Your next seven days should be filled with laughter. The following could help.
Friday, May 6: Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey: Brilliant Stupidity at The Red Palace
If you’re in the mood for some old fashioned fun that involves trapeze and striptease, here’s a show for you. Trixie and Monkey lead this burlesque/sideshow/variety/comedy act for two shows tonight at The Red Palace. We’ve come full circle with burlesque. It’s now back to acceptable and this Baltimore duo realized that once something is acceptable, you might as well have a guy that’s able to lift cinder blocks with his nipples. 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. $10 advance, $15 at the door. 21+
Saturday, May 7: Harland Williams at DC Improv
Harland Williams is actually funny. He may be manic, off-the-wall, and all-around odd, but he is funny. He’s able to go on a 10-minute jag about nothing and does it in a way that makes you feel like a smarter than him while laughing maniacally. Yes, he’s known as one of the stoners in Half Baked, and yes, is he Canadian, but please don’t keep you from heading to the Improv. The man is a genius and sooner or later, the rest of the comedy-loving public will catch up. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., also performing May 6 and 8. $22. 21+
Sunday, May 8: Donald Glover and Childish Gambino at Black Cat
It’s easy to take Donald Glover for granted. He’s handsome, funny, and young. He’s on the best-written sitcom on television, Community, and used to write on the second-best-written sitcom on television, 30 Rock. He’s a great, understated actor. A very good alt comic. He’s been producing music for years and released his first instrumental album for free last year. He’s currently on tour warming up for his May 14 stand-up recording. This stop includes stand-up, videos, and music. If you’re not a fan, I pity you. Glover is going to be everywhere in the next few years. $20; sold out, but don’t be surprised if some tickets are released the day of show. 8 p.m. All ages.
Tuesday, May 10: Eye of the Tiger: Stories about Winning and Losing at Town Danceboutique
We’re officially in the golden age of storytelling. Events like this seem to occur at least once a week on a large, classy scale. What makes it classy? The more than $5 cover to listen to people tell stories. Hilarious! We’ve crossed a line. Do people really like This American Life and The Moth that much? $14 in advance, $15 day of show. 8 p.m. 21+
Thursday, May 12: Doug Stanhope at The State Theater
If you think of Stanhope as one of the former hosts of The Man Show and nothing else, you’re missing out. He may be the most important stand-up working today. Sure, he doesn’t have as much hipster cred as Patton Oswalt, the success of Dane Cook, or the critical acclaim of David Cross, but he’s just as good as all of them. Stanhope has managed to work out a niche audience that will see him in non-traditional venues, which explains this appearance at The State Theater. Watch the clip at the top of this post. It’s from Stanhope’s 2000 album Something to Take the Edge Off. If you like it, you’ll like everything Stanhope does. $21 advance, $23 day of show. 8 p.m. 21+