Monthly Archives: October 2013

The Daily Feed
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We Love Music: Lucius @ Rock N Roll Hotel – 10/15/13

Lucius

Coming off the release of their debut album, Wildewoman, Lucius – the infectious Brooklyn-based quintet – kicked off their North American tour with a sold out performance at the Rock N’ Roll Hotel last night.

The group opened with a fantastic cover of John Lennon’s  Free As A Bird featuring a strong guitar backbone and the amazing vocal harmonies of lead vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig. The ladies were rocking their signature 60s style with blunt bang, fierce bobs and lime green, shoulder pad heavy jackets. The entire performance Wolfe and Laessig faced each other surrounded by their keyboards, random percussion toys (Cowbells!) and encircled by the all black wearing lads. The group was on their feet the entire performance giving the room an immediate sense of energy and engagement. Continue reading →

Week in Review
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Week In Review: 10/14-10/17

North Pacific theqspeaks

The big takeaway from the week for our city: The shutdown is over. Thank goodness. Of course, we get to do this again in a couple of months; after all, we had such a great time with this one, why not do it again?

But let’s not think about that, let’s think about the weekend. That’s because, though some of you may of only technically worked two days, it was still pretty stressful week for all involved. So go fourth, enjoy the fall weather we’re having, and, should you take any pictures this weekend, drop them into our Flickr group. You might become WLDC famous! Continue reading →

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends October 19-20

Beer Can Siding Kevin H.

Rebecca: Friday I’ll be celebrating my friend Katie’s Birthday by bar hoping the various eateries at Union Market and catching the beginning of the outdoor showing of Good Will Hunting. Afterwards I’ll head to the Rock N’ Roll Hotel to catch White Denim who I was supposed to see last weekend at ACL, but didn’t due to rain. Saturday I’ll stroll on by District Flea to scope out the goods and get some nommy coffee from Vigilante Coffee and eats from Room 11. Sunday, aside from praying that the Giants can finally win a freakin game, I’ll hit up the Dupont Farmer’s market and Union Market to stock up on seasonal fresh fruit, veggies, meat and eggs. 

Tom: Baby’s First Farm Excursion! We’re packing up the car and heading out to the pumpkin patches with the li’l guy, but if we were staying in the city this weekend, you would 100% find me at Union Market for Snallygaster, where there will be 150 different beers on offer, as well as some awesome food. Tickets start at $30 and include a bunch of food and drink tickets and a free glass. Sunday’s the final day at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and I’ve been itching to put on my tights and rapier and go get myself a turkey leg. See you out and about.

Paper Route andradeXcobain

Rachel: It’s gonna be a music filled weekend which is just how I like it when there’s no Nats baseball to watch (pours one out for the 2013 Nats). I booked a last minute gig at Iota Club in Arlington, VA as part of what they’re billing as MASSIVE MUSIC FRIDAY so that’s where I’ll be kicking off my weekend. Music starts at 8 p.m. and for the price of $10 you’ll get to see a plethora of talent based in and around the greater DC area. I go on stage on the earlier side so come one and come all and hang with us! Then, I’ll spend Saturday night at the Capital City Showcase in Adams Morgan rooting on my buddy Zia Hassan as he sings some of his pretty tunes. Really looking forward to that, haven’t seen him solo in awhile. Then Sunday will be extra fun because I’ll be featured as the special guest as part of the Magnolia Guitar‘s Musicians Workshop series. Really looking forward to it!

 

Patrick: My weekend starts with a wedding gig out in Chesapeake Beach. I’ve never been out that far into Maryland, I mean I start to complain anytime I have to hike up to Bethesda! Saturday I’ll finally be checking out NextStop’s The 39 Steps, out in Reston. Boy my weekend is all about trekking to the extreme parts of MD and VA. I’ll have to fit in some DC time to balance things out. Maybe some football watching at Kelly’s Irish Times?

