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9/23/07 - The stuff below is old - I post on this and Breakdancing Godzilla. Just because it's August (2006) doesn't mean that you should be thinking of leaves and buying Monday, 8/1 - Sit next to me and watch To Have and Have Not. Screen on the Green, movies on the National Mall. Begins at dusk, 8:30-9:00 p.m. Wednesday, 8/3 - I'm gonna watch the next film in AFI's David Lynch series: Wild at Heart. 10:20p.m. The series continues through September with films including Fire Walk with Me and Mulholland Dr. YAY! Friday, 8/11 - I'm leaving town baby! First I'm off to Richmond, then to the Outer Banks in NC, I'll jet up to Cape Cod for a few, see Uncle Earl and Lonesome River Band, and be back on the 21st. Just because I'm gone, doesn't mean you should sit at home Saturday 8/12 - Kicking off their 86th Anniversary, Frager's Hardware is having it's Big Ugly Tomato Contest. Competing tomatoes will be displayed and judged from 10a.m. to noon. Catagories include biggest, ugliest, heaviest, and the tomato most resembling Mr. Ed. 8/14 - 8/20 - DC restaurant week. Enjoy a 3-course fixed-price meal, $20.06 for lunch and $30.06 for dinner at top restaurants including Nora's, Tabard Inn, Mie N Yu. Tuesday 8/22 - Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band and Michelle Malone at Jammin' Java, $10, 8p.m. Rev. Peyton reminds me of Tom Waits and his wife is mesmorizing as she jiggles and bangs on the washboard and the cymbal attached to her thigh. Thursday, 8/24 - There's something for everyone this evening.
8/24 & 8/25 - Rock and Roll Hotel is finally opening. Basically a club, the venue on H St. will have rooms available for the bands that play there. $10 each night with 3-5 bands. Sunday, 8/27 - RosyV is hosting a fabulous Clothing Swap at Transformer Gallery, 1-5p.m. Bring the clothes and other items you don't want any more and pick up some cool stuff. There's even a price for the ugliest item. FREE. This weekend and next, 7/1-7/4 and 7/7-7/11 - Come find me at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Themes: Alberta Canada, Native Basketry, Nuestra Música: Latino Chicago, and New Orleans evening concerts. Tuesday, 7/4 - Listen to a show that I recorded and produced of music from the Folk Fest. If you're not running around from 8pm-12am, then listen in DC on 88.5fm or on your computer at WAMU.org. 7/1-7/10 - After six long years the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery are open again and they're having special events including a musical! . Let me know if you want to head to one of these events, 'cause I'm game. Mondays & Thursdays through August - Summer means outdoor concerts at Fort Reno, which I can walk to from work. Take the metro to Tenleytown, have a drink at Guapo's with me and then listen to music. Highlights on the schedule include Brandon Butler (folk rock), Ris Paul Ric (indie-pop), Head Roc (rap), and Mary Timony (indie-rock). Things start right at 7:15pm and are done by 9:00pm. FREE. Thursday, 7/6 - Catch some DC jazz & soul with Teegroove and the Hallelujazz Project at Twins Jazz on U Street, $10, 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 7/9 - Can't get enough indie? Camera Obscura and Georgie James at Black Cat, $12, 8:30 p.m. Thursday 7/13 - Gist at the Warehouse Next Door, 9:00 p.m. Monday, 7/17 - I'm performing at Jammin' Java's open mic around 8:00p.m. and I will play my new (ish) song, Superman. Mondays through August 14th - Screen on the Green, go watch movies outdoors on the National Mall. Movies begin at dusk, 8:30-9:00 p.m. Friday, 8/4 - Come see me perform with the NSO at Wolftrap. My choir is singing for Have you heard daKAH: Hip Hop Orchestra? I just picked up their live disc from 2003 and it's a really good blend of flow and orchestra - definitely unique. The Sparrow Quartet's EP is now available on iTunes. Bluegrass is better with cello. My photographer friend, Dave, has a new picture spot. It's good and I find it interesting that out of 14 total photos posted I'm getting the finger in 2 of them. Sheesh. I have a copy of the best summer reading book (EVER), Still Life with Woodpecker. This book needs to be passed around because it will effect my karma if I let it sit on my shelf any longer. Will you continue the chain? May It's official. I need a roommate. So please let me know if you or anyone you know is interested in living on Capitol Hill. I have a large 2-story apartment, 2 bedrooms, plus an office, 1 bathroom, 1 fireplace, infinite wireless internet, a guitar, a korg synthesizer, and lots of wires. Walking distance to the Capitol, Eastern Market, Union Station and even RFK (for the baseball fans). 