Due to the overwhelming demand of comics who show support for the 4 Now: Open Mic @ Chief Ike's it has been decided that the best course of action will be to officially move to a pre-show sign up process by email. This is to assure that we A) keep the show tight and not wear out the nice Chief Ike's crowd and B) continue to allow new comics a chance to perform.
If you wish to perform at Chief Ike's you must email us @ dccomedy4now[at]gmail.com.
Thanks, DC!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Changes to Chief Ike's Sign-up Process
Divine Secrets of the Ha-Ha Possehood
i'd like to broach a topic that is half-serious and half-mysterious.
some of us get into comedy because we like telling jokes.
some of us get into comedy because we like writing jokes.
and then, there's all of us who get into comedy because we want freebies.
what kinds of freebies?
and best of all...
a biker gang: solidarity in numbers and air pumps
photo courtesy of Flickr and pixietart
so baby grrl 'parna (potential new stage name) presents...
the top 8 benefits of having a comedic entourage*
*my entourage's current members: sharky mcgee, botox, and conjoined fashionista twins madcow-D and soy
8 they create the illusion of feeling powerful and popular
7.5 sharky mcgee's uncle works for a health insurance company, WINK
7 you never need to use a coaster because the twins have an extra arm for carrying your drink at all times
6 there's no such thing as an awkward dance move because anything you do "out on da floor" is immediately aped by 2+ other people thus instantly becoming a new trend, and/or they form a protective elephant security circle around you to prevent unwanted small talk
5 you can get into any and all bringer shows
4 you always had a GREAT SET
3 hecklers will be handled with the discretion and smoothness of KGB intimidation tactics
2 they have great ideas for bits, most of which never come to fruition, but free labor is cheap
1 they will blog for you, as you
Famous Posses:
goes without sayin
also duh
no doubt
uh huh
that's what i'm talkin about
Read more!
It's Raining New Shows!
Third new show announcement in three days, people! I just read in a fictional version of Variety that Hollywood was thinking of moving here to capitalize on DC's ambition. They are going to clean us out faster than they cleaned the phosphate out of The Republic of Nauru!(Where my This American Life listeners at!)
This announcement comes courtesy of Steve Henry and concerns a new open mic in Fredericksburg, which might make it a bit difficult for car-less District-dwellers(like the DCC4N staff) to make it out, but a show is a show is great for everyone and three cheers are in order. Perhaps someone wants to start a carpool? Any questions can be sent to Steve at skhenry@whmo.mil and here are the details:
When: Every Tuesday, 9pm, starting on Feb. 5th
Where: Bogey's Sports Bar in Fredericksburg, VA
Why: Because only the best people create rooms
Who: Me, you and the world
What: A place where dreams come true/Open Mic comedy show
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Announcing "Top Shelf" at Solly's Tavern
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DC Comedy:4 Now proudly announces the marriage of stellar comedy and sophistication at an exclusive new comedy show.
Starting January 22nd, our newest creation is a twice-monthly showcase of the very best comedy this fine city has to offer. On the first and third Tuesday of each month DCC4N will be hosting only the most erudite of comedians in U Street's most stately establishment, Solly's Tavern. The audience is free to come as they are but we assure you that the talent will be dressed to the nines in their Sunday best (and that's not a joke).
The Resplendent Lineup includes:
Chris White (Last Comic Standing, DCstandup.com)
Jake Young (Host of The Awesome Room, Geek Comedy Tour 3000)
Brandon Ivey (Jimes)
John McBride (Host of Rendezvous and 18th & Red comedy shows)
Larry Poon (Funniest person in Baltimore, knows Cameron Diaz)
Nick Turner (Owns a suit, knows Larry Poon)
and hosted by Aparna Nancherla (finalist in NBC's Standup for Diversity, knows too much)
Top Shelf
Solly's Tavern
1942 11th St. NW (11th & U St.)
January 22nd (and 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month thereafter)
8:00pm
$5
for more information email dccomedy4now(at)gmail.com
Read more!
DC Comedy Resolutions 4 2008, Part 3 (The beating a dead horse edition)
"1. write more jokes
2. perform jokes from previous resolution
3. maybe write a blog or 2"-Kojo Mante
"1.squish other open-mics
2.charge comics $ to get on
3.move more product"-Curt Shackelford
"Talk less, write more. Be sincerely ironic. Turn up the heat on my burns"-Hillary Buckholtz
"My resolution for 2008 as it pertains to comedy is to murder every mic I touch, continue to avoid negative mf's, keep talking the shit that means something to me and to bring "the industry" to us"-Jason Weems
"more shows, more money, more travel, more pussy, more drugs, more stories, more friends, that's it."-Jay Hastings
"You should probably take me off this list."-Zhubin Parang
(There is nothing more to read)
Monday, January 7, 2008
I Blog Here But Also There, I Brag in Both Places Too
i got some phenomenal news recently. i thought i should share it since it's a new year and i want to come clean with both the bad, but the good as well.
self-congratulatory backpatting begins
i have a monthly blogging spot on here for a year, and other good news also revealed on this page (wear yer disbelief suspenders). thank you everyone for being a lovely and supportive community. you make me feel happy and lucky to be part of such a great thing! and i am excited for all the fantastic news i will surely hear back sooner rather than later about all the great things everyone else is doing! so thanks, DC. i hope to do you proud. yes, that's right, do you proud.
