Rafi Bastos
Rafi Bastos returns to the DC Improv for a weekend of English-language stand-up in the venue’s main room. The Jewish-Brazilian comedian is known for sharp observational humor, a distinctive accent, and viral performance clips that have reached millions of viewers worldwide.
Bastos has built a wide-ranging career in comedy, television, journalism, hosting, acting, and media production. His credits include three Netflix specials, the reality series “Ultimate Beastmaster,” a controversial talk show in Brazil, and regular performances at major clubs including New York’s Comedy Cellar, the Laugh Factory, and Hollywood Improv. He was also the first Brazilian comedian to headline Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival.
When: October 9–11, 2026
Showtimes: Friday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Venue: DC Improv, Main Room, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036
Tickets: All-in pricing, including service charges, is $29.50–$35 for general admission or $42–$47.50 for reserved seating.
Lineup: Rafi Bastos. Additional featured performers are to be announced.
Language: The shows are performed in English.
About the Performer: Bastos is a 6-foot-7 comedian whose social-media stand-up clips, many recorded during performances at the Comedy Cellar, have helped him build a rapidly expanding international audience. His YouTube channel, which also features music videos, interviews, sketches, and stage performances, has accumulated more than 370 million views.
Career Background: Before moving to the United States, Bastos spent 17 years working in comedy and acting in Brazil, where he helped pioneer American-style stand-up comedy and became an influential figure in the country’s comedy and media industries. He founded a stand-up club and repeatedly challenged Brazil’s restrictive speech laws, generating national controversy. The New York Times recognized him in 2011 as the most influential man on Twitter, when he had approximately 7 million followers; the page notes that his following later grew to 11.4 million. He won the Shorty Award for Best Comedian in 2013.
Credits: Bastos has appeared in films, hosted reality and television programs, worked as an in-field journalist and television producer, and hosted his own talk show. His Netflix specials include “A Arte do Insulto,” “Péssima Influencia,” and “Ultimato.”
Contact: The DC Improv can be reached at 202-296-7008 or support@dcimprov.com.