On Tap Magazine // October 2018

Drink. Dine. Do. October 2018

NPR'S

ARI SHAPIRO CONSIDERS

5

ON TAP | JULY 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

ALL THINGS

Photos: Mike Kim, Devin Overbey

Fans attented the pregame show on the Budweiser Terrace every Friday night home game this season at Nationals Park. Thanks to Budweiser for a fun season of live music at the park. We’ll see you next year for the 2019 baseball season!

GRAND OPENING Please join us for complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and raffle giveaways!

October 25th 6:30-9pm Please RSVP @

www.LindleyRSVP.com

www.thelindleyapts.com // 301-771-9777 8405 Chevy Chase Lake Terrace, Chevy Chase, MD., 20815

Table of Contents who is on tap?

October 2018: Vol 21 No 1 Must-see Performing Arts Drink. Dine. Do. October 2018

NPR'S

ARI SHAPIRO CONSIDERS

5

ALL THINGS

Fall represents the return of theatre, and DC’s 2018-2019 season is slated to produce some of the best productions in the country. Our all-encompassing performing arts guide features everything from plays to comedy shows. We also interviewed director Alex Timbers about Beetlejuice: The Musical’s pre-Broadway debut at National Theatre, and comedians Phoebe Robinson and Wanda Sykes before their upcoming DMV shows. On Tap’s cover star this month is Ari Shapiro, co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered, who chatted with our assistant editor about his journalism career and guest performances with Portland-based band Pink Martini. On the beverage front, we wrote about Petworth’s Capitol Cider House, Bourbon Steak’s new head bartender Sarah Rosner and fall cocktails with apple-based spirits. For the NHL season, we spoke to new Caps Coach Todd Reirden. We also wrote about the new St. Elizabeths East arena, which plays host to the Professional Fighters League this month. For a glimpse of DC’s fall music docket, read about synth-pop’s St. Lucia at 9:30 Club and DC’s very own All Things Go Fall Classic.

On the cover: Ari Shapiro Photo: Cassidy DuHon

ON TAP | JULY 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

Designer: Alanna Sheppard

2018-2019 Performing Arts Guide............. 4 Woolly Mammoth’s New Leadership......... 8 Beetlejuice: The Musical’s Debut . . ........... 10 Phoebe Robinson at Bentzen Ball. . .......... 12 Wanda Sykes at Strathmore...................... 14

Performing Arts Guide 25 Must-See Performances

Inside Beetlejuice: The Musical with Director Alex Timbers

n october ROundup Ari Shapiro Considers All Things.............. 16 Drink, Dine, Do............................................. 20 Did You Know? On Tap Turns 20............... 28

n Sports PFL 10 Comes to St. Elizabeths East........ 30 New Capitals Coach Todd Reirden........... 34

n Drinks

14

16

Wanda Sykes

NPR’s Ari Shapiro

Comedy Wonder Woman

Considers All Things

What’s On Tap?............................................. 36 Inside DC’s Capitol Cider House............... 40 Behind The Bar............................................. 44 Bourbon Steak’s Sarah Rosner.................. 46

n Dining New & Notable.. ............................................ 48

n Music 2018 All Things Go Fall Classic. . ................ 50 Synth-Pop Band St. Lucia at 9:30.. ............ 52 Music Picks.................................................... 54

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52

PFL 10 at St. Elizabeths East

Synth-Pop Band St. Lucia

An Event for Fight Fans

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Brings New Record to Life Onstage

On Tap | OCTOBer 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

jennifer@ontaponline.com

Managing Editor Monica Alford

monica@ontaponline.com

Assistant Editor Trent Johnson trent@ontaponline.com

Print & Digital Design Nick Caracciolo Alanna Sheppard KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Tom Roth tomroth@ontaponline.com

natalia@ontaponline.com

n Stage & Screen

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Publisher Jennifer Currie

Account Executive Natalia Kolenko

In this Issue

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Founder James Currie

Digital & Advertising coordinator Kayla Marsh kayla@ontaponline.com

Events & promotions manager Shannon Darling shannon@ontaponline.com

Events & promotions ASSISTANT Katie Seaman katies@ontaponline.com

OUTREACH COORDINATOR Kelcie Glass kelcie@ontaponline.com

Contributing Writers

Lani Furbank, M.K. Koszycki, Kayla Marsh, Travis Mitchell, Aja Neal, Lanna Nguyen, Fareeha Rehman

Contributing Photographers

Shantel Mitchell Breen, Mark Caicedo, Cassidy DuHon, John Gervasi, Mike Kim, LAFlicks Photography, Devin Overbey On Tap Magazine is published 11 times per year. ©2018 by Five O’Clock Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Use or reproduction of any materials contained herein is strictly prohibited without express prior written consent. Go to www.ontaponline.com for more information.

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PUMPKIN Festival

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The Shops at Avenir Place

M

Prosperity Avenue Gallows Road

Next to Dunn Loring Metro Station

Thursday, October 18, 5-8 PM

495

Live Music Beer Garden Games Pumpkin Decorating

FREE Admission $

The Shops at Avenir Place Dunn Loring Gallows Road & Avenir Place | Vienna, VA 22180

10 Beer Garden Donation

www.avenirfest.com must be 21+ to drink alcohol

PERFORMING ARTS GUIDE 25 MUST-SEE PERFORMANCES

By Fareeha Rehman and M.K. Koszycki

cattered among the hustle and bustle of DC’s bureaucracy, there are creative hubs of everyone from singers and actors to directors and writers, practicing day by day to give you exceptional shows this performing arts season. From upscale date nights at the Kennedy Center to intimate performances at Signature Theatre, we’ve collected some of the most enticing and need-to-know shows for lovers of the stage.

OCTOBER

Photo: Ticketmaster

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Illyria

This WSC (Washington Shakespeare Company) Avant Bard production set in the 1980s is a colorful and music-heavy tale where gender is an afterthought. Illyria is freely adapted from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a story in which seemingly straight characters fall in love with someone despite their projected gender identity and not because of it. Ezra Tozian will be playing Viola in her cross-dressing performance as Cesario, taking the act to another level as a performance within a performance. What are the subtle mannerisms that she’ll take from gender to gender? What is it about Viola and Cesario that their admirers will fall in love with? The titular Illyria dive bar in Manhattan will intertwine the lives of multiple identities, all while bumping the music of love. Gunston Arts Center’s Theatre Two: 2700 S. Lang St. Arlington, VA; www.wscavantbard.org

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 & FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 Trevor Noah

You have no excuse to miss one of the fiercest names in comedy this fall. The South African comedian and The Daily Show host will make multiple appearances at DAR Constitution Hall in October, where he’ll continue to use his platform to discuss race and social justice in his home country and here in the U.S. We can’t think of a better way to round out your weekend than with Noah’s wit and wisdom.

DAR Constitution Hall: 1776 D St. NW, DC; www.dar.org

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

This year, there are the usual themes of love and Shakespeare adaptations, but have you ever seen Shakespeare set in a 1980s Manhattan dive bar where the love is as fluid as the music? Gender-bending and upbeat, you can catch Illyria at Gunston Arts Center. Or stick a little closer to the classics at National Theatre with the heart-fluttering magic of Finding Neverland, based on the Academy Award-winning film. We’re also excited for DC comedy this season, including Bentzen Ball returning this month with a wonderfully diverse lineup of the funniest voices out right now.

Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival

If you’re missing your summer vacation, you can catch a wave with Arena Stage’s Anything Goes, set on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean and starring Disney Channel’s Corbin Bleu. True crime nerds and future lawyers won’t want to miss the behind-the-scenes investigative journey of Netflix’s Making a Murderer at Lincoln Theatre. This season’s stories are like a bouquet of Edible Arrangements: completely enticing and with a performance for everyone. Don’t wait to pick your treat!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30 - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

Trevor Noah

2018-2019

Comedian Tig Notaro has curated three nights of comedy just for DC. First up is Phoebe Robinson, from HBO’s 2 Dope Queens and Netflix’s Ibiza. Stick around for Amanda Seales’ presentation of “Smart, Funny, & Black.” You’ll know Seales from HBO’s runaway hit Insecure. And I can’t wait to hear what kind of funny disaster stories will be shared during “#Adulting” with Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos.

Unfortunately, the exuberant jokester Jonathan Van Ness (of Queer Eye fame) is already sold out. You can still enjoy performances by the previously mentioned though, as well as Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher. I love the idea of a festival full of diverse talent who are passionate about bringing their comedic style center stage. The Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; www.thelincolndc.com

Billy Elliot

Ballet. Coal mining. Labor strikes. Following your dreams. An infectious soundtrack, courtesy of Sir Elton John himself. What do all of these things have in common?

They’re all part of the iconic tale of the boy who loved to dance, coming to Arlington’s award-winning, intimate space at Signature Theatre. The singalong tale will run through the holidays, providing the perfect opportunity to show DC’s magnificent productions of classic theatre to your houseguests. Or sneak out and enjoy this feel-good, toe-tapping tale on your own. Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA; www.sigtheatre.org

DECEMBER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

NOVEMBER

Anything Goes

Elf The Musical

Photo: www.arenastage.org

Everyone’s favorite modern Christmas classic hits the stage just in time for the holiday season. In case you’ve never seen Will Ferrell’s magnum opus (just one gal’s humble opinion), this absurd and endearing comedy sees an orphaned boy raised in the North Pole by elves venture to the Big Apple in search of his father during the most wonderful time of the year. A night of wholesome, wintry laughs is guaranteed. I’m so excited I could cram 11 cookies into my VCR. Olney Theatre Centre: 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd. Olney, MD; www.olneytheatre.org

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 Anything Goes

As the SS American carries away its passengers from London to New York, it also sails a little secret across the ocean. There’s a passionate love stowed away between Billy and the countess Hope Harcourt.

She’s meant to get married to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (please pronounce in your snootiest voice – it’s probably an accurate descriptor of the character). Of course, Billy doesn’t have the riches, but he does have determination and that has to count for something, right? He manages to get some fellow passengers on board (ha) with his mission, and the rest is for you to find out. I’ll be rooting for Billy mostly because he’s played by a familiar face, Disney Channel’s own Corbin Bleu. Arena Stage’s Fichandler Stage: 1101 Sixth St. SW, DC; www.arenastage.org

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Inside Netflix’s Making a Murderer

The documentary series centered on Steven Avery’s wrongful conviction of sexual assault and attempted murder at the age of 23 offers a deeper dive into the stories from the lawyers in the courtroom with him. Avery spent 18 years in prison before his exoneration, only to be convicted of another murder two years after his release. Anyone who gets a thrill from cold cases will love this discussion, with time for audience questions. Attorneys David Rudolf and Jerry Buting will share the ins and outs of their work on the cases, reminding us all that true crime stories aren’t just tales for our entertainment. These cases are the culmination of investigation, interviews, anxiety and a search for truth spanning decades. The in-depth event will be moderated by NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.

The Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; www.thelincolndc.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Comedy Get Down

Four of the biggest names in comedy – Eddie Griffin, George Lopez, D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer – reunite to bring their individual comedic talents to one night of comedy at MGM Theatre. The incredibly accomplished lineup returns for two nights of laughs after their wildly successful, sort-of-scripted (but always real) series based on the 2017 version of the tour aired on BET. No matter your preferred brand of comedy, you’re guaranteed a good time at one of these performances.

The Theater at MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Ave. Oxon Hill, MD; www.mgmnationalharbor.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 The Panties, The Partner and The Profit

German playwright Carl Sternheim is an unsung hero in the art of satire. Playwright David Ives and Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) are bringing meditations on the middle class to the U.S. with this adaptation of Sternheim’s trilogy of plays about the Mask family – this time set across America and spanning the 1950s to the 1980s.

In addition to bringing this adaptation stateside, Ives will collaborate with STC Artistic Director Michael Kahn for the final time as he rounds out his 30-year role with the theatre company. Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Lansburgh Theatre: 450 7th St. NW, DC; www.shakespearetheatre.org

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 The Play That Goes Wrong

This is a classic case of whodunnit that will make you...laugh? The play’s premise has a group putting on their own play, The Murder at Haversham Manor, and the cast is about as great as if your uncle wrangled his five kids and your grandmother together to perform at the holiday party.

The murder mystery is less thrill and suspense, more bizarre and meant to make you cry of laughter rather than fear. The production describes itself as the illegitimate Broadway baby of Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python, and satirizes the idea of a terribly untalented production of actors through purposeful missed lines and breathing “corpses.” Fire extinguishers put out a person – not a fire – and doors hit actors and fall off the hinges entirely. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.kennedy-center.org

JANUARY FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Twelve Angry Men

The American justice system exists in tumult, and this classic play shows us that it has been in that state for a long time. For those of you who somehow made it out of a high school government class without watching the movie adaptation of Twelve Angry Men, the story follows 12 men who are identified only by their juror numbers as they contentiously deliberate the fate of a young Hispanic boy accused of killing his father. Race, justice, age and community are examined in this classic and evergreen story. Ford’s Theatre: 511 10th St. NW, DC; www.fordstheatre.org

www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8 - SUNDAY, MARCH 10

Step Afrika! 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Heiress

Traditional stepping has origins in South Africa and has since made its way into American pop culture and the traditions of historically black fraternities and sororities. Despite centuries-old history, Step Afrika! is the first professional stepping company. Combining influences from other dance forms, their high-energy and heart-pumping performances tell a story through stomps, claps and synchronized techniques. Though their moves seem on par with Olympic-level gymnastics, some dances are impressively elevated when performed in business wear – belts, vests and all. This year’s performance is special in more ways than one for the company, as 2019 commemorates 25 years since President Nelson Mandela’s election. $34-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org

It is an unfortunate worldwide truth that money cannot replace the love of another person. Catherine Sloper, the heiress in question, is a prime example. She’s been raised in 1840s New York and is monetarily wealthy but poor in affection. Any shred of her father’s warmth has been guarded since her mother died during childbirth – and she’s never been one with many admirers. She’s socially awkward – much more relatable than inherited wealth – and not obviously beautiful. Catherine has long learned to be complacent with what she has, until a cute guy takes interest in her and she finally feels the adoration she’s missed her whole life. This live love story may or may not make you cry. Arena Stage’s Fichandler Stage: 1101 6th St. SW, DC; www.arenastage.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 - SUNDAY, MARCH 3 Finding Neverland the Musical

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 - SUNDAY MARCH 10 Nell Gwynn

At first blush, this is the tale of the life and times of one of King Charles II of England’s many mistresses: the titular Nell Gwynn. Dig deeper and you’ll find a glimpse into the transformative history of women breaking boundaries while cracking jokes. Nell is caught heckling performers at a play, and instead of being cast out for her behavior, it leads her to be one of the first women cast as a player in the King’s company. This eventually finds Nell in the arms of the King, but her personal journey is more captivating than any love story. If someone in 17th-century England can concede that women – even ones who heckle – are funny, we can surely stop arguing about that today. Don’t miss Nell’s remarkable ride this winter. Folger Theatre: 201 E. Capitol St. SE, DC; www.folger.edu

With just a bit of faith, trust and pixie dust, playwright J.M. Barrie gave us the classic, dreamy tale of Peter Pan and Neverland – a sweet escape from bedtimes and lecturing fathers. Finding Neverland the Musical offers a behind-the-scenes look at Barrie’s inspiration, introducing the real George, Michael and Peter in his life. Just when Barrie stopped believing, he met the family that sparked the magic he needed in his own career as a writer. There’s something heartwarming about the story that sprouted imagination in so many children being born from the real make-believe games of young boys. If there’s anything that connects us all through time and geography, it’s our longing to see more than what appears and create new worlds. Don’t miss the spectacular reimagining of the story behind the story. Tickets $54 and up. National Theatre: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www.findingneverlandthemusical.com

MARCH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 - SUNDAY, MARCH 31

FEBRUARY

BLKS

Vanity Fair

Photo: www.woollymammoth.net

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - SUNDAY, MARCH 3 BLKS

Sex and the City has a way different meaning for Octavia, a New York City native who had a serious STD scare. Like any rational 20-something undergoing a stressful, possibly life-changing trauma, she decides she’ll need the help of her best girlfriends, June and Imani, to navigate her next steps. The trio experience much of what you’d expect when gallivanting around the city after dark: interactions with attractive men and women whose words and personalities ruin any romantic and sexual pursuit. The way the girls’ encounters interact with their identities is a prominent message in this production. They’re women, they’re millennials and they’re black – and even though they’re close, this one night has them jumping over hurdles that will either strengthen their bond or completely break through it. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: 641 D St. NW, DC; www.woollymammoth.net

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

Playwright Kate Hamill takes William Makepeace Thackeray’s “novel without a hero” to the stage with new eyes for the character’s complex, vivacious inner lives. This adaptation sees good friends Amelia and Becky make their way through the world in a society that’s unforgiving to women regardless of appearance, wealth or status. At the heart of Hamill’s take is the beauty and strength of female friendship that allows the women to overcome the patriarchal boundaries that attempt to restrict them. And while the original novel was written in the mid-1800s, the story is just as relevant today. Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall: 610 F St. NW, DC; www.shakespearetheatre.org

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 - SUNDAY APRIL 7 Queen of Basel

Anyone rich and famous on the Sunshine State’s coast is partying away for the week-long Art Basel. It seems like a high point for Julie, whose father’s savvy hotel property investments got her the extra star treatment in a swanky room. She’s engaged, it’s her hotel and nothing can go wrong. But before the party ends, she’s single again and stuck in a tight space with hotel employees. Julie learns of the other side of Miami from Floridians who live in the slums – still the luckier side of the coin compared to Venezuela, where employee Christine fled from political dangers. Julie never expected to celebrate Art Basel hiding from her loved ones, but what she gains from speaking with Christine is more valuable than what a price tag can note. Tickets $20-$80.

