‘Last night at Dr. Dremos – 35’ Hampton Yount
courtesy of ‘Aaron Webb’

Mid summer ( I KNOW, HOW IS IT THE MIDDLE OF JULY ALREADY?!) is kind of a weird time for comedy. The college audiences that fuel the smaller shows have gone home, but that also means that bored comics get… experimental.

In practice, that usually just means some other stuff mixed in with the comedy but in the case of the “There Will Be Laughter” show at the Drafthouse on Friday the 31st, it could get a little weird.  Hampton Yount and Will Hessler are putting it on. Both are quite funny and have made me laugh riotously on multiple occasions. But Hampton gets… a little punchy. The last time I saw him get up (albeit for an audience made entirely of other comics, so grain of salt here), his time culminated in a sketch that involved a woman’s wig, a t-shirt with some slogan scrawled on it in black Sharpie that I can’t remember probably because I blocked it out, a basketball under his shirt, and I’m pretty sure there was a Whoopie cushion in there somewhere. Anyway, my point is, when Hampton says, “Sketches, Stand-Up, Song, Alcohol, Merriment,” it’s the merriment part you’ll remember most. Continue reading →

Tyler Sonnichsen, whose picture I’m using because I couldn’t find a decent video clip
courtesy of ‘Aaron Webb’

A comedian acquaintance and I were lamenting the challenges of acceptably promoting local comedy recently, and something we both noted was the utter lack of demo clips that are professional and showcase the comedian to his or her best ability. I’ve seen  it happen in We Love DC’s very own comment section, where a promising comic gets written off by the commenters after viewing a couple of crappy videos of an open mic that takes place in an echo-y classroom on some college campus. The problem, of course, is that it’s hard to get a decently produced video until you’re performing in clubs, and it’s hard to get booked in clubs without a decently produced video. But that’s a rant for another time. 

So I decided to stay up late and find you some videos of comics who have made me fall out of my seat laughing.  Most have been produced well, so that you can evaluate the comedy without being distracted by poor sound, a room unsuited for comedy performance, or other factors that frequently beset eager young comics. Put your headphones on if you’re at work, though. Maybe you don’t want your boss hearing this. Continue reading →

‘Funniest Fed 71’
courtesy of ‘Aaron Webb’, used with permission

There are a couple of fun things happening in comedy this week.

Jimmy Meritt will be opening for Jeff Caldwell at the Improv tonight through Sunday. It’s good to have a chance to catch him on the mainstage of the Improv. 

Which, unfortunately, means that unless he has staggering powers of Metro/traffic karma (you never know), he’ll probably miss performing with the Geek Comedy Tour on Saturday the 23rd at Alliance Comics in Silver Spring. Which is okay, I mean, the Tour is up to what, 7 6 geeks now? 8? (And not a chick among them…) They can spare one for a night. Anyway, the show is in the basement of Alliance, it starts at 7PM, and it’s $2. So if there are 6 geeks performing, that still works out to a mere 33 cents per geek comic. So it’s very economical.

Comedian-of-local-origin Rob Cantrell will be at the Arlington Drafthouse this Saturday and Sunday as well. You may remember him from his confusing semicolon joke on the first season of “Last Comic Standing” (no wonder the audience voted for Ralphie May), but if he’s lucky, you actually remember him from when he compared a lap dance to rubbing a piece of plastic fruit on the face of a starving man.

Finally, one that you need to plan ahead for- Russell Peters is appearing at the DC Improv June 3-7. I was going to go, but when I wasn’t looking, his Thursday-Sunday shows all sold out and they had to add the one on Wednesday the 3rd. I can’t make it, but you really should.

UPDATE: Chief Geek of the GCT Chris Barylick called me (on the phone! how retro!) to share the news that there will indeed be a female comic on Saturday’s lineup- Aparna Nancherla, Official Comedian of the WLDC Commentariat, will be doing a guest set, and there are some other fun guest spots in the works as well. So it looks like you will be getting even more comedy for your $2 than I originally calculated, even without Jimmy Meritt and the other geek who recently left the tour.

‘Stand-up’
courtesy of ‘Aaron Webb’ , used with permission

So I was flitting around the interwebz, trying to come up with something to recommend to you this week in the world of local comedy, and ran into… a wasteland.  A lot of the local comics I pay attention to have been touring, so are either out of town or, well, sleeping. I checked the Improv, and there’s not a single Lounge show on their calendar for the next month; even the mainstage is full of people I couldn’t get excited about until the first weekend in June. (Russell Peters. He’s hilarious.) I checked Facebook and mostly found stuff happening way out in the nether regions of Maryland.

I checked DCStandup.com,  and while there wasn’t a ton listed for new shows that weren’t ALSO in the nether regions of Maryland, they did mention that open mics and the like are seeing a resurgence. With the economy in the tank, suddenly regularly-scheduled, free entertainment is seeming like a better deal to bar and restaurant owners.   So since these shows are constantly passing into and out of existence, I decided it was time to update the week of free laughs:

Sunday: There’s still an open mic at the Palace of Wonders on H Street every other Sunday.  Since the organizer keeps the total number of comics low, the sets are longer. That’s handy, since a 5 minute set is barely enough time to get warmed up. Continue reading →

Comic by Jake Young

In case you haven’t noticed from the frantic pink-nosed gentleman at the top of this post, there’s a comedy show happening on May 1. It’s called “The Awesome Boost,” and it’s the hilarious bastard lovechild of Jake Young’s short-lived “The Awesome Room” and Eric Moberg’s “Ego Boost.” The Word According to Jake: “The goal of our show is simple, a cheap, fun, night of hilarity and hopefully to introduce DC audiences to the wealth of underground talents in their midst.” Continue reading →