Read more!
DC Comedy Spotlight: Mikael Johnson
When it comes to personal favorites, few top my list higher than today's Comedy Spotlight. Mikael Johnson is one of DC's most unique comedians, known most notably through his incredible character-driven improvisational work with The Comedy Pigs, Comedy Sportz and currently WIT's Jackie. He also is an experienced sketch writer, director and stage actor having been a ensemble member of Maryland's MET for several years. He is also a past producer of the Mid-Atlantic Comedy Smörgåsbord, which featured the area's best stand-up and improv talent.
This guy produces more "you had to be there" moments than any DC performer I know. He has a way of capturing an audience's attention, without deterring from what others are doing onstage. He also has one of the most twisted senses of humor I have ever witnessed. Try to turn away...you can't. Audiences outside DC love him as well. As a member of WIT Mikael has performed at several of the east coast's biggest comedy festivals including the Charleston Improv Fest, Dirty South Improv Fest, Chicago Improv Fest, DC Comedy Fest and the Philadelphia Improv Festival.
Mikael also is a established teacher and is currently instructing a long-form improv class through Washington Improv Theater. If you have performed improv in the past and would like to learn more from one of the masters, then definitely sign up for his class.
[Hit the jump for an interview and videos from Mikael!]
When did you realize that you wanted to do comedy?
When I was 14 I was Bill Cosby in my English Class for this project. It got a huge response. I think I have been chasing that ever since.
Who were some of your earliest influences? My two older brothers and my parents. They f'd with me all the time—lie to me with a straight face sort of thing. I could never get a straight answer out of anyone. I know that definitely rubbed off. Also: Bill Cosby, George Carlin, Kids In The Hall, South Park, Monty Python, and Mel Brooks (Spaceballs).
What about them captivated you?
If I could make someone in my family really laugh, who were all older, it was a good feeling. South Park, Kids In The Hall, and Monty Python have always been my favorite. I like anything that is silly and smart, plus KITH had nudity in their first few seasons on HBO.
Where was your first performance?
First student class showcase at Comedy Sportz in Arlington, VA was my first show in front of a paying audience. I was mortified. I remember sweating a lot but eventually relaxed. I really don't remember my first gig with the Pigs, I remember thinking, "I got through it".
What would you say is your improv-comedy style?
I like to find a character or an emotion and just go with it. I just hope I'm having fun and not sitting inside my own head. If I'm taking things too seriously, then I need to find something else to do.
Do you enjoy the process of writing?
Yes and no, I love writing, what I find difficult is revising and editing. I hate it when I don't hit it out of the park on the first try, which is all the time. Basically, with writing, and improving on any discipline, the toughest part for me is any act that involves "follow through".
How do you think your improv training has affected your writing style/process?
I am more open to take chances on stage with just an idea or exploring something through a character. Also, there are other things to do on stage other than premise-set-up-punch.
What about performing live do you enjoy?
All the sex you get after the shows.
Do you ever want to convey a message?
I really don't care enough about anything. The late great, Richard Jeni, has a great bit on this concept, you can find it on Youtube.
What's hacky to you?
Anybody who doesn't respect their craft, a paying audience, or their fellow artists.
How do you feel about doing comedy in Washington DC?
I love it most of the time but you have to make your opportunities. It sometimes feels like a way station, people come through here with great talent but if you're going to work you have to move to NY, LA or Chicago.
Were your parents supportive of you doing comedy?From day one, though my mother would harp on the, "This is your ______ year in a row without medical insurance, you just can't keep gambling with your future like this". And I was like, "Mom, I'm drinking vodka every day, and I continue to feel as if I am being swallowed--I'm fine".
Donner Party Diary
Donner Party Diary
JFK Interview
JFK Interview
Read more!
Hero of the Week: Jake Young
Everyone knows that we need more quality comedy shows here in the DC area, but few of us are actually doing anything about it. Well the announcement came this week that one such comedian has stepped into the role of producer and is about to give comedians more stage time and fans of comedy more to laugh about with his new monthly show, "The Awesome Room.". We spotlight this fine gentleman in our first "Comedian of the Week." (I'm sorry if you think this title implies that there will be a new comedian of the week each week, but there's no way we could keep up that kind of grueling schedule)
We recently met with Jake Young over a shared pancake topped with delicious Ethiopian food to discuss why anyone would be so amazing as to start their own show. Little did we know that Jake only grants formal interviews to "traditional media," so we were left with this decidedly non-traditional interview.
