The DC Traveler

Travel back in time to the period of King Henry VIII and watch non-stop entertainment on 8 stages, ranging from performances for children to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as well as swashbuckling pirate shows and William Tell…well…telling stories. 
All the the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival just out side of Annapolis, Maryland.  

Enjoy over 35 groups of musicians and dancers, or cheer for your favorite mounted knight during the exciting jousting match.  But don’t miss some of the faire’s classic Renaissance food – like the hot apple dumplings, steak-on-a-stake or a classic smoked turkey leg, fit for a king.
…read more

Comments Off

Besides normal heavy Labor Day holiday weekend traffic in and around Washington, DC, there’s a couple major issues to plan around this Labor Day weekend.

 
If your travels take you to Reagan National Airport , expect a 30+ minute delays on Metro’s Blue and Yellow line subway trains this weekend. Metro is replacing tracks south of Reagan National and riders arriving from the south or heading towards Alexandria , Virginia , will be shuttled by bus around the effected area.

And if your plans take you to a final summer weekend at the beach, your fun in the …read more

Comments Off

June offers all kinds of great live music in Washington, DC. Here’s some of the highlights (and perhaps a lowlight at Club 9:30).
At The Birchmere, check out:

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays 100 years of Cab Calloway. Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7:30 – $35.00
Smooth jazz singer Michael Franks with Genevieve. Saturday, June 21, at 7:30 – $45.00
For something different, Trixie Little will be staring in Dial ‘P’ for Pasties, an original burlesque who-dun-it that combines striptease, acrobatics and some naughty fun.  Trixie will be coming from her recent competition in Las Vegas at the Grand Prix of Burlesque. …read more

5 Comments

In May, there’s lots of great music in and around Washington, DC,  including the first shows at Wolftrap and lots of classic bands. So lets take the highlight tour.
At the Birchmere this month, a couple great guitarists, a killer mandolin player and a smooth piano player.

Smooth jazz guitarist, Norman Brown. Sunday May 4, 2008  at 7:30 -$45.00
Another guitarist, this one acoustic, Leo Kottke, brings his unconventional folksy 6 and 12-string slide guitar picking sound. Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 – $35.00

Sultry sounding jazz pianist, Alex Bugnon – Saturday May 24, 7:30 – $29.50
Bluegrass mandolin player David …read more

Comments Off

There’s some great live music this month happening in Washington, DC’s.   Here’s some of the more interesting performances: 
At the Birchmere, in suburban Arlington, VA, there’s jazz, country, a 1960s folk icon and a bit of comedy:

Smooth jazz saxophonist Candy Dulfer brings her cool sounds to the Birch – Thursday, April 3, 2008 – $39.50    
Flamenco guitarist Otmar Leibert will play solo and host a conversation with the audience – Sunday, April 6 – $29.50
Country music legend Roy Clark – Sunday  April 20 – 45.00
Jazz from The Rippingtons with Russ Freeman on Wednesday, April 23-  $39.50
1960s era folk music icon Judy …read more

Comments Off

One sign of Spring is the annual Marlborough Hunt Races at Roedown farm in Annapolis, Maryland.
In it’s 34th year, the race is also commemorating the Annapolis Subscription Plate, the first recorded formal horse race ever run in Maryland, back in 1743.
While not as well attended as the Virginia Gold Cup on May 3rd (watch here for upcoming details), the Marlborough Hunt Races usually have around 5,000 spectators.
The eleven steeplechase races over the course of the day include distances from ½-mile to over 3 miles. Check out the final race, the Governor’s Cup Hunt Club Challenge team competition, …read more

Comments Off

Here’s a round-up of some of the area’s best, most interesting or most unique music coming to the Washington, DC music scene in March.  And it seems to be a month featuring great guitarists.
At the State Theatre in suburban Fall Church, Virginia:

Johnny Winter and his “Rock N Roll…Hoochi Coo” sound.  Saturday, March 22, 2008.
Pat Metheny Trio, with Christian McBride & Antonio Sanchez – It’s unlikely that he’ll bring his 38 string Pikasso custom guitar, but 6 stings is enough to make his unique jazz sound. Friday, March 14.
 

State Theatre
220 Washington Street
Falls Church, VA
703-237-0300
At the Birchmere, in Arlington:

The Robert Cray Band  …read more

Comments Off

Call it a soup or a stew, I love gumbo. Chicken gumbo. Fish gumbo. Shrimp gumbo. Chicken and sausage gumbo. As long as it’s rich and spicy. 
I fell in love with gumbo on my first trip to New Orleans, close to 20 years ago.
Since then, I’ve been working on the perfect gumbo recipe. 
And to celebrate Mardi Gras, twenty area professional chefs will show off their idea of a perfect gumbo.  They’ll compete in the 9th annual Chesapeake Chefs Association’s Signature Gumbo Competition on Sunday in suburban Annapolis, Maryland.  
Besides tastings of 20 different versions of New Orleans’ favorite dish, enjoy music, …read more

3 Comments