Drink. Dine. Do. 04.17
THE VINYL ISSUE RECORD STORE DAY LOCAL SHOPS DJS + BARS
BRUNCH PICKS BY NEIGHBORHOOD COTTON & REED’S LUKAS B. SMITH WASHINGTON VALOR’S BIG DEBUT
l y n i V r e v Fe
THE RED LINE N OT RED L IG H TS Leave the Car. Catch the Train. Your Commute Has Never Been So Smooth.
D.C. traffic is among the worst in the nation. Bumper to bumper, stop and go. Hours of your life wasted. It’s time to take back your life. At Glenmont MetroCentre, you’re just steps from the Red Line. Hop on the train and relax. You’ll be there in no time.
Modern townhomes from the mid $400’s with a garage, terrace and 4 finished levels. A short walk from Glenmont Metro.
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Table of Contents April 2017: Vol 19 No 6
on our
cover Drink. Dine. Do. 04.17
THE VINYL ISSUE RECORD STORE DAY LOCAL SHOPS DJS + BARS BRUNCH PICKS BY NEIGHBORHOOD
who is on tap
Model: Megan Haney Venue: Songbyrd Record Store and Cafe
Photography: Lindsay Galatro Design: Alanna Sheppard
WASHINGTON VALOR’S BIG DEBUT
Publisher Jennifer Currie
Spinning hot wax
jennifer@ontaponline.com
Audiophiles know April brings more than April Fools’ Day. Record Store Day (on April 22) is the day when vinyl heads pick up coveted releases and celebrate all things vinyl, and DC is going big for RSD’s 10th anniversary. In honor of the day, we put together a list of local shops that’ll have you covered, and put the spotlight on DJs in the area who enjoy running their fingers along the grooves of the circular wax. Our beer writer offers up some beer and vinyl pairings and our bartenders are all pouring at vinyl-heavy joints. Speaking of old school, the Wizards won their division for the first time in four decades, and we predict how their postseason will turn out. Read our interview with local cocktail celebrity Lukas B. Smith, get a look at the world of cardboard robots and take in build-your-own band The Bachelor Boys. A special thanks to Songbyrd Record Store and Cafe for hosting our cover shoot!
Managing Editor Monica Alford
Vinyl Vinyl r Vinyl Feve COTTON & REED’S LUKAS B. SMITH
Founder James Currie
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 Stage & Screen Events........................... 4 .d0t at Mead Theatre Lab...................... 6 Raisin in the Sun..................................... 8
n april Roundup
24
32
Washington Valor
Brunch by the Block
DC’s Arena Football Team
10 Local Spots on Our Radar
Creating the Cover............................... 11 Did You Know? Vinyl. . ........................... 14 Drink, Dine, Do...................................... 15
n Sports Nationals’ Season Preview.................. 22 Washington Valor’s Debut.................. 24 Wizards’ Playoff Predictions.. .............. 26
n Dining New, Notable, No Longer.................... 30 Brunch by the Block............................. 32
46
50
A Day in the Life
Kickin’ It Local
Cocktail Concocter Lukas B. Smith
Beer and Vinyl Pairings
n Drinks What’s On Tap?...................................... 42 Behind the Bar....................................... 46 A Day in the Life.................................... 46 Beer and Vinyl Pairings........................ 50
n Music
56
60
Vinyl Talk
Vinyl DJs
With DC’s Record Store Owners
Spinnin’ Strong in DC
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On Tap | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Vinyl Talk........................................................56 Vinyl DJs.........................................................60 Bachelor Boys...............................................62 Dengue Fever...............................................64 Music Picks....................................................66
Events & promotions manager Theresa Converse theresa@ontaponline.com
Events & Promotions Assistant Shannon Darling
shannon@ontaponline.com
OUTREACH COORDINATOR Kelcie Glass kelcie@ontaponline.com
Contributing Writers
Mike Coleman, Lani Furbank, Jon Kaplan, Vanessa Mallory Kotz, Jamaal Lemon, Kayla Marsh, Kaitlyn McQuin, Courtney Sexton
Contributing Photographers
Nhu Duong, Lani Furbank, Lindsay Galatro, John Gervasi, Tatiana Herrera, Ryan Hill, Jamaal Lemon, Cristina O’Connell, Devin Overby, Mark Raker 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.
Office
25 Dove St, Alexandria, VA 22314 Tel: 703-465-0500 Fax: 703-465-0400 www.ontaponline.com Calendar Submissions www.ontaponline.com/calendar Due by 15th of the month for print issue
RADCLIFFE BAILEY: THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP Exhibition on view April 21–August 18, 2017 Opening Reception April 22, 5–7pm
SAVE THE DATE RESTONARTS.ORG
Blue Black (detail), 2016, glass and ink 10 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches (glass heart) 69 x 79 x 4 1/2 inches (overall) ©Radcliffe Bailey. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.
Stage & Screen Events By Kaitlyn McQuin
RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 9
Mnemonic A commentary on migration through physical movement, Mnemonic touches on the transportation of our ancestors and the parallels in today’s society of staying unsettled. Is this by choice or out of our control? Technology will be placed throughout the performance to effectively highlight the questions of “Where do we come from?” and “Where are we going?” Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30-$40. Anacostia Playhouse: 2020 Shannon Pl. SE, DC; www.theatrealliance.com
RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 23
RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 30
The Blood Knot From South Africa’s most acclaimed playwright, The Blood Knot marks the first play in Mosaic Theater Company’s South Africa repertory. A fable about two brothers separated by color but bound by blood, The Blood Knot takes us on a harrowing journey of disguise and the truths behind living in one’s skin. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $20$60. Atlas Performing Arts Center: 1333 H St. NE, DC; www.mosaictheater.org
RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 30
FRIDAY, APRIL 7 – SUNDAY, APRIL 16
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Out of This World For people who fear clowns, this will be a welcome goodbye. For those who are super fans of the Ringling Bros., this might be your last chance to see them in action. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Out of This World is the infamous circus group’s last tour before they close their doors, so catch it while you can. It’s sure to be filled with lions, tigers and motorcycles, oh my! The reviews so far have been spectacular, so if you’re keen on spectacle and various mammals jumping through fiery hula hoops, don’t miss out. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $25-$85. EagleBank Arena: 4500 Patriot Cr. Fairfax, VA; www.eaglebankarena.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 13
Pike St. With a hurricane making its way toward New York, a mother living in the Lower East Side is working tirelessly to keep the electricity running for her daughter’s respirator. On the brink of disaster and running out of options, she meets a host of colorful neighborhood characters ranging from her 80-somethingyear-old neighbor to a decorated war veteran who bring an entirely new meaning to the phrase “It takes a village.” From the same one-woman powerhouse that brought us No Child…, which garnered rave reviews, Pike St. is guaranteed to be a hit. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $29-$49. Woolly Mammoth Theatre: 641 D St. NW, DC; www.woollymammoth.net
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Midwestern Gothic Signature Theatre is known in these parts for their grandiose musicals, and Midwestern Gothic is no different. Set in a small town in the middle of nowhere (sounds like where I grew up!), this thriller takes you on a journey of various ways to leave behind a town…but with a super creepy twist, I’m sure. Just the way I like it. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $69$74. Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell St. Arlington, VA; www.sigtheatre.org
An Evening with David Sedaris If there was ever a time in America to unwind with a hefty dose of laughter, it’s now. We need it. David Sedaris is bringing his wisdom and wit to the Strathmore, and it’s just for you (and everyone else who goes). The Grammy nominee and New York Times bestselling author’s shows have been described as “nothing short of mesmerizing.” If you need any more convincing, do you even laugh? 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $35-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 14 – SUNDAY, MAY 21
Smart People Smart People dives straight into the controversial subject of racism, and whether it’s hardwired into us from the beginning or a product of our environment. Four professionals gather to assess the psychological effects of race on the human brain from various career perspectives (doctor, actress, psychologist and neurobiologist), and dive into the humanly desires of identity, love and acceptance. Where will the line be drawn between cold hard facts and political correctness? I guess you’ll just have to make your way to Arena Stage to see! Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $66-$81. Kreeger Theatre at Arena Stage: 1101 Sixth St. SW, DC; www.arenastage.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
