On Tap Magazine // Winter 2019

ONTAP Drink. Dine. Do. Winter 2019

DC eats

brewing diversity Live at pie shop peoples drug call your mother deli

tOP 20 SPOTS

OF 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS WINTER 2019: VOL 21 NO 4

who is on tap?

dc eats As we enter a new year, we wanted to look back at all the great DC eats the city enjoyed over the course of 2018. Gracing the cover is the undeniably buzzworthy Call Your Mother Deli, and we were able to chat with the braintrust behind the new eatery.

However, they weren't the only restaurants from the past 12 months with staying power, and we gave our list of 2018's best.

As for beverages, we unveiled our new Behind the Bar format, featuring a more in-depth look at Alexandria's The Peoples Drug. We also took a look at Georgetown's newest beer hall The Berliner and wrote about diversity in brewing in advance of Black History Month. The music selection is absolutely packed with goodies this month, as we spoke with several musicians including Sharon Van Etten, Deerhunter and Interpol. Theatreheads should get excited about what's coming up at the Kennedy Center and National Theatre. And lastly, we checked up on the newest sports team in the District: the Capital City Go-Go. On the cover: Call Your Mother Deli Photo: Mojalvo, www.mojalvo.com

Designer: Julia Goldberg

IN THIS ISSUE  stage & screen Stage & Screen Events................................... 4 John Cameron Mitchell's Origin of Love... 6

FOUNDER James Currie PUBLISHER Jennifer Currie

jennifer@ontaponline.com

Managing Editor Monica Alford

monica@ontaponline.com

Assistant Editor Trent Johnson

trent@ontaponline.com

Editorial Staff M.K. Koszycki mk@ontaponline.com

Graphic Designer Julia Goldberg

julia@ontaponline.com

Print and Digital Design Nick Caracciolo Key Account Manager Tom Roth tomroth@ontaponline.com

Digital & Advertising Coordinator Kayla Marsh

kayla@ontaponline.com

 Winter roundup

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16

Capital City Go-Go

DC Eats

DC Enjoys a New Kind of Go-Go

Top 20 Spots of 2018

Drink Dine Do.................................................. 8 Building Momentum's The Garden. . ......... 14

 sports DC's Capital City Go-Go.. ............................. 12

 Dining DC Eats: Top 20 Spots of 2018.. .................. 16 A Day in the Life: Call Your Mother Deli . . . 22

 Drinks

22

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A Day in the Life

Behind the Bar

Call Your Mother Deli

The Peoples Drug's John Schott

Behind the Bar............................................... 24 Brewing Diversity.. ........................................ 26 What's On Tap?.............................................. 28

 music Dangerously Delicious Pies........................ 30 Interpol's Indie Rock Ingenuity................. 32 Sharon Van Etten on TV, New Music......... 34 Deerhunter Broadens Sonic Palette......... 36 Image China at Kennedy Center............... 37 Music Picks..................................................... 38

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Brewing Diversity

The Pie Shop

Supporting DC's Black Beer Culture

Returns to Rock 'n' Roll Roots

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On Tap | WINTER 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

Events and Promotions Manager Shannon Darling shannon@ontaponline.com

Events & Promotions Assistant Katie Seaman katie@ontaponline.com

Savannah Jeter

savannah@ontaponline.com

Outreach Coordinator Kelcie Glass

kelcie@ontaponline.com

Contributing Writers

Lani Furbank, M.K. Koszycki, Kayla Marsh, Michael Stein

Contributing Photographers

Shantel Mitchell Breen, K. Gabrielle Photography, Kayla Marsh, Mojalvo, Mark Raker On Tap Magazine is published 11 times per year. ©2019 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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CITY WINERY | BUCK’S | BJ’S RESTAURANTS INC. | HANK’S OYSTER BAR ON THE WHARF | DAIKAYA DOGFISH HEAD ALEHOUSE | HILL COUNTRY BARBEQUE MARKET | IVY CITY SMOKEHOUSE INSOMNIA COOKIES | JACK ROSE DINING SALOON | NEW COLUMBIA DISTILLERY | OYSTER BAY WINES PENN COMMONS | RICHARD SANDOVAL HOSPITALITY | SEASONS 52 TYSONS CORNER STELLA BARRA PIZZERIA | SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA | SUGARFINA | THE COCKTAIL GURU THE DELEGATE | TUPELO HONEY Important Note on Attendance at Foundation Events: To reduce the risk of getting and spreading germs at CF Foundation-sponsored events, we ask that everyone follow basic best practices by regularly cleaning your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand gel, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your inner elbow and maintaining a safe 6-foot distance from anyone with a cold or infection.

Medical evidence shows that germs may spread among people with CF through direct and indirect contact, as well as through droplets that travel short distances when a person coughs or sneezes. These germs can lead to worsening symptoms and speed decline in lung function. To further help reduce the risk of cross-infection, the Foundation’s attendance policy recommends inviting only one person with CF to an indoor Foundation-sponsored event at a specific time.

STAGE & SCREEN EVENTS

By Trent Johnson

BLKS

Hair & Other Stories

Nell Gwynn

THROUGH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 - SUNDAY, MARCH 10

The Baltimore Waltz It’s hard to blame someone diagnosed with the fictional “Acquired Toilet Disease” from going all out in the pleasures of the skin. With the fatal illness starting the timer leading to her impending doom, unmarried school teacher Anna heads to Europe with her brother Carl so she can live a little – complete with lots of food and sex.

Meanwhile, Carl becomes entrenched in a bizarre espionage scheme meant to discover a cure for his not-long-for-this-world sister. You might be wondering, “Why did you mention a trip to Europe when Baltimore is mentioned in the title?” Well, about that... Various dates and times. Tickets $50. Keegan Theatre: 1742 Church St. NW, DC; www.keegantheatre.com

Richard the Third Power as an addiction is not only a trope in real life, but a common theme for villains in a number of stories – and perhaps the most famous is the power-hungry king from Shakespeare’s Richard III. Fueled by a bottomless well of ambition, the ruthless and cunning man continues to reach for more, more and more in his quest for power. By the play’s end, no one in the audience will be rooting for his lust. This is the study of what makes a villain, and few put on better performances than Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC). Various dates and times. Tickets $44-$102. STC’s Sidney Harman Hall: 610 F St. NW, DC; www.shakespearetheatre.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 - FRIDAY, MARCH 10 Nell Gwynn Coming from humble beginnings, an orange seller eventually finds her way to the stage where she immediately becomes a household name. Upon Nell Gwynn’s successes, she manages to make a fan out of King Charles II. Eventually, the royal leader of England brings Gwynn to court as a favorite mistress. From there, the story about this amazing woman takes off. Various dates and times. Tickets $42-$79.

Folger Theatre: 201 E Capitol St. SE, DC; www.folger.edu

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Shame An adaptation of a documentary may not seem all that enthralling at first. However, the subject matter of Mosaic Theater Company’s Shame is more than enough to draw you in as it tackles the challenges facing Israelis and Palestinians who choose to work with one another despite significant hurdles. The story focuses on several examples of this predicament and integrates several mediums, including Facebook messages, tweets and telephoned threats. Various dates and times. Tickets $15-$35. Atlas Performing Arts Center: 1333 H St. NE, DC; www.atlasarts.org

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - SUNDAY, MARCH 3 BLKS Spurred by a scare, Octavia decides it’s time to forget about any troubles or trepidations and have a raucous night on the town with friends. Joined by companions June and Imani, the three depart into the city for an epic night. But the evening becomes more than a hardcore party session, as the trio encounter strange characters, outrageous events and endure a true test of their friendship. Poet and playwright Aziza Barnes wrote this play, which celebrates queerness and sisterhood as the friends wrestle with universal factors such as truth, love and the struggle of adulthood. Various dates and times.

Tickets $20-$51. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: 641 D St. NW, DC; www.woollymammoth.net

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 - SUNDAY, MARCH 3 El Viejo, El Joven y El Mar (The Old Man, The Youth, and The Sea) A new play by Irma Correa, El Viejo, El Joven y El Mar tells the story of a renowned Spanish philosopher who runs into a fisherman, general and journalist. He speaks with each of them about their different beliefs regarding freedom, reason and faith; all the while, the old man is planning his escape from the Spanish island of Fuerteventura.

Though the play is based on historical events, the subtext is heavily rooted in today’s society. The play is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Various dates and times. Tickets $48. GALA Hispanic Theatre: 3333 14th St. NW, DC; http://en.galatheatre.org

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Story District’s Sucker for Love: A Valentine’s Day Special No need to get mushy on Valentine’s Day when you can laugh at the misery of others, right? Okay, admittedly that sentence was a little Seinfeld-ish, but on the day dedicated to love, heart drawings and chocolates, Story District’s Sucker for Love provides an alternate mode of entertainment. Instead of a candlelit dinner with expensive wine, head to Lincoln Theatre to hear true stories involving sex, love, breakups, makeups, dating and anything else you can fit into the genre of Valentine’s Day. Show starts at 7 p.m., tickets $35-$45.

Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; www.storydistrict.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Urban Bush Women’s Hair & Other Stories Through personal narratives crafted in living rooms, communities and kitchens, Hair & Other Stories is dance theatre that blends conversations with movement to challenge existing – and sometime archaic – American values. The Urban Bush Women company is always on the cutting edge of delivering pieces that fit within the contemporary dance genre while also highlighting the cultural history and spiritual traditions of the African-American and African diaspora. Saturday night opening party starts at 8 p.m. Sunday afternoon performance starts at 4 p.m. Tickets $15-$100.

Dance Place: 3225 8th St. NE, DC; www.danceplace.org

www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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John Cameron Mitchell

Brings Origin of Love Tour to DC

By Monica Alford

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Photo: Matthew Placek

t’s been 20 years since John Cameron Mitchell introduced the world to the complex character of Hedwig, and she’s still as relevant as ever. The Tony Award-winning actor and director is bringing the East Berlin rock ‘n’ roller’s story to National Theatre for one night only on February 8, performing songs from the cult classic-turned-Broadway musical Hedwig & the Angry Inch and telling behind-the-scenes stories surrounding that period in his life.

DC is the first stop on the U.S. leg of Mitchell’s Origin of Love tour, and our resident Hedwig fanatic had the chance to geek out on the phone with him about the staying power of Hedwig, his groundbreaking new musical podcast Anthem and how he plans to crowd surf at National.

On Tap: What motivated the Origin of Love tour beyond Hedwig & the Angry Inch’s 20th anniversary?

John Cameron Mitchell: It was purely humanitarian because my mom has Alzheimer’s. She’s in the later stage, and she’s very happy but requires a lot of care. And you know, our country doesn’t always take care of its own, so I have to pull the wig on for Mom. I thought, “What’s a way I can do a show that isn’t the musical but still uses the songs?” Then it became a memoir of the making of Hedwig that has its own dramatic shape. We [started the tour] in Australia first and then Korea, so DC is really the first Origin of Love show we will have done in the U.S. OT: What can you tell us about the format of the show, without giving too much away?

JCM: I’m not playing Hedwig, but I’m dressed as a version of Hedwig.

It’s neat telling the story and like the musical, it’s very much about me talking to the audience. [I’m] also telling a structured story about meeting [composer] Stephen Trask and both of our hopes and dreams, and meeting his bass player [Jack Steeb] who became my boyfriend of many years and inspired some important songs – and

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On Tap | Winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

who passed away from his addiction after the film came out. Jack was really into the linchpin of the whole piece. [I] talk about our relationship and also how the myth of the origin of love – of trying to complete yourself with someone else – can be challenging, and the myth often needs to be reinterpreted.

OT: What other parts of your life did you incorporate into the show?

JCM: Growing up very Catholic and [in a] military [family], my own need to break free from that [and] my fear of my own feminine energies. The root of [much evil] in the world is people not accepting what’s in them, for better or worse. Like an animal that dies behind your wall, it can stink up the place. You have to air things out. Hedwig finds that these feminine and masculine energies are all useful after going through this forced gender assignment. Hedwig isn’t even a trans person because there was a coercion involved. In fact, “Wig in a Box” marks the moment where she empowers herself with drag, in a sense, as opposed to any kind of trans decision. She uses what she’s learned from her rock ‘n’ roll idols to move on, to create, to love again.

All of these things relate to my life and I’ll be talking about them as well as a ton of jokes and a ton of songs and some new songs from my new musical [podcast Anthem] as well.

OT: Does your song selection change with every performance?

How do you pick and choose what to include?

JCM: I’ll be traveling with members of the Broadway Hedwig band who know a lot of songs. It’ll probably be fairly standardized just because we don’t have a lot of rehearsal time, but we’ll probably do two or three from Anthem, we’ll do a couple songs that are in my last film How to Talk to Girls at Parties, and you know, like a Bowie song for fun. It’s going to be a very party environment. I’m hoping to crowd surf at the National.

OT: What makes Hedwig such a universal story, with such staying power over the last 20 years?

JCM: The character is such a mask. It came out of a drag club that Stephen and I were participating in called Squeezebox that was a very punk rock, rock ‘n’ roll drag bar. Many drag and trans performers were performing with Stephen’s house band. When you’re singing punk rock, you can use your own voice and be awesome. You don’t have to sing like Whitney Houston. They were already punk and didn’t even know it, just by being gender nonconforming performers. So it was a very exciting place that Hedwig was born in. Subcultures always create the new trends. Sometimes it’s a game of influencing and honoring, and that’s what we were about. “Midnight Radio” is a pan to the great female rock ‘n’ rollers that Hedwig tries to stand alongside. For me, playing a fake rock star was an amazing experience because I didn’t have to tour [laughs]. Now I’m a real rock ‘n’ roller and I’m touring.

OT: Who are your major musical influences?

JCM: I’m pretty eclectic. I tend to be drawn more to real fingers on your instruments as opposed to purely computerized experiences. I like the mistakes and imperfections that come from actual voices and actual instruments. Old 70s funk. A lot of glam – certainly Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop – those three are kind of my great triumvirate. I’ll play Stevie Wonder – he never fails to make me feel better. [I] kind of do a pre-1985 law. There were certainly some great moments of the 90s and of today too, [but] I think it’s a little hard now. There’s lots of people making good music, but the Internet has paralyzed some young music makers into being more self-conscious. Knowing too much is not always good for art because it can paralyze you a little.

Let some things develop on their own in the dark and then bring them out. I believe in process. I believe a certain amount of ignorance is good for art and life.

OT: Tell me about Anthem. What does a musical podcast entail?

JCM: It’s a new service called Luminary that will be launching with us as its flagship podcast, but there will be 40 other new podcasts.

