Editor’s Note: The shot clock has been reset and we’re in the early innings of a brand new year. However, we all know just how grey and cold the winter months can feel once the holidays wrap up, so comedy is continuing to do the Lord’s work by giving us something to smile (or groan, wince, or gasp) at. With homegrown talent, national headliners, and open mics galore highlighting the calendar, the plethora of powerful comedy throughout the commonwealth continues to show up, night after night. Enter Mic’d Up, our ongoing weekly series that details the best live comedy shows to consider as you head out and about. Below, find our rundown for this week, through Sunday (January 7).
Touch Grass at Redemption Rock Brewing
There are a myriad of high-quality comedy shows being produced in Worcester, a couple of which are hosted by the championship tag team of Brieana Woodward and Al Christakis. One such show is Touch Grass, which continues to bring a full lineup of killer comedy to the people at an affordable price, making for a great night out at a cool spot to end the work week on a high note.
TOUCH GRASS :: Friday, January 5 at Redemption Rock Brewing, 333 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester, MA :: 8 p.m., $10 to $50 :: Advance tickets
Michael Longfellow at Laugh Boston
The comedy of the Saturday Night Live cast member Michael Longfellow remains just as potent on stage as it is on screen, with his calm demeanor being the vehicle for something of a chaotic and unpredictable thought process. Those two elements may not seem to work together on paper, but once you’re gripped by Longfellow’s pacing and overall composure, it will all start to make sense.
MICHAEL LONGFELLOW :: Friday, January 5 to Saturday, January 6 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: 6 and 9 p.m., $33 :: Advance tickets
Ian Karmel at City Winery
Mixing a nearly jarring storytelling strength with a genuine appreciation for observational comedy and the journey of a premise, Ian Karmel brings a multi-faceted arsenal to one of the city’s most comfortable comedy spots. There truly isn’t an avenue that Karmel will avoid, which really makes him not only a seemingly fearless artist, but an artist with his finger on the real pulse of the day.
IAN KARMEL :: Saturday, January 6 at City Winery, 80 Beverly St. in Boston, MA :: 5 p.m., $32 to $40 :: Advance tickets
Pete Davidson at Chevalier Theatre
Only a few days ahead of the premiere of his next Netflix special, Pete Davidson makes another trip back to the area to give us the low down on the goings on in his world. While the headlines focus on things that are honestly none of our business when it comes to Davidson, very rarely do they paint the picture of him being a low key comedy freight train on stage, and it’ll be cool to see how his latest set has evolved in the two short months since he was last here.
PETE DAVIDSON :: Sunday, January 7 at The Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St. in Medford, MA :: 7 and 10 p.m., $69.50 to $99.50 :: Advance tickets