Sarah Silverman Funny (and controversial) lady Sarah Silverman is bringing her sass to MGM National Harbor this April. From standup to television to making fun of literally everyone, Silverman has done it all and is not sorry, which is why we like her. Grab a date, prepare to laugh and head on over to Maryland’s finest! Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $54-$68. The Theater at MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Ave. Oxon Hill, MD; www.mgmnationalharbor.com
Photo: Joan Marcus
Fun Home Comes to National Theatre From April 18 to May 13, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fun Home comes to National Theatre. The play marks the first Broadway musical with a lesbian protagonist, based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir about discovering her sexuality. We caught up with actress Karen Eilbacher, who plays Joan (based on Alison’s first lesbian experience at Oberlin College), about performing in the 2015 Tony Award winner for Best Musical. On Tap: How does it feel to be embarking on your first Broadway national tour? Karen Eilbacher: It feels great. Empowering. Appropriate. The best possible timing. I could not have asked for a better Broadway debut than touring the United States inside this hella queer role. It’s exactly what I’m meant to do right now, where I’m meant to be, what I am meant to say. OT: What do you find most enjoyable, and most challenging, about playing the character of Joan? KE: What I find most enjoyable about playing Joan is the continuous curiosity I have in trying to understand who she is and what she wants. Joan is so alive. Most challenging in playing Joan is, well, she’s just damn cooler than I. That can be tough to keep up with sometimes. But only sometimes. OT: Do you have a favorite song or scene in the play? KE: When Big Alison and her father Bruce Bechdel enter his car, and the scene continues into musical number “Telephone Wire.” This is a scene and song that invites everyone present to watch, listen and engage, [and] to empathize and hopefully understand the commonality for an individual’s need to connect. OT: Why do you think Fun Home is relevant to all theatergoers? KE: We all are a child to someone; we may even be a parent to another, too. If you recognize and accept that you fit this description, Fun Home is a good fit for you. Simple as that. Fun Home sparks feeling things, so whether you are “prepared” or not, empathy is learned and this musical is teacher. Plus, it’s pretty to look at (thanks, David Zinn!) OT: Do you have a favorite memory of DC? KE: My fondest and (pretty sure) first memory of the city is being with mi familia, walking all about under the scorching sun, shelter nowhere to be found with our tourist pursuits and father’s schedule in mind. And by the end of the day, finding and most appropriately selecting a little white foot that holds toothpicks and reads in red, “I walked my feet off in DC.” We still have it. Tickets to Fun Home are $48-$98. Learn more at www.thenationaldc.org.
National Theatre: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; 202-628-6161; www.thenationaldc.org www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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provide it.” .d0t:: a RotoPlastic Ballet is the result of an 18-month-long collaboration between Azeez, Aaron Biden, Patti Kalil, Alex Leidy and Matt Reckeweg. Pointless Theatre cofounders Kalil and Reckeweg say a story about robots and the future was always on the docket. “I think it speaks to the idea of how universal the idea of post-human, or end of humanity, is,” Reckeweg says. “It’s a topic that so many mediums and artists have been inspired and compelled by to make something.” At the top of the show, NAVI controls the pulse, and interacts with his robot neighbors. And over the course of the play, the tide changes. From there, questions of a human’s obsoletion in a world of machines becomes prevalent as his purpose and authority is slowly stripped away. “It’s an allegory for how authority responds to social change,” Reckeweg says. “At the end, this last human is left with not knowing if there is room for him in this new world.”
By Trent Johnson
Illustration: Courtesy of Pointless Theatre Co.
obots aren’t made of cardboard. At least, they aren’t supposed to be. The blueprints drawn up by mad scientists in basements, or the tech team at Google, don’t include the brown, fragile material you can freely acquire from Walmart after 10 p.m. as required materials. Also, robots don’t do ballet – at least not the Terminator or the ghoulish bad guys battling Will Smith in I, Robot. However, in the inception of .d0t:: a RotoPlastic Ballet, at Flashpoint’s Mead Theatre Lab starting April 6, cardboard AI are the majority. The minority is a cardboard
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ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
human, NAVI, who provides the thumping rhythm, or heartbeat, to this technologypopulated sentient future world. Pointless Theatre Co.’s original puppet ballet proves a riveting story is more important than scrap metal and digital voices. “Artificial intelligence is the motherboard of the city, Olive,” composer Navid Azeez says. “It’s Google. It’s Skynet. It’s NAVI and Skynet kicking it in the mainframe room. There are two robots who make up the band. The city is the artificial intelligence’s body, and the last human has been kept alive because of the pulse. This thud keeps the city moving, and they need a human to
ointless Theatre’s production is in large part inspired by futurist artist Fortunato Depero’s “visual world,” a welcome departure from typical sci-fi trope (think stark imagery and tonal colors erring on borderline grayscale). Depero’s approach to the impending posthuman society mirrored the palette of a rainbow. “He has a series of paintings with robotic landscapes that are both colorful and whimsical, and not what you might expect from a robotic landscape at all,” Reckeweg says. “There’s all these different paintings of these figures, and we know academically that he employed these robots as rudimentary puppets that were used to perform.” From there, the crew was off to the races in visualizing a world in the same vein of these vibrant mechanical horizons. “Those were pretty strict limitations, but once we knew that, we could craft the story,” Reckeweg says. “The more we constructed the story, the more we found things that spoke to us as contemporary artists, and as it developed, we lost the emphasis on Depero.” For Pointless Theatre, the idea of using toys is normal, as the company incorporates multiple mediums (dance, theatre and music) – but always with puppets.
“It was the music of something beginning, an era Exploding, a century Spinning…” “What makes the toy theatre interesting is how simple it is,” Reckeweg says. “There comes a challenge in having to boil down a big idea into a painted piece of cardboard, and it has made us as artists and storytellers narrow in on what we’re trying to say, and what this moment is about.” As the scenes came together, the songs formed around them by proxy, Azeez says. “With Mike Winch, we essentially built all the songs from scratch. I wrote acapella to counts, where we built beats underneath. We created this sort of organic movement with how it was going to go.”
rom Daft Punk to a 100-year-old record, and hardware sounds in between, the music was made to represent a world dominated by devices. The duo even ventured to a 70-year-old machine shop in Baltimore, where they flipped the “On” switch for hundreds of appliances, creating drum samples as the devices provided sound. The movements of the puppets fall back to Reckeweg, who has a background in dance. The play’s title contains the word “ballet” in it, but when I think of the genre, my thoughts are dominated by twirls and balance. I asked him, “How could a cardboard puppet have such grace and fluidity?” He chuckled. “This show takes the idea of ballet and strips that classical vocabulary away. The puppets are very, very simple. What’s interesting about ballet is that it’s more than just the classical postures. It’s storytelling that brings together visual composition and movement all set deeply to music. And what I like about ballet is that it’s more than just the dance.” There isn’t a definite on how old this dancing, rapping puppet NAVI is, or whether or not the audience should be rooting for him. “We kind of see this show as a Rorschach test,” Azeez says. “There’s a sense that [NAVI] is not a good guy, [and he’s] not a bad guy. I would love it if everyone left the room with a different opinion of him.” As for Pointless Theatre as a whole, the company is simply continuing their mission to make cardboard as rad as possible. “We’re making original work and dedicating our souls to a theatrical experience,” Reckeweg says. “Sure, I hope people think of puppetry in a new way, but I hope that audience members are [also] pleasantly surprised by how we blend all of these disciplines together.” .d0t:: a RotoPlastic Ballet runs from April 6 to May 6. General admission tickets are $30. Learn more about the play and showtimes at www.pointlesstheatre.com.
Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint: 916 G St. NW, DC; 202-315-1305; www.culturaldc.org
book by Terrence McNally; music by Stephen Flaherty; lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; based on the novel Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow; music direction by Christopher Youstra; choreographed by Michael Bobbitt; directed by Peter Flynn
Now Playing! Must Close May 20 Under 35 Nights! Get $20 Tickets with Code UNDER35 April 21 at 7:30 p.m. | May 19 at 7:30 p.m. Join us for a drink AFTER the performance. Event Media Partner:
| Beverage Partner:
www.fords.org
Tickets: (888) 616-0270 The cast of Ragtime photo by Carol Rosegg. www.ontaponline.com | APRIL 2017 | ON TAP
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Ruth, but the elusive character is complex enough to keep challenging her. “Ruth is the bridge to everyone,” Ursula says. “She is the peacekeeper. At the same time, [in] moments of great desperation, she asks for what she needs.” It’s these moments where the actress shines best, though you’ll never forget her presence hovering in the background while the rest of the characters argue with one another and fight together for a better life. Ursula is a powerhouse player who has been acting in the DC area for more than 20 years, including her previous Arena Stage performance in 2013’s Love in Afghanistan. She is the winner of two Helen Hayes Awards for her work, including performances at Round House, Woolly Mammoth, Everyman and the Kennedy Center. “I’m lucky and fortunate that I can say I’m doing this full-time,” the genuinely humble actress says of her career. For Ursula, part of the appeal in playing Ruth was the chance to work with director Tazewell Thompson again. “Tazewell has been doing this forever, and he knows how to put an ensemble together,” she says. “He is one of the most encouraging and empowering directors I’ve ever worked with.” He is also sure to give the actors and crew much-needed downtime, which seems to work well. Ursula says that he’s Photo: Tony Powell consistently telling them, “Go home. Enjoy your family. Do your laundry.” With fewer hours in rehearsal, the cast and crew give time together their full attention. Ursula is particularly excited to perform in the round on Arena’s Fichlander Stage. “I’ve not performed in the round before,” she says. “I love how it allows me to interact with the other characters.” Ursula also credits Hansberry with developing a cast of characters that are recognizable to almost anyone. The actress says the playwright’s genius was “to write this intimate, personal family drama and yet deliver these huge, epic, socioeconomic and political ideas and themes.” “It will be refreshing and surprising,” Ursula says of Arena’s production. “Your soul will nod in agreement. This play is so relevant, and immensely powerful – like a new play.” A Raisin in the Sun runs through May 7 at Arena Stage. Visit the website for ticket prices and showtimes.
Dawn Ursula Brings Ruth Younger to Life in
A
Raisin Sun
By Vanessa Mallory Kotz
By Vanessa Mallory Kotz
in the
“Honey, life don’t have to be like this. I mean, sometimes people can do things so that things are better.” So says Ruth Younger to her husband Walter in a poignant moment in A Raisin in the Sun, at Arena Stage through May. The characters from Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play from 1959 are bold to the point of being larger-than-life as they tell the tale of the Younger family. Together, the Youngers suffer from racism, poverty, the usual family dynamics and the rift between generations. These themes are all the more compelling for their timelessness – and timeliness – considering the plight low-income African American families still face today. Ruth is a character that resists easy categorization. She is not the grand matriarch of the family, Lena, or the ambitious, “modern” younger sister, Beneatha. Ruth is in the middle in every way possible. She’s a wife who wants to better her marriage, a daughter who respects her elders and a mother raising a son in a difficult climate. Her role in the family is defined by her relationship to others, and she does not have much voice of her own. Enter local actress Dawn Ursula. This is her second time playing
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Arena Stage: 1101 6th St. SW, DC; 202-488-3300; www.arenastage.org
By Kayla Marsh
Intelligence at Arena Stage
Photo: C. Stanley Photography
Power Plays at Arena Stage
Last November, Arena Stage announced the launch of its Power Plays, a series of 25 new plays and musicals from 25 writers produced over the next 10 years. Each play will tackle the subjects of politics and power, from tales of American presidents to equal voting rights. And as far as representing political parties, these plays will not fall along party lines. “[The plays] will challenge all of us, and I am eager to provoke these discussions,” says Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith. Smith hopes that audiences will learn and understand more about the impact of politics and power over the decades to “make us more informed as a democracy, and shed light on how we can come together as a nation to face personal and political adversaries.” She says there’s no other place in the country where these plays could have such an impact, and no better time to launch this massive commissioning cycle than right now. The initiative’s third production, Jacqueline Lawton’s political thriller Intelligence, is based loosely on Valerie Plame and runs through April 9. Arena’s previous Power Plays include John Strand’s The Originalist and Lawrence Wright’s Camp David. The fourth installment, the world premiere of Mary Kathryn Nagle’s Sovereignty, is slated for next January and centers on the Cherokee Nation under Andrew Jackson’s presidency. With six additional projects in developing stages, Arena Stage is eager to feature plays highlighting some of the most pivotal events that have shaped our country. “It is one way to learn, debate and grow as a people,” Smith says. “As a theater focused on free speech and American artists, we look forward to the conversation.”
Learn more at www.arenastage.org.
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 | April 2017 | On Tap
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on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
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, May 3 Friday, May 26 Sidney Harman Hall 610 F 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. Photo of Jesse J. Perez and Nikkole Salter by Tony Powell.
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On Tap | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Shakespeare Theatre hosted Young Prose Night at Sidney Harman Hall. Attendees enjoyed Sam Adams beer and Ruffino wines after a performance of King Charles III. Photos: Trent Johnson
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Our April cover shoot at Songbyrd Music House and Record Cafe in Adams Morgan was definitely one of our most memorable, with so many cool backdrops to choose from (Songbyrd owners Joe Lapan and Alisha Edmonson have added countless personal touches to their hip, colorful space). With photographer Lindsay Galatro and model/fashion writer Megan Haney (follow her @styledbymeganblog) added to the mix, everything came together beautifully. Read our interview with Lapan and Edmonson on page 56, and pick up a copy of next month’s issue to read Haney’s first style piece with On Tap.
Professional photography for all your business marketing needs. Branding | Product | Food & Beverage | Lifestyle Convey your business’ true value through high-quality imagery and visual storytelling.
www.lgphotodc.com | 410.989.1226 www.ontaponline.com | APRIL 2017 | ON TAP
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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, APR 20
Learn about geological mysteries, ancient societies, and conservation challenges in Peru from four National Geographic photographers and explorers: Andres Ruzo, Sandhya Narayanan, Matthew Piscitelli, and Charlie Hamilton James. HAPPY HOUR | 5:30 - 8:00 PM
PHOTO: SOFIA RUZO
FIELD NOTES: PERU
THUR, MAY 18
PHOTO: MARTIN EDSTROM
EXPEDITION RAW
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
natgeo.org/natgeonights
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 17TH & M STS NW | WASHINGTON, D.C. Farragut Square Metro stops on the Orange, Blue, Red and Silver lines.
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ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Guests enjoyed a happy hour at the National Geographic Museum with brews from Devils Backbone and an inside look at the museum’s Earth Explorers exhibit. PHOTOS: TATIANA HERRERA
SIO S I M D A FREE
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SATURDAY, MAY 6 | 1-5PM (RAIN DATE MAY 7)
COLD FOOD LIVE BEER TRUCKS MUSIC And the
running of the CHIHUAHUAS
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Cash Prizes | Live Action Jumbotron® | All Dogs Welcome*
WWW.CINCODC.COM Must be 21+ to purchase alcohol
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*$25 per dog to race. Races open to Chihuahuas only. All entry fees are donated to Rural Dog Rescue. Contests for all dogs. Dogs must be current on vaccinations and leashed when not racing. Unruly dogs will be excused, owners must pick up after their pets.
DID YOU KNOW?
VINYL VIN VINY YL
fun facts about
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David Bowie was the topselling vinyl artist of 2016.
The first vinyl LP (33 1/3 rpm) was introduced in 1948.
The first ever 12-inch recording was of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
One of the most expensive records ever sold was by The Velvet Underground. It sold in 1996 for $25,000.
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Blackstar by David Bowie was the top-selling vinyl album of 2016, followed by Back to Black by Amy Winehouse.
