Indulj on U Street

Another open mic completed. It was a little late starting but it was a great time. What can I say? You've got to love local comedy. I always have to give it up to Tash. I had to leave at 10:45 so I couldn't catch some of the last sets. If you ever get the chance come see the show even if I'm not performing. Free show. Great comics.

My set? Eh. I don't know. According to the small group that came for me, it was good. However, I didn't get the thunderous laughter that I'd like to command. It was all new material. Some went over really well and some that I thought would do well... was 'not so much.'

I paid my respects to Michael. It may have been out of place because I'm so damn goofy up there. It might have been hard to distinguish whether or not I was sincere. I was! I guess when you start up with Michael, the crowd is waiting for the punchline. Judging. Gaging whether or not it was tasteful or too soon. Tread lightly.

Indulj is definately one of my favorite rooms. Well, right now, it's the only room. I'd like to expand to see how these jokes fair with different crowds.

Overall? Always a good time. I love this stuff. I would really like to spend more time on my craft. I mean really sitting, writing, testing, re-writing, punching up a joke and kicking it with other comics. I'm too busy trying to save the world and raising the kids. I'll find time.

Until then, thank you everyone for keeping up with my blog and supporting live comedy.

First time at Indulj on U Street

Oh man. I just got back from Indulj on U Street.

First off, I have to send a shout-out to Tashya T for putting this thing on. She is a hustler. I love it. I always complain about how DC sucks for comedy. It's not fair that there so many talented comics in the DC area but with MD and VA in the mix, it somehow doesn't make for a solid comedy scene *shrug*. While I complain about not finding the right open mics and venues, Tashya T is all hustle putting a room together. I know, I know, I'm on her nuts.

On to tonight's set. After the MC did a little crowd control and gave me a sick intro, I started off with some stupid joke about sharks and I had the room. After that, the notes were out the door and everything just flowed. The new jokes did well and I'm pretty sure my energy sold it that much more. I have time to work on them. They could use a little tweaking and punches here and there.

I couldn't wait to blog about tonight's set because it further confirms how important it is to have a crowd. After stale room after stale room, you find yourself trying to entertain other comics. Matt Kazam warned me about this. This just isn't the way to structure your material/delivery. This is not to say that my peers aren't important because they are. Their input is invaluable because they can dissect your material like a science. However, if you find yourself just performing for them, find another room.

In summary, it was great. I had so much fun and remember why I love it so much. I left feeling like comedy wasn't such a drag. How could it be? Your job is to make people laugh. They want to laugh. You just have to make it happen. Tonight, I made it happen.

A few more of these open mics and I should be ready for my big show. I'm building the buzz. Friends, old and new, want to come to a T Phiz show.

Last week a buddy of mine from high school died in a car crash. I haven't seen him since high school. He was supposed to come out to see me. He never did because I put off comedy for a few months more than I should have. Life is short. I really feel like a dick for not making an effort at a reunion. Follow your dreams people.

I'm back! ...I think. *shrug* ... *smiles*

Back on the Comedy Scene

Phizzle is back. June 1st, 2009, I got back on stage (technically there wasn't a stage, but you get the point). The last time I did comedy was on October 18th, 2008.

So why the hiatus? My life! It wasn't falling apart or anything (that happened in 2007) but I had to get my focus on. In 8 months, I found a new job, sent wifey back to school and changed my entire lifestyle in recovery of the real estate debacle. Things are leveling off. The girls are adjusted to our new schedule, Lucas is the mostest gangstarest 22 month-old toddler in the world, I'm a rising star at work and it feels like I've got a handle on things. With that, I felt I could gradually ease my way back into the comedy.

So how was my set last night? I don't know. I started off on a tittie tangent - I know, it seemed funnier when I was writing it down. Dane Cook does tangents all the time. After the tittie bit, I eased right into strippers and Asian observations. Within moments, I felt right at home. I want to take the same set and try it in another room.

Overall, it felt like a pretty good set. I brought 6 non-coms with me which brought the non-com total to 9. Tragic. I know. I guess that statistic is something that won't change.