They’re going to have their own app and their own content. They want to be the Netflix of podcasts. They’ll be some pre-episodes out first and then a subscription situation. But it’s looking like May 2019.

We have seven Tony winners. It’s an amazing cast [including] Glenn Close, Patti LuPone and Marion Cotillard. I feel as strongly about this as I do about Hedwig.

OT: How long has Anthem been in the making?

JCM: It started out as a sequel to Hedwig, but it was much more autobiographical. But then I realized her story was so complex and mine was [too]. It’s like putting a hat on a hat on a wig. I removed Hedwig from the story and injected more of myself. I play a guy who is out of insurance, living in a trailer, who is kind of me if I never left my small town in Junction City, Kansas. He has a brain tumor, no insurance and he’s crowd funding his treatment on a telethon app.

He’s staying online until he gets the money for the operation or until he dies.

OT: Who do you hope comes to see your performance? Diehard Hedwig fans? The local theatre community?

JCM: Whoever Hedwig is useful to I hope will show up. I like the fact that our audience is so mixed in terms of gender, sexuality and age.

It’s [been] useful to others at a certain time in their life when they were young and came out. It made them feel less alone.

Catch John Cameron Mitchell at National Theatre on Friday, February 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $54. Learn more at www.thenationaldc.org.

National Theatre: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC 202-628-6161; www.thenationaldc.org www.ontaponline.com | Winter 2019 | On Tap

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

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

THROUGH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Ice Cream Jubilee Lunar New Year Tasting Party Happy Year of the Pig from Ice Cream Jubilee, where Asian flavors play a big role in motivating the creative taste buds. This year, the ice cream shop wants to invite you to join in the fun. Join for their Lunar New Year parties where they’ll serve tasting flights of six 2-ounce scoops and give you an ice cream pint of any of their flavors to take home. Various times and dates. $16. Ice Cream Jubilees in DC and Virginia: Various locations; www.icecreamjubilee.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 Sound Off in the Sky at The Observation Deck at CEB Tower Start 2019 right with a silentdisco, total-body workout with 360-degree views from The Observation Deck in Rosslyn.

In partnership with the The

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Observation Deck and the studio LavaBarre, experience three types of workouts in one hour: barre, bootcamp and yoga, which will end the session.

You’ll do all this while listening to different tunes. 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Registration is $15 and includes a free drink. Space is limited so register now. The Observation Deck at CEB Tower: 1201 Wilson Blvd. #214, Arlington, VA; www.rosslynva.org Woodford Reserve Tasting at Society Fair Join Society Fair and Brown Forman Ambassador Kalie Adams for a fun night of tasting, education and great food. Featured spirits are Woodford Reserve and special guests Slane Irish Whiskey.

Cocktails, charcuterie and cheese, award-winning green sausage, brick oven artisanal pizzas, lamb kefta, chocolate bourbon pie and much more will be available. 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Tickets $45. Society Fair: 277 S. Washington St. Alexandria, VA; www.societyfair.net

On Tap | Winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

Ice Yards 2019 Polar Bear Plunge at Yards Park The Yards fifth annual boozy winter wonderland extravaganza Ice Yards will join forces with Special Olympics DC annual Polar Plunge Fundraiser. For the first time ever, thousands of Ice Yards revelers will be able to cheer on volunteers as they take the plunge for the 1,600 disabled DC-based athletes who receive training, resources and recognition from Special Olympics DC, increasing awareness and support for the special organization in a festive and special way. Enjoy multiple bars serving cocktails and local DC brews, an ice bar, live music, interactive ice activities and games, food vendors from neighborhood favorites, and live ice carving. 1-5 p.m. General admission $10. The Yards Park: 355 Water St. SE, DC; www.theyardsdc.com.

Sip & Savor Soirée at Farm Brew Live Join Villagio Hospitality Group and Rinker Design Associates for the Inaugural Sip & Savor Soirée benefiting Inova Life with Cancer. This one of a kind event will give guests the opportunity to sample great food, beverages and entertainment, all while supporting a great organization.

Guests will enjoy a taste of Northern Virginia’s best local cuisine and have the chance to bid on unique items and experiences. 6-10 p.m. Tickets $80. Farm Brew Live: 9901 Discovery Blvd. Manassas, VA; www.farmbrewlive.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Valentine’s Truffle Making Classes Bring some friends, family or your sweetheart to create exceptional hand-made truffles at The Watergate Hotel. Your truffles will be crafted from fine cacao hand-picked at the chocolatiers’ farm in the Dominican Republic, then roasted and refined in Maryland.

The head chocolatiers from SPAGnVOLA will guide you through the process, while sharing their knowledge of cacao growing, chocolate history and truffle making.

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. $40-$60. The Watergate Hotel: 2650 Virginia Ave. NW, DC; www.thewatergatehotel.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Big Game Watch Party at City Winery Get out of the house and avoid all the overcrowded sports bars to enjoy watching New England and Los Angeles face off in the Super Bowl at City Winery DC. See everything that’s happening in Atlanta, Georgia on the screens while you taste cocktails, wine, beer and bar bites – all included with your ticket. Additional food and drink specials will be available so you can fill up, hang out and leave the mess behind. Your ticket includes free bar bites at halftime, Atlanta-themed food and drink specials, and your choice of a themed cocktail flight, wine flight or two PBRs. Must be 21+ to attend. Starts at 6 p.m. $20. City Winery DC: 1350 Okie St. NE, DC; www.dcfray.com Dumplings for Chinese New Year Join Pear Plum Café for their second annual dumpling making and eating extravaganza. They will be hosting an evening of dumpling making, dumpling eating and celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year. During this class you will learn tips and tricks to make a delicious dumpling feast. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $60-$110. Pear Plum Café: 3064 Mount Pleasant St. NW, DC; www.pearplumcafe.com National Museum of Women in the Arts’ Free Community Day Visit the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Community Day for free admission to the museum. Take

this opportunity to explore their current exhibitions, newly reinstalled collection and events. Collections currently on view include Rodarte, which explores the creative vision of sisters Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy, founders of fashion label Rodarte, through a selection of individual looks, accessories and videos. 12-5 p.m. Free. National Museum of Women in the Arts: 1250 New York Ave. NW, DC; www.nmwa.org

MONDAYS, FEBRUARY 4, 18, 25 Cocktails & Curling at The Wharf Looking for a fun way to spend some time outside this winter?

Join at The Wharf ice rink for a free, friendly game of curling.

The Canadian game marries hockey and shuffleboard for a fun evening on the ice.

Want to play? Sign-ups are on site (no advance registration available) and beginners are welcome. Come with a friend or be matched with a partner when you arrive. No ice skates allowed, but please wear softsoled tennis shoes. All other equipment will be provided.

Spectators are welcome, too!

Cheer on the players and learn the game from the sidelines, while warming up with some winter cocktails. Special thanks to the presenting partner Heineken. 7-9:30 p.m. Free public event. DC Wharf Ice Rink: 960 Wharf St. SW, DC; www.wharfdc.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Green Drinks DC Happy Hour with Blue Crate Oat Milk Green Drinks DC loves to support individuals who are working to protect the environment and Blue Crate Oat Milk is doing exactly that. Born out of the zerowaste movement, the two founders are inspiring social entrepreneurs. Join them for an evening of networking at Timber Pizza Company, where they’ll have free pizza

(while supplies last) as well as specialty cocktails made from Blue Crate’s oat milk that are so delicious it will blow you away. Come support Blue Crate, make new friends and professional contacts and enjoy some delicious pizza and oat milk cocktails. All are welcome and this event is free. 6-8 p.m.

Timber Pizza Company: 809 Upshur St. NW, DC; www.greendrinksdc.org Noridojo Pop-Up From the creators of Pow Pow and Sticky Rice, Noridojo further explores the possibilities of kosher and plant-based food. You’ll dive deep into ingredients, flavors and textures to recreate favorites and new sustainable alternatives to classic sushi and Japanese street food models. The event features plant-based and kosher certified foods and libations. 6-8 p.m. Tickets $45. Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats: 1370 Park Rd. NW, DC; www.stickyfingersbakery.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Commissary Mixology Class A cocktail resurgence is in full swing in DC. An interest in quality spirits, classic cocktails and local ingredients has been growing exponentially in the last few years, yet it is very hard to learn more and be completely submerged in this trend.

Whether you are interested in expanding your palate or planning a bachelorette or bachelor party, we can curate an experience to fit your needs.

These classes are great for a novice mixologist or simply a fun experience with friends, co-workers or loved ones. A Senior Bartender instructor will walk you through cocktail basics, technique, infusions and food pairings. The instructor will set you and your guests up with tools, fresh ingredients, spirits and snacks to highlight each of your cocktails. Be prepared to shake, muddle and drink. 6-9 p.m. Tickets $65. Commissary DC: 1443 P St. NW, DC; www.commissarydc.com www.ontaponline.com | Winter 2019 | On Tap

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Crystals and Cocktails Celebrate the new year with craft cocktails and mysticism.

Join The Apothékary for their second Crystals and Cocktails event with crystal expert Sarah Feliz. She’ll teach you how to work and connect with your crystal while you sip on herbinfused cocktails by alchemist and cocktail expert Bryan Tate. Your night will include a beautiful crystal you get to take with you for free, two delicious herb infused cocktails that will correspond with the archetypal energies we discuss. 6:30-9 p.m. The Apothékary: 1323 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.jrink.com/pages/dupont

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Chiko Chinese New Year After Dark with Chef Kevin Tien and Carlie Steiner Chiko is excited to welcome back chefs Kevin Tien and Carlie Steiner from the award winning Himitsu. Food and drink specials from the Himitsu pair, plus creations from the Chiko kitchen will be created for this late-night celebration. Walk-ins are welcomed and doors open to all on a first come, first serve basis. There will be $8 dishes and drink specials available. This is not a ticketed event. 9:30 p.m.

- 12 a.m. Chiko: 423 8th St. SE, DC; www.chikodc.com Ritualisms Opening Reception Join for an opening reception of “Ritualisms,” a group exhibition that explores how rituals are an intrinsic part of the human experience. Whether through personal habits, artmaking processes, cultural practices or religious rituals; the work in this exhibition will address the universality of rituals and how they foster connection or isolation. Gallery Talk at 8 p.m. includes remarks from individuals artists in attendance.

This opening reception is a part of the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s “The Late Shift: Love and Rituals” event, co-curated

by The Omi Collective. 7-10 p.m.

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Target Gallery: 105 N. Union St. Alexandria, VA; www.torpedofactory.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Cupid’s Undie Run at Penn Social Cupid’s Undie Run is a “brief” fun run that takes place in the middle of a big party. That’s right: party, run (a mile-ish, at your own pace), party – all to find a cure to neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that affects one in every 3,000 children born. Event organizers encourage undies, but understand that it’s not for everyone. Maybe costumes are more your style? So, whether you start a team with your friends, join a team, or run solo, come out, have a blast and raise some money for NF research.

12-4 p.m. $40. Penn Social: 801 E. St. NW, DC; www.cupids.org/washington-dc/ DC Refined’s Love-Infused Cocktail Class In honor of Valentine’s Day, the Whiskey Charlie team will walk you through how to make three cocktails that will have you feeling the love, and nothing is more romantic than a champagne cocktail! You’re welcome to hang out after class and enjoy your cocktails, ask the instructor any questions you have and mingle with the DC Refined team. Ticket includes demos of three cocktails (which you get to drink), a DC Refined swag bag and raffle prizes. This event is rain or shine. 2-3 p.m.

Tickets $35. Whiskey Charlie: 975 7th St. SW, DC; www.whiskeycharliewharf.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Romantic Cooking Class: Pasta & Dessert Step into Via Umbria’s kitchen for the perfect date night, where you and a loved one can celebrate Valentine’s Day by enjoying an intimate cooking class where their chefs will demonstrate how to make pasta by hand and prepare the

On Tap | Winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

perfect sauce to pair with your pasta. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to roll up your sleeves and try it yourself, and as a bonus you will also have the opportunity to create one of the restaurant’s signature desserts. 7-9 p.m. $66. Via Umbria: 1525 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; www.viaumbria.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Valentine’s Cocktails at Via Umbria Nothing warms you like the feeling of love, except maybe for a well-made cocktail. Come and learn some mad bar skills from Via Umbria’s mixologist, who will teach you how to craft three outstanding Valentine’s Day themed cocktails including the Valentino, Cupid’s Cup and The Love Potion cocktails. The skills you take home will be sure to invigorate any Valentine’s Day Date. Your ticket includes admission to the class, expert demonstration with a hands-on interactive component, recipe cards and a taste of the drinks made in the class. 7-9 p.m.

Tickets $38.50. Via Umbria: 1525 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; www.viamubria.com Watercolor Cocktails: An Evening of Specialty Drinks and Painting A monthly collaboration between artist Marcella Kriebel and mixologist Gina Chersevani.

Participants enjoy a seasonal cocktail prepared by Buffalo and Bergen, and each is supplied line art of an illustrated recipe of Chersevani’s drink to paint in watercolor. Watercolor techniques are shared, as well as a demo of how to make the drink at home. Each participant brings home one of the classic cocktails as a hand colored illustrated recipe. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $55. Union Market: 1309 5th St. NE, DC; www.unionmarketdc.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Back to the 90s Valentine’s Day Party at Saint Francis Hall You don’t have to be lonely on Valentine’s Day. Come throw it back with your 90s digs and dance the night away. Join DC Fray at Saint Francis Hall and enjoy a night of 90s throwbacks presented by TBD Immersive for an innovative and unique theater performance with props and fun plots. Navigate your way through your own 90s high school movie, side-by-side with a slammin’ cast of characters you know and love. Break out your JNCO jeans, scrunchies, slouch socks, crop tops and your grungiest flannel and embrace the chance to live your high school fantasies the right way.

Enjoy the show, a live DJ and small bites for an unforgettable experience. 7-11 p.m. $79. Saint Francis Hall: 1340 Quincy St. NE, DC; www.dcfray.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Wine and Welding Learn how to weld in a fun evening. Spend three hours at Building Momentum and enjoy some wine tasting and learn the safety of welding. Before the end of the night you will weld a wine rack to take home.

Enjoy with a significant other or a friend. 7-10 p.m. $225 per couple. Building Momentum: 5308 Eisenhower Ave. Ste. C; www.buildingmomentum.us

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Arena Civil Dialogues Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater hosts additional community conversations as a part of the Arena Civil Dialogues series.