Studio Theatre: 1501 14th St. NW, DC; www.studiotheatre.org

SATURDAY, MARCH 9 - SATURDAY, APRIL 6

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 - SUNDAY, MAY 19

Hands on a Hardbody

Oslo

This new take on a truly American experience deals with relationships, immigration, transportation and more. Ten Texans from all different walks of life vie for a truck in a “hands on a hardbody” contest in the hot summer sun. As they fight for a new set of wheels, this off-the-wall environment brings truths about the contest, each contestant and their community to light. Based on a documentary of the same name that premiered in 1997, the story feels every bit as relevant more than a decade later. Tickets begin at $52. Keegan Theatre: 1742 Church St. NW, DC; www.keegantheatre.com

This three-hour play is based on the true story of a husband-and-wife diplomat team who, unbeknownst to the proper channels, organized instrumental meetings between Israel and Palestine during the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. As the conflict between those two countries rages on nearly 25 years later, this play provides eloquent insight into a very real and very modern attempt to solve one of the most complicated conflicts in human history. Round House Theatre: 4545 East-West Hwy. Bethesda, MD; www.roundhousetheatre.org

MAY WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 - SUNDAY, JUNE 2 The Children

APRIL

Grand Hotel

Two retired nuclear physicists live on an island and require stringent routines to get through each day. They’re seemingly making it work, surrounding themselves with healthy food and yoga practice – despite the fact they’re living in a post-apocalyptic world in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. The couple’s calculated days are brought to a screeching halt with the unexplained appearance of a former coworker, who comes bearing a nasty nosebleed and an even nastier secret. A slow-burning meditation on humankind’s responsibility as stewards of the earth, there couldn’t be a better time to experience this critically acclaimed modern tale. Studio Theatre: 1501 14th St. NW, DC; www.studiotheatre.org

Photo: www.sigtheatre.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 28 - SATURDAY, APRIL 20 Columbinus

It’s been 20 years since the Columbine High School massacre, and tragically, the United States has not seen improvement in keeping students safe from school shootings. A new wave of teens from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are continuing to push the fight forward. This docudrama comes at a compelling time to remind us all of where we started, and how it hasn’t gotten better two decades later. Among all the difficulties and growing pains that characterize “teenage angst,” it’s unimaginable to feel the way the Columbine and MSD students did. Columbinus combines real interviews from the time of the shooting with survivors, the parents and others in the community. For those involved in the debate or who are passionate about reform, this is likely to generate new discussions on the matter.

1st Stage: 1524 Spring Hill Rd. Tysons, VA; www.1ststagetysons.org

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 - SUNDAY, MAY 12 Grand Hotel

Berlin in the 1920s was a precious period of creative and economic prosperity. What better way to peek into the lives of Berlin’s personalities than visiting a hotel? The Grand Hotel sees many swinging its doors and booking rooms, causing lots of mix-matches to collide and mingle – like the ballerina who jetés into the hotel and has unlikely interactions with a bookkeeper, as well as a typist and a baron. This musical will feature some special performances including discussion nights, a pride night and a performance with open captioning. Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA; www.sigtheatre.org

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 - SUNDAY, JUNE 16 Sooner/Later

With To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and other rom-coms dominating the film industry, it’s still unlikely to follow the dating life of a woman who is the single mother of a teenage girl. We usually view the story solely from the teen perspective. This production gives Gilmore Girls vibes, with the charming closeness of a mother and daughter who have a friendly, supportive relationship rather than a strictly parentchild one. But enter one more character who kind of disrupts the dynamic: the man, the love interest, the newcomer. Mosaic Theater Company describes its production as navigating the pains and pleasure of romance, marriage and parenting with a “metaphysical twist.” You’ll want to watch this play sooner rather than later (ha). As a lesser-heard type of story, Sooner/Later needs support to get more stories like it onstage – and maybe you can even bond with your own mom at a performance. Atlas Performing Arts Center: 1333 H St. NE, DC; www.mosaictheater.org

FRIDAY, MAY 17 AND SUNDAY, MAY 19 An Evening of Verdi

The Maryland Lyric Opera has brought numerous works to the DC area since its founding in 2014, and its 2019 season will be no exception. The opera’s talented cast brings the works of famed Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi to the Music Center at Strathmore’s halls.

The performance is the perfect outing for opera lovers or those just being introduced to the craft. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org

www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

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MARIA MANUELA GOYANES

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT WOOLLY MAMMOTH THEATRE COMPANY

By Fareeha Rehman

T

Photo: Zack DeZon

here won’t be an ice age at Woolly Mammoth anytime soon. The theatre company’s new artistic director, Maria Manuela Goyanes, is DC’s latest creative transplant from New York. She’s bringing a decades-long theatre career and her first-generation, Latinx-American perspective to champion Woolly’s inclusive mission and edgy productions. While artistic direction usually entails reviewing performance options for the upcoming season and executing creative decisions, my interview with Goyanes was one of her many scheduled meetings during the first few weeks in her new role. On our call, intermittent laughter made

On Tap: What do you think has really prepared you for this role?

Maria Manuela Goyanes: Does anyone ever feel really prepared? [Laughs] I think I stand on the shoulders of giants, there’s no question [about] that. I think one of the things that makes me uniquely connected to Woolly and [our] mission is that I have both the experimental, innovation side with the work that I did with 13P [Thirteen Playwrights, Inc.], which is a playwrights’ collective, coupled [with] having been at the Public Theater for 15 years.

OT: What aspects of a story are you immediately drawn to when selecting productions for the upcoming season?

MMG: I’m looking for two different things.

The first is trying to push the art form, so plays that are really interesting, exciting or new – pushing the aesthetics [or] experimenting with an idea in terms of structure or language.

But then on the other side, I’m also really

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

its way between her words. She answered immediately and honestly – and without taking herself too seriously. But Goyanes is absolutely serious about her passion for Woolly and what it means to succeed the company’s co-founder, Howard Shalwitz.

looking for something that is going to be challenging or provocative to an audience.

The reason why I feel so aligned with Woolly Mammoth – I’m really pinching myself, I’m the luckiest person in the world to have this job – is because I am a huge fan of all of the writers that Woolly has [featured].

I’m really excited about the mission statement of Woolly. It’s about galvanizing artists and audiences. “Galvanizing” is so powerful and aspirational, and something for us to live up to and attempt to make happen for every single one of our shows and every single one of our experiences.

OT: What’s different about your perspective and influence at Woolly compared to your predecessor, Howard Shalwitz?

MMG: I love Howard, and this has been the smoothest transition probably in the history of American theatre. But I will say, I am a short Latina from New York! [Laughs] What I experience and how I walk through the world is very different from Howard. I think that my perspective is going to stem from my own life and what I care about. Who gets to tell what story? Does it really reflect the world around us? Is it pushing the boundaries of theatre and what people expect? How can we make the biggest impact?

OT: I’m also a first-generation American, and it’s exciting to interview someone with this identity who is making an impact.

MMG: It’s important for me that people know I do identify as a first-generation American.

It’s a big wave, a big change happening in the American theatre and culture right now, and my hope is that the people who are leading these arts organizations all across the country are going to start to reflect the diversity of the country. I know that I am part of that wave, and I feel that responsibility and the excitement about that too.

Maria Can’t Live Without Her husband and partner Dave He keeps everything real for me with his witty sense of humor.

FaceTime This is how I stay in touch with everyone I love, especially my family in NYC, Spain and the Dominican Republic.

Theatre Some of the most transformative experiences of my life have been in theatre. I believe in the power of theatre to deeply impact our lives and shape our relationship to the world around us.

Producing I love connecting people and artists, creating events and works of art, and generally making sh-t happen. It’s in my bones. The possibilities are endless!

NOV 18 -20

NOV 14

NICOLE ATKINS

ART GARFUNKEL

Pema Chödrön, a Buddhist teacher, author, nun and mother I began meditating because of her books. Her words ground and center me. I actually bought 100 of her books to give as gifts to my favorite people. You know I like you if you get a Pema Chödrön book.

JAN 17 + 18

OT: Why is it important to be a leader in the DC theatre scene?

MMG: I am just now getting to know the DC theater scene. I just had a great dinner with [Arena Stage Artistic Director] Molly Smith, who is the bomb. Everyone has been so welcoming and generous with their time and words, so it’s made me really excited to be here and get to know everybody. It feels like a really tight-knit community, which is exciting too. I’m going to be doing a lot of listening and getting to know the artistic community [and] the people in our audience, and understanding what it is about DC’s arts and culture [scene] that might be missing that we need to tap into. Woolly stands for being alternative to the mainstream, and the mainstream is starting to do more provocative plays. How can Woolly stay at the vanguard and leading edge of provocative, challenging and explosive work?

OT: Tell me about Woolly’s October production of The Fever by theatre experimentalists 600 HIGHWAYMEN. MMG: It is a [performance] that the audience actually has to participate in to create. I think there’s some people who think of that interactivity as really scary. There is nothing difficult, embarrassing or confessional about what [the audience does]. It is actually about the power of the collective and our humanity and responsibility toward each other.

It’s beautiful. It’s nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced and I’m so excited to bring this to Washington, DC right now. It’s not just about changing minds but also changing hearts. What this piece is attempting to do is lead from the heart before leading from the head, and that is a really interesting thing to experiment with.

DEC 1

RED BARAAT

JOHN OATES WITH THE GOOD ROAD BAND

RONNIE SPECTOR & THE RONNETTES | NOV 9 + 10 ALAN DOYLE

WHITNEY ROSE | NOV 15

HOT RIZE | NOV 17

40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

CHRIS SMITHER | NOV 30 EILEEN IVERS | DEC 2 A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

TWO SHOWS

THE VERVE PIPE | JAN 12 BUMPER JACKSONS | JAN 26 INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT | JAN 30 + 31 THE DUSTBOWL REVIVAL & HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN | FEB 2

TWO SHOWS

THE GREAT DIVIDE A CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAND

1964 THE TRIBUTE | FEB 14 + 15 THE SECOND CITY | MAR 20–23 IT ’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME

The Fever runs from October 23 to November 4. Tickets are $20-$35.

Learn more about the daring production, and the rest of Woolly’s 2018-2019 season, at www.woollymammoth.net.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: 641 D St. NW, DC 202-393-3939; www.woollymammoth.net

AND MANY MORE!

WOLFTRAP.ORG www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | On Tap

9

C E I U E L J BEET

A L I U C S H M T E AL I U C S H M T E A L I U C S H M T E rd

By Monica Alfo

Alex Brightman as Beetlejuice and Sophia Anne Caruso as Lydia in Beetlejuice: The Musical

I

t isn’t until the delightfully weird cult classic you can quote in your sleep makes its pre-Broadway debut in your city and the buzz rises to a deafening level that you realize there are thousands, maybe millions, of strange and unusual superfans out there. It’s no surprise that Tim Burton’s iconic, stopmotion aesthetic and penchant for rooting for the underdog resonates with so many of us, but bringing his first successful feature film to the stage as an original musical is indicative of the freelance bio-exorcist’s reach in today’s pop culture landscape.

Beetlejuice: The Musical arrives in the District on October 14 at National Theatre, the second world-premiere production to land at the historic spot in the past year following 2017’s Mean Girls debut. As my fellow Burton nerds and I prep for this epic production, we picked the brain of two-time Tony Award-nominated Alex Timbers (Rocky, Peter and the Starcatcher, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) about taking the 1988 film to Broadway. Like so many of us, the 40-year-old director grew up watching Beetlejuice and was immediately drawn into Burton’s highly stylized world. “[Beetlejuice] was the first time we were seeing Tim Burton unleashed, in a way,” Timbers tells me on a recent call. “And like a lot of people, I really connected with this story about a group of outsiders.”

A brief synopsis for those unfamiliar with the film (and if so, please go watch it immediately): a young, very vanilla couple, Barbara and Adam Maitland, are killed tragically in a car accident and get stuck haunting their idyllic Connecticut home and navigating the afterlife, complete with a handbook for the recently

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deceased that reads like stereo instructions.

When my all-time favorite dysfunctional family, the Deetzes, move in (Charles is looking for a respite from NYC living, his wife Delia is repelled by the “giant ant farm” they’ve moved into and their teenage daughter Lydia is the brooding goth kid in all of us), the Maitlands panic and hire the ghost with the most, Betelgeuse (known to clients as Beetlejuice) to scare the disruptive trio all the way back to the big city.

While the Maitlands are the protagonists of the film, Timbers says the musical is centered more on the emotional life of Beetlejuice and Lydia.

“I love that Beetlejuice is cynicism through and through and Lydia is innocence masked in cynicism and sardonic wit. The two of them as foils for each other, I just always responded to that in a big way.”

Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice) and Lortel Award nominee Sophia Anne Caruso (Lydia) have been workshopping their starring roles with Timbers for over a year now.

“It’s been amazing to watch their relationship and rapport build throughout the rehearsal process,” the director says of Brightman (School of Rock) and Caruso (Lazarus). “They have a real friendship, but they also are great at teasing each other and getting under each other’s skin, [just like] Beetlejuice and Lydia.”

Timbers is particularly thrilled to have Caruso on the bill. The 17-year-old actress brings an authenticity to the role of Lydia given her age, plus an impressive resume that includes working with Michelle Williams in Blackbird.

The director describes Brightman as legitimately funny, citing his writing credits

Photos: Darren Cox/SpotCo, 2018

and improv background among his full range of talents, and feels the pair’s chemistry is exactly what’s needed for Beetlejuice to succeed onstage.

“Musical theatre has a long history of featuring characters that are great conmen or hucksters. Lydia and Beetlejuice are conning each other. The one-upmanship between the two of them is so smart and bold. They’re great musical theatre protagonists.”

The director also points out that because Beetlejuice is such a trickster, it’s a natural fit for him to break the fourth wall and interact with us. “[Beetlejuice] can talk directly to the audience. We wanted to embrace that. How many films, in their DNA, have a character that is custom-built to lead you through a musical?”

Beyond the production’s expanded focus on Lydia and Beetlejuice, I have all sorts of geeky questions for Timbers about how true to the film the musical will stay – from brilliant one-liners to arguably the most memorable onscreen use of Harry Belafonte songs in film history.

He tells me that he has high expectations for maintaining the wit and edge of Burton’s flick; he’s acutely aware that more outré films adapted for the stage can sometimes soften up, and he assures me that isn’t going to happen.

“The script obviously lines up with a lot of the story from the movie, but it also takes its own turns and surprises. We haven’t felt beholden to delivering the dialogue from the film. The writers have smartly paid homage to the things that hopefully you’ll want [to see], but they’ve definitely created their own piece of art.”

This sentiment expands beyond the script to the original score by Eddie Perfect (King

“Beetlejuice can talk directly to the audience. How many films, in their DNA, have a character that is custom-built to lead you through a musical?”

Kong). Burton is famous for collaborating with composer Danny Elfman on almost all of his films, and Timbers says there are little nods to his signature sound throughout the musical.

“Eddie’s been really smart in paying tribute to the Elfman-esque sounds from the movie that you expect, love and associate with Beetlejuice, and also a little bit of the Caribbean nods that you hear in [Belafonte’s] ‘Banana Boat Song (Day O)’ and ‘Jump in the Line.’ It’s got the things you’ll expect, and then keeps carrying it forward to another level.”

Because he mentions “Day O,” I of course have to ask if the famous dinner scene will be included (for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, all you need to know is that it involves a hilariously choreographed calypso dance and surprise shrimp hands). He says it will, and we move on after (a few) exclamations of happiness from my end of the line. Perfect’s score allows the audience to go into the interior life of the characters, Timbers says, giving them new depth.