Catholic Shrine Michael T. Ruhl

Jenn: This weekend I’m heading into Brookland, to visit my alma mater and light a candle at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. A dear mentor passed this week, and it seems a fitting way to pay my respects to a man who gave so much to so many of us DC theater folk: William H. Graham, Sr., former chairman of the Catholic University of America’s drama department, and the chairman emeritus of the Olney Theatre Center. The best way I can think to honor a man whose steady advice was to “give yourself permission” is to continue to live my life to the fullest, and be grateful. I’ll spend a lot of time this weekend thinking about what a privilege it was to have known him, a truly great man with a generous spirit and a kind heart.

Fedward:  Now that everything’s open again, it’s time to celebrate.  As the Hirshhorn tweeted, to make up for lost time we’ll have to look twice as hard.   We’ll also have to swing by the zoo (although I’m more partial to big cats than welfare pandas. Sorry, Butterstick 2). Theaterwise, we either have to catch Studio’s Torch Song Trilogy before it closes (NEXT Sunday, but these things sneak up on us far too often), or see The Laramie Project in its rightful place at Ford’s, or the Taffety Punk Riot Grrls production of Titus Andronicus. Foodwise and beveragewise, we’re looking forward to dim sum brunch at The Source on Saturday, and then on Sunday we’re going to the Passenger both for our usual brunch and to congratulate Alex Bookless on her best bartender nod from the Express.  At some point we also have to find costumes for the Passenger’s Zombie 80’s Halloween Prom. My best bald-guy idea so far: Zombie Ming the Merciless. Got any better ideas? Put ’em in the comments.

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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The Winning Ticket: The Waterboys @ 9:30 Club, 10/22/13

WaterboysF

As a way to say thanks to our loyal readers, We Love DC will be giving away a pair of tickets to a 9:30 Club concert to one lucky reader periodically. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to find out what tickets we’re giving away, and leave a comment for your chance to be the lucky winner!

Today, we are giving away a pair of tickets to see The Waterboys at the 9:30 Club on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

For your chance to win these tickets, simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between 9am and 4pm today. Feel free to leave any comment, but perhaps share your favorite song by The Waterboys! One entry per email address, please. Tickets for this show are also available through Ticketfly.

For the rules of this giveaway…

Comments will be closed at 4pm and a winner will be randomly selected. The winner will be notified by email. The winner must respond to our email within 24 hours or they will forfeit their tickets and we will pick another winner.

Tickets will be available to the winner at the 9:30 Club Guest List window one hour before doors open on the night of the concert. The tickets must be claimed with a valid ID. The winner must be old enough to attend the specific concert or must have a parent’s permission to enter if he/she is under 18 years old.

The Waterboys
w/ Freddie Stevenson
9:30 Club
Tuesday, Oct. 22
doors @7pm
$35
All ages

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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Hot Ticket: The Dismemberment Plan w/Paint Branch @ 9:30 Club, 10/20/13

The Dismemberment Plan (Photo courtesy the band)

The Dismemberment Plan (Photo courtesy the band)

How excited is DC about the honest-to-gosh return of The Dismemberment Plan, who dropped their first new album in 10 years this past week?

The new album Uncanney Valley recaptures the classic wit and fun of The Dismemberment Plan, according to critics. Friday, they perform in New York City and then hit the 9:30 Club for two shows in a row on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20.

The shows are generating a lot of buzz around town. (Take a look at a personal D-Plan playlist from bar critic Fritz Hahn of The Washington Post posted today!) And it seems only appropriate that The Dismemberment Plan have recruited two rising local bands to open up for them this weekend.

On Saturday, Deleted Scenes open and on Sunday, Paint Branch take the reins.

Paint Branch presents a particularly intriguing opportunity to catch some veterans of the DC music scene as John Davis and Chris Richards of Q and Not U reunite to try something different. Richards, a music critic at The Washington Post, muses, “Maybe we could sound like CSNY or Harry Nilsson or other bands John had gotten me into. There could be guitar solos and vocal harmonies and lyrics about personal bummers – common things that felt too common for our old band, or maybe just too self-indulgent. (Funny how common things could feel thrilling now.)”

