Brightest Young Things

photos and words by Dakota Fine

...

The Bentzen Ball is here! Last night DC's very own homegrown comedy festival opened amid much fanfare and a packed house at the Lincoln Theater. Patton Oswalt brought the ceiling down with an (extended) almost hour long set, but the entire night was star studded with hilarious performances by Tig Notaro, Todd Barry, Ian Edwards, Kyle Kinane, Rory Scovel and others.

The festival goes on! For the next three nights, catch all your favorite comedians, here (!), in DC! Check the schedule at BentzenBall.com, hit the streets, walk the strip (U St!), or just strip on the street/at Ben's Chili Bowl, where we are hosting an open mic!

Sarah Silverman is closing out the festivities on Sunday night at the 930 Club, but don't forget that Friday and Saturday nights will also be FILLED with laughs at multiple venues. Check the schedule.

We look forward to seeing you out and about this weekend, but for now, enjoy the photos! :)

Andy Wood and Kyle Kinane getting weird:

Patton Oswalt getting serious:

Tig Notaro, getting funny onstage:

Rory Scovel, I swear he doesn't really have an accent, even though he performed with one last night:

Matthew Lesko and Jim Graham, doing their things, whatever that means:

Hotness, being hotness.

Thank you Seaton Smith for posing with these guys!

Ian Edwards, being outrageous onstage. People, if you like unsavory jokes, this guy, he's your man!

Todd Barry, making faces at me while onstage, right after I flip him the bird (for a reaction people, pleeeease):

And, of course, Patton Oswalt, being Patton. So good!

And the rest is all just nonsense...

And I'll just leave you all with this weirdo... who is this guy?!? Freak.

Previously in comedy:

• 1/24: LiveDC: Adam Carolla @ Fillmore
• 1/20: Behind The Desk 32: Eddie Brill Is Common
• 1/17: LiveDC: JB Smoove @ 930 Club
• 12/8: Tom Arnold - Up Close & Very Nice
• 12/5: LiveDC: Michael Ian Black @ Sixth and I Synagogue
• 12/5: Lauren Weedman-BUSTED
• 12/1: R.I.P. Patrice O'Neal - brilliant 1969 to 2011
• 11/30: BYT Interview: Michael Ian Black
• 10/4: Laugh Track: Joe Rogan @ Warner Theatre
• 9/30: Seth Rogen & Will Reiser talk "50/50."