DC, NY, Over the Hill

I leave town for 3 days and you'd think comedian Dave Hill was the new suspect in the Anthrax case...well, at least among local comics. I laid a steaming, hot, lead turd on the stages of UCB yesterday in New York City. I know I'm better than what I've displayed and still have more potential to explore...I'm wondering if Dave Hill and the other folks at the DC Comedy Fest-Industry show feel similar. I know I don't want to be judged by one performance. The more you know...

(Local Comic finishes reading this...contemplates it...then throws his arm across the computer desk, knocking over laptop, empty Yuengling bottles, ash stained coffee mugs, and bar napkins inked in forsaken genius...pounds fists on desk, knocking over remaining lamp and pens...tears start to well, looks in mirror above desk, stares at aging face...in reflection sees old copy of "The Comedy Bible" on bookshelf...has mellow dramatic moment with himself, swivels around and takes book down off of shelf, ominously opens to page with "A Contract for Yourself Not to Quit"...footsteps start to walk downstairs...comic startled, starts to zip up his pants but then realizes he wasn't masturbating...mother looks from bottom step with smile, sets down plate of cookies and glass milk...rubs comics head)

Mom: You'll always be my little Johnny Carson.

Comic starts to sob uncontrollably, grabs mother's apron and buries face into it.

Mother looks at son's picture of Margaret Cho on wall

Mom: Goddamn you. (If you have any thoughts, insights or photos from your experiences at the DC Comedy Fest or Del Close Marathon, send'em our way and we'll post them up)

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Come for Rob, Stay for Temple

Hi DC Comedy 4 Now,

I was born in DC (Georgetown Woman's Hospital), Saw my first live Comedy performance ( Bill Cosby at The Cap Center, during the Height Of The Cosby Show),Went to Brent Elementary in SE, was arrested by a security guard at 13 for stealing cassette tapes out of Sam Goodie at Union Station, Was thrown out the Hawk N Dove, oldest Bar in DC, at 17, for throwing up all over bar, Know a Guy that knows a guy that went to school with the sister of someone in Minor Threat. Mom, Sister and Brother all live in DC, plus many nephews. I know who Chuck Brown is.
Love if you could show some love for my show.

Peace.

Rob

Thursday 8/7/08
THE DC COMEDY FEST PRESENTS
"Hysterical Vibrations" with Rob Cantrell
This is an one of a kind comedy and musical experience blending a Stand-Up Comedy Show with one of the best upcoming reggae/rock bands from The DC Area at a historic synagogue.
Staring: Comedian Rob Cantrell
Featuring: Comedian Michelle Buteau
SPECIAL MUSICAL GUEST: LIONIZE
Lionize will play a very special Instrumental/Dub set to open the show while the audience takes their seats and then return with a longer set with vocals after the comics perform.
7:30 PM, Doors Open at 7:00 PM
Tickets Are 14.00 dollars
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue 600 I Street

N.W.Washington D.C. 20001202/408-3100

Follow the link to learn more about Rob and fellow guest artists...

Based in Brooklyn, NY, Rob Cantrell's comedy comes from his heart, as well as many other complex organs in his body. His act has an intelligent edge without being pretentious, hilariously unpredictable but always fluid.

Rob's comedic journey started as wild-haired kid in the DC Public School System. He achieved nirvana at a young age when a bad babysitter let him watch Eddie Murphy's first Stand-Up special "Delirious." He moved to a small town in Virginia, where a deep Southern flair and tobacco-chewing 6th graders added to the hilarity. Following a brief boarding school stint, remembered fondly by Rob as "a lot like college, but with less drinking and more drugs."
After graduating from Denison University with an English degree and a taste for great writing, Rob landed in San Francisco in 1999. He began performing stand-up in dive bars and Laundromats before landing solid gigs in top comedy clubs and performing with 'The Jazz Man Mega-Band of Power,' a free-form sax/bass/kazoo comedy outfit.

After only three years of performing, Rob auditioned for the first season of NBC's Last Comic Standing and became a Top 10 Finalist, which led to touring the country and gigs at top notch venues. A high point was selling out the historic Great American Music Hall in San Francisco in 2003. In 2005, Rob relocated to Brooklyn, where he has been performing ever since.
Rob has appeared on several major networks, including CBS, VH1 and Comedy Central. His 2005 documentary/performance "Metaphysical Graffiti -A Road Movie" was screened at the Cannes Film Festival along side punk rock documentaries. His cannabis cult-like following has lead him to headline the 2006 High Times Comedy Festival in both SF and NYC, and tour with 'The Marijuana-logues' in 2007, a live comedy show on pot culture. When not on the road, Rob can be found in New York City performing at the top clubs and improve theaters like Caroline's, Comix and Upright Citizens Brigade.

