Tag: open mics

Keeping it Real: "The Real World" DC was a ratings disaster, but they seem to be getting back to their roots for the next installment: New Orleans. Now that's what ima talkin' about. There's still at least one DC element to this upcoming season, which debuts tomorrow night. Here's a message from Eric Patrick: "Not sure if this is worth posting on your site but a DC-based comic (talking about myself of course), is going to be on the next season of 'The Real World' on MTV. (Here's the link.) "I do a lot of comedy on the show, and am pretty sure they include being a DC comic on the bio, so if anyone is interested in watching (and doesn't mind joining the rest of the pre-teens in America on Wednesday nights) it premieres Wednesday, June 30 at 10 p.m." Open Mics We've got a couple new open mics to report: RFD in Chinatown, DC. Brad Ryan and Ralph Cooper are organizing this show in the back room of RFD most Thursday nights. Doors open at 7:30, and the show starts at 8:30. Comics get 5-7 minutes. You can sign up on site, or by e-mailing brad@laughingatbrad.com or rcooperiii@gmail.com. Address: 810 7th Street NW, Washington, DC Online: RFD site THE MEETING PLACE in downtown DC. Every other Monday at 7:30, starting July 12. This is part open mic and part showcase. Hosted by Billy McCaleb (billy_mccaleb@yahoo.com). No cover charge, but a two-drink minimum. E-mail Billy if you're interested. Address: 1707 L St. NW, Washington, DC Online: Meeting Place web site (June 29, 2010)

Some Free Advice: If you're about to drop more than $20 to see a stand-up show because the performer is "famous" -- and they aren't famous specifically as a stand-up -- do yourself a favor. Click around the Web for a few minutes and find out what club experience they have. Movie funny and TV funny are not the same as stand-up funny. The amount of time it takes to write and refine a good stand-up routine is pretty significant, and if the performer is busy on other projects, they won't be at their best. Sometimes it's cool to see a famous person, but you wouldn't pay $25 to see Michael Jordan bake a ham, would you? (June 21, 2010)

Long Time No See!: See, the thing is, I ordered this new computer desk. Then I had to BUILD the desk. Only the desk didn't come out right. So I had to get a replacement part. Long story short, I was in a hospital for three weeks until doctors could safely remove an Allen wrench from my eye socket. Anyhow, all the open mic news we got has been incorporated into the page. If you have any shows you're looking to pimp, send the info to chris@dcstandup.com. (June 19, 2010)

Umberto's: New monthly show at Umberto's in Wheaton, Maryland. Tracey passes along the following: "Show will be once a month at Umberto's, 11230 Grandview Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902. Show is 8pm Friday, May 21, 2010. Hosted by Comic Danny Rolando, Headliner is Erik Myers, with guest comics Tracey Jackson, Chipp Jones, Marcus Brown. For details, contact Danny Rolando, 301 675 5266 / email DJRolan@aol.com." Open Mic Tweaks Minor changes made to the open mic page. First off, Caribou Coffee on Friday nights is no more. Second, Ellie's on Tuesdays has been put on hiatus for the summer months, with plans to return in the fall. Changes are reflected on the Open Mics page. Whitney Cummings This Saturday, Whitney Cummings is taping a stand-up special at the Harman Theater in DC. They're papering the room, so if you want to get free tickets, you can click over to this Web site. There will be two shows, one at 6:30 and one at 9:30. There are some restrictions about what you can and can't bring with you into the room (since it's a TV taping) so you'll have to read up about it on that site. (May 11, 2010)

11th St. Showcase, Singer's : Slight changes at 11th St. Lounge -- one week out of the month, they're dropping the open mic, but they are adding a showcase. Here it is from organizer Lou: "11th Street Lounge: New showcase (invitation only) on the second Thursday of the month. Open mics on Mondays EXCEPT the week of the showcase. Next showcase is Thursday May 13th: The Battle of the Sexes featuring Tim Miller, Chris Barylick, Michael Eltringham, Mike Way, Aparna Nancherla, Jessica Brodkin, Anna Pope, Lisa Fine and Anupama Pillalamarri." Meanwhile, I got news from Uncle Dave (via Facebook) about an open mic this Wednesday in Baltimore: "Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 9:10 p.m. Location: Singer's Restaurant And Bar, 227 West Chase Street, Baltimore, MD. Uncle Dave here ... Come and flex your comedy muscle at Baltimore's truest open mic! Sign up at 9pm! Show starts at 9:15pm Performers get one free beer or rail drink. Bring the most audience and you get the headline slot!" No indication if this will be every week. We'll keep you posted. (May 2, 2010)