“We often say in theatre that a song functions in the same way as a closeup in a movie. [Eddie’s] done a great job of balancing the expectations one has for the sonic world of that [with] those elements people are going to love and expect, and then tearing off and creating a larger sonic world as well to voice these characters.”

Another driving force behind Burton’s work is the visual world he’s created. The musical’s creative team is working to draw from the director’s aesthetic rather than emulate it, giving the production an expanded palette and originality. Timbers says the team has been trying to push into “what the theatrical equivalent of the DIY, handmade Burton style that was so surprising and became so quickly iconic” is without saying, “We need to absolutely recreate this dress or that piece of wallpaper.”

“We’re definitely trying to think of what serves the theatre piece, but we’re embracing [Burton’s] oeuvre because we love it as much as the audience does.”

One optic element Timbers gives me a sneak peek of is the puppets created by designer Michael Curry (The Lion King).

“He’s created puppets that exist in the netherworld and in the real world that are really striking and surprising, and really have that Burtonian quality. Obviously, we can’t do stop-motion animation, so [we had to think through] the theatrical vocabulary equivalent. To be in the same room as those puppets in this highly visual, imaginative world is going to be one of the most exciting things about the theatre piece at the National.”

Not to mention that Timbers is psyched to house the musical in such a storied theater in the nation’s capital.

“You’re smack dab in the middle of the nation’s history, so to be a part of musical theatre history but also at the heartbeat of the country is really cool.”

Beetlejuice: The Musical runs at National Theatre from October 14 to November 18. Tickets start at $54 and can be purchased at www.thenationaldc.org. Learn more about the Broadway musical at www.beetlejuicebroadway.com and follow National Theatre on Instagram at @NatTheatreDC for updates.

National Theatre: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC 202-628-6161; www.thenationaldc.org

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

by William Shakespeare | directed by Alan Paul

Photos of Gregory Wooddell by Tony Powell.

35 or Under?

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Wednesday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 19, 8 p.m.

Visit ShakespeareTheatre.org/Under35 to learn more.

Patrons must be 21 years or older. Valid ID required. Some restrictions apply. Subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers or previously purchased tickets.

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www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

11

“I write in my own voice, with my own abbreviations. I’m a pop culture junkie, and I fully embrace it. That’s what made her notice me.”

Phoebe Robinson is speaking on the importance of being herself, including her signature comical abbreviations like “soc-meds” for social media, and the operative “her” is none other than Oprah herself.

The comedian and author is explaining the MO of her career that eventually led her to pen a New York Times bestseller titled You Can’t Touch My Hair, adding Oprah and thousands of others to her fanbase.

You may also know Robinson as one-half of the 2 Dope Queens podcast, where she and Jessica Williams host and showcase the talents of comedians and actors from diverse backgrounds. And as the host of her own podcast Sooo Many White Guys, Robinson chats with an equally talented array of people from other creative industries. She’s hosted huge names like St. Vincent, Roxane Gay and Gloria Steinem, just to name a few.

Photo: Mindy Tucker

Phoebe “Trash” Robinson

Finds Truth in the

By M.K. Koszycki

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“Trying to find the humor in things really helps because right now, things seem really tough.”

In the midst of the runaway success of her first book, hosting two popular podcasts and garnering multiple acting credits, Robinson penned another book: Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay, out on October 16.

This collection of essays sees Robinson attempting to balance the cosmic scales of the current messes surrounding feminism, dating, politics and more.

“I think there’s something to trying not just to get a seat at the table but to creating your own table. The coolest stuff happens when you create your own lane and stay true to yourself.”

“Trying to find the humor in things really helps because right now, things seem really tough,” she explains. “So many people are trying to make things better. On a grand scale, is global warming melting all of us? Yes, 1000 percent. But it is really cool to see people who just had a regular office job and then decide they want to get into politics because they care about education or women’s or trans rights. [That’s] a reminder that not everything is lost. We fully have the potential to take control and right the ship any way that we want to.”

She’ll bring her book to life on October 25 at the Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival, organized by Brightest Young Things and curated by comedian Tig Notaro. Lincoln Theatre’s stage will be graced by both Robinson and Notaro at the festival’s opening show as Notaro “laughs at whatever nonsense I’m saying and makes fun of it,” Robinson speculates. She and fellow Dope Queen Williams are no strangers to the Bentzen Ball’s stacked lineup – they made an appearance in 2013 and grew a relationship with Notaro from there.

“When Jess and I were tossing around directors for our 2 Dope Queens HBO specials, we decided that we definitely wanted a woman to direct. We felt like so many times this opportunity goes to a guy.

We both immediately thought about Tig and how that could actually work because her style of comedy is very different than ours, so that can enrich the process. That’s how we really got to know Tig and hang out with her. It feels really good to know that someone I admire and respect and think is really talented is becoming a friend.”

A common theme at the Bentzen Ball, and in all of Robinson’s work, is the mutual support and respect amongst creatives that allows voices not always given the mainstream time of day to thrive – and inspire others to do the same. Robinson emphasizes that with any kind of creative work, it’s essential to allow yourself the time to find your voice and create your own path rather than trying to fit in.

“While it’s good to want to do a late-night show or standup, or be mentioned in a magazine or have your book published by a certain publisher, I think there’s also something to trying not just to get a seat at the table but to creating your [own] table – making your own lane and traveling on that. The coolest stuff happens when you create your own lane and stay true to yourself.”

See Robinson open Brightest Young Things’ Bentzen Ball on Thursday, October 25 at Lincoln Theatre. Doors at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 and include a copy of Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay.

Learn more about the comedian at www.phoeberobinson.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @dopequeenpheebs. For more on the Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival, visit www.bentzenball.com.

Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC 202-888-0050; www.thelincolndc.com

ONE Great Day of Fall Fun!

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Grab a friend and sign up for the Cornhole Experience Tournament, play starts at 1 PM! www.RestonFlavors.com

Sunday, October 7, start time 8:15am

Get off the couch and debut your Halloween costume to get ready for the Pumpkin 5k & Kids’ Pumpkin Dash!

Register online at www.RestonFlavors.com

Flavors of Fall is a FREE event!

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www.RestonFlavors.com www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

13

Comedy Wonder Woman

Wanda Sykes

always had a soft spot for the art and freedom of standup. On her current Oh Well Tour, she’s tackling the nation’s political atmosphere and social issues, and the ins and outs of her own family life. We got to catch up with this tremendously funny wonder woman before she takes the Strathmore stage on November 3.

On Tap: Comedy specials and standup performances seem like a time for comedians to share their thoughts and feelings about the world with audiences. Is that how you look at it?

Wanda Sykes: I like to give you a snapshot of the lay of the land and what I think is going on with social issues and other things that are important to me. I spend a lot of time with my family, so I talk about that too. I’m trying to do it in a way that we can actually talk about things but have fun with them. I want to do it where we’re having fun and it’s not angry and saying everybody else is f--ked up. You want to point out hypocrisy on both sides.

OT: Your next comedy special will be on Netflix, but you’ve reportedly been critical of their offers in the past.

What changed?

WS: I was speaking out more so in support of what Mo’Nique was saying. You have to get an offer you can live with, which is why I went with Epix for my last special. This time around, I was able to make a deal with [Netflix]. It’s great to be on that platform, because they reach so many people worldwide and that’s a great place to further your audience.

By Trent Johnson

You’ve heard of Wanda Sykes because she’s probably one of your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian. Sykes isn’t limited to the stage though, gracing TV and the silver screen opposite stars like Don Cheadle, Larry David, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and countless others. Her voice can even be heard in the kids’ movie series Ice Age and in recent episodes of the Netflix hit BoJack Horseman.

OT: You’re one of the most prolific comedians in entertainment, from writing and producing to doing standup. How do you choose what projects you want to do? What’s that process like?

WS: It’s about quality, [whether] it’s saying something or flatout funny. It has to speak to me, and it has to be something I can make better. You have to tailor your approach to the project. If it’s writing, you have to discuss stories and what you want it to say. You go from there, [and] find out the best ways to service the project.

Sykes is a veteran of the show business universe, getting her comedy start in the late 90s before joining the writing team of the celebrated, Emmy-winning Chris Rock Show. Since then, the prolific comic has acted in, produced and written everything from pilots and skits to feature films.

With a creative hand in diverse projects, Sykes has

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

Photos: Derek Wood

OT: Do you approach performing onstage differently than in a scripted setting?

WS: Onstage when you’re doing a live show, it’s total freedom.

I like to give you a snapshot of the lay of the land and what I think is going on with social issues and other things that are important to me.

I want to do it where we’re having fun and it’s not angry and saying everybody else is f--ked up.

Every show I’ve done, there will be [at least] one thing that comes to me onstage. It’s exactly that [freedom], and that’s the beauty of standup.

OT: It feels like more often than not, comedians take flak from anyone and everyone. Has that become more prevalent in your industry? How has comedy changed over the course of your career?

WS: It’s more eyeballs, but it’s also the access. The thing that drives me nuts the most is the cell phones at the shows – people recording the comics when they’re working stuff out. A lot of bits can get taken out of context when that happens. You’ll [see] someone and think they’re funny, and then you’ll see a clip that’s not and it’s because they’re still working on it. That hurts comedy and now when we’re onstage, we’re thinking about those repercussions.

Photos: John Gervasi PhotoArts, LLC

OT: When President Trump was elected, some people thought that comedians would have a field day since politicians can be easy targets for jokes. Do you think that’s true with him, and will you work him into your standup at Strathmore?

WS: Oh, I’m totally going to talk about him. The thing is, there’s no comedian out there funnier than Trump. It’s hard to do a parody of a parody. You can’t make up the things that he says. For all presidents, there’s always been a nice debate because everyone isn’t for the same things. But you have to be able to go back and forth and talk about it.

With this, things go straight to rage on both sides.

Catch Sykes at Strathmore on November 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-$115 and can be purchased at www.strathmore.org.

Learn more about the comedian at www.wandasykes.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @iamwandasykes.

The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; 301-581-5100; www.strathmore.org

Great Grapes! Wine & Food Festival at the Village at Leesburg featured 150-plus wines from 15 wineries, live music, fun festival eats, and arts and crafts.

www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

15

NPR’S

ARI SHAPIRO CONSIDERS ALL THINGS

By Trent Johnson Photo: Cassidy DuHon

“I got into journalism on a fluke. I was finishing college and I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up.”

Drinking from a refillable coffee cup and donning a black polo on the patio of Big Bear Cafe in DC’s Bloomingdale neighborhood, Ari Shapiro is explaining that even though he didn’t practice journalism during his formative years, he has since crafted a career as one of the most recognizable voices on National Public Radio (NPR).

“I applied to a million things and thought an NPR internship would be cool,” he tells me. “I got rejected for the NPR internship, and pretty much everything else I applied for, too.”

What once sounded like a cool idea would eventually lead to an esteemed career as a rotating co-host for flagship news program All Things Considered, a position he’s held for the last three years. The 39-year-old journalist’s voice is heard by 14.7 million listeners on weeks where he’s featured.

Despite his penchant for journalistic storytelling, Shapiro is far from just a news radio rock star; he’s a singer as well. After an evening hang at his home in 2008 with members of Portland-based Pink Martini – a self-described United Nations house band of 1962 meets Lawrence Welk on acid – ended in a sing-along, he was invited to provide vocals for the band in the studio and then live, a collaboration that’s continued over the years. He’s set to guest perform with the band at The Anthem on October 7.

A man as handsome and sultry sounding as Shapiro talking about rejection seems ludicrous at first; as you look at him and hear him speak, you can’t imagine him being less than successful at anything.

“Part of it is that rejection is a part of success. The repetition of rejection is what will eventually lead to success. That’s a necessary step along the way.”

All Things Considered is comprised of four hosts sharing duties on a bi-weekly basis.

Shapiro’s on-air days starts at about 8:30 a.m. after a bike ride to the office (he has never owned a car). An editorial meeting at 9:30 a.m.

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

follows, where he pitches three fully formed ideas: an angle on national news, a “page two” story and another he describes as “joy, surprise and uplift.” He then begins working with editors and producers to craft introductions, develop interview questions and review edited versions of earlier conversations – all this before going live at 4 p.m.

Shapiro delivers stories with calm and candor, even when his guests get hostile or fiery, or the interviews venture into weird territory. These authentic interactions are largely absent in print media; the back and forth between the interviewer and interviewee often gets lost when the quotes are broken up and words hit the page.

“That’s one of the things I love about radio,” he says. “There’s something so intimate and nuanced about hearing a person’s voice that I don’t think comes across as effectively in print and even on television. There’s just something about hearing a person talk that I think goes around the defenses we all put up and the judgments we automatically make about people when we see them. It accesses something that is so fundamental to the human experience. There is no form of communication older than audio storytelling.”

One host is on call until 10 p.m. each night to provide updates for the West Coast feed as news breaks. The evening before our coffee-charged conversation, Shapiro was in the NPR offices lending his voice to updates on houses catching fire in Massachusetts, Hurricane Florence’s landfall and the prospects of Jeff Bezos’s second Amazon headquarters. Like a healthy diet of all things in variation, the diversity of stories keeps Shapiro enthusiastic about the program.

“The thing that really appeals to me is the mix. It’s not that, ‘Oh, I get to do an interview about the thing I really love.’ It’s that I get to keep doing interviews about different things all the time, and it goes back to that idea of being curious and learning and finding out more about the world.”

While Shapiro’s work no longer focuses solely on hard news, he’s still a nationally renowned journalist in a political atmosphere that has become hostile to some in the media. And though he’s not appreciative of President Trump’s tirades against the Free Press, he thinks the outbursts have helped provoke a sense of transparency in newsrooms nationwide.

“I’ve seen an evolution where I now think more news organizations

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and journalists are saying, ‘Actually, we have to do a better job than we’ve done in the past of explaining what we do, how we do it [and] how it’s important to democracy,’ and I don’t think those are bad things. That’s something we should have been doing for a long time, and the attacks on the media have woken us up to the fact that we can’t just assume people know why a free press is important and what the role of the media in democracy is.”

Shapiro mentions a reporting trip to Michigan scheduled in mid-October for midterms. He says the Midwest state represents a convergence of several ideas rolling around in his head: the state recently turning red, the auto industry and tariffs, and an intriguing place to reflect on the decade since the nation’s financial collapse. When I press him to project even further in to the future, he hesitates a little.

“In my career, I’ve never known what I wanted the next step to be. I’ve always felt like as long as I’m happy where I am and can forecast at least a year into the future, I’m in a good place. It feels like I’ve only just started.

[All Things Considered host] Robert Siegel, who retired last year, hosted the show for 30 years, so I’m definitely not looking to move on anytime soon.”

Shapiro’s parents both spent their lives in academia.

His father was a computer science professor from San Francisco and his mother a communications professor from Chicago. In an educator-led household just outside of Portland, Shapiro was raised in environment that embraced curiosity. Imagination and discovery were not relegated to a classroom or strictly tethered to homework; instead, a willingness to experience the world in full was embraced and shared.

“There was a sense that the more you know about the world, the more interesting the world becomes, and you can learn anything you’re curious about. [My parents] were always grading papers or developing lesson plans. It wasn’t you clock out of work at the end of the day and you get to enjoy your life. The work is integrated into your life. I feel like that’s true of what I do now.”

Despite his piqued curiosity under the influence of his parents, broadcast journalism wasn’t an obvious path for a young Shapiro. He wasn’t sitting in his bedroom with a tape recorder working on a faux talk show or jotting down questions about the world he wanted to investigate.

“NPR was on in my house all the time, and in the car. I actually never did any journalism when I was in high school or college. I didn’t take a journalism class. I didn’t write for the school paper.”

Instead, Shapiro majored in English at Yale, where he learned how to “read and write and think.”

“I think that’s the value of a liberal arts education, whether you major in English or history or psychology, or anything else. It’s not so much that now I can understand Shakespeare or Dante, it’s that I can read a complicated text, make sense out of it and explain what the important thing is. That’s a skill I use when I’m reading a Supreme Court opinion or a report from a think tank.”

A lot has changed for Shapiro since his initial NPR assignment as Nina Totenberg’s intern in 2001. Before injecting his voice into national conversations, he was charged with transcribing audio, providing research on Supreme Court cases and scheduling interviews.

“I remember the first time [Totenberg] let me do an interview for a story. It was about a medical marijuana case, and I was so nervous and stressed. I was preparing for days, and I went to do the interview and the guy was giving these really slow, vague, one-word answers. I finally realized he was totally stoned.”

Pink Martini started playing in the mid-90s, when Shapiro was a high school student pondering an alternate reality of the world after reading Guns, Germs and Steel.

