The Southside’s comedy drought shows signs of easing as a new comedy night debuted April 1 at the Gas Light Inn, 2280 S. Meridian St., where the show “whetted” the whistles of those in search of laughter. 
The free shows and open mic night will continue at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at the pub’s upstairs Comedy Hideout. Plans are in the works for a second evening of comedy on Friday nights later this year. 
Comedy has moved closer to home for Southsiders, said “Nervous” Vurn Glenn (standing). “Great comedy. No hassles.” He and his 12-year comedic partner, Marc “Munchie” Much, are the hosts. 
Glenn is an accomplished guitarist/singer and has spent the bulk of his career playing rock ’n’ roll and country and western music with such stars as Tammy Wynette, Charlie Daniels and Bobby Helms.
Much came to the partnership via theater/opera/radio and television, most notably as principal performer/writer/producer of the “Bob & Tom Show” from 1983-91. Together, they serve up a unique brand of musical hilarity that keeps audiences across the Midwest laughing. 
The remodeled Comedy Hideout resembles a New York or Los Angeles comedy room and features comfortable seating for 40, said owner Joe Demore, who can be reached at 782-1250 or 459-8483 for more information about the program. 
The Gas Light Inn is known for its tenderloins, catfish and overall good food. A limited menu will be offered upstairs during comedy night. The historic building, which has been featured on A&E’s Biography channel’s “My Ghost Story” is believed to have been a hangout for John Dillinger. 

Performances by the Steve Allee Big Band and saxophonist George Garzone will cap a full schedule of concerts April 7-12 during the seventh annual Jazz Week at the University of Indianapolis.
The program gives audiences a chance to see top local, regional and national talents at the DeHaan Fine Arts Center, 1400 E Hanna Ave. The schedule is:
Monday, April 7: UIndy Jazz Combo will perform American standards, free.
Tuesday, April 8: UIndy Jazz Ensemble will play swing music, free.
Wednesday, April 9: saxophonist Sophie Faught. Mentored by some of Indianapolis’ top musicians, Faught is a composer and teacher who has performed around the globe. She has toured with the Nicholas Payton Jazz Quintet and has appeared with Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, The Temptations and The Four Tops. Her trio just released its first album, “Fellowship,” and performs weekly at the Chatterbox Jazz Club. 
Admission for this performance and the ones that follow is $10 for seniors, $20 for adult, free for ages 18 and younger and students with identification. Info: 788-3251 or www.uindy.edu/arts/etc.
Thursday, April 10: Jamey Aebersold Quartet. Jamey Aebersold is an internationally known saxophonist and authority on jazz education and improvisation, known for his play-along instructional materials and his acclaimed summer jazz workshops in Louisville, Ky. He has taught at three universities and has performed around the world. 
Friday, April 11: Boston-based Garzone who will perform with Steve Allee on piano, Jeremy Allen on bass and Pete Zimmer on drums.
A member of the jazz trio The Fringe, Garzone has appeared on more than 20 recordings and has performed with Michael Brecker, Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich, Liberace and Elvis Presley, Aerosmith, Ron Carter, Chick Corea and Aretha Franklin. He teaches as Berklee College of Music; his students have included Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman and Danilo Perez. 
Saturday, April 12: Steve Allee Big Band. Allee is an Indiana native who has built an international reputation in a career that spans nearly four decades. He has released six albums as a band leader, including the Grammy-nominated “Downtown Blues,” and he also writes and performs for syndicated radio programs, network television and motion pictures. He is the music director for the “The Bob & Tom Show” and is active as a music educator.
This will be the final Jazz Week for its founder, UIndy director of jazz studies Harry Miedema, who is retiring this spring.