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Amazon is currently the largest seller of vinyl in the U.S.
By Kayla Marsh
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Fun facts courtesy of the following articles: #1: www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/david-bowie-helps-sell-highest-number-vinyl-records-25-years/ #2: http://turntabling.net/editorial/album/wtf/the-most-expensive-record-ever-sold-1966-velvet-underground-and-nico-acetate/ #3: http://visual.ly/10-interesting-facts-about-vinyl-records-you-didnt-know #4: http://fortune.com/2016/04/16/vinyl-sales-record-store-day/ #5: www.billboard.com/articles/6266616/urban-outfitters-doesnt-sell-most-vinyl
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ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Record Store Day began in 2007 to draw attention to independent record stores.
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Vinyl scratching, developed by early hip-hop DJs from New York, was described by DJ Grand Wizzard Theodore as “nothing but the back-cueing that you hear in your ear before you push it out to the crowd.”
Turntables can track color vinyl differently than black vinyl.
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As of 2015, (What’s the Story?) Morning Glory by Oasis was the best-selling vinyl record of the past two decades.
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Inner groove distortion occurs when songs closer to the label and spindle hole on a record sound audibly different than those on the outer edges.
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Vinyl LP sales have consistently been on the rise since 1993.
#6: www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-vinyl-albums-and-singlesof-2016__17583/ #7, 11: www.facebook.com/HuffingtonPost/videos/10153280518226130/ #8, 10: http://blog.discmakers.com/2015/04/9-groovy-facts-about-vinyl-records/ #9: http://dolinaudio.com/10-facts-about-vinyl-you-probably-never-knew/ #12: www.wow247.co.uk/2015/11/10/vinyl-record-sales-surprising-facts/
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
All Drink, Dine, Do event listings are provided by the venues hosting them.
THURSDAY, APRIL 6 Arlington ART Bus Come take a ride on the Art on the ART Bus catching it in front 2100 Clarendon Boulevard (Court House Metro) in Arlington and taking a quick ride to the artist’s studio. The artist, Negar Ahkami, and curator, Cynthia Connolly, will have a brief discussion about the process of creating this site specific installation before boarding the bus. You will get off the bus near the Virginia Square Metro to visit the artist’s studio at Arlington Arts Center. This is a special arrangement so don’t miss it. Starts at 5:45 p.m. Cost of bus fare. Court House Metro: 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA; www. arlingtonarts.org Dining Out for Life Diners across the DC area will stand up against HIV/ AIDS, cancer and other lifechallenging illnesses by sitting down at restaurants
participating in this year’s Dining Out for Life fundraiser. More than 70 area restaurants have pledged to contribute percentages from 25 percent to 110 percent of lunch and, or, dinner sales to benefit Food & Friends’ clients living with HIV/ AIDS, cancer and other lifechallenging illnesses. Dining Out for Life: Various times and locations throughout DC; www. foodandfriends.org/diningout Refugee Awareness Happy Hour Join for a Charity Happy Hour at Sudhouse DC to raise awareness and support for the current refugee crisis. Meet great people and make awesome connections. The event is organized by Humanity Helping Sudan Project and our coalition partners including “734 Coffee.” DJ Russell Remix will be playing some great dance tunes as everyone gets out of their seats to mingle, spark conversation and get onto the dance floor to
The crowd celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at Fado with Irish drinks and performances from Ice Wagon Flu and Lloyd Dobler Effect. Photos: Ryan Hill
www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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THURSDAY, APRIL 6 Happy Hour with a Purpose: Game Changers Want to meet some of DC’s most influential professionals? Don’t miss this exciting night full of networking opportunities that you won’t want to miss! Each $25 ticket includes a free drink, appetizers and an opportunity to network with other young professionals in the DC area. The first featured speaker for this event will be Zach Leonsis, vice president and GM of Monumental Sports Network. Stay tuned for additional programming updates. 6-9 p.m. Tickets cost $25. Arlington Rooftop: 2424 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.theluvuproject.org support a great cause. Enjoy a selection of happy hour drinks and food from the menu. 6-9 p.m. Free to attend. Sudhouse DC: 1340 U St. NW, DC; www. sudhousedc.com Pancakes & Booze Art Show Established in May 2009, the traveling Pancakes & Booze Art Show is a movement that’s been successful throughout the nation, including some exhibits of the country’s most exciting emerging artists. With each show comes local artists, live music, live canvases and body painting performances. 7 p.m. 2 a.m. Tickets are $7-$12. Penn Social: 801 E St. NW, DC; www. pennsocialdc.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 7 20s & 30s Going Out Group Charity Happy Hour at Umaya This happy hour will benefit One Common Unity, a member supported nonprofit organization whose mission
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is to create and nurture sustainable communities through innovative peace education, arts and media. Requested $5 or $10 cash donation (but not required). Starts at 6 p.m. Free to attend. Umaya: 733 10th St. NW, DC; www.eventbrite.com Pizza for Peace The vibe is love, the spirit is rock & roll. The lineup for the evening includes hot, woodfired pizza by Petworth’s gem, Timber Pizza. This evening is very special and will take place inside the actual brewing room, amongst the vats of beer. The tickets are limited to 175 and this will sell out very quickly. Grab your tickets now and tell a friend. This will be the perfect way to show the world that music, pizza, beer and love can always conquer fear and hate. 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. Tickets cost $15. Hellbender Brewing Company: 5788 2nd St. NE, DC; www.hellbenderbrewing.com Tim Robbins: 2017 Benjamin Franklin Creativity Laureate Presentation In honor of his commitment to education, as well as his richness of ideas and originality, Tim Robbins is the recipient of Smithsonian Associates’ 15th annual Benjamin Franklin Creativity Laureate Award. Previous award recipients are Yo-Yo Ma, Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Eric Kandel, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Jules Feiffer, Ted Turner, Lisa Randall, Meryl Streep, Greg Mortenson, Johnetta Cole, Mark Morris, Bill Drayton, Shirley Tilghman and Azar Nafisi. The Benjamin Franklin Creativity Laureate Award is made possible by the Creativity Collaboration, a joint project of Smithsonian Associates and the Creativity Foundation. 7-8:15 p.m. Tickets cost $30. S. Dillon Ripley Center: 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, DC: www. smithsonianassociates.org
ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 8 DC Wine Fest Spring Edition It’s time for the second annual DC Wine Fest spring edition, an elevated wine tasting experience that aims to stimulate all of your senses. Come throw back some great food and enjoy live musical performances, all while sampling some of the best varietals from around the world at Long View Gallery. VIP admission means you’ll gain early access one hour before the crowd, so you’ll have more time to sample amazing wines and meet representatives who can answer questions and help you choose which wines to bring home! All wines will be available for purchase at the event. Sample the wine, decide you love it, buy a bottle and enjoy it again later. 12-10 p.m. Tickets are $35-$60. Long View Gallery: 1234 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcwinefest.com The Fun Run: A 5K Walk/Run to Support At-Risk Teen Girls Shed your winter fluff for a good cause! My Girlfriend’s House invites you to a 5K fun run for at-risk teenage girls. Build awareness and lose some thighs, knowing your donation will help a young woman achieve her academic and life goals. Calling for all runners and walkers alike to come show off, sweat it off or just be a part of something for the community on April 8 rain, sleet or shine. 7-11 a.m. Tickets cost $25. Henson Creek Trail Tucker Road Community Center: 1771 Tucker Rd. Fort Washington, MD; www.raceentry.com/races/ mgh-community-fun-run/2017/ register Sip, Shop and Be Cherry: Five-Hour Pop-Up After you’re done taking 500 selfies in front of DC’s beautiful blossoms, swing on by the second floor of Kit and Ace for another hand-curated collection of awesome local brands. Enjoy cherry-inspired sips, great beats and of course, another
