A Shower of Laughs in April
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In the next month, all kinds of funny business will go down in Washington (and no, not of the Spitzer variety). We're talking Chris Rock, Margaret Cho, even a herd of comics gathered by Martin Lawrence.
It starts next Thursday with Lawrence's "1st Amendment Stand-Up" shows at the Lincoln Theatre -- 10 shows over three days with 30 comics in all (including Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley and Kym Whitley), Biz Markie as DJ and Doug Williams of "The Bernie Mac Show" as the host.
Lawrence won't perform, but he will be around making sure everything goes smoothly at the shows, which will be taped to air on the third season of "1st Amendment Stand-Up" on Starz beginning this July (so if you go, it would be in your best interest to try to look hot). $15 each performance. April 3 at 6:30, 8:15 and 10 p.m.; April 4 at 7, 9 and 11 p.m.; and April 5 at 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m. 1215 U St. NW. For tickets, go to the Lincoln box office (open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; 202-328-6000) or call 202-397-7328. For the schedule of performances, visit http:/
Margaret Cho, the outspoken comic renowned for jokes about her Korean mother, her short-lived television series "All-American Girl" and her way of tackling just about any crude subject matter in the most crude and hilarious way, will give three performances as part of her "Beautiful" tour at the Warner Theatre on April 10 and 11, two of which still have tickets. (If it's a no-go, you can always catch her back on television when her new reality show, "The Cho Show," begins airing this summer on VH1.) $45.50. April 10 at 8 p.m., April 11 at 10 p.m. Warner Theatre, 13th and E streets NW. 202-397-7328.
Then, April 18-21, Chris Rock hits DAR Constitution Hall for his "No Apologies" tour for four performances (and believe us, few other cities get that kind of love). If you're a huge fan, have no friends or lovers, or just don't care where you sit, there are opportunities for you to get in: Single, scattered tickets are still left. $45.50-$75.50. April 18, 19 and 21 at 7:30 p.m., April 20 at 7 p.m. DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and D streets NW. 202-397-7328.
Save the Date
CONCERT The Jonas Brothers Following in the footsteps of Miley C. is this fearsome tweencentric trio, who not only sold out their Patriot Center show a couple of weeks ago, but also managed to move more merch than the venue had ever seen before. If you couldn't score tickets for your little angel, there is a second chance: Nick, Joe and Kevin will be back, this time at Nissan Pavilion on Aug. 18. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon through Ticketmaster. $49.50-$75; lawn, $25. 7 p.m. Nissan Pavilion, 7800 Cellar Door Dr., Bristow. 202-397-7328.
THE SCENE "Hip-Hop in the City of God" With Chuck D The Public Enemy frontman remains a politically active rapper, and next month he'll even visit National Geographic to moderate a discussion about hip-hop and its role in promoting activism (sorry, the rapper won't be performing). Filmmakers Sol Guy and Josh Thome and another politically driven rapper, MV Bill, from Brazil (the Brazil connection gives the event its "City of God" title), fill out the panel. Afterward, MV Bill performs. The event is April 11. $35; members, $30. Grosvenor Auditorium, National Geographic headquarters, 1600 M St. NW. 202-857-7700.
CONCERT The Del Fest A whole weekend of concerts in Cumberland, Md., in May will celebrate the Del McCoury Band's 50th anniversary with three nights of, well, the Del McCoury Band, but don't neglect the impressive list of fellow performers also on the bill: Vince Gill, who just snared the Grammy for best country album; Punch Brothers (featuring Nickel Creek's mandolin performer Chris Thile); and Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet, with B¿la Fleck. The family-friendly festival is set for May 23-25. Three-day pass, $125 through April 15, two-day pass, $110; ages 6-12, $30 and $20; children younger than 5, free. Single tickets are sold only at the festival gate. Allegany County Fairgrounds, 11490 Moss Ave., Cumberland. Visit http:/
The District
Today
THE SCENE Cherry Blossoms They are in peak bloom, and only for a few more days. No better time than after work today to head over and see them before tourists flood the Tidal Basin tomorrow. If you've got a family, head tomorrow to Family Day at the National Building Museum from 10 to 3:30 p.m., or the Kite Festival at the Washington Monument, also tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Various locations, visit http:/
Tomorrow
CLOSING "Stephen Colbert" A portrait of Colbert -- a prop portrait actually, nothing fancy -- has been hanging in the National Portrait Gallery since January, in the very distinguished position a smidge above a water fountain near some bathrooms on the second floor. But this being all a big laugh, and we being Washington, it's time to cease with the humor and bring Colbert down. The portrait is up until Tuesday; this weekend, make your last trip to see it. Free. 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. 202-633-1000.
