september 10-16 

The Boston Comedy Festival enters its seventh year with the comics coming home including Denis Leary, Anthony Clark, Steven Wright, Bill Dana and Eddie Brill. These guys – Emerson alums or attendees – return Sept. 14 at 7:30 to celebrate 30 Years of Comedy at Emerson. They’re cutting up at the Cutler Majestic Theatre.  We just love anticipating the juxtaposition of Wright’s skewed, calm logic and Leary’s manic rapid-fire delivery. Which isn’t to say he’s not logical either. I saw the star of “Rescue Me’’ serve up one of the best lines about losing his religion: “Yeah, I was Catholic … right up to about 7 when I reached the age of reason.’’

Throughout the week, more than 150 not-quite-as-known comics will appear in dozens of venues for the chance to win a share of the $10,000 prize money. (Check the web site listed below for particulars,) The big hoo-ha events for the general public are the aforementioned 14th and the two closing nights, Fri. Sept. 15 and Sat. Sept. 16. when Lewis Black, the very cranky, funny, politically on-the-mark comic headlines the Cutler. The first night Black is with John Bowman, Nick DiPaulo, Kenny Rogerson, Jim McCue and Des Bishop. The next night Black will host the show as the eight finalists from the competition take the stage and vie for fame and fortune. Tickets for the first two nights are $45-$35; the final night is $25.

219 Tremont St., 800-233-3123 Bostoncomedyfestival.com or maj.org