FRIDAYS, APRIL 7, 14, 21 and 28 Rosslyn CAFÉ Presents: April Arts & Beats Rosslyn CAFÉ is a new BID event series that brings together community, arts, food and entertainment every Friday in April. These events advance the Rosslyn BID’s goal to create free community events that allow residents and employees of all ages to enjoy unknown or unused spaces in the neighborhood. This will feature the first installments of Rosslyn CAFÉ at the Bennett Park Art Atrium so more people will learn about this beautiful but little-known space. The April Arts & Beats will feature a happy hour with new local artists each week. Enjoy complimentary light bites from local restaurants while listening to the beats of DJ Stacks. Cocktails, wine and beer will be available for purchase. Walk over after work or meet up with friends to kick off Friday night at the Atrium. 6-8 p.m. Free to attend, but must register. Bennett Park Art Atrium: 1601 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA; www. rosslynva.org awesome reason to shop the spring collections! 1-6 p.m. No tickets. Kit and Ace: 3263 M St. NW, DC; www.kitandace.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 9 Anacostia River Festival The National Park Service and the 11th Street Bridge Park present the third annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival. For a taste of local DC, come celebrate the Anacostia River and take a canoe out
to explore the river, ride in the bike parade, play lawn games with your family and experience Southeast DC’s local arts scene at this special free event. This year we are celebrating biking in the District with trail rides, safety classes, quick bike tune-ups and special bike activities for all ages. 1-5 p.m. Free to attend. Anacostia Park: Anacostia Drive & Good Hope Road in SE, DC; www. bridgepark.org/anacostia-riverfestival The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County Fundraiser Come raise a glass in support of the AWLMC on Sunday, April 9 from 6-9 p.m. at the Olney Winery. Members will be there to answer your questions, and you can learn more about how you can support this wonderful cause. A tasting of five wines, complimentary small bits and sweet treats, and assess to a silent auction featuring pet items, gift certificates to local restaurants and stores and more! 6-9 p.m. Tickets cost $22. Olney Winery: 18127 Town Center Dr. Olney, MD; www. olneywinery.com Benefit Lunch for Ethiopia With special guests and speakers, this benefit includes lunch for a good cause. The Islamic Relief USA presents an afternoon of inspiration in order to help bring aid and hope to the people in Ethiopia. 1-3 p.m. Tickets start at $30. Hilton Alexandria Mark Center: 5000 Seminary Rd. Alexandria, VA: www.irusa.org Flower Power 2017 Enjoy an interactive art installation, art exhibitions, floral arranging classes, workshops, live music and spring fashion that’s free and family-friendly. Enjoy live music from the “funk with soul” band Aztec Sun and retro beats from DJ Laura Lopez. Art exhibitions include Pathfinders and Reclamation. There is also a workshop by Ric
Cunningham, the artist behind Reclamation. Plus fresh food and hands-on art activities. 1-5 p.m. Free to attend. Anacostia Arts Center: 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC; www.anacostiaartscenter. com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 SUNDAY, APRIL 23 3rd Annual Northern Virginia Film Festival Great expansion has come to the festeival in its third season! After hosting several hundred films from over 30 countries, producing two satellite film festivals in Los Angeles and DC, and adding a music festival, it’s been extended to two full weeks of celebration. Seminars, panels, receptions and party after party lead up to an elaborate Oscar-style awards ceremony held at the Mosaic in Fairfax, Va., home to the beautiful Angelika Film Center. Welcome to the biggest festival in the Mid-Atlantic. Times and prices vary. Angelika Film Center: 2911 District Ave. Fairfax, VA; www.novafilmfest. com
TUESDAY, APRIL 11 Discovering Creative Collaborations: Choreographer Erick Hawkins and Composer Lucia Dlugoszewski Using the Erick Hawkins/Lucia Dlugoszewski collection at the Library of Congress, Libby Smigel and Kate Doyle will explicate the duo’s creative processes, artistic ingenuity, and aesthetic philosophies. Notebooks, choreographic symbology, music scores and Labanotation, and other primary evidence such as personal correspondence, letters, and interviews will show a dynamic process unreplicated in other artistic partnerships. 12 p.m. Free to attend. Whittall Pavilion: 10 1st St. SE, DC; www. loc.gov
EVENTS AND CATERING
Let us bring our neighborhood restaurant to you!! Our food truck is different as we’ll customize our menu to you! For menus and more information, visit www.tortoiseandhare.events, email info@tortoiseandhare.events or call us on (703) 979-1872. www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 Storyfest Short Slam: Be Careful What You Wish For This is a live story comedy show in Bethesda. Ten storytellers will share funny personal tales in competition to win prizes, voted on by the audience. First prize is $100 and second prize $50 courtesy to MZ Capital Management. The theme of the show is “Be Careful What You Wish For.” 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. The Writer’s Center: 4508 Walsh St. Chevy Chase, Maryland; www.writer.org
THURSDAY, APRIL 13 Paint for a Cause at Muse Join for a great night of food, drinks and fun as we paint the night away all while giving back to a great cause! Forty percent of the proceeds will be donated to local chapter of National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. This event will sell out. Purchase your paint tickets today. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45. Muse Paint Bar National Harbor: 122 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD; www.musepaintbar.com L2 Lounge Presents Night of Fashion with Passion This event includes an incredible runway show with DC’s premier Brazilian designer Keula Binelly Couture and high fashion sophisticated men’s wear designer Christopher Schafer Clothier. There will also be special guest Meredith Hope Jewelry joining. The designers are ready to boldly rock the runway to the beats of their in-house DJ with some pretty fabulous models, which include some amazing survivors. We will have beautiful gift bags for the first 100 guests to arrive, a silent auction and raffle! 7:30-11:30 p.m. Tickets are $40-$60. L2 Lounge: 3315 Cady’s Alley NW, DC; www.sherthelove.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 15 Georgetown Walking Tours: April Cherry Blossom Cupcakes Join Dwane Starlin, member of
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the Guild of Professional Tour Guides, for a delightful walking tour of Georgetown with history and cupcakes! The tour will begin at Dumbarton House and make stops at Baked & Wired, Sprinkles and Georgetown Cupcake to pick up pre-ordered cupcakes, meaning you get to skip the long lines. Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival with each bakery’s cherry blossom inspired cupcakes. Ditch the crowds at the tidal basin and take in the beautiful blossoms throughout Georgetown, DC’s most historic neighborhood. The tickets include one cupcake from each shop. Flavors subject to availability. 1-3 p.m. Tickets cost $30. April Cherry Blossom Cupcakes Tour: 2715 Q St. NW, DC; www.eventbrite.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 16 Locals for Locals: Hello Spring 5K Cherry blossoms! Locals for Locals is as excited for spring and cherry blossoms as a tourist family from Minnesota. This April, they’ll be saying halloo spring and pumped to get back outside. The Locals for Locals inaugural Hello Spring 5K is a flat and fast race through DC’s gorgeous Rock Creek Park. Each runner receives a finisher’s medal, an invite to the champagne afterparty and a race T-shirt. 8-9:30 a.m. Tickets cost $40. Hello Spring 5K: Rock Creek Park in NW, DC; www.localsforlocals5k.com What Grown-Ups Hunt Come Easter Sunday, the hunt will be afoot at Bourbon Steak at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC as it hosts its second-annual Easter-Bottle Hunt. Taking over the recently renovated brickwalled courtyard, guests 21 and over who partook in chef Joe Palma’s brunch service can have a hoppy ending to the experience as they poke around the handsome patio in search of hidden pastel prizes to take home. In place of eggs, Bourbon Steak has cleverly planted ribbon-wrapped bottles of rare WhistlePig Whiskey, a house
On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
favorite. The fun hops off at 3 p.m. and is complimentary for brunch guests. Festivities start at 11:30 a.m. Bourbon Steak: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www. bourbonsteakdc.com
TUESDAY, APRIL 18 George Mason University Cybersecurity Innovation Forum The first 2017 Mason Cybersecurity Innovation Forum includes a series of 15-20 minute case study presentations by cybersecurity experts and technology innovators followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. The focus of the meetings is on cybersecurity innovation including innovation rationale and motivation, technology, metrics and lessons learned. 7-9 p.m. Free admission. George Mason University: 4400 University Drive Research Hall, Room 163, Fairfax, VA; www. meetup.com/CybersecurityInnovation-Forum/
THURSDAY, APRIL 20 Small Production Wines for Somms 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. Consider joining in the midst of a busy week to unwind and take a break from the routines of your normal day to sample some amazing wines while listening to an incredibly well-informed speaker about regions and varietals you may not yet have visited or tasted. 7-9 p.m. Tickets cost $35. Cork & Fork: 1522 14th St. NW, DC; www.corkandfork.co
