The DC Traveler

Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA opened last night under the yellow and blue Grand Chapiteau at National Harbor in Washington, DC.
The only word to describe KOOZA is… AMAZING!!!
I’ve seen several Cirque du Soleil productions and KOOZA was by far, the most physical, high-energy and awe inspiring show of all. 
The audience’s reaction to the gravity defying, body contorting, magical balancing, and fearless performances resulted in at not several, but many moments during the show, of audible group gasps, screams and shrieks. The story, led by a team of very funny clowns made for a slap-stick, …read more

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The sensual and fiery emotions of flamenco is said to have started with songs and dances that recall the hopes and sorrows of Gypsies.
Over the centuries flamenco has evolved from folk dancing to a form of passionate performance art.
Ballet Flamenco José Porcel, from Spain, will perform a combination of traditional and modern flamenco works, which combine influences from Gypsy, Arabic, Jewish and Indian cultures.
 
Principal dancer José Porcel, has performed with some of the world’s greatest flamenco dancers.
Ballet Flamenco Jose Porcel
The Center for the Arts at George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030 (map it)
Dates and Times – Friday and …read more

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Funnyman Sinbad, originally had plans to play professional basketball. He played college ball at the University of Denver, but an injury ended his career.  So he turned to comedy.
In 1983, he was a finalist on Ed McMahon’s “Star Search” and his stand-up comedy career tool off.  Since then he’s appeared in a number of major movies including “Jingle All the Way,”  “Houseguest”  and “Necessary Roughness”.
 
Sinbad
Warner Theatre
513 13th Street, NW, between E & F St.
Washington, D.C., 20004 (map it)
Dates and Times -  Saturday, October 18, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets – $46.50 and are available online at Ticketmaster.
Nearest Metro Subway Station …read more

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October offers all kinds of great  (and different) live music in Washington, DC.
At The Birchmere, check out:

Julie Fordham – brings her adult contemporary sound to the Birch. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 at 7:30 – $29.50
The Kinsey Sicks – Probably America’s only “dragapella” beautyshop quartet.  Expect campy songs, political humor and their version of Going to the Chapel of Love…Locked out of the Chapel of Love. Tuesday Oct. 28 -7:30 – $32.50

Zappa Plays Zappa – Expect Dweezil Zappa and friends to play 40 or so of his (and I assume his father’s) original alternative tunes. Monday, Oct. …read more

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Since It’s Monday, and I typically write a Monument Monday, but here’s one that’s monument to the performing arts – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Next weekend, enjoy over 30 FREE music, dance and artistic performances at Washington, DC’s premiere center for the arts, The Kennedy Center and their annual Open House.
The range of entertainment of as varied as the number of performers.
Here’s just a sampling of the many free performances:

The Kennedy Center’s own Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Suzanne Ferrell  who was one of one of George Balanchine’s most celebrated ballerinas.
Washington’s own, National Symphony …read more

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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

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Associate Conductor, Emil de Cou, conducts the National Symphony Orchestra for the annual Annual Labor Day Concert on the West lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day concert West lawn of the US Capitol Building E. Capitol and First Streets, NW  Washington, DC   (map it)
Dates and Times – Sunday, August 31, 2008, 8:00 p.m. Gates open at 3:20 p.m.
Tickets – FREE , no tickets required, but all attendees are subject to a security search
Nearest Metro Subway Station – Capitol South – Blue and …read more

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While August seems to be a slow month in Washington, DC for “the arts”, DC’s live music scene is still hot, hot, hot.
This month at The Birchmere starts off smooth and ends up tough.

Argentine tenor jazz saxophonist Gato Barbieri brings his passionately romantic and caliente hot sound to DC. His version of Carlos Santana’s “Europa” has been adopted as the smooth jazz radio station theme song.  Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 7:30  – $45.00.
Straight from his Geico Insurance commercial, and his early 1970s roots with supergroup Humble Pie, Peter Frampton brings his unique talk box guitar effect made …read more

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Now that the dog days of summer are here, kick back and enjoy a relaxing day rafting, canoeing or tubing down the Shenandoah River.
I recently took a short rafting with Front Royal Canoe Company and the entire experience was great.
FRCC rents canoes, one and two-person kayaks, inflatable rafts and tubes for rides down the Shenandoah River.  You start out at their facility, grab a life jacket, and they shuttle you and your choice of water craft to the drop off point.  After some directions and basic instruction, off you go. 
Trips range from under 2 hours, about 3 …read more

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In it’s forth year, the DC Comedyfest in Washington, DC, brings over 60 comedians, comic groups and improve teams for three nights of the best in stand-up.
A couple interesting shows might include:

The Brooklyn Comedy Company series ‘4 Shades of Black: Obama Edition
District of Comedy – featuring young local DC talent
The Velvet Lounge, bringing back retro-style acts, old school Vegas, and cabaret entertainers.

DC Comedyfest Several DC area nightclubs and theaters.
Dates and Times – Thursday – Saturday, August 7-9, 2008. All shows are in the evening, generally between 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.
Venues: Arlington …read more

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