The conversations provide an opportunity for members of the DC community to engage in civil discourse about social and political issues, and will demonstrate that people of diverse viewpoints can have fruitful dialogues with one another. This month’s focuses on how democracies are challenged from Poland to

Venezuela; from Israel to the U.S., and what undermines them and more. 5:30-7 p.m.

Free to attend, but registration is required. Arena Stage: 1101 Sixth St. SW, DC; www.arenastage.org

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Plant Parenthood: Houseplants 101 Congratulations, you bought a houseplant! Now what? Join Holley Simmons of Sill Life for a crash-course on how to choose the best plants for your house or apartment, and how to take care of them. After, students will have a chance to shop a selection of healthy house plants at She Loves Me. Your ticket includes a 15 percent discount on all plant purchases in the shop. 7-8 p.m. Tickets $15. The Lemon Collective: 808 Upshur St. NW, DC; www. wearethelemoncollective.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Art AfterWords: A Book Discussion - Becoming by Michelle Obama Join staff from the National Portrait Gallery and the DC Public Library for a monthly discussion of portraits and prose. Each month, a Portrait Gallery educator will discuss a portrait from the collection.

Following the portrait exploration, a DCPL librarian will lead a discussion of a book related to the image. On February 19, the museum will discuss Becoming by Michelle Obama. The First Lady’s new memoir takes readers from her childhood in Chicago to her career as a lawyer and executive, to her role at the most famous address in the world. The memoir and the portrait will take you inside the life of the most public of figures. 5:30-7 p.m. Free with registration.

National Portrait Gallery: 8th St. NW, DC; www.nga.gov

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

15th Annual Brewer’s Ball at The National Building Museum Brewer’s Ball has earned its reputation as the craft beer event of the season, hosting more than 40 of the best breweries and 30 popular restaurants, all while supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Guests enjoy unlimited samplings of handcrafted beers and tastes of the best local cuisine. Mix, mingle and dance the night away with live entertainment, or bid on unique silent and live auction items and experiences. Take advantage of this annual tradition by inviting your family, friends and clients to enjoy handcrafted brews and signature samplings from the hottest eateries in DC. If there’s one thing we can guarantee, you won’t leave hungry or thirsty. Act early to sponsor or attend, this event is guaranteed to sell out. 7 p.m. Tickets $150. National Building Museum: 401 F St. NW, DC; www.dcbrewersball.org

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 DC Wine Regional Focus During this one-hour class at Cork & Fork DC, Alsace will be the focus of discussions and your glasses. Experts will cover the history of the winemaking within the region, touch on the evolution of the wine laws, review where the wine laws stand today and, perhaps the best part, you will taste through a selection of wines from Alsace.

7-8 p.m. $45. Cork & Fork DC: 1522 14th St. NW, DC; www.corkandfork.co

February ENOversity: The Art of Tasting Join ENO Wine Bar for ENOversity, their monthly informal educational opportunities, to chat with featured producers and learn about their craft in a fun, interactive and unpretentious environment. This month, they’re talking about the art of tasting and ‘understanding wine’. They’ll talk you through everything you need to know to truly taste a wine, and the subtle variations that make all the difference. 6:30-8 p.m. $35. ENO Wine Bar: 2810 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www.enowinerooms.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 and FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Young Prose Night at Shakespeare Theatre: Richard The Third What does it look like when a man with no scruples stops at nothing to gain power? If you’re unsure, Richard of Gloucester will gladly demonstrate. What he lacks in looks he makes up for in bottomless ambition, ruthless cunning and rapacious zeal: the crown, at all costs. As he climbs ever higher, Richard bends the world to his will until even his mother can’t bear to own him. Purchase a ticket to Young Prose Night (YPN) and you’ll be invited to a postshow reception with the cast, including complimentary drinks from Ballast Point and STC’s wine sponsor, Meiomi Coastal California Wines. Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and March 1 at 8 p.m. Use promo code 19UNDER35 for $25 YPN tickets. Sidney Harman Hall: 610 F St. NW, DC; www.shakespearetheatre.org.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Classic Cocktail Class Have you ever wondered why to shake vs. stir a cocktail? Learn the art of making cocktails from Tory Pratt, founder of Pratt Standard Cocktail Company.

The class includes three cocktails and instruction on cocktail history, distilling, and

techniques like garnishing, shaking and stirring. You’ll learn three classes of cocktails: fizzes, sours and lowballs. This is a hands-on cocktail class, where you’ll get to learn all the basic bar techniques you need to make any cocktail and do a bit of shaking. You’ll leave this class understanding how to make your own custom cocktails at home, as well as a few classics.

6-8 p.m. Tickets $50. Mess Hall: 703 Edgewood St. NE, DC; www.messhalldc.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Boozy Food Cooking Class Celebrate cooking with cocktails as you learn to make a delicious menu with booze in every dish.

The menu includes margarita shrimp salad with tequila lime vinaigrette, penne with vodka sauce and chocolate bourbon balls. Each ticket includes a welcome snack, dinner and a wine or beer of your choice. 7-9 p.m. Tickets $75. Tastemakers: 2800 10th St. NW, DC; www.tastemakersdc.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

Mardi Gras Celebration at The Wharf Celebrate Fat Tuesday with a Wharf-wide extravaganza featuring a spirited parade along the waterfront, followed by a dance party on District Pier, and a fireworks finale. The parade is set to the sounds of classic NOLA brass band music and feature custom-designed floats from DC’s Wharf friends, restaurants and retailers, along with high-flying balloons and, of course, bead tossing.

Festive food and drink will be available throughout the neighborhood. 2-6 p.m. Free to attend. Wharf DC: 690 Water St. SW, DC; www.wharfdc.com

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DC ENJOYS A NEW KIND OF GO-GO

By Trent Johnson

Chris Chiozza

A

fter years of planning and construction, people in the DMV can finally travel to into the city to see live go-go.

And I don’t mean go-go music, the genre founded by DC legend Chuck Brown. I mean Capital City Go-Go basketball.

With a home court at the brand-new Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast, the NBA G-League’s Capital City Go-Go kicked off their first season in the District last November. Owned and operated by Monumental Sports, the city’s newest professional basketball team serves as a developmental team for prospects who need to improve before jumping to an NBA roster.

“It’s good basketball, a lot of talent and a lot of highlights,” rookie guard Chris Chiozza says. “The people we have on this roster are incredible. We have NBA guys, some people that should be in the NBA, people trying to get into the NBA and people that are trying to get called up. We’re a fun team to watch.”

The NBA G-League is the official minor league of the NBA, providing players out of college like Chiozza, foreign prospects from overseas or even high school grads forgoing college the opportunity to test themselves at a higher level of competition. There are currently 27 teams, and the games can be seen on ESPN, NBA TV and local networks.

For years, the Wizards sent players they were interested in to neighboring teams, but now they’ve finally established their own developmental program. However, the team is far from just a little brother to the Wizards, as the quality of play is nothing to undermine.

In its inaugural season, the team is off to a successful start at 15-11, good for second place in the Southeast division.

“It’s been pretty good,” head coach Jarrell Christian says. “Nobody really knew what to expect coming in, but I think obviously we’ve won some games. Once you develop a team and the players as individuals, the wins will follow. I think our guys have done a really good job at becoming better players and better men on and off the court.”

While every pro sports team views winning as the ultimate goal, being in the minor leagues involves adjusting this mindset as individuals on the roster are constantly working on their own skills in the hopes of getting a contract with an NBA team. Several players have been on both DC teams since October including Jordan McRae, Devin Robinson and the team’s top pick from last year’s draft, Troy Brown Jr.

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Photo: Ned Dishman

“I looked at a recent boxscore for the Wizards, and there were four or five guys who had played for the Go-Go this season,” Christian says.

“That’s the whole reason why we’re here. The fact that we’ve been able to get those guys playing minutes before playing in an NBA game is why we exist. I’m excited about it, and we have a talented team.”

While a majority of rosters will include a number of younger players, veterans who refuse to give up on the dream of the major leagues round out the rest of the spots. Former University of Maryland guard Pe’Shon Howard is no stranger to playing in the G-League after suiting up for the Sacramento Kings’ developmental team last season.

“This [first year] has gone really well,” Howard says. “For a team that’s pretty big, with the staff and players we have, it’s really well put together for a first year. We have an identity and the coaches have us playing confidently.”

As a veteran, Howard understands the importance of balancing the team’s success with his own skill development. Scouts, coaches and fans are always drawn to teams that win, which in theory will help players get to that next level.

“For me, the main thing is competing and winning,” Howard says.

“I think for me and this organization, we all know that winning is the easiest way to [personal] success. It makes it a lot easier to develop and adjust, because it’s not always about me. I always want to be on a team that wins.”

With talented players, innovative coaches and a beautiful new arena, the Go-Go have largely shunned any growing pains by establishing themselves as a tough out for other teams. Don’t miss out on the remainder of the season, as the team marches toward the G-League playoffs, because these are high-level players making music on the court.

“I think a big part of us being an expansion team is being innovative,” Christian says. “We have to continue to see what works best as a staff and for our players.”

For more information on the Capital City Go-Go or for tickets to future games, visit https://capitalcity.gleague.nba.com.

THE ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS ARENA

BREATHES LIFE INTO CITY

By Trent Johnson

After more than a year of construction starting in summer 2017, the Entertainment and Sports Arena opened last September in Southeast DC. The multiuse facility, designed to host everything from concerts to e-sports competitions, is the practice facility for the Wizards, Mystics and Capital City Go-Go – and the home court for the latter two teams. On Tap spoke with Events DC President Gregory O’Dell about the $65 million, 4,200-seat arena’s local impact and future programming.

On Tap: What has the response from the local community been like so far?

Gregory O’Dell: The response has been overwhelmingly fantastic. One of the things we wanted to do was put people to work. We had more than $10 million in construction contracts in [Ward 8], and more than 50 percent of the staff in the building are from Ward 7 and Ward 8. We thought this would be a great catalyst [for Congress Heights] and will drive foot traffic there. It’ll be the start of a wider and broader project.

OT: Now that it’s been operating for a few months, has the arena met expectations?

GO: It has. We’re seeing the diversity in the programming that we wanted. People are coming from across the city and it gives people access to Congress Heights, which will bode well for the future and the community.

OT: How has the relationship with the Wizards, Capital City Go-Go and Mystics bolstered the arena’s programming?

GO: I’ll give lots of credit to Mayor [Muriel Bowser] and [Monumental CEO] Ted Leonsis. The Wizards enjoy the training facility, [as well as] the fans of the Go-Go and Mystics. They’ve all been supportive of us and we enjoy having them there.

Photos: Mark Raker Photography

OT: Have there been any unforeseen setbacks?

GO: Everything has gone smoothly. In fairness to the city, they’ve done an incredible job with the infrastructure job of the campus.

There are growing pains for everyone when there’s construction, and we’ll have to make adjustments with the growth, but it’s nothing to complain about and we’re pleased.

For more information about the arena and news about future programming, visit www.esaontherise.com.

The Entertainment and Sports Arena: 1100 Oak Dr. SE, DC 202-249-3000; www.esaontherise.com

The Wharf’s Fire & Ice Festival featured the Washington Area Fuel Fund Ice House, whiskey sampling, ice sculptures, flame throwers, a shot ice luge sponsored by KO Distilling and more.

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Photo: Trent Johnson

Allen Brooks, Brad Halsey, and Albert Vega

By Trent Johnson

W

hen Brad Halsey and Albert Vega established tech training and education business Building Momentum in 2014, they didn’t have any plans to open a coworking space. Neither expressed dreams of housing creative individuals under one roof, nor of fostering unlikely collaborations like welding and wine tasting. Though it may sound cliché to say the small company “built momentum,” this organic growth was a product of just that.

When Crystal City-based workspace TechShop shuttered in late 2017, Building Momentum stepped in to help fill the void in NoVA’s DIY community. The new business was still located in Fairfax at the time, and chief operating officer Allen Brooks says they were approached immediately by locals in need of a new space.

“People came knocking, asking to use our laser cutters [and other workshop materials], and four or five companies asked if they could just hang out every day and pay us,” Brooks says.

Building Momentum was founded on the notion of training service members to solve problems with any tool available through innovation and critical thinking, and last June, the co-owners took their own advice and opened The Garden in Alexandria’s West End neighborhood.

“It’s a simple idea and it made sense,” Brooks says. “What we wanted to do was a build a small community garden. A traditional community garden involves a place where people come together around growth, where different crops benefit one another by enriching the soil.

Awesome things come from that and the ground is better because of the diversity and ingredients intermingling. That’s what we wanted to emulate.”

The Garden is located in a large industrial area with a range of neighboring businesses, including a Sportrock Climbing Center, FedEx shipping center and Restaurant Depot. The West End is still an up-and-coming area without many coffee shops and cafes, and even though the neighborhood is easily accessible via the Van Dorn Street Metro station, the stop is reportedly one of the least used in the WMATA system.

Modular offices, open areas, and lots of technology (think 3D printers and drones) fill the 20,000-square-foot modern space at The Garden. Walk a little further down the winding halls and you’ll eventually enter the adjoining workshop area, which smells and looks like a Home Depot minus the plastic packaging.

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“There’s makerspaces and there’s coworking spaces, and we are obviously not [just one or the other],” Brooks says. “If an artist wants to come in and crash [an office] with paint, we say go for it. The space is organic and well-worn. We’re not protective of it. This is a co-building community.”

Community and diversity are words Brooks goes back to a lot as he describes The Garden’s tremendous efforts to be inclusive to all, from musicians to engineers. But they’re not looking to simply fill the space with people interested in using their state-of-the-art equipment.

“Makerspaces traditionally aren’t the most open-armed spaces for diversity, [with] people or industry,” Brooks says, speaking with refreshing candor. “It’s a lot of people making technological gadgets or widgets, and it’s a lot of 35 to 45-year-old white dudes who look like me. We want to have a diversity of industry represented across our coworking space, and it allows us to let small businesses support each other.”

Business is booming for Building Momentum as an individual company, with a client list ranging from the Department of Defense to the Smithsonian. But with The Garden, Brooks says there’s still a challenge in getting people to their West End location. To fight the stigma of an up-and-coming neighborhood and better reach locals, they’ve morphed their multi-use space into an events venue including their own recurring Wine and Welding events.

“By the end of these events, couples or individuals are saying to themselves, ‘Holy sh-t, I can do this,’” Brooks says. “We have to get events in here and let people know we have the space. We want people to be happy with our work and benefit from it. Building Momentum is successful the more that our members are successful.”

