DECEMBER 29-JANUARY 3

Imagine, someone with nice things to say about Washington! In fact, comedian Pablo Francisco can barely contain his enthusiasm for our fair city, calling it “a beautiful town” and rattling off a list of inspiring sites he plans to see while here. When given the choice of spending New Year’s in D.C., Francisco says his reaction was “Hell, yeah!” Working D.C., the comic insists, is “a privilege,” adding, “And on top of that, the people are very, very easygoing. They’re not judgmental or anything like that.” Obviously, the young entertainer, Mad-TV regular, and nominee for Funniest Best Male Stand Up 1998 by the American Comedy Awards is referring to the city’s natives and not those quarrelsome interlopers on the Hill. So let’s return the compliments and buy his new CD Knee to the Groin by calling 1-877-PABLO-OK. At 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Sunday, Jan. 3; at 8 & 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31; and at 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2 at the Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. $12-50. (202) 296-7008. (Dave Nuttycombe)