Formerly at 119 State St., above a fine Mexican restaurant, Comedy Club on State Street developed a new space at 202 State St. — across the street from Overture Center's main entrance and part of the impressive-looking building with Associated Bank.

"Location, location, location," said Gus Paras, Comedy Club on State Street owner. "It's true what they say about that. And now we have a better location."

Visibility counts for customers. And Comedy Club on State Street — which has been a staple for eight years (and an extension of Madison's stand-up comedy offerings since the late 1980s) — needed a boost.

The former location featured a weathered awning at its entrance and the two-story walk up wood stairs hardly presented a fun atmosphere.

"It was doing fine," Paras said of his former space. "It wasn't a goldmine, but it was a good business."

More than three years ago, Paras began developing the move. It went slower than expected, but he's thrilled with the results.

"It's bigger," Paras said, noting the capacity increase from 200 to about 250. "The stage is a little higher. The floor is a little lower. Not one bad seat in the house and more comfortable seating."

There are eight booths in the new Comedy Club on State Street as opposed to three in the old one.

"Everyone asks for a booth," Paras said.

Comedy Club on State Street will continue its lineup of touring comics at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Thursdays' shows offer $1 admission for college students; it's a popular promotion at the club. The club's weekend shows tend to be a mix of young and old patrons. For a schedule, go to www.madisoncomedy.com.

The club's new slender and tasteful sign, highly visible along its portion of State Street, likely will attract new customers.

Paras sounded rejuvenated by the Comedy Club's new space. He's also happy with how the club's new sign fits in along State Street.

"You don't want it to scream out," he said. "This one works."

Grammy nominees' show

Here's an unnecessary twist, but a new one: The Grammy Awards will present the announcement of its major category nominees during an hourlong CBS special at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Mariah Carey and other stars will perform to remind us that their music should be on our Christmas lists. (The actual Grammy Awards aren't until Feb. 8.)

For Wisconsin, watch the Best New Artist nominees. It's a longshot (probably too long), but former Eau Claire-area resident Justin Vernon, whose band Bon Iver is the critics' favorite in 2008, deserves the nod. Bon Iver's acclaimed independent release, "For Emma, Forever," was recorded in a northwestern Wisconsin hunting cabin.

And the group's Dec. 19 at the Barrymore Theatre is close to selling out. Go to www.barrymorelive.com for details.

Ballet stars

Madison Ballet brings its annual "Nutcracker" spectacular to Overture Hall on Dec. 19-21 and Dec. 24. Before then, Madison-based Dance Wisconsin presents two of American Ballet Theatre's 16 principal dancers, Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky, adding world-class star power to "Nutcracker Fantasy" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at Union Theater. Go to www.uniontheater.wisc.edu for ticket info.

Return each Sunday to A&E for more news and opinion by Tom Alesia, talesia@madison.com. Until then, go to www.madison.com/wsj/home/entertainment for more local entertainment coverage and Madison's most complete guide to upcoming shows in Coming Attractions.