Rob Cantrell is complex to the point of being simple, and his background is diverse enough to resonate with just about everyone. More than anything, he is himself, and uses his life's wide-ranging influences to push the boundariesof comedic creativity.

Rob's Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/robcantrell

Featuring: Comedian Michelle Buteau
Fresh from The Bonnaroo Arts Festival, Michelle can also be seen on Comedy Central`s Premium Blend and this season`s Last Comic Standing on NBC. Catch her on stage when you can and see comedy`s mistress blend her Jamaican-Haitian sassiness and girl-next door quality into a show that is anything but routine.

Michelle's Myspace
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38052083

LIONIZE
Lionize started when four high school friends in Maryland got together to have fun in their parent's basement with the goal of picking up girls by performing music. Drawing on their mutual love of reggae acts like Steel Pulse, Bob Marley, Toots, and Capleton and rock groups like The Police, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath, the band sought out to create a new sound in reggae and a new sound in rock.

LIONIZE's Myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=7284972
http://www.dccomedyfest.com/dccf/home.html
http://www.sixthandi.org/

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue600 I Street N.W.Washington D.C. 20001202/408-3100

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Once, Twice, Three Times a Rory

The Source Theater at 7:30pm doing improv with Dr. Fantastic.

Solly's Tavern at 9:00pm doing standup for the festival

DC Improv at 10:00pm doing standup for the festival

ALL SHOWS 8/7/08

Please inquiry with Rory for the "Rory Festival Pass", includes all 3 shows, transportation to and from shows with Rory in Rory's car, meals with Rory, breaks with Rory, photos with Rory, 20 minute power nap with Rory, making a wish in a fountain with Rory, wine tasting with Rory, skipping with Rory, laundry with Rory, saying "Rory" with Rory, a selected reading from Rory, creeping with Rory, staring with Rory, and being left by Rory.

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DC? Comedy Fest Workshops and Classes

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOP DATE/TIME: FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH 12:00-1:30pm LOCATION: DLA Piper US, LLP @ 500 Eighth Street, NW.

The classic up-and-comer dilemma: you don't want to give it all away for free ... but you don't want to miss a big opportunity for exposure either! Three prominent DC entertainment attorneys give an overview for comedic performers, screenwriters and filmmakers; let you know which deals & practices are standard in the industry, and which you should walk away from; and take your questions. All proceeds from the seminar to benefit Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts www.thewala.org. dccf performers and volunteers price: $8 General public price: $10

IMPROV WORKSHOP: The Power of Fearless Support DATE/TIME: SATURDAY, AUGUST 9TH @ 11AM LOCATION: The Comedy Spot, Ballston Mall (Arlington, VA/Ballston stop on ORANGE LINE) Master improvisers Rebecca, Jean and Deb co-teach a workshop that caters to smaller groups and troupes. Don't worry, if you're not currently in a troupe, we'll form them in the workshop! You'll walk away knowing how to experience true support, make bolder choices, take more risks, listen more actively, with your whole body, and create and support a group mind. About the instructors: Jean Villepique has taught improvisation classes, workshops and corporate workshops for the Second City, the Magnet Theater and the Chicago Improv Festival. She has lived and worked in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, where she currently teaches writing and improvisation for The Second City LA. Rebecca Sohn has been teaching improv for 12 years. In Chicago she performs and teaches for The Second City and The Annoyance. She has taught workshops in NY, Phladelphia, Boston, and Chicago independently and for various festivals in addition to corporate workshops all over the country. Debra Downing has taught improv in various forms for the last 14 years in Austin, Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and many places in between. She has directed improv shows, sketch shows and one person shows at The Second City, Improv Olympic and Annoyance theaters. Her favorite is the Switchboard workshop with Jean and Rebecca. dccf performers and volunteers price: $48 General public price: $60

TOUGH LOVE: WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO MAKE IT AS A STAND UP DATE/TIME: SATURDAY, AUGUST 9TH 12:30-2:00PM LOCATION: Hotel Helix "Casting" conference room. 1430 Rhode Island Avenue, NW. In this seminar, EDDIE BRILL, comedian and comedy booker for THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN gives you the benefit of his experience. You'll learn what it takes not only to make it onto the best late night shows as a stand up, but also what it takes to build a long lasting, successful comedy career. Presentation includes a question and answer session with Mr. Brill. dccf performers and volunteers price: $8 General public price: $10

SIGN UP @ www.dccomedyfest.com (left side of screen, click on "Classes and Panels")

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SOLLY'S FEST! Aug. 5th, 7th, 8th, and 9th!!!