CONCERT Ghostland Observatory Austin actually birthed this dancey electro-punk duo, which has seen its career explode in the past few months, with appearances on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien," a slot at the Vegoose festival and such. With the buzz about it rapidly growing, Ghostland Observatory plays the 9:30 club tomorrow night. $15. 9 p.m. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. 800-955-5566.
Sunday
CONCERT Caribou Dan Snaith's project Caribou puts percussion at the forefront, literally: Two drummers are usually positioned at the front of the stage, with the singer in back. Caribou returns to the Rock & Roll Hotel on Sunday for a second time after the release of "Andorra," a psych-pop album with lyrics as dark as the melodies are sunny. Come early -- the opening band, which we cannot name in this fine newspaper, is said to be fantastic. $14; $12 in advance at http:/
Maryland
Today
CLOSING "Sweet: The Graphic Beauty of the Contemporary Rock Poster" There are just a couple of days left to catch this exhibition at the University of Maryland, a show of nearly 30 candy-bright posters created by artists for club shows and bigger concerts by musicians including Seu Jorge, the Decemberists and Feist (look out for that poster, which notes, in small type: "With Elvis Costello"). Free. Today and tomorrow 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Closes tomorrow. Art Gallery, 1202 Art-Sociology Building, University of Maryland, College Park. 301-405-2763.
Tomorrow
THE SCENE Peaches O' Dell and Her Orchestra The glam-tastic swing band's performance at Saturday's swing dance night at Glen Echo Park's Spanish Ballroom is one of the highlights of the schedule. Just how over-the-top are they? They even have their own torch singer, Christina Midnight. $13. Lesson from 8 to 9, dancing from 9 to midnight. Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. 301-634-2222.
Wednesday
ON STAGE "Lord of the Flies" Round House Theatre Bethesda kicks off a run of Nigel William's stage adaptation of the William Golding novel that's required reading among the teenage set; the story follows the violent and ultimately primal society that develops among boys stranded on an island. The show comes complete with an angry-boy soundtrack, full of Linkin Park and Rage Against the Machine. For a bargain, go on opening night Wednesday, when the 7:30 p.m. performance is pay-what-you-can (tickets go on sale at 6:30 at the door only). $25-$60; children 17 and younger free with adult ticket (but the show isn't recommended for children younger than 14). Various times through April 27. Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Hwy., Bethesda. 240-644-1100.
Northern Virginia
Today
THE SCENE Bidding Adieu to "Wreckfest at Tiffany's" Philippa Hughes, a local art collector and the guest curator of this mini-show -- it features graffiti art by Tim Conlon and his crew in the same room that houses a wall of salvaged old Tiffany windows -- celebrates the impending closing of the show and the rest of the Arlington Arts Center's "Collectors Select" exhibition with a bash tonight. Head to the gallery for live painting from 3 to 8 p.m., a panel discussion at 6:30 on graffiti art and hip-hop culture, a DJ and refreshments till after 8. Free. The show closes tomorrow (hours, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.). 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-248-6800.
ON STAGE Doug Benson The smug, goateed staple of VH1's "Best Week Ever" who has his own touring show, "The Marijuana-logues, " returns to Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse for a two-night run. $20. Today and tomorrow at 9:45 p.m. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. 703-486-2345 or get tickets in advance at http:/
Tuesday
FOR FAMILIES Say Hello to a New BMX Track Prince William County reopens its BMX bike track next week to show off redesigned tracks. The county brought on Tom Ritzenthaler, who also designed the BMX course for the Beijing Olympics (the first Olympics, by the way, to feature BMX as a medal sport), to work on the local track, which now has additional jumps and other changes. $4-$5; ages 11 and younger, $3-$4; passes available. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. until dusk for open riding. Through November. 7 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge. 703-792-3298.
