Riot Act Comedy Theater

Riot Act Comedy Theater is a state of the art comedy club and event facility located in the heart of Penn Quarter, on the back of the Spy Museum and one block from the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Riot Act features the nation's greatest comics while also providing a work place and open mic for local and aspiring comics.

202-697-4900

801 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

get directions »

Read More

Re-recording: "Hot Fun In The Summertime" w/ Bootsy Collins

Bootsy's bass kills on this cut.  Larry we love ya but Bootsy definitely served noticed that Sly would have been successful with a Bootsy.  Ummmm.   But Bootsy aint no Larry.  Let's be clear about that.  But come on Larry, you know you have to give him props on his thumping here.  Bootsy went way down on the fret board WITH the mutron peddle.  I mean Larry your fuzz did the same thing back in the day (think "Sex Machine").

Sly's production genius is in clear view if you listen down into the mix of the music.  A close listen to his best stuff reveals his artistic genius.  Freddie Stone was one of Sly's master painters.  And Bootsy's vocals are nowhere near Larry's power.  Yet Bootsy raps, which puts the Woodstock Nation genre up to date.

You have to listen to this. It lets you know that when Sly is trying, can't nobody touch him.

 A re-recording of "Hot Fun In The Summertime" featuring Bootsy Collins.


HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME


Bootsy Collin, George Clinton, Sly Stone



Read More

Sly Stone Drops New Album

I'm Back! Family & Friends

Sly dropped his new album today.  And it is a killer.  The new tracks could be teasers for more such brilliance to come.  Yikes.  The new cuts have sprirt.  And gospel.  Sly's "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" marks his entry into gospel. Okay, "Que Sera Sera" was gospel in tone.  But it wasn't intended to be a gospel tune.

Elvis copied Sly's studded jump suit, buckle and sideburns, Sly is following the King into the gospel arena.  Michael never got a chance to go gospel.  But maybe there are some hidden tracks somewhere.  Regardless, Sly left no musical STONE unturned during the entirety of his career.  Some might question his down period, but nobody can question his musical genius and production - - both onstage live and in the studio.

LISTEN TO THE TRACKS

Read More

Hip Hop Caucus Post MLK Memorial Dedication Party

The Hip Hop Caucus is holding a MLK Memorial Dedication Party at the 9:30 Club (7-11 pm) in Washington DC after the memorial dedication on the National Mall in Washington, DC.  The dedication on August 28th is also the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington.

The multi-talented musician and celebrity personality Biz Markie is the DJ for the night. There will also be performances from the beautiful talents of singer/songwriter and harpist Rashida Jolley, who has spent the last year on an international tour performing alongside megastar Lady Gaga, Grammy Winning rapper Mr. Cheeks, Neo Soul/R&B Artist Reesa Renee, Funk/Rock/Hip Hop band Violet Says 5, and can’t miss Hip Hop performances from Laelo Hood, Substantial and Awthentik, plus other surprise special guest appearances via our celebrity red carpet.

Also, the day prior, on Saturday, August 27th from 12 Noon till Dusk the National Action Network is holding a rally for Jobs and Justice in celebration of MLK’s legacy. The Hip Hop Caucus is supporting this march. There will be more than 40 Bus Departures scheduled across the country.

Click HERE to find details on how to get to DC via the National Action Network’s bus service.

Read More

NABJ Wrong Opposing Al Sharpton Having Show On MSNBC

Following a deal between MSNBC and Reverend Al Sharpton to host his own 6 p.m. show, a diverse array of liberals, conservatives, black journalists and media watchdogs have lined up to oppose the Baptist minister and civil rights icon's promotion. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) opposed MSNBC's decision to hire Al Sharpton as host of its 6 pm timeslot, saying:

"This would still be just another non-journalist media 'celebrity' receiving a TV show based upon their name recognition, not their years of experience, training, ability and talent."

AAEA supports Al Sharpton and opposes NABJ's opposition to his hiring by MSNBC.  Again, Blacks get hung up on 'not the right black,' when there was a time when we were just happy to get a black in the door.  Al Sharpton has earned his seat at the MSNBC table.  Although he is not a journalist, he is an internationally known talent who has proven himself on various stages.

Reverend Al Sharpton cancelled his scheduled appearance this week at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference following criticism by two of its members that MSNBC promoting him would be a mistake given that he's a "non-journalist" celebrity rather than a seasoned reporter. This is a huge miscalculation and could be rooted in jealousy.

