Drink. Dine. Do. 03.17
FOODIE CITY POP-UP DINING WOMEN TO WATCH HISTORY OF HOPS SMITHSONIAN’S THERESA MCCULLA COLLEGE HOOPS SPORTSCASTER HAYLEY MILON IVY CITY’S SIP & DRY BAR
INSIDE
DUPONT UNDERGROUND
+ ST. PAT’S 2017
THE MAGNETIC FIELDS MURLARKEY DISTILLERY
PHILIPPA HUGHES & DAVID ROSS
march 11, 2017 rfk stadium festival grounds
Dropkick Murphys • House of Pain Coolio • Carbon Leaf • Street Dogs Go Go Gadjet • The Fighting Jamesons The Narrowbacks • The Interrupters Jeff From Accounting • The Muckers
Bastard Bearded Irishmen • Pat Premier • Rene Blood or Whiskey • Chris Styles • The Gobshites Gaelic Mishap • DJ 2Nutz • Clinton Matthews DJ Rise • EPX • Bobby Hash • DJ Josh • DJ Big C • DJ Octane buy tix at www.ShamRockfest.com
Table of Contents mARCH 2017: Vol 19 No 5
on our
cover Drink. Dine. Do. 03.17
FOODIE CITY POP-UP DINING WOMEN TO WATCH HISTORY OF HOPS SMITHSONIAN’S THERESA MCCULLA COLLEGE HOOPS SPORTSCASTER HAYLEY MILON IVY CITY’S SIP & DRY BAR
INSIDE
DUPONT UNDERGROUND
+ ST. PAT’S 2017
PHILIPPA HUGHES & DAVID ROSS
THE MAGNETIC FIELDS MURLARKEY DISTILLERY
who is on tap
Featured: Dupont Underground’s David Ross and Philippa Hughes Venue: Dupont Underground Photography: Lindsay Galatro Design: Alanna Sheppard
Founder James Currie Publisher Jennifer Currie
Making the dc scene
jennifer@ontaponline.com
This issue marks Managing Editor Monica Alford’s one-year anniversary with the magazine and she’s thrilled that the March 2017 issue highlights such an eclectic mix of what’s happening in our city. From our cover story on community-driven arts space Dupont Underground to our feature on the Smithsonian’s new beer historian, Theresa McCulla, we’re excited to share what’s making the DC scene this month with our readers. Check out stories on the rising trend of pop-up dining, women driving the foodie scene, Ivy City’s new Sip & Dry Bar, MurLarkey Distilled Spirits’ homemade whiskies, green cocktails to celebrate St. Pat’s, local sportscaster Hayley Milon and much more. Plus, read about indie darlings Tennis and the genre-defying Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, performing in DC this month.
Managing Editor Monica Alford
monica@ontaponline.com
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Trent Johnson
trent@ontaponline.com
Print & Digital Design Alanna Sheppard
alanna@ontaponline.com
Nick Caracciolo KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Tom Roth tomroth@ontaponline.com
Digital EDITOR Adrianne Morris
In this Issue
adrianne@ontaponline.com
n Stage & Screen The Select (The Sun Also Rises). . ......... 4 Stage & Screen Events........................... 6
Events & promotions manager Theresa Converse theresa@ontaponline.com
n March Roundup
10
12
Beauty & the Booze
Light in the Tunnel
Ivy City’s Sip & Dry Bar
Dupont Underground
Creating the Cover................................. 8 Sip & Dry Bar.......................................... 10 Dupont Underground. . ........................ 12 Drink, Dine, Do...................................... 18 Get Your Green On. . .............................. 21
n Sports Did You Know? March Madness. . ....... 46 Big Ten Tournament............................. 48 A Day in the Life.................................... 50
n Dining
34
40
History of Hops
All Fired Up
Beer Historian Theresa McCulla
Women to Watch in DC Dining
New, Notable, No Longer.................... 36 Women to Watch. . ................................. 40 Pop-Ups on the Rise. . ........................... 42
n Drinks MurLarkey Distilled Spirits.. ................ 26 Green Drinks.......................................... 28 Behind the Bar....................................... 30 What’s On Tap........................................ 32 Beer Historian Theresa McCulla. . ....... 34
n Music
42
56
Poppin’ Up
Up Close and Personal
Pop-Ups on the Rise
with The Magnetic Fields
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
SHIFT Festival’s Musical Hikes.................52 Tennis Sails into DC....................................54 The Magnetic Fields’ Stephin Merritt....56 Music Picks....................................................58
Events & Promotions Assistant Shannon Darling
shannon@ontaponline.com
OUTREACH COORDINATOR Kelcie Glass kelcie@ontaponline.com
Contributing Writers
Michael Coleman, Jake Emen, Lani Furbank, Keith Loria, Kayla Marsh, Jamie McCrary, Kaitlyn McQuin, Tom Roth, Courtney Sexton
Contributing Photographers
Shelly Coates, Lindsay Galatro, John Gervasi, Michelle Goldchain, Tatiana Herrera, Kayla Marsh, Cristina O’Connell On Tap Magazine is published 11 times per year. ©2017 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. www.ontaponline.com for more information.
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The Select (The Sun Also Rises) The Hemingway Classic Reimagined Photos: Rob Strong
By Keith Loria After finding theatrical success with literary adaptions of American classics The Great Gatsby and The Sound and the Fury, acclaimed New York theater ensemble Elevator Repair Service decided it should go for the trifecta with Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. And now local theatergoers can catch a performance of the ensemble’s third adaptation at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s (STC) Lansburgh Theatre through April 2. “In 2005, Gatz [the ensemble’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby] was a big hit for us,” says John Collins, Elevator Repair Service’s Artistic Director. “And normally, we try hard to do something completely different the next time, but we chose to do another novel with Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. Once that was done, I knew I wanted to make it a trilogy. I really enjoy the early 20th-century modernist style; writing that existed comfortably between something very contemporary and something very alien.” Collins drew an imaginary line between Fitzgerald and Faulkner, and the result was Hemingway. He started reading some of the author’s best-known works to see what would work as a play.
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
“My sense of Hemingway was from The Old Man and the Sea, but I was trying to find something that would spark an idea, and once I read The Sun Also Rises, the dialogue felt like it had been written for this company,” Collins says. “We had a number of actors who kind of fell right into parts as we were reading it out loud. We were a company of Americans and
an Australian, and we were traveling around Europe a lot. There was something easy to relate to with these expats winding around Europe and drinking too much. It was a good fit for us.” The story follows a group of American and British expatriates gallivanting their way through France and Spain, and landing in
“Collins drew an imaginary line between Fitzgerald and Faulkner, and the result was Hemingway.”
“There was something easy to relate to with these expats winding around Europe and drinking too much. It was a good fit for us.”
Pamplona where bullfighting and the fiesta rage in the streets. Jake, the narrator of the novel, carries heavy burdens of a war injury and his failure to win the heart of the woman he loves. Unlike the previous two plays in the series, which were done more or less verbatim, Collins chose to do a more conventional adaptation. The result, The Select (The Sun Also Rises), made its debut in 2009. “We pulled a play out of the novel because it was the dialogue that we were attracted to, and painted around the edges with narration,” Collins says. “This novel is a lot wittier than what most people associate with Hemingway.” In addition to directing, Collins will also be appearing onstage for the first time in this production as Robert Cohn, the hero’s foil. “I don’t normally do this, but I can with this show because we’ve performed this piece about 150 times now, so my input as a director is more or less done. I travel with the show to capture new ideas, and now I’ll get to be part of it all onstage.” The play features a lot of dancing and fun with sound effects, and even stages a bullfight in the middle of a café. “There’s a kind of joy and fun that’s there under the surface of this novel that we try to bring out,” Collins says. “Also, there’s something beautiful and truthful to the central relationship. It’s sweet and sad and Hemingway takes something tragic and has the beauty come through.” Don’t miss The Select (The Sun Also Rises) at STC’s Lansburgh Theatre through April 2. Tickets start at $44, and Young Prose Nights are on March 15 and 24.
STC’s Lansburgh Theatre: 450 7th St. NW, DC; 202-547-1122; www.shakespearetheatre.org
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Guests donned their most elegant masks and festive attire for the Mardi Gras celebration at Sofitel Washington, DC Lafayette Square in the heart of DC. Photos: Cristina O’Connell
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
5
Stage & Screen Events By Kaitlyn McQuin
THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 18 musings of annoying suitors, weird gifts and boring entertainment. Sometimes in life you just need to ask yourself if this is what you want, and if it’s not, can you get out of it? A hilarious and tragic narrative on life’s joys and heartbreak, this play is sure to leave you thinking. Tuesday through Sunday, various show times. Tickets are $20-$74. Studio Theatre: 1501 14th St. NW, DC; www.studiotheatre.org
FRIDAY, MARCH 10 – SATURDAY, MAY 20 Ragtime WNO Presents Dead Man Walking and Champion The Washington National Opera is preparing to hit us all with the feels with this duo of moving performances. Dead Man Walking (through March 11) tells the story of a death row inmate convicted of murder, and Champion (through March 18) is the story of a closeted gay boxer whose victory over a homophobic opponent leads to an unexpected tragedy. Both stories focus on the battle between ignoring who you are and coming to terms with your true self. Buckle up for a haunting ride on the self-discovery train and get to the Kennedy Center stat. Various dates and show times. Tickets start at $35. The Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.kennedy-center.org
THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 26 Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing Signature Theatre knows how to bring the funny, and they’re back at it again with Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing. Played by Emmy and Tony Award-winner Debra Monk, Mrs. Miller takes us on an entertaining journey of pushing through and flaunting it like you’ve got it, even when you don’t. Known for her singing being so bad, it’s good, this musical is sure to have you laughing and second-guessing abandoning any former passions of your own that you never quite mastered. Because if you’re anything like Mrs. Miller, you just don’t take no for an answer. Various dates and show times. Tickets are $40-$70. Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA; www.sigtheatre.org
FRIDAY, MARCH 3 – SUNDAY, APRIL 23 Three Sisters Do you ever find yourself in a situation thinking, “What just happened to me?” Now imagine that threefold and you’ve got Three Sisters. Chekhov was up to something when he wrote this play centered around siblings who just want out of their current daily
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Based on E.L. Doctorow’s popular novel, this Tonyaward winning musical sheds light on the American Dream by way of three entirely different families in the 20th century. The country teeters on the cusp of social change, causing the lives of a Jewish immigrant, a wealthy white family and a risky musician from Harlem to collide, changing the courses of their lives forever. This musical unapologetically confronts the optimistic and abrupt reality of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. With an all-star cast, crew and musical score, I can’t think of a better way to spend two hours and 45 minutes of your time. Various dates and show times. Tickets are $18-$71. Ford’s Theatre: 511 10th St. NW, DC; www.fords.org
THURSDAY, MARCH 16 - MONDAY, APRIL 17 What Every Girl Should Know and Dry Land One of the hot topics of conversation in today’s society (this is 2017, mind you) is the female body and what she is allowed, per the government’s choice, to do with it. Why not bring the debate to the stage? The Forum Theatre is proudly presenting two DC premieres, What Every Girl Should Know and Dry Land, two entirely different plays with the common theme of women’s reproductive rights and female empowerment. Both written and directed by powerhouse ladies, these shows are not to be missed. If gender equality, having a say on what’s right for your body, and what it’s really like to be a woman in today’s day and age tickles your fancy, these shows are for you. Various dates with show times at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $18. The Forum Theatre: 8641 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.forum-theatre.org
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 – SUNDAY, MARCH 26
The Second City’s We’re All in This Room Together Up for a little improvised action and in-your-face entertainment that even an episode of This Is Us on Hulu Plus can’t provide? Join the company known as “the Harvard of comedy,” The Second City, for some belly-laughing fun and silliness that tops the latest Trumpence antics. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 7 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $27-$32. Wolf Trap: 1635 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www. wolftrap.org
THURSDAY, MARCH 30 – SUNDAY, APRIL 23 ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore with King and No King Convergence Theatre is bringing the heat this spring (or is it technically still winter?) Rolling two plays into one evening of entertainment, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore with King and No King tells the tragic and comedic tale of a brother and sister committing the evercreepy act of incest. It’s like The Fall of the House of Usher, minus the isolation tank, I’m sure. Both plays brink on overcoming the sense of reason with passion, but yield incredibly different results. Want to know what happens? You’re not the only one (it’s me, I want to know what happens too). Various dates and show times. Tickets are $20, or see both shows for $30. The Lab at Convergence: 1819 N. Quaker Ln. Alexandria, VA; www.bravespiritstheatre.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 31 – SUNDAY, MAY 7 A Raisin in the Sun Known as the play that changed American theatre forever, A Raisin in the Sun touches on the American Dream and its vast interpretations. Chicagoans the Youngers come upon unexpected financial relief that promises to remove them from the confines of their small apartment. But when there’s a difference in their approach to escape surfaces, which path will they take? This play speaks out on the experiences of African Americans that are as relevant today as they were in 1959. A truly moving piece of theatre, this show is a must-see. Various dates and show times. Tickets start at $55. Arena Stage: 1101 Sixth St. SW, DC; www.arenastage.org
ignore your emails, turn off your cell phone and leave your ID badge at the office
it’s time to take a NIGHT OFF!
gets you a LIVE performance, an INVITE to a YOUNG PROSE NIGHT reception and FREE glass of wine or beer
NEXT YOUNG PROSE NIGHTS WILL BE HELD Wednesday, March 15 Friday, March 24 Lansburgh Theatre 450 7th St NW
202.547.1122 ShakespeareTheatre.org/Under35
Patrons must be 21 years or older. Valid ID required. Some restrictions apply. Subject to avalibility and connot be combined with other offers or previously purchased tickets.
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
7
on the scene
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THESE AND OTHER EVENTS, VISIT THE ONLINE GALLERY AT WWW.ONTAPONLINE.COM.
Creating the
COVER
Photos: Lindsay Galatro
DUPONT UNDERGROUND ’S ’ DAVID ROSS AND PHILIPPA HUGHES
We loved exploring Dupont Undergro und’s unique space for our Mar ch cover shoot. Ph otographer Lindsay Galatro shot the no nprofit’s managing director, David Ross, and board m ember Philippa Hu ghes, throughout the subterranean location, using diff erent art installatio from the Undergro ns und’s two current exhibits as vivid backdrops. Thanks to Dupont Underg round for this fabulous opportu nity, and to our ta lented creative te for all of their hard am work. Don’t miss ou r cover story on Dupont Undergro und on page 12. Emerging fashion designers from the United States showcased their collections at The Liaison Hotel during DC Fashion Week. PHOTOS: CRISTINA O’CONNELL
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ON TAP | MARCH 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
use code
“OnTap� save 10% on GA tix
Friday, April 14 | 7:00 p.m. | Dock 5 at Union Market
eventsDCcherryblast.com A premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
INSIDE IVY CITY’S
SIP & DRY BAR
Photos: Lindsay Galatro
By Monica Alford There are few things in life that aren’t more fun with a well-made cocktail in hand. Add getting your hair professionally done in a hip, industrial setting with a neighborhood vibe, and you’ve just stepped into Ivy City’s Sip & Dry Bar. The blowout bar opened in mid-January, and is one of the only salons in the DC area with a liquor license. I decided to check it out for myself within two weeks of the opening date, completely smitten with the idea of being pampered while sipping a tasty libation.
in Ivy City. The couple also own Desperados Burgers and Bar on U Street, and Pidzza’s three brand new locations (one next door to Sip & Dry and the other two in Chinatown and on U Street). Bozkurt was warm and genuine as she walked me through the space and shared her vision with me. “I was just tired of the conveyor belt style of regular blowout bars, and the stuffy vibe everywhere else,” she told me. “I thought it was ridiculous that I was spending hours inside these places, and they barely offered me a glass of tap water. So I thought I would
“I wanted a space with a story; something
RAW & BOLD.”
And full disclaimer: I had never visited a blowout bar, and have very few of my own hairstyling skills. So I went into this experience a total newbie, admittedly more excited for the drinks (I’d already perused the website to pick out which one sounded best to me) than the hairstyle. I was greeted at the door by a bubbly Sahar Bozkurt, Sip & Dry’s co-owner (she owns the space with her husband Koray). The 33-yearold hails from Northern Virginia, and now lives
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ON TAP | MARCH 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
combine the two things I love most in the world, besides my man and my puppy: blowouts and booze. It really was a nobrainer for me.” The down-to-earth entrepreneur decided to set up shop in Ivy City because she loves the history of the area, and the direction she sees the neighborhood going in. “I wanted a space with a story; something raw and bold.” Sip & Dry shares a wall with the historic
Hecht Warehouse, built in the 1930s and converted into a swanky apartment building several years ago. Bozkurt says she completed all of the design work and conceptualization of the salon herself, with Koray’s input. “I tried to keep as much of the raw warehouse feel as possible,” she said. “I wanted to mix the old with the new.” Sip & Dry really is the best of both worlds, blending vintage and contemporary elements. The entrance wall is painted with black-and-white vertical stripes, and the interior walls are a combination of the blackand-white striped theme and a pale pink (also featured on the exposed column in the center of the space). A sleek little bar takes up the front half of the salon, with a black accent wall and beautiful countertops. Two of the styling stations are divided by a huge circular standing mirror, about as tall as Bozkurt. But the pièce de résistance is the bathroom, with walls lined with pink flamingos that have little etchings in their feathers. “The bathroom is my favorite because it’s so over the top and unexpected,” Bozkurt said. “You can’t use flamingos without a little bit of the 80s Miami cha-cha flair.” After falling in love with Sip & Dry’s décor, it was time for me to check out the menu. The salon offers six hairstyle and cocktail pairings
Beauty & the Booze
for $48 each, with the ability to mix and match cocktails. I went with The Klasique, a “time-honored blowout with volume and bounce,” paired with a classic or sour apple martini. But in keeping with the theme of being super pumped to enjoy libations while getting dolled up, I naturally decided to try several cocktails. I was particularly intrigued by the vodka-spiked Shirley Temple (usually paired with The Dirty Shirley, “tousled, tawny beach hair” that’s “done to look undone”). Bozkurt exceeded my expectations, serving me a high-quality cocktail that was easily comparable to anything served at one of DC’s hip cocktail bars du jour. She served the drink with fresh strawberry puree, and told me she avoids using syrups or excess sugar in all of her drinks whenever possible. She said she plans to keep her cocktail menu simple, fresh and seasonal, with some occasional changes but not too many additions. I even learned about her homemade pineapple-infused vodka later in the evening. In short, she’s got mad cocktail-making skills.