THURSDAY, APRIL 20 SUNDAY, APRIL 30 DC International Film Festival For over 30 years, Filmfest DC has sought to keep pace with global cultural and social activities. Today, in a conundrum of opposing beliefs and shifting
THURSDAY, APRIL 20 Nat Geo Nights Field Notes: Peru 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 the cash bar. Admission to the museum is included. Each evening will kick off with a happy hour with hands-on activities such as drink tastings, small bites and trivia. This month, sit back, relax and learn about fascinating geological mysteries, innovative ancient societies, and modern conservation challenges in Peru from four National Geographic photographers and explorers: Andres Ruzo, Sandhya Narayanan, Matthew Piscitelli, and Charlie Hamilton James. $15 ticket includes light fare and cash bar. 5:30-8 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit www.nationalgeographic. org/events. National Geographic Museum: 1145 17th St. NW, DC; www. nationalgeographic.org/dc
governmental policies, which have often divided citizens and forged a culture of “us vs. them.” This year’s festival has taken on a special focus on issues ripped from today’s headlines in hopes of increasing clarity and civil discourse. Various times and prices. DC International Film Festival: Various locations; www. filmfestdc.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
SATURDAY, APRIL 22 – SUNDAY, APRIL 23 Barley & Music Fest Returns to Alexandria The event will kick off with live entertainment from bands Dave Chappell & The Lone Stardusters, Crawddaddies Duo, Carly Harvey, Down Wilson, Justin Trawick & The Common Good and Moonshine Society. The event is free to attend; however, tickets are needed to sample beers. Ticket cost is $25 per day, which includes a custom tasting glass. Day price includes sampling up to two beers at each brewery, with 18 breweries participating in the festival. 12-6 p.m. on both days, free to attend. Spring Barley & Music Festival: 300 John Carlyle St. Alexandria, VA; www.barleymusicfest.com
ArtRave DC Where Art Meets Fashion ArtRave is not your average outdoor art affair. They specialize in providing artists with a one of a kind platform to sell their work, all the while offering an interactive and engaging venue for art lovers to come and experience the passion of the most talented artists and designers from all over the world. At these events, you’ll see work and crafts displayed by fashion designers, fine arts of all mediums, skilled crafters, jewelry makers, gourmet food artisans and many more. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free to attend. ArtRave DC: Various locations; www.districthousedc. com
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
DC Beer Festival The DC Beer Festival returns to Nationals Park, bringing together dozens of craft breweries and featuring fall seasonal beers. Taking place throughout the stadium’s concourse including Centerfield Plaza, Budweiser Brew House, Bud Light Loft and Budweiser Terrace, the DC Beer Fest will have over a dozen food trucks throughout as well as lawn games, DJs, and more! Admission includes unlimited tastings, with food separately. 12-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Tickets cost $45. Nationals Park: 1500 South Capitol St. SE, DC; www.dcbeerfestival.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 21 SUNDAY, APRIL 23
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
Bethesda Literary Festival The 18th annual Bethesda Literary Festival will host an array of local and national authors, journalists and poets, as well as writing contests and poetry contests. In a weekend that will include more than 20 entertaining events, the Bethesda Literary Festival presents fascinating literary personalities who will read their work, talk about their craft and take part in discussions with other writers and audience members. All of the events are free and are held throughout downtown Bethesda. Various times. Free to attend. Bethesda Literary Festival: Various locations; www.bethesda.org/bethesda/ bethesda-literary-festival
Carpenter’s Cook-Off This year, Carpenter’s is honoring those who made Cook-Off a signature event. Join in celebrating Val Hawkins, Lee Fifer and The Birchmere while sampling endless tables of delicious food. You can cast your vote for your favorite dish along with our three distinguished chef judges, George Pagonis, Emily Sprissler and Vikrim Sunderam, and see who walks away with the top awards. Enjoy live music by the Alpha Dog Blues Band, a great atmosphere, a live auction and best of all, support the critical work of Carpenter’s Shelter. 12-3 p.m. Tickets starting at $20. The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www. carpentersshelter.org
Guests at WhiskyFest chose from a selection of more than 350 whiskies from around the world and met with various whisky experts at the Marriott Marquis in DC. Photos: Cristina O’Connell
www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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MONDAY, APRIL 24 Shakespeare Anniversary Lecture: Michael Witmore on “The Wonder of Will” Folger Shakespeare Library Director Michael Witmore brings the year-long celebration of the 400th anniversary, “The Wonder of Will,” to a close with this annual lecture on Shakespeare sponsored by the Folger Institute’s Center for Shakespeare Studies. During his talk, he will ask two crucial and interrelated questions: What can we still learn from Shakespeare? What did Shakespeare know that we should too? 7 p.m. Free to attend, must register. Folger Shakespeare Library: 201 E Capitol St. SE, DC; www.folger.edu
THURSDAY, APRIL 27 6th Annual Garden of Light Gala Bethany House of Northern Virginia requests the pleasure of your company as we shine the light on domestic violence. You are invited to experience a delicious three course dinner, live auction and listen to inspiring stories of survivors. Please come to learn how you can support the transformation of the lives of women and their children suffering from domestic violence. All proceeds from this event will benefit women and children served by Bethany House’s Family Assistance Program. 6-9 p.m. Tickets cost $100. Crowne Plaza Hotel: 901 N Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA; www.bhnv.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 SUNDAY, APRIL 30 National Harbor Wine & Food Festival Over 150 different international and local wines, beers and spirits in an all you can taste affair. The title says wine but there are all types of adult beverages offered, sampled and compared, plus a souvenir glass to take home. Taste and buy great food from some of DC’s hottest restaurants and food trucks, and sample from an onsite wine store. Taste something you like? You can buy it onsite by the glass or take home a bottle or a
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case. A special craft beer tasting biergarten experience will give guests something they don’t get at other local wine festivals. The cooking kitchen features hands-on cooking demonstrations and wine pairings. Local, regional and nationally recognized chefs converge to offer meet and greets, book signings and demonstrations throughout the event. 12-6 p.m. Tickets are $39-$90. National Harbor: 165 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD; www. wineandfoodnh.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 Cinderella Cares Comedy for Cure Cinderella Cares Annual Comedy for Cure in the fight against lung cancer supports Holy Cross Hospitals Early Diagnosis Free Low Dose Ct Scan and Lung Cancer Alliance Advocacy and Support for those living with and or at-risk for lung cancer. Funds raised will help Holy Cross Hospital, Lung Cancer Alliance and Cinderella Cares continued efforts in bringing awareness and help to those families in need that will reach out to said organizations. 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. Tickets are $60-$100. Silver Spring Civic Center: 1 Veterans Way, Silver Spring, MD; www. eventbrite.com Congenital Heart Walk The DC-MAR-VA Congenital Heart Walk will be held on at Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, Md. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with an inspirational rally and walk kickoff at 8:45 a.m. 7:30-11 a.m. Wheaton Regional Park: 2000 Shorefield Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.congenitalheartwalk.org Dance for Diabetes 2017 A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Diabetes Association. Participants will be on their feet for 12 hours, doing activities like line-dancing, group activities and learning choreography from trained dancers. UrbanFitco will showcase their 2017 summer line in a fashion show. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke and is the seventh leading cause of
On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
death in the United States. Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people who are of a similar age but do not have diabetes. Dance for Diabetes: Location TBD; www.eventbrite.com/e/ dance-for-diabetes-2017-tickets28931877023?aff=es2
Mark your Calendars!