410 11th St. NE, which means you could be neighbors with people like Rose, Dave, and Twardy. Do you miss me? Come hang out Tuesday 5/9 - I'll be at happy hour at Capitol Lounge 6:30p.m. Cap Lounge burned down in August, but is now back with a few new menu items, including this super good fuji apple and fontina cheese sandwich. 5/11-5/13 - Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. Includes FREE performances at the Millennium Stage each night at 6p.m. Through 5/14 - This week I'm heading to the Sackler Gallery to see work by Hokusai. The gallery is open till 9p.m. from May 10-12th. Friday 5/19 - Modern Bluegrass/Roots show: Abby Washburn and The Sparrow Quartet featuring Casey Driessen (fiddle) and Ben Sollee (cello) at Jammin' Java, $15, 7p.m. Saturday 5/20 - Mount Rainier Day featuring an open studio tour of artists like Caitlin Phillips. I bought a bunch of her pins last weekend and they make me happy.12-5p.m. Saturday Evening 5/20 - Going to Dr. Dremo's Tuesday 5/23 - Busboys and Poets open mic, $2, 9p.m. If I get myself together (ie: write new music) I'll perform. Memorial Day Weekend - I actually have no plans, but I'm sure that won't last long. Something involving grass and sun would be perfect. June 1-3 - Graves Mountain Festival of Bluegrass, featuring Uncle Earl, The Stringdusters, Rhonda Vincent, Cherryholmes, The Grascals, Alecia Nugent and many other great groups. $75 for 3-days. I'll be there on Thursday. Monday 6/5 - I'll be performing at the Jammin' Java open mic around 8:30p.m. This is a nice one and so popular that you have to sign up a month in advance. I will have new songs written by then, I swear. My friend Anthony is playing that evening as well. Have you heard the new album by Brazilian chanteuse Cibelle? The Shine of Dried Electric Leaves is not very different from her last album, but it doesn't bother me because it's really good. And I went to MerleFest the last weekend in April and saw many talented groups. I recommend The Mammals, Casey Driessen, The Biscuit Burners, Chatham County Line, The Ditty Bops, The Duhks, The Isaacs, and, of course, Bela Fleck is fabulous. Early Warning SILVERDOCS - Documentary film fest June 13-18. Smithsonian Folklife - June 30-July 4 and July 7-11. This years' themes: Alberta Canada, Native Basketry, Nuestra Música: Latino Chicago, and New Orleans evening concerts. April I know I totally skipped March but sometimes it feels like the world is spinning just slightly faster than I can keep up with. I figure all I can do is sit back, enjoy the blur of colors and light, and try not to get motion sickness. One of the blurry aspects of March: I attended South by Southwest music conference! For work! During the day I attended panels with speakers like Neil Young and the Beastie Boys and at night I was shakin' it with fabulous people like JohnnyB, PoshDeluxe and other Austin celebrities. Austin in March, does it get any more beautiful than that? I'll finish my wrap-up report soon, but here's a taste. Overall winner (besides me): Melissa Ferrick. Two friends and talented musicians are looking to play in the DC area. Check them out and offer them some venue options if you've got 'em. Emily Easterly and Josh Cole. Perhaps I should just put together a house concert. Would you go to something like that? Mondays - Institute of Musical Traditions presents small acoustic and tradtional concerts at St. Mark's Presbyterian every Monday. Tickets are usually around $14. 4/4 - String Masters at the Kennedy Center with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bela Fleck, Mark Schatz, and Bryan Sutton. $25+up, 8 p.m. This is part of the Country: A Celebration of America's Music series which includes several good free concerts at the Millenium Stage. 