Times are tough. (Just look at the front page of Tuesday’s News & Observer). We’re all looking for ways to save money and have a laugh. That’s why I love ComedyWorx. The Raleigh improv theatre features various improv styles each weekend. And the best part: Tickets for the late show are usually $5. … Oh wait, the best part might be that they also serve beer.

At 10:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night, improv performers ask the audience for one suggestion and then perform a series of usually interrelated sketches. The late show means perverted humor is completely accepted and in some cases embraced (which I think is awesome since I still continue to rock “that’s what she said” jokes). Live entertainment that promises a few laughs (hopefully a lot of laughs … ) for $5 and cold beer is pretty much a phenomenal deal.

But there are also regular family-friendly performances too. You can find out about them on the ComedyWorx website.

And I have to plug one team in particular: Big, Fat and Stealthy. With several filmmakers among them, they do more than just improv. They also occassionally produce short films, including this one that aired before their performance Saturday:

I might be a little biased because at least two of the members (@ilikefilms and @cammicam) are on Twitter, and improv can be more amusing if you have a connection to the performers. You can catch them for yourself at 10:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 24, when Big, Fat and Stealthy takes the stage again.

Also, if you’ve ever dreamed of giving improv a try, you can sign up for classes at the Worx Training Center.

Finally, I just found out the Super Sparkle Showcase, which is being hosted at ComedyWorx. This sounds like it may be worth checking out (although tickets are $10 instead of the more favored $5):

…the SHOWCASE is new talent competition presented in the guise of an outrageous Japanese game show. For six weeks, six local contestants will perform a new talent each week in order to compete for a cash grand prize and title of best all-around entertainer! Don’t miss any of the SPARKLE!

There are, of course, other improv options in the Triangle. I’ve told you a little about DSI Comedy Theater in Carrboro before. That theater turns 3-years-old this month, so you may want to celebrate with them by taking in a show.

And if you know of other cheap ways I can get a laugh on a Friday night, let me know (and now, this is not one of my perverted jokes).