With more unique events and a growing membership count, Brooks says The Garden isn’t waiting on Alexandria to develop the area around them and is instead taking initiative to form an energetic campus. The company has never shied away from stepping up and being innovative, so why halt the momentum now?

To learn more about The Garden, Building Momentum and their upcoming events, visit www.buildingmomentum.us.

Building Momentum: 5380 Eisenhower Ave. Ste. C, Alexandria, VA 571-451-6885; www.buildingmomentum.us

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DC eatS Top 20 Spots

of 2018

By Lani Furbank American Son

Photo: Kait Ebbinger

All year long, On Tap keeps locals in the know about the hottest new food and drink spots around town in our New & Notable column. Now, we’re looking back at the year in dining, which brought buzzy new restaurants each and every month. Global influences continued to land in DC, two hip hotels championed local talent, addictive favorites like hummus and bagels won hearts and stomachs, and beloved chefs expanded their empires. Amid dozens of openings in 2017, these 20 are the ones that cut through the noise and should continue to impress in 2019.

elle Ellē only has four letters in common with its 80-year-old predecessor, Heller’s Bakery. The new Mount Pleasant café and restaurant from the minds behind Paisley Fig and Room 11 has reimagined the bakery concept for the modern day. From morning until afternoon, linger over coffee, unusual pastries and hearty sandwiches. Don’t forget to grab a fresh baguette or a loaf of country sourdough to take home. The real magic begins during dinner, when Chef Brad Deboy turns out forward-thinking plates like grilled kimchi toast and charred sweet potato curry, showcasing fermentation, meticulous technique and one-of-a-kind ingredients. 3221 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, DC; www.eatatelle.com

a rake s progress The LINE Hotel might just be the most Instagrammed spot of the year. What used to be a neoclassical church has been beautifully

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renovated into a hotel with five distinct food and beverage options. Head up the stairs and you’ll find Spike Gjerde’s hyperlocal A Rake’s Progress. A wood-burning hearth is the focus, and the flames add flavor to small game like rabbit, quail and duck, as well as pork, squash and more. Many dishes are presented tableside and then carved or finished off at the centrally located carving station to give diners a show. 1770 Euclid St. NW, DC; www.thelinehotel.com/dc/venues

sababa After a quick set change, Ashok Bajaj opened SABABA in the space formerly occupied by Ardeo. The new restaurant’s menu focuses on modern Israeli cuisine, which has roots in both Jewish and Arab traditions. Dishes display influences from the Middle East, Turkey and Greece. Meals often start with salatim – small portions of salads and spreads to share – and then progress into hummus and small plates. The vegetarian dishes shine, from charred eggplant and roasted halloumi to fried cauliflower and

Israeli salad. Kebabs and large plates are also available, like sumac- and onion-marinated steak and braised lamb shank. 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.sababauptown.com

Fancy Radish Vegans and omnivores alike rejoiced when Vedge Restaurant Group out of Philadelphia planted their first restaurant in DC. While everything on the menu is completely vegan, owners Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby aren’t trying to push an agenda. They’re just serving vegetables. It’s the way they serve them that makes a splash. Each dish takes a humble piece of produce – like a radish – and elevates it with artful techniques and vibrant flavors. The menu strikes a balance between the refined cuisine at their flagship Vedge and the edgy street food at V Street, with small plates like trumpet mushroom “fazzoletti” and spicy dan dan noodles.

600 H St. NE, DC; www.fancyradishdc.com

Kaliwa

after the Japanese Tachinomiya – a standingroom only restaurant where people stop by for snacks and drinks after work. The casual, communal concept is situated in the kitchen with two counters facing a woodfired Grillworks oven, only accommodating between 12 to 16 diners at a time. The menu provides a choice between having a few bites, like skewers and small plates, or enjoying a full meal of whole roast duck and chicken yakitori. 1770 Euclid St. NW; www.thelinehotel.com/dc/venues

Restaurateur power couple Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong, known for Alexandria hot spots Society Fair, Hummingbird and more, opened their latest restaurant at The Wharf last spring. Kaliwa offers three Asian cuisines that are near and dear to the duo’s hearts: Filipino, honoring Meshelle’s heritage; Korean, as an ode to Chef Cathal’s Taekwondo training; and Thai, because it’s their family’s food of choice. The menu is divided into sections for each country, with milder flavors in Filipino dishes like Kalderetang Cordero, slightly spicier funky notes in Korean Jae Yuk Gui and super hot spice levels in Thai Nuer Pad Prik. 751 Wharf St. SW, DC; www.kaliwadc.com

Mikko

Spoken English

Ellē

SABABA

Photo: Courtesy of Spoken English

Kaliwa Photo: Reema Desai

Photo: Courtesy of Fancy Radish

A Rake’s Progress

Fancy Radish Photo: www.chefmikko.com

Photo: Greg Powers

Spoken English

Vipul Kapila never ordered lamb vindaloo in Indian restaurants in the DC area because he couldn’t find a version that lived up to the fiery dish he remembers eating growing up in Delhi. When he found a truly authentic rendition at a restaurant in Falls Church, he decided to team up with the chefs behind the dish to open Pappe and finally bring a neighborhood Indian restaurant to 14th Street. That vindaloo is a star curry on the menu, which also features popular dishes like butter chicken, vegetable samosas, fish chittnad and fire-grilled baingan bartha.

1317 14th St. NW, DC; www.pappedc.com

Photo: Daniel Krieger Photography

Photo: www.eatatelle.com

Erik Bruner-Yang’s second project within the LINE Hotel is unlike any restaurant you’ve visited in DC. Spoken English is modeled

Pappe

Photo: Courtesy of Kaliwa

The former chef to the Finnish ambassador opened his own café serving the food of his homeland. Mikko Kosonen got his start at his family’s restaurant in Stockholm and attended culinary school in Helsinki. In the U.S., he’s been cooking for diplomats, heads of state and royalty, but now he’s expanding his audience to include average Washingtonians. Nordic cuisine relies on simple preparations of ingredients like

seafood, rye, mushrooms, berries and roots.

The menu at Mikko is succinct but true to form, with specialties like house-smoked salmon, Finnish soups, Nordic pastries and Danish-style, open-faced sandwiches.

1636 R St. NW, DC; www.chefmikko.com

Mikko

Pappe

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Reverie

Gravitas

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

Green Zone

Call Your Mother Deli Photo: Courtesy of St. Anselm

Photo: Chris Francke

Little Sesame

Photo: Mojalvo

Photo: Courtesy of Gravitas

Photo: Scott Suchman

Poca Madre Photo: www.littlehavanadc.com

Photo: Anna Meyer

San Lorenzo

Little Havana

St. Anselm Photo: Rey Lopez

Photo: Greg Powers

Poca Madre

The Green Zone

St. Anselm

To say Poca Madre is Victor Albisu’s passion project would be an understatement. The restaurant is a sincere homage to Mexico, celebrating the country’s history, culture, agriculture and cuisine. The menu is, simply put, an exploration of contemporary Mexican dining. But every aspect, from the sourcing to the recipes, tells a deeper story.

Many ingredients are imported from Mexico to support local farmers, including sea salt, grasshoppers, cocoa nibs and dry maíz. The small plates and entrées put creative twists on traditions, like a corn risotto that conjures the flavors of elote and a shrimp and cuttlefish ceviche with flat noodles made from the two types of seafood. 777 I St. NW, DC; www.pocamadredc.com

After four years of popping up around town, this Middle Eastern cocktail bar found a permanent home in the diverse Adams Morgan neighborhood. The spices and ingredients showcased in the drinks are ones that are commonly found in the region’s cuisine but haven’t often been translated to cocktails. Some recipes are riffs on classic nonalcoholic beverages like the seasonal frozen mint lemonade spiked with vodka or gin. The signature creation is the Janissary Corps, made with Green Hat gin, pistachio, lemon and “silky magic.” The food menu consists of Lebanese and Levantine street food like falafel, hummus, spicy wings and mana’ish. 2226 18th St. NW, DC; www.facebook.com/thegreenzonedc

Joe Carroll, the man behind St. Anselm in Brooklyn, teamed up with restaurateur Stephen Starr and Chef Marjorie MeekBradley to bring the grill-centric 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 and Romano beans to a rack of lamb and a pork porterhouse hitting the grill that sits in the center of the open kitchen.

When it comes to beef, the cuts are on the unusual side – like hanger steak and flat iron.

1250 5th St. NE, DC; www.stanselmdc.com

San Lorenzo

Little Havana

Chef Massimo Fabbri, known and loved for his cooking at Tosca and Posto, opened his own restaurant in Shaw paying homage to his family and the cuisine of his home in Tuscany. The menu is succinct and simple, with classic Tuscan recipes and a few salutes to his time at Tosca. Start with antipasti like roasted calamari or fried squash blossoms, and be sure to sample the fresh pastas like tortelli stuffed with robiolina and black truffle complemented by a porcini mushroom sauce. Entrées range from a fish of the day to a New York strip. To finish, there’s a selection of traditional desserts like tiramisu infused with truffles and budino.

1316 9th St. NW, DC; www.sanlorenzodc.com

Restaurateur Alfredo Solis expanded his portfolio to include more than Mexican (El Sol and Mezcalero). He teamed up with Chef Joseph Osorio to bring a splash of Cuba to Columbia Heights. A painted “neon” sign emulating the Miami Vice logo ties together the murals covering the walls at Little Havana, featuring Cuba’s colorful streets as well as some of the country’s cultural icons.

Classic dishes like ropa vieja, vaca frita and empanadas are offered alongside modern interpretations like Cuban rolls – essentially a Cubano sandwich crossed with a spring roll.

Of course, Osorio also makes a traditional Cubano, which he says is perfect thanks to his godmother’s lechon recipe. 3704 14th St. NW, DC; www.littlehavanadc.com

Your Uber driver might have a hard time finding Chef Johnny Spero’s Georgetown restaurant. Reverie is tucked down a cobblestone alley in a historic building near the canal. Though the exterior is timeworn, the interior is minimalist and modern, taking after Nordic design. The cuisine follows suit, with dishes that skip overwrought techniques in favor of letting the ingredients speak for themselves.

Spero refines his burger with misozuke and reimagines lovage as a granita accented with elderflower. Large-format dishes like crispy roast duck with licorice and fennel are meant to be shared. 3201 Cherry Hill Ln. NW, DC; www.reveriedc.com

Gravitas Matt Baker’s sophisticated restaurant is planted in the former Pappas Tomato Factory, which has been transformed into an urban oasis where minimalist fixtures, mossy accents and hanging terrariums are juxtaposed with original 1940s brick, windows and steel beams. Gravitas is the first tasting menu spot to hit the neighborhood with a selection of 15 dishes – half of which are vegetarian – that can be mixed and matched to create a custom experience. Baker focuses as much on sourcing as he does on experimentation, pulling ingredients almost exclusively from the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 1401 Okie St. NE, DC; www.gravitasdc.com

Little Sesame The original iteration of Little 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 hummus quite literally holds it all together, so its recipe was tweaked unto perfection.

It’s enhanced by additions ranging from whole roasted vegetables and fresh produce to herbs and spices. 1828 L St. NW, DC; www.eatlittlesesame.com

Reverie

Call Your Mother Deli When Andrew Dana and the Timber Pizza team were trying to come up with a name for their new deli, they tossed around phrases that a Jewish grandmother might yell. Someone shouted, “Call your mother!” and thus the deli was born. The Bocameets-Brooklyn shop is branded as “Jew-ish” rather than Jewish because while they are traditional in some ways by serving deli classics, they strive to put modern twists on expected dishes. Their bagels are the main event, with the production line and custom, wood-fired Marra Forni bagel oven front and center in the open kitchen. 3301 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; www.callyourmotherdeli.com

www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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Photo: Scott Suchman

Officina Chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s latest project is three stories of Italian culinary exploration, starting on the first floor with a market and café, continuing upstairs with a neighborhood restaurant and amaro library, and culminating on the roof with an al fresco terrace and private dining room. Stefanelli intended each concept to have its own personality and purpose, and to be visited at different times of day for different moods.

The expansive space lives up to its name – Officina means workshop in Italian – as an epicurean hub where everything from pastamaking to butchery is done in-house. 1120 Maine Ave. SW, DC; www.officinadc.com

American Son Photo: Kait Ebbinger

Officina

Philly Wing Fry Photo: Scott Suchman

American Son

Philly Wing Fry

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

Global brand Eaton Workshop opened their hotel on K Street last fall, with all four food and beverage concepts led by Chef Tim Ma. The main attraction on the first floor is the street-facing American Son, where Ma presents American food through the lens of immigrants. The name is a reflection of Ma’s childhood, growing up in the 70s and facing discrimination as one of the only Asian families in Arkansas. His parents tried to help Ma assimilate throughout his upbringing, even introducing him as “my American son.”

Some dishes pull flavors from Ma’s Chinese heritage, while others are influenced by international cuisines like French and Middle Eastern. 1201 K St. NW, DC; www.eatonworkshop.com/hotel/dc/food-anddrink

Philly cheesesteaks, chicken wings and waffle fries. The combination is a curious one, but for Chef Kwame Onwuachi, it’s simple: three of his favorite things in one meal. After opening Kith and Kin to critical acclaim, Onwuachi decided to revive his fast-casual concept Philly Wing Fry with locations in the new South Capitol Hill Whole Foods and Union Market. The menu is succinct, with sandwiches, tamarind-glazed confit chicken wings, waffle fries dusted with Ethiopian berbere spice and combo options.

The crown jewel is the dry-aged Philly cheesesteak, but there’s also a vegetarian interpretation with crispy mushrooms.

Whole Foods Market: 101 H St. SE, DC; www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/ southcapitolhill // Union Market: 1309 5th St. NE, DC; www.unionmarketdc.com

A Day

Life in the

Call Your Mother Deli’s with

Daniela Moreira & Andrew Dana

By Monica Alford

T

Photo: Trent Johnson

here’s a calmness to Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira, a laidback vibe that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with a young couple running two businesses daily. The pair are the driving force behind Petworth’s Timber Pizza Company and the newly opened Call Your Mother Deli in Park View, adding to DC’s growing community of local foodie spots with a mom-and-pop, neighborhood feel. Their “Jew-ish” deli has garnered much buzz since its October opening with lines out the door every weekend, yet another new business putting Park View on the map. We sat down with Dana (founder) and Moreira (head chef and partner) to pick their brains about how they put their own spin on a Jewish deli, why their bagel shop is at the top of every local foodie’s brunch list, and what supporting the local community means to them.