At long last updates: Hey folks ... it's been a few weeks, so the news has been stockpiling. A few new open mics to report: VELOCITY FIVE in Clarendon, Virginia. "Sunday's Best Comedy" is every week (starting April 2010), organized by Travis Spencer. Sign up via e-mail: travfg@hotmail.com with "Sunday's Best Comedy" in the subject line.cover, and the show runs from 7:30 to 9. If you have any questions, try michaelsmartcomedy@live.com or biggpate@yahoo.com. Address: 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 Online: Velocity Five site CADDIES ON CORDELL in Bethesda, Maryland. "Bellylaughs in Bethesda" (Tuesdays) is organized by Wayne Manigo (wayne@waynemancomedy.com). Booking is done in advance -- e-mail Wayne. The show runs from 8 to 10. Address: 4922 Cordell Ave Bethesda, MD 20814 Online: Caddie's site NcDEVIN'S BAR AND GRILL in Canton, Maryland. Every other Thursday, starting 4/8/10. People interested in performing can contact C.J. Stottuth at cjstottuth@yahoo.com. Sign-up will start at 7:30 p.m. Address: 801 S. Decker Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224 PIZZERIA VENTI in Alexandria, Virginia. Thursdays starting 4/1/10, from 8 to 10. "Laugh Medicine" is hosted by Adaylah Banks. E-mail laugh.medicine@yahoo.com or adaylah.banks@yahoo.com for more information. Sets are 5 minutes long. Address: 301 John Carlyle St.,lAlexandria, VA Online: Pizzeria Venti site (March 29, 2010)

Storytelling Show: Passing this along from Vijai Nathan. It's a planned monthly comedy / storytelling show for Adams Morgan: I'm producing a Themed Comedy Show called "Fan-Freaking-Tastic" that combines stand-up, storytellers and music-- to create the funnest comedy party show in town! Performers who want to have fun, are cool with audience interaction are what I am looking for. Themes will be broad-- so don't worry! While the spots will not be paid, you will get a great audience and be able to craft your comedy. One of my goals was to provide a receptive space for comics to evolve their comedy into storytelling. Chris Rock, Russell Peters, Kathy Griffin-- all storytellers and all funny. I've already lined up 3 Saturdays between March and June-- More to come. If you have a clip online (3-5 minutes), please send it to me--Vijai-- at fanfreakcomedy@gmail.com New Shows I did an update of the Theater Show listings, so that's now up to day. The State Theatres has some new comedy ventures in the form of a Jim Norton show and Christopher Titus coming up in a few weeks. Also added is the Feb. 25 show at the Arts Club of Washington sponsored by Brightest Young Things; it's a combination music/comedy show. (February 15, 2010)

Ellie's Place: Another new open mic to report, this time on Tuesdays: ELLIE'S PLACE in Millersville, Maryland. Every other Tuesday starting February 9, 2010. Hosted by Jay Miller. The show starts at 8:30pm. E-mail Jay (jaysmiller@yahoo.com) to get a spot or more information. Address: 8421 Veterans Highway, Millersville, MD Online: Ellie's Place Facebook page Keep the info coming! And if you know of any open mics that have shut down, feel free to pass along that info as well. Send your news to chris@dcstandup.com. (February 1, 2010)

Open Mic updates: More open mic updates! Since our last post, we've tacked on the following listings: TOM TOM in Adams Morgan, DC. "Each and Every Wednesday: Black Steel + 2 Hours of Comedy at Tom Tom Bar and Grill in Adams Morgan with rotating hosts Haywood Turnipseed, Marcus Brown and Kasaun Wilson. Show Starts at 8:30. Sign up is on site. (Three Dollar Beers and Half Price Burgers)" Address: 2333 18th St. NW, Washington, DC Online: Tom Tom site ELEMENTS 24 in Forestville, Maryland. "The Giggle Zone" is a combination showcase and amateur night each Friday from 9 to 11, hosted by Tony Spoon. Admission is $10, and amateurs must sign in by 9 p.m. BYOL, mature audiences only. Address: 7828 Parston Drive, Forestville, MD Online: Elements 24 web site MARYGOLDS in Lanham, Maryland. "Spoon Fed Tuesdays" hosted by ... Tony Spoon. $5 drink specials all night. No cover charge. If you have questions you can e-mail tony_stewart74@yahoo.com for more information. Address: 8827 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD Online: Marygolds site All have been added to the open mic page and the venues map. Show updates If you click over to the calendar page, you'll notice we've tacked on a few shows -- mostly from WayneMan, who apparently is on a mission to organize something at every venue in a 50 mile radius of DC. Kudos. If you have an any upcoming shows (that aren't open mics) you would like listed, just send an e-mail to chris@dcstandup.com. (January 26, 2010)

Lounging Around: For fans of open mics: they picked up the option on Looking Glass Lounge. So for now there's a new open mic every other Monday at that location (the next show is on MLK Jr. Day). You can get all the info over at the open mic listings. In other lounge-related news, there's another installment of "Comedy Where Music Should Be" at the Velvet Lounge (915 U Street Northwest) on this Friday. It's a $4 cover and the show starts at 7. The featured performer is Ryan Conner, and the full line-up is listed at the calendar page. Finally, passing this along from Travis Spencer: "March Madness Comedy Competition @ Weyone Lounge March 9, 2010. Cash prize ($100) for the winner and a guest spot opening for A.G. White (that show is 4/1)." If you want more info, e-mail Travis (Travfg@hotmail.com). (January 11, 2010)