There is some kind of comedy lull happening in April, but this Friday, there’s a cool show happening in the Improv Lounge. Chris White will be doing his 6th “I Take Requests” show- people submit requests via email, and within a few weeks, he has to turn them into jokes and perform them.  Previous editions of the hour-long show have covered such topics as Blackberries, fish sticks, the color blue, and Newton’s Third Law. Get your tickets quick.  Continue reading →

‘Stand up 371’
courtesy of ‘YoLoPey’

I know. I’ve used this photo before. But this is Jay Hastings, and he’s being roasted in the DC Improv Comedy Lounge this Friday at 8. I’m not sure what the occasion is, but you should show up and find out. (Also, I need more comedy-related photos. Help a sister out.)

Also this weekend, don’t forget that Maria Bamford will be at the Arlington Drafthouse, and the show will feature Aparna Nancherla and Eli Sairs. Look at all the comedy you could be seeing this weekend! Makes up for that extra day of February we’re not getting…

On March 14th, there’s a nameless local comedy showcase at the Improv Lounge featuring Andy Kline, Jeff Maurer, Seaton Smith, and Jimmy Meritt (whose name seems to be impossible to spell consistently, but I looked it up). I’ve gone on and on about my enthusiasm for Maurer, Smith and Meritt at length here- I’m sure I WOULD go on and on about Andy Kline and Bey Wesley, the host, as well, but I don’t think I’ve been to any of their shows yet. Anyway, only having 4 comics featured means that each one will have a chance to do a longer set, which usually means better jokes with more time to do more involved material, so it’s a better opportunity to see some rising stars. Also, since Jimmy Meritt has been touring quite a bit, there are fewer and fewer chances to see him around DC in particular. So don’t miss this one.  Mark it on your calendars, buy your tickets, and go.  All you’re missing on the Improv main stage that night is Sommore, anyway.

You know what’s a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Laughing your ass off.  If you still haven’t made Valentine’s Day plans and you’re looking to get out of the city to avoid all the amateurs clogging the restaurants, Riverboat on the Potomac is doing a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise featuring Matt Kazam and Seaton Smith. Okay, I know, riverboat food usually sucks, but you’ll be laughing so hard you won’t have time to eat anyway. Matt Kazam is notable for having been on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, XM Comedy, and for teaching the DC Improv’s standup comedy classes (which I highly recommend).  Seaton Smith features regularly at the Improv, and is notable for being able to say pretty much anything and make it funny. I swear, ask him to say “aluminum siding,” and he will find a way to make you laugh while he does it. 

Also coming up this month, Eli Sairs and the Official Comedian of We Love DC Commenters, Aparna Nancherla, will be appearing with Maria Bamford at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on February 27th and 28th (corrected from earlier version). What’s that? Two female comics on the bill in the same night? Bless you, Drafthouse comedy bookers.

‘Stand up 371’ (Jay Hastings)
courtesy of ‘YoLoPey’

Exciting stuff in the local comedy world this week, everyone.  There’s a new open mic, and a fun showcase happening at the Improv.  Make your plans quick, or you’ll miss out, and you don’t want that. Oh no, you don’t.

First, the open mic: Standup comedy has returned to the Comedy Spot in Ballston. Every Thursday night, Hot Broth Comedy starts at 7:30 in the Comedy Spot’s black box (which is really more of a gray box) stage. Show up at 7-ish to get on the list.  Okay, yeah, look, it’s not technically in DC. But there are some reasons you should check this out anyway- First, it’s run by Tyler Sonnichsen and Jake Young, who, in addition to being hilarious and committed to running a quality show, are also very professional (for comedians, I mean really), courteous guys who make newbies feel welcome. So if you’re looking to try this out for the first time, this is the show to hit.  Second, it’s ridiculously convenient for driving, metro-ing, AND planning- you don’t have to sign up in advance. And finally, it’s in a dedicated space rather than a bar like a lot of open mics are. So you won’t have to compete with the bar conversation, the local sporting event on the TV, the jukebox, or whatever. I’m delighted to see this happening and can’t wait to go check it out myself.

Second, the showcase: This Saturday, January 31st at 8PM, there’s an audition showcase for the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Which, let me just say it, is kind of a Big Freakin’ Deal. It’s the biggest, baddest comedy festival there is. It’s like, I don’t know, Cannes for Comics. Many of the area’s finest comics (including the scruffy guy adorning the top of this post) are going to be showing off for the scouts, so for a mere $20, you can go laugh yourself hoarse and support local performers. It’s a win-win, people. I mean, what were you going to do with that money, see Paul Blart: Mall Cop? Go watch some live comedy instead and have a little more respect for yourself in the morning. Go buy your tickets. 

News about local comedy events can be sent to tiffany at we love dc dawt com. I’ll love you forever. Seriously.

Sideshow playbill designed by Asa Boy, Homegrown Comedy poster courtesy Jay Hastings

My friends, our long local nightmare of not enough local comedy is over. It’s January, the holidays are over, and local comedy has reclaimed its rightful place in the back rooms, the lounges, and the bars of DC (except for Top Shelf. Solly’s gave their room slot away without even TELLING them. Dubya Tee Eff). As a result, I have not one but two comedy shows to tell you about this week.
Continue reading →