Comedy Central

12/16-12/17
The only thing rarer than a great comedian is the appearance of one — let alone two — in Kansas City. So it must be some sort of divine scheduling that brings both Lewis Black and Wanda Sykes to town this week. Sykes’ gig at the Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway, 816-753-8655) at 8 p.m. Thursday promises a return to her playfully caustic stand-up act after focusing on her pseudo-reality show, Wanda Does It, in which she takes on jobs such as repossessing cars and performing minor surgery.

For his part, Black, who performs several shows at Stanford & Sons (10635 Floyd in Overland Park, 913-385-3866) on Thursday and Friday, has transformed anger from emotion to full-blown performance art. His jowl-shaking rage has undoubtedly intensified since the election, but we’re counting on him to continue ripping through the more mundane minutiae of life as well. Usually seen during his guest commentaries on The Daily Show, Black’s shouting and twitching are torrential in person — particularly in Stanford’s crowded, boozy confines. — Christopher Sebela

Twofer

THU 12/16
We’ve come to expect the delicious lunacy of the Chucky Lou AV Club on the first Saturday of each month. But in the spirit of the holidays, Gary Huggins and company are doubling their December exposure; they offered their customary screening two weeks ago and are gearing up for yet another dose this weekend. At 11 p.m. Saturday, the campy-film zealots present the fourth annual Antichristmas Show at the Screenland (1656 Washington) with, they promise, “a visit from Santa, presents for everyone, and the Kansas City premiere of Voodoo Black Exorcist.” Though we can’t be positive that doesn’t mean a visit from Satan, we do know that the featured presentation is a cult classic in which a mummified voodoo priest goes on a killing rampage aboard a Caribbean cruise liner. And we’re hoping the “presents” include the club’s Trailer Trash DVD. Admission is $6.50; call 913-522-8870. — Annie Fischer

Garden State

SAT 12/18
There’s a plot of land in the antique and art district around 45th Street and State Line Road that we love. We aren’t sure what used to be there, but cracked concrete steps lead up to an area thick with overgrown weeds, and we always feel like we might discover our own secret garden. In fact, the whole area seems like something out of a book — and decidedly un-Kansas City. Plus, there’s a kick-ass café that serves gelato. If you’ve never explored the neighborhood, check out Third Thursdays, when a number of the shops stay open late. — Fischer