On Tap: Why does Park View feel like the right fit for your second business together? How do you think the area is changing?

Andrew Dana: I grew up in Mount Pleasant, so I’m very familiar with the neighborhoods. For a long time, I’ve said that DC has been great at opening big, fancy restaurants and hip, new restaurants. But what it’s not good at is the neighborhood staples that have been around for generations because it’s such a transient city. We were really attracted to [Park View] because there’s not a lot of other noise going on. It’s really residential. People are putting down roots. The funny thing about this building is we looked at it before we opened Timber and then we found this really cute, perfect spot up in Petworth. Then we started turning the wheels on this bagel idea and this was coming back on the market, so it seemed like it was a sign from the bagel gods that they wanted us to open [our deli here].

OT: I heard you had lines down the block and couldn’t keep up with the crowds the first week you opened, so you closed for a little bit to rework your menu. Were you surprised at the spot’s overwhelming success right out of the gate?

AD: We truly thought this was going to be like a neighborhood bagel shop and we’d have to do a lot of wholesale and catering to make it work. The kitchen’s not really set up for there to be a 100-person

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On Tap | WINTER 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

line, and that’s exactly what happened the first weekend. We had to shut down for a couple of days and make the menu a little bit more manageable. We had to keep up with the demand. We had to trim the fat and just go with the best of the best.

OT: How’s the buzz been since then?

AD: Every weekend, we’ve had a line out the door down to the alley.

Now, we’re really proud of the menu. It’s much tighter and more concise.

OT: DC’s seeing a resurgence of mom-and-pop foodie spots in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and they’re wildly popular. Why do you think that is? Why does it feel important to be part of that scene?

AD: I’m from here so what I want above all is just for DC to be awesome. I went to grad school in New York and lived in Brooklyn, and [when] you walk around there’s pizza shops that have been around for 50 years. I want my hometown to have that same vibe, so that is what it is at its core. And the food, Dani and I just do what we like. We like the staples: pizza, bagels. And if creating stuff we really like resonates with people and helps the neighborhood out, that’s awesome. There’s not some sort of bigger master plan. It’s make food that we really, really like in neighborhoods we like and be here for the people.

Dani Can’t Live Without

Andrew Can’t Live Without

Yerba mate (Argentinian tea) A heated blanket Andrew French fries Ben & Jerry’s

Seltzer water is life A basketball CBD oil Rice + beans Daniela

OT: Did you hesitate at all with the “Jew-ish” theme? How did you decide to walk the line between the authenticity of a traditional Jewish deli and putting your own spin on it?

Daniela Moreira: I’m not even Jewish. I was like, “I don’t know anything about Jewish traditions or anything.” So I was scared.

AD: I like “Jew-ish” because I’m half Jewish. I [don’t] think that binds us to traditions. If somebody says, “Why don’t you have chopped liver or pumpernickel?” We’re like, “Oh, it’s ‘Jew-ish.”’ And I think Dani is selling herself short. I think what Dani likes the most is the creativity and reading a ton and doing trial and error, which she got to do. She didn’t have all of these preconceived notions of what a bagel had to be. She’s from Argentina. They don’t have bagels. It was fun watching her start from scratch and learn what a bagel was supposed to be. We probably went through 100 recipes – that’s no exaggeration. She became a scholar of the bagel.

OT: I read that you did lots of research, including some trips to NYC. Was iconic Jewish deli Barney Greengrass on the list?

AD: We went to New York. We did go to Barney Greengrass, which was awesome. We ate so many bagels, it was ridiculous.

OT: You also brought in bagels from other cities, right? What motivated those choices and what areas did you draw inspiration from?

AD: We had bagels flown in from Montreal. We actually went to South Florida because that’s where all the older Jews retire – Boca [Raton], Delray. We were sort of taking it all in. Actually, how we finalized our [bagel] recipe is every weekend, we would do a blind taste test [versus] New York bagels that we would ship in. We didn’t stop until we were consistently beating that taste test.

OT: What staples of a Jewish deli were important to you to maintain?

AD: The Rihanna-Flex is sort of like your classic salmon bagel, which we actually didn’t have the first week. The first week we were open, we had a classic pastrami with mustard on rye bread that we were making. It was just so crazy, it was too much, so we said, “Alright, let’s do a pastrami brisket cheesesteak” [The Greenberg]. There’s nothing totally classic on there – all twists.

OT: What personal twists did you each take? Dani, can you walk us through some of the Argentinian influences?

DM: Well, we opened with a soup. It was a South American vegetable soup. But again, we had to change the menu to make it easier for the kitchen to execute so we took it out for now. We have black and white cookies – alfajores – filled with dulce de leche. That’s super traditional.

AD: It’s one big ass cookie.

DM: There’s no bagels in Argentina, not at all.

AD: But we have a za’atar bagel, which obviously isn’t Argentinian, but that’s also not classic. And I think we arrived there because when Dani is thinking about bagel toppings, it’s not classic, classic, classic.

She’s like, “I like za’atar. I like bagels. Let’s make za’atar bagels.”

OT: What has been the most popular bagel on the menu?

AD: At the farmers market, people do love the za’atar bagels. They

Their Work Must-Haves

Tunes (they’re big into The-Dream + Barrington Levy right now) Peanut butter + apples for snacking The Timber + Call Your Mother teams A smooth floor for dancing Coffee

[usually] sell out. And in the shop, our bacon, egg and cheese or pastrami, egg and cheese with spicy honey [The Shyne].

OT: What’s your personal favorite, or the one you’re proudest of?

AD: I love the Craig D. We made a nectarine cream cheese with fresh nectarines that we got from the farmers market. [It’s] sliced nectarines, jalapeno, bacon and potato chips, so it’s sweet, it’s salty, it’s crunchy. And now that nectarines are out of season, we use apples, so [it’s made with] apple cream cheese and sliced apples.

DM: The Amar’e. The Amar’e is a za’atar bagel with candied salmon cream cheese and then a salad of pea shoots, cucumbers and crispy shallots. It sounds healthy. It makes you feel better when you eat it [laughs].

OT: You’ve got pizza and bagels checked off the list, so what’s next? Do you have a dream spot you’d like to open, either as a team or individually?

AD: I mean, we’re animals and we eat nachos all the time. I don’t know if that’s a full-scale concept or not. Woodfired nachos would be a real thing too. That’s going to be a ways off. [Running two businesses] is taking a lot of energy and focus. We’re hunkering down here for a little while.

OT: What do you guys like to do when you’re not working? Do you hang mostly in Park View and Petworth?

AD: We live in Petworth. We like exercising, travel, eating of course.

We go out to eat all the time. We work out a good amount. Travel – she just got back from Costa Rica [and] I just got back from New Zealand. We’re trying to pick up squash this year. She wants to take lessons.

DM: Yeah. It’s fun.

AD: I’ll start taking lessons when she can compete with me.

DM: We’re not really fun.

AD: Yeah, we’re not that fun.

DM: We just go to sleep, eat, and that’s it [laughs].

OT: What cocktail bars and restaurants are on your radar right now?

AD: I love Indigo, the Indian restaurant in NoMa, [and] Don Juan’s in Mount Pleasant.

DM: I love Amsterdam Falafel[shop].

AD: She’s a French fry fanatic. It’s pretty scary, actually.

DM: Bars? No. We don’t really drink that much. I only drink once a year when I go back home and that’s enough for the whole year [laughs], so I don’t really go out to bars here.

AD: We were at Players Club yesterday, love Players Club. My two great loves in life are basketball and food, and they have pop-a-shot basketball, so I played like 25 times yesterday [and] ate some Shake Shack. Life is good.

To learn more about Call Your Mother Deli’s menu, check out www.callyourmotherdeli.com.

Call Your Mother Deli: 3301 Georgia Ave. NW, DC www.callyourmotherdeli.com www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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Bar

Photos: Trent Johnson

Behind the

with

The Peoples Drug’s Jon Schott

By Monica Alford

Jon Schott is a rare breed of professional, the kind of person whose brain is never really turned off. From coming up with some of his best cocktail ideas while walking his pups in the woods to making every orgeat and tincture on his expansive drink menu from scratch, he brings a level of enthusiasm and thoughtfulness to his work that seems unparalleled. The best part? He’s completely unpretentious about the art and consumption of craft cocktails. His creations are jotted down A Beautiful Mind-style in an old-school notebook that he’s happy to share with cocktail nerds, and he loves nothing more than to answer questions from customers about some of the more layered or complex concoctions on his menu.

Enter The Peoples Drug, the retro-inspired, neighborhood cocktail bar and food spot where Schott wears many hats as both beverage director and general manager. The Old Town, Alexandria locale modeled after the nostalgic local drugstore chain of the same name has steadily picked up buzz since opening last summer, with rotating seasonal and classic cocktail menus from Schott and a brand-new food menu launched earlier this month. We caught up with the man behind the well-crafted drinks about the labor of love that goes into each new creation and the casual, community vibe of his bar, among other cocktail-related things.

On Tap: You’ve got a lot of cleverly named cocktails on your winter menu like the Schrute Farms Margarita with spiced beet agave and Pistachio Mustachio with pistachio orgeat, to name a few. What’s your creative process for naming them?

Jon Schott: I like people to step a little bit outside of their comfort zone, and I think a great way to do that is to have a clever or comforting name. We get their guard down a little bit and then get a new drink in their hand, and now they’re trying new things. And who knows if that sparks this whole new journey of them trying new drinks and stepping outside of their comfort zone, which is the fun thing about food and drink – there’s infinite possibilities.

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

OT: As someone who grew up here and has worked in the bar industry for nearly two decades, how do you think NoVA’s cocktail scene has shifted in recent years?

JS: Everything seems to have shifted toward [being] more casual, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or atmosphere.

Just because you want a good drink doesn’t mean you have to make plans to do it. That’s what we were hoping for here, where you’d see everyone come in – whether you’re dressed up and on your way to a date or running errands and still in your sweatpants. We’re always open to the public. We never do reservations. You just walk in.

OT: Why do you think Old Town is the right location for Peoples?

JS: People in Old Town know good food and they know good drinks.

They’re a really tight, really cool community. We’re a nightcap or before-you-go-out, happy hour [spot] because we’re casual. Come in here, let your hair down, relax and [enjoy] the good vibes.

OT: Walk me through the classic versus seasonal menus, and how you came up with the concepts.

JS: I like balancing a list with classics. If you know cocktails, you can look at the classics and see we know what we’re doing. It lets people know you can get good classics here and we’re following script.

OT: What about going off script for the seasonal menu? What inspires those selections?

JS: It’s really important for guests to have a well-crafted and constructed cocktail, because it’s built with love. Time and energy goes into these, totally. We juice citrus every morning. Everything you see on the menu – like an orgeat or tincture or fusion or syrup – I made it myself. If it’s a syrup or an orgeat, I’ve made it within the last [few] days. Like the dehydrated fruit, I do that in my house and bring it in. That’s why I love the seasonals. These are all things that we have made [where] I started with a thought for a drink and as a team, we knocked it down into a really fun, well-balanced and creative drink.

Enjoy yourself and don’t be pretentious about the cocktails.

Wasabi Martini

Tito’s Vodka infused with wasabi Snow pea and sea salt tincture Domaine de Canton OT: Does the classic menu stay the same or is it dynamic?

JS: I change it every season because there’s certain classic cocktails that I think fit certain seasons. This season, they’re big because it’s winter. There’s a lot of Manhattan- and martini-style drinks, and spiritforward ones. I also do barrel-aged [cocktails] where I age the cocktail in an oak barrel for 32 days and then bottle and serve it. I spy on people when they have a sip of their drink to see their first reaction.

That will [tell me] the most honest feeling they have about the drink.

OT: What seems to be the customer favorite right now?

JS: The most popular one is the Schrute Farms Margarita. People relate to the name of it and the color of it is super bright.

OT: Can you give us a sneak peek of the spring menu?

JS: There’s one drink I dedicated to my mom. She told me, “If you’re going to succeed in this industry, you need to appreciate gin, and that’s when you’ll get all the real drinkers.” And she was right. So [this cocktail] plays with gin, tea and fresh things like orchids, lavender and roses. I’d love to introduce cucumber bubbles. It’s a way of stacking up bubbles. I can layer them on top of the drink. You know what I’m really excited for? [My] team to submit original ideas [they’re] working on. I love to open the menu up to the whole staff. It has to be a team effort.

OT: What about funky ingredients? What flavor profiles are you intrigued by at the moment?

JS: I love playing with orgeats, so any syrup with any type of nut in it.

I’m looking forward to playing with cedar and gin and sage [on the spring menu]. Those things together remind me of walking in the woods. And then maybe sneaking an amaro in there.

OT: Any food options you recommend pairing with cocktails?

JS: We have a lot more sharable snacks [on our new menu], like finger foods. I think the truffle fries go well with any cocktail. A little bit of salt also helps all the flavors pop. Our sandwiches are really tasty too.

Learn more about Schott’s classic and seasonal cocktails and the spot’s revamped food menu at www.thepeoplesdrug.com.

The Peoples Drug: 103 N. Alfred St. Alexandria, VA 571-257-8851 www.thepeoplesdrug.com

ST. ELDER

GREYHOUND 1½ oz Vodka ½ oz St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur 3 oz Grapefruit Juice Grapefruit wedge & Rosemary sprig

Shake ingredients with ice & strain into a rocks filled glass.

Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and rosemary sprig.

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 | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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Brewing Diversity

Supporting DC ’s Black Beer Culture

By Michael Stein

O

Dr. J Nikol Jackson-Beckham

ne way to celebrate Black History Month is with beer. Whether you consider yourself a conscious consumer or not, this vital celebration is also an opportunity to support small businesses. You don’t even have to spend money to follow those raising the bar for black beer culture – you can simply follow them on social media, and answer calls for inclusion.

Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham wears many hats. She’s an academic, a homebrewer and most recently, the first-ever Brewers Association diversity ambassador. She is also the chair of the Communications Studies department at Randolph College in Lynchburg. While she holds many titles, in the beer world, she’s known as “J,” “‘Dr. J” or simply “Doc.” “I am absolutely an advocate of visibility,” she says. “Shining a light on people who don’t have light shined on them very often is inherently valuable.”

Mike Potter, founder of online magazine Black Brew Culture, estimates that there are 50 black-owned breweries across the nation. Jackson-Beckham agrees with this

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

Photo: Courtesy of the Rosen Group

number, which seems staggeringly low when compared with a Brewers Association’s statistic indicating more than 7,000 craft breweries in the U.S.

“I would love to see more black people in the beer industry.

