While other locations on the D.C. comedy circuit may have a longer track record, small comedy clubs are popping up regularly outside of the city limits. In fact, if you live in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington, you can walk out your front door and find one just down the street. All Stars Comedy Club is located inside Listrani’s restaurant on Wilson Boulevard, and features comedy most nights of the week.
Started in 2003 by comedian Dave Tullis (pictured)and his wife Cathy, All Stars began at a restaurant called Jillian’s in Arundel Mills Mall outside of Annapolis. Dave Tullis had been performing in New York City clubs,, at the Apollo Theater and even on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. When he decided to stay home and take care of his children, All Stars Comedy Club was born.
All Stars moved to Arlington, and now resides fulltime at Listrani’s. Tullis performs at all shows, and his wife Cathy runs the operation behind the scenes. The two also operate the restaurant. Cathy Tullis said that her husband’s favorite time is when he’s performing.
"[Dave] lives for his stage time, whether good or bad," she said. "Comedy is a lifestyle and comics are a breed of their own."
While Dave Tullis headlines some shows at All Stars, he also opens for the many touring comedians who perform, including a stop from none other than Jimmie "J.J." Walker, of "Good Times" fame, in June. Listrani’s also has an outdoor deck that promises to be popular this summer.
If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at standup comedy, All Stars Comedy Club has opportunities for you, too. Every Saturday at 3 p.m., a comedy workshop helps up-and-coming comedians hone their craft with advice from professionals. $20 gets you in. And after you’ve worked up your act—and your courage—head out to the open mic every Tuesday and Wednesday night at the club.
For those who haven’t yet had a chance to check out All Stars Comedy Club, Cathy Tullis has a promise for you.
"All Stars is modeled after a New York or Philly club," she said. "It is small, intimate, and sometimes risqué. You will always have a different experience, but you will definitely be entertained." --Jon Kaplan
All Stars Comedy Club (at Listrani’s Restaurant):
2317 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA;
703-739-7377;
http://www.allstarscomedy.com" www.allstarscomedy.com
June 3 - 25 June 4 - 7 June 5 - 6 June 11 - 14 Friday, June 12 June 12 - 13 Saturday, June 13 June 18 - 21 Judah Friedlander Thursday, June 18 June 24 - 28 Thursday, June 25 Friday, June 26 June 26 - 27
May Madness
Never mind that it’s now June. Sixty-four of the area’s best comedians will compete for $6,000 during May Madness, which will take place every Wednesday and Thursday night at 8 p.m. at The Comedy Spot. There are four brackets with sixteen comedians in each bracket, and there will be five rounds per night. Check out www.comedyindc.com for a complete list of all comedians and for more details. The Comedy Spot: 4238 Wilson Blvd. (in Ballston Common Mall), Arlington, VA; 703-294-5233; www.comedyindc.com
Russell Peters
He’s been doing standup for more than 20 years and has performed with Dave Chapelle, Dane Cook, Chris Tucker and more, and you may have seen him on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Comedy Central, HBO, and other networks. Check out www.russellpeters.com to see more. He’ll be performing June 4-7 at DC Improv. Tickets are $45. DC Improv: 1140 Connecticut Ave., NW, D.C.; 202-296-7008;
http://www.dcimprov.com" / www.dcimprov.com
Joe DeRossa
You know him from "Last Call with Carson Daly," Comedy Central’s "Premium Blend," Vibe Magazine’s "Whiteboyz in the Hood," and other television appearances. Now see him live when he comes to All Stars Comedy Club on June 5- 6. Shows are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturday with the option to have dinner on Saturday night at 6 or 9 p.m. Tickets are just $12. For more details, check out www.allstarcomedy.com. All Stars Comedy Club: 2317 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA; 703-739-7377;
http://www.allstarscomedy.com" / www.allstarscomedy.com
Tony Rock
Tony Rock is a young star in the making. He’s been performing for more than four years now and is immensly poplular in Amsterdam. Check him out when he comes to the DC Improv June 11-14. And yes, he’s Chris’s brother. Tickets start at just $15. For more details, check out www.dcimprov.com. DC Improv: 1140 Connecticut Ave., NW, D.C.; 202-296-7008;
http://www.dcimprov.com" / www.dcimprov.com
Gabriel Iglesias: 2 Hot 2 Fluffy Tour
Gabriel Iglesias, star of Comedy Central’s hit standup special "Hot & Fluffy," has been selling out at comedy clubs from Maine to California. His knack for storytelling has made him a crowd favorite and he’ll be performing at the Warner Theatre on June 12 to show the D.C. crowd how to really laugh. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $32.50. Warner Theatre: 513 13th St., NW, D.C.; 202-783-4000; www.warnertheatre.com
Jimmy "JJ" Walker