Bozkurt also offers mocktinis to girls 10 and under, plus updos for $90, braids or ponytails added to blowouts for $12-$15, and full makeup by appointment only for $75. She said picking one pairing from the list is like someone asking who her favorite child is, but if she had to choose, she would go with The Sue Ellen (a whiskey slap, or Irish mojito, paired with big, bouncy curls with tons of volume). Her reason? “I love big hair (the higher the hair, the closer to God), and whiskey is definitely my favorite liquor.” As for me, I was thrilled with how I looked with The Klasique. My hairstylist was the perfect mix of personable and professional, and I truly enjoyed chatting with her over my several (don’t judge!) delicious cocktails. Bozkurt said she hopes to change the hair game a little with Sip & Dry, and to encourage her peers to step up their game and bring fun and enjoyment to their salons. “We have made so many amazing friends, and met some really interesting people,” she said of her experience as a local business owner. “I’m realizing what a great city this is and how much it has to offer.” A visit to Sip & Dry feels like hanging out with your best girlfriends – only you’re in a really stylish space while getting your hair done beautifully. I’ve already been back several times, and hope that the Bozkurts now consider me a regular. Sip & Dry is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday (as a cocktail bar only from 7-10 p.m.), 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (as a cocktail bar only from 8-11 p.m.) and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Follow Sip & Dry on Instagram @sipanddrybar to learn more about upcoming events, like the recent Pencils & Prosecco, “where you drink and sketch a nude model,” Bozkurt said. “You know, just a regular ol’ Tuesday night for us.”
Sip & Dry Bar: 2004 Hecht Ave. NE, DC; 202-831-9010; www.sipanddrybar.com
Sip & Dry Bar may be one of the only spots in DC that serves libations all day long, but some other salons around town have been known to add some bubbly, wine or cocktails to their service from time to time. Here’s a roundup of some local places on our radar to enjoy a drink while beautifying.
21 Nail Lounge The Shops at Pershing, 2209 N Pershing Dr. C, Arlington, VA www.21naillounge.com
Cherry Blow Dry Bar 1041 N Highland St. Arlington, VA or 2985 District Ave. Suite 165, Fairfax, VA www.cherryblowdrybar.com
Mimosa Salon 1706 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC or 1706 R St. NW, DC; www.mimosasalondc.com
Patsy’s Nail Bar 1926 I St NW, DC www.patsysnailbar.com
Sugar House Day Spa & Salon 111 N Alfred St. Alexandria, VA www.sugarhousedayspa.com www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
11
Light in the tunnel Dupont Underground By Monica Alford Photos: Lindsay Galatro
T
here are moments in life when you stumble upon something that feels remarkable, and your gut instinct is to hold on tight. As a writer, it’s those moments that can lead to the most compelling stories. On a Tuesday afternoon in late January, about 20 minutes into a private tour of a subterranean streetcar station reinvented as a creative space for the DC community, I knew I’d found a story worth telling: Dupont Underground. I was standing with the nonprofit’s managing director, David Ross, and board member Philippa Hughes of Pink Line Project, staring down the length of a pitch-black tunnel that was suddenly illuminated by bright, kaleidoscopic projections that seemed to pulsate to the beat of the music filling every inch of the immense space. I was completely mesmerized. Jared Bileski’s light tunnel is part of Dupont Underground’s current exhibit, Make It Work, an exploration of the different paths contemporary art can take in an industrial space. Ross curated the exhibit, and helped spark the idea for Bileski’s installation when experimenting with a projector in the tunnel during one of his many late nights directly beneath Dupont Circle. “The space is so large, you kind of have to be in it,” Ross says. “75,000 square feet is a lot. I spent a lot of time between 1 and 6 a.m. down there trying to figure out how things worked.” His initial involvement with the space was to record musicians and host live performances, but he’s now pursuing a full-fledged commitment to turning the web of underground platforms and tunnels into a thriving cultural facility. This transformation marks Dupont Underground’s fourth incarnation; first as a trolley station from 1949 to 1962, then as a fallout shelter in the late 60s and finally as a food court in the mid-90s, before being abandoned for years.
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ON TAP | MARCH 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Philippa Hughes and David Ross
Ross says everything changed when he got his own key and could explore after hours; that, and the constant questions from passersby in Dupont Circle peeking down the steps, asking what the space was and when it was opening. But in fact, the space was open last spring for the Re-Ball!: Raise/ Raze exhibit, a repurposing of more than 650,000 plastic balls used in the National Building Museum’s wildly popular Beach exhibit. Under the direction of Hughes, one of our city’s biggest advocates for a diverse, engaged arts and culture community, 1400 volunteers came together to build Re-Ball!: Raise/Raze. When the impactful community building experience ended, Ross noticed a lull in activity, and felt motivated to open the space back up to the public for tours. Different installations for Make It Work began coming together, including iGlow, a 36-foot-long glowing tunnel created by artist Hiroshi Jacobs that tourgoers are invited to walk through, and delicate wire sculptures by Reed Bmore that dangle from the ceiling of Dupont Underground and cast intricate shadows along its walls.
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Guests at RAW Washington, DC Presents Cusp at Howard Theatre enjoyed a night of artistic expression. The celebration included a showcase of music, film, and more. Photos: Cristina O’Connell
FRIDAYS, APRIL 7, 14, 21, 28/68PM BENNETT PARK ATRIUM/1601 CLARENDON BLVD/ENTRANCE ON PIERCE ST
APRILARTS&BEATS
Every Friday in It’s a happy hour like no other at your newest hot spot – Rosslyn CAFÉ at The Atrium. April, sip, socialize and savor complimentary local restaurant light-bites. Enjoy the work of local artists and the beats of D.J. Stacks. Cocktails, wine and beer will be available for Space is limited. Register at: purchase. FREE ROSSLYNVA.ORG/ROSSLYNCAFÉ
/ROSSLYNVA
#ROSSLYNCAFÉ www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
13
R
oss is also collaborating with Corey Stowers (a Re-Ball! volunteer and active member of the local arts community) on a second exhibit, Up From the Underground, a collection of murals at each of the nine entrances of Dupont Underground and graffiti art in the actual tunnel. Ross reached out to Stowers after someone broke into the space and tagged it with graffiti to ask if he knew anyone who could create graffiti art. Turns out, Stowers knew a whole crew of talented graffiti artists with distant memories of tagging spaces like Dupont Underground who were interested. “It gave the space a new identity,” Ross says. “And to be honest, it was probably one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences of my life getting to know them. Nothing was more fun than when we would wind down, and we’d all have a glass of bourbon together. I may or may not have teared up when they were gone.” For two weeks, Ross hung out with the artists as they collaborated and bickered and chainsmoked through thick clouds of spray paint. One artist’s wife brought him Jared Bileski’s depth-defying light tunnel sandwiches for lunch every day. Another sold cans of spray paint out of the back of his truck, piquing the interest of Dupont residents and business owners. Ross was initially nervous that Dupont Underground’s board members might view the installation as a continuation of the unwanted graffiti tagging, and walked around to the artists saying, “Listen, I need you to harness all of the talent you’ve gathered from the earth and try to put it on the wall.” “And they did,” he says. “And it was fun.”
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
The mural project is ongoing, with four of the nine entrances mostly complete. Ross wanted to do something to improve them, remembering this adage from his dad: “People will treat your space as you treat it.” “So I was like, ‘Alright, we’ve got to add something to this.’” Baltimore-based artist Paul Miracle, who was in Cub Scouts with Ross back in the day, tackled the first entrance last December. Ross said it was so cold that they both had to wear long johns while working on the mural, and scrape tape used while spray painting off the frozen concrete with their fingernails. Miracle’s rainbow-colored geometric mural is still a work in progress; he keeps coming back to make changes. Tattoo artist Jay Coleman created a seascape at the 19th Street entrance after scoping out the space with his son. Artist, illustrator and designer CYCLE contacted Ross when he caught wind of the project, imploring him not to paint over his graffiti tag at one of the entrances from 25 years ago. Ross offered him one better and invited the muralist to paint one of the entrances; he even paid for his Airbnb to sweeten the deal. CYCLE’s mural has an astronaut at the center of it, and his early 90s graffiti remains intact. Street artist and filmmaker Nils Westergard came up from Richmond to paint the fourth mural, a series of women’s faces in monochromatic shades, in three days. “People that had never met him heard he was in town and just showed up,” Ross says of Westergard’s fanbase. “We were under a grate, and people were just talking to him through it.” Ross is putting out feelers to women muralists for the other four entrances, but plans for the ninth, “the skinny one,” remain TBD.
on the scene
NAT GEO NIGHTS
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THESE AND OTHER EVENTS, VISIT THE ONLINE GALLERY AT WWW.ONTAPONLINE.COM.
EVERY THIRD THURSDAY | 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Join National Geographic for special monthly happy hours that feature live stories from Nat Geo explorers, fun interactive activities, lively music, food, and drink specials at our cash bar. Admission to the National Geographic Museum is included. Tickets start at $15.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
THUR, MAR 16
Meet and hear stories from some of the intrepid explorers whose work is showcased in our Earth Explorers exhibition. Join KENNY BROAD, CHRIS A. JOHNS, ERIKA BERGMAN, and GINA MOSELEY on an epic adventure to discover new species; study animal behavior; and learn about how technology, innovation, and ingenuity help explorers make and document their discoveries. HAPPY HOUR | 5:30 - 8:00 PM
PHOTO: KRIS DAVIDSON
EARTH EXPLORERS
THUR, APR 20
FIELD NOTES: PERU THUR, MAY 18
PHOTO: KRIS DAVIDSON
EXPEDITION RAW
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
natgeo.org/natgeonights
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC | 17TH & M STS NW | WASHINGTON, D.C.
Guests experienced the sights, sounds, and tastes of New Orleans by listening to four of Nat Geo’s explorers, photographers tell amazing stories of resilience and hope. PHOTOS: MICHELLE GOLDCHAIN
Farragut Square Metro stops on the Orange, Blue, Red and Silver lines.
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D
upont Underground reopened on January 6, with nearly every wave of tours selling out. Ross still records live music in the space, and hosts intimate events like Sofar Sound shows and Literaoke (writers + karaoke) nights. But he sees the space becoming home to so much more, “a place that continues to do cuttingedge, inclusive work, and to help create and really shape an artistic movement within the city.” Hughes, who lauds Ross for being a doer and not just a talker, shares his vision. In her mind, the possibilities are endless for using the space as a vehicle for community-driven art and engagement experiences. “It’s such a weird space that it’s asking for experimentation,” she says. “It is literally this raw space. We can literally do anything in it.” It’s these opportunities that keep Hughes involved in the nonprofit, even after Re-Ball! ended and Ross reimagined the space for its current exhibits. The way she describes why she’s drawn to Dupont Underground, it’s almost as if the tunnel has a life of its own. “It literally feels different as you descend. It’s a different world down there.” And thinking big picture, she says the space reinforces that we aren’t just a city of politics and bureaucrats. “Dupont Underground is a point on this grid of cool things happening around DC. There really is this whole world out there that people don’t think about at all. And in a way, Dupont Underground symbolizes that because it is this sort of weird, secret space.” Hughes and Ross have been approached about everything from classical music to tap dancing, and even a political haunted house. They both love the idea of a site-specific dance performance, and other types of immersive experiences not yet explored in the space. While leading tours, several volunteers have found journals kept by the homeless people who used to seek shelter there. Ross has
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
considered the idea of somehow sharing those people’s stories, but not without striving mightily to track them down first to get their permission. They both truly value the historical significance of the space, soaking up stories about what its meant to different people over the years. A man approached Ross not too long ago and said that this was his home more than two decades ago. Another man talked to Hughes at the Re-Ball! opening and told her that when he was a little boy, he used to wait with his mom for the trolley that would take him to school. “DC has so much incredible, rich history,” Hughes says. “I feel like there’s something about the Underground. We’re digging down and seeing these incredible stories.” She and Ross are both quick to credit architect and founder Julian Hunt with his extensive knowledge of the history of the space. Hunt says that after years abroad in Barcelona, he understood the role that architects could play in defining an urban identity. “I just had the eye,” he says. And like his colleagues, Hunt remains unwavering in his mission, looking directly ahead at what’s next for Dupont Underground. “The vision is the same as it was in the beginning, unchanged: a cultural event and exhibition space to explore the future of the city, a space for the city to talk to itself and project a cultural identity of its own, distinct from the federal.” Together, the driving forces behind Dupont Underground want to create an authentic experience within our community, bringing people together to engage in what Ross calls “a social experiment.” My interpretation? He’s writing the next chapter of the Underground’s story, and he’s inviting us to join him.
Tickets to tour Dupont Underground are $15; tours last 45 minutes. Learn more at www.dupontunderground.org.
this special event hosted at the Artisan Confections Arlington workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the artistry involved in transforming the humble cocoa bean into your favorite Artisan Confections bonbon. 7-8:15 p.m. Tickets cost $30. Artisan Confections: 1025 N Fillmore St. Arlington, VA; www.artisanconfections.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 10 SATURDAY, MARCH 11 DC Bluegrass Festival The DC Bluegrass Festival is back, with performances from The Steep Canyon Rangers, Band of Ruhks, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, plus more. There are single-day tickets and full festival tickets available, starting at $15. Sheraton Tysons Hotel: 8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA; www.dcbluegrassfest.org All Drink, Dine, Do event listings are provided by the venues hosting them.
SATURDAY, MARCH 11
Compiled by On Tap staff
THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 11
Selfie: Me, Myself and Us CulturalDC is pleased to present Selfie: Me, Myself and Us by the Sparkplug Collective through March 11 at Flashpoint Gallery. The exhibition features innovative work by eight local artists who will examine our cultural obsession with selfies and our narcissistic desire to record and manipulate digital representations of ourselves. Flashpoint Gallery: 916 G St. NW, DC; www.culturaldc. org/2016/09/flashpoint-gallery2016-17-season/
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 Women in the Arts: Pop-up Gallery and Happy Hour International Women’s Day is a
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THURSDAY, MARCH 9
Chocolate Tour of DC Come join your expert tour guide for a delightful stroll through some of the Washington's most decadent dessert boutiques and chocolatiers in Georgetown on the DC Chocolate Tour. From handmade salted caramel truffles to postmodern takes on the dark stuff, the Chocolate Tour of Washington, DC will take you to chocolate paradise and beyond. Chocoholics everywhere will love this tour! 12-3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $50. The Old Stone House: 3051 M St. NW, DC; www.besttours.com
Chocolate Tasting and Demonstration: From Bean to Bonbon Join Artisan Confections Owner Jason Andelman for an evening of chocolate tasting, demonstration and discussion of all things chocolate. In
Whisky Live Whisky Live USA prides itself on bringing together the finest whiskies, great food and a range of education and entertainment to make learning about whisky both fun and stimulating. Whether you are a whisky enthusiast, an uninitiated newcomer or just looking for a day out that offers you something different, Whisky Live USA has something for
global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This day is not only a call to action for gender equality, but also a celebration of all women. Come celebrate women and the arts in Georgetown this International Women’s Day. Join for drinks, music and amazing local art at Kit and Ace’s Georgetown location. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free to attend. Kit and Ace: 3263 M St. NW, DC; www.kitandace.com
On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
everyone. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $139. Grand Hyatt Washington: 1000 H St. NW, DC; www.tasteusa.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
Pi(e) Day Festivities and Fundraiser with Whisked! Celebrate Pi Day with Whisked! at Colony Club. They’ll have pies by the slice from their new spring menu (like Dutch almond apple, black and white chess and lemon coconut), scoops of ice cream from Ice Cream Jubilee, drinks available at the bar, a raffle with awesome prizes, and lots of music and mingling. A ticket will grant you a slice of pie and one free drink, plus 20 percent of ticket proceeds will be donated to the ACLU. 6-10 p.m. Tickets cost $12.50. Colony Club: 3118 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; www.colonyclubdc.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 14 SUNDAY, MARCH 26
Environmental Film Festival The Environmental Film Festival in DC is the world’s premier showcase of environmentallythemed films, with more than 150 films. Often combined with thematic discussions and social events, the films screen at museums, embassies, libraries, universities and local theaters. Many of the screenings are free. Various times and prices. Environmental Film Festival: Various locations in DC; www.dceff.org
Drink | Dine | Do
Thursday, March 16 Nat Geo Nights: Earth Explorers Every month National Geographic Museum opens its doors for a night of fun and exploration. These special monthly happy hours feature live stories from Nat Geo explorers, fun interactive activities, lively music, food, and drink specials at our cash bar. Admission to the Museum is included. The events begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until 8:00 p.m. Each evening will kick off with a happy hour with handson activities such as drink tastings, small bites and trivia. This month, meet and hear stories from some of the intrepid explorers whose work is showcased in the Earth Explorers exhibition. Join Kenny Broad, Chris A. Johns, Erika Bergman, and Gina Moseley, and learn about how technology, innovation, and ingenuity help explorers make and document their discoveries.
couscous and other dishes. Plus, a concert of Ankraf Band (traditional music from the middle Atlas region) and Tazenzart Group (traditional music from the small Atlas, or Souss, region). Following the concert, you will taste traditional Moroccan cuisine with couscous (vegetarian and chicken). 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30-$35. Alliance Francaise de Washington DC: 2142 Wyoming Ave. NW, DC; www.francedc.org
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FRIDAY, MARCH 17 SATURDAY, MARCH 18
In-Network with most PPO insurances Bethesda Film Fest The fifth annual Bethesda Film Fest will feature five short documentaries made by local filmmakers, with screenings at 7 p.m. on March 17 and 6 and 8 p.m. on March 18. A discussion with the filmmakers will follow each screening. Tickets cost $10. Imagination Stage: 4908 Auburn Ave. Bethesda, MD; www.bethesda.org
March Madness is at the Hare! Watch full tournament coverage starting on
For more information and tickets, visit www.nationalgeographic.org/ events.