Before he stood onstage as a member, Shapiro geeked out as a fan

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with X’s on his hands in Portland bars that no longer exist.

“I remember a show they did at the employee party for a bakery where a friend of mine worked,” he says. “Now they play at Carnegie Hall, and back then they would play anywhere, anytime, for any reason.”

After college, he became friends with the band to the point that Shapiro’s house was a customary stop when Pink Martini performed in the District. Members of Pink Martini and another Portland band, Blind Pilot, swung by his barbecue 10 years ago and ended up staying late night, circling his piano and singing together. People who never sang stood side-by-side with professional musicians, and everyone tackled song after song in unison until 3 a.m. The next day, Pink Martini’s founder Thomas Lauderdale told Shapiro his voice would be perfect for a song on the band’s next album.

“At first I thought it would never happen, and then I thought if it did happen, it would be like that one time I did that thing with Pink Martini.”

The radio personality was sure the song wouldn’t make the album after recording in Portland, but then it did. Lauderdale then encouraged him to perform live with the band in front of 18,000 people at the Hollywood Bowl.

“It was incredible,” Shapiro says. “Backstage they have big blackand-white photographs of the legendary acts who’ve performed there over the years, so you’re waiting to go on and you see Jimi Hendrix, Judy Garland and The Beatles all on that stage you’re about to walk onto.”

Four albums later, though not a permanent fixture in the band nor always on their tour schedule, the list of songs Shapiro performs with Pink Martini has expanded. And because the band produces music with lyrics in foreign languages, part of his prep is nailing the pronunciation.

“I write them down phonetically on a piece of paper and carry it around in my back pocket for weeks just drilling them into my head.

For the [upcoming] shows, I’m trying to learn two new songs in Japanese and French so I’m literally walking around town murmuring Japanese words under my breath.”

With the opportunity to express himself sonically with Pink Martini, and other side projects like cabaret shows and guest performances at venues including the Kennedy Center, Shapiro tells me he has little interest in recording a solo album. The contrast between being onstage and on-air provides him with enough of a shake-up from journalism.

“Hosting a show like All Things Considered, it’s just you and your guest in a studio, whereas at a Pink Martini show, the audience is right there and you can hear them responding or not responding. You have an experience that is in real time, that is real engagement with them, that you don’t really get on the radio.”

I push him on the album, facetiously suggesting a mixtape or SoundCloud page. He playfully shrugs, but a man like Shapiro won’t outright say “No.” Besides, he’s already in a profession he didn’t expect, and moonlighting as a singer for a band he followed in high school.

For him to completely rule anything out would be uncharacteristic.

“Never say never.”

Catch Shapiro with Pink Martini at The Anthem on Sunday, October 7. Doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at www.theanthemdc.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @arishapiro, and learn more about All Things Considered at www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered.

The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC 202-888-0020; www.theanthemdc.com

All Drink, Dine, Do event listings are provided by the venues hosting them.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Hitchcocktober at Angelika Pop-Up Union Market What better way to celebrate Halloween than by spending the entire month with Hitchcock’s horror classics? Featuring Rear Window, Shadow of a Doubt, Strangers on a Train, The 39 Steps and Psycho. The shows open throughout the month, so you’ll have plenty of time to get your fix before spooky season ends.

Ticket prices and show times vary. Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market: 550 Penn St. NE, DC; www.angelikafilmcenter.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 Strange Tales: Paradise Motel The Coil Project presents strange tales from room 116, where traces remain of several murders, profound weirdness

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and a lot of very bad ideas. If these walls could talk, they’d scream. The Coil Project is a group of people from diverse backgrounds who want to see what happens when you experiment with how to run a theater. Join for the next installment of The Coil Project’s annual Strange Tales Halloween anthology series; your room is waiting. 8-10 p.m. Tickets $20.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop: 545 7th St. SE, DC; www.thecoilproject.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 Air & Scare Explore the spooky side of air and space at Air & Scare, an annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments and other Halloween-themed

On Tap | OCtober 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

activities. Arrive in costume to get in the Halloween spirit and enjoy indoor trick-or-treating.

12-5:30 p.m. Tickets $15.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy. Chantilly, VA; www.airandspace.si.edu

Wear your spookiest, most scary or creative costume because there are costume prizes for the most festively dressed participants. 12-8 p.m. Tickets $20. Dupont Circle’s Best Bars: Connecticut Avenue in NW, DC; www.eventbrite.com

Halloween at National Gallery of Art When Angels and Devils visit us, where can we find them? Follow Stephen Mead down this dark and dreary path at the National Gallery of Art just in time for Halloween season. You’ll see the Gallery’s highlights, historical showstoppers and fan favorites – enough to fill your Halloween bucket as Mead stops to discuss each piece’s symbols, stories and background. 1-3 p.m.

Tickets $20. National Gallery of Art East Building: 6th and Constitution Avenue in NW, DC; www.nga.gov

Dirty Habit’s Halloween Night Circus Guests are encouraged to don their best costumes for an evening full of treats including eclectic beats from local favorite DJ Cyd, house-made absinthe, cotton candy and live circus entertainment on Dirty Habit’s city block-sized courtyard patio. Halloween tricks include sideshow performers ranging from a fire breather to a contortionist to famed carnival darling Alex Doll. Partygoers can satiate themselves between acts with signature bites from Executive Chef Kyoo Eom. 21-plus. 8-11 p.m. Free to attend. Dirty Habit: 555 8th St. NW, DC; www.dirtyhabitdc.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Night of the Living Zoo Prepare to witness deathdefying acts and amazing oddities at friends of the National Zoo’s annual adultsonly Halloween party, Night of the Living Zoo. Ghouls and goblins will enjoy craft beer, fare from popular DC food trucks, a spooktacular costume contest and performance artists while dancing to music at the DJ dance party. It’s a wicked night of fun that will be scary to miss. 7-10:30 p.m. Tickets $40$90. Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute: 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.nationalzoo.si.edu

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 DC Halloween Crawl Bust out your best costume and get ready for a spooktacular party like no other this season.

The official DC Halloween Crawl celebrates the scariest time of the year with your closest friends. This event features more than 15 Dupont Circle bars, all-day drink specials and more.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Harry Potter Party For those of you who thought you’d missed out on your Hogwarts acceptance letter, you have mail! Spend your Halloween with other Potter fans in costume as your favorite character or by repping your favorite house from the series. Erol the Owl is delivering cheap presale tickets and special ticket options to join the festivities. 18-plus to enter, 21-plus to drink butter beer.

Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $25. Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; www.unionstage.com

Dia de los MUERTOS

S AT U R D AY, O C T O B E R 2 7, 2 : 0 0 – 5 : 0 0 P M Celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf! Join us at Pearl Street for this free event— and enjoy live music from La Unica, great sets by our DJ, face painting, beer stations, and even an altar competition. Plus, we’re giving out prizes for the best self-painted face.

Download the District Wharf App

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M US T B E 21 OR OVE R TO CONSU M E ALCOHOL .

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 AND THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 Wil Gravatt Band Dance Party with DC Rawhides Hot on the heels of their second wildly successful dance night party at The Wharf, Wil Gravatt Band and DC Rawhides are teaming up for a series of country dance nights at Pearl Street Warehouse. The nights begin with an hour of dance lessons from DC Rawhides followed by an open dance and the live music of Wil Gravatt and his band. The classes and show are free of charge.

Classes start at 7:30 p.m., band begins at 8:30 p.m.

Break out your boots and get ready to boogie – this is one fun night! Pearl Street Warehouse: 33 Pearl St. SW, DC; www.pearlstreetwarehouse.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 Coffee, Cocktails & Cupping at Colada Shop Sterling Come to Colada Shop and join them for a class focused on one of their favorite things: coffee! You’ll learn cupping, or how to taste coffee, and a few of Colada’s favorite coffee cocktail recipes. Enjoy snacks, drinks and good company the Cuban way. 21-plus. Tickets $45.

Colada Shop: 21430 Epicerie Plaza, Sterling, VA; www.coladashop.com

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Phillips After 5: It Takes a District It takes a District to celebrate 20 years of Tryst and 10 years of Phillips after 5. Experience all five restaurants of Tryst at this event. Celebrate the creative spirit of Phillips after 5 by hearing an excerpt from Dame Ethel Smyth’s “The Prison” and listen to sounds from singer-songwriter Be Steadwell.

Presented in partnership with The Outrage, the event will change the narrative of female composers and female artists.

5-8:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $10.

The Phillips Collection: 1600 21st St. NW, DC; www.phillipscollection.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 Reston Town Center’s Flavors of Fall Savor the flavor of autumn brews and delicious fare from area restaurants.

Enjoy food, wine, German and craft beers on tap and live entertainment.

The event is produced by Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Free to attend, with food and drink tickets available.

12-11 p.m. Reston Town Center: 11900 Market St. Reston, VA; www.restonflavors.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 Born Yesterday at Ford’s Theatre Under 35 Night In this sharp-edged satire, opportunistic tycoon Harry Brock arrives in Washington with his naive girlfriend, Billie Dawn, to game the political system. Younger than 35? Join Ford’s Theatre’s Generation Abe program. You can purchase $20 tickets to select performances using promo code UNDER3519. Available for Tuesday-Friday and Sunday evening performances for Born Yesterday. Enjoy a complimentary beer or wine with your Generation Abe ticket after the show on Friday, October 5. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20.

Ford’s Theatre: 511 10th St. NW, DC; www.fords.org

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 Fall Harvest Italian Cooking Class & Feast with Michael Schlow Join James Beard AwardWinning Chef Michael Schlow as he teaches the art of Italian countryside cooking at Alta Strada. Participants get an intimate, first-hand look at how to prepare authentic, rustic,

ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

countryside dishes. The class also includes a three-course feast with dishes from the class (optional wine pairing and cash bar available), take-home recipe cards, techniques and skills to impress your own guests at your next dinner party. Starts at 12 p.m. Tickets $95. Alta Strada: 465 K St. NW, DC; www.schlowrg.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 Sherry and Dumplings in the Reading Room DC’s Sherry Queen, Chantal Tseng, is pairing up with NOMAD Dumplings again for a night of Sherry & Dumplings, right in the middle of International Sherry Week. Join for a night of food, drinks and a visit from a world-renowned sherry educator from Spain. The menu will lean on autumnal flavors of dates, lotus and pumpkin. They are also thrilled to offer a special ingredient: the new Impossible Burger. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. time slots available.

Tickets $45. Petworth Citizen: 829 Upshur St. NW, DC; www.petworthcitizen.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 AND FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Young Prose Night: Comedy of Errors Two sets of twins, each with the same name – what could go wrong?

Everything, apparently.

Leave logic behind and delight in the confusion of Shakespeare’s beloved Comedy of Errors, where servants misplace their masters, wives overlook their husbands and sons forget their fathers.

Purchase a ticket to Young Prose Night (YPN) for Wednesday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, October 19 at 8 p.m. and you’ll see the live performance and be invited to a post-show reception with the cast, including complimentary drinks from The Bruery and STC’s wine sponsor.

Tickets $25. STC’s Lansburgh Theatre: 450 7th St. NW, DC; www.shakespearetheatre.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 Taste of Annandale The Taste of Annandale is a full day of fun, entertainment and great food, with a wide variety of foods from the community restaurants and local food trucks adding to the new beer hall featuring craft and Korean beers. Taste of Annandale: Tom Davis Drive in Annandale, VA; www.tasteofannandale.com

BRUNCH. LUNCH. DINNER. LATE NIGHT.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 Rosslyn Cider Fest Visit Central Place Plaza in Rosslyn for Cider Fest, featuring Bold Rock, Winchester Ciderworks, Cobbler Mountain Cellars, Potter’s, AustinEast, Original Sin, Crispin and Strongbow. Sample the ciders and visit the outdoor bar to purchase beer, wine and full-sized cider bottles. Plus, hear live music from Two Ton Twig, and participate in the pie eating contest. 5-8 p.m. Cider Fest is free to attend, sampling tickets are 8 for $10, must be 21-plus to sample. Central Place Plaza: 1800 N. Lynn St. Arlington, VA; www.rosslynva.org

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 French Champagnes and Wines Tasting Soirée Join Mer Events and Ozio Lounge for a French champagnes and wines tasting evening. Most of them are straight out of France and hard to find stateside, so here’s your opportunity to be the first one to try them. The night will be packed with different types of delicious champagnes and wines for hours. This event sells out every time, so get your tickets ASAP. 6-9 p.m. Tickets $25 in advance, $75 day of. Ozio Lounge: 1813 M St. NW, DC; www.merevents.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 Washington Blade Best of Gay DC Awards Party Find out the winners and finalists for Washington Blade’s Best of Gay DC awards.

Categories include Best Burlesque Dancer, Best Live

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16 Beer Sampling at Gordon Biersch Please join On Tap for a fall beer sampling at Gordon Biersch Navy Yard. As always, there will be complimentary beer samples and appetizers, a raffle for a Gordon Biersch gift card, and full pours of the beer will be available for purchase. This is a free event, but you must RSVP, and the event fills up fast. 6-8 p.m. Please bring valid ID. Must be 21-plus.

Gordon Biersch: 100 M St. SE, DC; http://tickets. ontaponline.com Music, Best Neighborhood Bar and more. Complimentary Avion Tequila and ABSOLUT cocktails will be served. Washington Blade is the oldest LGBTQ+ newspaper in the US, covering the latest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender news in DC and around the world. 6-9 p.m.

Tickets $20-$25. Pitchers: 2317 18th St. NW, DC; www.washingtonblade.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18

Year of Beer Sampling at Crafthouse Fairfax Join On Tap for an October beer sampling at Crafthouse in Fairfax Corner. There will be complimentary appetizers, a raffle for a Crafthouse gift card and full pours of the beer will be available for purchase.

Featured breweries include Devils Backbone and Bold Rock, just to name a few. Each will be pouring two beers from their portfolio. Sample them all and vote for your favorite. 6-8 p.m. This is a free event, but you must RSVP. Please bring valid ID. Must be 21-plus.

Crafthouse Fairfax: 11861 Palace Way, Fairfax, VA; https://tickets. ontatponline.com

Avenir Place Pumpkin Festival Don’t miss this fun fall festival showcasing featured shops at Avenir Place located at the Dunn Loring Metro. The festival will feature live music, a beer garden featuring local craft breweries pouring their best fall brews, pumpkin decorating, and trick or treating at the Shops at Avenir. The event is free to attend, but the beer garden tickets are a $10 admission donation to benefit the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department for sampling from all breweries. All ages welcome but must be 21plus years of age to drink alcohol. Please bring valid ID. 5-8 p.m. Avenir Place: 2677 Avenir Pl. Vienna, VA; www.avenirfest.com

1-3 p.m. Tickets $78. L’Enfant Florist: 703 Kennedy St. NW, DC; www.lenfantfloristdc.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20

MONDAY, OCTOBER 22

Succulent Arranging Workshop Grab your friends and join for an afternoon of succulent education, care and arranging.

The workshop includes: one 8-inch white marble bowl, soil, care instructions and enough succulents to create a beautiful arrangement that you take home. This workshop will give you the skills and knowledge to replicate your own special succulent arrangements to decorate your home or give as gifts. They have a wall of containers to choose from for future projects. Also included is one coffee, tea or glass of wine from their new cafe counter.

Day of the Dead Festival Kick-Off Party Join Oyamel to celebrate the dead and honor the living at the Día de los Muertos festival kick-off party. Featuring delectable bites and creative cocktails to die for, plus live music, a photobooth and traditional face painting. You won’t want to miss this exciting all-inclusive evening. Oyamel will be honoring Roberto Gómez Bolaños, better known as “Chespirito,” who was a Mexican screenwriter, actor, comeDían, film director, TV director, playwright, songwriter and author. Known for the unique characters he played, Chespirito

On Tap | OCtober 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

is regarded as the most important Spanish-language humorist of all time. 6-10 p.m.

Tickets $49. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana: 401 7th St. NW, DC; www.oyamel.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 Day of the Dead Altar Making at the Petworth Farmers Market Participate in an altar making workshop to honor loved ones and learn the history of this rich cultural event at the Petworth Farmers Market. Please bring a special memento such as a picture; they will have varioussized boxes and decorations on hand. Petworth Farmers Market: 4148 9th St. NW, DC; www.petworthartscollaborative.org

Photos: Mike Kim

Oktoberfest kicked off in DC at Yards Park in Capitol Riverfront with the seventh annual Wiener 500 dachshund dash. The crowd watched the races and dog costume contest on a 17-foot jumbotron, enjoyed a live DJ and ice-cold Spaten beer, and participated in the stein-hoisting competition. All race proceeds benefited the Humane Rescue Alliance.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27

The Lindley Apartment Party Join On Tap and the new Lindley apartment building at Chevy Chase Lake for an evening of complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Walk through the various brand new, modern and contemporary apartment options available, and see what exclusive leasing specials the Lindley has to offer.

