Category Archives: The Features

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Interviews, People, She/He Loves DC, The Features
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He Loves DC: Ed Cunningham

Photo Courtesy of ESPN

Photo Courtesy of ESPN

Ed Cunningham grew up playing football at Mount Vernon High School in DC’s backyard. His ability to play the game and play it well enabled a successful career as a professional football player and on-air sports analyst. The athleticism he exhibited on the field led Cunningham to a Rose Bowl Championship — that he won — in college before he continued on to spend time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in the 90’s.

Most recently, Cunningham finds himself working as a college football analyst for ESPN. And this weekend, ESPN is bringing Cunningham back home to call the Clemson at Maryland football game which is scheduled to air at 3:30 p.m. ET this afternoon.

What is it about DC that makes it home to you?

Now that I have lived away for so long, I think it is the accents of the people. There is such a unique way of speaking here, and it always reminds me of being a kid in such a great place.

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Friday Happy Hour: Chartreuse-Fernet

Aside

Chartreuse-Fernet by Jon Harris Paul Allen

I am having a hard time imagining the origins of this drink. I think it would have to have gone something like this:

“Hey, what do bartenders like to drink? Chartreuse and Fernet? Okay then, pour both of those into a glass and add vermouth and bitters for good measure!”

Eventually everyone in the industry, bartenders and voracious cocktail drinkers of Hemingway-esque proportions alike, will find themselves in a rut. It’s at times like this that you find yourself doing strange and frightening things, like ordering vodka on the rocks, when what you really need is to go back to your roots and rediscover what you’re passionate about. There aren’t many things that will excite jaded bartenders, but Green Chartreuse and Fernet Branca are near the top of that list.

Look at respected institutions like Range on Wisconsin Avenue and Canon in Seattle, winner of Tales of the Cocktail World’s Best Drink Selection, and veteran haunts like Bar Pilar on 14th Street NW. Range and Canon have Green Chartreuse on tap and Bar Pilar has a Fernet Branca tap. Why on tap? Because why the heck not? They enjoy enough of it, they might as well reserve a tap line for ye olde “Bartender’s Handshake.” But this is not just a drink for bartenders. Somewhere between the equal parts of Green Chartreuse, Fernet Branca, Martini and Rosso sweet vermouth, and a few spirited dashes of aromatic bitters, everyone comes together and mellows each other out.

On the menu at Firefly on New Hampshire Ave NW, the flavor text reads “for the lion-hearted drinker,” but this drink is a big pussy cat. Don’t get me wrong, when I had the chance to get an early look at the new cocktail menu, this drink jumped right out at me and screamed “bartender porn.” Continue reading →

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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Hot Ticket: Sparks @ 9:30 Club, 10/27/13

sparks

I caught Sparks in two very different shows back in April. I hit up their sold-out performance at Hollywood Forever, a masonic mausoleum in Los Angeles, where Ron and Russell Mael did a full-length show but alone with Ron on keyboards and Russell on vocals.

It was slightly amazing to see them in such an intimate venue with people who were truly fans. I got caught up on some of their recent work like the addictively catchy “The Rhythm Thief” from Lil’ Beethoven. Well, I say recent although that album is now 10 years old. I went to the show exclusively to hear selections like “The Number One Song in Heaven,” which also did not disappoint.

I next saw them at The Coachella Valley Music Festival, where some people really loved them, some people were puzzled and some were just hanging out.

When Sparks play at the 9:30 Club this Sunday, Oct. 27, I suspect you’ll find more of the people who really love them, as this is a rare area performance by the synthpop duo. They play more in Europe, where they are much more popular, and in Los Angeles, their hometown.

In advance of the show, the 9:30 Club interviewed them for its blog, and it sounds like the gents have a good show planned for Thursday. And that they are working on material beyond their recent effort to score an independent film in development, The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman.

This is a rare opportunity to catch Sparks locally as they play an early show at the 9:30 Club! Come out and beat the clock! :)

Sparks
9:30 Club
Sunday, Oct. 27
Doors @6pm
$25
All ages

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends: Oct 25-27

DC Pumpkin on H Street Mr. T in DC

Patrick: I will be out of town this weekend for PhotoPlus Expo, but I’m not too sad to miss Halloween weekend in DC. Typically I try and skip town, I know that last year it looked like I was all about dressing up but normally unless I have a solid costume I’m keeping it low. While you won’t see me on M Street, my landlord told me that if you are in Clarendon to check out N Jackson St. on Halloween- the families come out with their kids and it’s apparently quite a sight to see all the costumes roaming about. When I get back from NYC on Sunday I’ll be in Shirlington to review Pride in the Falls of Autrey Mill at Signature.

