her partners.

All Jokes Aside had a great location, but Jokes and Notes is perfect. It’s nestled in an area that is also home to Blu 47, a restaurant and jazz club, the Spoken Word Café, and the Harold Washington Cultural Center.

With the reopening of a comedy club, Lindsey is brining a much-needed service to the community. She’s providing jobs and offering entertainment as well as helping performers develop their craft.

"We’re very proud of Mary. Jokes and Notes is an excellent addition to what we call the Blues, Jazz and Culture district of Chicago," said Alderperson Dorothy Tillman. "When folks come to town, they can say, let’s ‘go to 47th street and have a choice. It’s all about using our culture as an economic base."

Comedians are very happy too. "It’s a great feeling to have a black-owned club in Chicago that will give young black comedians a chance to perform real stand up and force them to work on their material and be professional," said Comedian Leon Rogers who headlined at Jokes and Notes Feb. 25

"When you just do rooms, it doesn’t sink in that this is what we need," he added. Leon performed his first joke at All Jokes Aside and since then has been in movies, headlined across the country and is a regular on Power 92 radio station.

"And for me it was coming full circle in my career. I was an opening act at All Jokes Aside and then to come and headline at Jokes and Notes gives me a sense of accomplishment." Leon actually performed one of those first jokes that night and it still moved the audience to laughter.

"It was such a good weekend. I was quite impressed with both the professionalism and performance of both Leon and Lil Rail (who also performed that night). "It was amazing to see how well Leon has developed. His audience was really into the show."

Not only are the weekends hot, but Jokes and Notes has several must attend nights.

• Wednesday—Wild Card Open Mic (hosted by Deon Cole)

• Thursday—Spoken Word, Music, and Comedy (hosted by Tony Sculfield)

• Friday & Saturday—National acts (hosted by George Willborn)

• Sunday—Jazz

• Monday & Tuesday—Available for private functions.

Purchase tickets at the box office which is open daily beginning at 5 :30 p.m. For info call (773) 373-3390 or www.jokesandnotes.com.