Comedy, Spoken Word, Etc.

Book Soup

8818 Sunset Blvd. (310) 659-3110. Readings, talks and book signings by various authors. www.booksoup.com

Chevalier's Books (Celebrating 75 years!)

126 N. Larchmont Blvd. (323) 465-1334 Readings, signings, kid’s story times, and book club meet-ups. www.chevaliersbooks.com

Comedy Central Stage at the Hudson Backstage Theatre

6539 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 960-5519. Comedians, actors & writers at all professional levels develop ideas and polish material in front of a live audience. www.comedycentralstage.com

Da Poetry Lounge at Greenway Court Theatre

544 N. Fairfax Ave. Tues at 9pm. The largest open mic venue in America. Poetry slam 3rd Tue of every month. www.dapoetrylounge.com

Golden Age Radio Hour at the L. Ron Hubbard Theatre

7051 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 466-3310. Live theatrical readings of noted author’s pulp fiction classics. Free parking on Sycamore just off Hollywood Blvd. galaxypress.com/theatre

Groundlings Theatre

7307 Melrose Ave. (323) 934-4747. Improvisational & sketch theatre claims talented alumni including Lisa Kudrow, Jon Lovitz, and Will Ferrell. www.groundlings.com

Hollywood Improv Comedy Club

8162 Melrose Ave. (323) 651-2583. Showcasing the funniest known and unknowns nightly. Alumni include Drew Carey, Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld, and David Spade. www.improv.com/hollywood/

Largo at the Coronet

366 N. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 855-0350. Comedy on select nights. www.largo-la.com (See MUSIC)

Laugh Factory

8001 W. Sunset Blvd. (323) 656-1336. America’s top comedy stars as well as rising new talent every night. Midnight Madness Fri 11:45pm; Chocolate Sundaes, Sun 7 & 9:30pm. www.laughfactory.com

Skylight Books

1818 N. Vermont Ave. (323) 660-1175. Independent bookstore in Los Feliz offers discussions with authors. www.skylightbooks.com

The Comedy Store

8433 Sunset Blvd. (323) 650-6268. Shows nightly. See up-and-coming talent and comedy legends in the place that started it all. www.thecomedystore.com

The Second City

6560 Hollywood Blvd. 2nd floor (323) 464-8542. Students and professionals showcase their talents with occasional guest appearances. www.secondcity.com/hollywood

The Virgil

4519 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 660-4540. Hand crafted cocktails and the hottest stand up in town! www.thevirgil.com

Upright Citizens Brigade

5919 Franklin Ave. (323) 908-8702. Everything comedy presented in 92-seat theatre, 7 nights a week. Sketch, improv, etc. Shows $5 and up. www.ucbtheatre.com