There will also be raffle giveaways! 6:30-9 p.m. Free to attend but must RSVP at www.lindleyrsvp.com. The Lindley at Chevy Chase Lake: 8405 Chevy Chase Lake Ter. Chevy Chase, MD; www.thelindleyapts.com

Día de Los Muertos Festival at The Wharf Pearl Street comes alive with a Día de Los Muertos festival from 2-5 p.m. Join Pearl Street Warehouse, Lupo Marino, Kaliwa, Kirwan’s at the Wharf and Union Stage for an afternoon filled with the sights and sounds of a Día festival. Enjoy live music from La Unica, DJ sets, an altar competition, face painting and beer stations. Prizes for the best self-painted face, art installations and dance troops round out the day.

This is a free event, must be 21-plus to consume alcohol. Get all the details at www.wharfdc.com.

Photos: Mike Kim

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Rocklands’ 5th Annual Hot Sauce Contest & Pig Roast featured barbecued pig, delicious sides and craft beer. All proceeds benefited the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation.

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On Tap | OCtober 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

Art. Beer. Food.

Enjoy local craft beers, original artwork, and amazing food at The Art League’s annual Art on Tap! Craft beers from local breweries have been artfully paired with a work of art from an Art League instructor.

Local restaurants have chosen a brew/artwork coupling to serve as their muse to create the perfect complimentary appetizer. Enjoy the brew, bite and artwork trifectas at the Art League’s Art on Tap event. Sample the creative combinations while drinking from a take-home Art on Tap beer tasting glass, and then vote for your favorite at the end of the event. 7-10 p.m. Early bird tickets are $35, regular admission is $45. Torpedo Factory: 105 N. Union St. Alexandria, VA; www.theartleague.org

Enjoy your Dia Drinks at the following locations Pearl Street Warehouse Kirwan’s ’’s on the Wharf Lupo Marino Kaliwa Cantina Bambina

The Brighton Satellite Room Ivy and Coney Cortez

By Trent Johnson

Sometimes even we can’t believe this publication is 20 years old. From the early days when it was just a guide for things to do to its evolution into a fully loaded events company, On Tap Magazine has grown a tremendous amount in the past two decades. On the heels of this special anniversary, here’s our very special Did You Know.

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On Tap has been locally owned and operated since 1998, and our offices are currently in Alexandria, Virginia.

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We have interviewed several hundred award-winning musicians including Ben Folds, The B-52s’ Cindy Wilson, John Mayer, Garbage’s Shirley Manson, and Tegan and Sara.

8.

Our charitable events have raised more than $100,000 for reputable organizations such as the Jimmy V Foundation, SCAN, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, King Street Cats, Humane Rescue Alliance and others.

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Through the magazine and events, our company has been featured on Fox 5, ABC7, WJLA 24/7 News, 94.7 Fresh FM, mix107.3 and DC101, and in The Washington Post.

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We’ve also talked with a number of people famous for screen and stage time including Patton Oswalt, Marlon Wayans and John Waters.

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DC is a sports town, and we’ve covered some of the best athletes including John Wall, Bradley Beal, Josh Norman, Vernon Davis and Ryan Kerrigan.

On Tap | OCtober 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

3.

More than 40,000 people attend events produced or hosted

by On Tap every year.

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Last we checked, On Tap has interviewed more than 1,100 bartenders in the DMV.

Over 200 dogs a year participate in On Tap’s very own Running of the Chihuahuas and Wiener 500 races.

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A number of national stars have been featured on our cover directly under the logo (most recently updated in October 2013) such as Carly Rae Jepsen, Lenny Kravitz, Trombone Shorty and Wayne Rooney.

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The original name of the magazine was The Barstool.

Go long for an ice-cold Corona at these locations: Rock & Roll Hotel RedRocks H Street Bar Louie Buffalo Billiards

Kirwan’s on the Wharf The Front Page Lou’s City Bar H Street Country Club

Ray Cooper (left) and Jake Shields (right)

By Trent Johnson

M

ixed martial arts (MMA) holds an interesting spot when it comes to the DC sports hierarchy. Known as a fight town, DMV residents tend to sway more toward boxing as the DC area has historically offered the squared circle a true home for locally bred talent and big events.

Globally, MMA as a whole is maybe at its most profitable point and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) is looking to capitalize on the potentially fertile fandom in DC with an event on October 20 in the brand new St.

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Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena. This marks the organization’s third DC card, after PFL Fight Night in November 2017 and PFL 3 this past July.

The PFL separates itself from other MMA promotions by instituting a tournament system between the top eight fighters in each of its six divisions. The PFL 2018 season will conclude on December 31, with six championship fights back-to-back and a $10 million prize pool.

PFL 10 offers a boon for fight fans who have followed the sport over the past decade, with veterans like former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields, Ultimate

Fighting Championship (UFC) vets Rick Story and John Howard, and other talents such as Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Louis Taylor.

Fights at the top of the card include Shields vs. Ray Cooper III (who square off in a rematch after Cooper bested the veteran by technical knockout), Eddie Gordon vs. Andre Lobato, and Howard vs. Shamil Gamzatov – to name a few.

“There is an appetite for the very, very high end of fighting, whether it’s [boxing’s] Pacquiao and Mayweather or [MMA’s] Conor McGregor,” says MMA journalist Luke Thomas. “But the midlevel has been harder

Photos: LAFlicks Photography

John Howard

Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan hosted his sixth annual Celebrity Waiter Night at The Watergate Hotel. Proceeds benefited the Blitz for the Better Foundation.

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Photos: Courtesy of the PFL

to cultivate [here in DC]. The PFL is trying to tap into that, and even though some of the guys aren’t the best of the best anymore, it’s good fighting. It’s a big test, it’s critical. But the question is how difficult is [getting people to the event].”

Thomas, of MMA Fighting and SiriusXM’s The Luke Thomas Show, is a DC native and says there has been a general interest for the sport dating back to the days of DC promotion Ultimate Warrior Challenge.

The promotion featured early bouts of eventual UFC standouts John Dodson, Brendan Schaub and Mike Easton. But because of commission issues in DC and big markets like New York City only a few hours up the highway, big MMA fights have largely eluded the city.

“Part of this is DC hasn’t had a DC fighter breakthrough,” Thomas says. “It’s a newer fight community, and I don’t think they know enough about the sport. There’s a fight community, but it leans more toward boxing, and this new audience doesn’t know all the practices.”

Despite this, Thomas and I are in agreement regarding the talent on PFL 10. More high-level fights in the District could further the sport’s exposure, perhaps making way for breakthrough stars and additional can’t-miss fight cards.

“The PFL will bring many talents that are pretty damn good,” he continues. “A lot of these guys have been floating just outside the UFC ranks. There are definitely some fights to look out for, and you have an undercard with good veterans. These are all legitimate fighters.”

The fight card will represent one of the first large-scale events to take place at the city’s new venue. In addition to featuring touring sports like the PFL, e-sports and concerts, the 4,200-seat arena will also house the Washington Mystics and the Wizards’ new NBA G-League team, the Capital City Go-Go. The completion of the 118,000-square-foot St. Elizabeths East is the culmination of a year-long construction process that cost the city about $69 million.

While there’s currently no boxing cards scheduled for the arena, there’s little doubt DC’s newest building will host bouts in the future.

Fight fans in the District yearning for high-level combat sooner will be treated to the PFL 10 and a collection of MMA talent from around the world.

“I guarantee that when the card is over, we’ll have been treated to quality MMA,” Thomas says.

Don’t miss the PFL 10 on Saturday, October 20 at the new St. Elizabeths East arena. Visit www.pflmma.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena: 1100 Oak Dr. SE, DC; www.esaontherise.com

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY® © 2018 COORS BREWING CO., GOLDEN, CO • BEER

THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT PATH? STOP LOOKING AT THE PATH. – MARCUS BUCKINGHAM

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9/19/18 1:56 PM

CAPITALS’ NEW HEAD COACH

TODD REIRDEN ENTERS UNIQUE SITUATION

By Trent Johnson

C

hampionship teams are hard to keep together. Whether it’s players leaving for bigger contracts, veterans retiring or staffers jetting for more lucrative opportunities, the likelihood of a carbon copy from year to year is nearly impossible.

An obvious cog for any sports team is the head coach, and though it’s unusual for a championship organization to hire a new leader months after tasting absolute victory, the Capitals are now in the midst of this transition.

Out is Barry Trotz, the man who directed the team to last year’s Stanley Cup championship, as he resigned shortly after hoisting the trophy earlier this summer. While the team could have rocked the boat and brought in an outside candidate, the front office instead opted for continuity, promoting former assistant coach Todd Reirden. The 47-year-old was given a unique set of circumstances surrounding his first National Hockey League head coaching gig.

“This is an extremely unique one,” Reirden tells me in his office adorned with more Capitals gear than a stadium gift shop. “More often than not, you see an assistant coach take over because it went poorly. In this situation where you’ve won the ultimate prize in your sport, it’s obviously different. I had no ill will or misgivings to Barry. It was his choice not to return. It had nothing to do with my situation.”

Officially hired on June 29, Reirden touched base with Trotz to thank him for the opportunity. Four years ago, Trotz hired him as the assistant coach, bringing him into the organization where he’s now charged to lead.

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Photos: Courtesy of the Washington Capitals

“It’s been a real comfortable situation thus far,” he says. “Two years ago, I ran the training camp. So this is not new to me as far as where we’re at right now – only thoughts of excitement and opportunity for this group, who for the most part is returning.”

“I want to create an environment that’s challenging for our players.

I want them to enjoy coming to work every day.”

Those returning include legend and Stanley Cup MVP Alex Ovechkin, forward T.J. Oshie and defenseman John Carlson, to name a few.

“Every season is a little bit different, so it’s tough to totally forecast where your team is going to have success or [what they’ll] struggle with,” Reirden says. “[Because of ] what we were able to do last year, there won’t be a lot of changes. We’re just trying to emphasize the speed with some of our young players.”

One group of people happy to see him instituted as head coach was the players, who had firsthand experience as he helped guide the team to a championship last season. Though he has a different role, the team believes he can help them achieve a title repeat.

“First of all, he’s very smart,” says veteran center Nicklas Backstrom.

“He’s very good at adjusting during the game and making sure you’re screwing with the other team a bit, which I think is positive. People don’t notice that. He’s alert. He’s on top of his game, every game.

That’s what you need in this league.”

Along with his mind for the game, Reirden is a great communicator, which is something he’s using to help the Capitals avoid a title hangover.

“My strengths are in communication and developing relationships with the players,” he says. “I was in constant contact with them and let them know a clear vision of what I expected the camp to look like. They’ve all come back in excellent shape and ready to work. The response from the veteran players and everyone right through is a high energy level and an even higher conditional level than in the past. You have to communicate with the players, you have to talk to them, you have to connect with them. They have to be able to come to you about good things, bad things, whatever it is, and you have to have them trust you and believe in you.”

With a new coach comes new philosophies and tendencies, which carries the possibility of a slow start. However, with Reirden being on staff for the past few years, players aren’t worried about the prospect.

“Potentially,” right defenseman Matt Niskanen says of Reirden’s coaching style. “You get used to a coach’s tendencies – his feel for how he runs the bench, runs your scheme, your practices. So far in camp, there’s been the same types of drills just to get people moving again because everyone’s familiar with them. But we’re going to start filtering new stuff, tweaking the system and details as we go. It should be a pretty seamless transition.”

Though it’s early, everything out of Capitals camp sounds so far, so good. And as the season opener against the Boston Bruins on October 3 approaches, all Reirden and the team can do is put their heads down, get to work and enjoy the journey.

“My goal doesn’t have anything to do with a set number of wins or losses, or this or that,” Reirden says. “I want to create an environment that’s challenging for our players. I want them to enjoy coming to work every day. They need to enjoy coming to the rink and being challenged that way to get back to what we accomplished last year.”

Don’t miss the Caps’ home opener on Wednesday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m. against the Bruins. For more information on the team and their 2018-2019 season, visit www.nhl.com/capitals.

Washington, DC Arlington, VA Alexandria, VA Rocklands.com

Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, DC; www.nhl.com/capitals www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

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Photo: Courtesy of Pisco y Nazca

By Lani Furbank

On Tap keeps locals in the know about the hottest new food and drink spots around town and the top culinary happenings of the month. Read on to get the inside scoop on what’s new and notable in the DC area.

Photo: Courtesy of Le Kon

Le Kon Open: September 1 Location: Clarendon Lowdown: Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe, who has roots in Mexico and Japan, expanded his restaurant portfolio to DC with a new Mexican restaurant that draws inspiration from Asia. Springfield native Patrick Tanyag oversees the kitchen, which delivers playful and eye-catching

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creations with bright ingredients like watermelon radish, pickled red onions and cucumber kimchi providing splashes of color. It’s almost like the menu was made for Instagram: an entire roasted pig head is presented tableside before being broken down into carnitas for tacos, and cotton candy is piled on a Fruity Pebbles tres leches cake. Portions are generous, with massive grilled steaks and tacos served in family-style platters so guests can build their own bites. The large dining room is accented with navy wainscoting, marble tile mosaic table tops and an industrial concrete bar. A purple and red ombre corn husk wall hanging stands out above the booths and fanciful Day of the Dead scenes play out on the wallpaper. Le Kon: 3227 Washington Blvd.

Arlington, VA; www.lekonrestaurant.com

Little Sesame Open: August 28 Location: Golden Triangle Lowdown: The original iteration of Little

Photo: Anna Meyer

Sesame was an instant hit, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the first standalone location opened with a line out the door that has continued to form each day during the lunch rush. Ronen Tenne, Nick Wiseman and David Wiseman are behind this wildly popular fast-casual hummus shop that serves up hummus bowls, pita sandwiches and seasonal salatim (vegetable sides). The three formed a vision for their bright and airy restaurant by traveling – both across the U.S. and in Israel, where Tenne was born – and exploring the diversity of food and design

in various kitchens. Nick Wiseman says the menu pulls from the food traditions of Middle Eastern countries like Yemen, Lebanon and Iran, all of which are reflected in Israel’s cuisine. The hummus quite literally holds it all together, so its recipe was tweaked to perfection. With only a handful of ingredients, the hummus is made daily with the highest quality chickpeas and tahini. Then, it’s enhanced by additions ranging from whole roasted vegetables and fresh produce to herbs and spices. Items like the classic bowl with chickpeas, tahini and schug and the chicken shawarma with tahini, amba and smashed cucumber salad will always be on the menu, while other offerings will change with the seasons. Expect squash, celery root, broccoli, brassicas and more this fall. Little Sesame: 1828 L St. NW, DC; www.eatlittlesesame.com

Pisco y Nazca Open: September 3 Location: Dupont Circle Lowdown: The Miami-based Pisco y Nazca has brought a new option for modern Peruvian cuisine to DC. Like its sister restaurants, the bar at the latest location welcomes guests with a chandelier-like bottle display, and the rest of the dining room is spacious and open. The menu has an impressive array of ceviches, including a Japanese variation, a traditional preparation and a version with mushrooms. Starters include expected items like empanadas, anticucho carne and grilled octopus. The entrée selection plays on tradition as well, with arroz con mariscos, lomo saltado and a braised lamb shank with cilantro sauce. Of course, you can pair these dishes with Peruvian cocktails like a pisco sour or a Chilcano. Pisco y Nazca: 1823 L St. NW, DC; www.piscoynazca.com/dc

St. Anselm Open: September 17 Location: NoMa Lowdown: Joe Carroll, the man behind St. Anselm in Brooklyn, has teamed up with restaurateur Stephen Starr and Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley to bring the grillcentric restaurant to the Union Market neighborhood. While it’s often hailed as a steakhouse, St. Anselm is about more than beef. The cooking relies heavily on fire, with everything from Spanish octopus to Romano beans, a rack of lamb and a pork porterhouse hitting the grill that sits in the center of the open kitchen.

Budweiser Marks Repeal of Prohibition Anniversary with Reserve Copper Lager To mark the 85th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, Budweiser has partnered with Jim Beam bourbon to release a specially crafted Reserve Copper Lager brew.

Brewed with two-row barley and aged on barrel staves once housing Jim Beam bourbon, the special beer features a delicious nutty taste, with notes of vanilla and caramel rye. Unlike other beers that are aged in the bourbon barrels, Budweiser chose to use the staves to Photo: Courtesy of Budweiser give a more subtle bourbon taste and a slightly sweeter finish. The collaboration between two beverage makers that survived the Prohibition era has produced a terrifically tasty beer that will be available in bars and retail locations through the holiday season.