Sunday then may present a rare opportunity to check out something new and interesting from two sets of musicians who have made our city home.

The Dismemberment Plan
w/ Paint Branch
9:30 Club
Sunday, Oct. 20
doors @7pm
$25
All ages

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Rain købiā

Rainy days tend to keep most people from carrying around their cameras which is understandable. Who wants to risk damaging such an expensive piece of equipment? But how many of you have seen something on your trip to work or walk to lunch and thought “if only I had my camera with me?” Sometimes it pays to bring it along for the ride as købiā found out one rainy day last week.

Instead of focusing on the person, the rain itself is the subject and the low angle gives a different perspective all together. Was this taken from the ground? Looking up onto a walkway? And the photo has a nice dreamy quality to it – one that makes you want to go home, sit on the couch, and listen to the rain fall against the window. Maybe take a nap. Yeah, definitely take a nap.

Adventures, Entertainment, Essential DC, Get Out & About, Life in the Capital, Music, Night Life, The District
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Hot Ticket: White Denim @ Rock N Roll Hotel 10/18/13

YouTube Preview Image

I’m straight off the plane from Austin City Limits, where I had planned on catching White Denim on Day 3. Unfortunately, Day 3 was cancelled due to severe flooding and thunderstorms, which was a total bummer, but totally understandable. Fortunately, White Denim is playing this Friday at Rock N Roll Hotel, but you better act fast because tickets to see this awesome American rock band are limited.

White Denim, an Austin grown group, has put out a handful of records since they formed in 2005  with the upcoming Corsicana Lemonade to be released later this month. The group’s tracks are heavily based within the Southern rock genre with prominent percussion and bass riffs and vocal male harmonies. In my opinion the group gives off a Dire Straits and Eagles vibe but with updated, modern influences and signatures.

This show will definitely be a good start to a chill Fall weekend.

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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The Winning Ticket: The Dismemberment Plan, 10/20/13

DismembermentFAs a way to say thanks to our loyal readers, We Love DC will be giving away a pair of tickets to a 9:30 Club concert to one lucky reader periodically. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to find out what tickets we’re giving away, and leave a comment for your chance to be the lucky winner!

Today, we are giving away a pair of tickets to see The Dismemberment Plan at the 9:30 Club on Sunday, Oct. 20. The D-Plan actually are playing two shows in a row at the 9:30 Club–Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20–but our giveaway is specifically for the Sunday show.

The Dismemberment Plan have officially reunited to the delight of their many fans, and the band has its first new album, Uncanney Valley, in 10 years coming out tomorrow, Oct. 15. The new album, which I have not yet heard, is said to sound a lot like The Dismemberment Plan we know and love, but perhaps a little older and a little wiser. The Plan’s well-received shows over the past few years already demonstrate the emo rockers still sound great, so you know you’re in for a good time.

For your chance to win these tickets, simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between 10am and 4pm today. Feel free to leave any comment, but perhaps share your favorite song by The Dismemberment Plan! One entry per email address, please. Tickets for this show are also available through Ticketfly.

For the rules of this giveaway…

Comments will be closed at 4pm and a winner will be randomly selected. The winner will be notified by email. The winner must respond to our email within 24 hours or they will forfeit their tickets and we will pick another winner.

Tickets will be available to the winner at the 9:30 Club Guest List window one hour before doors open on the night of the concert. The tickets must be claimed with a valid ID. The winner must be old enough to attend the specific concert or must have a parent’s permission to enter if he/she is under 18 years old.

The Dismemberment Plan
w/ Paint Branch
9:30 Club
Sunday, Oct. 20
doors @7pm
$25
All ages

 

Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 10/11-10/13

Lost, wet tourist dad; sad, wet tourist son.... wolfkann

Normally on this day to celebrate Columbus sailing the ocean blue, and to a larger extent Italian Americans as a whole (and let’s not forget our national neighbors to the north, who have Thanksgiving today), I’d be telling you Federal employees to enjoy sleeping in. Of course, you’ve had nearly two weeks of that and it’s gotten really old, I’m sure. So just try to have a decent Monday and be sure to have pasta tonight, and why not watch a mob movie, in celebration of all things Italian American.

