Monthly Archives: July 2013

Special Events
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Fourth of July Fireworks Viewing Locations

July 4 2012 starbuck77

Oh, the 4th of July fireworks on the Mall! If you ask me, this is one of the great things about living in DC. And yet, I know most people either avoid them completely, or, are so overwhelmed by the idea of how many people come out for them, they decide staying home and watch the display on TV. Well, I’m here to tell you seeing them in person is the best, even with the crowds!

A few years ago, I put together this handy post on seeing the fireworks; it’s still quite good and worth a read. However, I’ve decided that what’s needed is something more visual. So, I packed decades of Mall fireworks excursions, and a few years of photos, into this handy Google Map (it’s after the jump, as well). And if you want some nice photos, here are my 4th of July shots from the past few years. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Bryce Harper Returns, Nats Clobber Brewers 10-5

Photo courtesy of MudflapDC
Nats v. DBacks – L5-1-1029
courtesy of MudflapDC

For three months Washington Nationals fans have been waiting for something the cheer about. Sure since Werth came off the DL and Anthony Rendon was inserted at second the offense has averaged 4.27 runs a game, but the Nationals offense has still felt sluggish. They get shutout too often and until scoring 13 runs yesterday against the Mets hadn’t had that big offensive outburst. Tonight against the Brewers Nationals fans were given something to cheer, and cheer they did. The first ovation occurred when Bryce Harper was announced in the starting line-up, the second when he stepped to the plate, and the third, longest and loudest of all, when he hit an opposite field homerun in his first at bat off the DL.

At every turn Bryce Harper has written his own story. He wanted to play in the majors, and was finished with high school, and so he got his GED, went to JUCO, and got drafted one year early. Then he wanted to play in the majors as soon as possible. Harper never tore apart the minors but he did put on a show in the Arizona Fall League and Spring Training and soon earned a call-up to the Nationals at the age of 19, and he ended up winning the Rookie of the Year and being one of the best 19 year olds to ever play the game. Then this season he had a list of private goals. Among them was probably to win the MVP. A goal that may have been derailed by the right field wall in Dodger’s stadium.

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Music, The Features, We Love Music
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Hot Ticket: CSS, Io Echo @ 9:30 Club, 7/1/13

Never really tired of being sexy! (Photo courtesy of CSS)

Never really tired of being sexy! (Photo courtesy of CSS)

Is there anything that says crazy danceable fun as much as CSS? The Brazilian girls released a fourth album, Planta, last month, and they hit the 9:30 Club tonight touring in support of it.

The latest single, “Hangover,” is a bit more reggae than new wave, potentially marking a change in direction for the band since their chief songwriter (and only guy in the band) left in 2011. Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio took over production duties on the new album. And vocalist Lovefoxxx and company are all about dancing, so they are surely set to revisit crowd pleasers from all four of their albums, including “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death from Above,” “Music Is My Hot Hot Sex” and “City Grrl.”

Los Angeles-based Io Echo, meanwhile, recently put out their first album, Ministry of Love, which espouses a goth pop aesthetic. Io Echo have been through the DC metro area at least once, opening for Garbage at the Fillmore in Silver Spring, Md., on March 24. The band goes from being atmospheric and airy on songs like “Outsiders” to bouncy if distorted with “When the Lilies Die,” all the while demonstrating a taste for Japanese imagery and minimalism.

If the two bands have anything in common, it’s a love of the Velvet Underground — an inspiration that they run away with in two different directions! It should be interesting to hear how they sound together tonight. Hope to see you there!

CSS
w/ Io Echo
Monday, July 1
Doors 7pm
$25
9:30 Club
All ages

Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 6/28-6/30

Braiding vpickering

And July is here. And we have fireworks this week! Sorry, but I love any celebration that involves fireworks, so I’m a real sucker for the Fourth. The good news is that most people have a short, three day week, as only the worst of employers don’t give their offices Friday off as well. But between here and Thursday, may I suggest doing as little work as you can; just as our forefathers envisioned!

And to start off that not doing work, take the first couple of minutes of your week and check out the photos in this today’s Weekend Flashback. It’s another excellent selection. Enjoy! Continue reading →