Learn more about Budweiser’s Reserve Copper Lager at Budweiser.com.

When it comes to beef, the cuts are on the unusual side, like hanger steak and flat iron. The wine list also bucks convention, featuring light, high-acid red wines over heavy oaky ones. Plus, there will be a select few ciders, craft beers and cocktails.

The surroundings straddle distinguished and whimsical, with snug private booths and vintage plates juxtaposed with embroidered banners from fraternal organizations and a taxidermied raccoon. There’s also a beefsteak room where the restaurant will host special events modeled after beefsteak dinners, which were political fundraising events common in the 1850s. St. Anselm: 1250 5th St. NE, DC; www.stanselmdc.com

Mr Lee’s Pop-up at Succotash

Photo: Jasmine Pierce

neighboring farmers market. Signature cocktails complement the food, like the Miss Korea made with Soju, melon syrup, yuzu and egg white. Asian beers and spirits are also available. Mr Lee’s will run through the end of 2018. Mr Lee’s: 915 F St. NW, DC; www.facebook.com/mrleesatsuccotash or www.succotashrestaurant.com

Location: Penn Quarter Lowdown: Chef Edward Lee is transforming the upstairs bar and lounge of his Penn Quarter restaurant into a popup called Mr Lee’s. The concept is inspired

by Asian night markets, with bold flavors in dishes like spicy pork belly and kimchi or duck confit, snow pea and basil dumplings.

The menu will change weekly but will put an emphasis on ingredients from the

www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

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All What’s On Tap listings are provided by the venues hosting them.

Greetings, beer nerds! As you likely know, there are a number of fantastic spots in the DMV where you can grab a pint, and their menus are always evolving and adapting to your tastes. If you’d rather avoid the guessing game, check out what’s coming up at a few of these fine establishments.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 Left Hand Brewing 25th Anniversary Beer Release Join Left Hand Brewery at Dacha Beer Garden for their 25th anniversary beer release. In addition to the special anniversary brew, there will be Chai Milk Stout and Pixan Pepper Porter available on draft. 4-10:30 p.m. Free to attend. Dacha Beer Garden: 1600 7th St. NW, DC; www.dachadc.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 The Great Lakes 30th Anniversary Celebration Join as ChurchKey and Great Lakes Brewing Company celebrate with 14 beers from the Cleveland, Ohio brewery. The party includes an unbelievable list of beers including their hard-to-find keg of 30th Anniversary Imperial Oyster Stout. There will also be five different barrel-aged rarities from Great Lakes. 4-11 p.m. Free to attend. ChurchKey: 1337 14th St. NW, DC; www.churchkeydc.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 Brewers Chili Throwdown Join for the annual chili cook-off event where local breweries bring in their own chili recipes to compete in a heated contest of which brewery can craft the tastiest chili. Along with great beer, what more can you ask for? 5-8 p.m. Tickets $20. Tysons Biergarten: 8436 Leesburg Pike, Tysons, VA; www.tysonsbiergarten.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 Hoppy Oktoberfest Join as Mad Fox turns the Market Square they call home into an Oktoberfest biergarden, where they’ll showcase a large selection of hoppy beers from some of Virginia’s finest breweries including traditional German Oktoberfest beers. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets available online. Mad Fox Brewery: 444 W. Broad St. Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 Love Beer Fest Don’t miss the first annual Love Beer Fest, a celebration of great beer and the passionate people who brew it. Held in DC near Yards Park, this family-friendly event is open to all beer lovers at no cost. Explore and enjoy a curated selection of 100-plus beers from more than 15 breweries across the country.

Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to sample limited edition and seasonal beers, some of which will be available for the first time on the DC market. Devils Backbone will debut a unique, extra dry, brut-style lager with a light body and dry finish brewed specially for the festival. Love Beer Fest: First and M Streets and New Jersey Avenue in SE, DC; www.lovebeerfest2018.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 Pugs & Pints Join the Pigs & Pugs Project for an afternoon of sipping locally made craft beers in the Denizens beer garden with your favorite pug for a good cause. Your $20 ticket includes a pint of beer, vegan treats for you (and your pup), lawn games, and a reusable Pigs & Pugs Project tote. All proceeds will go toward microgrants that support pug rescues in need.

1-3 p.m. $10-$20. Denizens Brewing Co.: 1115 East West Hwy. Silver Spring, MD; www.denizensbrewingco.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 Snallygaster 2018 Snallygaster is making its triumphant return to DC for its seventh year as a rollicking salute to craft beer. Festivalgoers can expect an unbelievable array of no fewer than 350 smallbatch, highly sought-after brews on draft from the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. 1:30-7 p.m. Tickets $40-$65. Snallygaster: 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in NW, DC; www.snallygasterdc.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16 Seabee OktoBEEfest DC Gather your crew for an awesome evening at The Brig DC, including a dog-friendly atmosphere, cornhole, food, plenty of room to move and plenty of beers on tap. Those with an official SHF OktoBEEfest glass get extended happy hour pricing for drinks.

3-11:30 p.m. Tickets $10. The Brig DC: 1007 8th St. SE, DC; www.thebrigdc.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 Pumpkin Carving with Devils Backbone One ticket purchase will include one pumpkin and one beer from the Devils Backbone draft selection. The Embassy Row Hotel will provide all the essential tools and decorations you’ll need to create the best pumpkin in DC. The carving will commence around 6 p.m. on the patio of Station Kitchen and Cocktails.

Tickets $12. The Embassy Row Hotel: 2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC; www.destinationhotel.com/embassy-row-hotel

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 Shucktoberfest Beer and Oyster Festival Calling all beer and oyster lovers. Don’t miss more than 40 local craft beer tents, food and vendor tents, and more right in Shirlington Village. The event is bringing all of your favorite Virginia breweries together in one place, so come sip your favorite brews, sample new ones and enjoy an array of fresh oysters.

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets $30-$35. Village at Shirlington: 2700 Quincy St. Arlington, VA; www.shucktoberfestva.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 Rock the Core Cider Fest A celebration of cider, beer and great tunes, Rock the Core transports the orchard to your mug with more than 50-plus ciders and craft beers offered onsite. Sip on a Granny Smith, swig a sweet Golden Russet and discover untapped apple flavors while savoring local eats and live entertainment. 1-9 p.m. $50-$75.

Akridge Lot at Buzzard Point: 1926 2nd St. SW, DC; www.rockthecorefest.com

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9/20/18 12:49 PM

with

Lost Lager’s

Mike Stein

By Trent Johnson We’ve spoken to bar managers, brewers, beer directors and even distributors about how and why they’re connected to beer. This month, we wanted to talk to someone who spends a tremendous amount of time looking backward rather than forward. Mike Stein has written about beer – both journalistically and academically – and is currently a beer historian at DC Brau. He also helped found Lost Lagers, a title attached to numerous events around the city pertaining to historic brews. We got a chance to talk to Stein about his passion for beer, his connection to the craft and what’s next for Lost Lagers.

On Tap: You’re passionate enough about beer to have written an MFA thesis on the topic. Where does your excitement about beer stem from?

Mike Stein: My passion for beer springs from a deep spiritual well.

For me, beer is more than a beverage. [It’s] a way to convene with the ancestors. It’s also an opportunity to taste history in a glass, especially when recreating beers with recipes from [hundreds of years ago].

My father was born in Prague, and the Czechs drink the most beer per person in the world. So, beer is part of the national identity. My father’s identity was half Catholic, half Jewish, so my passion for beer has evolved from a fascinating intersection of identity, religion and beer. For me, beer and identity are inseparable.

OT: When did you know you were more than a casual drinker, and when did you decide to diversify your tastes?

MS: I am still, for the most part, a casual drinker. I can turn off my hyper-analytical mind and put away my chattering monkey to simply enjoy the beverage in front of me. You might be surprised to find me enjoying some dry cider or a French rosé. It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve begun to diversify my tastes for fermented beverages as I’ve branched into wine writing.

OT: As a historian, what are some of the most interesting things you’ve discovered about beer?

MS: I think the most interesting thing is how misled most of us have been by popular culture. Yes, Thomas Jefferson drank beer, but did you know his wife and daughter brewed a healthy portion of it? Or that James Hemings, older brother of Sally Hemings, was America’s first chef de cuisine and served dinner to both Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton? Or that his younger brother Peter oversaw brewing operations at Monticello and was so impressive that Jefferson told James Madison to send someone to study with Hemings?

Because brewing today is so pale and male, I think some of the most interesting times in American history [have been] when this paradigm was upset – and it’s so rarely discussed.

OT: Why is the DC area so conducive for good breweries, especially ones experimenting with new methods?

MS: Part of the DC area’s strength in being a hotbed of brewing action is that the scene is relatively young. Considering DC Brau is the first production brewery in DC since 1956, it shows how recently the trend of good drink and food has seen an uptick in the city. The rise of good food has allowed Brau to work with restaurants like All-Purpose

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Photo: Courtesy of Mike Stein

[Pizzeria] and Maketto to produce amazing lagers like Full Count and Tuk Tuk, respectively. These pale lagers were designed specifically to suit the cuisines of those restaurants, and this is the kind of thoughtful work that the food makers and beer crafters are doing in unison to elevate the scene.

OT: You work for DC Brau and a few other places, but from a flavor perspective, who’s churning out beers that people should pay attention to?

MS: Obviously, I love DC Brau and our Brau Pils remains my favorite, though Oktoberfest is currently giving it a run for its money. Port City is also creating some fantastic, world-class lager with their lager series, so I’m always paying attention to them. The brewpubs in DC are typically cranking out quality product, [including] Bluejacket, District ChopHouse and Right Proper Brewing Company.

OT: Any Lost Lager events coming up this fall?

MS: [This year] is the 160th anniversary of the first lager being brewed in Alexandria. We may or may not be brewing a historic lager with Port City, and we may or may not be piloting a batch with [Lost Rhino’s] Favio Garcia at the newly-opened Dynasty Brewing in Ashburn.

We may or may not be making several historic ales and lagers with Dynasty. However, we’re definitely leading our Historic Homebrewing: Porter from George Washington to Near Extinction class at the Hill Center just south of Eastern Market on November 18.

For more information about Mike Stein and Lost Lagers, follow them on Twitter at @beermadeclear and @LostLagers.

For tickets and more information on Stein’s historic homebrewing class, visit www.hillcenterdc.org/partner/lost-lagers.

e g d n o a o r l B O is back for its final season

brings local flavor to the District’s burgeoning cider scene

By Lanna Nguyen

Photos: Mark Williams Hoelscher // @mwhphoto

revisiting of Mid-Atlantic roots, Capitol Cider House’s local influence can be felt at every touch point, from the product it sources to the design aesthetic in the Georgia Avenue space. The Petworth newcomer opened three months ago and has been a welcome addition to the booming neighborhood.

Speaking of being neighborly, there’s a heavy emphasis on all things local with a commitment to sourcing within a 200-mile radius of the U.S. Capitol Building. The industrial space is outfitted with reclaimed wood pieces and splashes of patriotic red, white and blue – with a back-wall mural executed by DC creatives No Kings Collective. The open layout features community seating with high tops scattered throughout the main space, a smaller private room dubbed the “Brewer’s Table” and an outdoor patio.

Founder Jared Fackrell first started experimenting with cider two years ago after a family trip to the Finger Lakes in New York. There, he and his wife found themselves at a cider house where they were struck by the complexity of flavors, crispness and wine-like taste of the ciders they sampled.

They returned to DC joking about creating their own cider, prompting Fackrell to purchase a how-to book on cider production.

The jokes materialized into a hobby where, armed with his Amazon Books purchase, prior homebrewing knowledge (he had brewed beer years ago) and self-built equipment, Fackrell set off on a course that would eventually lead to opening Capitol Cider House.

DC’s newest cidery arrives at a time when local and regional cideries are on the rise in popularity and growth. According to the United States Association of Cider Makers, dollar sales of craft cider increased 39 percent in 2016 when compared to 2015 and in the past year, market share grew 30 percent for regional ciders.

As members of a CSA (community supported agriculture), Fackrell and his wife saw the value of reconnecting with food and knowing where produce comes from – a big driver behind his devotion to keeping that local flair for Capitol Cider House. When asked what he thinks is the driving force behind the renewed interest in cider both regionally and nationally, Fackrell notes, “Part of it stems from this reconnection of where your food is coming from. Folks are starting to revalue the taste of something over the appearance.”

The local curiosity of knowing where food products are sourced and how they are made is evident come pressing time at the cidery. Every Monday through Wednesday, the team clears the main space for apple processing: furniture is pushed back, sleeves are rolled up and 3,000 pounds of apples are pressed. Passersbys can get a not so behind-the-scenes look at what goes into this process courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling window storefront. Fackrell notes that many a curious pedestrian has stopped to peer in, press a nose to the glass and take a video, helping to demystify how it all works.

“Folks are starting to revalue the taste of something over the appearance.”

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With two cideries already on the DC scene, Capitol Cider House’s approach is distinct from its counterparts. Those with a palate geared toward craft beers will likely be intrigued by Ivy City’s Supreme Core offerings, whereas guests with a penchant for Spanish wines or Basque-style cider will find appealing options at DC’s first cidery, Anxo.

In contrast, Capitol Cider House will focus on the barrel-aging process to produce smaller-batch ciders, fortifying them to create an apple, port-like product.

Twelve taps behind the bar feature 10 ciders, including Anxo and Supreme Core, with the remaining two saved for mead and beer. The menu also includes over 30 bottled ciders. Not sure where to start?

Opt for a flight of four ciders chosen at the drinker’s discretion or preselected by the cidermaker.

As for food, the cidery partnered up with Union Kitchen alums to bring local, homegrown fare to the table. Guests will find Sri Lankan street food in the form of roti and sambol from Ten Tigers Parlour’s Short Eats pop-up, as well as a slew of Colombian-style empanadas from M’Panadas. Additionally, the food menu includes cheese plates and hot dogs with hamburgers coming soon.

In the next few months, expect another collaboration with Distillery Lane Ciderworks near Frederick, Maryland (Fackrell worked with the distillery to produce his first house cider Quincey, which has since poured its last drop), cold weather cider options (think mulled versions perfect for the impending cooler temperatures) and more house products added to the tap list.

Sunday jazz brunch is a recent endeavor that will likely become a mainstay, a nostalgic nod to Fackrell’s days as an undergrad in New Orleans. Customers can expect more food pop-ups, events with guest bartenders showcasing cider in cocktails and other fun collaborations.

Three months in, the neighborhood’s reception of Capitol Cider House has been warm and welcoming – the bar even has a group

Capitol Cider House Founder Jared Fackrell

of regulars. But Fackrell isn’t ready to slow down yet. With the apple harvest coming up, he’s already thinking ahead and excited about producing cider and “introducing more of our products under the tap list.”

To those still unsure about the cider craze?

“I would offer that most people who come in here and don’t know anything about cider who are willing to at least try, some of them will walk out with a different impression – the same way that I walked out up in New York.”

Visit Capitol Cider House on Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Learn more at www.capitolciderhouse.com and follow the cidery on social media at @capciderhouse.

Capitol Cider House: 3930 Georgia Ave. NW, DC 202-621-0982; www.capitolciderhouse.com

Celebrating Cider On Tap’s Guide to Local Cideries

Autumn is just around the corner, and if you’re like us, your taste buds are ready for all things fall: pumpkin spice, cinnamon and appleflavored everything. If you’re ready to trade in your wheat and fruit beers for something a little more seasonal, try a hard cider from one of the numerous cideries scattered around the DMV (or just a day trip away) in our 2018 Cider Guide. With Virginia growing some of the best apples in the country, you can’t go wrong. From the classic Virginia countryside views at Coyote Hole Ciderworks to the farmhouse-style cider at Willow Oaks Craft Cider, there’s something for everyone.

Albemarle CiderWorks 2545 Rural Ridge Ln. North Garden, VA www.albemarleciderworks.com

Blue Toad Hard Cider 462 Winery Ln. Roseland, VA www.bluetoadhardcider.com

ANXO Cidery & Tasting Room 711 Kennedy St. NW, DC www.anxodc.com

Bold Rock Hard Cider 1020 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford, VA www.boldrock.com

Big Fish Cider Co. 59 Spruce St. Monterey, VA www.bigfishcider.com

Bryant’s Cider 3224 East Branch Loop, Roseland, VA www.bryantscider.com

Blue Bee Cider 1320 Summit Ave. Richmond, VA www.bluebeecider.com

Buskey Cider 2910 W. Leigh St. Richmond, VA www.buskeycider.com

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Castle Hill Cider

6065 Turkey Sag Rd. Keswick, VA 434-296-0047 | www.castlehillcider.com Castle Hill Cider blends time-honored traditions with modern techniques to bring you refreshing and award-winning Virginia cider. Their world-class cider makers use time-tested and cuttingedge practices, working to renovate an 80-year-old orchard while collaborating with growers of prime apple varieties. Visit them at their tasting room, open every day of the week from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Winter hours (January to March) are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday to Monday.