August 5th - DC COMEDY FEST PREVIEW SHOW8:30-10:30 Free The best of DC. Appearing:

Aparna Nancherla, Jon Mumma, Hampton Yount, Kojo Mante, Bryson Turner, Jason Weems, Jay Hastings, John McBride And hosted by Nick Turner

August 7th, 8th & 9th - DC COMEDY FEST PRESENTS "TOP SHELF" 7:00-10:30 $5

The best comedians in the country are coming to DC!

Almost four hours of hilarity each night!

Hosted by Nick Turner and Jay Hastings with additional help from: Eddie Brill, Rory Scovel, Jared Logan, Kumail, Lisa Fine, Will Hessler, TJ Miller, Brooke Van Poppelen, Sean Crespo, Mike Blejer, Kyle Martin, Jared Stern, Michael Foody, Cassidy Hennehan, Neil Stastny, Mark Normand, Zachary Sims, Seaton Smith, Elon James White, Reese Waters, Brady Novak, Jason Saenz, Rob Maher, Travis Irvine, Eli Sairs, Andy Kline, Myq Kaplan, Tyler Sonnichson, Matt McCarthy, Joselyn Hughes, Brent Sullivan, Baron Vaughn, and many more...

Solly's Tavern is located at 11th & U sts. NW

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DC? Comedy Fest

Well there have been some rumblings in the community regarding the upcoming DC Comedy Festival during the weekend of August 7, 8, and 9th. There has been concern that there is a significant lack of comedians from the DC area in the festival and those that are in the fest, have been promoted as an after-thought. For example, some artists in the area have raised an eye-brow to the fact the "District of Comedy Show" is getting a 8pm Thursday slot and a 10:30 pm Saturday slot that is right in the middle of the DC Comedy Fest wrap party. Improv wise, the DC Comedy Fest is competing with the Del Close Marathon in New York which is 24-hour a day improv festival that attracts improvised acts from all over the world. I think what many people are wondering is if the DC Comedy Fest is a festival for comedy that is being hosted in DC or is it a festival that's first priority is to showcase the talent inside the District? It might be pertinent as a comedic community to ponder. In the end though, it’s the organizer's prerogative. Get your own festival! Anyway, The following was a letter that was sent to dccomedy4now.com this morning that expressed those concerns to the chair of the DC Comedy Festival (Seaton Smith is mentioned in the letter as being excluded but recently has been added to the lineup at Velvet Lounge after his triumphant return last week from the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal)

Dear Ms. Postman,I have been looking forward to this year's DC Comedy Fest all summer. Last week I treated myself to an "Uber-Pass" so that I could enjoy as many shows as I could squeeze into the weekend. Yesterday, I started to comb through the schedule, trying to figure out which shows I would try to attend and I was completely startled to see an almost complete lack of any DC comics on the line-up of any shows. I have been a DC resident for more than 12 years and I am a dedicated fan of stand-up. I believe that there is something special about these local artists who work so hard and have so much talent, who toil at small shows and open-mic nights, sharpening their skills, performing with all their hearts for small audiences and no money. I am so proud of the comedians that I have been lucky enough to see perform in DC and I was so excited to see my favorite DC comics perform at the DC Comedy Fest. Unfortunately, there appears to be only two performances of local comics ("District of Comedy") on the schedule for the entire festival, and, tragically, in those two meager shows, there are no more than seven of DC's many talented comedians scheduled to perform! This is really quite a disappointment. I cannot imagine why some of my most favorite and some of the most talented comedians I've seen perform in Washington, DC are not on schedule at the DC Comedy Fest. I think it is outrageous that many of DC's finest comedians, like Nick Turner, Jake Young, Seaton Smith and dozens of others have been excluded from the festival. What is point of the DC Comedy Fest if not to spotlight all of the amazing local comic talent that working and living in DC? I hope you will consider supporting the dedicated and passionate comic artists in Washington, DC as the host and organizer of the DC Comedy Fest. I have been so fortunate to find these artists and enjoy their work, and I hoped that events like the DC Comedy Fest would illuminate our the citizens of our Washington, DC about the wonderful comedy scene happening all over the city, all year long. I hope that the DC Comedy Fest will use its power and influence to support local comedians and give their talents the attentions they so sincerely deserve.

M. Bergnes

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Oy! The DC Comedy Fest, Always Updating! Enough With The Updates Already...

Of course, we kid...we love you DC Comedy Fest, now come on over here and give your Uncle Leo a kiss.

Greetings!
The fun keeps coming:
-New sponsorhip partners Myspace Comedy & The Onion!-The Washington Post shouts out the Comedy Screenplay/TV pilot/Shorts contest!
-Industry hotel rate price deadline!-New Headliners!
Up next week: DCCF Performer spotlight, Why politics is funny, and more!

Log onto http://www.dccomedyfest.com/ for up to the minute news and updates.

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