Thursday, March 16th @ Noon
St. Patrick’s Day
Hop in on for live music by FELLOWCRAFT!
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
A Morocco Evening Enjoy live music, a discussion of Berber culture, and of course, traditional Moroccan
DentalBug
Taste on Wheels: Green Eggs & Kegs Taste on Wheels presented by Taste of DC is a food truck event series celebrating the vibrant food truck scene in
Great specials all weekend!
HOPINCRAWLOUT.COM 567 South 23rd Street, Arlington, VA
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on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Drink | Dine | Do the Mid-Atlantic. The Green Eggs & Kegs edition of Taste on Wheels features a host of trucks with Irish breakfast themes and a signature "taste" item priced $3 or under. Every general admission attendee will receive a drink ticket with their admission, and bottomless drinks ticket holders will receive unlimited pours of green beer and mimosas. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yards Park: 355 Water St. SE, DC; www.eventbrite.com
and tours of our special exhibit An Agreeable Tyrant: Fashion After the Revolution. Come explore the DAR Museum after hours and discover what it means to have an “agreeable evening.” 5-7:30 p.m. DAR Museum: 1776 D St. NW, DC; www.dar.org/museum
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
Exploring Southern Hemisphere Small Growers and Owners This event is aimed to host a select gathering of like-minded wine and food lovers who are eager to share wine, stories, laughter and friendship. It welcomes you whether you are an entry level wine drinker or a well-traveled wine connoisseur. The six to eight wines sampled are carefully hand-selected by a premier wine buying team. Along with the wines showcased for the evening, there will also be light snacks. The event goes from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets cost $35. Cork & Fork DC: 1522 14th St. NW, DC; www.corkandfork.co
FRIDAY, MARCH 24
Mess Hall was open to the public for Ramen World 3, one of DC’s favorite Asian concepts, featuring bites and drinks from Sushi Taro, Haikan, Bantam King and more. Photos: Michelle Goldchain
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
An Agreeable Evening Don’t miss this 19th-century happy hour at the DAR Museum. The evening will include live folk music by local musicians, tastings of various hard ciders, light hors d’oeuvres,
In the Hot Seat Laugh Index Theatre presents its monthly Saturday night comedy show with some of the best comedians and improvisers in town. Tickets cost $10 online and $15 cash only at the door. The show starts at 10 p.m. DC Arts Center: 2438 18th St. NW, DC; www.dcartscenter.org
SUNDAY, MARCH 26
Social Yoga On Tap Come sweat with yoga teacher Patti Bounds and feel the benefits of a stronger body, mind and spirit. Start the day slow following yoga with a nice, cold Old Bust Head Beer, and lunch and donuts from the Fork'd food truck. 10-11:15 a.m. Tickets cost $12. Old Bust Head Brewing Company: 7134 Lineweaver Rd. Warrenton, VA; www.oldbusthead.com/shop/ events
All event listings are provided by the venues hosting them.
Compiled by On Tap staff
TUESDAY, MARCH 7
Fado’s Perfect Pint The District’s best bartenders compete to see who pours the best pint of Guinness. The winner of the prestigious title is bequeathed a $500 prize. So if you’re interested in seeing a local bartender achieve a feather in their beer-pouring cap, swing by and take in this competition. Starts at 7 p.m. Fado Irish Pub: 808 7th St. NW, DC; www.fadoirishpub.com/ washington
FRIDAY, MARCH 10 The Capital Club's Annual Shamrock Soiree The Capital Club invites you to once again kiss the blarney
stone at the 22nd annual Shamrock Soiree. This year, for all the revelers, there will be a beer and wine open bar from 9-11 p.m. Space is limited in the venue, so buy your tickets early for your favorite Irish jigs, surprises and an all-American good time. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets $55. Flavio DC: 1073 31st St. NW, DC; www.flaviodc.com.
Patrick's Day Parade from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will feature a pipe band, marching band, music, animals and more. Free to attend. Gaithersburg Parade: 9811 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD; www.gaithersburgmd.gov/ leisure/st-patricks-day-parade
SATURDAY, MARCH 11
Gaithersburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade The City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with Rio Washingtonian Center and the Harp and Shamrock Society, will host the 17th annual St.
Leprechaun Lap Letting go of fool’s gold and inhibitions at DC’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day bash. Tickets to this full blarney blowout include plenty of shamrock shenanigans and exclusive drink specials such as $3 Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, $4 Summer Shandy, $5 mixed drinks and an endless supply of Gaelic indulgence. 2-10 p.m. Tickets are $6-$10. Sign of the Whale: 1825 M St. NW, DC; www.joonbug.com
Manassas St. Patrick’s Day Parade The city of Manassas celebrates St. Patrick’s Day each year with a community parade featuring Irish dance groups, the Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe and Drum, Washington Scottish Pipe and Drum, Fairfax County Sheriff ’s Coalition Pipe and Drum, the Marine Corps Color Guard, and other areas groups and organizations. 11 a.m. start time. Old Town Manassas: 9431 West St. Manassas, VA; www.stpatparade.net Shamrock Crawl DC The Shamrock Crawl is a time of festive jubilation, so let your Irish cheer run free! Join
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thousands of fellow beer lovers in celebrating a day full of green revelry at some of DC’s most popular bars. Attendees will also receive a shamrock mug, party favors and a raffle entry for great prizes. 2-10 p.m. Tickets are $25-$40. The Front Page: 1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW, DC; www.theshamrockcrawl.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Brunch A great family day with live Irish music and Irish dancers. The Maple School of Irish Dance will be dancing after the parade and the music, by Danny Burns and Aine O’Doherty will begin at 2 p.m. Fado Irish Pub: 808 7th St. NW, DC; www.fadoirishpub. com/washington
SUNDAY, MARCH 12 DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade Washington, DC celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a parade along Constitution Avenue. This two-and-a-half-hour special event, known as the nation's St. Patrick's Day Parade, includes floats, marching bands, pipe bands, military, police and fire departments. St. Patrick's Day is a family day in Washington, DC bringing people together to share the culture of the Irish. Downtown DC: From 7th to 17 Streets in NW, DC; www.dcstpatsparade.com
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St. Baldrick’s Foundation Fundraiser at Boundary Stone Boundary Stone’s annual event will raise funds for childhood cancer research at the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, with local teams competing to collect donations before taking their turn in the barber’s chair. Atlas Brew Works, DC Brau and Port City Brewing will participate.
On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Shaves will be provided by event partner Barber of Hell’s Bottom. Fundraiser kicks off at 3 p.m. To donate, volunteer or sign up to be a “shavee,” visit www.boundarystonedc. com. Boundary Stone: 116 Rhode Island Ave. NW, DC; www.boundarystonedc.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 Guinness Dinner Enjoy a three course dinner prepared by Chef Pedro Flores, featuring yellow fin tuna poke, paired with Harp; slow braised pork shank paired with Smithwicks; and a black and white crème brulee paired with Guinness. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. Tickets $45. Ireland’s Four Courts: 2051 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.irelandfourcourts.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 17 6th Annual St. Paddy’s Homebuyer Happy Hour Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like a
rock star! This 6th Annual happy hour hosted by Tori McKinney features a tapping of Rock Star Irish Red Ale, live music by Magnolia Blue, and tips on on how to submit a winning offer on a house. 4-8 p.m. Free to attend. Mad Fox Brewing Company: 444 W. Broad St. #1, Falls Church, VA; www. madfoxbrewing.com
St. Pat’s Day: Shamrock & Roll Bash Doors open early at 8 a.m. Enjoy a free Irish breakfast and $1 Guinness, Jameson, Smithwichs and Harp from 9-11 a.m. Catch live music from Untwisted Mister and Donuts For Dinner. All that before closing out with
East Coast’s original 80s tribute band, The Reagan Years. Early bird tickets cost $10. Union Jack’s: 9811 Washington Blvd. Gaithersburg, MD; www.unionjacksrio.com St. Patrick’s Day at The Dubliner The event celebrates a day famous for green garments and Irish pride. The Dubliner is one of the largest suppliers of Guinness in DC, and will celebrate the holiday and its 40th anniversary with two parties, including live bands on multiple stages. All day. The Dubliner, inside the Phoenix Park Hotel: 4 F St. NW, DC; www.dublinerdc.com St. Patrick’s Day at O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub With performances by Baltimore rock band Poehemia and Irish dancers from the Boyle School of Irish Dance kicking it off in the early portion, and Mike Scoglio rounding out the late afternoon, this is a perfect opportunity to kick your feet up in an Irish pub atmosphere. Willem K Dicke will close the show. 11 a.m. O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub: 3207 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA; www. osullivansirishpub.com St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Mad Fox Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with traditional Irish-style craft beer, food specials and live music. Beer releases include St. James Irish Dry Stout and Tori's Rockstar Red Irish Red Ale. Live music by Magnolia Blue. 3-10 p.m. Free to attend. Mad Fox Brewing Company: 444 W. Broad St. #1, Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 18 Clover Beer Fest 2017 Thanks to the luck o' the Irish, Clover Beer Fest is returning for 2017, stocked with your favorite Irish beers and ciders, plus unlimited access to green beer. There will be tasty brats, bagpipes and brews. Plus,
tastings of more than 100 beers and ciders, unlimited full pour beverages, access to DC area food vendors, and live entertainment all day. Session one from 1-4 p.m., session two from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $20$49. Yards Park: 1300 1st St. SE; www.cloverbeerfest.com DC Leprecrawl The Leprecrawl is DC's best St. Patrick's Bar Crawl so break out your green gear and get ready to enjoy awesome beer and whiskey specials at Chinatown's best bars during this all day event. Check in at RFD from 12-3 p.m. Event from 12-9 p.m. RFD: 810 7th St. NW, DC; www.dcleprecrawl.com St. Paddy’s at Starr Hill Brewery Starr Hill Brewery is bringing the luck of the Irish, and they’ll be turning the tap room into its own Irish pub, featuring peppermint paddy mint chocolate stout. Plus, a special selection of beers and delicious Irish-style food offerings from local chefs along with live music and games all for a great cause. 12-7 p.m. Tickets are $17-$20. Starr Hill Brewery: 5391 Three Notched Rd. Crozet, VA; www.starrhill.com
CELEBRATE
St Patrick’S day
E
njoy our tasty menu items, unusual wines from around the globe and specialty beers from many of the world’s best craft brewers. Watch the tournament unfold during March with us and enjoy our specialty pizzas along with the many delicious brews offered both on tap and bottled.
208 Queen St., Alexandria, VA • 703-683-0300 www.bilbobaggins.net
Come Get Your GREEN On! 6th Annual
St. Paddy’s Homebuyer Happy Hour Friday, March 17 4-8pm St. Patrick’s Day Kindred Spirits Whisky Class Don’t miss this whisky-drinking, wisdom-gaining event for you and your friends all about Irish whisky in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Included in your ticket to this whisky basics class is a welcome beverage, tastings of three Irish whiskies, Irish-inspired food and Irish rock ‘n’ roll. Best Irish garb wins a special prize. 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $40. The Next Whisky Bar: 2650 Virginia Ave. NW, DC; www.eventbrite.com
Irish Red Ale Tapping Live Music by Magnolia Blue Learn how to submit a winning offer at
sponsored by:
Falls Church
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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ShamrockFest’s Quest for the Best
Irish Celebration For the past 18 years, DC has enjoyed a plethora of celebration opportunities for the greenest holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. For nearly two decades, ShamrockFest has been among the choices, offering an experience blending traditional Irish flare with a music festival, delicious food and a diverse array of options for its attendees.
associated with the holiday because of its Irish roots, but lately the festival has sought acts from other genres as well. This year’s festival includes old school hip-hop acts in House of Pain and Coolio, as well as fan favorite Irish music stalwart Dropkick Murphys.
“We always want to balance having a great time and celebrating the traditions of St. Patrick’s Day while keeping everyone safe and making sure it’s a great experience for all,” organizer Kelly North says. “We have a diverse group of people who come to the event.”
“It was definitely intentional,” North says. “One thing is, obviously, all of the big Celtic bands are in high demand at this time of year. We try to stick to Irish roots for the festival, but we do take into account what people enjoy. This year, we definitely have more diversity than other years. Last year we brought in Vanilla Ice and got great feedback from that performance, so we want to continue to incorporate that kind of nostalgia this year.”
The festival usually promotes Celtic rock, a genre that has become heavily
As the festival has grown over the years, the attendance has risen steadily into
the thousands. But with the growing population in the DMV, every festival brings new patrons, and North wants them to understand the value of this catchall event. If you’re looking for a little bit of everything in a celebration, ShamrockFest is a safe bet for an enjoyable experience. “People can expect a big fun party, basically,” North says. “I truly love to see when the headliners come out. It’s really cool to see everyone singing along and throwing their fists in the air. It’s super rewarding for us to see everyone just dance and absolutely enjoy the moment that they’re in.” ShamrockFest takes place from 2-10 p.m. on March 11. Tickets are $25-$75.
RFK Stadium: 2400 E Capitol St. SE, DC; www.shamrockfest.com
Show Your True Colors... St. Patrick’s Day: • Drink Specials • All You Can Eat Buffet ($15, Starts at 4 PM )
• Our Patio is Always Open!
Fun Irish Atmosphere! 1301 S. Joyce St. • Arlington • Pentagon Row • Pentagon City 703-415-4420 • www.sineirishpub.com 24
On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Sunday, March 12th
Parade Day
Doors open @ 9AM - Brunch Served until 2PM - Live music with Danny Burns and Aine O’Doherty @ 2PM
Monday, March 13th
Paddy’s Day Pub Quiz Starts @ 8PM - Great prizes, DC BRAU and Jameson Specials
Friday , March 17th
St. Patrick’s Day Door Open at 8AM | Cover starts at 2PM - Brunch served until 11AM - Ice Wagon Flu @ 2PM - Lloyd Dobbler Effect @8:30PM
fadoirishpub.com 808 7th Street NW | DC | 202-789-0066 please drink responsibly
Whiskey with a Twist By Kayla Marsh What do you get when you put together cousins, in-laws and Irish heritage? The answer is MurLarkey Distilled Spirits in Bristow, Va. Since opening its doors a year ago, the local distillery has built a reputation for its six classic distilled spirits including four whiskies, a vodka and a gin, as well as 10 unique whiskey infusions. “Our fusions are naturally-infused products,” says cofounder Mike Larkin. “Those are the ones that have really put us on the map because not a lot of people are making banana, blueberry or pineapple whiskies.”
Photos: Kayla Marsh
Justice, MurLarkey’s award-winning white whiskey, is the base for the no-sugar-added infused spirits, which also include honey, coffee, tea, strawberry and grapefruit. The whiskies are 95 proof, so adding a little bit of ice helps to break the surface tension. MurLarkey uses old oak wine barrels, cutting a hole at the top to flavor and age the whiskies with a breathing method that involves stirring and oxygenating the products rather than smothering it with wood. It’s like drinking a glass of wine from the bottle, which is tight at first, but then as it goes through the decanter and sits for a while, really blossoms and opens up. “We’re doing that right from the beginning of our fermentation and maturation [process],” Larkin says. “I think it really gives us a roundness and an age profile.” With all five distilled bottled spirits sold at dozens of ABC stores in Northern Virginia, the distillery receives business every weekend with tours and five half-ounce tastings of its whiskey infusions. Tourgoers get to learn all about the family business and playful atmosphere starting in the “ready room,” where they get a glimpse
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
of old Irish poitíns on display before being exposed to the massive, China-made stills that were imported through the Panama Canal, including a 750-gallon mash top. From crafting clever product names to discovering new recipes, the creative minds behind MurLarkey steer clear of corporate trends and strive for originality. “We’re thinking way outside the box with the products we’re inventing, and we’re not looking at this through a standard lens,” Larkin says. “I’m not from Jack Daniels, and our distillers aren’t from Jim Bean Suntory. We’re not from the industry, therefore we’re not looking at our product stack through the eyes of a typical industry person. We throw all that out.” Larkin and his cofounder, Tom Murray (also MurLarkey’s CEO), are first cousins. The pair started working on this project just a few years ago; the name MurLarkey is the combination of Murray, Larkin and Kelly. Kelly is the maiden name of their mothers, whose parents came to the United States from Ireland just before World War II. The cousins came up with the name MurLarkey over a few drinks, also stemming from the word “malarkey,” which is Irish for nonsense. Larkin’s father-in-law, a Russian master chef from New York, works behind the bar and makes a mean blueberry whiskey martini, while Larkin’s college roommate Jim Curry also works for the business. Larkin and Murray’s mothers-in-law also play a part in the all-hands-on-deck process of the distillery by helping bottle the products straight from the barrel at 150 bottles per hour. “I think just being family and working together says enough as far as how much we really honor our family’s name and what they did coming from Ireland,” Larkin says.
After an attempt to flavor the whiskey with Atomic Fireballs in the experimental stage, it was clear Murray and Larkin needed to focus on flavoring the spirits with organic ingredients. Two pounds of organic lemon peel go into one of the barrels for two weeks, and come out a perfect yellow color to create Clemoncy, the lemon-infused whiskey. For Cincerity, the cinnamon-infused whiskey, it’s the same process but with eight pounds of cinnamon in the barrel. The distillery’s top seller at Virginia ABC stores, Divine Clarity, is a potato-made vodka mainly purchased for use by restaurants. And the top seller at the distillery is Clemoncy. Customers love that it’s light and mixable, and often end up buying a few bottles to take home. MurLarkey released a special edition product, Brutality, last fall. The fourth cask of this limited reserve, barrel-aged, dark whiskey rolls out early this month. Larkin and Murray are currently working on an Irish whiskey, Heritage, that should be ready to hit shelves by St. Pat’s. Tours at MurLarkey cost $5 per person, and are given by appointment Monday through Wednesday, and on Friday and Saturday at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Larger groups up to 10 are encouraged to reserve their own tours, followed by tastings priced at $15 per person.
