September 1, 2006
Birchmere II
Marylanders, never fear, the folk is here. And the blues, jazz, and country for that matter. According to WTOP, the Birchmere, a Northern Virginia mainstay, will be setting up shop across the river. Plans are underway for a Birchmere II in the ever-developing Silver Spring downtown. It will complement the existing Alexandria location, allowing for more fun, more old people getting out, and most importantly twice as much Devendra Banhart.
Birchmere owners said the Montgomery location interested them because traffic makes it difficult for Marylanders to go to Virginia for concerts. A group of residents also pressured the county to bring the Birchmere to Silver Spring."People are starving for this kind of entertainment," said Dan Cohen, who helped create the citizens' group Silver Spring Forward.
We are assuming this new site will cater to an older crowd with its traditional line-ups, but given the oft-heard complaints about a lack of rock venues in Montgomery and Price George's county, we'd love to be proven wrong.
It is also unclear how they will share acts between their venues or whether they will use expansion as an opportunity to start merchandising. Birchmere's owners will have plenty of time to decide, as it isn't expected to open until 2009.
|
It's a shame no one will give half a crap about Devendra Banhart by the time this place opens. A shame for him, I mean.
Good news.
Not that we have children, but it would great if we had a folk (or rock) place that offered some of the DC rock stars performing for families. Perhaps this isn't an issue as none of them are parents.
But I've noticed in other cities when the indie kids of the world start having children, there has been an increase in alternative entertainment options for children and families. I suppose you can always bring the kids to Fort Reno in the summer, but it would be cool if there was something like the family events they did at the Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music.
Or even the kids disco they recently had at a big club in SF. (And outside of music, there is a parents and babies night at a brew and view theater in Oakland.)
I may not have children, but friends do and I know they are looking for something unique to do in DC besides the same old museums.
Rock n Romp. Do your research.
Heck, check Iota's schedule for the mid-day shows. I thought Last Train Home did a couple of those.
Or is that indie country and not indie rock?
If there is so much demand for this type of venue, wouldn't there one already, without the need for the county to subsidize another venue, like Strathmore, that is will only draw a very limited demographic. Though is probably the demographic the county wants.
Actually, if you look over the Birchmere's schedule they cater to a reasonably diverse "demographic," although the average age and income or their audience is probably somewhat higher than average due to the acts they book. I've seen African, Venezuelan and Irish bands play at the Birchmere, indie rock types, country musicians, jazz musicians. Isaac Hayes played there at least once in the past year, and acts like Cassandra Wilson, Aaron Neville and WAR are on the current calendar.
It's true that the Birchmere doesn't book a lot of youth-oriented bands, and probably won't be bringing Go-Go shows to Silver Spring, but it's not just homogeneous country/folk music for homogeneous white folks by any means.
i drove by what looks to be the eventual birchmere storefront last night. it's on colesville/29 smack across the street from the afi silver, next to rays the classics. for a venue that's not opening until '09 they sure are setting up early...
yes, rock n romp. but let's not forget pancake mountain. aging hipsters UNITE!
We have information on Debary Real Estate home selling, home buying, mortgages, movers and other realty services in Debary Real Estate. Our free real estate services feature all Debary Real Estate cities and suburbs.
We have information on Bunnell Real Estate home selling, home buying, mortgages, movers and other realty services in Bunnell Real Estate.