Sharpton's support for the NBCUniversal and Comcast merger is a plus for him.  Reverend Sharpton is clearly a savy businessman.  He also appeared on FOX News numerous times, probably due to his support for Rupert Murdoch's opposition to a change in the rating system for television programming.  If support for the merger added his elevation to the anchor seat, so be it.  Brilliant.  Journalists better do what Sharpton is doing if they want the seat.

There are also complaints that maybe the White House exerted influence over Jeffry Immelt, CEO of GE, owner of NBC Universal, to hire Al Sharpton to keep him out of the way during the 2012 presidential contest.  Okay. And?  Again, Sharpton leverages himself and there is nothing wrong with that.

NABJ should support Sharpton because it is unprecedented for a black man to be place in that position.  To whine about him not being a journalist totally misses the point. (The Atlantic Wire, 8/5/2011)

Read More

MSNBC 1st Among African American Viewers

MSNBC noted in a recent ratings release that it:

 “Continues to be #1 among African American and Hispanic viewers,”

adding:

“This marks the 6th consecutive quarterly win among African American viewers and the 5th consecutive quarterly win among Hispanic viewers.”

(Wash Post, 8/3/2011)

Read More

Next New Tennis Phenom Preparing To Conquer Tennis World

David Hopkins

David Hopkins is a rising senior at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has become a top-50 national doubles player for the Demon Deacons.  According to Hopkins:

"If I can get into tip-top shape, like I know I need to be, I don't think anything else will stop me."

David played many sports as a child, but he said he first discovered tennis as a 6-year-old attending a lesson with his mother. When it came time to pick one sport to focus on, he chose tennis over the team-oriented activities, enjoying the control over his own destiny.

2010-11 (Junior)

Played in 24 of Wake Forest's 26 dual matches ... Notched a 19-13 doubles record and 16-15 singles record ... Soared as high as No. 35 in the national doubles rankings with partner Iain Atkinson ... Playing at the No. 1 position with Atkinson, posted ranked doubles wins over No. 11 Kevin King/Juan Spir (Georgia Tech), No. 59 Joey Burkhardt/Stefan Hardy (North Carolina) and No. 66 Will Beck/Pedro Graber (Virginia Tech) ... Spent the season in the bottom half of the Wake Forest singles lineup ... Topped Wisconsin's Petr Satral in the Demon Deacons' win over the No. 30 Badgers ... Outlasted Isamu Tachibana in three sets to help Wake Forest take down No. 33 Rice

2009-10 (Sophomore)

Notched a 4-5 overall singles record ... Won two singles matches in the Virginia Invitational defeating opponents from NC State and William and Mary ... Also competed in the UVA Ranked +1 tournament and the ITA Carolina Regional ... Finished as the runner-up in his doubles flight with partner Jason Morgenstern at the Virginia Invitational ... Played doubles in three dual matches, defeating a team from No. 34 Michigan.

2008-09 (Freshman)

Earned first career start on January 24 with a 6-0, 6-2 defeat of UNC Asheville's Joseph May...Compiled an 11-12 singles record on the season...Opened the season with three consecutive victories from January 24th to January 31st over players from Gardner-Webb, UNC-Asheville, and #34 Rice University...Took down Robert Rotaru of #22 Louisville on February 27th by a score of 6-4, 6-4...Finished the season with a 12-12 doubles record...Posted five consecutive doubles victories with partner Jonathan Wolff from March 7th to March 20th over opponents from #33 Michigan, #62 East Tennessee State, Coastal Carolina, #35 South Carolina, and Maryland...Along with partner Jonathan Wolff, defeated three ACC foes from #13 Florida State, #19 Miami(Fl), and #32 North Carolina between April 3rd and April 8th.Fall 2008: Finished 7-2 in singles ... Advanced to semifinals of UGA's Southern Intercollegiates ... Finished 2-2 in doubles with Andrew Brasseaux.

Background

Keystone National Played with Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy where he helped the team earn the NC State Championship crown in 2004 and 2005 ... Ranked No. 1 in the Men's Open Division in North Carolina First team all-state ... Cracked Top 15 in national junior rankings for 12s, 14s, 16s ... Posted a 40-3 individual record ... James Leighton NC Jr. Male Player of the Year ... Who's Who Among National Students ... International Honor Society member ... People to People Ambassador ... Was also recruited by Virginia, Notre Dame, Texas ... Born December 28, 1989 ... Parents are Dr. Larry Hopkins and Mrs. Beth Hopkins (attorney)... Father Larry was an All-ACC starting fullback for the 1970 ACC Championship Football team. Mother Beth was Homecoming Queen. (Wake Forest Sports, 6/21/2011)

Read More