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
MurLarkey Distilled Spirits: 7961 Gainsford Ct. Bristow, VA; 571-284-7961; www.murlarkey.com
St. Patrick’s Day cocktail
D
Irish RedHead
itch the mimosas for your St. Patrick’s Day brunch, and swap them out for an Irish Redhead. This orange sunset ombre cocktail is a combination of ginger beer, Cincerity (cinnamon-infused whiskey), maraschino syrup and orange juice. The cinnamon doesn’t overpower the drink, and the light carbonation from the ginger beer is refreshing. Start drinking these early in the day to start celebrating the right way.
Drink Local Whiskey at Five Area Distilleries Catoctin Creek Distillery 120 W Main St. Purcellville, VA; www.catoctincreekdistilling.com Jos. A. Magnus & Co. 2052 West Virginia Ave. NE, DC; www.josephmagnus.com Lost Ark Distilling Co. 9570 Berger Rd. Suite L, Columbia, MD; www.lostarkdistilling.com McClintock Distilling 35 S. Carroll St. Frederick, MD; www.mcclintockdistilling.com One Eight Distilling 1135 Okie St. NE, DC; www.oneeightdistilling.com
Guests at the DC Distiller’s Festival enjoyed a one-of-a-kind speakeasy experience while sampling over 60 specially-selected craft spirits. Photos: John Gervasi
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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n e e r G Go
I
en
By Jake Em
f you think that green beer is the only way to get festive for St. Patrick’s Day, then it’s time to branch out and go in a different direction. The city’s best bars and bartenders are making it easy to do so, with an array of green-hued libations to enjoy, incorporating everything from matcha and chartreuse to cucumber and arugula.
Arugula Martini at Marcel’s
The Dhaniya Cooler at Rasika West End
With Hendrick’s Gin, St. Germain, arugula leaves, agave nectar, fresh lime juice
Photo: Courtesy of Marcel's
Marcel’s knows a thing or two about whipping up a well-made martini, but they aren’t afraid to change things up, either. Enter the Arugula Martini, a popular choice on the cocktail menu incorporating fresh-pressed arugula leaves for a peppery hit that plays well with the combination of Hendrick’s Gin and St. Germain. Marcel’s: 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www.marcelsdc.com
With Sipsmith London Dry Gin, Fonseca Siroco, Giffard Orgeat syrup, lemon juice, cilantro
Photo: Courtesy of Rasika West End
Et Tu, Brute? at Urbana
Banjaxed Cured at Firefly
With Grappa Mazzetti, green chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, lime juice
With Jameson, Ardbeg, dry curacao, tomatillos, Green Cholula hot sauce, cilantro, jalapeno, basil, thyme, rosemary, cucumber, capers, green peppers, Irish blackening seasoning
Photo: Courtesy of Firefly
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Brendan Ambrose has taken the tomatillo Bloody Mary up a few notches here. “Banjaxed” is Irish slang for a person who’s hungover. Ambrose therefore opted for Jameson whiskey as the base spirit, and kicks it up with peaty Islay scotch from Ardbeg, green jalapeno, hot sauce and an array of seasonings and add-ons. If this doesn’t cure what ails ya, you might be in trouble. Firefly: 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW, DC; www.firefly-dc.com
On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
The Dhaniya Cooler gets its green hue from fresh cilantro. The herb is pulverized with an immersion blender before the drink is shaken and strained. The refreshing libation is then topped with a cucumber garnish for an extra green-on-green effect. Rasika West End: 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW, DC; www.rasikarestaurant.com
Lead bartender Andrea Tateosian came up with the Et, Tu Brute? as part of her new Fall of Rome cocktail menu. She promises it will “entice history buffs and cocktail enthusiasts alike” as it offers an Italian riff on the classic The Last Word, with grappa in place of gin. Urbana: 2121 P St. NW, DC; www.urbanadc.com
Photo: Courtesy of Urbana
The Green Barrel at The Rye Bar at Rosewood
Matcha Mule at Bourbon Steak With Babicka Vodka, lime juice, matcha, pennywort, fresh ginger, soda, watercress, candied ginger
With Jameson Black Barrel, green chartreuse, lime juice, honey syrup, Manzanilla sherry, basil leaves
Photo: Courtesy of Rosewood
Food and Beverage Manager Diego Zeballos came up with this complex drink, which incorporates a trifecta of green with chartreuse, lime juice and basil leaves. Along with its color, it’s named in honor of its signature spirit, Jameson Black Barrel whiskey. “The muddled basil and green chartreuse add gentle herbal and liquorish-like notes, and the Manzanilla sherry is that last bit of dryness on the edge of the tongue, resulting in a cocktail of many flavor layers,” Zeballos says. The Rye Bar at Rosewood: 1050 31st St. NW, DC; www.rosewoodhotels.com
Photo: Courtesy of Bourbon Steak
Matcha Picchu at Dirty Habit With pisco, guava puree, Velvet Falernum, lime juice, egg white, matcha powder
The Green Monster at All Set Restaurant & Bar With ceremonial grade matcha, lemon juice, lavender syrup, Bittermens Boston Bittahs, gin, cava
Photo: Courtesy of All Set Restaurant & Bar
The Green Monster from Assistant GM and Beverage Director Molly Horn is named in homage to Fenway Park. The Bittermens Boston Bittahs are therefore an appropriate inclusion. “Brunch means tea and mimosas, so I wanted to incorporate that with an interesting twist on a sparkling cocktail,” Horn says. “Between the matcha, lavender syrup and chamomile bitters, you’ll never want a hot tea again!” All Set Restaurant & Bar: 8630 Fenton St. Plaza 5, Silver Spring, MD; www.allsetrestaurant.com
Photo: Courtesy of Dirty Habit
Head bartender Sarah Ruiz came up with the drink and its multi-punlayered name. Macchu Pisco is the base spirit, and it’s paired with matcha powder. Ruiz describes the drink as “joining together Eastern and Western flavors.” The matcha and pisco tandem is balanced by the guava, Velvet Falernum, lime juice and egg white for a drink that’s vibrant in flavor, texture and appearance. Dirty Habit: 555 8th St. NW, DC; www.dirtyhabitdc.com
Teahouse Tipple at Dram & Grain With Jensen’s gin, basmati syrup, lemon juice, matcha green tea, egg white, yuzu-lillet espuma
Green Thumb at The Hamilton With Corsair Gin, cucumber sour mix (cucumber juice, lime juice, simple syrup, salt), cucumber slices Beverage manager Samantha Withall came up with the Green Thumb, which has been a favorite drink on the menu at The Hamilton since they first opened. Withall’s concoction was actually inspired by her grandmother’s cold cucumber soup, although she vows that the soup did not, in fact, also have gin it. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com
Visit the farmer’s market section of the expansive Bourbon Steak cocktail menu for one of head bartender Torrence Swain’s creative concoctions. The Matcha Mule is served tall over ice and plays its part well – you’ll feel healthier just looking at it. Bourbon Steak: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www.bourbonsteakdc.com
Photo: Courtesy of Dram & Grain
Created by Andy Bixby, the Teahouse Tipple is from the San Francisco portion of the Dram & Global cocktail menu. “The inspiration for the cocktail came from the city's lush, beautiful Japanese tea gardens,” Bixby says. “The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, they still perform traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, which mainly focus around the preparation and consumption of matcha tea in the presence of nature.” Dram & Grain: 2007 18th St. NW, DC; www.twitter.com/dramandgrain
Photo: Courtesy of The Hamilton
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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BEHIND THE BAR
By Trent Johnson
One of the coolest things about DC is the variety of people you meet. Whether it’s because a new administration is cycling in, or people are flocking for job opportunities, the city is bursting with folks from different backgrounds. When you have this kind of diversity, it’s paramount that our city offer an interesting selection of bars for these potential patrons to visit. This month, we went Behind the Bar at three joints that each provide a slight twist on local nightlife.
Max Zuckerman
Photos: Trent Johnson
Owner and Manager, Colony Club
On Tap: What’s it like to serve both coffee and beer? Max Zuckerman: The big benefit is putting the space to use for more hours of the day. Plus, I really wanted to make a beer list, and the layout sort of lends itself to a bar atmosphere at night. OT: You guys enjoy throwing parties. What about the space plays into that? MZ: Events work really well for us. The space has been laid out in a way so that we can have events on the second floor without interfering with the first floor. OT: What about the ping pong table? MZ: The table has created infinite amounts of fun. It’s something I wanted to do from the start, because it’s a good way to break the ice and meet new people. In a bar, it can be hard for strangers to interact, and this is something that breaks down those barriers. OT: Colony is definitely unique. What was the design process like? MZ: Our first priority was to make it work well as a cafe. That was our inspiration, and then we thought the bar side was a little more flexible. OT: You guys also host a ton of workshops. Why are those important to offer to your patrons? MZ: We felt that it was important for us to be a social place for the neighborhood. I don’t think we realized how big of a role they would have here. People would come up to us and ask to play here, or teach a drawing class, and those [opportunities] developed organically. It makes us better community members. I think our openness is a big part of it, because we’re generally flexible to trying all kinds of things.
Colony Club: 3118 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; www.colonyclubdc.com Max’s Pick
Piggyback Shot & Beer Combo • Medley Brothers Bourbon • Can of Pork Slap from Butternuts Brewery
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Koray Bozkurt Owner, Desperados Burgers and Bar
On Tap: Have you always been a fan of the Old West aesthetic? Koray Bozkurt: I’m originally from Turkey, and over there I really enjoyed Old Western movies. I really liked The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. [Desperados] is really old, with wooden floors and the classic bar top. It gives off a saloon feel, and this space really fits that genre. OT: Who came up with the more graphic names on the cocktail list? KB: I came up with about 90 percent of them. We wanted them to stand out, but we [also] wanted them to fit the Old West style. I really enjoy The Immigrant, and that’s probably our most popular drink. The most Western-style name on the menu is probably Be Quick or Be Dead, and that’s a tequila drink. And we also have the Blow My Skull Off shot. OT: What would John Wayne order at your bar? KB: If a cowboy came in, he’d order either The Immigrant or a Black-Eyed Susan because the drinks are whiskey-based. As far as food, we have Southern-style burgers like our Cajun or Southwest burgers. OT: What has the response been to your bar? Do people enjoy the gimmick? KB: I think they feel as though this is an underground local bar where people can go and get away from the nightclubs across the street. Our bar is just chill. The people who work here are all fun and laidback. It’s not just the ambiance; it’s everything combined. OT: Are there any specific inspirations you directly draw from? KB: I just looked at the space and wanted to do what made the most sense. I get a lot of comments about how this bar is a lot like a bar in Europe. Overall, I’m happy with the concept.
Desperados Burgers and Bar: 1342 U St. NW, DC; www.desperadosburger.com Koray’s Pick
The Immigrant • • • • •
Jameson Muddled lemon wedges Muddled mint leaves Simple syrup Ginger ale
Adam Fry
Owner and Manager, Ivy and Coney On Tap: Why do you think DC needs a Chicago-style bar? Adam Fry: It started as a joke, but we found a viable business model and built it. The three of us who own this bar are all Chicago or Detroit expats, and Chicago has a culture with a bar on every corner. A lot of [the bars] have little to no signage. They’re mostly just no-frills local bars, and they’re cheap. Sometimes you just want something that reminds you of home, where you can get drunk for $20.
NAVY YARD LOCATION
100 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003
OT: What is the difference between a bar in the Midwest and your typical DC bar? Do you think locals enjoy the difference? AF: Although it was self-serving to begin with, people have very much been responsive. For the Cubs World Series run, the bar was shoulder-to-shoulder every night. The difference is no bullshit. We don’t put things on special, we don’t try to market toward Friday [and] Saturday night crowds, and we don’t really market ourselves outside of Facebook and Twitter. We priced it inexpensively; nothing is more than $6 or $7. The bartenders are fun and congenial, but they have an attitude in a dive-ish way. OT: Are there any Chicago or Detroit-style cocktails or beers you guys promote heavily? AF: We feature Malort. I want to say it gained popularity in Chicago, but it’s really only popular there. One of our canned beers is Stroh’s, which used to be brewed in Detroit. We make sure we have Michigan and Chicago beers, like Goose Island’s 312. We try to stay true to ourselves. OT: Where did you guys get the idea for a liquor locker? AF: It stemmed from wine and cigar lockers at those respective bars. If you’re willing to pay $100 per month on booze, you can pretty much get whatever you want in the locker. We’ll serve and monitor it. You’re not buying the bottle per se, but you’re pre-buying the drinks. Of the 42 available, we only have five open. OT: Any big events coming up? AF: Every year, we do a big fundraiser for Bread for the City. All of the proceeds go to them. Last year, we raised about $12,000 for them, and this year the target is about $15,000. This year, it will be an 80s party.
Ivy and Coney: 1537 7th St. NW, DC; www.ivyandconey.com
Adam’s Pick
Malort liqueur
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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By Trent Johnson Greetings, beer nerds! As you likely know, there are a number of wonderful events in the DMV where you can grab a pint, and every month offers new opportunities to hoist old reliables and new brews. If you’d rather avoid the guessing game, check out some of what’s coming up on tap below.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 DC Brau at Dacha Dinner Head to the loft at Dacha Beer Garden with Executive Chef Quinten Frye and DC Brau CEO and Founder Brandon Skall for a four-course meal with beer pairings to celebrate the release of DC Brau’s El Hefe Speaks Seasonal Brew. El Hefe Speaks is a traditionally-brewed, German-style Hefe. The dinner will include three other brews from DC Brau, including their limitedrelease, German-style helles lager Savor the Swill, a collaboration with the band The Darkest Hour. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets $75. Dacha Beer Garden: 1602 7th St. NW, DC; www.dachadc.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 17, 24, 31 Friday Night Beers & Bites Tour The Bluejacket Friday Night Tasting Tour is a special brewery tour offered weekly. Upon arrival, guests will be treated to one of Bluejacket’s signature drafts, followed by a full tour of the brewery and operations with three tasters throughout the tour. At the conclusion, guests will head to the bottle shop and tasting room to enjoy a flight of three additional tasters, each expertly paired with a snack from the culinary team led by Chef de Cuisine Marcelle Afram. 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35. Bluejacket Brewery: 300 Tingey St. SE, DC; www.bluejacketdc.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 11 Beer 101: Brewery Tour and Tasting Learn all about your favorite craft beers from production to taste characteristics at Mad Fox’s Beer 101 class! As a veteran of the young craft brewing industry, experience the Mad Fox brewery tour and tasting with brewers Bill Madden and Matt Ryan. The ticket includes a brewery tour with Q&A, a beer sampler hand-picked by the brewers themselves, a discussion and bar snacks. The event starts at noon. Tickets
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cost $15. Mad Fox Brewing Company: 444 W. Broad St. #1, Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com Beer 101: What You Taste & Why Just about everyone loves beer, but few people know very much about it. How can thousands of different beers come from the same four ingredients? In this course, you will explore the basics of brewing, as well as what each ingredient does for the beer’s color, aroma, alcohol content, body and flavor. 12-2 p.m. Tickets are $25. Heavy Seas Alehouse: 1501 Wilson Blvd. Suite 105, Arlington, VA; www. heavyseasalehouse.com Péché Mortal Day at ChurchKey Celebrate ChurchKey’s third annaul Péché Mortel Day! ChurchKey is honored to be one of 40 bars, restaurants and breweries in the world participating in this festive occasion. French for “mortal sin,” Péché Mortel is an unrivaled imperial coffee stout from the venerable Montreal brewpub Dieu du Ciel. ChurchKey will feature six special variants of this remarkable brew. Highlights include Péché Mortel Spécial, brewed with a M’Beguka coffee beans from Kenya, Péché Mortel Bourbon 2016, aged six months in Bourbon barrels, and Péché aux Pêches, finished with fresh peaches. Noon to midnight. Free admission. ChurchKey: 1337 14th St. NW, DC; www. churckeydc.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 Great Lakes’ Turntable Pils release party at B-Side B-Side will host the official re-release party for Great Lakes’ newest year-round beer, Turntable Pils. To help celebrate, B-Side asking patrons to bring in some of your favorite vinyl records to spin all night. The bar is also raffling off a limited edition Great Lakes turntable! Guests will receive a free raffle ticket with every purchase of
Turntable Pils. All Great Lakes beers will be priced individually by the glass and in four-oz. tasting pours. Red Apron Butcher, located directly next door, will host a simultaneous tasting. This event starts at 5 p.m. There is no admission fee for this event. B-Side: Mosaic District, 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA; www.bsidecuts.com Red’s Table Presents O’Connor Brewing Dinner Red’s Table will host a beer dinner featuring craft brews from O’Connor Brewing Company, a craft brewery located in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood/district. Guests attending this special evening will have the pleasure of enjoying a world-class craft beer experience featuring O’Connor Brewing Company’s innovative, evolving products paired with a four-course dinner created by Executive Chef Adam Stein. The evening’s menu will highlight classic Irish dishes with a modern twist in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Beers featured for the evening are El Guapo Agave IPA, Great Dismal Black IPA, ODIS Dry Irish Stout and Zephyrweisse Hefeweizen. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $65. Red’s Table: 11150 South Lakes Dr. Reston, VA; www.redstableva.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 16 Brews & Brains at BadWolf Brewing Company Join the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation and BadWolf Brewing as they examine the role of beer throughout American history for the next few months at the Brews & Brains series. From the role of taverns as a social and political venue throughout the 18th and 19th century, the impact of alcohol throughout the Civil War, to the economic influence of the development of breweries throughout the 20th century and Prohibition, alcohol played a role in shaping Northern Virginia today. 6-8 p.m. Donations to the preservation foundation
will be accepted. BadWolf Brewing Company: 8420 Kao Circle, Manassas, VA; www.badwolfbrewingcompany.com Perfect Pairings: Inside the Mind of a Monger Cheese and beer have been produced side by side for centuries, and when paired together, can truly make each other sing. In this pairings class, we’ll taste and talk about our very favorite four cheese and craft beer matches, and what makes them work. You’ll journey through the fundamentals of pairing cheese and beer, and the funky stories behind our favorites, so you can go confidently on your own pairing adventure. 7 p.m. Tickets are $49. Union Market: 1309 5th St. NE, DC; www.righteouscheese.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 18 Le Trou du Diable Showcase On this day, ChurchKey will showcase 12 exceptional beers from the Québécois brewery, plus a meet and greet with co-founder Isaac Tremblay. Launched in 2005, Le Trou du Diable has steadily built a reputation for producing world class beer from a wide range of styles, including Belgian-inspired farmhouse ales, imperial stouts and IPAs. Highlights from the event include La Buteuse Brassin Spécial, a strong tripel aged in Michel Jodoin apple brandy barrels with Brettanomyces, and Dulcis Succubus, a saison aged for six months in French oak barrels that previously held botrytized California white wine. 4 p.m. to midnight. Free admission. ChurchKey: 1337 14th St. NW, DC; www.churckeydc.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 23 The Heights Patio Beer Dinner Why not kick off spring 2017 on the patio at The Heights? Join in for five exclusive courses, five Devils Backbone beers, giveaways and an evening enjoying the spring air. 7-10 p.m. Tickets $45-$50. The Heights: 3115 14th St. NW, DC; www.theheightsdc.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 26 #ALXBREWTOUR 2017 Historic Breweries Walking Tour & Tasting Join Alexandria’s Historic Breweries Author, Garrett Peck, and Portner Brewhouse Co-founder Cat Portner on a guided walking tour around Old Town Alexandria to explore the foundations of local brewing. The tour includes highlights from the print brochure, a Portner Brewhouse-sponsored beer sampling and culminates at one of Alexandria’s current Hop Stops. 2-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Old Presbyterian Meeting House: 323 South Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA; www.portnerbrewhouse.com
Congratulations, ChurchKey! On Tap would like to extend a nod of our proverbial cap to ChurchKey for being named as the DC representative on CraftBeer.com’s list of Great American Beer Bars. The site mentioned “a meticulous cleaning regimen for their taps, three unique temperature controls for service of beer, a large glassware selection and in-depth training.” The selection was made by the readers of the site, and was generated from more than 7,000 entries. ChurchKey: 1337 14th St. NW, Washington, DC; www.churchkeydc.com
Photo: Courtesy of Nahem Simon
Nahem Simon
Beer Director, Jack Rose Dining Saloon On Tap: How did you get into beer? Nahem Simon: I really started getting into beers when I was in college [in Canada]. There was a beer store with a wall of beer, and I remember the taste of even the cheap beers were memorable. OT: How does Jack Rose select beers? NS: It comes down to not only getting samples from reps, but also having what is needed for an overall palate that encompasses every flavor category that someone may be looking for. If it’s chilly outside, even if I know people want sours and hoppy beers, I have to have beers that work with the temperature. OT: How often do you reach out to distributors to get new stuff in? NS: They pretty much swing by every day. They come and tell me what is great. It also helps when different reps send in the info coming down the pipeline, like preorders. The communication is really helpful. OT: How much do you research a beer before bringing it in? NS: I like to taste it first. I’m not going to spend hours figuring out the minute details of the beers. More so, if there is a beer event, I like to go to the breweries and ask them what they want to feature on the draft lines. From there I touch base and check out the website, and get as much information as I can to pass on to the customer. OT: Are you open to suggestions from patrons? NS: Oh, always. Of course, it always comes down to availability, and it’s really important for the quality to be maintained. I have to make sure it tastes good for the customers. OT: Name some beers you’re looking forward to carrying this month. NS: There are so many that are popping up here and there, so it’s kind of hard to say. I will point out that we’ll have Firestone Walker Krieky Bones, a funky tart beer that isn’t very easily available. We’re also going to have Flying Dog’s Tropical Bitch coming this month.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon: 2007 18th St. NW, DC; 202-588-7388; www.jackrosediningsaloon.com www.ontaponline.com | march iSSUE 2017 | On Tap
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Photos: Co urtesy
Theresa McCulla knows beer. The Harvard-educated historian may have little hands-on brewing experience, other than bottling her father’s homemade brews in their garage as an eight-year-old. But the DC native knows beer because it’s ingrained in her family lineage. Apart from her father, who routinely dabbled in craft creations when she was growing up, she has an uncle in Radford, Va. gearing up for the opening of a microbrewery, and a host of other relatives who either brew or taste beer regularly. In fact, when pressed on who’s the best in the family at concocting tasty crafts, she deflects. “Oh, I can’t play favorites,” she says with a hint of laughter. “It’s impossible with a family this big and into beer to play favorites.” It’s fortuitous for our city that beer is so deeply ingrained in McCulla’s personal history; it’s now become a focal point of her career. She just returned to the nation’s capital last December as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s newest historian to oversee its American Brewing History Initiative. The three-year initiative falls under the umbrella of the Smithsonian Food History program. It is meant to collect, document and preserve the history of brewing, in both the craft and mainstream sectors. The museum already has a collection of brewing related print advertisements and radio commercials. “Right now, I’m surveying the collection that the museum holds, [including] tons of advertisements related to drinking beer, [and] signs and radio spots,” McCulla says. “We even have dance music related to beer consumption.” McCulla has been in DC for several months sifting through the collection after a months-long interview process. Her return to the city comes on the heels of working toward her doctorate in American studies at Harvard University, where her dissertation focused on race, ethnicity and food in modern New Orleans, and where she was able to put her knowledge of French, Spanish and Italian to the test.
