The DC Traveler

Here’s an interesting FREE symposium on Monday for musical theater lovers…Where are you taking me?: What’s next in musical theater?
This free, day-long symposium with musical theater practitioners from both DC theaters (Signature Theatre, Arena Stage) and from around the country, will participate in a day long event, that lets the theater-going public the opportunity for a behind the scenes trends, strategies and challenges of creating and producing a new musical play.
The symposium includes:

Roundtable discussions of trends, challenges and best practices in developing new American musicals – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Performance of  over ten songs from up-and-coming musicals currently …read more

Comments Off

For more than 20 years, the jazz fusion band, The Rippingtons, have been pouring out funky, hip and smooth jazz hits. With 17 albums recorded, some with guest artists that include a who’s who of  smooth jazz artists, such as David Benoit, David Koz and Kenny G, The Rippingtons are sure to delight jazz fusion fans.

The Rippingtons with Russ Freeman Blues Alley 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20007 (map it)
Dates and Times – Thursday, October 30, and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2. Two shows …read more

Comments Off

If you need a great picnic while in Washington, DC, your first stop should be Dean & Deluca, in the heart of Georgetown.  It’s one of my favorite gourmet food shops in Washington, DC. And perfect for creating a memorable picnic.
Artisan breads, gourmet cheeses, high-quality produce and case after case prepared foods, desserts, and other gourmet items, make this small grocery store with a neighborhood feel seem much larger.
The well-stocked wine hall in the rear of the store, has a wine expert on staff to help you with your selection or with suggested pairings with your meal. They also …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

The George Mason Patriots got beat last night by The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, 68-50, knocking them out of the NCAAs. 
Now it’s  Georgetown’s turn.  The 2nd rated Hoyas won their regular season Big East crown for the second year in a row. But later lost to the U of Pittsburgh Panthers for the title.
Tonight the Hoyas play the local, 15th-ranked UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County).  The UMBC Retrievers (24-8) won its first America East championship this year.

The Retrievers’ high scoring offense may have a tough time scoring against the top ranked Hoyas’ defense.
Georgetown is favored …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

I recently had an opportunity to sit down for a glass of wine and a conversation with Tim Elliott, the Executive Chef of one of DC’s more popular and trendy restaurants, Mie N Yu. And I must say he’s nothing like the television version of a top chef.Yea, I admit it. I have a weakness for some of the cooking shows. Especially ones like Top Chef, The Next Iron Chef and Hells Kitchen, that offer a behind-the-scenes perspective of the culinary world.While many people may get the impression that chefs are hypercritical snobs with an aloof attitude about haute cuisine, my …read more

3 Comments

MSN travel writers from 28 cities, including Washington DC, write about popular tourist areas in their respective cities and why you should avoid certain places in this recent MSN Travel article. Rachel Lianna Davis lists Georgetown as the place to avoid in DC.
I must admit, that I sadly agree with her. I recall Georgetown as a cool, fun place with funky shops, eclitic nightclubs and independently-owned resturants. But many of my favorites have closed over the past 5 years and have been replaced by franchise chains. Unfortunately, it’s turned into what I call “the suburbs in the city”. Similar to …read more

Comments Off