STAND-UP COMEDIANS

Never one for the staid silent auction, 826NYC—a children’s literacy nonprofit whose benefits have included “Superhero Fashion Shows” and “Scrabble for Cheaters” championships—continues its reign as New York’s coolest do-gooders, with a pronounced funny bone, with Stand Up for 826. Tonight’s comedy showcase benefit features stand-up from Flight of the Conchords regular Eugene Mirman; Daily Show correspondents Wyatt Cenac and John Oliver; Ted Alexandro; and promises of mysterious “special guests.” The evening is hosted by writer Jonathan Ames, whose McSweeney’s-published short story “Bored to Death,” about a pot-smoking private eye named Jonathan Ames, premieres next week as a half-hour HBO comedy starring Jason Schwartzman.

Mon., Sept. 14, 8 p.m., 2009