Much of the chatter seeping into earbuds in the next few weeks will be originating from the Windy City, the result of the imminent Chicago Podcast Festival.
For the premiere edition of this fest, several prominent hosts will come to town to tape episodes Thursday through Saturday, some with celebrity guests in tow.
A few highlights:
• On “Kevin McDonald’s Kevin McDonald Show,” the Kids in the Hall comedian will interview Bob Saget of “Full House,” Scott Adsit of “30 Rock” and Fruit Bats musician Eric Johnson. McDonald’s program features comedy sketches and musical performances as well.
This lineup at 7 p.m. Friday at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, also includes opening acts: rapper Rhymefest on Tim Barnes’ “It’s All True!” and Adsit on Jimmy Carrane’s “Improv Nerd.”
• “Bullseye” host Jesse Thorn will speak with “Empire” actor Andre Royo and comedian Dwayne Kennedy at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
• Comedians Corinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson, who speak frankly about their own sex lives on the popular “Guys We F—ed! Live” as part of a mission to stop “slut-shaming,” bring the bedroom confessions to the Athenaeum at 10 p.m. Friday.
• Adsit performs alongside Chicago improvisers Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai and Matt Young on “Hello From the Magic Tavern,” an interview show set in an alternate dimension. That’s at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Athenaeum.
• Among the performers reading stories on “Selected Shorts: Too Hot for Radio” will be “Criminal Minds” co-star Kirsten Vangness, “Weeds” actor Justin Kirk (Weeds), and Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member K. Todd Freeman. It starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport.
The fest is a creation of Jonathan Pitts, best known as executive producer of the long-running Chicago Improv Festival. Tyler Greene, a WBEZ-FM (91.5) event producer, is artistic director.
For other events and more information, go to www.chicagopodcastfestival.org.