It’s a welcoming and accepting industry in every sense of the word.”

She recognizes positive trends and sees craft brewing in general “as a kind of center of small business and entrepreneurship.”

“When we look at trends of brewery locations and where they’re going, there’s opportunity for people of color and black people in particular,” Jackson-Beckham continues.

Port City Brewing Company’s brewer Leon Harris delivers excellence in beer production.

Every time you enjoy one of the Alexandriabased brewery’s drafts, there’s a chance he had his hands in the creation of that batch.

Harris got his start as assistant brewer at District ChopHouse downtown and Shirlington’s now-shuttered Capital City Brewing Company before opening – and literally building – Heroic Aleworks in Woodbridge. He was cutting concrete and installing fermenters that held 465 gallons of liquid, and jokes that his blood, sweat and tears were in the place. Next, he became brewer at Caboose Brewing Company’s flagship location in Vienna before joining the Port City production team.

“I would love to see more black people in the [beer] industry,” he says. “I think it’s a thriving industry. It’s a welcoming and accepting industry in every sense of the word.”

He’d also love to see “more black-owned businesses that cater to the community, cater to veterans like myself or cater to trying to better those around them.”

Service Bar in Shaw is another blackowned establishment improving beer

WINE PASS EXPLORE. TASTE. SAVE.

Leon Haris

Myesha Cheatham

Photo: Courtesy of Myesha Cheatham

Photo: Courtesy of Port City

A member s hip t ha t gives yo u a nd a f r iend p er k s a nd f r eebies a t s o me o f t he bes t w iner ies a nd c ider ies in eit her V ir ginia o r Ma r yla nd.

culture in the DC area. A few months ago, the cocktail bar partnered with Capitol Riverfront brewery Bluejacket to create Hurricane Alley – a sour ale with passion fruit and sweet cherries. The brew mimics the flavor of fruity cocktails like the Hurricane but is imminently more drinkable at 4 percent alcohol by volume.

DC Brau Assistant Manager Myesha Cheatham’s beer journey began by chance.

“I fell into the beer world by accident,” she says. “I used to be a teacher, but I got a homebrewing kit and thought, ‘Oh, I should work in a brewery!’”

Like all good educators, she progressed via communication and critical thinking.

“I’m lucky that at DC Brau, I have people who are willing to share knowledge. Just not being afraid to ask questions has been very helpful.”

Cheatham has worked at high-volume places like MGM National Harbor, the Willard InterContinental’s Round Robin Bar and the Café Du Parc, and at some of them, she’s had to do her own beer training.

“I brought some awesome beer-related ideas to [the table], like ‘This is how we change a keg’ and ‘This is what to do with an old keg’ and ‘We need to plug our lines every night to make sure we don’t have fruit flies in the beer.’”

The knowledge she’s gained as a protector of black beer culture has enabled her to be a positive force in driving it locally. She offers up examples of people to follow online.

“Social media is taking off and they’re a lot of people on Twitter, as well as bloggers like Ale Sharpton, Beer Kutlure and Afro.Beer.Chick, who are bringing black beer culture to the mainstream.”

Follow Cheatham’s recommendations on Twitter @alesharpton, @beerkulture and @afrobeerchick. Check out Potter’s magazine at www.blackbrewculture.com and follow Jackson-Beckham on Twitter @jnikolbeckham.

PERKS INCLUDE Complimentar y tastings Two for one tastings Bottle discounts Learn more online at virginiawinepass.com or marylandwinepass.com

Learn more about these breweries and bars below.

DC Brau: 3178 Bladensburg Rd. Suite B, NE, DC; www.dcbrau.com Port City: 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.portcitybrewing.com Service Bar: 926-928 U St. NW, DC; www.servicebardc.com

www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | 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.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28 Bend & Brew at Mad Fox Do you love yoga? Do you love beer?

Regardless of your answers, why not combine the two? In this 60-minute introductory class, the group will flow while sipping on flights of delicious Mad Fox brews made in the very same building. The best news? Happy hour goes until 7 p.m., so you’ll have time to hang out and grab a pint of your favorite beer. 5-6 p.m. Tickets $25, bring your own mat. Mad Fox Brewing Company: 444 W. Broad St. Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 Cidermaking Workshop Join Capitol Cider House Cidermaker Jared Fackrell for a 90-minute, hands-on, interactive workshop and learn how to make cider from the comfort of your own home.

Not only will guests enjoy a sampler flight of Mid-Atlantic ciders during the workshop, they’ll also receive a cidermaking starter kit. 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets $39. Capitol Cider House: 3930 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; www.capitolciderhouse.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Après Ski at The Sovereign: Colorado Beers & Spirits Join The Sovereign as they feature some of their favorite beer and spirits producers from the Rocky Mountains. On this night, they will showcase wonderful wares from Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, Casey Brewing and Blending, Breckenridge Distillery, and Leopold Bros. Whether you are a lover of beer, cocktails or both, this event is for you.

4-10 p.m. Free to attend. The Sovereign: 1206 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; www.thesovereigndc.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Fair Winds Beer and Dessert Pairing Throw away your resolutions and come join Fair Winds for the ultimate beer and dessert pairing. No one does it better than Out of

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

the Bubble Bakery in Springfield, Virginia, with goods baked 100 percent nut- and dairy-free. This event sold out last year, so don’t hesitate to capitalize on the amazing desserts. 6-9 p.m. Tickets $30. Fair Winds Brewing Company: 7000 Newington Rd. Lorton, VA; www.fairwindsbrewing.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 DC Homebrewers: February JamBEERee Meeting The DC Homebrewers Association’s February meeting will once again be a joint meeting with other area homebrew clubs. The association will be debuting the latest SMaSH beer experiment at this meeting, plus there’s an IPA competition and a food pairing competition sponsored by various clubs.

You’re also welcome to bring other food to share and, of course, bring homebrew to share. 1-5 p.m. DC Brau Lodge: 3178 Bladensburg Rd. NE, DC; www.dcbrau.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Valentine’s Beer Dinner True Respite Brewing Company and Say Cheese! are bringing you a Valentine’s Beer Dinner for craft beer and grilled cheese lovers alike. The dinner will include four pairings and a bag of chips to use as a palate cleanser. Each pairing will consist of an 8-oz. beer and one-quarter of a specialty sandwich from Say Cheese! There are four options to choose from. 6-8 p.m. Tickets $28$53. True Respite Brewing Company: 7301 Calhoun Pl. Suite 600, Rockville, MD; www.truerespite.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Love Thy Beer Winter Warmer Showcase Join the Brewers Association of Maryland at Love Thy Beer, the signature event of FeBREWary: Maryland Craft Beer Lovers Month. This must-attend event for the craft beer enthusiast features exclusive beer releases you won’t find at your local craft beer store and a selection of specialty beers brewed specifically for FeBREWary. Brewers

are being challenged to come up with their own individual “Cupid’s Curse” brew for you to taste and vote on your favorite. 6-10 p.m. Tickets $50-$75. Silver Spring Civic Building: 1 Veterans Pl. Silver Spring, MD; www.visitmaryland.org/article/febrewarymaryland

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Cupcake and Beer Pairing For the love of friends, family and that someone special, head to Tucked Away Brewing. Indulge in some delicious cupcakes from The Lemonade Bakery while enjoying a flight of beer, perfectly paired to complement one another. The bakery will also be onsite selling other tasty treats.

1-4 p.m. Tickets $16-$20. Tucked Away Brewing: 8420 Kao Cir. Manassas, VA; www.tuckedawaybrew.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Southwest Neighborhood Happy Hour Join the tap room at Union Stage for a neighborhood happy hour featuring 16 taps of local and national craft beers, handcrafted pizzas, and an extensive liquor list. Happy hour specials include $1 off select drafts and $10 for a pint and half pizza. Event starts at 5 p.m. Free to attend. Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; www.unionstage.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Battle of the Barrels Passing from hand to hand, liquid to liquid, season to season, the complexities of barrel aging can be endless. Want to see who does it best? Dive into a battle of the barrel with 3 Stars Brewing, Charm City Meadworks, Don Ciccio & Figli, Oliver Brewing Co., One Eight Distilling and Supreme Core Cider where you’ll taste a collection of barrel-aged beer, mead, cider and amaro, each finished in a District Made Straight Rye Whiskey barrel.

1-6 p.m. Tickets $25. One Eight Distilling: 1135 Okie St. NE, DC; www.oneeightdistilling.com

Winter Fest Celebrate winter at part four of Pizzeria Paradiso’s Four Seasons Beer Festival at its Georgetown location. This festival will feature seasonal drafts, beer slushies, snow cones, popcorn, and games including skee-ball, pinball, darts and more. 1-5 p.m. Tickets $15. Pizzeria Paradiso Georgetown: 3238 M St. NW, DC; www.eatyourpizza.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 9th Annual Barleywine Festival Don’t miss the largest barleywine festival in the Mid-Atlantic. Mad Fox will showcase more than 30 barleywines from around the region and across the county, with multiple sessions on Saturday and a single session on Sunday. 11 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Free to attend. Mad Fox Brewing Company: 444 W. Broad St. Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 The Paradiso Blackboard: Pizza and Beer Class Learn about the intricacies of matching the right beer with your food or the right food with your beer, then try your hand at creating the perfect pairing. 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets $30. Pizzeria Paradiso Spring Valley: 4850 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC; www.eatyourpizza.com

with

The berliner

Photo: Travis Vaughn

By Trent Johnson

While you were away on vacation or bundled up in your homes over the holidays, you may have missed the opening of Georgetown’s newest beer hall The Berliner. The 4,200-square-foot establishment was inspired by modern Berlin, Germany, offering comfort food, a spacious venue and, of course, delicious brews. To get an inside look at the selection process for beers and better understand the vibe of DC’s newest German-themed beer spot, On Tap spoke with operating partner Mike O’Brien, who also serves as The Berliner’s chef and beverage director.

On Tap: What did you find alluring about The Berliner?

Mike O’Brien: I wanted to get away from the high cost of living [in the San Francisco Bay Area]. I first became involved with The Berliner in June 2018. I’ve been making sausage for 10 years, and a lot of those are German-style because it’s such an integral part of the culture and cuisine. As far as German beer, I really have a passion for it.

OT: You feature a myriad of German-style beers. How did you settle on the final list?

MO: I wanted to include smaller producers that I knew about and had tried. The list was constantly changing, but some of the smaller German beers were directly imported. I’m very happy with the Kulmbacher’s EKU Pils – those are exemplary German pilsners.

OT: How often will you change up the beer menu?

MO: Ideally, the menu changes pretty much daily. They’re small changes, but I’m not

going to have dedicated lines. It’ll change organically, and I’ll start to bring in larger German producers like Hofbräu. The local beers will rotate. We reprint our menu maybe once a week, but we expect changes to pick up in the summer. The one I’m most excited about is just solid lagers. For a place concentrating on German styles, [solid lagers are] great for us. And [lagers are great] for me personally, because those are the kinds of beers I like to drink.

OT: How do you think the décor adds to the modern, industrial vibe of The Berliner?

MO: We wanted to have more of a modern German feel. My business partners have a lot of family in and around Berlin and are in the know as far as the trends there. We wanted to be different. We didn’t want it to feel like a typical German bar. We wanted it to feel like something special. The space isn’t dark.

It has high ceilings, [is] airy and the wood is a lighter shade.

OT: What sets the two dining areas apart from one another?

MO: They definitely have different, unique feels to them because the downstairs color is white and natural light comes through, while the upstairs is darker green and the ceiling is dark. It provides a different feel. Once the weather clears up, then it’ll be emphasized even more.

OT: How important is it to you that the food menu complements the beers you offer?

MO: One of the great things about beer is there’s so many varieties and it lends itself to food really well. We have 24 taps and you can vary the flavor profiles enough that something will pair up. I’ve kept the food menu pretty tight, which lends [itself ] to pairing.

The Berliner: 3401 Water St. NW, DC 202-621-7000; www.theberlinerdc.com

www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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pie shop returns to rock ‘n’ roll roots

By M.K. Koszycki

Y

ou may recognize Dangerously Delicious Pies from their aptly named operation spanning pie sales in food trucks, coffee shops, and their brick-and-mortar H Street outpost. While the pies themselves are now fully part of the fabric of the DC fast-casual scene, the shop expanded into something else last summer: a full-fledged music venue, affectionately named the Pie Shop. On the surface, this might seem like an odd pairing, but co-owner Sandra Basanti says the dual-purpose digs were always part of the master plan.

“The pie and rock ‘n’ roll thing isn’t a schtick,” Basanti says. “A lot of musicians do work here, and it is ingrained in the business. Last year, we opened the bar and music venue on the second floor, which used to be my apartment. It’s kind of come full circle.”

Although Dangerously Delicious Pies as the DC area knows it has been in its current form for a decade, the pies and the music have been important parts of the owners’ lives for much longer.

“The whole concept came about from the Glenmont Popes, the band my husband [co-owner Stephen McKeever] and [founder] Rodney Henry are in,” Basanti continues. “They’ve been touring for many years, and Rodney grew up baking pies in Indiana. He would spend summers with his grandmother there, and so a lot of our recipes are her recipes. He had it in him – he was just raised on pie.”

The trio opened the shop in 2009 – Basanti manned front of house, her husband ran the kitchen and Henry lent his passion for pies to the shop.

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

Photo: Julia Lofstrand

She fondly refers to McKeever and Henry as the “brains and the brawn” behind the operation; they’d often sell pie at merch tables or trade the treats for a couch to crash on while on tour with their band.

“One day, [Henry] thought if rock ‘n’ roll isn’t paying the bills, which we know it doesn’t for a lot of musicians, then maybe pie will pay for rock‘n’roll,”she explains.“And it has – the Glenmont Popes are still going strong.”

In fact, Basanti and the band had just returned from playing shows in Ireland the day before we chatted about the group’s new ventures.

And it was pies that brought them back to the apartment-turned-bar and venue that now boasts live music alongside top-notch food and a refreshingly unpretentious beer and drink menu.

While opening the venue was always part of the pie and rock ‘n’ roll business plan, Basanti and company took their time to open it. As musicians who’ve been part of the local scene for many years, the trio wanted to get things right and fill a void in the realm of DC live music.

“There’s a lot of these big, beautiful clubs opening up, which is amazing, but they mostly cater to touring bands and acts that have kind of already made it,” Basanti says as she describes the ethos that drives Pie Shop. “To offer a room that is also beautiful and has excellent acoustics – and to treat the smaller bands who are on the up and up with the same respect as a super famous band – is our goal.