So where do I go from here? I guess to a few more open mics to have enough for an end-of-summer show.

Thank you all for encouraging words.

Comedy Update

So much to talk about.  Let's start with the big show that just came and went (September 18th, 2008).

It was a good show and a fantastic line-up.  I expected about 60 people to show-up.  How many showed up?  18.  What happened?  I don't know about you, but 10 bucks for a quality show is much better than some of the crappy movies we pay in excess of.  Chad Heft brought a handful of people so in regards to the size of the room, it felt a lot less dense than a real comedy show should feel like. 

As for my set, I did about 13mins of material - my longest set to date.  I feel really good about it too.  I was calm and relaxed.  I looked at my notes a lot but I didn't need to because I knew all of it.  I guess I just needed a safety net.

Soon after the show, I posted it on Facebook and YouTube.  Why pay $10 for a show and drag your ass out of your house when you can watch 13 minutes of my set in the comfort of work?  It seems like to be the alternative for most people.  This is good and bad.  It's good because I'm seeing the positive feedback on my set from people who have viewed the video.  It's bad because the same people viewing the video should be in the audience contributing to the laughter in the room.  More laughter in the room always equals more quality performance.  I don't know.

I've got another show scheduled for the 16th of October.  Here is the line-up:  Eric Myers, me, Jim Pate, John Habel, Chad Heft and Lee Willis.  Hopefully there will be more people at this show.

First time at 11th Street Lounge

Alright.  This place is definately nicer than Wiseacres.  It's cozier too.  But a lot like Wiseacres, all comics, 3 non-coms.  I thought this would be a great place to test my set for the 18th but again, I don't know.  Maybe my whole set sucks.  I'm going to try to get on for Wednesday at Wiseacres too for one last shot at getting my shit together for the 18th show.

I met up with Sarah and Vinny on Saturday to go over material and share updates.  It was cool.  I have more fun writing and coming up with the material than actually getting up there to deliver.  What is the universe telling me?  Can I preach for a sec?  I'm a big deal.  Why do I need to get up there to tell jokes to these people that are possibly unequip to understand.  Hmmm, where do I go?  High brow?  Low brow?

I guess at this point, I gotta just be me and see where it'll go.  It's tough to do because I know I'm the shit but night after night, I'm getting these blank stares.  It's whatever.  Mo practice makes it mo betta.

Another Open Mic in the Books

I just did another open mic. Each set is getting easier and easier. I no longer care about the crowd because let's face it, it's Wiseacres. Dreams go there to die. I'm more concerned about hamming it up for the camera because I have more viewership on FaceBook and YouTube than Wiseacres.

Tonight, I did some new material and brought back the 'God on FaceBook' bit. I did the 'Obama Inaugural speech' bit but sort of blew the punchline. One black comic half-way got offended and took a jab at Phizzle (me) at the end of pretty good set. He could have ended his set but he had to take a moment to say something that really wasn't funny - only racist. I'm OK with it because he looked like a chubby Bow Wow. How can you be mad at that? You can take the 'Lil' out of Lil Bow Wow, you'll still be Lil Bow Wow.

I really need to start piecing my act together for the September 18th show. It starts now.

Mandy gave me a great idea for a T-Shirt. I am going to put the picture of the Sept 18 Show Flyer on a white T-Shirt and wear it to next week's open mic.

Tonight's set is on Facebook and YouTube. Phizzle and Mandy's.

Show update

The September 18th, 2008 Show has officially been announced. Here is the show flyer: http://www.pham-tom.com/tp/content/events/wiseacres091808-flyer.html

I sent out the newsletter yesterday and have already gotten a lot of confirmation on attendance. This show is going to be huge.

Today, I will print out a some flyers so that I can post them at Wiseacres, a couple of Paneras and maybe some other areas.

Last night and this morning, I put some final pieces into my set for the open mic tonight. I will mine all my past open mics to put together a final set 15 minute set for the September 18th show. Nervous and excited at the same time.