(Best of the Capital Fringe)
This is a review of the July 18, 2014 performance.
DC Institution, The Capital City Showcase will make five stops at Fringe this year, all organized and emceed by the man in the red suit, Christian Hunt. It is a variety show featuring stand-up comics, rock bands, acoustic singer-songwriters, and hip hop artists from around DC. DCMetroTheaterArts will be reviewing everyone one of them. Each act lasts for about 3 songs or 10 minutes, so if you find you don’t like one act – another will come along. Last night’s show featured comedians Matty Litwack, Jenn Tisdale, Andy Kline, and Damo Hicks, the band Harris Face and the Restoration, and hip hop artist Bo Jankans with DJ J-Scrilla.
Matty Litwack started off with an understated, self-deprecating style and lots of DC jokes that had the audience laughing hard. His bit about his years as an only child was comic gold. Jenn Tisdale followed with more of a story telling style – building up to a few brilliant moments. Andy Kline took the stage next and no topic was taboo. (This is definitely a show for grown ups. Since it’s at the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent bar and the audience left regularly to top up, that’s hardly surprising.) Kline laughed at the Ku Klux Klan, the Redskins, and Arlington. One thing for sure, you laugh even when you don’t want to. Davo Hicks came on to cover tampons, ghosts, and other unprintable things in a seriously funny set as well.
The comics took a break for Harris Face and the Restoration, a mainstay of the local scene. He has an acoustic rock vibe with a splash of blues and country. His back up band plays steel guitar (which one comic said was a magic trick performed on a piano) and a steel bass. He also plays harmonica on original songs like “Escalator Romance” and a bit of brilliance on a song about moving to DC from NY work the lyrics “Hometown, I hate you back.”
Bo Jankans and DJ J-SCRILLA capped the evening with a hip hop set of serious rhymes. He’s gaining serious traction up and down the east coast, including a gig for the troops on the USS Harry Truman. J-SCRILLA is also one of the best DJs in the world. He came in ninth at a recent global competition. My favorite was the song “1 More Shot” about living in the moment. Jankans also laid down some freestyle, guaranteeing it was in fact freestyle by riffing on objects the audience flashed at him. Overall, the evening was a great way to see some local talent, experience a lot of different acts, and enjoy this crazy weather at the Capital Fringe Tent.
Running Time: 90 minutes.
Capital City Showcase plays through July 27, 2014 at Baldacchino Tent Bar – Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave NW in Washington D.C. For performance times and to purchase tickets, visit their Capital Fringe Page.
Hey, just a quick bit of info of last night’s performance, it was actually Bo Jankans and DJ Ragz. Brian Rags Ragonese . Skrilla is a writer/producer and great friend of both, and was at the event as well. But DJ Rags was performing
Thank you, Thomas! We’ll update the article and make the necessary corrections. Much appreciated :)