4/5 - Band of Blue has one of their last gigs at Ragtime in Arlington because part (or all?) of the band is moving to Austin in May. Perhaps they were even at Southby and I didn't know it. 4/6 - 4/8 Six Points Music Festival, showcasing 40 local bands at 13 DC area venues. It mainly features straight-up rock groups. Highlights include: Army of Me (rock) and Ballyhoo (white boy reggae-rock) and Michael Janz (s/sw), but I haven't listened to all 40 bands. 4/8 - Dirty Dozen Brass Band, State, $12, 9p.m. 4/10 - The Sounds w/ Morningwood & Action Action at 9:30 Club, $15, 5:30p.m. doors. Rose will be there. 4/11 - Blackalicious w/ Lifesavas & Fatlip with Omni and Pigeon John at 9:30 Club, $20, 7p.m. Rose will be there. 4/15 - Exit Clov, Soft Complex, and Georgie James at Black Cat $10, 9:30p.m. I'll be at this show to hear Georgie James: John from Q and Not U and Laura Burhenn, a fabulous singer and piano player who was the March Artist in Residence at Strathmore. Andrew Black and Adam Robinson will be joining them again. 4/18 - Tyler James, The Weepies, Eric Hutchinson at Jammin' Java, $10, 8p.m. Solid singer/songwriter rock. Both Eric (DC based) and the Weepies were at Southby and I missed them. Although, the last time I went to Jammin' Java the hostess was so rude I left. 4/20 - Rainer Maria, Black Cat, $12, 8:30p.m. 4/23 - I'm singing with the Master Chorale of Washington, Kennedy Center, $19+up, 3p.m. The concert features Aaron Copeland songs and the premiere of Adolphus Hailstork's 60 minute piece, Whitman's Journey. Modern yet accessible chorale music with orchestra. 4/27 - 4/30 - MerleFest in Wilkesboro, NC. I'll be there with Nancye and Shorty and Iain. Come visit me at the BluegrassCountry.org booth. 4/28 - Did you know that the Gin Blossoms were touring? When was the last time you actually thought about the Gin Blossoms? Are you filled with the urge to spend $27 to see them? State, 9p.m. No really, I'm curious. February 11th - Reason number 21 why I love my job: Getting to meet Chris and Oliver Wood at WAMU while playing for the Kojo Nnamdi Show. In case you didn't catch it on the air you can find it for the next few days here. Hopefully we'll be rebroadcasting on BGC.org soon. Speaking of BluegrassCountry, you can hear 20 minute sets of new music, hosted by yours truly, Jen Hitt, throughout the week. They're sprinkled in here and there. Three definite times to here the segments are Thursday at 11:40 a.m., Sundays (or Saturday nights) at 1:30 a.m., and Sundays at 10:50 a.m. Saturday 2/11 The Recipe w/ special guest The Wood Brothers, featuring Oliver and Chris Wood of, respectively, King Johnson and Medeski, Martin & Wood. Any show that lists the genre as Roots Rock/Jam/Slamgrass is sure to be good (how does something officially become a genre anyway?). State, 9pm, $12.Saturday 2/11 The Wood Brothers (see above) at State I'll be there, so let me know if you're down. Sunday 2/12 Jazz concert at the National Academy of Sciences Auditorium featuring the Marcus Roberts Trio, FREE, 4p.m. Monday 2/13 The Institute of Musical Traditions presents Crooked Still at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, 7:30 p.m., $14 advance, $17 door. Crooked Still plays modern folk influenced by rock as well as bluegrass. They have fabulous lead vocalist and a very talented cello player. Wednesday 2/15 Girlyman at Jammin' Java, 8pm, $12. I love this trio! They opened for Dar at 8x10 in Nov. and were so good that I couldn't stop dancing and eat dinner as planned. Basically, I blame them for the fondue incident of 2005. Friday 2/17 from Ellen, "My friend Sean has trust-able taste in music and he told me months ago that I had to go to this show at the Black Cat on Feb. 17. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings." $12, 9:30 p.m. File under: Raw funk & soul. Sunday 2/19 On Tap Magazine holds an annual singer/songwriter contest with the grand prize being a trip to SXSW. The finals will be held at Austin Grill in Silver Spring and feature Andy Zipf, Luke Brindley, Rana Mansour, and Michael Jantz. FREE, 8:30 p.m. Thursday 2/23 Come to the opening reception for Dave Smooth Gustine's photography exhibit, "Zombie" at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. 6-8pm. The show runs from the 23rd-26th and is part of the Corcoran College of Art + Design Fine Art Photo Senior Thesis work. It's in the gallery space upstairs. Email Dave (and tell him you love him despite his fashion faux pas).