SUNDAY, APRIL 30 One-Mile Run/Walk to Benefit Victims of Catastrophe Forte Consulting and Investigations would like to invite you to participate in a fundraiser event at the commencement of the 2017 NFIP conference. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Victims of Catastrophe Foundation (VOCF). The VOCF is a nonprofit organization focused on meeting the needs of workingclass Americans whose lives have been affected by a catastrophic event. 12-3:30 p.m. Tickets are $35$45. Long Bridge Park: 475 Long Bridge Dr. Arlington, VA; www. victimsofcatastrophe.org
SATURDAY, MAY 6 Sixth Annual Running of the Chihuahuas Kick off Cinco de Mayo at the sixth annual Running of the Chihuahuas! All taking place at the Wharf, DC’s amazing new destination taking shape on the southwest waterfront. The Running of the Chihuahuas is part of DC’s best Cinco de Mayo celebration, an afternoon that includes great food from Sol Mexican, Red Hook and Captain Cookie food trucks, cold beer, live music and of course, the races. The highlight of the afternoon, the races feature 96 Chihuahuas racing in groups of eight on a 60-foot “race track.” All the action is captured on a 17-foot Jumbotron screen and the winners take home $500 in cash and prizes. ALL race proceeds benefit Rural Dog Rescue – a nonprofit organization dedicated to pulling dogs from high-kill rural shelters. 1-4 p.m. $25 per dog entry in race. The Wharf: 600 Water St. SW, DC; www. ontaponline.com
MONDAY, MAY 1 We’re Going to Make It After All: A Tribute to Women in the Workplace and Mary Tyler Moore Pull out those old 70s clothes from your closets and get ready to step back in time for a night of classic fun when you join 1905 DC for a swinging 70s party, featuring classic food, drink and music from “the ME decade.” In 1972, Mary Tyler Moore tackled the wage gap on The Mary Tyler Moore Show when she asked why the man that previously held her position made more money than she did. The question has persisted, and today women still earn an average of only 80 cents for every $1 that a man earns. On the heels of this year’s Equal Pay Day, we will be celebrating the daily contributions women make to the workplace and all aspects of each of our lives. We will recognize the groundbreaking work of women like MTM who helped raise awareness of the wage gap, and support each other in the fight to close that gap for good. 100 percent of the $5 ticket sales will go to Calgary Women’s Services that provides safe housing and job training for homeless women in DC. 6-11 p.m. Tickets available online. 1905 DC: 1905 9th St. NW, DC; www.1905dc.com
CATCH GREAT LIVE MUSIC Before Every Friday Home Game!
2017
BUDWEISER MUSIC SERIES 4/14 Justin Trawick*
6/23 7 Deadlies
9/8 For The Win
4/28 As If
7/7 Jeff From Accounting
9/15 Lloyd Dobler Effect
5/12 Down Wilson
7/28 Lovely Rita
9/29 Sly 45
5/26 The Reflex
8/11 Uncle Jesse
6/9 Hand Painted Swinger
8/25 Monster Band
Music @ 5:00 | Game @ 7:05 *(music at 2:00, game at 4:05pm)
OFFICIAL BEER AN
PRODUCTION
© 2017 Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser® Beer, St. Louis, MO Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Visit MLB.com
DC’s Dugout The Na�s Are Back in Action Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper
By Michael Coleman
he Washington Nationals have opened each of their past five baseball seasons brimming with roster talent, and 2017 is no different. Most of the team’s marquee players – Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Jayson Werth, Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman – are back in the lineup this season. The Nationals also return with their entire 2016 coaching staff intact. Pre-season prognosticators are predicting that the Nationals will once again be among the best teams in baseball. Speaking to reporters from the team’s new $150 million training facility in West Palm Beach this spring, Nationals Manager Dusty Baker said his team has plenty of promise, but must show consistency to achieve greatness. “This team has been on an every-otheryear program,” Baker told reporters. “The team has done well every other year; we would like to have consecutive years. It’s
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ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
going to be tougher; the teams are more balanced in our division. We might have one of the toughest divisions in baseball. We have to stay healthy and stay together.” But the Nationals manager also sounded bullish on his squad’s prospects, saying he believes it has the talent to win the first championship in the team’s 13-year history. “Sometimes you’re fooling yourself, but I’m not fooling myself this time,” Baker said. The Nationals’ first official test comes at 1:05 p.m. on April 3 during their home opener against the Miami Marlins. Stephen Strasburg – once the most promising young player in baseball – will be on the mound. Strasburg came out blazing last year with a spectacular 13-0 record, then suffered through injuries for the remainder of the season. The good news for Nats fans is that the oft-injured veteran hurler is fully healthy again in time for his fourth opening day start. Nationals ace Max Scherzer, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, is nearly recovered from a finger ailment and is expected to
start the third game of the season, also in Washington. The Nationals have won the NL East three of the past five seasons, but they have routinely failed to advance in a playoff series. Players and coaches sounded optimistic through spring training that this will be the year the team drives deeper into the postseason. Harper has frequently stated his desire to win a World Series, and is confident that the 2017 Nats can get it done. “We’ve got a group of guys who want to win,” Harper said at the outset of spring training. Harper – already a four-time All-Star at just 24 years old – put up eye-popping numbers in 2015, hitting .330 with 42 home runs and a unanimous selection as league MVP. But the Las Vegas native struggled, at least compared to his own gaudy numbers, through much of 2016, hitting a disappointing .235 after May 1 of last year. Some reports suggested Harper was struggling with a shoulder injury and other
Photos: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club
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ailments. Whatever the reasons for his lackluster campaign last year, Harper says he is healthy and looking to make the most of his final two seasons under contract in Washington. The bearded slugger even hinted at his hopes for a long-term deal with the Nationals. “Being a Washington National – I love it,” Harper said. “I enjoy playing in the city of DC, and enjoy the organization so much. I’m going to play these next two years out and hopefully win, and do everything we can for the city of DC. Hopefully, we’ll bring a trophy back.” Washington’s 95-67 record in 2016 was the second-best in the majors, behind only the eventual World Series Champion, the Chicago Cubs. The Nats’ fifth straight winning record in 2016 demonstrates that the team is getting closer to having the consistency that their veteran manager craves. In the offseason, the Nationals stayed low-key and didn’t make many major moves, although they did trade their top pitching prospect, Lucas Giolito, to the White Sox to usher in the return of veteran Adam Eaton to Washington. The franchise is happy to see speedy centerfielder-turned-shortstop Trea Turner back in the lineup, and is also looking for more big numbers from slugger Daniel Murphy, who led the team in home runs last year with 25. Consistent hitter Anthony Rendon’s return to health is a relief for Nats brass, and the signing of catcher Matt Wieters in the offseason brings stability behind the plate. Asked if the Nationals have enough firepower to bring a major league championship to the nation’s capital, Baker sounded optimistic in a March interview with the Washington Post. The city of Washington hasn’t won a World Series since 1924. One of the team’s marquee rivals – the Chicago Cubs – won its first championship in more than a century last year. “We’ll win it here, too,” Baker told the Post. “We’ll end it here for the whole city. That’s my goal. Not just ending it (the championship drought) for the organization, but for the whole city.”
Learn more about the Nats’ 2017 season at www.washington.nationals.mlb.com.