As a quick side note: you could also read an interesting take on Columbus Day by the Oatmeal. While I don’t endorse the idea of replacing the celebration of one historically dubious person with that of another, it is an interesting read and most people don’t know much of the history of Columbus’ first two voyages to the New World. Just read it with a good helping of salt.

I do seem to ramble. Anyways, enjoy this rainy Flashback; it does have a general wet theme to it. But excellent photos from our contributors, as always. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Dallas defeats Washington 31-16

Let’s not dwell on this one too long. It was likely the ceremonial end of Washington’s season, but the chances already weren’t good at 1-3 and now at 1-4 they are even worse. Let’s examine this loss from a couple different areas, or let’s not. There are going to be plenty of columns by smarter people than me breaking down what went wrong on special teams, offense, and defense, but mainly special teams.

For many the problem with the Redskins last season was Danny Smith. He is gone and the special teams unit isn’t much better. They allowed one big punt return for a touchdown and a kick-off return that set-up a touchdown, and could never get anything going themselves. It is hard to think of the last good or even decent Washington return man not named Brian Mitchell and he might even be able to step out of the studio and do a better job than the guys they are putting out there now, but the special team issues aren’t limited to special teams. Washington defenders suffer from an allergy to pig skin. That has to be the answer when it comes to there issue with tackling the ball carrier.

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Van Gogh Repetitions at The Phillips Collection

Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles, 1889, Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Vincent van Gogh, The Bedroom at Arles, October 1889. Oil on canvas, 22 11/16 x 29 1/8 in. Musée d’Orsay, Paris. © RMN-Grand Palais/Hervé Lewandowski/Art Resource, NY.

If all you got from it was the opportunity to stand in front of Vincent van Gogh’s heartbreakingly beautiful painting The Bedroom in Arles, the upcoming exhibition at The Phillips Collection would be well worth the visit. After all, this will be DC’s first van Gogh exhibition in fifteen years, and the first in the Phillips’ history.

There’s more, however. This exhibit is an exquisite study of the artist’s process.

In 1889, Vincent van Gogh set up his easel on a village road and hastily painted an oil sketch of the scene on an improvised canvas of stretched fabric. Later that year he would paint it again, on a proper canvas sent by his brother Theo. Continue reading →

History, Sports Fix, The Features, WTF?!
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What’s In a Football Name? Snyder Thinks He Knows – And He’s Wrong

Washington, DC's Football Team Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

So this popped out the other day.

It’s no secret how I feel about the whole name thing with the Washington football team. I oppose it. I think it’s racist. I have several personal issues with the name. But that’s not why I decided to post something about it.

The letter is a poor public relations attempt, mostly to mollify diehard team fans who will, unto the bitter end, support the racist moniker. Not out of reason, but blind emotion.

Hey, I get it. I understand why. Team fandom is a complicated, deep, personal thing that involves a lot of emotional investment and history. It’s difficult to hear that your beloved franchise is doing something wrong – simply by using a name (and by extension, mascot and other fan accoutrements).

The problem comes when that moniker is unveiled to be racist. The Washington issue isn’t anything new; it’s been around for decades. The movement today has found new momentum and has begun to find rightful traction in righting a wrong. (Just like the Civil Rights Movement began finding traction nearly one hundred years after Emancipation.)

The first third of Snyder’s letter is a play on his loyal fanbase’s emotional strings. “I still remember…the passion of the fans…the ground beneath me seemed to move and shake…he’s been gone for 10 years now…” All phrases and words evoking emotions and certainly causing the reader to recall their own cherished memories. Setting them into their defensive stance, so that the rest of the letter, which uses standard PR spin and deft deflection, only ratchets up the emotional volume for their impassioned – and misguided – defense.