(Jake's new show premieres on January 31st at 9pm at McGinty's Public House in Downtown Silver Spring. More info at theawesomeroom.com)
-Why did you decide to produce your own show?
(Marvel at the rest of the interview from this DC Comic after the jump)
-Why a booked showcase rather than an open mic?
-What about the venue appealed to you?
-What do you hope to accomplish with your new show?
-Do you forsee any personal benefits to having your own show?
-I'm sure you are about to be inundated with booking requests from local comics. How do you go about booking the show?
Read more!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Jay's 2007 Comedy Year In Review
I hated to see 2007 go, but I love watching 2008 walk my way. The waning months and days of 2007 treated me very kindly. I had a lot of quality shows, I wrote some good jokes, and raised some money for cancer through comedy. (yeah, I am a generous, humble person who doesn’t do things for recognition.) 2007 marked my second anniversary in comedy. I had more shows in 2007. I traveled more in 2007 for comedy. I met more comedians and became friends with more comics in 2007. My mom got cancer in 2007. I made $78,000 doing comedy in 2007. Guess which one was the only downer in 2007? And guess which one I just lied about. Anyway, for the most part 2007 was a benevolent year that smoothly transitioned me through another year of my life. There was some downs, but mostly there were ups. I’d like to tell you a little bit about both. Hold on tight cause The Ghost of 2007 Past is warming up his story-telling voice.
[Hit the jump, sons!]
FEB 1 – 3: Rory Scovel and myself performed together at the Baltimore Comedy Factory. It was a good time and I remember performing stoned the last night, just to see if I could do it. I did it and it was super duper fun balls. (I don’t do that very often, but it was fun)
FEB 28th: Performed a guest set at American University for the DC Improv’s Funniest College Student Competition. Imagine performing comedy in front of retarded kids in a glitter factory. It was not fun, but it was made fun by watching Jon Mumma yell at the stupid college kids. Hilarious!
March 1st: Performed at the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse. I ate a MONSTER of a cock. I shit the stage. It was awful.
MARCH 3rd: Saw Zach Galifianakis at Lisner Auditorium with Rob Cantrell. It was great!
MARCH 26 – 28: Rory Scovel and I got booked to perform down in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina at the Hilton Resort. They gave us each our own $500 a night suite. The downside was that there was no one in the audience with a properly functioning prostate or a moist vagina. Hence, there were a lot of awkward moments. However, I got a blowjob that weekend and it was lovely.
APRIL: Had a smattering of shows that did not really put a wrinkle in my brain. I do remember performing at Georgetown University and there being a very hot Asian girl in the crowd. Also, the DC Comedy Festival happened. I met a lot of comics from Canada.
MAY: I got into a fight with Curt Shakelford via email and got banned from ALL of his shows. Boy, did I get a good laugh out of that. Also, I didn’t loose ANY stage time.
JUNE: My sister got married and my mom got cancer. YAY then BOO!!!
JULY 20 – 21: Justin Schlegel, Jon Mumma, and myself performed at Riot Act Comedy “Club”. John X the owner stiffed me on my pay quoting, “I don’t pay emcees”. He also shorted Mumma on his pay, only to pay him the full amount months later. He also tossed me $50 for my 4 show effort. THANKS JOHN!!!
AUG 3 – 4: Rory Scovel and I sold out The Warehouse Theater in Greenville, South Carolina. It was an amazing show. Then on the 4th we played J.C. Fiddlers, which is a little hole in the wall bar. It was not great. No air conditioning, plus warm beer = shitty time for audience and short attention spans. They did not care for us.
SEPT: Nothing really happened. I taped a thing for Comcast, but who doesn’t get picked to do that show?
OCT: I got to open one show at the DC Improv for Daniel Tosh because Tim Miller had some car issues which caused him to be late. Thank you Tim’s shitty old car!
NOV 9th: I got to perform in Norman, Oklahoma. I got to open up for my friends rock band “Galapagos” and it was a blast. I got heckled during my last joke and I burned him down. He just kept saying, “You ain’t funny!” After the show he told me, “Jesus don’t like to be made fun of, and I don’t like you makin’ fun of Jesus. Dat type-a thang can get yo ass kicked!” Then he pushed me. What a faggot. BOMMER SOONER!!
