This Could Be Funny: Adam Carolla
Your next seven days should be filled with laughter. The following could help.
Friday, January 20: Friday Night Laughs at RFD
The weekly open mic at RFD is hit-or-miss. It's not the hosts' or venue's fault; it's just what happens at every local mic. That said, the open mic at RFD is the least uncomfortable in D.C. Even when things are getting a little sad and too thearaputic on stage, you can count on the regulars that make up tonight's excellent bill. Will Hessler thrives after fellow comics bomb. Adrian Rodney is completely comfortable pointing out the awkwardness. All of the comics that make up Three Guys On are veterans who know how to cater to any room. For a Friday night show in Chinatown, I'm happily surprised that this show isn't at least $10, which would be a more than fair price. 7 p.m. Free.
Saturday, January 21: Adam Carolla at Fillmore Silver Spring
Love him or hate him, Adam Carolla is a major influence in comedy, podcasting, radio, and television. He came in through the back door: He's not exactly a stand-up, writer, host, or actor, yet he's done all of that in the last 15 years, slowly growing richer and richer. Why? He's completely himself, warts and all, at all times, for better or worse. He'll do whatever it takes to maintain a growing racing car collection. Be it cookie ad man, Leno correspondent, Celebrity Apprentice cast member or bestselling author, the guy will repeat the same story in all of these forums and manage to get laughs. That may scream insincerity in a field where it's extremely important to be yourself, but Carolla has proven that he honestly does not care what you think. 8 and 10 p.m. $30-$50.
Tuesday, January 24: Bare! True Stories of Sex, Desire and Romance
The storytelling movement shows no signs of slowing down. The Moth, RISK!, and This American Life have brought one of the oldest forms of entertainment back into the public’s ears. In the past few years, storytelling slams have replaced poetry and stand-up open mics, bringing the two crowds together—and yielding surprisingly good results. Live storytelling is simple: No loud noises, pyrotechnics, or nudity are necessary. “Bare!,” a series about sex, desire, and romance, comes to Black Cat tonight after a successful series of shows at Brooklyn’s Union Hall. Producer, writer, and sex educator Jefferson is the mastermind behind this evening of sexuality-based storytelling; tonight, he and New York singer/songwriter Kimi Lundie are the only nonlocal guests on a lineup chock full of D.C.’s best storytellers, who have been tasked with sharing stories about “firsts.” Highlights include Story League co-founder SM Shrake, SpeakeasyDC regular Derek Hills, and D.C. Dungeon proprietor British “Lucky” Paul. Free-flowing booze and tales of debauchery on a cold January night? Sounds like a recipe for more memorable moments. 8 p.m. at Black Cat Backstage, $8.
Thursday, January 26: The Family Hemerlein at Gibson Guitar Showroom
Seaton Smith returns after last month's sold-out Family Hemerlein showcase, which automatically ensures an entertaining experience. The series continues with unknown—at least to D.C.—comic Nore Davis. Davis is one of Tracy Morgan's favorite stand-ups. It makes sense. Davis is high-energy, likes to say bitch a lot, and is still charming and funny. Within five years he'll at least have a shot at a sitcom. 6:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
3:06 am
This is possibly the worst journalism I've ever encountered. RFD has one of if not the best open mic in the area every Thursday. The 'regulars' that made up the bill Friday are not only unprofessional, they are not even welcome back at that venue. The fact that they happen to be professionally involved with the author of this article not withstanding, they decided to take a cheap shot at the venue in order to promote a show that bombed in any sense of the word. That happens, I'd just would have hoped the Washington City Paper would be professional enough to ensure the author wasn't 'in bed' with the subjects of the article. I'm awfully disappointed and think your readers deserve a retraction/apology.
12:06 pm
I agree with Pat. It's a shame that you have continued to keep printing him. It's well known that Wetherbee is personally associated with everything that he promotes in the City Paper. He's not a journalist and his recommendations should come with a disclaimer.
RFD does have the best open mic in the area on Thursday Night.
12:10 pm
Correction... that he positively promotes in city paper.
Major comics that come to town are always put down by him.