Happy Funtime Friend Service

You might even say there’s a whole festival of Shakespeare going on in town (and really there is in case you haven’t noticed).  And the Library of Congress Pickford Theatre is in on the act, showing some of the best adaptations of Shakespeare on film. This Friday is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Macbeth with Ian McKellan (Gandalf), Judi Dench (before she was a Dame), and Ian McDiarmid.  Filmed for television, the production received rave reviews.

On Tuesday, 24 July, the rarely seen or produced Two Gentlemen of Verona will be screened.  One of Shakespeare’s earliest works, the play has  only been produced twice on film.  This production by the BBC is from 1983.

Other films in the series include The Dresser with Albert Finney and Comedy of Errors.  The series concludes at the end of the month with Jean Luc Godard’s King Lear.

As always, call 202.707.5677 up to 7 days in advance to reserve seats.  But it’s almost always worth showing up even if you don’t have reservations as unclaimed seats are released 10 minutes before showtime (and that’s a reminder to be on time if you have a reservation).

Our favorite DJ Lil e is hosting “A Little Respect” on the main stage at the Black Cat featuring the music and side projects of Erasure and the Pet Shop Boys on Friday, July 20th.  That’s the night before I leave for India, so it’s my intention to be fully packed and dancing my heart out.  Come by, support Lil e, and say hi.  Doors open at 10-ish, party gets hopping around 11, it’s always fun until the very end. Tickets are $10 and now the Black Cat is now smoke-free which makes me happy, happy, happy.  Grab a group and come on out.

One of our dear friends (and admin of this very blog) has been booked for her first professional comedy gig (that means she’s getting actual cash money to tell jokes), so come out next Friday (July 14) to the Laugh Riot Bethesda Hyatt (7400 Wisconsin Avenue) at 7 p.m. $10 + a 2 drink minimum. There are plenty of great restaurants in the Bethesda corridor plus the Landmark movie theaters - make a night of it.

Our friends over at Speak Easy DC are holding their monthly story telling night at the Source Theatre this month (meet beforehand at Bar Pilar).  The theme is Eureka Moments & Epiphanies.   They are still in the  midst of their fundraising efforts - I believe they need about another $8K to meet the goal for the matching grant and every dollar spent at events counts, so get out and listen to some good stories.  Plus there aren’t many organized storytelling events like this left, and it’s important to preserve good storytelling.  I think I’m going to take the next class they offer.

Single tickets for David Beckham’s appearance with the LA Galaxy against the DC United finally went on sale at Ticketmaster.  They’re selling quickly, so if you want to see Mr. Beckham, who has apparently returned to form, be sure to get them soon or risk paying outrageous scalper fees.  7 p.m. on August 9th at RFK.  Metro is Stadium Armory and definitely the way to go.  This will be my first DC United game, and I’m looking forward to it.

My favorite local Celtic music played by Ukranian boys - otherwise known as Scythian - are the Thursday night regulars at Fado in Chinatown.  And they draw a regular crowd each week.  But this week marks their third anniversary at Fado, so try to get out and raise a glass with them.  And if you can remember “a flea on a feather, a feather on a bird, a bird in a nest, a nest on branch, a branch on a limb, a limb on a tree, a tree in a bog, and the bog down in the valley-o, you might win a prize.

(Just a hint - they are a lot of fun if you buy them a round of shots.)

I’m just back from Iota and the Autism benefit - my esteemed co-author joined me as well and we had a nice dinner and enjoyed some live music.  One of the things I like best about going out to see the local bands I’ve come to enjoy is also seeing who else is playing that night and learning about other local artists.  After all, Honor by August playing at the State introduced me to Daniela Cotton.  And tonight, we were introduced to Eva Castillo.

I don’t know why I don’t usually listen to girls (musically) except jazz but I admire anyone who gets up on stage with just a guitar and sings words they wrote themselves.  And Eva has a good stage presence and good words - as she said 80% about boys she couldn’t have for one reason or another and 20% about world peace.  We’ve all been there.

Eva’s at Chief Ike’s on 18th Street in DC on Thursday if you’d like to catch here there later this week.

Okay, this gets complicated so you have to pay attention - there’s a lot good stuff going on this week.

Justin Trawick is at Iota tonight in Clarendon.  That’s where I’ll be.  If you can’t see him there tonight, catch him at the 930 club on Friday.  It’s a big deal for him, and if you like supporting local artists (and if you’re here I’m guessing you do), he’s definitely worth listening to.  Buy a t-shirt, it was designed by a friend.

Unfortunately, I won’t be at the 930, because I’l l be back at Iota for Honor by August (with Crash Boom Bang opening).  But if you choose to go to the 930 on Friday, I forgive you, as long as you present yourself at Iota on Saturday evening for the second night of Honor by August. 

I gotta talk to Iota about a season pass…

Sorry for the late notice but tonight (and it’s a beautiful day, and I think it will be a lovely night) is Right Round (as in you spin me right round baby, right round) at the Black Cat (14th & S, NW), hosted by our very favorite DJ - Lil’ e.  Starts around 10, gets hoppin’ around 11, stays fun til 2.  I always have a blast and the only people who don’t just don’t like fun and you don’t want to be on that list, do you?

And mark your calendar now for July 20th and a special night at the Black Cat with Lil’ e - a special dance party of her own design.

That’s One Ton Wonton and while I admit I don’t understand the name of the band, I do like the funky / jazzy / rock thing they’ve got going on.  They’ll be at Ragtime at 1345 North Courthouse in Arlington on Wednesday (June 20).  I’ll be there with some past and present coworkers and as many of the Happy Funtime Crew as I can convince to come along.