I didn’t want to be a basement, taped-together place where bands could just play. I wanted it to be a room that gives these artists justice.

We put a lot of time, effort and thought into how it’s laid out.”

Dennis Manuel is Pie Shop’s sound engineer, with help from Melina Afzal. Manuel even helped design the venue, and hand-selected the

picks Sweet Treat Blueberry pancake batter pie + Maker’s on the rocks

Savory Option Ratatouille pie + Narragansett or IPA

Show Nosh Quiche

On the radar February 7: Les Folies Derriere Burlesque February 9: Testify: A Rage Against the Machine tribute April 26-28: Breakin’ Even Fest + Monthly rockabilly nights, Sunday Game of Thrones viewing parties and much more

space’s equipment. The stage boasts a full backline of equipment, and prides itself on the high-quality sound it can provide smaller local bands and touring acts.

The spot also accommodates comedy shows, literary workshops and burlesque shows, among other eclectic events supporting the local creative community. Basanti started out booking Pie Shop shows on her own but is now assisted by Jon Weiss of Union Stage and Babe City Records; the two consistently collaborate on what bands are the best fit for the team’s vision for the venue.

“We want to offer that smaller room for bands who are on their way up – to have that space to build a following, especially with local bands, which has been a lot of our focus,” she says. “It took us a while because we didn’t have the money, and we wanted to do it right. We try to treat all the artists with lots of respect and offer them top-notch hospitality.”

All of that and a dazzling array of delectable pies is sure to satisfy the appetite of local music lovers and foodies alike for years to come.

Follow Pie Shop on social media @dangerouspiesdc to learn about upcoming shows.

Pie Shop Bar: 1339 H St. NE, DC; 202-398-7437; www.dangerouspiesdc.com www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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Photo: Jamie James Medina

Interpol’s Indie Rock Ingenuity

By M.K. Koszycki

Interpol is still finding ways to make their post punk-inspired, guitar-driven sound even better after nearly two decades of recording music together. The band saw some minor changes on their sixth studio album Marauder, released last August, with their raw, energetic sound captured by recording on tape. Most importantly, the band’s dynamic as a trio – Paul Banks (bass, guitar and vocals), Daniel Kessler (lead guitar) and Sam Fogarino (drums) – and individual contributions to the process were solidified, as they found a new sense of ingenuity as a group.

“It sounds like us,” Kessler says when we chat about Marauder. “It’s not a perfect record in the sense that there are mistakes there. Some are happy accidents and things that have charm and character that we could have fixed, but there’s something human about the fact that it’s just there in a very direct form.”

This record recalls the urgency of the band’s signature sound, first heard on their 2002 breakthrough album Turn On the Bright Lights. While the group has seen some members come and go and produced quality albums throughout their career, Marauder has ushered in a new, inventive era

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

We’re not lacking for ideas, which is very fortunate.

We’re still very inspired by one another. for Interpol. By allowing band members to take on new roles – including Banks recently adding bass to his repertoire – the band was able to “give the project a bit of a new spin,” according to Kessler.

“The way we write songs now is different,” the guitarist continues. “When we write songs as a three-piece, it feels like we’re just scratching the surface of that new process and dynamic. In the two records we’ve written as a three-piece, there hasn’t been a moment where we’re like, ‘Well, what do we do now?’ We’re not lacking for ideas, which is very fortunate. We’re still very inspired by one another.”

When speaking on his role in the band, Kessler offers a deeper look into his part of the writing and recording process. He notes that Banks added some “stellar guitar moments” to the record, but Kessler’s own guitar chops are also essential to the backbone of the trio’s renewed synergy.

“On songs like ‘If You Really Love Nothing,’

the origins of the song can be heard on my guitar. When I was writing its basic riff, I thought of a melancholy approach to things.

But the moment that Paul started playing the bassline, he saw that the song had a bit of a swing to it and so it became a bit more upbeat.”

Kessler says that he and Banks react to each other during the collaborative process, even letting songs veer into completely new territory when inspired by their bandmates.

“That’s the kind of band I was really hoping to be in when we started out, but that’s a really tall order. We’re very lucky.”

See Interpol’s powerful new dynamic at play when they play The Anthem on Friday, February 15 with Sunflower Bean. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. and tickets start at $40. For more on the band and Marauder, check out www.interpolnyc.com.

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

Sharon Van Etten Talks TV, Her New Record & Focusing on the Positive

By M.K. Koszycki

Photo: Ryan Pfluger

S

inger-songwriter Sharon Van Etten is many things. The recording artist has scored movies, acted in Netflix hit The OA, returned to school to pursue a psychology degree and navigated motherhood. Her accomplishments are dizzying and her talent is seemingly unending, but the musician is incredibly grounded and open about her creative process and personal life. On her fifth studio album, Van Etten put down the guitar and took to a Jupiter-4 synthesizer to compose 10 stunning songs about falling in love and forgiving yourself. The cover of her record Remind Me Tomorrow – yes, like the software notification update that’s universally postponed on computers and phones across the world – features two children in a sea of toys and play clothes.

The children belong to Van Etten’s friend and collaborator, director Katherine Dieckmann, who showed her the image after she expressed her worries around raising a child and being an artist. Dieckmann presented the photo with a laugh and the sincere encouragement of “You’ll figure it out.”

It’s clear that she not only figured it out but also entered a new era in her personal and professional life that’s responsible for the creation of her best work yet. Van Etten describes the photo as beautiful and liberating – an apt description for the feeling that anchors Remind Me Tomorrow.

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

On Tap: Your music is making a mark on current TV shows.

“Serpents” is featured on The Walking Dead, your The OA character Rachel shares her pipes with viewers and you perform at the famous Roadhouse in Twin Peaks: The Return. How did these opportunities present themselves?

Sharon Van Etten: “Serpents” connected with the zombie crew. It wasn’t something that I had planned or asked for. Someone made the connection and it was an honor, because that show is pretty epic.

As far as The OA, I found out the casting director was in the audience when I was touring for Nick Cave in 2013 and I got asked to audition in 2016. They were looking for a singer because that’s a big part of the role of Rachel. In so many ways, that’s her superpower. In the few acting roles I’ve had, they were looking for a version of myself, which is comforting. For Twin Peaks, it was a similar thing. I think [director] David Lynch’s son [Riley Lynch] is a fan, and he turns his dad on to a lot of music and is also a musician himself. I also have a friend whose role is music and film crossover work who also said a kind word to David. There’s also a stroke of luck somewhere in there.

OT: How did you land on “Tarifa” for the Twin Peaks scene?

SVE: It was a request! It was like, “Well, David wants ‘Tarifa’ so David gets ‘Tarifa!’” [laughs] It was kind of a no-brainer.

OT: It seems like so many people really connected with The OA and are really excited for the new season. Why do you think that is?

SVE: I think real people in a sci-fi context is just something people connect with. The cinematography is so visceral, and all the characters have such a different emotive feel that it’s hard to just connect to one character. There’s a lot of care put into that show at every level. I’ve never been part of a production that large and everybody cares so much about all the fine details. It’s fun to watch them unfold.

OT: When did you start working on Remind Me Tomorrow?

SVE: During the writing of this record, which spanned from 2015 to 2017, I was asked to score a film for Katherine Dieckmann called Strange Weather. A reference she gave me for the film was Ry Cooder’s score for Paris, Texas. It’s really beautiful and ambient – very Southwestern, dreamy guitar, introspective playing. It’s a style that I had to try very hard to give an homage to, but I don’t know how to play that naturally. In moments where I was feeling writers’ block, I put down the guitar and gravitated toward the keys [and] synthesizer that my space mate Michael Cera had called a Jupiter-4. I ended up writing a handful of songs on it.

OT: So in the midst of that, how did the record itself take shape?

SVE: I did it without realizing I was writing for a record, which is really liberating – just to play and sing and not care about what it was for.

It was more of a vibe that I was creating. The goal of that was just to cleanse my palate so I could return to the guitar and finish Catherine’s score. So by the time my son was about six months old, I got the itch to be more creative and write again. I opened this folder of demos and realized I had like 40. My partner encouraged me to make another record, but it was not my intention.

OT: How did you narrow it down from 40 demos to the 10 songs that make up Remind Me Tomorrow?

SVE: When I started whittling down the songs after hearing everyone’s favorites, I wanted to pick the ones that also felt positive. I also wanted to pick the ones that were left of center. When I met with [producer] John Congleton, I had three folders: Folder A was all the songs I felt like needed to be on the record, Folder B was backups, and Folder C was wild cards that were either going to be great or terrible.

He picked some from each.

OT: Which of the Folder C wild cards made the cut?

SVE: That would be “Hands.” I wasn’t sure if it made sense. You don’t know until you go into the studio and let the sonic palette unfold. It ended up really standing out on the record to me.

Sharon Van Etten performs at the 9:30 Club with Nilüfer Yanya on Wednesday, February 6. Doors are at 7 p.m. and tickets are $30.

For more on Van Etten, visit www.sharonvanetten.com.

Photos: Kayla Marsh

OT: You said you wanted to pick songs that sounded positive.

Why is that?

SVE: When I was touring my last record, I was really proud of my songs and the production. But playing those songs over the years was also heartbreaking in a way that I wasn’t prepared for. I was going in a dark place to perform those songs. I feel this responsibility to be a positive influence and a role model. I want to share a positive message and my positive experiences. I want to feel good, to sing love songs not about mourning something that didn’t survive but about something that is just born. I think that will help me endure the next couple years of touring as I perform these songs every night, just infused with a bit more love than regret.

The Auld Shebeen hosted the final Year of Beer sampling of 2018 with complimentary appetizers, a gift card raffle, beer samples from five breweries and live music.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; 202-265-0930; www.930.com www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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Deerhunter

BROADENS SONIC PALETTE ON NEW ALBUM

Photo caption

By M.K. Koszycki

Photo: Name

By Byline

M

uch has been said about Deerhunter that has nothing to do with their music. The band’s outspoken and unapologetic frontman, Bradford Cox, continues to captivate the music press with his thoughts on any topic imaginable. But Deerhunter is a band, after all – a five-piece operation based out of Georgia, each member bringing their own musical background and solo projects to the table. What has attracted listeners to the group is not a candid comment on the state of the music industry but their dense and developed sound that’s only improved with time.

Enter the band’s new album Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?, released earlier this month. Described as “a science fiction album for the present,” it draws from specific events – revolutions in the streets of Russia in 1917 on “Death in Midsummer,” Labour Party MP Jo Cox’s death on “No One’s Sleeping” and themes of ecological destruction weaved throughout. It clocks in at just 37 minutes but packs a punch both sonically and thematically.

Deerhunter’s drummer Moses Archuleta spoke with us in advance of the band’s March 2 show at 9:30 Club, detailing the intricate technicalities that make their new record so different from anything else they’ve ever done before. As he explained their process for writing and recording,

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On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

Photo: Courtesy of Deerhunter

it became increasingly clear that as much was transpiring in the notes of this record as in its lyrics.

“The album is simultaneously very familiar to fans of Deerhunter, and hopefully comforting and enjoyable in the way of it not being a wild departure,” he said. “But I do feel like there are definite things that are different and interesting and unique about this album because of the process it went through.”

Archuleta said that while the breadth of topics approached on the new album makes it next-level, there’s more at play here.

Roles were solidified, band members went through life changes and people matured.

That’s all evident, especially to Archuleta, who found ownership of his role as drummer a beneficial addition to the process.

While internally becoming masters of their musical domain, the band sought outside inspiration from musician Cate Le Bon, who produced the album and gave the band the jolt they needed to weave in the multifaceted aspects of the record in a cohesive way.

“There had been a magnetic pull to try and do something a bit different,” Archuleta said of Le Bon’s involvement, which included singing on“Turnung”and playing harp throughout.

“Sonically, [the album is] very full and rich sounding. We’re all older and it feels like a much more mature effort overall. Cate was a big part of that as far as having that sort of direction.

It was an artistic camaraderie that was new and interesting to work with.”

The band also toured with new material before even beginning to record it, a process unlike anything they’ve endured before.

And while it was helpful from a technical standpoint, their songs became living, breathing things that changed when it came time to record.

“It’s interesting because we became overconfident,” Archuleta elaborated. “We were like, ‘Oh yeah, we’re going to nail this.’

And then you start to realize that you’re trying to make a different point with the record than with the show. So that was a self-deception in some ways. On the flipside, the positive things that were working had been so rehearsed and nuanced at that point that it allowed for a lot of creativity to happen.”

Now that Archuleta and his bandmates have added another piece to their creative tapestry with Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?, they’re sharing it with fans on tour. Don’t miss their 9:30 Club show on Saturday, March 2. Doors are at 6 p.m., tickets are $25. For more on the band, visit www.deerhunter.com.

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

Xuanzang’s Follow the Legendary Silk Road in

Pilgrimage

By Kayla Marsh

A

Photo: Courtesy of China Arts and Entertainment Group

new form of performance is coming to the Kennedy Center this month: the national concert drama. DC theatergoers are invited to experience Chinese culture with Xuanzang’s Pilgrimage on January 25-27, featuring the 80-piece China National Traditional Orchestra and 24 performers onstage.

The 100-plus group will perform writer, director and composer Jiang Ying’s interpretation of Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s journey across China via the Silk Road on a pilgrimage to India. The production is part of China Arts and Entertainment Group’s cultural exchange program, Image China, and relies heavily on instrumentalists to carry the concert drama. The musicians play characters, breaking the boundaries between the stage and the music, with many roles designed to be interchangeable to help guide and promote the development of the story. “[Our] comprehensive and dynamic interpretation has never been seen before by American audiences,” Jiang says.

The production’s intricate design and use of multimedia technology “makes the play more colorful than the traditional drama,” he continues, “which will definitely give the audience a more perfect artistic experience that goes straight to the ear.”

Jiang’s production captures the hardships and dangers Xuanzang experienced during his 17-year expedition from Chang’an to Tianzhu while on his quest to discover religious texts that had not yet come from India to China. Ultimately, he obtained the scriptures from the West.

“I aim to convey a positive energy through this drama – a spirit of perseverance and obstinacy for ideals and beliefs,” Jiang says.

Though the drama focuses on Xuanzang’s Buddhist experiences, it also explores the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism and promotes positive energy. The overarching theme in the story is the spirit of progress – Xuanzang is not afraid of the difficulties that come with developing firm ideals and beliefs.

“It is not only of historical significance but also of practical significance,” Jiang says, reinforcing the importance of progress in the production.

“This is the common spiritual wealth and strength of all mankind.”

