About one month ago, a weekly comedy show at the Adams Morgan two-story restaurant and bar Bossa was shut down because the owner picked jazz over laughs. He wanted to jam with his band downstairs, rather than host a jam-packed weekly comedy routine by host Seaton Smith (pictured), according to source Diana Saez — the self-titled “mother hen of the D.C. comedy scene” (and Lucky Cat Comedy woman responsible for DCist-approved Rendezvous shows). The Bossa show seemed to have it all — a beloved local comic as host, a dedicated following and DJ Supreme mixing tracks in between sets. It was a unique fusion of bebop and humor.
Key word: was. According to Smith, he was Bossa’s most consistent “crowd bringer” on Thursdays. It wasn’t unusual for the packed audiences to have only standing room available. What started back in mid-April of 2005, came to an abrupt end last month, when the Bossa management wanted out with Smith’s crowd and in with a new one.
But why? Smith’s “razor sharp punchlines” won him first prize at last November’s D.C. Comedy Fest, who said his act “walks the line between smart and shocking.” Washington bloggers agree that he’s “funny as hell.” But Smith admits to his volatile side. Especially when communicating with the Bossa management team.
He doesn’t blame owner for the show’s demise, per se. Smith says he was over-worked, hence a few heated exchanges between the two parties. But that doesn’t mean Bossa’s decision to kick Smith out made sense for business. The financially-unstable venue seemed to think there were “billions of dollars somewhere else.” Smith was frustrated with their inability to compromise, and tries somewhat sarcastically to justify Bossa’s decision — “two hours once a week, with a crowded room of drinking people, was just too much of a burden.” Burden or not, now Bossa’s Thursday 9 p.m. time slot brings in a few stragglers — maybe some cricket chirps — listening to some jazz band.
Smith has chatted with a few venues and plans to open mic like crazy, but no real break-throughs to report so far. We turn to you, DCist readers. Where’s a homeless comedy show to go?
