Your next seven days should be filled with laughter. The following could help.
Friday, October 21: Cool Dudes Hanging Out at Velvet Lounge
This monthly Hillary Buckholtz/Brandon Wardell joint returns from its summer hiatus with a visit from New Orleans-bred vagabond Sean Patton. Patton, a 10-year veteran who’s starting to rise in the alt comedy ranks as well as the club scene, recently appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” ensuring him a career that doesn’t suck. Equal parts Marc Maron, Kyle Kinane, and Bill Burr, Patton is another one of those “I’m really smart but don’t make you feel dumb and isn’t this all kind of silly so lets have a laugh and jokes don’t need to follow a formula to be funny” kind of comics. If you’re in more of a traditional mood, the excellent Dave Attell will be at the DC Improv. 7 p.m., $5, 18+
Saturday: October 22: Brian Posehn at the Arlington Drafthouse
For the non-comedy nerd, Posehn is the big monster-looking guy that played the mail clerk on Just Shoot Me and half of a loving gay couple on The Sarah Silverman Show. For the metal heads he’s the guy who loves/hates what makes him a metalhead. For the potheads, he’s the guy who recently left the flock and played the Gathering of the Juggalos. If you still have no idea who I’m talking about, Brian Posehn is a funny stand-up comedian who uses music and film references to describe why he looks like someone who might be a serial killer. If you’re in more of a dick and midget-joke mood, the excellent Dave Attell will be at the DC Improv.7:30 and 10 p.m., $25; 7:30 p.m. all ages, 10pm 21+
Sunday, October 23: Lewis Black at The Fillmore
I bet Mr. Black is a really nice, calm man. The angry-at-everything-for justifiable-reasons thing has been going extremely well for almost two decades, and at this point I doubt it’s sincere. It has to be a character. Black doesn’t appear to be on the brink of a heart attack. His manic hand gestures emphasize his salient points. His emphasis on punchlines isn’t much different than Bill Burr or Bill Hicks or Greg Proops: They’re thought out and intentionally placed. Whether his stage persona is a persona or really who he is, this show is a sure bet if you know and like what he does. If you’re in more of an once-a-former-alcoholic mood, the excellent Dave Attell will be at the DC Improv. 8 p.m., $39.50 to $55, all ages
Thursday, October 27: Cinematic Titanic at GW Lisner Auditorium
From the Peabody-winning creators of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (I had no idea either. Peabody? Wow.) comes Cinematic Titanic. If you like a bunch of funny Peabody winners (still can’t believe it) cracking wise over poorly produced horror films, look no further. 8 p.m., $10-$35, all ages