You know him as the "Dy-no-mite!!" guy. Famous for his appearances on "Good Times," Jimmy "JJ" Walker was called Comedian of the Decade by Time Magazine. While Walker is well-loved in the television scene, his first love is still standup. Watch him at All Stars Comedy Club o June 12- 13 with tickets just costing $12. Shows are at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturday with the option to get dinner at 6 and 9 p.m. on Saturday. For more details, check out www.allstarscomedy.com. All Stars Comedy Club: 2317 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA; 703-739-7377; www.allstarscomedy.com
Orny Adams: Comedy for a Cause
Show your support for Jewish DC while you laugh yourself to tears with Orny Adams, co-star of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedian and a regular on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Adams is making his only East Coast appearance at Sixth and I for a night of standup benefitting local community members in need. Tickets are $25, $35 and $50. A $50 ticket will allow you access for a meet and greet with the comedian and front row seating. Go to www.sixthandi.org to purchase your ticket today. Sixth and I Historic Synagogue: 600 I Street NW, D.C.; 202-408-3100;
http://www.sixthandi.org" / www.sixthandi.org
Judah Friedlander (pictured below) is a standup comedian known as the World Champion in standup, according to himself. He is a great athlete, master in martial arts, gets lots of girls and is a role model. Pretty much you could say that he’s better at everything than you. You’ll certainly get a lot of laughs watching Judah one-up the audience at the DC Improv June 18- 21. You know Judah from the hit comedy show "30 Rock." Head out for shows that cost from $17. For more details and showtimes, go to www.dcimprov.com. DC Improv: 1140 Connecticut Ave., NW, D.C.; 202-296-7008;
http://www.dcimprov.com" / www.dcimprov.com
Judy Gold is Mommy Queerest
Judy Gold is an actress, mom, comedian, author and a lesbian. Check her out on her off-Broadway comedy show tour "Judy Gold is Mommy Queerest" when it hits the Birchmere on June 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.50. Want to see more of Judy? Head to www.judygold.com for more information. The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA; 703-549-7500;
http://www.birchmere.com" / www.birchmere.com
Jake Johannsen
Jake Johannsen spent three years of his life at Iowa State University pretending to major in veterinary science and chemical engineering before moving to San Francisco to try his hand at comedy. He’s been on Letterman more than 40 times, Conan O’Brien and "The Tonight Show." You may have also seen him as part of the 10th annual HBO special, "This’ll Take About an Hour." See him at the DC Improv June 24-28 with tickets starting at $15. For more details, go to www.dcimprov.com. DC Improv: 1140 Connecticut Ave., NW, D.C.; 202-296-7008;
http://www.dcimprov.com" / www.dcimprov.com
An Evening with Kathy Griffin
Her stories from life on the D-List will make your sides hurt with laughter. The vivacious red-headed Kathy Griffin will be at Merriweather on Thursday, June 25 to enlighten you and make you laugh all night long. Her show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced from $35. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD; 410-715-5550; www.merriweathermusic.com
David Sedaris
In essay after essay in "When You are Engulfed in Flames", Sedaris examines bizarre conundrums of daily life like having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a fellow passenger on a plane. His writing is both poignant and hilarious. Don’t miss it when he comes to Borders to read from his most recent book on June 26 at 7:30 p.m. Borders Bailey’s Crossroads: 5871 Crossroads Center Way, Bailey’s Crossroads, VA; 703-998-0404.
Howard G
Howard G is best known for his incredible impersonations of different celebrities. You’ve seen him on "Showtime at the Apollo," HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and BET’s Comicview. See him when he performs at All Stars Comedy Club June 26-27. Tickets are just $12 and show times are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturday. Head out early on Saturday for dinner before the show at 6 or 9 p.m. For more details, check out www.allstarscomedy.com. All Stars Comedy Club: 2317 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA; 703-739-7377;
http://www.allstarscomedy.com" / www.allstarscomedy.com
Jim Gaffigan
King Baby
www.jimgaffigan.com
Jim Gaffigan is the epitome of the lazy man, and to a certain extent, we can all be guilty of following in his footsteps. We’ve all had times when we were just too lazy to do anything, sleeping in late on the weekends, but Georgetown grad Gaffigan takes it one step further. In his latest comedy CD — "King Baby," which also debuted recently on Comedy Central — he jokes that he can’t be bothered to clean bottles before recycling them, quipping at his wife, "I haven’t showered yet. Maybe I should wash myself before I wash the garbage?" Another ode to laziness—he hires a legal team to read his lengthy legal documents. "How much do you charge? $500. An hour. That seems reasonable. Just make sure I’m not giving away a kid or anything." -- Alfredo Flores