Tom-Tom's Wednesdays Open-Mic

From Dr. Love:

The new open mic at Tom Tom's is great, I love it. The cheap booze has nothing to do with it, though it don't hurt.

Comics: You're !&#$#@ing up if you don't try this show. Running two doors down is another open mic at Heaven and Hell---you can park once and knock down two open mics. This may be a first in the history of standup. I checked out the other room and it's fun, well worth doing.

Details: Tom Tom's, 2333 18th St NW
(in Adam's Morgan, between N Belmont Rd & N Kalorama Sq)
Washington, DC 20009

Shows will be EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 9 O'CLOCK (yeah, nine...that's when the crowd showed up last week).

Show up a few minutes earlyish to sign up; also, parking's a bitch, and you might want to allow for that.

ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO MC WRITE ME BACK. This goes for the Palace of Wonders show as well; next Palace show is a week from today, April 12. Time change there, too; new time for Palace of Wonders shows is 9 p.m. every other Sunday night.

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72 Film Fest and 48 Hour Film Project

While 48 Hour Film Fest has closed its team registration, the 72 Film Fest held up in Frederick, Maryland each year is just getting started, check here for details. If you missed the team registration for the 48 Hour Film Fest that is going to be held May 1st here in Washington then shoot us an email and we possibly can get you hooked up on someone's roster. These film festivals are a great way to meet folks if you are looking to produce any kind of promotional or creative shorts for yourself down the road. You meet a good camera guy, someone who can edit and few good actors it can do a lot to raise your own bar.

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Loving a New Open Mic (TONIGHT)

From Mr. Loving:
Hi kids,

I'm just back from traveling--a lot of people here couldn't reach me since my laptop broke and my phone is not smart. Sorry for the delay and I hope this answers the new people's questions.

First---no more Thursday night Peyote Cafe. The guy loved it too much and wanted it at a different bar. So as of this morning THE NEW OPEN MIC IS WEDNESDAYS, 8 O'CLOCK, AT TOM TOM'S IN ADAMS MORGAN (2333 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009). It's a better venue for what we do and will be a lot of fun, so I hope you can make it.

Second---no more Peyote Cafe (for now, see above).

Third---New people: Some of you asked about details. They're few. Mainly "don't go over ten" and "be funny." Added points if you drink--I love alcoholics. If you have any other questions email me.

A'ight, see you there,

robb 703-399-5398

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Classes Start for Washington Improv Theater

From WIT website:

The reviews are in and the word is out: WIT is the area's premier improv troupe. But WIT players do more than perform improv with great expertise; our players bring the same passion and strengths to teaching improv.

Discover a new sense of freedom and play. Meet other fun and interesting people. Get away from the grind of the scripted city. Our comprehensive curriculum brings a wealth of skills and experience to everyone.

People from all fields take our classes to gain experience thinking on their feet and to unleash their own creativity.

Register now! Find out what one of WIT's improv classes can do for you by clicking on a listing above for more information or checking out our frequently asked questions page.

To be notified when the next round of registrations starts, email topher@washingtonimprovtheater.com

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Nerds!

The Comedy Nerds are hard at work as only nerds know how to be: another episode of the podcast with Mike Blejer today!

And an interview with Aparna Nancherla

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New Open Mic in Winchester, Virginia

Starting 3/23/09 and will be every first and third Monday. Great concert venue. The Virginia Brewing Company is located in the renovated ZeroPak cultural and arts complex at 580 N. Cameron Street in the historic apple district of Winchester, Virginia. Sign up 7-8 show starts at 8:30 venue opens at 4:00 for dinner and drinks. contact me jkincaidcomedy@gmail.com
www.virginiabrewingcompany.com

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The 5th Estate

There are arguments for both sides and in this format, on this stage, Stewart is going to win every time (I would love to see inside the research process of the Daily Show staff). However, what can not be denied is that Stewart has become the voice of the 5th Estate, the branch that is keeping an eye on the press/media who are supposed to be keeping the checks on the legislative, judicial and executive tiers of what makes up our governing body.



Another example from a while back which is just fun to watch:

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No Money Down!