2/26 The undisputed kings of Cajun music, BeauSoleil at Wolftrap, General Admission Dance, 7:30pm, $22. 3/9 Guitar goddess Kaki King at Jammin' Java, 8pm, $15. 3/10 Weird War at Black Cat, 9:30pm, $. Their song If You Can't Beat 'Em, Bite 'Em, sums the band up nicely. 3/12 Beth Orton at 9:30 Club, this show isn't on 9:30's website yet, but it's on Beth's page, we'll see... Her new album, Comfort of Strangers, will be out in February, but you can get the single Conceived now. New music - January 25th - Photos of me, my fabulous friends, and my birthday adventures are on the pictures page! Cat Power's new album, The Greatest, was released this week. The songs have a lighter, pop-ier lilt to them than the last album, You Are Free, which I love. The title track is very strong. Hmm...maybe it'll grow on me, it does have some nice instrumentation....maybe. A very very good jazz-grass album known as the Hank Dean Sessions is now available on CD. Previously only on vinyl, it features Norman Blake, Tut Taylor, Sam Bush, Butch Robins, Vassar Clements, Jethro Burns, and jazz bassist David Holland. Sauerkraut 'n Solar Energy captures the essence of the album. You can get it as a thank you gift by donating to BluegrassCountry.org. Now on to the concerts 1/26-1/28 I'll be singing in the choir with other members of the Master Chorale of Washington as the National Symphony Orchestra celebrates Mozart's 250th birthday with a semi-staged production of his opera The Abduction from the Seraglio. Kennedy Center, $20-$79. 1/28 Head to the State Theatre to groove to some serious Jazz and Funk with the Headhunters, 9pm , $20. This band has been around since the 70s and was originally organized by Herbie Hancock. Check out Loft Funk. 1/29 Guerilla Film Club meeting at E St. Cinema. Come watch Cache and then discuss with other filmies at Indebleu afterward, 4:25pm. 2/3 ASIH at the Sidebar tavern in Baltimore, 9pm. I will be at this show! 2/4 RJD2, intense electronic and hip hop, 9:30 Club, $15. The song, Ghostwriter, is one that seems like it was tailor-made for your 'Walking to work' playlist (the original is better than the iTunes remix). 2/4 On the other side of the spectrum: Catie Curtis, honest stories and the strumming to back them up at Wolftrap, 7:30pm, $18 2/6 For some reason I like Bang Bang Bang. Perhaps the repetition reminds me of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs or !!!. Anyway, they are opening for Owls and Crows at DC9, $8. 2/8 Feist at Black Cat, 8:30pm, $13. 2/9 & 2/10 - From New Orleans, Papa Grows Funk is playing at 8x10 in B'more on Thurs., $15, and at State on Fri., $13. Head to 8x10 if you like it intimate, head to State if you like to dance in big circles with large, flailing hand gestures. Dance Suggestions brought to you by Saglactard Alvin Ailey company will be at the Kennedy Center Feb 7-12. My god, they are a must see. I'll be going for that even if I go alone! There is also Moving Out, the Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp musical. I've heard mixed reviews, but it did win some Tony's and I am a major fan of both artists; It runs Mar. 7 - 19, at the Hippodrome Theatre in B'more. And then my absolute favorite dance company of all time, Doug Varone and Dancers, who I have not seen in years, are coming to George Mason for a evening on April 14th. Late October - Jazz great Shirley Horn died this past Thursday at the age of 71. She was a soulful ballad singer and some of my personal favorites include her tribute album I Remeber Miles.
Early November -
Price Gouge of the Month - Emmy Lou Harris at Birchmere $70! There's no reserved seating and you always spend $30 more at Birch 'cause they sit you down at a dinner table. I love the Birch but if this is where Americana music is going .... Check out BluegrassCountry.org - I'm taking over as Production Director for the station full time by December 1st. Let me know what you think of the station. You can also find it on the iTunes radio page under Americana. Ahh September - There's really way too many concerts to hit up this month, so pick you favs and shake it.
