Dec 04, 2007
This Christmas, All We Want is Voting Rights
Sure, it’s December and we’re all preoccupied with holiday cheer and making plans for that one New Year’s party that will finally be worth the all the hype. But even though they’ve suffered some setbacks this year, D.C. voting rights activists are pushing the cause through the holiday season. On Thursday, December 6, the D.C. Council will hold a hearing to consider legislation that would place large electronic billboards outside the John A. Wilson Building…
Oct 21, 2007
Classical Music Agenda
This is going to be an excellent week for serious listeners of classical music, with several major events headlining the agenda and some other good concerts on the sidelines. In the spotlight are a piano recital, a visiting orchestra, Russian music, and possibly the greatest opera ever composed. HEADLINES: >> Pianist Murray Perahia had to cancel his 2006 recital for Washington Performing Arts Society, because of renewed pain from a finger injury in the 1990s…
Oct 17, 2007
This Week in Jazz
>> This week’s first must see takes place tonight at Blues Alley as one of the area’s finest drummers, Nasar Abadey, takes the stage with SuperNova (pictured right), a local jazz supergroup. The band features Allyn Johnson on piano, Gary Thomas, Jazz Studies Chair at Peabody, altoist Joe Ford, and bassist James King. Sets are at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. $18 + $10 food/drink minimum. Tickets available here. >> Also tonight, Twins Jazz hosts…
Sep 23, 2007
Classical Music Agenda
Without a doubt, the most important event in classical music this week is the opening of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s season. It will be the occasion of the official installation of Marin Alsop as the group’s music director, the first woman to hold that position with a major American symphony orchestra. A celebrated champion of contemporary music, particularly by American composers, Maestra Alsop has come into her new job with a full head of steam,…
Sep 19, 2007
This Week in Jazz
>> Tonight, The Alfred Mojica Band, a latin-jazz ensemble, performs at The Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Call 202-667-0088 for details. >> On Thursday, guitarist Robben Ford (pictured), an alum of Miles Davis’ band, takes the stage for a four night stand at Blues Alley. Tickets to the daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets are available here. $35 + $10 food/drink minimum. >> HR-57 has some cool things going on this weekend. On Friday, saxophonist…
Sep 15, 2007
Classical Music Agenda
The classical music season got officially under way this weekend, and there will be more and more choices facing eager listeners. Even if you cannot afford all the concerts you want to attend, since local radio station WETA, at 90.9 FM, went back to a classical format, there is more local music on the airwaves, too. Tune in this evening (September 16, 7 p.m.) to the live broadcast of the National Symphony Orchestra’s Season Opening…
Sep 12, 2007
This Week in Jazz: Duke Fest Edition, Part Deux
Last week we gave you an overview of all that’s going on at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. This week, we’ll tell you a bit more about all the great music happening this weekend as well as our picks for those of you, which is probably all of you, who don’t have time to make it out to every show. >> Tonight’s pick is Kurt Rosenwinkel, an inventive guitarist who is not to be missed….
Aug 22, 2007
This Week in Jazz
Well, we’ve definitely reached the doldrums of August, so things have slowed down quite a bit in Jazz Land. Nonetheless, there’s still some interesting stuff to check out this week. >> Tonight, catch the Afro Bop Alliance, a Latin jazz ensemble based out of Annapolis, as they pay a visit to the Millennium Stage. The free show begins at 6 p.m. >> Also tonight, 17-year old Elijah Balbed takes the stage at Twins Jazz with…
Jul 18, 2007
This Week in Jazz
>> Tonight, Baltimore-based funk/fusion act Basshound comes to DC9 for a night of highly danceable grooves. With Hello Society and DJ Robinson. 8:30 p.m., $8. >> On Thursday, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage presents Ecuador’s Jazz Envoys, a group that blends the indigenous sounds of its homeland with jazz to create a unique groove. The free show begins at 6 p.m. >> Latin jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera comes to Strathmore on Thursday to play with…
Jun 25, 2007
D.C.’s Own Rep. Gohmert Called ‘Chickenshit Thief’
As you’ll of course recall from back in late March, during the House floor debate on the voting rights issue, Rep. Louie Gohmert volunteered to represent the interests of the District’s voters in the House of Representatives. Considering we still don’t have a full voting member of our own, we kindly thanked the congressman by asking all of you to get in touch with Rep. Gohmert so that he could address your concerns personally….