Jiang’s large-scale, multimedia experience offers a lens into China’s music culture with unique wind instrumentation – the zither, Chinese harp, dulcimer and eagle flute are featured, among others – to help highlight amicable cultural exchange in Chinese history along the legendary Silk Road.

“National instrumental music is the soul of this kind of drama,” she says. “My intention was to introduce Chinese instruments that were just imported from the Silk Road in a [historical] series. It’s because of the combined strength of each component that this concert drama is perfectly presented.”

Catch a performance of Xuanzang’s Pilgrimage at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Friday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 26 at 1:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., or Sunday, January 27 at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $70. Learn more at www.kennedy-center.org.

“I aim to convey a positive energy through this drama – a spirit of perseverance and obstinacy for ideals and beliefs.”

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: 2700 F St. NW, DC; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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Lara Downes

Photo: Rick Keller

Panda Bear

Painting: Hugo Oliveira // Photo: Fernanda Pereira

Beirut

By Trent Johnson & M.K. Kosyzcki

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 El Ten Eleven

El Ten Eleven is one of those bandsm, that to the naked eye, defies sonic law. The duo makes dizzying, lush sounds using only a double-neck bass guitar and foot pedals. I know what you’re thinking: “Yeah, but they have a laptop, right? Everyone does that nowadays.” No, they do not have a laptop. Everything’s organic, as it has been for the band’s entire 10-album career.

In an era where everything is prerecorded and premeditated, this kind of musicianship is even more impressive. Don’t miss the duo in action this winter.

Doors 8 p.m. Tickets start at $17.

Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; www.unionstage.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Martha Afework

Homegrown Martha Afework is proof that just because you fall in love with something as a child, that doesn’t mean you should give it up as an adult.

Singing since the age of four, Afework has used her talents – and more recently, social media

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– to gain attention from people in the area. Now, the soulful R&B singer will headline the Fillmore without looking back. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $15.

Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.fillmoresilverspring.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8 COIN

COIN isn’t necessarily the most innovative band on the block, but there’s something extremely likeable about their radio-friendly brand of indie pop. I can think of many artists before them made a similar type of music who were much easier to write off as unoriginal.

Perhaps it’s their vulnerability – the Nashville-based, four-piece band often sings of awkward romantic encounters, leaving home and growing up. Ah, youth. No matter what it is, COIN’s undeniable magnetism makes them worth seeing live.

Doors at 6 p.m. Tickets $25.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Eyelids

Chances are you’ve heard some lyrics that the members of Eyelids are responsible for, but maybe not of the band itself.

The Portland, Oregon-based group has penned songs for The Decemberists, Elliott Smith and Stephen Malkmus, among others. Now on tour for their own songs in the form of release Maybe More, the indie rockers are ready to step out from the shadows of their legendary collaborators to make you hum and sing along to their work.

Show at 9 p.m. Tickets $12$14. Comet Ping Pong: 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www. cometpingpong.com

Panda Bear

Though I wish I was writing about an actual panda bear who belted out lyrics about life in the jungle, you and I will have to settle on the very talented Noah Lennox. A founding member of experimental pop band Animal Collective, his own music as Panda Bear doesn’t stray far from the fabric of the aforementioned band.

Looking for meticulously crafted electronic sounds? Check.

What about vocals layered atop these very eclectic beats?

Check. Basically, if you’re a fan of the entire collective, Panda Bear’s music will be right up your wheelhouse. Check out M.K. Koszycki’s interview with Lennox at www.ontaponline.com.

Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $25.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness

Ever wonder what those bands you listened to during your teenage years sound like when they grow past their angstfueled music? That’s what Andrew McMahon sounds like these days, as the former band member of several Californiabased groups has grown into a more mature musician.

The pianist has harnessed his high-pitched voice into one of reason, discussing the topics of nostalgia, missed opportunities and failures with a joyful tone throughout his latest release

Upside Down Flowers. Doors at 6 p.m. Tickets $40.50. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

Cherry Glazerr

L.A.-based trio Cherry Glazerr is known for their commentary on the world at large – after all, the band takes its name from NPR reporter Chery Glaser – but on their third record, they’ve teased a new era. Singer Clementine Creevy has indicated in press for their new album Stuffed & Ready that she’s begun to look inward for inspiration and it’s evident on the band’s lead single “Daddi,” which seems to reflect on the gray areas of attraction, control and power dynamics in relationships. The infectious song is a sure indication that the band’s new era will be an impressive one, too. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $20. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

Current Joys

The solo project of Nicholas Rattigan, Current Joys is a moody singalong about the creative process. From extreme highs to lows, Rattigan rattles off emotional lyrics that are accompanied by thud-like guitar strums, each delivered with a purpose. A Different Age represents one of the most expressive and well-crafted albums you’ll hear this year.

Doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Beirut

Worldly wunderkind Zach Condon announced his band Beirut’s fifth album and lead single Gallipolli in the most Beirut way possible. He took to his band’s website to write a letter about the genesis of the album’s title track, which involved the band “stumbling into the medieval, fortressed island town of Gallipoli one night and following a brass band procession fronted by priests carrying a statue of the town’s saint through the winding, narrow streets.” The band has served as a musical passport to Condon’s travels

since they formed back in 2006, and they’ll bring their sounds to DC this winter with new adventures in tow. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $41. The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; www.theanthemdc.com

The Parrots

Hailing from Madrid, The Parrots combine both Spanish and English lyrics to make a nearuniversal indie sound. Backed by guitar licks reminiscent of Chastity Belt or Courtney Barnett, their music is moody and their vocals provide a melodic whine. Though they haven’t recorded a new album since 2016, The Parrots has been releasing well-received singles since then and promise to bring an electric show to DC9. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m.

Tickets $12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dc9.club

Metric

Fusing indie with synth-pop, Canadian band Metric is set to visit the DMV this month.

Touring on the back of their 2018 release Art of Doubt, the album brings out the best elements of the band. Aided by a radical energy in the band’s instrumentation, frontwoman Emily Haines continues to provide a lens into her creative process while delivering her seamlessly effortless vocal talents in each song. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets $38.

Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.fillmoresilverspring.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Dante Pope

The latest release in Prophet’s discography is Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins, a concept album paying homage to the legendary artist responsible for “I Fought the Law,” made famous

by The Clash. The album is gritty and fun, and I’m glad Prophet hasn’t wiped the slate clean quite yet but instead, is focusing on spreading his version of “California noir.” Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $20.

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

I used to wonder why old school R&B music was so hard to replicate for newer artists.

Obviously, the genre still has a foothold on the popular conscience as you can hear it in movies or in samples for hiphop, but there is largely a dearth of new artists with this style.

Leon Bridges took hold of it as a notable vocalist to mention, but one on the rise is Dante Pope. The multi-instrumentalist has pipes channeling the 70s, and his ability to strum the guitar only heightens his deft musicianship. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $15-$17.

Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House: 2475 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

Gregory Porter

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Chuck Prophet

There are few better gifts for a Valentine than to see the wonderous Gregory Porter. His music is smooth and loving, borrowing vibes and emotions from 50s and 60s jazz – not to mention his sultry vocals. With his baritone contrasting with several backing instruments, Porter delivers songs perfect for a date night with your significant other. Show at 8 p.m.

Tickets $58-$108. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org

Dante Elephante

With an indie sound combining garage and surf, this group of four offers very enjoyable tunes to groove to. Whether you’re driving down a highway or jam-packed in the tiny, intimate DC9, these songs will carry you through. The lyrics come across as playful even when serious, and this isn’t a criticism because sometimes it’s helpful to laugh in the face of tough times.

Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $10. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dc9.club

Daughters

Back on the punk scene for the first time since 2010, Daughters returned with their 2018 release You Won’t Get What You Want. While everything about the group is punk, their pace is very deliberate compared to the break-neck speed the genre’s bands usually play at.

Instead, Daughters is a manic deliberation with chants for choruses. Plus, some of their music sounds like something you might hear in a horror film’s score. Doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

The Knocks

Chances are at least one of your favorite pop artists has collaborated with New York production duo The Knocks.

Carly Rae Jepsen, Foster the People, Sofi Tukker and X Ambassadors are just a few of the big names who have lent their vocal talent to the pair’s upbeat songs. To celebrate the release of their new album New York Narcotic, they’ll bring a fullfledged dance party to U Street.

Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Empress Of

Lorely Rodriguez has released countless synth-pop gems under the name Empress Of since 2012. You may also know her from standout spots providing her signature crystal clear vocals on albums by contemporaries like Dirty Projectors, Khalid, MØ and more. As her career progressed, so did her vocal and production prowess, giving us last year’s catchy album Us. Her earlier work sounds just as good today as it did upon release, and her single “Go to Hell” is the ultimate kiss-off to everyone who didn’t believe in Rodriguez – and it’s my go-to pick me up song when feeling discouraged. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

www.ontaponline.com | WINTER 2019 | On Tap

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Jacob Banks

You can’t mention Jacob Banks without mentioning the word soul. The Nigerian-born, British singer-songwriter is downright gripping when he steps in front of a microphone. From a grumble to a shout – all on key – this man has some serious range and versatility. His latest release, 2018’s Village, provides a perfect showcase for his talents – and he uses all of them to mystify listeners. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $20. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

Julia Holter

Though Julia Holter sings, the classification of composer feels most natural when describing the artist’s musical stylings.

Layered with wind instruments, drums and electronic sounds, her songs are absolutely packed with instrumentation – and the apparatus serving as the conductor’s baton is her voice.

Whether it’s whiny, melodic or on the verge of shouting, her vocals provide the direction for all of the carefully curated sounds to follow. Show at 7 p.m.

Tickets $17. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Anderson .Paak

In an era of rap and hip-hop where nearly all artists are singing their own choruses, it’s interesting to see the pendulum swing. Anderson .Paak represents a lyricist who has the same cadence and rhyming skills as a hip-hop artist, but with real pipes. This style is extremely fun to listen to and seems like it’s even more satisfying to make, as he frequently features rap giants like Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Dr. Dre. With his raspy delivery and West Coast cool, Anderson .Paak is as unique as they come.

Show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $78. The Theater at MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Ave. Oxon Hill, MD; www.mgmnationalharbor.com

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MNEK

It’s my humble opinion that MNEK should be one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and chances are the Londonbased artist has written or produced a song for one of your favorites. After all, the 24-yearold’s resume includes work for Beyoncé, Bastille, Stormzy and Diplo. I could go on, but you get the idea. And as I’m sure you’ve guessed, his solo work is just as impressive as the people he’s worked with. On the heels of his fantastic full-length album Language and countless impressive collaborations over the years, he’ll bring his innovative brand of pop to DC. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $17. Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; www.unionstage.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 James Blake

Rumors of James Blake’s new album have been swirling around the web as of late. He released two new singles last year and appeared on the Black Panther soundtrack but now, the world is ready for a new full-length album. If the rumors are true, the timing is perfect as he’ll hit DC in late February – hopefully with new tunes in tow. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $48.50. The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; www.theanthemdc.com

Liz Cooper & The Stampede Liz Cooper offers tremendous energy and a vibrant, upbeat demeanor on her latest record Window Flowers, the result of a yearlong effort to do something creative every day. Her style of sing-talking with a raspy delivery allows her to mix it up with each song, sometimes holding onto notes for a little longer than you’d expect – and sometimes letting them go with a breath. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $12-$15.

Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House: 2475 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

On Tap | winter 2019 | www.ontaponline.com

FRIDAY, FEBURARY 22 Kat Wright

If you’re in the mood for a retro sound this winter, look no further than Kat Wright.

The almost lo-fi production of her music sends you back in time, as her vocals help paint the picture of a nostalgic view. Her powerful vocals are accompanied by backing bass, drums, keys and a powerful three-piece horn section. While she may not provide a visual aesthetic of the jazz singer smoking a cigarette, her more modern stage presence will more than make up for it. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $12-$17. The Hamilton LIVE: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 The Suffers

Hailing from Houston, Texas, this eight-member band provides soul and R&B sensibilities with a pop music mentality. I say that because every song is jovial and enjoyable. With eight members, the band also has tremendous versatility, bouncing from sound to sound. The Suffers are led by vocalist Kam Franklin, who provides a powerful voice for the instruments to follow. Show at 7 p.m. Tickets $20. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

Vince Staples

If Kendrick Lamar is the current king of hip-hop, Vince Staples is the prince. One of the best lyricists in the genre, Staples has zigged while others have zagged – providing breathtaking commentary on the world as he sees it. Though not every song has a political point of view, the best tunes are when he’s locked in on a subject for the world to hear. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets $35. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

Washington Performing Arts Presents Lara Downes Inspired by Georgia O’Keefe’s words, the trailblazing, NPR chart-topping Lara Downes has channeled her prodigious creativity into an intimate

program of solo and ensemble works paying tribute to female composers and poets, both past and present. Her special guest is multi-instrumentalist/ composer/singer and MacArthur “Genius” Award winner Rhiannon Giddens, who, through her own work and performances as a member of the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, embodies precisely the ethos Downes had in mind. Downes’ performance is a special presentation by Washington Performing Arts.

Show at 8 p.m. Tickets $35.

Writeup provided by venue. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue: 600 I St. NW, DC; www.sixthandi.org

Western Den

Deni Hlavinka and Chris West met on a college forum after Hlavinka posted an idea for a song. The next day, West sent over a completed version and the serendipitous partnership has been unstoppable ever since. In Western Den, the pair focuses on melodic folk music – but instead of a heavy emphasis on guitar strums, their music shines a light on Hlavinka’s piano skills. Doors at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets $12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dc9.club

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Vundabar

Despite their most recent release meditating on illness and death, Boston’s Vundabar has been called “a ceaselessly jovial band” by Pitchfork, and their live shows are no exception. The contrast between the band’s existential, contemplative and sometimes downright depressing material paired with their jangly garage rock-influenced music makes the perfect pairing for those of us who love to dance but also contemplate life’s trickier questions. Bring that marriage to a live show and you’ve got a performance that’s equal parts a party and a therapy session.

Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

Photos: Shantel Mitchell Breen Photos: K. Gabrielle Photography

DC-based DJ Lemz and 9:30 Club Owner Seth Hurwitz hosted the first successful BENT: A New LGBTQ Dance Party event in early January.

Photos: Shantel Mitchell Breen

Union Stage hosted L.A. punk rock band The Regrettes last month for a high-energy show with a dose of brazen, unabashed attitude.

American rock band The Revivalists played a sold-out crowd at The Anthem on January 11 while on their Take Good Care tour.