The DC Traveler

In one lab, a 60s-era rocker geneticist takes the DNA from Bob Dylan, Question Mark & The Mysterians (”96 Tears”), and The Seeds (”Pushin’ Too Hard”) and mixed it up in a test tube and lets it ferment for a while.
In a second lab across the hall, an 80’s-era mod-punk-garage band rocker geneticist does the same with DNA from Iggy Pop, Lenny Kaye (of Nuggests fame), and a sampling of early Kinks DNA.
Curious, and for the sake of science, the scientists mix the content of the two test tubes to see what results. 
When the kid grows up, you might have …read more

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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

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The 7th season of wildly popular “American Idol” is just about over, with the 2-night season finale ending tonight.  Out of the original 24 American Idol contestants, only two, David Archuleta and David Cook remain.
The question remaining, is who will step up to the mic and blow the audience away? 
Regardless who ultimately wins, after the competition ends, you can still see your favorite American Idol singers live and in person.  The show’s top 10 singers will embark on a 49 city, 75 day U.S American Idols Live tour, that includes a stop in Washington, DC.
Luckily for the …read more

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Starting tomorrow, join the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps and Pershing’s Own - U.S. Army Band at historic Fort McNair for free weekly outdoor concerts and pageantry this Summer.

The word tattoo, when it’s used to describe the concert, is different from inking an image of a fire-breathing dragon or some cool zodiac symbol on your arm. A tattoo is a drummer’s or bugler’s signal to call soldiers or sailors to their quarters at night, or a military exercise presented as entertainment.
The 90-minute tattoo features over 100 soldiers, dressed …read more

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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

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The annual Big Band JAM features 10-days of the big band sounds from world-famous musicians and bands, college, high school, military and area jazz bands as well as tributes to a few legends of the hot sounds of jazz. 
A few of the highlights include performances by The Duke Ellington Orchestra, a special tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and its “Tribute to Quincy Jones”.
Check the Big Band JAM schedule for performance information.

Venues include:

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument
Voice of America Stage (Auditorium)
Smithsonian Institution
Grace Episcopal Church
Blues Alley at 1073 Wisconsin Ave. …read more

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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

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The tune Sweet Georgia Brown is synonymous with The Harlem Globetrotters, who are in town this Saturday for two appearances, one at the Verizon Center and the second at George Mason University’s Patriot Center this Saturday.
The “Ambassadors of Goodwill“® have been entertaining basketball fans for 82 years. 

The Harlem GlobetrottersVerizon Center601 F Street, NW, between 6th and 7th Streets, NEWashington, DC 20004 (map it)
Patriot CenterGeorge Mason University 4500 Patriot Circle Fairfax, VA 22030  (map it)
Date and Time – Saturday, 2008, 1:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets – Verizon Center – $17.00 $140.00, Patriot Center – $20.50 – $123.50 and are …read more

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And it’s not due to the latest Federal budget. 
It’s the 5th Annual Congressional Blues Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  And the lottery for FREE tickets starts tomorrow morning.
This year’s free concert includes performances by:

The Robert Cray Band,
Elvin Bishop – “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”,
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion,
Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, and more.

5th Annual Congressional Blues Festival The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – South Plaza2700 F Street, NWWashington DC. 20566 (map it)
Date and Time – Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 6:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Tickets – The performances are free, but …read more

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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

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