Happy Halloween - Pumpkin Time Is Here - Washington DC Glyn Lowe Photoworks, 1 Million Views, Thanks

Rebecca: Like Patrick I’m out of town this weekend and not sad about missing Halloween weekend in DC. I mean it’s not even Halloween guys; that’s next week and I will definitely be out celebrating on Thursday. Climbing down from my soap box, I am sad to be missing the following DC ongoings. Friday Lego is hosting a free closing party for Architecture Week, where guests can create their own LEGO structures. The only Halloween activity I’d be getting to this weekend is Saturday’s Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration at Marjorie Post’s pet cemetery on the Hillwood Estate in NW. The event features a TON of dog owner activities, including a pet costume contest, caricature pet portraits, obstacle training course, etc. Sunday, as this week’s weather has me in the mood for leaf peeping, I’ll research the best DC route to take for a relaxing stroll through the fall foliage.

The Pirate Pumpkin Michael T. Ruhl

Fedward:  I got started on Thursday with some chamber music: Quarteto Casals with Manuel Barrueco at the Library of Congress. Friday night that LEGO party Rebecca mentioned sounds AWESOME to my inner kid (“inner?” the wise guys ask). For Saturday, the Social Chair just called my attention to this Music and Technology presentation also at the Library of Congress. When, oh when, will someone host a Music, Technology, LEGO, and craft cocktail event? I’ll be the first to arrive and last to leave! Sunday we’ll be at opening night for The Night Watcher at Studio. As for Halloween, as much as it might be amateur night (or sexy fill-in-the-blank night) I’ll make exceptions for Mockingbird Hill’s Poe Toast and the Passenger’s Zombie 80’s Prom. Not to mention Spirits in Black. Oy. I better call in sick for next Friday, huh.

halloween without representation philliefan99

Jenn: As far as everyone’s favorite spooky holiday, yes, you can start celebrating this weekend for Halloween and go right on through til the real thing next Thursday. That’s quite a marathon. I was ordered to be 80s Madonna for the Passenger’s Zombie 80’s Prom next Thursday, and hopefully I won’t get walled up alive for Mockingbird Hill’s amontillado-inspired Poe Toast earlier that night, and of course I’ll hit Spirits in Black as well. But what about this weekend? Focus, Jenn. BYT’s taking over the gorgeously creepy Sphinx Club on Saturday for their Twerk or Treat Halloween Extravaganza (there will be giant hamster balls!), and Black Cat’s hosting the Eighties Mayhem Halloween Dance Party. Not in the mood for the Great Pumpkin yet? Head to Jaleo on Saturday afternoon for a Camus cognac tasting with Kayleigh Kulp, author of Booze for Babes, to learn about cognac, the origins of the classic Sidecar cocktail, and how to make the perfect one yourself. Kulp is a wonderful spirits writer and it will be a lovely afternoon. If you’d like to escape all the pre-Halloween/boozy mayhem, the Freer/Sackler galleries are celebrating Diwali, the Indian Festival of Light, with a day full of events coinciding with their exhibit Yoga: The Art of Transformation. Ah yes, restore your soul before beating up your liver. Bliss.

Halloween Decor on Capitol Hill - 900 Block of C Street SE caroline.angelo

Don: My weekend starts with a bit of glamour shots; we’ve hired our friend Chris of Route 1 Multimedia to take some family pictures of us and That Darned Baby. Who says weekend nights aren’t exciting when you’ve got a kid? Well, WC Fields in this case, I suspect, since getting both the infant and the family dog to look in the same place at the same time is a task that might make you wish for a rock and a giant eagle. Then off to bed because we’re up tomorrow at the butt-crack of dawn for the Walk to End Alzheimers. We’re still fund raising so if you’d like to do some good with a deductible donation we’d love to have it. Sunday we may just enjoy a warm beverage inside after all that chilly outdoors work the previous two days. Maybe we’ll go sit in the Kogod courtyard and enjoy the light and an outdoors-ish feel while still being sheltered from what’s projected to be a blustery day.

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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Hot Ticket: Gary Numan @ Black Cat, 10/27/13

Gary-Numan-2

Gary Numan has come a long way since he hit number one on the UK charts with “Are Friends Electric” in 1979. He’s hit some highs and lows in that time, and he recently immigrated from England to Los Angeles.

It’s interesting how much music has changed during that time. At the start of his career, Numan received criticism for seeking success—15 years later glory-seeking was an actual characteristic of Britpop bands. In that time, Numan changed his sound quite a bit, traversing from synthpop auteur to gothic acoustic. In recent years, he’s come back around a bit, re-embraced his synth, and still sounds like he’s light-years ahead of the pack.

Numan has a new album, Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind), released Oct. 14, and he comes to the Black Cat Sunday to tour it. The new album continues a trend of gloomy self-examination but frankly he remains one of the most intriguing artists in any genre.

Numan last came to the Black Cat almost exactly three years ago, and sold-out a highly anticipated display for the 30th anniversary of his album, The Pleasure Principle, which featured his most globally famous song, “Cars.” His recent set lists suggest he hasn’t forgotten that world tour was pretty good for everyone, so this is a great opportunity to catch him explore songs old and new. Don’t miss out!