Free Intro to Improv Workshops

From Washington Improv Theater

 

Register: washingtonimprovtheater.com

Info: topher@washingtonimprovtheater.com or 202-204-7772

 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be able to speak and act with spontaneity, confidence and humor without a second thought?  Improv gives you the tools to get yourself out of bad situations and into awesome ones.  These free, low-stress workshops focus on creativity, communications and teamwork and are taught by our enthusiastic and professional instructors who establish a fun and trusting atmosphere.

 

Former students said:

“I loved this class”

“Great opportunity for expression, meet cool people and build confidence.”

 

Free Intro to Improv Workshops:

Monday           March 16         7:00 – 9:00pm

Tuesday           March 17         7:00 – 9:00pm

Wednesday     March 18         7:00 – 9:00pm

Thursday         March 19         7:00 – 9:00pm

Sunday            March 22         7:00 – 9:00pm

 

Location: The Children’s Studio School at 1301 V St NW is located at the corner of 13^th and V Sts, NW - one block north of U Street-Cardozo Metro Station (13^th Street exit).

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DC Comedy Spotlight: Sonny Fuller

Today's DC Spotlight comic is actually from Baltimore. Sonny's comedy can be endearingly crass (but has great clean stuff, too) and blunt, always with sharp, unique, and silly insights. I love me some Sonny.

And you will too, if you check him out this friday (3/13) at the DC Improv's Homegrown Comedy Showcase at 8 pm.


Where did you first perform?

The first show i did was about 3 and a half yrs ago when the comedy factory was still doing the Funniest Person in Baltimore contest. I actually did pretty good and actually got to the next round with some of the most horrendous material of all time, so after that I automatically assumed I was about to take over the Maryland comedy game. I remember driving to the comedy factory for the second round confident as hell like "Im gonna destroy these other comics, fuck'em" of course at the show I pretty much ate my own shit for five straight minutes, just blank stares, nothing. That was a nice reality check for me.

When did you realize that you wanted to do comedy?

I always liked telling jokes when I was a little fella the "3 men walk into blah blah blah" type of shit and as I got older in middle and high school I was pretty good at making fun of people to make myself feel better. I was a bit of an asshole, one time I made a fat boy with tits, big juicy fatboy tits cry in the middle of class. I really do regret doing that to people I'm pretty sure I did it for attention which is probably why I'm doing comedy now, so basically I always wanted to make people laugh now I have a mic.

(click to read more Sonny)

Who were some of your earliest influences?

George Carlin, Dennis Miller, Chris Rock and now guys like louis C.K. , Bill Burr, and Jim Norton.

What about them captivated you?

Dennis Miller because of the way his jokes are written or put together, I always thought he was a jerkoff and never really paid him any attention until I saw his last special "All In" and I laughed my ass off, he's a good guy to watch if your new and need an idea of how to write a "joke".

George Carlin because he really said whatever was on his mind no matter how crazy it was, that is something I really want to do more of. He would also be able to talk about the most brutal and serious shit and even if it was something I didn't agree with he found a way to make me laugh. When those beheading videos where on the net I watched one and it really fucked my head up, I couldnt get the shit out my head. Then I was watching Carlin do a bit on it where he said " Who cares about some mercenary civilian contractor from Oklahoma who gets his head cut off? Fuck 'em. Hey Jack, you don't want to get your head cut off? Stay the fuck in Oklahoma. They aint cuttin' of heads in Oklahoma, far as I know." I was smiling like "oh ok" their was a real "who gives a fuck" way he delivered that joke and it was hilarious to me even though I was disgusted by the actual event. Carlin is easily my favorite comic, now let me stop sucking his dick.

What was your first paid gig?

I'm not 100% sure what my first paid show was but I believe I owe it all to everyones favorite negro Seaton Smith. Seaton had vouched for me with this dude in Hagerstown, so I get the spot and drive all the way from East Baltimore to Hagerstown, a 3 hr round trip, for I believe 40 bucks!! Thanks alot Seaton, get a haircut!

Do you prefer to write on or off stage?

I do a bit of both, off stage I'll write down ideas or just punchlines I really dont write word for word I just take the main idea and figure out the setup on stage, and if I get a completely new idea while I'm up their I'll try it out depending on the situation.

Do you enjoy the process of writing?

I dont really sit down and write very often but when I do I hate it, at my real job I do deliveries so I'm by myself all day and I have alot of time to think up the genius material that most of you have been blessed to hear.