Coyote Hole Ciderworks

Willow Oaks Craft Cider

Find Coyote Hole Ciderworks in the heart of Virginia at Lake Anna on 37 beautiful acres. Their hard ciders are produced with 100 percent Virginia apples and pears, gluten-free and never made from concentrate. Ranging in sweetness levels from dry to sweet with a minimum of 6.5 percent ABV, their ciders rise above the pack and are true Virginia craft ciders. They encourage a friendly and relaxing atmosphere at their tasting room where you can enjoy their flagship ciders, Oma Smith’s, Opa Smith’s and HPA (Hopped Pressed Apple), along with a variety of seasonal ciders.

Willow Oaks crafts their farmhouse-style cider from certified organic, American heirloom apples on their 35-acre farm. But they also use organic pears, blueberries, black currants and other fruits to make tasty additions to Willow Oaks’ ciders. Fabulous fruit, unique terroir and small-batch barrel fermentation let the flavors and aroma of the fruit shine through for a crisp, dry finish. While you sip on some cider, visit the Willow Oaks barn tasting room, farm stand and art gallery.

Their tasting room is open April to December on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and January to March by appointment.

225 Oak Grove Dr. Lake Anna, VA 540-894-1053 | www.coyotehole.com

Capitol Cider House 3930 Georgia Ave. NW, DC www.capitolciderhouse.com

Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery 495 E. Washington St. Middleburg, VA www.mtdefiance.com

Cobbler Mountain Cider 5909 Long Fall Ln. Delaplane, VA www.cobblermountain.com

Old Hill Cider 17768 Honeyville Rd. Timberville, VA www.oldhillcider.com

Corcoran Vineyards & Cider 14635 Corkys Farm Ln. Waterford, VA www.corcorancider.com

Old Trade Brewery & Cidery 13270 Alanthus Rd. Brandy Station, VA www.oldtradebrewery.com

Courthouse Creek Cider 1581 Maidens Rd. Maidens, VA www.courthousecreek.com

Potter’s Craft Cider 4699 Catterton Rd. Free Union, VA www.potterscraftcider.com

Distillery Lane Ciderworks 5533 Gapland Rd. Jefferson, MD www.distillerylaneciderworks.com

Red Shedman Farm Brewery 13601 Glissans Mill Rd. Mt. Airy, VA www.redshedman.com

Fabbioli Cellars 15669 Limestone School Rd. Leesburg, VA www.fabbioliwines.com

Supreme Core Cider 2400 T St. NE, DC www.supremecorecider.com

Faulkner Branch Cidery & Distillery Co. 4822 Preston Rd. Federalsburg, MD www.faulknerbranch.com

Wild Hare Hard Cider 106A South St. SE, Leesburg, VA www.wildharecider.com

Foggy Ridge Cider 1328 Pine View Rd. Dugspur, VA www.foggyridgecider.com

Winchester Ciderworks 2504 N. Frederick Pk. Winchester, VA www.winchesterciderworks.com

Great Shoals Winery 7050 Carroll Ave. Takoma Park, MD www.greatshoalstakoma.com

The Winery at Kindred Pointe 3575 Conicville Rd. Mt. Jackson, VA www.kindredpointe.com

6219 Harley Rd. Middletown, MD 301-371-4814 | www.willowoakscraftcider.com

Let us do the cooking!

Thanksgiving

Dine with us or take it home

Also join us for the Texas vs TCU football game Thanksgiving night at 7:30pm!

410 F7TH STREET, NW DC 20004 401 STREET NW★•WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, DC 202.556.2044 ★ EVENTS@HILLCOUNTRYWDC.COM 202.556.2044 • WWW.HILLCOUNTRY.COM www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | On Tap

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10/17/14 3:54 PM

BEHIND THE BAR

By Kayla Marsh

The weather is cooling down and our palates are warming up! Just in time for apple-picking season, we’re exploring the most delicious, fall-themed apple cocktails in DC. Packed with unique ingredients and boldly flavored spirits, see what fruit-forward autumn libations made our short list this month.

Photos: Kayla Marsh

The Gibson

The Hamilton

On Tap: Is The Gibson debuting any new fall cocktails?

Julia Ebell: We are going to have one apple-themed drink in particular called The Gleanings. Gleanings are what’s left at the field at the end of harvest for animals [and] foragers of human or non-human types – the things that aren’t part of the harvest.

OT: What spin do you take on classic cocktails to keep them authentic but unique to The Gibson?

JE: All of these are very old school and would’ve been behind a bar any time past World War I when chartreuse hit America. It’s just about approaching them with intention. I want something that smells like burnt hay, so I have a blended Islay heavy scotch. I want something that’s a little overripe, so I have a Palo Cortado [sherry]. It’s about approaching them in a way that lets the ingredients speak for themselves.

On Tap: One of your featured originals is the District Cider, “a cider with serious bite.” What other fall options are available?

Maria Denton: The RocknRock Collins is coming on [with] Granny Smith apple flavors from the Betty’s Apple [cocktail], just repurposed.

We added a little of our house-made bitters, which add that piespiced note. It’s still a light and refreshing, gin-based drink with CapRock Gin – much like a Tom Collins – but we “appled” it up for fall with a Bold Rock IPA.

Julia Ebell, Creative Director

Maria Denton, Beverage Director

OT: How does The Gibson maintain its speakeasy atmosphere on 14th Street?

JE: I refer to this as a craft cocktail bar. It’s not so much a secret to get here, but hopefully once you make your way through the hallway, you find something [you enjoy] that we can make for you. “Speakeasy” implies a slight standoffishness. Your bartender should be there as a spirit guide. My goal is to have people come in and look at our menus, and really think about what they like and why.

The Gibson: 2009 14th St. NW, DC; www.thegibsondc.com

THE GLEANINGS Smoky blended scotch Yellow chartreuse Dried apple chip PX Sherry Calvados

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On Tap | OCtober 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

OT: What are the ultimate fall food/drink pairings for the District Cider and RocknRock Collins?

MD: The herbal gin flavor and sour, green apple touch from the RocknRock Collins really goes well [with] our Nashville-style hot chicken, a perennial for us. The spices that come out in the District Cider’s apple whiskey and herbal liqueur play off our hearty, glazed meatloaf.

OT: What gives The Hamilton its upscale, sophisticated atmosphere?

MD: The museum-quality, historical [National Audubon Society] printed art makes us special. [It’s] lively and vibrant and gives that sense of color and pizazz. The comfortable wooden chairs give you the feeling that you’re dining in an old-school tavern.

The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com

DISTRICT CIDER

Leopold Bros. Three Pins Alpine Herbal Liqueur Leopold Bros. New York Apple Whiskey Spiced turbinado sugar rim Fresh apple cider

SPIKE your cocktail ST. Elder rita

Chaplin’s

Ari and Micah Wilder, Owners On Tap: Can you break down the flavor profiles of some of your apple cocktails?

Micah Wilder: The One Eyed Jack is really awesome because it’s got our local [Cotton & Reed] spiced rum with calvados. We use B grade maple syrup, which is wilder than A grade and pops with ginger [and] then, [Graft Cider] Farm Flor Rustic for a funky fall, apple finish. A Dog’s Life is great because of the smoked apple ice, prosecco, walnuts and honey.

2 oz Silver Tequila 1 oz St. Elder .5 oz Fresh Lime Juice Shake all ingredients with ice & pour into a chilled glass and garnish with lime.

OT: What do you hope customers take away from your drink menu?

MW: Hopefully they can be excited and inspired. We [use] a lot of really fun, intense ingredients. It’s constantly changing. It’s about how much further we can push the bar. We have to keep evolving.

OT: How is your food menu changing with the colder weather?

Ari Wilder: The nabe [or hot pot] section is a new category we’ve added for the fall and winter. You customize at your table, choosing from three different broths and exotic Japanese vegetables. It’s a really savory, cozy, warming Japanese food.

OT: What are some key elements of Chaplin’s 1930s vibe?

MW: We project silent films upstairs and the popcorn machine is always going. Maggie [O’Neill, of design firm SWATCHROOM] and I wanted to dress [the spot] with posters for shows and custom chandeliers. There are stage lighting fixtures to convey the old world of silent film, with a battered red carpet painted up the staircase.

Chaplin’s: 1501 9th St. NW, DC; www.chaplinsdc.com

One Eyed Jack Graft Cider Farm Flor Rustic Cotton & Reed Spiced Rum Maple ginger Calvados Lemon

For more recipe inspirations visit St-Elder.com | @DrinkStElder ©2018 Produced & Bottled By St. Elder, Ltd., BOSTON, MA. 20% Alc/Vol (40 Proof)

PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.

www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | On Tap

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Sarah Rosner Brings her DC Bartending Experience to Bourbon Steak

By Travis Mitchell

Photo: Rey Lopez

Sarah Rosner has launched some impressive cocktail programs over her 17 years of bartending in DC, including menus at whiskey den Jack Rose, U Street’s buzzing Marvin, and Radiator inside Logan Circle’s Mason & Rook Hotel.

Her latest gig, though, has arguably the highest profile yet.

Back in August, Rosner took the reins as the head bartender at Bourbon Steak, the posh bar inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. She’s the first woman to lead the bar in its 10-year history, and says she’s excited to put her spin on what’s become a drinking destination for creative libations that go far beyond steakhouse clichés like martinis or Manhattans.

While some may see hotel life as hectic, Rosner, who lives in Dupont Circle, says she gets a jolt out of interacting with the diverse and often inquisitive flow of regulars and tourists in the neighborhood.

“You’ll have guests that you won’t see for six months, and then they’ll come back and you’re like home to them,” she says. “People have the time to learn, too. They have the time to sit there and nerd out with you. It’s fun.”

Rosner says so far, change has mostly been gradual and geared toward elevating the little details – like new tools and good ice that she says can set great cocktail programs apart.

She’s also been working with and learning from the restaurant’s sommelier, Winn Roberton, and Executive Chef Drew Adams, on how to incorporate elements from the rest of the restaurant into the bar.

Her biggest fingerprint comes this month with the launch of her first seasonal cocktail menu, which will fuse fall flavors with tropical touches that give a nod to her Hawaiian upbringing.

One example is the Tiki in the Mountains (a.k.a. A Hula Skirt and a Kilt Have a Baby). The cocktail is made with a private cask selected in partnership with Virginia Distillery Co. and uses the classic tiki pairing of whiskey, cinnamon and grapefruit.

“This pairing and spirit seemed like the perfect way to put my spin on something uniquely Bourbon Steak.”

Another option will be a play on an Old Fashioned using macadamia nut-infused whiskey, something she says she’s always wanted to serve to guests. The fall menu will also include a few cocktail favorites from years past as part of the spot’s 10-year anniversary.

When she’s not mixing drinks at the Four Seasons, Rosner continues to be an active supporter of the DC bartending industry through participation in organizations like the DC Craft Bartenders Guild. She feels grateful to be able to contribute to the men and women in the community who have helped her throughout her time in the city and allowed each other to be successful.

“We have a great community here.

People are finally recognizing us, and we’re finally stepping up to that.

We all set the bar high.”

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

“We have a great community here. People are finally recognizing us, and we’re finally stepping up to that. We all set the bar high.”

A big part of that national recognition is the rising tide of variety and quality of drinks in the city, whether it’s a dive bar or a steakhouse inside a five-star hotel. The other part though – arguably the more important part – is hospitality and service. That’s something Rosner always keeps at the forefront of her mind, wherever she’s working.

“I hope I can rub off on people,” she says of her new gig. “I feel like people have been getting excited, and guests can really see that when you care, they care. It’s infectious.”

Follow Bourbon Steak on social media at @bourbonsteakdc and learn more about Rosner’s brand-new cocktail menu at www.fourseasons.com/washington/dining/restaurants/bourbon_steak.

Bourbon Steak, Four Seasons Hotel: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; 202-944-2026 www.fourseasons.com/washington/dining/restaurants/bourbon_steak

Oktoberfest IS HERE!

Enjoy our

Photo: Courtesy of Bourbon Steak

FESTBIER On Tap! Navy Yard, Rockville and Tysons Locations!

Now booking for the holiday season.

Book your event with us today

Patio Now Open!

Tiki in the Mountains Build in a tiki mug. Fill two-thirds of the glass with pebble ice and swizzle. Top with pebble ice to form a small dome. Garnish with a mint sprig, cinnamon stick and cherry.

Virginia Highlands Cuvee Cask Whisky Yellow chartreuse Cinnamon-honey syrup Cinnamon stick Cherry Grapefruit Mint sprig Lime

Navy Yard

100 M Street SE | Washington, DC | 202.484.2739

www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | ON TAP

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ALL THINGS GO Highlights DC Music Scene

Empire of the Sun takes the stage at the 2016 All Things Go Fall Classic

Homegrown Festival

By Aja Neal

Photo: Doug Van Sant

ack Friendly has been committed to advancing DC’s music scene for more than a decade. Determined to share his taste and talent for spotting artists on the verge of making it big, he did what everyone within his niche did in the mid-2000s: ran a blog. What started out as an online side project would eventually become the All Things Go Fall Classic, a fast-growing music festival in the District.

This year’s festival will be held at Union Market on October 6-7, with an all-female lineup the first day. All Things Go is focused on highlighting as much female talent as possible to help combat the myth that female festival headliners are economically lesser than their male counterparts, and the statistic that 14 percent of headliners are women, according to a 2017 Pitchfork study.

Headliners Maggie Rogers and Lizzy Plapinger, formerly of the band MS MR but currently performing as LPX, collaborated with the festival’s founders to help curate the performer lineup. Artists like Ravyn Lenae, OSHUN, Billie Eilish and Jessie Reyez are a few of the kickass women they’ll share the stage with, but the female-powered partnerships don’t end there.

Rogers and Plapinger – along with other women in the music lineup and prominent women in the DC food and distilling communities – will speak on free-with-RSVP Women X Music and Women X Entrepreneurship panels at the new Eaton Hotel on October 5 to kickstart the festival weekend. The event is also partnering with the Women’s March to register festivalgoers to vote in their Power to the Polls initiative.

Friendly and his fellow founders (Will Suter, Adrian Maseda and Stephen Vallimarescu) chose Union Market as this year’s festival host, a spot brimming with local food vendors, brewers, artists and other DC-based businesses highlighting the District’s cultural contributions. The NoMa locale has morphed from a large wholesale area to a bustling metropolis of cuisine and distilling, with a “block party” vibe that Friendly is particularly excited about.

His blog-turned-festival got its start in 2006, when he and Maseda were searching for a way to share their musical preferences with the world.

“It was when music blogs were the source of new music, rather than Spotify or Tidal,” Friendly says.

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

As streaming services proliferated, they pivoted to stay relevant.

Rather than sharing music directly, they began curating playlists, using the platforms to promote their discoveries. From 2009 to 2010, Friendly took one step closer to launching the festival by setting up a series of live music components with the help of publicists, labels, managers and agents. They hosted shows at venues like U Street Music Hall, 9:30 Club and SXSW, as well as other pop-ups around DC. The inevitable transition from smaller events to a larger-scale festival was a “natural progression.” The group launched the first All Things Go in 2014 to spotlight emerging artists from the DMV and beyond. It’s extremely important to the founders to provide a homegrown spirit to the festival.

“We grew up going to music festivals, like the DC101 Chili Cook-Off and HFStival,” Friendly says. “[We’re] trying to bring some of what Lollapalooza brings to Chicago or Austin City Limits brings to Austin. We wanted to highlight DC. It’s a real destination for music.”

Friendly adds that the DC music scene has been alive and well for a long time, citing the city’s contributions to the punk scene and the birthplace of go-go music. With that in mind, the All Things Go founders always pay close attention to musicians cutting their teeth in the area.

Among this year’s local acts are FootsXColes, Cautious Clay – a Brooklyn transplant who moved here to attend George Washington University – and the now New York-based OSHUN. But highlighting DC as a music destination goes beyond drawing in famous performers for the festival. As All Things Go continues to grow with innovation and inclusion, Friendly knows there will always be room for improvement.

“We always joke that the first year we made 100 mistakes, and we fixed 90 of them and created 20. There’s just a constant back-and-forth.

What’s been great for us is trying to find our way to get it perfect. We’re not there yet, but I just love seeing these fans buy tickets on the first day who I recognize and who were there [from] day one. Slowly seeing the audience build organically and [hearing] people say ‘Hey, I don’t know who [this artist] is, but I trust you guys.’ That feeling is why we do this.”