Gary Numan
w/ The Color Film
Black Cat
Sunday, Oct. 27
Doors @8pm
$25 advance/$30 doors
All ages

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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We Love Music: A Love Letter to The Sounds

The Sounds fragment.fi

The first time I saw The Sounds, they were promoting their second album, Dying to Say This to You, with a performance at the 9:30 Club. It was April 10, 2006, and the Swedish new wavers were there with Morningwood and Action Action.

It goes without saying that it was love at first listen—I was instantly hooked by the feminine but tough vocals of Maja Ivarsson and the rock star sensibilities of her bandmates. Guitarist Felix Rodriguez, bassist Johan Bengtsson, drummer Fredrik Blond and keyboardist Jesper Anderberg all are remarkable musicians—and instruments in The Sounds come together from a delightfully cohesive sound. They quickly became my favorite new band.

The Sounds release a new album, Weekend, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and they leapt over to the United States to play some dates in support of their fifth LP. It’s an excellent mix of some of the raucous dance tunes for which the band is celebrated and some of the softer, reflective ballads that somehow still manage to surprise with their sincerity. Those who like The Sounds for their great dance numbers like “Tony the Beat” and “Dance with the Devil” will welcome the first single, “Shake Shake Shake” and the rebellious “Outlaw.” If “Night After Night” or “Dorchester Hotel” appeal to you, then you’ll likewise welcome the reflective “Hurt the Ones I Love” or the sweetness of “Weekend” (thematically a reflective and forward-looking companion and counterpart to the Pet Shop Boy’s more immediate “Thursday).

Felix, Johan, Maja, Jesper, Frederik

Felix, Johan, Maja, Jesper, Frederik

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Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Behind the door gerdaindc

We have a fascinating a scene from Mount Pleasant today, captured by Gerda. There is a fascinating complexity to the shot, with the foreground texture of the door, the faint reflection in the glass, and the main scene of the laundromat. As well, looking onto the people in the shot, you start wondering what is happening. Are the two female laundromat patrons looking at the photographer or at something out on the street? And Gerda was able to frame this shot with two people going about simple, every day actions (the man folding laundry and the woman checking her cell). Gerda wisely has this shot in black and white, which removes the potential distraction of color, allowing us to focus only on composition. An excellent shot, to be sure.

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Franz Ferdinand @ Strathmore Music Center — 10/17/13

Franz Ferdinand (Photo by Andy Knowles)

Franz Ferdinand (Photo by Andy Knowles)

We expect a lot from certain bands these days. Sometimes it’s not enough to play good music—the musicians must have style, personality and wit.

We therefore appreciate standard-bearers like Franz Ferdinand, who craft their upbeat post-punk songs with clever lyrics and catchy riffs. When you’re four men singing “music for girls,” as they famously say, it’s important to follow through with a certain amount of panache and sophistication.

And thankfully, Franz Ferdinand still maintains a great deal of this fire. Their lyrics are as wry and witty as ever and their energy is high. The dapper gents from Scotland have a new album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, which they toured through the Strathmore Music Center last Thursday, Oct. 17. There seems to be a consensus that the band’s last album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, wasn’t everything that it could be… and frontman Alex Kapranos has said the band was not spending a lot of time together and collaborated a lot over distances instead of working in the same room when making that album.

Continue reading →

Music, The Features, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Simple Minds @ 9:30 Club — 10/18/13

Jim Kerr - Simple Minds Manfred Menken

A representative of a music production company once told my favorite lady Yasmin that Simple Minds would not be about to mount a tour of the United States. They wanted too much money for their current place in the echelon of UK bands, the rep said.

It was quite satisfying then to see this fellow proved wrong as the 9:30 Club solidly sold out its $40-a-ticket show of the Glasgow quintet, who were in fine form for a 35th anniversary greatest hits tour. Vocalist Jim Kerr and company only hit seven dates in North America, so it was doubly satisfying that D.C. was on the tour bill.

I went to the show hoping that the band would not neglect its earlier material in favor of radio staples that got them noticed in the United States after “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” the number one hit they logged from The Breakfast Club soundtrack. As the band broke through here, their sound shifted direction to my ear away from the synth-driven music they embraced in their earlier albums toward soulful arena rock. While pleasing nevertheless, I do not find those radio hits like “Alive and Kicking” as satisfying as some of the material more obscure to Americans.

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Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 10/18-10/20

Behind the door gerdaindc

We know, it’s Monday. We know there are a million things you’d rather be doing today than sitting at work. Like sleeping. Or napping. Or snoozing. But since you can’t be doing those things you can sit back, look at some photos, and reminisce about the weekend. It was a good weekend wasn’t it? All that sleeping. And lounging. And the doing of nothing. Don’t worry, only 5 more days until the next one.

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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.

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 →

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 →

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:

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