The Apiary

One of DC's most well-attended shows is Three Chord Comedy at the Velvet Lounge , which typically runs one Friday a month. Generally a music venue, the Velvet Lounge (915 U Street NW, Washington, DC) has a dive bar feel with an intimate upstairs stage where standing patrons swill inexpensive drinks while they check out the latest humor stylings of the comedians du jour. Past performers have included out-of-towners as well as locals.

The next show is TONIGHT at 7 p.m. ($4 at the door), and the line-up includes Rob Cantrell (The Marijuana-Logues, The Late Late Show), Mike Eltringham (DC Improv), Ahmed Huidobro (Hot Broth Comedy), and host Eli Sairs (Bentzen Ball '09).

-- Aparna Nancherla

Cast members Catherine Deadman and Mike Bass | Photo: Washington Improv Theater

By: Aparna Nancherla

This past weekend marked the eighth annual premiere of Washington Improv Theater 's Seasonal Disorder show, in which audience's own life-based suggestions are used to create a particular family's holiday experience. According to cast member Karin Hammerberg , the Friday show featured a family snowed into a church with Pastor Jay who carried a guitar but never played it, Uncle Roscoe (no relation to anyone) but the boy scout leader, two twentysomethings destined for love but from dysfunctional families, and 15-year-old Russell and his misguided parents. Sounds like a recipe for holiday magic!

In addition, WIT's many other troupes including Caveat , Jackie , Season Six , Jinx , and IMusical also presented shows running the gamut from monoscenes to tales with singing to exploring worlds within worlds to stories that are told backwards to a format cryptically entitled "The Slacker."

Full details on WIT's holiday run schedule (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, now thru Jan. 2) are available here .

-- Aparna Nancherla is a Washington D.C.-based comedian whose credits include NBC Stand Up for Diversity finalist and Last Comic Standing. More importantly, she is on Twitter and her stand up and improv performance schedule stays current here .