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of the Sm
ithsonian
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
After earning a degree in romance studies, McCulla found herself in DC and her interest in culinary studies took root. From 2004 to 2007, McCulla often found herself working night jobs in various restaurants throughout the District and its suburbs. Now that she’s back as a historian investigating the always evolving craft industry, folks have repeatedly asked her what she’s enticed about most. “It’s great, it’s extremely exciting,” McCulla says. “People have asked me about what I’m most excited about, and the answer is getting to know all the people involved in the history. We’re planning to talk to brewers and hops farmers and early homebrew clubs who produced newsletters. There’s a range of men and women, from experts to enthusiasts, involved in making this story.” After sorting through Smithsonian artifacts, McCulla will then begin the bulk of her work by seeking out details about how the “story of craft brewing in America” began, and finding the pioneers of the celebrated activity. “We are already underway,” she says. “Right now, I’m organizing it regionally. Craft brewing and homebrewing began in California and Colorado, I’m sure I’ll be heading to those parts of the country. This is an activity happening everywhere, and it will all be represented.” The third and final prong of the initiative is sharing the information with the public through various vehicles, such as the Smithsonian Food History Weekend, which occurs in October. McCulla will also participate in the Craft Brewers Conference & Brew Expo America starting on April 10. “We’ll be sponsoring a seminar to brief the brewers about what we’re doing. I’ve already heard from several brewing companies who have archivists who work for them, and have maintained their histories.” Although the Smithsonian has deemed the craft brew industry worthy of archiving now, McCulla is aware that the practice is still undergoing a rise in popularity today. With a history that is changing with every beer brewed, the increasing national interest in craft brewing is why the initiative makes sense at present. “Even as popular as it is, it’s still a minority of beer consumption,” she says. “We feel it’s a good time to begin this project. The first [wave] of craft brewers and homebrewers are still active and eager to share their stories, so this is a crucial moment to take what they share.” Without knowing what the museum and McCulla will collect over the next three years, one thing is abundantly clear: the project is in loving hands. “I do love beer very much. And I would love to hear from other beer lovers, so people are welcome to tweet me on Twitter.”
Follow Theresa McCulla on Twitter: @theresamccu. Learn more about the American Brewing Initiative at www.americanhistory.si.edu and on Twitter: @amhistorymuseum.
Guests at the third annual Fauquier County Wine Tasting & Competition enjoyed wines from fourteen local vineyards and food pairings from the Airlie Center’s chefs. Photos: Tatiana Herrera
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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New | Notable | No Longer
Colada Shop's Cubano sandwich
On Tap keeps locals in the know about the latest and greatest food and drink locales around town, our top foodie picks for the month, and spots that have recently closed their doors. Read on to get the inside scoop on what’s new, notable and no longer in the DC area.
NEW Colada Shop’s DC Location Open: February 1 Location: 14th Street Corridor Lowdown: A taste of authentic Cuban culture The buzzworthy Cuban coffee and cocktail bar is now in the District, after opening its first location last summer in Sterling, Va. Colada’s Communications Director, Maru Valdes, says the DC spot is a cozier interpretation of the Loudoun County flagship, but both locations have the same energy and radiant atmosphere. “Colada Shop is the story of the rich history between Cuba and the U.S., and where the authentic bold flavors of both countries come to life,” Valdes says. “There is a fascinating story behind Colada Shop that marries two seemingly different cultures under the same roof: the contemporary lifestyles of Washingtonians with the Cuban
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Photo: Brian Oh
culture of sharing and social gathering.” Valdes says customers are really digging Colada’s Cubano sandwich (slow-roasted pork shoulder, Swiss cheese, cured ham, pickles and a signature mojo sauce, with a veggie option also available) and classic piña coladas. For an authentic Cuban experience, check out the Calle Ocho beverage menu (featuring eight specialty cocktails all priced at $8), or the Colada (a 40-oz., Cuban-style espresso meant to be shared). Colada Shop: 1405 T St. NW, DC; www.coladashop.com
Sospeso’s whole fish Photo: Albert Ting
By Monica Alford
master plan for some time now, according to the group’s director of operations, Brian Zaslavsky. The group’s founder, Ari Gejdenson, (Dock FC, Sotto, Ghibellina and Ari’s Diner are among his other locations), knew the up-and-coming ‘hood would be the ideal place to connect his love of Mexican cuisine and culture with his beloved home in Northeast DC. Zaslavsky says it’s important to the group to create neighborhood restaurants, providing an integral and everyday place for local communities to gather and connect. Ivy City’s “organic, gritty and creative” evolution into one of the city’s hippest new areas really resonated with Gejdenson and his team. “Ari and his design team have created an incredible environment that transports you to Mexico, but at same time really pays homage to the industrial and warehouse feel of Ivy City,” Zaslavsky says. Locals are raving about the guacamole, made with a unique twist by Chef Camacho, who grills the avocados first. Other favorites are the carne arrachera (grilled skirt steak with traditional accompaniments), camerones a la diabla (head of shrimp with slightly spicy chipotle tomato sauce), the margarita with a hint of cilantro and the michelada. Zaslavsky strongly recommends the mezgroni, a play on a negroni using smoky mezcal and amaro. La Puerta Verde: 2001 Fenwick St. NE, DC; www.lapuertaverdedc.com
La Puerta Verde's camerones a la diabla
La Puerta Verde Open: January 17 Location: Ivy City Lowdown: Mexican cuisine, industrial vibe Ivy City’s new culinary hotspot had been part of the Mindful Restaurant Group’s
Photo: Leah Beilhart
Sospeso Open: February 17 Location: H Street Lowdown: Mediterranean variety and social traditions H Street’s brand new Mediterranean restaurant is all about variety, with husband-and-wife team and co-owners Mike and Hatice Rosato striving to switch up the menu on a regular basis to feature the fare of as many of the 23 countries along the Mediterranean Sea as possible.
Bethesda’s Pike & Rose neighborhood known for its unique lineup of jazz, bluegrass and rock acts (check out our next issue for an interview with Dengue Fever, performing at AMP on April 22). AMP kicked off 2017 with a revamped food and drink menu, and full waiter service. Concertgoers can enjoy sharable plates like the Korean spiced BLT sliders, steamed edamame, prosciutto or tomato-fennel flatbreads, Cuban or roasted vegetable paninos, among other options. For those that do want to splurge, cheesesteak spring rolls, boardwalk fries and other treats are available. AMP’s new menu also includes craft beers on tap, specialty cocktails, and a range of wines by the glass or bottle. Andrew Chalfant, the senior vice president of operations at Ridgewells (the Bethesdabased catering company that provides all of AMP’s fare), says the menu is meant to match the vibe of AMP. “It’s a very unique and modern place, and we feel the menu offered complements the space nicely,” he says. “[I’m] not aware that you can get such high-end food and beverage options at a live music venue [anywhere else] in the heart of Montgomery County.” AMP by Strathmore: 11810 Grand Park Ave. North Bethesda, MD; www.ampbystrathmore.com Photo: Courtesy of Park Hyatt Washington
“Our inspiration is simply our love for the Mediterranean culture and lifestyle in which food, coffee and wine are almost always shared at leisure with family and friends in a comfortable environment,” Hatice Rosato says. “When you are in the Mediterranean, whether you are a houseguest or dining out, you always take time for yourself, and your friends and family, and savor your food and enjoy life.” Rosato is Turkish, and grew up eating a primarily plant-based diet. She and her husband combine her vegetarian/ vegan influences with meat-lover options (such as the porchetta sandwich and whole fish), all with flavor and spice combinations reminiscent of the region. Customers are encouraged to swing by Sospeso for a cup of coffee; Rosato quotes the Turkish saying, “One cup of coffee can be remembered for 40 years” when emphasizing the symbolism of drinking coffee as a way to strengthen Mediterranean social relations. The lemon swath shakerato (espresso, milk and sugar shaken over ice until frothy) and her husband’s Sicilian mourner cocktail (marsala, dry vermouth, almond grappa, squid ink and angostura) are among her favorites, or choose from their Southern Italian, Greek, Lebanese and Balkan wine list. Sospeso: 1344 H St. NE, DC; www.sospesodc.com
NOTABLE
Erin Reed’s rosemary olive oil cake
Blue Duck Tavern’s New Pastry Chef, Erin Reed AMP cocktails
Photo: Imijination Photography
AMP by Strathmore’s Revamped Menu Start date: January Location: Bethesda Lowdown: Concert fare worth trying If you’re a music nerd like me, then you’re probably familiar with the lineup of local music venues that serve food. Generally speaking, the options are pretty limited and, for lack of a better term, “Eh.” And if you’re also making a concerted effort to eat healthy like me, or prefer something a little more upscale, then chicken tenders and burgers are probably not up your alley when catching a show. Enter AMP by Strathmore, the intimate music venue in
Start date: January Location: Georgetown Lowdown: Nostalgic desserts with a hint of Pennsylvania Blue Duck Tavern’s brand new pastry chef is creating quite a buzz in the city, with a dessert menu featuring unique concoctions like the caramelia Bavarian (with Cope’s Corn ice cream from Pennsylvania Dutch Country, sage cream and fried sage) and rosemary olive oil cake with grapefruit. Pennsylvania native Erin Reed comes to Blue Duck, which she says really fits her style, after a few years with the RW Restaurant Group at Marcel’s as pastry sous chef and most recently at Old Town Alexandria’s Brabo as pastry chef. Before that, she worked at DGBG in City Center and back in her home
Now Open DC &pizza 2224 F St. NW, DC; www.andpizza.com Addendum 1212 18th Street NW, DC; www.eighteenthstreetlounge.com Athena Grill 4720 14th St. NW, DC; www.mealage.com/athena Bardo (soft opening) 25 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; www.bardo.beer BiBap Korean Restaurant 1730 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; Boulangerie Christophe 1422 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; www.boulangeriechristophe.com DCity Smokehouse 203 Florida Ave. NW, DC; www.dccitysmokehouse.com Eatsa 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www.eatsa.com Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant 1924 9th St. NW, DC; www.ethiofasika.com Federalist Pig 1654 Columbia Rd. NW, DC; www.federalistpig.com Free State Atlantic Bar 700 G St. NW, DC; www.freestatebar.com Heritage India 3238 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; www.heritageindiaindc.com Honeysuckle 1990 M St. NW, DC; www.honeysuckledc.com Joselito Casa de Comidas 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, DC; www.joselitodc.com Las Placitas 4724 14th St. NW, DC; Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana 3714 14th St. NW, DC; www.mezcalerodc.com www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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Maryland
Now Open DC Modern Market 1010 Vermont Ave. NW, DC; www.modernmarket.com Pidzza 2000 Hecht Ave. NE, DC; www.pidzza.com Red Apron Burger Bar 1323 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.redapronburgerbar.com Rōti Modern Mediterranean 2221 I St. NW, DC; www.roti.com The Smith 901 F St. NW, DC; www.thesmithrestaurant.com
Ditto Shanghai Bao Kitchen 7101 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda, MD; www.shanghai66.weebly.com Olivia Macaron 7101 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda, MD; www.oliviamacaron.com Yum Crepes 7101 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda, MD;
Virginia Alta Strada Mosaic 2910 District Ave. Fairfax, VA; www.altastrada-mosaic.com Baba 2901 Wilson Blvd. Arlingon, VA; www.baba.bar The Block 4221 John Marr Dr. Annandale, VA;
Sweet Science Coffee 1847 Columbia Rd. NW, DC; www.sweetsciencecoffee.com
Choolaah Indian BBQ 2911 District Ave. Suite 100, Fairfax, VA; www.choolaah.com
Sylvan Cafe and Bakery 104 Rhode Island Ave. NW, DC; www.sylvancafe.com
EatsPlace 105 N. Union St. Alexandria, VA; www.eatsplace.com
Tiger Fork 922 N. St. NW, DC; www.tigerforkdc.com
Fogo de Chao 1775 Tysons Blvd. McLean, VA; www.fogodechao.com
Umaya Izakaya 733 10th St. NW, DC; www.umayadc.com
Heroic Aleworks 14910 Persistence Dr. Woodbridge, VA; www.heroicaleworks.com
Union Kitchen Grocery 1251 9th St. NW, DC; www.unionkitchendc.com
Pamplona 3100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.pamplonava.com
Wet Dog Tavern 2100 Vermont Ave. NW, DC; www.facebook.com/wetdogdc
Quinn’s on the Corner 1776 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.quinnsonthecorner.com
NO LONGER • • • • • • • • •
Armand’s on Capitol Hill Avenue Jack in Dupont The BBQ Joint at Union Market Bonfire in Dupont Chao Ku in Shaw Clyde’s in Tysons Mad Rose in Clarendon Mai Thai in Georgetown Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in Arlington • Naples Ristorante in Bethesda • Pasara Thai in Dupont
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state at Starr Restaurant Group’s Buddakan in Philly. Reed says she’s trying to bring a sense of nostalgia to the menu, using Blue Duck’s Americana vibe as an opportunity to bring in a lot of her own personal influences and memories from her childhood into her desserts, something she’s never really been able to do before. Her current menu has a big Pennsylvania influence, and she’s already got her spring menu outlined including a play on her mom’s rice pudding (with strawberry sorbet, fresh strawberries and green tea) and a banana fluffernutter sandwich reconstructed with a frozen banana parfait, tempura-fried marshmallows, toast cream and peanut butter powder. When it comes to her personal dessert preferences, Reed likes to keep things simple. Apple crisp is her fave, as long as it’s served cold. Blue Duck Tavern: 1201 24th St. NW, DC; www.blueducktavern.com
• Piassa Ethio Cuisine & Cafe in Shaw • Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar in Georgetown • The Shaw Bijou in Shaw • Yamas Mediterranean Grill in Adams Morgan • Table in Shaw • Water & Wall in Virginia Square • Z Pizza on H Street • Zengo in Chinatown
On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Coton & Rye’s Cherry Blossom Julep
Photo: Courtesy of Catoctin Creek
Catoctin Creek/Coton & Rye’s Signature Whiskey Launch Party Date: March 23 Location: Leesburg Lowdown: Limited-edition Virginia whiskey Loudoun County-based Catoctin Creek Distilling Company and restaurant/tavern Coton & Rye (inside Lansdowne Resort and Spa) are teaming up to create a private barrel whiskey. Catoctin Founder, VP and GM Scott Harris says the limited-edition whiskey is spicy because of the rye, with a hint of grassy hay (unique to this variety of Leesburg rye provided by Three Monkeys Farm), and rich notes of toffee, butterscotch and tanned leather. At the launch party on March 23, folks can try Lansdowne original the Cherry Blossom Julep, and the classic Boulevardier, created by Harry McElhone from Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in or around 1930. Harris also recommends drinking a Sazerac or Old Fashioned with the spirit, and says he and his wife Becky, Catoctin President and Chief Distiller, will share how the rye was grown, harvested and made into whiskey with interested party guests. The event runs from 6-8 p.m., and tickets are $35. Visit Eventbrite for details. Coton & Rye: 44050 Woodridge Pkwy. Leesburg, VA; www.destinationhotels. com/lansdowne-resort/dining/coton-and-rye
™
The Original Light Beer Great Beer Great Responsibility® ©2016 Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI
Photo: Courtesy of Carlie Steiner
Photo: Nick Pimentel
All Fired Up
Women Are the Rising Stars of the DC Food Scene By Vanessa Mallory Kotz
Tim Ma Restaurant Group’s Joey Ma chats with customers
Paisley Fig. RIS. Red Hen. Himitsu. Smoked & Stacked. Columbia Room. Tail Up Goat. Ten Tigers Parlour. Packed with visiting and local foodies, showered with rave reviews by critics all over town and lauded for innovation and creativity, they’re some of the best bars and eateries in DC. And guess what? Each of them is either owned by or has a kitchen run by a woman. That’s no small feat. In the most recent report on the subject from the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics, only 18.7 percent of chefs and head cooks in the U.S. were women. The study was published in 2012, however, and if the DC food scene is any indication of where the industry is headed, the news is good. Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley of Smoked & Stacked and Ripple was a finalist in the 13th season of the Emmy Award-winning culinary show Top Chef. She worked at several awardwinning restaurants before opening Smoked & Stacked in Shaw. The Washington Post declared the sandwich shop the maker of “the best pastrami in DC” just four days after the flagship store opened last fall. Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat in Adams Morgan is co-owned by Jill Tyler, a veteran of Komi and Little Serow, with her partners Chef John Sybert and Beverage Director Bill
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Paisley Fig’s Lizzy Evelyn
Photo: Under a Bushel
Red Hen’s Krystal Cripe with Chef Mikey
Jensen. Tyler named the restaurant after the charming tradition in the Virgin Islands of distinguishing goats from sheep: tail up goat, tail down sheep. On Tap spoke with several of these culinary stars to get their take on being a woman in an overwhelmingly male industry, and advice for aspiring chefs and restauranteurs of the female persuasion. Executive Pastry Chef Lizzy Evelyn, owner of the growing bakery Paisley Fig, which is relocating to the historic Heller Bakery in
Himitsu’s Carlie Steiner
Photo: Scott Suchman
Mount Pleasant, says, “My advice to people starting off, especially women: just keep going! It is a hard industry with not a lot of perks, but it is rewarding.” Angie Fetherston, CEO of Drink Company (Mockingbird Hill, Southern Efficiency, Eat the Rich, Columbia Room) says, “Most people I have a business relationship with have been incredibly supportive partners, but being a young, female entrepreneur comes with its usual set of challenges. You can’t fight every battle. You decide for yourself
“The worst was when my staff member pointed to me and a man then said, ‘But
who is the real
owner?’ I conquered that experience by remaining as strong as I always have been. I also try to empower as many women as possible to start their own businesses so that there are more of us in DC.”