Oh, and then there’s the trite “Our past isn’t just where we came from–it’s who we are” phrase. Bolded and italicized, even. Because it’s important!  Continue reading →

Week in Review
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Week in Review: 10/7-10/10

About today Dan Lawrence 62

So let’s see, the government is still shut down, the weather is crappy, traffic is a nightmare (as usual), and there’s allegedly a long line of very upset truckers on the way to add more fun and excitement to our daily commutes. I think it’s time to put this week to bed. But before we do we should take a look back at some of the good stuff our photographical contributors managed to find. And remember, we just need to get through today and then it’s a glorious, if a little rain-filled, weekend. We can do this, people. We can do this.

Continue reading →

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends: Oct 11-13

Goldfrapp: The Recap Kevin H.

Or maybe though Oct 14, if you get Columbus Day off. Or indefinite if you’re among the unfortunate furloughed. Whatever. It’s the weekend and we’re plotting what to do and how to stay mostly dry doing it.

Patrick: If you haven’t heard, I have a lot of drastic life changes coming my way. My career and living situation is changing. To celebrate the last weekend with my long time roommate, confidant, and friend we’re hitting… the club. First stop will be Capitale DC to see one of my pal DJ Chazzta spin it up on Electric Jungle Saturday. After we get sick of the bottle service and loud music we’ll escape to a much more quieter place: Harold Black. You can’t miss it- just open up the secret wall over at Suna.

DSC_1579 Don Whiteside

Tom: Rain?! That’s just not fair. I wanted to get out and show my Dad some great spots to ride in the city. Instead, we may do the tour de coffee and beer, hitting DC’s best uppers and downers at Peregrine Espresso, DC Brau, Pound Coffee, Meridian Pint, and then Filter. Sunday, our 49ers play the Cardinals in a game that just won’t make the airwaves here, so we may go out in search of a place to watch the red and gold. Happy Weekend!

Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie

Rachel: This weekend should be a good one. Got a last minute opportunity to join a friend for the Caps game this Saturday. It’ll be my first NHL game in three years so I’m super stoked. Then I’ll be working on some songs with Miss Brittany Jean — who I’ll be sharing the stage with at Ebenezers Coffeehouse on November 14 — on Sunday before heading to the Fillmore in Silver Spring to see Atlas Genius.

Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie

Rebecca: As luck would have it (given the pending poopie weather) I’m headed out of town this weekend to Austin for the second weekend of Austin City Limits. Looking forward to sets by Widowspeak, Smith Westerns, Lone Bellows, Local Natives and Vampire Weekend. Also looking forward to good Texas style BBQ, funky coffee shops, outdoor runs/bike rides and Austin weirdness aka awesomeness.

Maryland Polar Bear Plunge 2010 SchuminWeb

Fedward:  We’re babysitting the Niecelets, and for them Friday night is always movie night. I’d say we’d take advantage of the extended hours tonight at Petworth library and let them pick out a DVD in advance, but with the rain we’re more likely to pick something from Netflix.  Saturday we’ll be at Studio Theatre to catch Red Speedo before it closes (here’s Jenn’s review). And with our anniversary on Monday, Sunday we’ll celebrate with dinner (location still TBD: Casa Luca? Doi Moi? Baby Wale? Maybe something that isn’t brand new?) before a celebratory brunch at (where else) the Passenger. So. First anniversary is paper. Is the deed to our house good enough, or do I need to go shopping?

Phillips Collection Staircase Kevin H.

Jenn: Getting a little worried about all my furloughed friends, so I plan on hitting the markets and rustling up some feasts to cheer people up. I’m lucky to be close enough to hit one a day: Penn Quarter, Petworth, U Street, and Bloomingdale, in addition to the always fabulous Dupont market. What’s on the menu? Whatever looks best, but I’m leaning towards roasting squash, making soup, and serving up comfort foods to get in the proper mood for autumn. I’ll also indulge in my new Saturday obsession: browsing the District Flea with a cup of Vigilante coffee in hand. The hottest arts ticket this weekend is the opening of Van Gogh Repetitions at The Phillips Collection on Saturday. I was thrilled to get a peek this week and happy to say it’s a beautiful, meditative exhibit showcasing van Gogh’s process. In the world of theater, I highly recommend dog & pony dc’s rotation of Beertown and A Killing Game. Both are excellent, high-spirited fun, in addition to being thoughtful and whip smart. Scared of audience integration? Don’t be. And don’t let the shutdown blues and rainy days get you down!

