Tag Archives: Rock and Roll Hotel

The Features, We Love Music
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December Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Some people may be inclined to warm up by a fire during the cold months, but if you’re like me, you prefer to get the feeling back in your hands and toes by dancing it out. Or at the very least, getting your mind blown by some amazing musicians (local and not) in the month of December. The Roots, Erin McKeown, and even some crazy kids who call themselves The Phenomenal Handclap Band will be gracing our city in the next 30 days, so let’s get to the preview!

Right at the beginning of the month, local musician Andy Zipf (and pfriends) will be celebrating the release of his new album, The Long Tail, at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on Wednesday, December 2 ($10, $50 VIP).

Saturday, December 5 The Big Pink is coming to Black Cat ($13). I have to admit, their name didn’t immediately ring a bell with me, but I recognized their song “Dominoes” as soon as it started playing, and I bet that will happen to some of you, too. If you like Matt & Kim, mixed with a little bit of Kings of Leon, and topped off with a British accent, perhaps you should check these guys out. Continue reading →

Music, The Features
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November Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Kind of a light month music-wise in November, possibly due to the holiday. Also could be due to the fact that way more people are willing to venture out for a show when it’s nice outside than when it’s blistering cold, as November undoubtedly will be.  Most of the fun stuff seems to be clustered toward the beginning of the month, with a few excellent shows right around Thanksgiving, including Peter Bjorn and John, Queen Latifah, The Mountain Goats, and more– so let’s jump right in!

Right up front in November, the Verizon Center is hosting two HUGE names, but for very different audiences: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on Monday, November 2 and Miley Cyrus the next day, Tuesday, November 3. I mean, I guess you can party in the USA and still be down with The Boss, right? Continue reading →

Music, The Features
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October Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘Colbie Caillat’
courtesy of ‘Martijn vdS’

Oh my, does October bring delightful things. It feels like fall, and that means not only that the leaves are changing color but that we’re in the magical yet short time where the temperature is just chilly enough at night to cool off some of those tiny concert venues a bit but not too cold to have to bring a giant coat.

Check out my completely subjective roundup of all the concerts I’m excited about in October, including The Bravery, Pinback, Colbie Caillat, and even Hanson and KISS after the jump. Continue reading →

Music, Night Life, The Features
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We Love Music: Dance Parties

Photo courtesy of
‘_’
courtesy of ‘Sexy Fitsum’

It’s kind of hard for me to describe the dance party scene in DC, because I have kind of a stream-of-consciousness reaction that involves the words “awesome” “super fun” and “pure joy.” Perhaps the best way to start is to tell you what it’s not: it’s not the club scene. Sure, both involve dancing, but everything from the kind of dancing to the music being played is completely different. There’s no velvet rope with a bouncer letting in the right amount of girls and guys, there’s no Top 40 playlist, and there isn’t even any bumping and grinding (unless you really want to). Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, The Features
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July Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘088:365’
courtesy of ‘::FiZ::’

Here comes July! As you consider going to concerts in the dead of summer, I just want to impart a few words of wisdom: you can’t always count on the A/C at some of DC’s music venues. I’m thinking specifically of Rock and Roll Hotel, where it is nearly impossible to go to a show without being overwhelmed by how freaking hot and sweaty it gets. So dress accordingly, and maybe consider an outdoor nighttime concert with some breathing room to avoid getting a faceful of sweaty pit from that guy shouting “Woooo!” next to you. Continue reading →

Music, The Features
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Concert: Vieux Farka Touré

Photo courtesy of
‘Vieux Farka Toure at Rock and Roll Hotel’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

You may not have heard of Vieux Farka Toure, but perhaps you should. NPR knows about him. The New York Times knows about him. The dirty hippies who were standing next to me and went to Bonnaroo do, too. If you have admiration for (or skill of your own at) guitar, it’s easy to appreciate the kind of talent it takes to make his guitar sound the way he does. Vieux is from Mali (in West Africa), the son of the famous Ali Farka Touré, and he visited our own Rock and Roll Hotel Monday night. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Scootergate Starts Now

