In a room full of comedians, the laughs flowed for the “Because They’re Funny” (BTF) (Sept. 27-29), which kicked off at the Southwest Wharf for a weekend of bringing joy to the nation’s capital.
Produced for a second year by entertainment company NICE Crowd in collaboration with Events DC, the festival weekend opened with a tribute to comedian George Wallace, who was presented with the Comedy Trailblazer Award. Proceeds from the opening night event went to DC Central Kitchen.
Comedian, writer, producer and director Chris Spencer hosted the evening, but the entire weekend was about comedians supporting each other. Free workshops were given to better understand the business and hone comic skills. Six comics were scheduled to appear in a nationwide competition, hoping to win $10,000 after becoming finalists from more than 100 other comedians.
“This festival acknowledges comedians of color, especially Black ones,” Spencer said. “This event has been curated for us by American Black Film Festival founders Jeff and Nicole Friday.”
One of D.C.’s comedy legends, Sylvia Traymore-Morrison, led the tributes for Wallace. She was featured in the documentary “The Mecca of Comedy: The Rise of Standup Comedy in Washington, DC.”
Traymore-Morrison is known as the first African American female impressionist and the first Black woman writer for Saturday Night Live.
An admirer of Wallace before she met him, her career expanded further when he noticed her talent and asked her to perform with him in D.C.
“He had already established himself as my favorite,” Traymore-Morrison said. “I was doing a residency in Las Vegas, and he came to my show and invited me to do a show with him at Bethesda Blues and Jazz. He’s been an amazing person.”
Traymore-Morrison brought in other guests to honor Wallace and the Because They are Funny tribute. Through her impersonations, Whoopi Goldberg, Wendy Williams, and Vice President Kamala Harris were brought into the room. Video tributes were presented by comedian and actress Luenell and comedian, producer, actor, and Wallace’s best friend for more than 50 years, Jerry Seinfeld.
When Wallace came forward to accept his award, he targeted some comments primarily to young comedians on how to view success.
“When I first came to Las Vegas in 1976, I worked for Diana Ross,” Wallace said. “Now, I am the only Black comedian working in Las Vegas who owns the show. I did not work for the hotels. I’ve been able to do all that, bring in other comedians, and do shows like they have never seen before.”
Accolades from other comedians throughout the evening showed genuine appreciation to Wallace for being a leader in the comedy entertainment business. Everyone wanted to get a picture with him. Wallace had his non-stop smile and encouraging words for everyone who approached him.