DSC_1683 Don Whiteside

Don: We’re going (even) low(er) key (than usual) this weekend because of the weather and to make up for a week of busy-bee. Friday we’ll do something I hate: venture into the wilds of faraway suburban Maryland. The dinner with friends part is fine, but sometimes I wake up screaming just thinking about I-270. Maybe we’ll make some lemonade out of traffic lemons by doing a long-postponed Ikea run along the way. Baby’s first Ikea trip! Saturday and Sunday are most likely puttering days that reserve the right to ditch the errands and enjoy some of the area’s out-of-doors if weather improves. I’ve seen chatter that since the furloughs started that Haines Point has had smaller than usual crowds, so perhaps we’ll introduce That Darned Baby to plane watching and point out where the Awakening was before those dirty Marylanders stole it away to “National” Harbor.

Five Favorites, The District, The Features
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Bigtime Bentzen Ball Giveaway

Bb landing page update
Bb landing page update1

Today’s the first day of the 2013 Bentzen Ball, a collection of awesome comedy shows all over DC that feature some of the nation’s greatest comedic minds. This year’s set of shows is curated by the amazing Tig Notaro – she of the amazing set last year about cancer that broke all of comedy’s rules – and the slate is nothing short of masterful.  Tonight’s opening show at 9:30 Club headlines with Notaro, and she’s joined by Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing), Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show), Heather Lawless (Flight of the Conchords), and one of my favorite locals, Brandon Wetherbee to kick things off, and the rest of the weekend is just as awesome.

Of all the days of the festival, though, Saturday’s lineup is nothing short of astonishing. I don’t think DC will ever have been as funny to the world as it will be Saturday, with big shows at the Lincoln Theatre, Howard Theatre, and U Street Music Hall. There’s an Improv show, a comedy music revue and a straight up comedy battle, all with price tags under $25 a piece. These are shows featuring Rachel Dratch, Garfunkel & Oates, Christylez Bacon, Nancy & Beth (with Megan Mullally), Nick Kroll (The League), DC’s favorite Seaton Smith, and tons more. 

When I first saw the lineup, I couldn’t believe that they’d gotten all these folks to come, but more than that, where are you going to find such a diverse crowd of comedians? This isn’t some Andrew Dice Clay misogynist’s gallery, this is a group of amazing funny people in one place, so get your laugh on, folks.

We’re going to get one lucky winner a pair of all access passes to ALL of Saturday’s shows. Why?

Because we love you. And DC. And Laughing. Because we could all use a laugh about now. 

So, here’s how it works:

Continue reading →

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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We Love Music: The Naked and the Famous @ 9:30 Club — 10/7/13

The Naked and Famous | October 2013 nan palmero

When I first heard “Punching in a Dream” by The Naked and the Famous, I thought, “Well, what a catchy dreampop song!” The ethereal voice of Alisa Xayalith over the layered electronics struck me as a sonically aggressive take on the genre but I was comfortable with that categorization nonetheless.

Coming to know the band quite a bit better recently, I’ve come to appreciate the bite in their music that lends their sound to the more rock-and-roll bent of post-punk. Yet I’m not entirely comfortable fully placing them there myself—and this is what makes the band an exciting listen. The Naked and the Famous are different. They play outside of boundaries, and they are surprisingly versatile while doing so. This was evident in two sold out shows at the 9:30 Club this past Sunday and Monday, where the crowd fully embraced the duality of the band, dancing and singing along with great enthusiasm.