Scootergate 4 by spoffy

This is it scooter fans, the weekend we’ve been waiting for.  Scootergate 4 has finally arrived!  The festivities kick off at 5pm at The Pug where you can register ($25 cash) if you haven’t done so already online.  What do you get with your registration?  A whole slew of things including a ticket to the Rock and Roll Hotel show Saturday night, a rally bag, a rally patch, a t-shirt, a bunch of coupons, a raffle ticket, and food.  Hell, I’d pay $25 for the t-shirt alone!  Today’s Seattle-like weather is supposed to subside as the day goes on so hopefully it will be prime weather for the late night ride of DC movie hotspots.

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Entertainment, Music, The Features
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June Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC04273’
courtesy of ‘Matt Lancashire’

It’s June! We made it! Finally, an end to those cold temperatures and a hearty welcome to sundresses and summer concerts. I know I’m excited. For that reason, I have included a couple of larger venues in my June concert preview that I’ve been leaving out in the past. Because what better time is there than summer to hang out on the lawn, enjoying a huge band you’ve always wanted to see? Can I interest you in some Eric Clapton, No Doubt, or even indie fan fave The Decemberists, perchance? Details after the break! Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, The Features
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Concert: Jenny Owen Youngs

Photo courtesy of
‘Jenny Owen Youngs, 5/23/09’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

Jenny Owen Youngs is young, oh so hipster, and she’s got something to say to you. Which may or may not be a joke, depending on whether she’s singing or talking. Her songs are sweet, thoughtful, and melodious love songs (mostly), but as soon as the music stops, all seriousness gets set aside. Even her introduction of her band-mates (her drummer has some bold eyebrows, apparently) and comments on the insane heat at Rock and Roll Hotel (exchanging moist DNA with the crowd) were delivered with the kind of deadpan wit that I love. Especially with the kind of heat we were dealing with, we needed a little humor to keep punches from being exchanged instead of just sweaty DNA. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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My Eyes, My Virgin Eyes

Photo courtesy of
‘Going for a Ride’
courtesy of ‘John of Austin’

And now, for your WTF of the day: the Air Sex Championships are coming to DC. Although Rock and Roll Hotel is hosting, this is not some weirdly-named band you’ve never heard of, it’s an actual judged competition of an activity much like air guitar…but with sex. Competitors get up on stage (one at a time), fully clothed, and perform to a song of their choice. For an even more graphic representation, here’s a video from the place where it all started: Texas. Like I even need to say this, but it’s definitely NSFW. Catch all the action for yourself June 10 for $10.

Music, The Daily Feed
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Awesome Band Names Unite

Setting up at Rock and Roll Hotel
Setting up at Rock and Roll Hotel by dcjasmine

Choosing a great band name is just about as tough as coming up with a sitcom plot line that the Simpsons haven’t already done. But tonight, two clear winners are coming to Rock and Roll Hotel: Future Rock and Shout Out Out Out Out. Who doesn’t want to experience the future of rock and roll, and SOOOO went with capturing the vibe a la Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Apparently, the future of rock is electronica, because that’s what both these bands are. You can dance to the beat tonight at 8:30 pm for $10.

Music, The Features
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May Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
St. Vincent comes to Black Cat May 22. ‘.’
courtesy of ‘Beard Papa’

Here we are again, with another completely subjective installment of everything worth seeing in May, according to me. Did I miss anything you’re super excited about? Leave it in the comments!

Start May off on a hilarious note by hitting up Super Diamond— the Ultimate Neil Diamond Experience at 9:30 Club Friday, May 1 ($22).