Don’t miss the 2018 All Things Go Fall Classic from Saturday, October 6 to Sunday, October 7 at Union Market. Tickets start at $65 and can be purchased at www.allthingsgofallclassic.com.

Union Market: 1309 5th St. NE, DC 888-512-7469; www.allthingsgofallclassic.com

Photo: Shervin Lainez

ome bands have the ability to sound great on a record but struggle to bring that same quality of sound onstage. Others are the opposite, captivating in real time but less inspiring later on. Since the release of St. Lucia’s first EP in 2012 to their new record Hyperion, they’ve proven time and time again that they’ve hit the happiest of sonic mediums.

Jean-Philip Grobler (the group’s founder, frontman and primary songwriter) and company make the perfect music to soundtrack an early fall road trip with earworms like “Dancing on Glass” and “Elevate.” They also consistently sell out iconic music halls, including their last run at 9:30 Club. In fact, they sold out two New York City shows at Pier 17 ahead of Hyperion’s release. Grobler is adamant their live show has helped them realize the full spectrum of their music, set them apart from peers and has garnered them a loyal fan base through the years.

“I loved making the album,” he explains. “It’s a grueling process, but it’s necessary. Through that process, I fully rediscover who I am as a person and an artist each time. The record really comes to life onstage, through people seeing and hearing the songs performed live. Sometimes [listening to a record] is too much for people to absorb. It’s like hearing just the audio of a movie and thinking, ‘What exactly is going on?’ and then seeing the movie and hearing the audio, which makes way more sense.”

St. Lucia is preparing to bring even more energy on this tour, which kicked off at the aforementioned sold out Pier 17 dates. Grobler and his bandmates will be back at the 9:30 Club on November 5 and 6.

“I feel like out of all of our records, [Hyperion] is tailor-made to be played live because it was constructed as a ‘band in a room’ kind of record, even though there’s also a higher production value there,” he says.

ST. LUCIA BRINGS NEW RECORD TO LIFE ONSTAGE

By M.K. Koszycki

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ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

t that n a t r o p t’s im “I think i – that it e c n a l a sb light all art ha d n a k r the da s e r o l p dition.” x n e o c n a he hum t f o s e d i s “We have the craziest production lights and rigs we’ve ever taken on tour, and we have this custom video content.”

Aside from the bells and whistles, their live show is part of their identity at this point.

“We believe in playing music as a band, but we also believe in bringing a show so that people get more than maybe what they would expect from the size venues that we’re playing.”

While their lush, breezy sound will have you dancing in your car on a daily commute as much as in front of the stage in concert, don’t write them off because of their pop-leaning sound – especially in this contemplative full-length effort. The band is more than meets the eye, or the first listen.

“I feel like in music and art in general, it more celebrates what’s f--ked up and negative,” Grobler says. “People, for some reason, believe your art more if you’re a dark person. I’m making this music that’s very positive and uplifting, but I think it’s important that all art has balance – that it explores the dark and light sides of the human condition. Having Indy made me think a lot more about that. To me, it comes across on the record and it feels like it’s a deeper exploration of both ideas.”

Indy is, of course, Grobler’s son with his wife and St. Lucia bandmate Patti Beranek. She was pregnant during the writing and recording stages of Hyperion, and that life-altering experience for both naturally gravitated into the sound of the album. Global chaos and impending first-time fatherhood led him to meditate on what kind of good and bad things in the world would greet Indy when he finally arrived.

“I would definitely call myself an optimistic person. I’m quite romantic and I think the world is beautiful. But I also see how it’s f--ked up in a lot of ways. A lot of the album is just dealing with being that kind of person in this world. We have this very positive vibe to our music. From the outside, I think for people who listen to darker music, it can be difficult for them to make that jump. But I think if they did, they would find something good in it.”

The reciprocal relationship music creates between artist and listener lies at the heart of everything St. Lucia creates. As excited as he is to inspire listeners through a record and in person, Grobler thrives off the energy and excitement fans new and old provide with each new album.

“When you start touring [and] you see people singing along to the words, that’s such a moving thing. There were so many moments of self doubt in making all these records. I think it’s natural for an artist to experience that. You go through this really grueling pilgrimage and process of making a record and then you release it, and you’re f--king terrified of what people might think. But then to just see how it moves people – and we haven’t seen it yet with this record – I’m really, really looking forward to that.”

Move and be moved with St. Lucia at the 9:30 Club on Monday, November 5 and Tuesday, November 6. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are $32.50. Learn more about the show at www.930.com, and about the band at www.stlucianewyork.com.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; 202-265-0930; www.930.com

thh

LIVE MUSIC

THE WHARF, SW DC DINER & BAR OPEN LATE!

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JOEY DOSIK

TH 11

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SA 13 SA 13 M 15 TU 16 TH 18

KING SOUL FREE AFTERNOON SHOW! 1pm DOORS JOSH ROUSE & GRANT LEE PHILLIPS THE SUITCASE JUNKET FREE SHOW! HEATHER MAE & SARAH CLANTON w/ KATIE KUFFEL & BE STEADWELL JP HARRIS

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W 24 TH 25 F 26 SU 28

QUINN SULLIVAN CURLEY TAYLOR & ZYDECO TROUBLE CORY HENRY & THE FUNK APOSTLES HUMAN COUNTRY JUKEBOX FREE AFTERNOON SHOW! 12:30pm DOORS

NOVEMBER CONCERTS TH 1

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F2

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SA 3 TU 6 TH 8

CRIS JACOBS BAND w/ JONATHAN SLOANE TRIO DAVY KNOWLES TOR MILLER THE MIGHTY PINES

TICKETS ON SALE! PEARLSTREETWAREHOUSE.COM FOLLOW US @PEARLSTREETLIVE www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | On Tap

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By Aja Neal

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3

Leon Bridges with Khruangbin These two Texan musicians are bringing their acts to the East Coast early this month.

Khruangbin sources their inspiration from their newest work Con Todo El Mundo from soul and funk music in the Middle East, which I wouldn’t have even considered to be a thing until I looked into this album. Leon Bridges will bring some classic R&B and soul with a country twang to The Anthem from his new album Good Thing. Though they may occupy dissimilar genres, the smooth soulfulness of their music ties them together really nicely and makes pairing them together on tour a fantastic idea. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55.

The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; www.theanthemdc.com

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6

Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation’s Hillfest Hillfest, an all-day, free concert held in Garfield Park, will bring musicians together in an effort to translate performances into policy. The festival begins with a conference addressing policy concerns that directly affect musicians on a local and national level, followed by a day-long concert. Enjoy performances by bands such as Stefon Harris & Blackout, JOGO Project, Cheryl Pepsii Riley and many more. Learn more about music and marketing through the conferences that will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, and enjoy the various vendors showcasing their wares on Friday. Garfield Park: 2nd and F Streets in SE, DC; www.hillfest.org

ON TAP | OCTOBER 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6

Lupe Fiasco Chicago rap veteran Lupe Fiasco released his new album Drogas Wave in late September.

The 24-track album features frequent collaborators like Nikki Jean, Crystal Torres and Simon Sayz, as well as new ones like Damian Marley. Though he’s always been a prominent voice in conscious rap, Fiasco’s work has taken on a new level of self-awareness – especially amid the various controversies and threats of retirement of the past few years. Hopefully, this new album gives fans of his old work something to be excited about again. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets $30. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

Black Masala CD Release Party Celebrate the release of Trains and Moonlight Destinies from this dynamic live brass band based in DC. One of their many musical influences comes from India in the form of Bhangra music. Even their name refers to a term used to describe a mix of spices often used in Indian cuisine. Their eclectic tunes run the gamut from jazz and New Orleans funk to Balkan brass and free-spirited, Romani-tinged folk with punk-rock vibes. Hopefully, their new album demonstrates a bit of growth when it comes to their liberal use of the “g” slur. It’s 2018 and we need to do a bit better, no? Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $15. Pearl Street Warehouse: 33 Pearl St. SW, DC; www.pearlstreetwarehouse.com

The Presets with Blood Red Shoes Australian electronic duo The Presets and English alt-rockers Blood Red Shoes take the stage this month at U Hall. Rolling Stone Song of the Year winners The Presets released Hi Viz a few months back after going years without releasing any big projects. Blood Red Shoes took a similar hiatus right before starting to record their new album Get Tragic, which is set to debut in January. According to a recent Clash interview, their leading single “Mexican Dress” is about the lengths people will go to for attention. “Whether it’s online or in real life, small hits of validation and the feeling of having all eyes on you have become our generation’s biggest drug problem,” says guitarist and vocalist LauraMary Carter. Doors at 7 p.m.

Tickets $25. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8

J. Cole, Young Thug, Jaden Smith and EarthGang There’s so much to be excited about for this tour – for one, you get to see J. Cole. Did you know his album 2014 Forest Hills Drive went platinum with no features? I’m so thankful for Cole’s KOD era so that meme can finally be laid to rest. Also, Young Thug posted bond for the felony charges he stacked up in Georgia, so we can expect to see him on this tour date. Plus, he has a new song “On the Rvn” in the works with the legendary

Elton John, 6lack and tourmate Jaden Smith that should be coming out any day now. Smith and EarthGang round out this very comprehensive lineup that represents various facets of the rap world and conveniently places them all together on one stage just for you. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50.

Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, DC; www.capitalonearena.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9

Nine Inch Nails with The Jesus and Mary Chain In honor of their ninth album Bad Witch, NIN is joining fellow white noise lovers The Jesus and Mary Chain on The Cold and Black and Infinite Tour in October. Scottish alternative pioneers JMC released Damage and Joy in 2017 – their most recent music prior to that was from 2002, so it’s been more than a decade since any fan has seen them play new music on tour. It’ll be an experience to see these two bands touring together again since it’s been almost 30 years since they’ve shared a bill. Doors at 6 p.m.

Tickets $95-$175. The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; www.theanthemdc.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

Mija The mysterious producer is coming to Ten Tigers and bringing her unique sound with her. Some of her musical influences include Björk as well as Chopin, Imogen Heap and

Nicolas Jaar. The Just Enough EP, which only features two songs, debuted earlier this summer. With these tracks, Mija delves deeper into the concept of her own genre-bending production that she somehow still manages to fill with sensitivity, introspection and raw emotion. She also has a collaboration with Heelys, which accurately reflects her reluctance to stick to only one medium of expression. Any artist that’s making music while simultaneously designing (and probably wearing) Heelys out here in these streets is someone that is clearly riding their own wave, and I definitely respect that.

Doors at 10:30 p.m. Tickets $20.

Ten Tigers Parlour: 3818 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; www.tentigersdc.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15

Mikaela Davis Singer, songwriter and classically trained harpist Mikaela Davis dropped her debut album Delivery this July, but it’s definitely not the angels-coming-downfrom-heaven harp playing that you’d think. Davis uses her harp as one would use a guitar, and her music takes elements from psychedelic rock, chamber pop and folk. For good examples, check out her songs “Get Gone” and “Other Lover,” and be sure to check out her show when she comes to DC, too. Doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $13-$15. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dc9.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18

Junglepussy Junglepussy continues to flourish as she steps further into the greatness she claimed for herself on 2015’s Pregnant With Success. Since then, this queen of affirmation, health and self-awareness has catapulted to new heights not only with musical cameos (shout-out to Insecure) but onscreen ones too.

The good sis has an IMDb page now and has appeared in shows like Mostly 4 Millennials, the SXSW movie Support the Girls and HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness. If you missed her in any of these roles, you owe it to yourself to check out her live show when she comes to DC to give us a taste of her newest album JP3. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $20. Songbyrd Music House and Record Cafe: 2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

Little Dragon Little Dragon is a Swedish electronic band, or at least that’s how they’re often described.

To me, Yukimi Nagano’s vocals and the intelligent musical compositions of her bandmates catapult them into their own realm. The haunting soulfulness in Nagano’s voice makes them able to work with people like Big Boi, Anderson .Paak, Mac Miller (RIP), De La Soul and more. They have a newer song with Faith Evans called “Peace of Mind” up on their website that you should check out if you want to see what I’m talking about. In any case, this is a can’tmiss show especially since it’ll be at an intimate venue like Rock & Roll.

Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $35. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

www.ontaponline.com | OCTOBER 2018 | On Tap

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20

Mae Call me a nerd for this, but I literally did a project about Mae and the concept albums they released back when I was in high school. Oddly enough, it was for a class where we made our own websites from scratch to learn HTML, and my little artist page and bio that I wrote about them turned out really nice if I do say so myself. Maybe it was the precursor that led me to my true destiny of writing tons of mini-artist bios about upcoming concerts for a local magazine.

Personal anecdotes aside, I have a tremendous amount of reverence for one of the bands that formed my emotional landscape as a youth, cemented my love of concept albums and earned me an A in my web design class.

Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $22-$40.

Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21

Lily Allen LDN-born Lily Allen is back with her new album No Shame. The last I’d heard from her was about her culturally appropriative video for her single “Hard Out Here,” and since then, I’ve not been able to see her music the same way though I had been a huge fan of hers since 2007. Upon realizing she would be coming to DC, I looked to see what she had been up to. In the four years since Sheezus, it seems the pop star has experienced much growth. Not only has she apologized for the insensitive video, but she wrote a memoir detailing her experiences with motherhood, addiction and the perils experienced since rising to fame at such a young age. In her new album, her maturity is apparent – the cheeky honesty that’s been a hallmark of her music from the beginning now comes forth with a lot more vulnerability and wisdom. Her evolution as an artist makes me proud to be a fan again. Show at 7 p.m. Tickets $35-$40. The Fillmore: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.fillmoresilverspring.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 J Balvin At the time this was written, Colombia’s own J Balvin was the second most streamed artist on Spotify – worldwide. The artist has been working tirelessly to bridge the language barrier of popular music in the American mainstream, and whatever he’s doing is finally paying off. With the recent success of his Cardi B and Beyoncé collabs, and the constant stream of bangers he puts out, I’d say his goal is well within reach. Doors at 7 p.m.

Tickets start at $39. EagleBank Arena: 4500 Patriot Cir. Fairfax, VA; www.eaglebankarena.com

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while the movie plays in real time.

The number two reason is that if you go see this, you will be able to brag to your friends about how cool it was – and no one would be able to top it unless, you know, they were in the original film or something. Tuesday’s show begins at 7 p.m. but the other two shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets $34-$149. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.kennedy-center.org

editorial staff really go up for this man and are super excited for him to come all the way from Australia to our little corner of DC. From what a brief jaunt through some Google pages has taught me, this post-punk poster boy and his crew are a very on-brand choice to really amp up the Halloween vibes. Catch them at The Anthem this fall. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $60-$100. The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; www.theanthemdc.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28

Beach Fossils and Wavves For some reason, I really like surf-inspired rock that’s heavy on the angst and emotion. It makes me feel like I’m lying on the beach next to my surfboard contemplating my life choices (mind you, I’ve never even so much as looked at a surfboard up close in real life). Beach Fossils and Wavves will be joining forces with opener Kevin Krauter, whose music offers a nice change of pace to balance everything out.

Wavves will be headlining on Wednesday and Beach Fossils on Thursday. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $25. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25

NSO Pops Presents Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with Live Orchestra The number one reason to go see this show is to have the once-ina-lifetime experience of having an orchestra play you the Star Wars theme (and the other songs from the soundtrack that are arguably much less iconic) note for note

On Tap | OCtober 2018 | www.ontaponline.com

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds I’m going to keep it 100 here and say that what marginal knowledge I have of Nick Cave comes from eavesdropping on the excited chatter of my editor.

Quite a few members of our

Kllo Australian duo Kllo is a staple on many “chill” type playlists populating Spotify. The light, airy R&B-inspired vocals of Chloe Kaul and the skillful production of her cousin Simon Lam make for an ambient blend of music that is danceable yet incredibly calming.

Come see what all the fuss is about when they travel to DC this month on the U.S. leg of their tour. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $15. Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; www.unionstage.com

Photos: Mark Caicedo Photos: Shantel Mitchell Breen

Sarah Shook and the Disarmers shook Pearl Street Warehouse with their Lucinda Williams meets Dwight Yoakam alt-country tunes.

Photos: Mike Kim

Twenty-five years after the Black Cat opened its doors, the venue celebrated a colossal lineup including Ex Hex, Gray Matter, Hurry Up, Algiers and more.

Foxing, Ratboys and Kississippi rocked out at Union Stage, filling the club with heavy riffs, emotional lyrics and unusual sounds.

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©2018 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, BUDWEISER® COPPER LAGER (ALE IN TX), ST LOUIS, MO