Several speakers who have a knack for making us laugh will be coming our way this week.They aren't necessarily stand-ups, but when they stand up, we can't help but laugh.
• PBS commentator and political humorist Mark Russell starts things off with a fundraising appearance for the Sierra Vista Symphony Association at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Buena Performing Arts Center, 5225 Buena School Blvd., Sierra Vista.
Russell plumbs the absurdity of Washington for his humor, relying on the population of the House and the Senate as his primary writers. A regular on PBS over the past 20 years, the piano-playing satirist dishes up one-liners set to music for tunes that will have you thinking while you're laughing.
Tickets are $30 and $40 by calling 1-520-458-6940, Ext. 27.
• Some boys outgrow their affinity for comic books. Not Simcha Weinstein. He's a superhero comic-book freak. He's made a living out of studying the cultural impact of the superhero. He wears a Superman T-shirt that says "Super Jew."
People are also reading…
On Sunday, he brings his popular tour, "Up, Up and Oy Vey: An Evening With the Comic-Book Rabbi," to the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road.
Weinstein is a best-selling author of "Up, Up and Oy Vey: How Jewish History, Culture, and Values Shaped the Comic Book Superhero" (Leviathan, $19.95). His appearance here is sponsored by B'nai Tzedek Tucson, a teen philanthropy program that partners with a variety of Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and the Tucson Hebrew Academy.
The evening begins at 7. Admission is free; 299-3000.
• Hollywood actor/comedian Larry Miller has one of those faces that imprints itself in your brain. It's familiar, pleasant, not spectacular and yet unshakable.
Perhaps it's because we've seen him on TV and in the movies — "Pretty Woman," "Best in Show," "Seinfeld" and "Mad About You" are among his credits — portraying the same self-absorbed, nose-in-the-air snob whose snobbery never seems justified.
But it is his devotion to the state of Israel that might surprise casual fans. Miller brings his wit and passion to the table when he speaks at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona's Israel Chai Event at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The event will be at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. Fifth St., and admission is free. Molehill Orkestrah also will perform, and dessert will be served. For more information, call 577-9393.
Also coming up:
Jeff Dunham performs at the Tempe Improv, 390 E. University Drive, Tempe. The comedian/ ventriloquist performs with Peanut, Walter and José Jalapeño "on a steek!" at 8 p.m. Wednesday, next Thursday and Feb. 18, and at 8 and 10 p.m. Feb. 16-17. Tickets are $22-$30; call 1-480-921-9877.