What about performing live do you enjoy?

I really like when I get a chance to do a new line or bit because you never know what kind of reaction your gonna get, could be a big laugh, could be a blank stare, it's exciting to see what the result is of something you wrote or stole. And as a quick side note I really find enjoyment in watching other comics, especially people I'm friends with BOMB, the best part is the akward transition into the next joke, have you ever heard comics sigh "ughh" after dropping a turd, the funniest shit ever, so if you catch me eating it feel free to laugh.

Do you ever want to convey a message?

Yeah I would like to, but it's such a thin line between conveying a message in a funny smart way and being a preachy, too cool for the room douche bag. Most of my stuff now is my actual opinion or feeling on a subject and some of it might have a little message to it but I think I need a little more experience to really go that route. What I'm doing now is stuff I like, I had a few jokes that I hated performing but I would use them just for the laugh and I just felt like an ass afterwards so I pretty much trashed them. I know sometimes I might have to compromise a little for the crowd but I try not to sell my soul for a laugh.

What's hacky to you?

For the most part anybody with the phrase "of comedy" in their stage name, whatever "_________ of comedy" you think you are, your probably wrong. As far as material most of the subjects that people relate to have been done, you just have to try and be original as possible with your premise and don't be a thief. Or you can try and find a way to make Stop Signs and Paper plates funny, "Hey do you know what's funny about stop signs", nothing, nothing is really funny about stop signs I dont care how quirky your delivery is. I cant call it, if your a hack you probably already know it unless your one of the delusional ones.

Were your parents supportive of you doing comedy?

When I started I was pretty much on my own already, I was 26 with a baby on the way so support from mommy and daddy wasn't really as important to me as some of you young punks. If I did start earlier though my mother would support anything I wanted to do even if it was gay porn and my pops is a lifelong smackhead who can barely support his self, he's really a good dude though.

Where do you plan on moving next?

I don't really have any plans to move anytime soon, I need to be alot funnier and have alot more material before I do any drastic shit. If I do end up going anywhere I guess the only choices are LA or NY and I think I would fit in better up New York.

How do you feel about the comedy scene in DC/Baltimore? What are some differences you've noticed between DC and Baltimore?

Maryland seems to be a good place to start out in comedy, theirs a nice amount of comics and a nice amount of rooms its a good place to get your feet wet but your gonna be hard pressed to live off comedy out here. I prefer Baltimore crowds for the most part, in alot (not all) of DC rooms I feel like I have to tip toe around the crowd and I rarely get that feeling in Baltimore, I can pretty much be myself. I can do a ghetto room in Baltimore where I'm the only white face in the joint and be perfectly comfortable but put me in a Liberal slightly homosexual Adams Morgan crowd and I get nervous for some reason. To be honest though I don't come to DC enough to make any real judgements but I'm gonna come down their alot more in the future.

What would you change (about either scene)?

I wouldn't change anything really, it's good that their are some differences in the types of crowds, if it was too much of one thing that's not gonna make anybody a better comedian. We all have our crowd preferences but at the end of the day a comedian is somebody who can go into any room and make it work, myself I dont like to tip toe for a crowd but I do have that option, sometimes I say 'fuck it" and I choose not to use it. God bless you if you read this long winded drivel.

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New Open Mic, Loving It

New open mic, starts THIS THURSDAY (MARCH 12TH) at 8 o'clock.

Location: Peyote Cafe, 2319 18th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009 (Adams Morgan). Link:   http://www.thepeyotecafe.com/peyote.htm

Email robbloving@gmail for sign up.

*Your set may last up to three days and is under no circumstance, even for religious ceremony or practice, protected under Federal law. 

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New awesome web-series!

Created by Seaton Smith, starring himself and several local comics!
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Alternative Comedy Festival, May 2009

Check this out: http://www.altcomfestival.com/schedule.php

If this schedule's line-up were in DC, I'm sure it would do just as well as, "The Washington DC Comedy Festival"...With acts like Jeneane Garofalo, Rob Riggle, Michael Ian Black, and UCB Tour Company that sounds like comedy that is not underground but pretty alive and well. For the most part that line-up and its supporting acts (Eugene Mirman, Patton Oswalt in the past) are all current and at the forefront of the voice that is American comedy today.

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