Funny business at Humanities Fest

There'll be lots of laughter -- or at least lots of people talking about laughter -- at the 2009 Chicago Humanities Festival, whose theme this year is humor. Here's a rundown of just some of the many events you might want to check out throughout the fest. Admission to all events is free to educators and students.

Harold Ramis: A Personal History of Film Comedy: Director, writer and actor Ramis (Animal House, Caddyshack, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Analyze This) discusses his favorite film comedies, complete with clips. 7 p.m. at Northwestern University School of Law, Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago; $10

Matt Groening (creator of the The Simpsons, Futurama, and Life in Hell) and Lynda Barry (Ernie Pook's Comeek and The Good Times are Killing Me) in conversation.7 p.m. at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt; $15

Author Barry Sanders on "The Subversive Humor of Lenny Bruce." 12:30 p.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State; $5

The Not-So-Funny Situation of Alternative Comix: Chicago Reader media columnist Michael Miner talks with prominent comic artists Matt Groening, Lynda Barry, Jules Feiffer and Chris Ware about the dearth of comix outlets as alternative weeklies and publishers succumb to tough financial times. 4:30 p.m. at the Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N. Clark; $5

The Second City: Museum Pieces, Sketches at An Exhibition: A screening of classic sketches from the nearly 50-year-old Second City's archives. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at the Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N. Clark; $15

Aaron Freeman: The Book of Job and the Comedy of Suffering: The Chicago-based comedian and radio personality mines laughs from the Bible's most put-upon figure. 2:30 p.m. at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, 610 S. Michigan; $5

Paul Provenza and Katie Watson: Crossing the Line: Comedian actor and filmmaker ("The Aristocrats") Provenza talks with attorney, medical ethicist and Second City faculty member Watson about beyond-the-pale humor. 12:30 p.m. at Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N. Clark; $5

A Funny Business: The Rise and Fall of All Jokes Aside: Evanston-based screenwriter and former "Saturday Night Live" star Tim Kazurinsky moderates a panel discussion between formerly Chicago-based TV producer John Davies and former All Jokes Aside comedy club owner Raymond C. Lambert about the influential South Loop laugh shack that showcased many up-and-coming black comics (Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, D.L. Hughley) in the 1990s. There also will be a sneak peak at a new documentary about the club. 3:30 p.m. at Northwestern University School of Law, Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago; $5