Chris Fairbanks Live! is at the Parkway this Saturday

Coco Mault via Flickr.com

​Minneapolis's Parkway Theater is a hidden gem. Owned and operated by the same family who runs Pepito's, the adjoining Mexican restaurant, it's a magical place where you can purchase margaritas along with your popcorn, and where the first rows of seats are soft leather sofas. "Celebrating 40 years of a work in progress" is their motto, which makes sense as the theater isn't solely used to screen movies.

For example, this Saturday comedian Chris Fairbanks will take the stage to promote his new CD, Fairbanks! (Rooftop Records). The comedian has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, and MTV's The 70s House (he played Randy), among other television shows and comedy contests.

His shtick is silly and funny, and often draws from his bizarre real-life experiences, including the time he opened for Cyndi Lauper to an unwelcoming audience who screamed "boo" and threw bottles at him. He was fired after the awkward set (he sometimes speaks of the guilty pleasure he felt after hearing that a bird dropping had landed in the singer's mouth at another show). Fairbanks will express embarrassment only for a moment before moving on to another one-of-a-kind story. And we're glad he has plenty of them.

Chris Fairbanks performs live at the Parkway Theater (4820 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis) Saturday, August 14 at 9 p.m. (doors at 8:30 p.m.). Tickets are $15. For more information call 612.822.3030 or visit theparkwaytheater.com.

Check out some classic clips below.