where the line is, and anything that doesn’t cross it, you take on the chin for the greater good. That’s our reality, but know that you can choose whom you do business with. Trust your gut.” Fetherston credits her business partner Derek Brown with sparking her interest in the industry. She met him while working for a TV station covering the DC cocktail scene. “We became fast friends and officially started Drink Company together in 2010,” she says. “Four bars, 70 employees and many projects later, I’m still inspired by his creativity and his intelligence.” Fetherston oversees the company’s business operations as well as partnerships, corporate development and strategy. Together with Brown, she owns their four award-winning bars. Learning from others was a reoccurring theme with the women I interviewed. “Find a few mentors and listen to everything they tell you,” says Carlie Steiner, co-founder of Stir Bartending Co. and coowner, as well as beverage director, of Himitsu in Petworth. “Evaluate what they say and make your own decisions. Finding the balance of running your business how you want to and taking advice from others is key.” Himitsu’s cocktails include Notorious RBG Ruth Bader Ginger, Negroni Mariposas (after the Mirabal sisters), and the Bad and Boozy Rye Old Fashioned (named for journalist Marie Colvin, who lost an eye covering a battle in Sri Lanka and wore a diamondencrusted patch for parties). Their Instagram feed pays tribute to strong American women and promotes the restaurant’s activism. “The most disappointing obstacle I have encountered as a female business owner is the occasional man who doesn’t believe I am the owner of Himitsu,” Steiner says. “The worst was when my staff member pointed to me and a man then said, ‘But who is the real owner?’ [It wasn’t] until that comment that I realized there are still people out there who believe women are less than. I conquered that experience by remaining as strong as I
Photo: Courtesy of Smoked & Stacked
Photo: Courtesy of SPaisley Fig
Paisley Fig fluffernutter
always have been. I also try to empower as many women as possible to start their own businesses so that there are more of us in DC.” Joey Ma, co-owner of Tim Ma Restaurant Group (Ten Tigers Parlour, Kyirisan, Chase the Submarine), echoes this sentiment. “Trust in yourself,” Ma says. “Search to empower other women. Be confident and true to your talents and aspirations.” James Beard-nominated chef Ris Lacoste is chef and owner of DC bistro RIS. She puts this idea into practice. Under her leadership, all of the highest positions at RIS with only one exception are women, from the sous and pastry chefs and sommelier, to the events and marketing/PR managers. Chef Krystal Cripe of Red Hen emphasizes the power of teamwork. “I lean on building relationships with our staff and actively supporting them in being successful,” she says. “Instilling a sense of ownership and pride in your employees can go a long way. I’ve also learned that being endlessly positive and giving constructive feedback is a great recipe for building those relationships.” In a 2014 article published in Business Insider, Bob Sherwin reported the findings of a decade-long study that found that women scored higher than men in the areas of taking initiative, displaying integrity and honesty, and driving for results. “These skills describe leaders who take on difficult challenges, ensure that people act with integrity and who simply achieve challenging results,” Sherwin wrote. To those assuming women would be found most effective as nurturers, the study was surprising. The DC chefs and entrepreneurs I spoke with shared the attributes mentioned above,
Smoked & Stacked pastrami
describing their leadership styles as “honest” (Steiner), “hands off once empowered” (Joey Ma) and “kind in manner and resolute in deed” (Fetherston). Sadly, there’s more work ahead. In a 2016 study by Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, chief economist at the pay transparency website Glassdoor, male chefs make 28.1 percent more than their female counterparts. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain writes about restaurant kitchens as ruthless, military-like hotbeds where orders are shouted in a foul-mouthed shorthand, burns and cuts are ignored with pride, and the virile, tattooed rebel chef de cuisine is lord and master of all. His portrayal of the kitchen is like a pirate ship full of scoundrels. But the times, they are changing. A woman who heads an award-winning bar or restaurant today is less like a pirate and more like a boss. These DC chefs and restaurant owners are not afraid to be fierce, and fair.
Where to go Chase the Submarine: 132 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA; www.chasethesubmarine.com Drink Company (Columbia Room, Eat the Rich, Mockingbird Hill, Southern Efficiency): www.drinkcompany.com
Red Hen: 1822 1st St. NW, DC; www.theredhendc.com Ripple: 3417 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.rippledc.com Ris: 2275 L St. NW, DC; www.risdc.com
Himitsu: 828 Upshur St. NW, DC; www.himitsudc.com
Smoke & Stacked: 1239 9th St. NW, DC; www.smokedandstacked.com
Kyirisan: 1924 8th St. NW, DC; www.kyirisandc.com
Tail Up Goat: 1827 Adams Mill Rd. NW, DC; www.tailupgoat.com
Paisley Fig: 3232 11th St. NW, DC; www.paisleyfig.com
Ten Tigers Parlour: 3813 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; www.tentigersdc.com
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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This Town is
’ n i Popp (UP) By Lani Furbank Want to try something without fully committing? For software, there’s a free trial. For careers, there’s an apprenticeship. For relationships, there’s Tinder. And for restaurants and bars, there’s a pop-up. Restaurant and bar openings happen at breakneck speed in DC these days, but pop-ups have become just as rapid-fire, and require the stamina of a professional eater to track them all. There are even different breeds of pop-ups to keep straight, from one-time events to long-standing arrangements to themed takeovers. Luckily, the rise of the pop-up is good for both proprietors and customers. Patrick Coyne says he always wanted to start his own business during his years working in the fields of management consulting and venture capital. When the time came, he decided to break the ice by hosting pop-ups at various restaurants and bars in DC. “To me, pop-up events are a great way to mitigate the risk of starting a food venture,” Coyne says. “Doing pop-ups is similar to what is referred to in the tech world as an MVP (minimum viable product). You are able to get your product out in the hands of your customers and test how the market reacts.” His concept, Laoban Dumplings, began popping up this January, and he plans to continue through the spring, with the possibility of opening a brick and mortar in the fall. Coyne is putting a modern spin on classic Chinese dumplings, inspired by his time teaching in China after college. During the pop-up phase, his team is creating collaborative dumplings that feature a culinary specialty from their host restaurant, like a khachapuri dumpling at Compass
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Zentan sushi and robata
Rose and a Reuben dumpling at On Rye. The benefits of a pop-up for the new concept are numerous. But establishments hosting pop-ups don’t get a bad deal either. “We are promoting the event, so we are helping to both raise awareness about the host and bring in more people through the door,” Coyne adds. “For places that don’t offer food, we are able to keep people there longer that might otherwise leave to eat elsewhere.” Pete Angevine, an owner and founder of Little Baby’s Ice Cream out of Philadelphia, says he made pop-ups an essential part of the company’s growth strategy from the beginning. “They are a low-cost, nimble way to get in front of an audience without making a giant financial investment that most small startup businesses don’t have,” he says. Little Baby’s has now entered the DC market as a continuing pop-up at Union Market, in the space where Trickling Springs, their dairy provider, operates Monday through Saturday. “Since they are Mennonite, they do not do business on Sundays,” Angevine says. Last summer, Little Baby’s began popping up in Trickling Springs’ stall every Sunday.
Photo: Courtesy of Zentan
“It’s been phenomenally successful and helpful to all parties involved. We subsidize their rent on a day they aren’t utilizing their space, we get a great opportunity to introduce our brand and product to the DC market, and the crowds at Union Market aren’t stuck without ice cream. It’s a winwin-win.” Other pop-ups, like the new breakfast pop-up from Colony Club and DGS Delicatessen, are partially about business, but also about family. “We’re friends and cousins with the owners of DGS, so it seemed like a cool opportunity to work together,” says Max Zuckerman, owner of Colony Club. The two establishments have teamed up to serve coffee and bagels on weekday mornings at DGS, when the place is typically closed. “We want to be a gathering place for the community, so the longer our doors are open, the better,” says Nick Wiseman, owner of DGS. At the same time, Colony Club is reaching a new audience. They plan to continue the arrangement for as long as people keep stopping by. For customers, pop-ups provide a unique opportunity to sample a new establishment
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Little Baby’s ice cream
Photo: Courtesy of Little Baby’s
before it opens. That idea spawned New Kitchens on the Block (NKOTB), a food event at Mess Hall created by founder Al Goldberg and food writer Nevin Martell. The event, happening on March 19, is in its second year. “I jokingly call NKOTB ‘the king of pop-ups,’ because it just takes the concept to the next level,” Martell says. “It can be time-consuming and expensive to go to every pop-up around town. NKOTB allows you to hit a bunch of them at once at a reasonable price.” He’s not exaggerating. For $65 (or $95 for VIP), guests can sample 11 of the most anticipated new concepts. As a culinary incubator, events like this are part of Mess Hall’s mission. “NKOTB allows restaurants to connect with DC’s most passionate diners, the food press and even potential investors,” Martell says. “Chefs and restaurateurs build buzz for their projects on all levels, so by the time they open their doors, they already have a fan base who believe in what they do and want to support it. There are so many restaurants opening these days that it helps participants stand out and get noticed.” Taqueria del Barrio, a concept from the owners of DC Empanadas, Anna Bran-Leis and Shawn Leis, will be serving authentic Mexican tacos at NKOTB. Since the name translates to “of the neighborhood,” running local pop-ups was a natural fit. A portion of the proceeds from their first event at neighboring Hank’s Cocktail Bar were donated to Latin American charities. After their appearance at NKOTB, they plan to open in Petworth later this month. The sons of the founding partners of Indique in Cleveland Park are introducing their fast-casual Indian concept, RASA, at the event. Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman began working on the concept in 2014, but the idea had been brewing since they were high school students working for their dads’ restaurants. Still in the pre-construction permit phase, NKOTB is a chance for the team to showcase their customizable Indian cuisine to future customers. RASA’s opening is slated for late summer or early fall of this year in Navy Yard. Hospitality vets Michael Turner and Alexandra Brookless Turner recently moved back to DC, and are having fun testing out a new concept, June, named after their daughter. Their food and beverage pairings, driven by the ingredients of the Mid-Atlantic region, popped up at Mess Hall in February, and they’ll be making an encore appearance during NKOTB. They’re playing the rest by ear. “We are having fun with it right now, and will see where it will go,” Brookless Turner says. Minibar alum Johnny Spero has also been popping up across DC ahead of his new solo venture, Reverie, opening later this year in Georgetown. At NKOTB, he’ll give guests a preview of his modern American cuisine. “I’m taking all of my time spent at restaurants that look at dining as an experience and [am] finding a way to translate that into a more relaxed and casual atmosphere,” Spero says of Reverie. The NKOTB lineup will also provide sneak peeks of The Salt Line by Kyle Bailey, Unconventional Diner by David Deshaies, Lupo Verde (Palisades) by Matteo Venini, Flamant by Frederik de Pue, Dio Wine Bar by Stacey
Guests enjoyed an evening at Turn Up The Heat Gala Celebration of Women Chefs, a vital fundraiser for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance. Photos: Tatiana Herrera
www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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Cherry Blossom PUB cocktail
Photo: Farrah Skeiky
Ju ne
On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
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Since Chef Yo and I come from different areas with different backgrounds, it’s exciting to bring different ideas and put them together to make one fun event.” Though not from Japan, pop-up guru Derek Brown is a self-professed Japanophile. After his wildly popular holidayand Stranger Things-themed Ph pop-ups, he’s just oto :C ou launched a Japanese cherry blossom popup at Mockingbird Hill and Southern Efficiency that runs through April 15. Guests of Brown’s previous popups know not to expect the bars to look anything like their original selves. But do expect lines. “I don’t know how many people do it exactly like us,” Brown says. “That’s not shade. I’ve seen pop-ups with a little decor and thematic menus and they’re great, but we dig deep. What we do totally transforms the bars. We say pop-up, but there’s another term we haven’t figured out yet. It takes months and a huge commitment – financially and physically.” The space will be draped in pink, with an origami crane chandelier, lucky waving cats, Super Mario Bros. memorabilia and a backdrop of cherry blossom art. Cocktails and food continue the theme, with drinks like What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Smaller and katsu sandwiches. Bartenders become Mario Bros. with red caps and overalls. Ultimately, o sy rte
Khoury-Diaz, Katz District Coffee by Kyle Katz and Brian Edling, and the forthcoming Shaw location of Sugar Shack Donuts. But pop-ups aren’t always about practicality. Sometimes they’re just pure fun. Like the Streets of Osaka event coming to Zentan on March 15, in collaboration with Sushi Taro. Japanese chefs Yo Matsuzaki of Zentan sh and Nobu Yamazaki of di Sushi Taro will bring the flavors of Osaka to DC for a onenight indoor street festival. Tickets are $45 for general admission, and $60 for VIP. Zentan will be bustling with street food stalls, sushi, sochu and sake tastings, cocktails, streamed sumo wrestling matches, art, and live music. VIPs get in early to get their hands dirty in sushi rolling classes. Among other things, the food stalls will feature Chef Matsuzaki’s specialty: robata, which he learned as a college student and part-time cook in Osaka. The Japanese cooking technique is similar to barbecuing. The two chefs hope this event will provide a new experience for guests. “I wanted to work with another authentic Japanese chef to further bring and introduce Japanese culture to Washington, DC,” Matsuzaki says. “I believe that’s part of my job as a native Japanese.” Chef Yamazaki adds, “Japanese festivals and street foods have so much variety depending on which region you grew up in.
