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Your next seven days should be filled with laughter. The following could help.
Friday, November 18: Cool Dudes Hanging Out at Velvet Lounge
This monthly stand-up showcase produced by Hillary Buckholtz and Brandon Wardell is the closest thing D.C. has to a UCB or Largo. Every month, they bring in non-local acts that are critically acclaimed but not widely known. This month features Lucas Molandes, whom I interviewed on Arts Desk yesterday. Also appearing are Will Hessler, Kyle Martin, and Jenn Tisdale. Brandon Wardell and Adam Friedland host. 7 p.m. $5. 21+.
Saturday, November 19: Raspberry Brothers Present Sing-A-Long with Moulin Rouge at Arlington Draftjouse
If you’re a fan of Mystery Science Theater but want to sit through something your girlfriend from high school loved and made you watch 10 time, this event is for you. The Raspberry Brothers skewer the films that are meant to be laughed at. Stay for the bucket-list screening of This is Spinal Tap to make your Saturday night full of music, accidental comedy, and market oversaturation. 7:20 p.m. $15. 21+.
Sunday, November 20: Bob Marley at DC Improv
Not the reggae guy. This Marley is a veteran stand-up who has been on every American late-night show and set the Guinness World Record for the longest set (40 hours!). Is this a good thing? Sure. It means the guy can and will riff on anything ever. He’s got the style of a more energized Seinfeld. Marley sounds like he’s from Maine (he is), and draws inspiration from the mainstream observational comics of the ’80s. No agenda and that’s perfectly fine. 8 p.m. $17. 18+. Also November 18 and 19.
Monday, November 21: Shakes the Clown at McFadden’s
The Washington Psychotronic Film Society returned a few weeks back at a new location in Foggy Bottom. Since relaunching, they’ve screened horror schlock highlights, a softcore B-film and a badass ’70s made-in-America kung-fu flick. This week they’re bringing Bobcat Goldwaith‘s 1992 clown movie back to life. Shakes the Clown, the comedian’s directorial and filmwriting debut, looks like it was released in 1992. It took almost 10 years until someone let Mr. Goldwaith behind the camera again. That’s a shame. Since this flick about an alcoholic clown, he’s made the extremely dark, extremely funny, and touching Sleeping Dogs Lie and World’s Greatest Dad. Revisiting Shakes should be an interesting experience: Maybe the story of a loser who can’t shake booze will resonate a little more 19 years later. 8 p.m. $2 donation. 21+.