Local Ish: Just For Laughs (7/10 – 7/12)

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While Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse is mostly known for well…movies and beer, they will also occasionally host stand-up performances.  This weekend, they have a comedian who also is more well-known for something else.  Like many comedic actors, Mark Curry (aka Mr. Cooper from ABC’s, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper), began his career in stand-up (he has both HBO and Comedy Central specials).  Unlike most actors however, he also hosted Showtime at the Apollo and been featured in videos by hip-hop artists, Too $hort, Bow Wow, and the Luniz.  Tickets are $22 with 1 show Friday and 2 on Saturday.

The Capital Fringe Festival officially began yesterday, but really starts to kick in to gear beginning this weekend.  For those not familiar, Capital Fringe is a 4-year old, nonprofit organization with the goal of exposing performance artists to audiences which they otherwise may never reach.  This year’s festival runs through the 26th of the month and is located between Penn Quarter and Mount Vernon Square.  The types of performances include cabaret, comedy, dance, drama, musical, theater, and experimental (for those that don’t fall under any of the previous headings).  You can view the complete schedule of shows and can sort by time, type, venue, and (possibly the most important) age appropriateness.  And don’t worry, like with every good festival, food and drink are available.  Head over to the Baldacchino Gypsy Bar to refuel and enjoy some libations as you soak in the scene and remember that all proceeds from the bar benefit the Festival and the Fringe artists so make sure you show your support.

Although they have yet to upgrade their website, All Stars Comedy Club has upgraded their comedic talent (even if only slightly) since their last appearance in this column.  This weekend they have Kevin Lee “The Amazing Comic Magician” and he actually has some credits that are (again, even if only slightly) more recent than an 80′s sitcom including Showtime at the Apollo, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and he was also voted “Washington’s Funniest Comedian” in Washingtonian magazine (although I cannot find the year).  All Stars is located 3 blocks from the Court House Metro Station and tickets are available for just $12.

At The Comedy Spot (Ballston Common Mall, Arlington), you should not expect the typical stand-up performance wherein the audience sits there watching as a lone comedian stands on-stage performing a well-rehearsed routine.  At most places you can catch a new show every weekend, but that is solely because there is an entirely different person performing.  Here you will catch a different show every time, but that’s because no 2 shows will ever be the same as this…is improv.  To those not familiar with the term, think of it as “freestyle comedy” (and please not as ‘Wild N Out‘) where 2 teams compete to create scenes or make up songs on the spot as the audience yells out suggestions.  The earlier of the evening shows (8:00pm Fridays/7:30pm Saturdays), ComedySportz, is appropriate to bring the kids to as there is no vulgar language and the topics do not include anything of a sexual or violent nature.  The later, Blue Show (10:00pm both nights), on the other hand does include cursing, more raucous topics, and more suggestive suggestions from the audience.  Tickets to these shows are $15 (with Military and Senior Discounts available).  They also have a special, ComedySportz4Kidz on the 1st Saturday of each month (sorry, we just missed it) that focuses on the suggestions of the 12-and-under crowd and at just $10, could be a good idea for something a little different to do with the kids on a weekend afternoon.

Ok so…best for last and all that good stuff.  DC Improv, Pablo Francisco, if tickets are even still available, you should probably secure them pretty soon because they are not going to last.  Pablo Francisco, or as he is known by some “that guy that does the voice of that guy that does the voiceovers for movie trailers,” really began to get his standup comedy noticed after he landed a spot on MADtv, which then lead to a Comedy Central Presents special, and then on to a tour with Carlos Mencia.  He is known for the variety of celebrity impressions he is capable of doing and also for his skills at beatboxing (NSFW-Language).  [BONUS:  Here's a podcast from a DC Improv interview]

udothedishes…

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1. Local Ish: Thanksgiving Weekend
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