Laoban dumplings
Photo: Courtesy of Laoban Dumplings
Brown and the team get a kick out of doing these themed pop-ups. “We get to be a little more whimsical and serve a broader group of people,” he says. “Our bars are usually built around products and ingredients we love and, that's still there, but the emphasis is on the theme. I mean, we get to serve straws with mustaches and serve drinks in Neko tiki mugs.” Pop-ups of all shapes and sizes have come and gone, but they’ve each attracted their own curious visitors. “The people of DC love to support their own,” RASA’s Vinod says. A pop-up “really allows the people of the city to connect with new brands and feel a personal connection to them.”
Spring Pop-ups DGS Delicatessen 1317 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.dgsdelicatessen.com Mess Hall 703 Edgewood St. NE, DC; www.messhalldc.com Mockingbird Hill 1843 7th St. NW, DC; www.twitter.com/drinkmoresherry Southern Efficiency 1841 7th St. NW, DC; www.angie-salame-yshd.squarespace.com Union Market 1309 5th St. NE, DC; www.unionmarketdc.com Zentan 1155 14th St. NW, DC; www.zentanrestaurant.com
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ON TAP | MARCH 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
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Fun facts courtesy of the following articles: #1: www.startribune.com/youngest-college-basketball-coaches-in-division-i/401409115/ #2: www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/ncaa-tournament-64-facts-teams-scouting-report-interesting-alumni-history-cbs-031616 #3: www.chrishavlicekcareer.com/uva/uva-mens-basketball-team/ #4: www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/history/_/team1/6088 #5: www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/04/02/ncaa-tournament-final-four-teams-most-shocking/2047219/ #6: www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/history/finalfourseeds #7: www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/history/finalfourseeds #8: www.thebestschools.org/magazine/25-fun-facts-about-march-madness/031814 #9: www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/history/_/team1/7718 #10: www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2016-03-26/march-madness-its-been-10-years-george-masons-final-four-run
BIG 10 TOURNEY By Tom Roth
W
Hits DC
Photo: Courtesy of Big Ten Conference
ith the expansion of power conferences in the NCAA, the Big Ten’s territory is creeping ever closer, recently incorporating Maryland and Rutgers into the conference. One of the key opportunities this expansion brings is the 2017 men’s basketball conference tournament, which will be held in DC at the Verizon Center for the first time. In advance of the games, On Tap caught up with the Big Ten Conference’s Communications Director, Brett McWethy. On Tap: What’s the significance of the tournament coming to DC for the first time? Brett McWethy: The Big Ten lives in two regions of the country, and has nearly one million alumni located in the Eastern Corridor. For the past 19 years, the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament has been held in Chicago or Indianapolis.
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OT: How have the additions of Maryland and Rutgers broadened and strengthened the brand of the Big Ten? BW: Both are tremendous academic institutions located in a region of the country that is important to the long-term vision of the conference. OT: What kind of crowd are you expecting out of the DC market? BW: We were pleased with the number of all-session tickets that were sold. Single-session tickets go on sale on March 6, and we’re hoping the availability of those tickets will lead to some great crowds throughout the week. OT: What can DC fans expect from Big Ten basketball? BW: Fans can expect to see a competitive five days of basketball. History has indicated that any team can make a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament. We’re excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the tournament with the fans in DC. OT: Outside of the top five teams (Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan State and Northwestern) in the Big Ten, is there a team you could see making a run that would bolster their chances of getting into the NCAA tournament? BW: It’s been a competitive environment in the Big Ten all season long. Any of the 14 teams has the ability to advance in the Big Ten Tournament. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have only met in the championship game three times in the history of the event. The 2017 Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament runs March 8-12 at the Verizon Center. Schedule and ticket prices vary. Check www.primesport.com for more details.
Verizon Center: 601 F St. NW, DC; 202-628-3200; www.primesport.com
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E F I L E H T N I A DAY
W By Trent Johnson
ER SPORTSCAST
HAYLEY MILON
Photos: Courtesy of Hayley Milon
ith experience in the studio and on the sidelines, Hayley Milon has taken in sporting events from all angles. Whether it’s sitting down with Bradley Beal at a media day event or listening in on a huddle mid-quarter to get an earful of strategy, Milon is always striving to gather the scoop for the audiences at home. With the NCAA tournament fast approaching, we figured we’d play a little role reversal with Milon, learning about her passion for college basketball, her absolute musts and what she does around DC.
On Tap: Have you always been into college basketball? Who’d you root for growing up? Hayley Milon: Yes, I have. I’m really just a fan of the sport, but I didn’t have a particular team when I was younger. As a kid, I always rooted against the team playing Georgetown, and one year I decided that I hated Duke. My grandfather went to the University of Notre Dame, so I rooted for them as well. Eventually, I went to George Washington University and now that’s my team. OT: What about college basketball in particular is so special? HM: It’s my favorite sport to cover because the game is so unpredictable and authentic. You have these storied programs, and schools that have their own character along with the coaches who run them. The culture surrounding the sport is so genuine; it’s all about the game.
Photo: Mark Weike
year for me. You finally get to find out the matchups and seedings for the teams you’ve • Family been watching all • Baseball season. There are always surprises. • Horses Then filling out the • Mustang con bracket and the vertible strategy behind • Washington , DC that is fun. I fill out probably about seven per year [in case] in the middle of the tournament, my brackets are busted.
rt
All-Time Faves:
OT: What’s your favorite aspect of working the sidelines? HM: The energy: every arena has its own energy. The student sections are so alive, and you see it specifically during the NCAA tournament. At the college level, you get entertainment and a lively, intimate arena, more so than at an NBA game.
OT: Who do you think has a chance to win it all this year? HM: You always go into it thinking it’s going to be one of the top seeds. Villanova last year is an example. It’s got to be Villanova, Kansas or Gonzaga. I’d put my money on Villanova to repeat.
OT: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you on the job? HM: Definitely the St. Joe’s University student section trying to distract me. They have a hawk mascot that doesn’t stop flapping its wings. When college kids hit the road, and they’re cheering in full force while trying to throw you off your game, it’s fun, but can be a little tough.
OT: What’s your favorite restaurant? HM: I love the Georgetown waterfront, so for the view, Sequoia is great. I love the bars around the area. There are tons of places to catch the games. I’m also a barbecue girl, so I love Hill Country. Country music, barbecue and sweet tea – and maybe a beer – is a great time.
OT: What’s your favorite part of the NCAA tournament? HM: I would say Selection Sunday is one of the best days of the
OT: What kinds of movies are you into? HM: After a long day, I like to unwind with some mindless comedy. I’d
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OT: Do you have a favorite theater? HM: In DC, I like to go catch movies in Chinatown, because you can catch a movie, get a drink and have a good time. If I’m feeling really lazy, I like to sneak a Snuggie into the Tyson’s AMC and just spend a day in my sweats at the movie theater. Yes, I actually bring a Snuggie with me. OT: What’s your date-night drink? HM: During the summer, I got hooked on sweet white wine. I really like moscato. When I’m on vacation, I go pina colada all day. I’ve tried to order sophisticated drinks like gin and tonics or cocktails, but they’re just not for me. OT: What’s your go-to for kicking back? HM: Blue Moon for sure. It’s just my taste palate. OT: What kinds of music do you listen to in your leisure? HM: Every day, I’m a country girl. I like outlaw country, but my preferred pump-up music is 90s rock. I like Metallica, AC/DC, Rise Against and Rage Against the Machine, to name a few. OT: What’s your favorite venue to see shows? HM: I like an intimate setting, so I love the 9:30 Club, and a lot of my favorite musicians play there. I like the Randy Rogers Band and Corey Smith, who is one of my all-time favorites that played there. I also enjoy the State Theatre in Falls Church, Va.
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By Jamie McCrary
B
oulder-based naturalist David Sutherland’s guided musical hikes aren’t just an experience. They’re an inspiration. The hikes, designed as nature walks set to classical music, are an interdisciplinary event rich in creative possibilities. “When you pair two unrelated things together and find the commonalities, it creates a space to explore new perspectives,” Sutherland says. “Combining music and nature inspires people to think in new, creative ways.” DC residents can experience this firsthand during two hour-long hikes in Rock Creek Park on March 27. Organized as part of the SHIFT Festival, a weeklong celebration of American orchestras co-presented by the Kennedy Center and Washington Performing Arts, Sutherland’s hikes promise a distinctive experience for musicians and naturalists alike. He’s got a traditional, yet exploratory, program planned. Both hikes, which center on the park’s birds, will challenge attendees to find different species while listening to Dvořák’s “American String Quartet,” SaintSaëns’s “Carnival of the Animals” and other bird-reminiscent pieces. He warns that the hike may pose a few surprises, though. Each program depends somewhat on the trail, weather and wildlife found along the way.
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ON TAP | MARCH 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Photo: Courtesy of Boulder Philharmonic
“I want all my hikes to be organic, rather than following a script or an outline,” he says. “I decide on a theme or concept, then illustrate it with what nature provides.” The festival will also present two concerts performed by the Boulder Philharmonic, this year’s orchestral partner. Both performances, one a full orchestral concert at the Kennedy Center and the other a chamber recital at the Jefferson Memorial, also center on nature and music.
“Exploring the intersection of nature and music offers a new, creative way to experience the genre; a way that also helps it become more relevant to people’s lives.” “Our natural environment has always been a source of inspiration for artists and musicians,” says Kevin Shuck, executive director of the Boulder Philharmonic. “We wanted to connect people to our natural
world through classical music, and in turn use our natural surroundings to connect people to the power of music.” The concerts and the guided hikes support the festival’s greater mission of reigniting people’s passion for classical music. Exploring the intersection of nature and music offers a new, creative way to experience the genre; a way that also helps it become more relevant to people’s lives. “It’s about bringing classical music out into the community, finding new creative partners and better integrating it into society,” Sutherland explains. He hopes this exchange will continue to motivate and inspire his hikers. “Bridging nature and classical music helps people understand each other’s passions,” he says. “It encourages a deeper appreciation of classical music, and of each other.” The guided musical hikes run on March 27 at 3:30 and 5 p.m. in Rock Creek Park. Tickets are free, and reservations are required.
The SHIFT Festival runs March 27 to April 1. Participating orchestras include Boulder Philharmonic, North Carolina Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and The Knights. For more information about SHIFT Festival concerts and community activities, visit www.kennedy-center.org/festivals/shift
Tennis Sails into DC By Trent Johnson Photo: Luca Venter
“The thing about sailing is, you don’t know what day it is.” Alaina Moore tells me this over the phone during our interview. The sentiment of losing yourself to time, and breaking away from the rigid structure of a calendar, wasn’t an unfamiliar one. Nearly all of my retired grandparents echoed what the singer-songwriter confided. Days flow into one another, like the ocean the band Tennis happened to be floating across when writing their newest album, Yours Conditionally. The differences between retired folks and a band arguably in their prime aren’t easily identifiable. But for Moore to say this meant that she and Patrick Riley, her husband and bandmate, were truly lost in their work, much like an oldie in retirement. And you can pick up this calm easiness on the album. “I think the real reason for that is that we had already decided that we would
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
self-release and record it alone,” Moore says about the album. “Deciding in advance that it would all be for us, it took so much pressure off of us.” Their sound is extremely relaxed, nearly subdued in its delivery. Although the topics of love, other emotions and even feminism carry colossal weight in the songs, the meat of them is delivered in a more than digestible manner, which manifested itself rather organically. “We had no vision when we started making the record,” Moore says. “I usually just tackle it in terms of one song at a time, and as I go, I see a narrative arc emerge. There’s a few songs we really liked that we had to cut because they didn’t fit. It all started with the first choice to free ourselves from the expectations and suggestions of other people.” This attitude plays like a throwback to decades past, with a smooth, easygoing feel, and some retro-pop sensibilities. Moore says, like most things on Yours Conditionally, this vintage style emerged subconsciously. “Patrick is our engineer, and we really like the production of songs from the 60s and 70s,” Moore says. “We’ve jumped all over the map of what we’re interested in. Another element for
the kind of retro feel is I really like to emulate that kind of songwriting. It’s very different from contemporary music; the intervals used in the 70s were radically different than now.” Songwriting for the couple is typically divided, with either being able to point at particular songs, saying, “That one is mine.” Moore writes all the lyrics, whereas Riley writes music with production and sounds in mind. “I’ll play him what I’ve made or recorded, and if we don’t impress each other, we know it’s out,” Moore says. “I’ll then hand it over to Pat and he’ll add some instrumentation so I can write new melodies, or he’ll give me a piece of music and I’ll add a chorus and lyrics.” Along with the bulk of work being done on the open seas, the new album has a tremendous amount in common with the pair’s first album, Cape Dory. “We made that record with the purpose of itself,” Moore says. “No expectations or consequences, and after that we began recording albums to make a living, and live up to something. The songs couldn’t exist on their own. I love the records we made, but we needed to cut ourselves out of that way of thinking, or we would lose our connection to
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songwriting as a personal expression.” To do this, Tennis had to allow themselves wiggle room. With the only goal being to express themselves freely, they had to taper their own expectations in term of financial gain, and critical acclaim. “We basically gave ourselves permission to fail,” Moore says. “As you get successful, you see what makes that happen and you internalize those observations, and they become hard to break away from. We made a concentrated effort to get away from that line of thinking.” Luckily, the band hasn’t failed. The album marks a step forward in the band’s maturation process, while also reaching back and grabbing some of the magic responsible for their popularity. Moore says this will be the new status quo, as the group plans to mimic this free-flowing creation process for future works. Like all other things Tennis, this sort of clicked, and when you get to one-up your previous works while also sailing on a boat, you kind of have to, right? “We try to take a step forward with every record,” Moore says. “If we don’t feel like we’re moving forward, we wouldn’t want to make another record. In that sense, I think this is the best thing we’ve ever done.” Yours Conditionally will be released on March 10. The duo will perform at 9:30 Club on March 19. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $20. Learn more about the band at www.tennis-music.com.
in support of
9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; 202-265-0930; www.930.com www.ontaponline.com | MARCH 2017 | ON TAP
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OT: How would you characterize your collaborative process for the set with award-winning director Jose Zayas? SM: The stage set felt like an extension of the autobiographical quality of the songs. For the projections, I think [Jose] had more of a free hand. I’m exactly the last person to ask questions about the projections. I’m the only person who can’t see them. Everyone in the band can see them backwards, from the back of the screen, but it’s absolutely right above my head so I can’t see a thing. If the screen falls, I will be killed. [Laughs]
Up Close and Personal with
The Magnetic Fields’
Stephin Merritt
By Monica Alford
S
tephin Merritt is no stranger to writing about some of life’s most uncomfortable, even painful, moments. But on 50 Song Memoir, the prolific singer-songwriter and Magnetic Fields frontman’s 25th album, he takes a look directly inward with purely autobiographical material. Each song on The Magnetic Fields’ new album, out on March 10, represents a year in Merritt’s life (almost, he turns 52 this year). On March 18 and 19, The Magnetic Fields come to Lincoln Theatre for a two-night performance of 50 Song Memoir, with a seven-person lineup and an intricate stage set including an eclectic assortment of instruments (nearly 80 were used to record the album) and music video projections. I had the chance to catch up with Merritt on the phone last week, and did my best to keep my cool (I’m a diehard MF fan) as I chatted with the very direct, always witty musician about his latest project. On Tap: How did you come up with the idea for your stage set for this tour? Stephin Merritt: I have several Marx tin dollhouses from the late 40s/early 50s, so the stage set is a gigantic version of that with windows through which you can see the musicians behind me. And I’m surrounded by, as well as drum machines and such, things that I have had for a long time. OT: Your set is generally pretty minimalist. Why the change for 50 Song Memoir? SM: I felt that with only one lead singer for 50 songs in a row, it would be a good idea to have something else to look at. As with the usual Magnetic Fields show, I will stare at my music stand and won’t do anything but sing. So there’s not ordinarily very much to look at, which is fine with me. But for 50 songs in a row, it requires a little more diversion, so we decided to have a stage set and projections.
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OT: Do you feel pushed outside of your comfort zone with the stage set and projections? SM: I don’t really know what people mean by comfort zone. I don’t think I have a comfort zone.
OT: 50 Song Memoir is a deeply personal set of songs. Is this the first time you’ve crafted such an extensive collection of autobiographical material? SM: I think of everything as being not particularly autobiographical. But this album is pointedly autobiographical all the time for 50 songs, so it was harder to write than my other records. But once it’s Photo: Marcelo Krasilcic written, I don’t think about the lyrics all the time. I think about the execution all the time. So from the audience’s perspective, it’s an autobiographical album. From my perspective, it’s 50 songs I have to sing well and what the lyrics are is not the point. OT: Was it harder to draw from recent years? SM: Yeah, I’ve had a long time to digest and forget most of my childhood whereas the last few years, I’m still kind of digesting and forgetting. So, the last few years are still being edited in my memory.
ngs on the album that OT: Are there any so you, or just really to are particularly dear you hoped they ay came together the w would? ing is difficult and I SM: I wish. No. Everyth ral at all times. I am seve feel under-rehearsed joy en d an g able to relax shows away from bein st lea ng that gives me the at all. So I think the so he Day I Finally,” which anxiety is probably “T alone on the one-man is a song that I perform perform that, if I do it band because when I the liating anyone else in mi hu be t n’ wo I , ng ro w a tightrope, but if I fall band. I may be walking meone else. off, I won’t fall onto so OT: Was anyone in your life displeased with any of the songs? SM: My mother is in several songs, and I played her those songs before releasing the album just to make sure that she wasn’t going to sue me
or anything like that. And the only factual error that she pointed out was when I say that she has no proof that the physical universe is a hologram. She said she had plenty of proof. I can’t make this stuff up. OT: Has she seen you perform live on this tour? SM: Yes, she has. I think night one is funny and night two is moving. But she thinks that night one is grueling and night two is a blast. OT: What instruments used on the album do you most enjoy playing on tour? I know you have a lot to choose from. [Laughs] SM: [Laughs] What I play onstage is the ukulele on one song, a one-man band on one song and the rest is rhythm units, except for the Dewanatron, which I play just by turning it on and off because it makes its own squiggly sounds without my input. I love the Dewanatron. It looks like it’s a prop from Plan 9 from Outer Space. But actually, it was invented within the last 10 years. OT: I feel like The Magnetic Fields can’t really be described by a particular sound, or genre. SM: I say variety show.