Amazingly, there are still tickets for Gavin Rossdale at 9:30 Club on Sunday, May 3 ($25). Reasons to see him: he’s pretty sexy and is married to Gwen Stefani, plus even if you’re not a fan of his latest single (“Love Remains the Same”), what if he plays that 90’s staple “Adrenaline”? Ah, that brings me back. Good times.

Continue reading →

Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The District
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Scootergate 4

Scootergate 4 by Spoffy

I recently became the father of a 1979 Vespa P200E, a toy I’ve had my eye on for a long time now.  But to some it’s more than a toy and a mode of transportation, it’s a way of life.  These scooter people make their way across the country for rallies all year long, and in June they’re coming to DC for Scootergate 4.

The festivities kick off Friday evening at the Pug which includes registration and basically a “Hey!  Good to see you, mutherf#*@$r!” type of gathering, complete with a DJ, Stupid Human Tricks, and a late night ride.  Assuming you survive that night, Saturday brings you breakfast, rally rides, Scooter Jackassery awards, dinner, and a concert at the Rock and Roll Hotel.  Still alive?  Then ride to brunch on Sunday at Airborne’s and say your tearful goodbyes until next year.  For a full itinerary that is subject to change, click here.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Dance Parties Galore

Photo courtesy of
‘__ ________ _ _ _ _ _’
courtesy of ‘Sexy Fitsum’

Dust off those dancin’ shoes, because the district is chock full of options for getting your groove on this weekend. Tonight is Rock and Roll Hotel’s free Epic Dance Party, with mash-ups of 50 Cent and golden oldies, and DC9‘s Liberation Dance Party ($6). Last time I went to Liberation, it was a great time but the room filled up quickly, so get there early!

I still can’t decide between the Black Cat‘s two options for Saturday night: Mousetrap, full of fun Britpop, or local band Ra Ra Rasputin, which has been described as “a sugar rush of catchy exuberant rock that has no problem keeping their captivated crowd moving.” Decisions, decisions!

Music, The Daily Feed
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Best Bet for Music Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Setting up at Rock and Roll Hotel’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

If you’re itching for a concert tonight, head over to the Rock & Roll Hotel for three bands, plus local DJs Garutachi, all for only $10. I would probably skip opener Seas, whose super mellow sound doesn’t seem to match the rest of the lineup, but make it there by 9:30 pm to catch Lissy Tullie and then indie rockers U.S. Royalty.

Entertainment, Music, The Features
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April Concert Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘Exit Clov’
courtesy of ‘flickr-rickr’

This month, people seem to have planned ahead and half the really exciting concerts are sold out! Well, I’ll try to nip that in the bud from now on and post some future shows to watch out for at the bottom. Also seems like there are a lot of dance parties this month, which might be just the thing to get everyone going and ready for summer. But now, onto the music! Continue reading →

Music, The Features
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Concert: Tapes ‘n Tapes

Tapes 'n Tapes at Rock and Roll Hotel
Tapes n Tapes at Rock and Roll Hotel by dcjasmine

“Is anyone else sweating through their pants?”

Although it might be hard to remember with our current snowpocalypse, Friday’s Tapes ‘n Tapes show at the Rock and Roll Hotel was on an unseasonably warm night, and frontman Josh Grier was feeling the heat. As more and more people packed into the sold-out venue, he wasn’t the only one sweating through his pants (as verified by a show of hands). Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Dance Your Way into 2009

Photo courtesy of Sexy Fitsum
untitled, courtesy of Sexy Fitsum

What better way to start 2009 than a dance party…or four? Dance the recession blues away starting Friday, January 2 with Rock and Roll Hotel‘s Disco City (free), then boogie into Black Cat on Saturday the 3rd for Homo/Sonic, an alternative co-ed dance party for queer folks and their friends ($10).

The next weekend Black Cat bombards you with BLACK CATatonia, featuring DJ DK kickin’ it old skool with two turntables (and probably a microphone) on Friday, January 9 ($5) and Mousetrap, a fun-filled Britpop night, on Saturday the 10th ($10).