Continue reading →

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

after the rain ekelly80

If you’ve missed it, the last few days have produced some amazing sunsets. I believe (and if someone with a atmospheric science background could confirm this) that it has to do with the angle the sun is setting at this time of year and the heavy clouds/atmosphere with the storms moving through the area. Whatever the how is, the end product is great to look at, and Erin came away with an amazing shot. Those deep oranges are hard to catch, and she was able to do it while not completely blacking out the foreground. The subtle orange reflections along the ground accent the silhouetted cityscape perfectly. She even was able to capture some reds, pinks, and blues a few minutes later. Simply mesmerizing.

A number of other contributors got shots of the sunset over the last two evenings. Those too are well worth a few minutes to check out.

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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The Winning Ticket: Lee Fields & The Expressions @ 9:30 Club, 10/17/13

LeeFieldsFAs a way to say thanks to our loyal readers, We Love DC will be giving away a pair of tickets to a 9:30 Club concert to one lucky reader periodically. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to find out what tickets we’re giving away, and leave a comment for your chance to be the lucky winner!

Today, we are giving away a pair of tickets to see Lee Fields and the Expressions at the 9:30 Club on Thursday, Oct. 17.

Mr. Fields, a southern soul singer, has been on a resurgence lately, putting out several well-regarded albums with The Expressions in the past decade. It seems he’s drawn quite a few comparisons to James Brown over the years, so this has got to be quite a fun and funky show!

For your chance to win these tickets, simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between 10am and 4pm today. Feel free to leave any comment, but perhaps share your favorite song by Lee Fields! One entry per email address, please. Tickets for this show are also available through Ticketfly.

For the rules of this giveaway…

Comments will be closed at 4pm and a winner will be randomly selected. The winner will be notified by email. The winner must respond to our email within 24 hours or they will forfeit their tickets and we will pick another winner.

Tickets will be available to the winner at the 9:30 Club Guest List window one hour before doors open on the night of the concert. The tickets must be claimed with a valid ID. The winner must be old enough to attend the specific concert or must have a parent’s permission to enter if he/she is under 18 years old.

Lee Fields & The Expressions
9:30 Club
Thursday, Oct. 17
doors @7pm
$25
All ages

Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 10/4-10/6

mall bike track philliefan99

The continuing government shutdown didn’t stop some of our amazing photographic contributors from visiting DC’s major tourist sites but the gates, barriers, and armed guards meant they, and the other visitors, couldn’t get as close as they usually do. Although in the case of the road closures on the Mall that just meant that cyclists had free reign over the lovely leaf-covered streets. It turned out okay in the end (at least as far as the Weekend Flashback goes) as there were plenty of other interesting sights to see and things to do in our fair city this weekend.

As always if you’d like to see your name in lights, or at least your photos on our site, then please take the time to add them to our pool. It’ll be worth the effort I promise! I’ll even pay you. In compliments. I know, you were hoping for cash but who doesn’t like compliments? Sure they won’t pay the rent but you’ll feel good on the inside. Continue reading →

Entertainment, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: The Laramie Project

01h_LaramieProject

Photo: Carol Rosegg

In the performing arts world it is almost canon law that the show must go on. For the cast and crew of Ford’s Theatre’s The Laramie Project that meant finding a performance space for their production after Tuesday’s Government Shutdown resulted in the National Parks Service forcing the closure the famed theatre.

I learned about the events of that faithful day in an interview with Paul R. Tetreault, the Theatre Director for Ford’s Theatre. The staff arrived to work at 8:30 unsure on how the Shutdown would affect their production. In past government closures the theatre has been allowed to produce theatrical productions. This production of The Laramie Project doesn’t use any federal employees or funds, however the theatre facility is funded by both the Ford’s Theatre Society, a nonprofit entity, and the National Parks Service.

“We thought we’d be beneath the radar… the Federal government has bigger issues than little ol’ Fords Theatre.” Tetreault explained.

At 10:30 that morning Tetreault was hand-delivered a letter from the Director of the National Parks Service informing them that the facility will be closed for the duration of the shutdown. Suddenly The Laramie Project was out on the street without a home.

Continue reading →