OT: Variety show , ye experiment with so ah! But really, you many different styl of music. How do you respond to po es inted questions about yo ur genre? SM: In the 60s, ther e was a slogan: “Don ’t label me.” And I’ve alway s liked that. “Don’t la bel me” is an excellent thin g to say. Up there w ith “Don’t tread on me.” In th e 80s, we used to sa y, “My gender is none of yo ur business” along with “My race is none of your business,” [and] “M y ethnicity is none of your busin ess.” We used to ha ve a much more fluid approach to identity. And genr e in music is almost entir ely about identity. Music with genre fluidity points toward an identity fluidity that I would like to see tried. OT: Switching gears here. Any chance your song “Washington, DC” [on 1999’s 69 Love Songs] is autobiographical? SM: It was actually, in a way, totally autobiographical because I wrote it in response to my boyfriend at the time saying that his work might transfer him to Washington, DC. I wrote it sort of pretending that I was in Washington in the spring, writing about the Cherry Blossoms and all. OT: Do you have a favorite DC memory? SM: [Laughs] The first thing that pops into my mind is, I guest-starred in a Yo La Tengo song at the 9:30 Club years ago, probably 20 years ago now, and I don’t remember what song it was, but part of my role was to whip the audience with the mic cord. We must have been doing a Velvet Underground song in order for me to justify whipping the audience in the Velvet Underground style. Merritt and The Magnetic Fields will perform 50 Song Memoir at Lincoln Theatre on March 18 and 19; songs 1-25 on night one, songs 26-50 on night two. Doors at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets to each show are $40-$55.
Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; 202-888-0050; www.thelincolndc.com www.ontaponline.com | March 2017 | On Tap
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nt Johnson By Michael Coleman, Tre and Courtney Sexton
TUESDAY, MARCH 7
All Them Witches What does it mean that out of All Them Witches, none are actually women? Not sure, but regardless, they are beguiling. Their music has the effect of being both sinister and totally disaffected at the same time, and perhaps this is what is enticing. It’s heavy on instrumentation and there is some definite droning, chanting and spell-casting, along with voodoo vibe vocals. Listening is an exercise in musical mental prowess, trying to peel back the layers of mystique to see what it is exactly that is drawing you in. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $15. DC9 Nightclub: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
Tickets cost $16.75-$25.25. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com
Slothrust For a band with just three members, Slothrust sure makes a lot of noise – both on the stage and, lately, in the rock music press. The New York natives, who met in the jazz/blues program at Sarah Lawrence College, wear their traditional and grunge rock influences proudly. But the band also infuses its dense, heavy sound with contemporary flourishes. Lead singer Leah Wellbaum wails with bluesy misery one moment and shifts to seductive purrs the next, as guitars and drums roar behind her. It’s the sound of a band that’s going places. Doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $13-$15. The Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 Enter The Haggis & We Banjo 3 In March, it’s festive to head out to a show headlined by Irishinspired music, mostly because of the impending St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re into this line of thought, you can’t do much better than the combo of Enter The Haggis and We Banjo 3. While the former is one of the most noted Celtic bands around, the latter infuses various string instruments to deliver a show that will have you downing pints of Guinness with shots of whiskey. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.
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Electric Guest “It’s time to get funky” is a term used in various movies referencing the disco sounds of the 60s and 70s. Though Electric Guest is rather contemporary in comparison to groups hailing from that era, the duo is assuredly worthy of the often-quoted phrase. Asa Taccone and Matthew
ON TAP | MARCH 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Compton have a penchant for easing digestible electronic sounds into your earholes, while dishing out soothing lyrics. With a mix of soul, soft rock and even disco-inspired music, you can’t not invite this Electric Guest into your house, right? Too corny? Okay fine, but you should seriously check out their performance. Show at 7 p.m. Tickets $20. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 9
Infinity Crush Caroline White, who records and performs as Infinity Crush, is a classically-trained musician, a poet and a synth-lullaby siren. Her first full-length album, released in September, is a lo-fi hazy daydream dedicated to the memory of her late father. The Maryland native’s music will both haunt and seduce you, so make sure you arrive early enough to catch her in the opening set. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 11
The Kennedys Folk music is typically positive,
featuring easy strums of the guitar and pleasant vocals. The Kennedys take this a step further, singing about the tranquility of a river flowing and the calming effects of the word “namaste.” The duo has been around since the mid-90s, and list artists like Bob Dylan and Nancy Griffith as influences. So if you can’t take another night of drunken debauchery, perhaps do musical meditating and give The Kennedys a chance; plus, the show is a album release celebration. Doors at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m. Tickets $22. Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com
Priests: Record Release Party After two years in and out of the studio, DC’s rising punk band – Priests – dropped its first fulllength album in January. What better way to celebrate than a show at the Black Cat, where the band honed its ferocious live act? Priests’ new record, Nothing Feels Natural, retains the quartet’s explosive, raucous sound, but the tunes also hit the ear with a nuance, musicianship – and dare we say polish - that reveals an ongoing sonic maturation. Priests drummer Daniele D, a transplant to DC from New York, told On Tap last year she loved the nation’s capital because “there’s a sense that you can grow and experiment as an artist in a supportive community.” Don’t miss your chance to return the
Music Picks love this month at the Black Cat. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets $16. The Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com
Music Hall: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.birchmere.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 10 and SATURDAY, MARCH 11
duo began their music careers as producers working with local rappers. However, these brothers are ready to wow you themselves on the 9:30 Club stage. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
Tickets cost $19.75-$29.75. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
Railroad Earth A classic bluegrass/Americana jam band from, New Jersey? That’s right. These Jersey natives who started playing in bars and Elks clubs have made a name and a career making music in the tradition of The Band. And even if you’re not super-into the idea of jam bands, don’t let it dissuade you. These guys put on a hell of a show and watching them improvise live is sonic treat every time. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $28. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
Regina Spektor Salve Regina! If you don’t know her (what rock do you live under?!), Regina Spektor is one of the original – and quintessential – women of indie pop. A Soviet Union ex-pat, Spektor began training at piano even before her family emigrated when she was nine. Her skill at and quirky manipulation of the keys, paired with her wide variety of vocal techniques, quickly became her calling cards. Spektor released seven albums between 2001 and 2016, each with its own eccentricities. For above all she is a storyteller, and her songs can take you from a Russian fairytale to a basement in Brooklyn in a matter of minutes. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Ticket prices starting at $63. DAR Constitution Hall: 1776 D St. NW, DC; www.dar.org/constitution-hall
Consider the Source ...and then reconsider it. This music has influences rooted in everything from trip-hop to prog rock, sci-fi sound effect to deepphysics shoegaze, jazz to metal – and you might even catch some salsa or Asian dance blends mixed in for good measure. The trio hails from NYC and are masters at instrumentation – clean dirt that you can zone out or rock out to, depending on the track and your mood. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$14. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 Ladysmith Black Mambazo “World music” seems like such an obtuse genre – isn’t all music “world music”? LBM have been producing rhythm and harmony in their native South African musical tradition since the early 1960s, with their first album release in 1973. They gained international fame when Paul Simon featured the group in Graceland. A year later, he produced their Grammy-winning first worldwide release. Harmony and an international perspective from the folks who know it best? We could all use a little of that. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $49.50. The Birchmere
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Hippie Sabotage In a blend of indie vocals and hip hop beats, Hippie Sabotage is definitely an interesting listen. The bass thumps, electric sounds fill the dance floors and the raspy voice provides a peaceful touch to what otherwise could be described as purely dance music. The songs vary from ferociously fast such as their hit “Your Soul” and the unbearably patient “Devil Eyes.” The booming bass and instrumentation makes sense when you realize the Sacramento
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Young Dubliners Described as “Celtic rock’s hardest working band,” the Young Dubliners play hundreds of shows per year, and have made guest spots on television a few times in recent the memory. The group was birthed in Los Angeles, even though the two founding members are both from Dublin, Ireland, and from there the group ventured to adapt Irish ballads into consumable music for the masses. With various instruments, the occasional violin, and their undeniable charm, it’s hard to pass up a legit Dublin experience on St. Patrick’s Day. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.
Chris Knight and Will Hoge Chris Knight might not get the media adoration that his Americana contemporaries Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton enjoy, but make no mistake – he’s one of America’s finest songwriters. The Kentucky native’s gritty, evocative tales of down-and-out drifters, rural revenge and life on the margins are shot through with empathy and understanding. Meanwhile, Will Hoge – another underrated songwriter – is an accomplished heartland rocker in the John Mellencamp mold. Both Knight and Hoge are songwriters extraordinaire, but their respective bands both come out blazing live, giving each man’s sound a ragged, rocking edge. Show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29.50. Birchmere: 701 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.birchmere.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
Mike Love Hawaiian-born Mike Love’s eclectic brand of reggae has a lot going on. The rising star borrows from funk, electronica, soul and rock – hell, even yacht rock. He also deploys an arsenal of technical components on stage, including live looping, effects pedals and a hybrid acoustic/ electronic drum kit. The end result: Wholly original tunes that
don’t forsake – or ape – reggae’s roots. Love’s music also stays true to the genre’s protest tradition, with titles like “Time to Wake Up” and “No More War.” Consider it smooth music for rocky times. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $14. Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com
People’s Blues of Richmond The blues is moody. By definition, the music is supposed to cover a whirlwind of emotions including sadness and despair, but also the oddity of reveling in sorrow. So yeah, you have to bring a certain edge to the stage in order to pull off the genre. The People’s Blues of Richmond bring all that and more with quick tempo changes and bellowing chants that are both emotionally charged and extremely fun to yell in a crowd. The music perpetually vacillates from quick intrepidness to a sloughing trudge. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$15. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 18 and SUNDAY MARCH 19
two nights’ of shows at the Lincoln. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40-$55. Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; www.thelincolndc.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
Aaron Lee Tasjan After stints as a guitarist for glam-rock legends The New York Dolls, British roots band Alberta Cross and southern rock warhorses Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, Aaron Lee Tasjan is stepping out on his own to decidedly good effect. The East Nashville-based musician’s second album, Silver Tears, has him both singing and slinging guitar, and Tasjan proves quite adept at both. He can peel off jangly, Byrds-inflected rockers one minute and emotive steel guitar weepers the next. Tasjan said his off-kilter, folk-inflected songs are the result of all the gigs that came before his move to the spotlight as a frontman. “A lot of the stuff I did previously was never the main focal point,” he says. “It’s all just been pieces along the way.” Doors open 8:30 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets $12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
The Magnetic Fields For more than 25 years, master songwriter Stephin Merritt has been composing musical epics. For those familiar with the work of Merritt and his longtime project The Magnetic Fields, you know what an emotional journeys those epics can take you on. Merritt’s latest undertaking is the album 50 Song Memoir, in which he has written a song for each year of his life – this time inviting us along for the story of his own journey. The Magnetic Fields will perform all 50 songs from the release over
Foxygen For a while there, it didn’t look like this band would make it through the fire, perhaps suffocating from the trials of being in a band. However, that seemed to change with Hang, as the band finally rounded into form delivering an indie album its fans and admirers knew it were capable of producing. Picking up scraps from classic rock, and adding eccentric twists throughout, Foxygen has proven they know music, and can
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create tunes bathed in influences that still powerful enough to stand alone. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
Cosmonauts Though the Cosmonauts call their sound “drug punk,” you don’t have to be totally inebriated to jive about while listening to the psychedelic music. Obviously taking notes from bands like Sonic Youth and Velvet Underground, the songs are thick and heavy, even the lighter ones, because of the weight of the guitar-vocals. The most noted feature of the group is the dedication to their amps, often driving the tunes to be as loud as possible. We’re all for good loud music, but maybe bring some ear
buds for this one. Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10-$12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 24
Minus the Bear Voids dropped March 3 – the sixth full-length for indie rockers Minus the Bear. Beside their Seattle street cred, what makes these guys stand out among others on the scene is that they are they are approachable in a nostalgic way. They’d probably hate that I said that, but what I mean is, while they’ve got killer talent with electronic timing and composition, they also kind of embody the spirit of what 90s “alt pop” bands – think Third Eye Blind – could have progressed to if they’d dug a little deeper, and paid more attention to
the technical. Again, the band probably wouldn’t take this as a compliment, but I mean it as one. Their sound is familiar enough to be engaging, but original enough to be worth listening to. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com
Saba Tahj Chandler, better known as Saba, is a 20-year-old rapper hailing from Chicago's West Side, one of the nation’s most potent hotbeds of hip-hop. Wielding an aggressive yet smooth flow and seamless sampling of late R&B, Saba’s sound is mature beyond his years. Schooled in piano starting at seven-years-old, Saba boasts a traditional musicality that some contemporary hiphop lacks. It’s a smart niche, one that should draw a crowd ranging from the staunchest old-school hip-hop heads to a new generation of rap fans. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15-$17. Songbyrd: 2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com
at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15-$18. Rock and Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com
MONDAY, MARCH 27
Allah-Lahs Garage rock? Surf rock? California babe? Gidget, where you at girl? Kind of, but more today and less 50s – in a good way. Oh, the AllahLas have got some catchy groovin’ tunes. Give me the tambourine and let me play with you. Sure, maybe it’s ridiculous that three of the bandmates met while working together at Amoeba, but ridiculous in all the right ways. Smart lyrics and clean rhythms make them better-than-youraverage Cali dream band and I can’t imagine anyone not being able to enjoy one of their shows. How can you hate the “perfect mixture of the sands, the seas, the streets and cities of the Golden State”? Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
Chicano Batman “Holy smooth-sounding, music Chicano Batman!” Okay, okay, that’s not a real quote from the old Adam West led Batman series, but if Robin had uttered he would have not only been on the cutting edge of time travel, but he would be correct. With Latin flair, the group takes after the psychedelic sounds of 70s soul, creating a potent listening experience that makes you want to put them on playlists built around Jimi Hendrix and The Doors tunes. So what if they don’t belong to that era? When the music fits, it fits! Doors
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On Tap | March 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Pretenders Chrissie Hynde spent the past couple of years writing a controversial autobiography then touring arenas with Stevie Nicks. Now, the rock legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is bringing her Pretenders back to the kinds of clubs the band played before they got famous, including a date at the Fillmore in Silver Spring. Expect to hear the 80s-era monster hits – “Back on the Chain Gang,”“Middle of the Road,” “My City Was Gone” and others – as well as newer Pretenders tunes, all delivered with Hynde’s sardonic wit and trademark too-cool-for-school snarl. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets $45. The
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Fillmore at Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.fillmoresilverspring.com
NE-HI These relative newcomers (loosely formed in 2013 when composing a score for a friend’s film) have got a definite next wave Dandy Warhols, Brian Jonestown Massacre kind of thing going on -- really catchy pop rhythms laced with just the right amount of disaffectedness (but just the right amount). Listening to their tunes alone in the kitchen sucks you into this cross between a trance dance and a Beatles kind of groove. This would be a great show to take your hip date to, and get excited about when you realize you both can’t help but shake off some of the cool and dance a little. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance; $12 at the door. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
Sarah Potenza We all know that a strong showing on the The Voice does not guarantee a successful music career, but take that and a rave review in Rolling Stone and an indomitable spirit, and you just might go pretty far in the business. Potenza, a self-described “badass fatass” who wowed viewers of The Voice late last year, is about to see just how far. Channeling Janis Joplin, Susan Tedeschi, Aretha Franklin and other powerhouse vocalists, Potenza is on the road showcasing her polished blues/rock/soul hybrid sound. Backed by a rocking band, Potenza’s big voice should sound fabulous in Hill Country’s intimate concert space. Show starts at 8:30 p.m. Free to attend. Hill Country: 410 7th St. NW, DC; www.hillcountrywdc.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29
Middle Kids Rarely does a young rock trio hit the international music scene boasting the self-assuredness of Australia’s Middle Kids. Rarer still is when the band gets a plug from rock legend Elton John, who put Middle Kids’ debut single, “Edge of Town,” on his Apple music playlist. It’s also fairly uncommon for an indie rock trio to so effortlessly straddle the line between street cred and commercial viability. Tight, propulsive rhythms and ambient, dreamy harmonies meld seamlessly in Middle Kids’ music, making them ripe for airplay – but likely only on the coolest stations. Lead singer Hannah Joy’s soaring and captivating voice channels PJ Harvey, Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine, and other altrock priestesses with serious vocal chops and attitude to burn. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
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Milk$ Pronounced “Milk Money,” this hip-hop duo has struck gold in a balance of DC’s notable go-go music and hip hop. With only one album to date, 2016’s Zodiac Sines, the pair is still young in their careers, and sometimes it’s exciting to catch a musical act on the come-up. For them, the fire is just being ignited and the energy is palpable every time they set foot on the stage. Support local art, support Milk$, even though milk is low key bad for you. Show at 7 p.m. Free to attend. Anacostia Arts Center: 1231 Good Hope Road SE, DC; www.anacostiaartscenter.com
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King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard The King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard sound isn’t for everyone, but it’s also not quite as strange as the name would imply. Despite the wacky moniker, this seven-piece Australian outfit lays down some of this era’s most serious and complex psychedelic rock. Known for energetic live performances and cranking out lots of records, King Gizzard blends 1960s surf music with garage, punk and prog rock into an invigorating psychedelic stew. Unlike some psychedelic rock tunes that lack a rhythmic anchor, King Gizzard keeps the grooves front and center while borderline musical madness unfolds on the margins. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $18. 9:30 Club: 915 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
Wyclef Jean In the hip-hop community, the Fugees are legends. Alongside Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel, Wyclef Jean was an integral part to their success. Since the group’s disbandment in 1997, Jean has gone on to carve out a successful solo career. From rhymes to a sorrowful vocal style, Jean has been versatile in his music, which often carry political weight. Though Jean won’t be accompanied by his former bandmates, he’s a musical legend in his own right. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $37. The Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD: www.fillmoresilversping.com
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