DEC: This month was CRAZY! First we kicked off with Rory Scovel’s DVD taping at Dr Dremos. Kojo Mante, Jon Mumma, and myself were “special guests”, because otherwise Curt would never have Kojo and I on a show. Next up we had POONANZA 5! That show kicked ass. I once again took my clothes off and embarrassed my families good name. Then Justin Schlegel, Jon Mumma, and I rocked the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse. It was a really fun show. Then Rory Scovel and I went back down to South Carolina for our annual Christmas Show. We selected a charity to donate 50% of ticket sales to. The charity was Clement’s Kindness and it goes to help families with children with cancer. That show was the best performance I’ve done and it might just be the best thing I’ve ever done. It feels good to give something to anyone. And once again Justin Schlegel, Jon Mumma, and myself performed New Years Eve weekend at the Baltimore Comedy Factory. We destroyed that fucking place. From Thursday – Saturday ( 7 SHOWS ) we CRUSHED! It was a blast.
So, that was the highlights of my 2007. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something. I know I did.
Read more!
Called Out by the WaPoPo!
hey y'all, so that show tonight! clash of the tetons or whatever!
check out the buzz lightyear (shankoo to the helping hands dat made it positively possible):
my favorite part is highlighted in yellow...for obvious reasons...
for the record -
slow-witted = intellectually "behind"
and
naif = guileless child
at first, i thought it all meant something far worse.
but this is far better press than i ever could have imagined.
so eat it, brit-brit! no, but speariously, feel better, grrrl.
Read more!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
DC Comedy Resolutions 4 2008, Part 2
"Learn from other's successes, as opposed to being jealous of them."-Justin Schlegel
"I resolve to risk revealing more of myself in my improv."-Amanda Hirsch
"A) Quit blogging forever. B) Move to an even smaller city with even fewer shows. C) Stop fighting with my half-brother Bryson"-Nick Turner
"I want the world to log on and wise up to what we're doing with
original video content. WIT's new website will hopefully give us a
cool place to do that."-Tyler Korba
"A personal goal: taking bigger artistic risks."-Mark Chalfant
"Write more jokes and Superman more hoe's and shit"-John McBride
"In the new year, I'm going to resist the urge to murder my scene partners."-Joe Uchno
"I plan on pushing myself even harder in 2008. I don't want to rest on my laurels. I want to eventually move to another city that will best suit my talents, but before then I want to stretch myself and find out what I most want to do."-Jason Saenz
"I resolve to take my comedy skills, honed in DC, to the mean streets of Chicago as I start the push to make a living in the world of sketch writing and improv performance. I will leave this city behind for now, but one day when I'm sort of rich and not that famous, I'll come back a conquering hero."-Dan MacAvoy
DC Comedy Resolutions 4 2008, Part 1
"2006 was about learning how to be funny, and 2007 was about seeing where I am on the food chain, finding myself onstage and learning how to consistently have a good time. In 2008, I am going to make a serious effort at laying the groundwork for a real career so I can quit my day job." -Mike Way
"Perform. Perform perform perform perform perform. Also, in 2008 I resolve to bleed less."-Mike Blejer
"Start going to the gym to get more material."-Aparna Nancherla
"Get Colin Murchie off his ass and involved in this two-man show we've been planning. Finish my one-man show and, at the very least, stage a reading of it..."-Shawn Westfall
"This year I'm working harder on trying to bring out the elements that are naturally funny about myself. I started off with a heavier writing influence, but I'd like to be a little looser on stage. I want to experiment more with improvising, and get back to the joy of experimentation I had when I was starting."-Jimmy Meritt
"I think it's probably advisable that in 2008, women start washing their pussies."-Diana Saez
"My #1 resolution for 2008 is just to avoid apathy when it comes to stage time. Too many times I find myself sitting at my house at 7 at night thinking, "Eh I'll do a show tomorrow night." And then I see people who are getting up 5,6,7 nights a week and I'm disgusted with myself. As far as goals, short term I'd like to win an Improv Showcase and long term I'd like to start getting booked by the local clubs, if I can make that happen by the end of 2008 I'll consider the year a great success".-John Conroy
"Do more jokes about fat chicks."-Sean Gabbert
"Resolution 1: Try and get on shows (By any means necessary; Malcolm X said that, the star of Malcolm X in the Middle)
Resolution 2: Avoid laziness and write more (To achieve this I will get rid of my good job and nice girlfriend. Angry dick jokes here I come!)
Resolution 3: Stop letting a bad crowd get to me WHILE onstage (It's THEIR fault I'm not funny)
Resolution 4: Try and travel to some other cities to do comedy (Hampton's Big Adventure 2: Boner Parade)"-Hampton Yount
"I plan on being resolute, when it comes to performing. Also, I resolve to get better, during performances. Now, if someone can tell I what resolution means... does have anything to do with household goods, and cleaning-up??? Resolve."-Haywood Turnipseed, Jr (Scratch that, I plan on laughing louder; peace.)
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