A few film items:
On a personal note, I recently joined the Master Chorale of Washington to get back in touch with my classical roots. Our first concert is Saturday 10/29 and features works by Maurice Durufle and Dave Brubeck (yes, he wrote for a choir). We're also selling subscriptions at a very reasonable rate. Let me know if you're interested. July 14th- 7/16 - Head to Guerilla Film Fest at Lisner, $15, two shows 7:00pm and 9:30pm with a reception till midnight. I discovered some good music recently, if you're interested check out: March 11th- Oooh so Hot Hot Heat at 9:30 Club is sold out. That sucks. It wasn't sold out last night, but when I looked this morning.... March 2nd- Hmm, March already. Go listen to some music. Friday, 3/4 you have many options:
Sunday, 3/6, The Codetalkers featuring Col. Bruce Hampton are playing at the State, 8:30pm, $10. January 26th- Great news! The feature length film for which I was the music supervisor last year is available on Pay-Per-View. January 25th- 1/29 - The Recipe and The Bridge (acoustic) at The State Theater, $12. Doors at 7pm. December 13th- 12/14 - Midnight Spagetti at The State Theater, $5 November 11th- 11/13 - PLOJ XXX (Pot Luck Open Jam) - this is the opportunity for those on a budget. PLOJ is a local monthly event where friends gather, bring food and instruments and play and eat and play and eat. So bring your kazoo and a plate of celery to the College Perk at 9pm, FREE!! (no talent necessary) Check out the redesign of Tiffany Zadi's Dawg Jewelry - beautiful silver just in time for the holidays. Review: Find out what you missed at the Galactic concert on 11/6 November 3rd - Cheer yourself up, go hear some music and dance till your inner nation has healed 11/5 & 11/6 - Galactic at 9:30 Club, $25, 8pm. October 27th - Ooh, I just discovered that my friends, ilyAIMY, will be playing a Halloween show at DC 9 on 10/30 at 8:30pm, $7. I added by friend's band, Naked Face, to the links page. Check out what they're cookin' up down in Miami. October 25th - Concerts this week: October 4th - Change is in the air. Mmmm...fall, I haven't smelled crisp air in way too long. Now that I'm finished working with the Smithsonian I actually have some time on my hands. I'll be updating and giving news as well as concert info here on a regular basis. Check out my new CD. Get your own copy. Pictures of the 2004 Smithsonian Folklife Festival are available on my mom's site: designdsk.com. Pictures from the First Americans Festival will be up soon. Q and Not U are playing at the Black Cat on Friday September 6th - I'm working hard on my music page. Making changes daily. There's plenty new to hear and see (and soon to purchase). April 8th- Oh My Goodness! I actually finished my thesis, all 111 pages. You can check out the fabulous reading material here: thesis November 14th- Well, the Mile rocked it out again last night at Titanic. Particularly nice was the extended jam that kicked the night off. If you missed it, they'll be playing Titanic again next Saturday (11/22). Emily Easterly will be playing on the radio show "Inside the Music Business" on Sunday(11/16) 2-4pm on 1080 AM in Miami. She also has a show with her band on Monday (11/17) at Senor Frogs on the beach, her set starts at 12:30 and the cover is $5. Jazz drummer Dan McGovern will have his senior recital on Wed. (11/19) at 8pm in Foster 239 at UM's music school. Perhaps your heard his work on my release last semester, he played on the Ken Nordine tunes: Hazel, Blue and Mauve. ** If your into hip jewelry you must visit Dawg Jewelry. Cheers to the talented Tiffany Zadi for getting her site together and creating such beautiful stuff ** 11/21, ‘Friday I’m In Love‘ A Cure Tribute Show being held @ I/O. Some 16 odd bands will be covering songs, $5. epoplife.com November 10th- This Thursday 11/13 come hear Empirical Mile play at Titanic Brewery. There's no cover and the drink special is $3 Bacardi Flavors all night. Saw some good shows recently: Empirical Mile had one of their best sets last Saturday at Tobacco Road. The weather didn't cooperate and so they had to play inside, but that also meant they turned down a bit which resulted in some nice mellow jams. Sublety is sexy boys! MOS in West Palm Beach were good as well. The crowd was all hyped up waiting for D. Cab, lots of audience clapping and singing along. And the lovely ladies: Dar, Mary Chapin, Shawn Colvin and Patty Griffin were all fabulous. They played the show in the round and mused about anything that came to mind. Highlights were Dar discussing how the Lorax might come and steal her coat and Miss Griffin's soulfull version of Flaming Red. But the best song of the night was their 1st encore of the Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way". Who knew it was actually a well written song. October 31st- Happy Halloween!
Me, Someguy, and Natalie on Halloween '02 October 5th - September 8th - August 11th - 8/16 - Keller Williams with moe. at Universal Lending Pavillion. 8/17 - Dar Williams and Asleep at the Wheel will be performing at a taping of the NPR show E-town at Boulder Theater. 8/18 - Maestra Bjork will be singing with the Stones at Red Rocks. August 4th - July 16th - I added Ras Alan, one of the most unique groups I heard, and his Appalachian Reggae to the links page. I'll be heading to NYC this weekend to catch Q and Not U at the Knitting Factory on Friday July 11th. Tickets are $8 and the show's at 9pm. If you're near DC, head to a free outdoor concert on Monday, July 14th. The Carlsonics will play with Los Hermanos Rodriquez and Semi-Lunar Valve at Fort Reno. The music starts at 7:30pm. |
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