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WWW.MDCRAFTBEERFESTIVAL.COM #MDBEER www.ontaponline.com | APRIL 2017 | ON TAP
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THE WASHINGTON VALOR
Photo: Ned Dishman, Washington Valor
DC’s Arena Football Team Makes Debut
Valor Managing Partner Roger Mody and Head Coach Dean Cokinos at the Valor uniform unveiling
By Michael Coleman Football-crazed Washington sports fans are in luck. We no longer have to wait until September to get our local fix of high-octane touchdowns and bone-crunching hits. That’s because there’s a new arena league team in town – the Washington Valor. If you haven’t experienced arena football, get ready for fast and furious action, affordable tickets, and ample opportunities to talk football with Valor players and coaches. The inaugural Valor team takes the field for its home opener at Verizon Center on April 7. Seats start at just $10. Former Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss – a fan favorite who spent a decade with the team before retiring in 2015 – will provide color commentary for the Valor, owned by Ted Leonsis and his Monumental Sports Network. “Arena football is a lot quicker,” said Everett Dawkins, a Valor player and former Florida State tackle now in his third season in the arena league. “Everything happens faster than in an NFL game. Everything is a little bit looser. It’s fun, it’s energizing and the fans love it.” For the uninitiated, here are a few basics about the arena game compared to the traditional American version of the sport. The arena league field size, at 50 yards long, is smaller and narrower than the traditional 100-yard field. The team plays a 14-game schedule compared with the NFL’s 16-game schedule. The rosters are also scaled down. Arena league teams dress just 21
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ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
players on game day compared to 53 players who suit up for NFL teams. And while college and NFL teams field 11 players on offense and defense, arena teams have just eight players on each side. “It’s eight guys on offense, eight on defense, a backup quarterback and a kicker,” Valor Head Coach Dean Koskinos told On Tap. “You don’t have a lot of depth, and a lot of guys have to play multiple positions.” One other big difference: the arena field is surrounded by netting, and the ball stays live if an errant throw or kick bounces off. This wildcard factor sparks some of the arena league’s most thrilling plays. “If the ball hits the net or the wall up in the air, it’s live and you can play it – intercept it off the net or recover a kickoff off the net,” Kokinos explained. “The nets are really a huge part of our game.” Koskinos also said the arena league puts a major emphasis on regular interaction between players and coaches and ticketholders. “Our game is very fan-friendly,” he said. “The fans have great access to our players and to the coaches before the game, and after the game you can come down on the field and you’re out there with the players and coaches. We’re required to come back out after our locker room meeting after the game and spend 20 minutes on the field signing autographs and talking with the fans. There’s a lot of interaction.” While the very best college football players typically end up in the NFL, the arena league
“Arena football is a lot quicker. Everything happens faster than in an NFL game. Everything is a little bit looser. It’s fun, it’s energizing and the fans love it.” boasts plenty of formidable talent. “Most of our guys have played in the NFL or CFL [Canadian Football League], or on those practice squads, or went to pro camp,” Koskinos said. “They’re pro-level players, but they don’t have the same name recognition.” Well, actually some of them do – or at least did. Kurt Warner, who won a Super Bowl as quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, got his pro start in the arena league. And let’s not forget that Washington Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden was among the most prolific players in Arena Football League history, winning four league titles as quarterback of the Tampa Bay Storm before becoming an NFL coach. Washington-area Valor fans may recognize players on the field at Verizon Center right away because some of them hail from the area. Among them is Tracy Belton, the 2016 Arena Football Defensive Player of the Year, who has signed with the team. Belton, a former Largo High School (in Largo, Md.) star before playing college football at the University of Massachusetts, is now a six-year arena league veteran who led the league in interceptions last year. Belton, acquired by the Valor from the Philadelphia Jazz in the off-season, told On Tap he’s thrilled to be home. “I’m very excited to play in my hometown,” Belton said, adding that it will be extra motivating knowing that his friends and family will be in the stands. “People are going to have a great time,” Belton said. “The family and kids have never witnessed anything like this. You’re going to enjoy the game, and you will be back. It’s in the Verizon Center, so you know it’s gonna be poppin’ in there!”
Learn more about the Washington Valor’s first season at www.washingtonvalor.com.
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Every year during the NCAA basketball tournament, Corona and the V Foundation (established in memory of late NC State coach Jim Valvano) partner to raise funds for cancer research. The Corona team visited bars and restaurants throughout the DMV, raising money and having fun for a great cause. Photos: On Tap Staff
DC
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
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Can
Wizards Find Magic in the Playoffs?
Wizards’ Marcin Gortat
Photos: NBA Entertainment, Ned Dishman
By Trent Johnson The Wizards had a rough start this season. Calls for trading John Wall and Bradley Beal were thrown about haphazardly on Twitter. Ernie Grunfeld was believed to be on the hot seat. At one point during the season, it seemed that the Wizards would be on the outside looking in when it came to postseason play. The team had a slow start with a record of 6-12 at the start of December, and hovered around .500 for much of those first two months. What difference does a new year make? Well, the Wizards have gone 29-11 since January 1. There are several reasons for this. The team began to mesh with firstyear coach Scott Brooks, John Wall finally got healthy and, at least lately, the bench unit grew slightly stronger with the trade for Bojan Bogdanovich, and the addition of Brandon Jennings and Ian Mahinmi finally getting on the floor. Now with a record of 45-28, the team is comfortably the Eastern Conference’s third seed, with an outside chance to pass either the Boston Celtics or the ailing/resting Cleveland Cavaliers. To understand the team’s chances in the playoffs, you have to look at what the Wizards do best, and how they evolved from a disappointment to championship hopeful.
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ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER This Wizards team is built around its offense. And whether in the half-court or on fast break, that starts with John Wall whizzing by defenders in the open floor and orchestrating pick and rolls. The point guard dynamo has earned every ounce of MVP consideration thrown his way. He’s averaging career highs in points and assists, and it makes sense as the team currently boasts the fifth best offensive rating (110.3) since January 1, and ninth best overall (108.4). The other key cog to the team’s offensive repertoire is dead-eye shooter Bradley Beal, who is finally avoiding the injuries responsible for cutting previous seasons short, thus living up to the promise he flashes every time on a basketball court. “I think the backcourt is where you start,” says Dan Nolan, digital correspondent at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “If John Wall and Bradley Beal are healthy, they can compete with any team in the NBA. They’re top 10 in every offensive category you can think of with those guys. They’re also extremely aggressive on the defensive end, so they nab a ton of steals.” The backcourt success, though unexpectedly elite, isn’t really all that surprising. Wall is a perennial all-star, and folks
Wizards’ Bradley Beal
have been waiting on Beal to stay healthy in hopes of seeing this level of consistency for years. However, forward Otto Porter Jr.’s play in a contract year has been revelatory. His cutting behind help defenders has always been a pleasant off-ball complement to his more on-ball guards, but this year Porter has also proved himself lights out from behind the three-point line, shooting a career mark of .442 percent, good enough for secondbest in the league. This spaces the floor and allows driving lanes for Wall and Beal, and gives a clear path for center Marcin Gortat when rolling to the rim. “The last half of the 2015-2016 season it clicked for him,” says Jake Whitacre, the manager of SB Nation site Bullets Forever. “He’s really been dynamite since then.” The team has scored in bunches all season, averaging 109.5 points per game, and at an even higher clip since the new year. And while the pace slows in the playoffs, the Wizards offense is far from smoke and mirrors. With two primary ball-handlers and shooting at positions 1-4, the team is a tough cover for any opponent in the Eastern Conference. (The best defense in the East currently is Atlanta, and in the past two matchups Washington scored 112 and 104, respectively).
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STARTERS BEAR THE BURDEN Another aspect of playoff basketball that differs itself from the regular season is the tightening of lineups. With more rest between games, starters are able to play more minutes, and for the Wizards this is a huge plus. “All it takes is a bad night from Bogdonovic shooting the ball, and you have to bring the starters back in early,” Whitacre says. “On the flip side, the starting lineup has played so many minutes together that they know exactly what they’re doing.” Currently, the Wizards starting lineup, the fifth most effective per NBA. com, has played the most minutes together in the entire league at 1,265. This lineup also boasts a net rating of 9.2, which is among the tops in the league for units that have spent meaningful time on the floor together. This helps takes pressure off of Bogdanovic, Kelly Oubre Jr., Mahinmi and Jason Smith knowing they’ll be on the floor with more starters in the duration of the postseason.
THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT Despite the fact that the Wizards will largely avoid bench heavy units, the team still has one of the thinner rosters amongst top teams. Bogdanovich has been an enormous help, turning minutes that once featured Marcus Thornton into moments where the Wizards are still threatening to put points up. Another thing to at least pay attention to is the team’s defense. Though Whitacre tallies it up to the team’s overreliance on offense during the rigorous regular season schedule, the team has been losing points lately to both good and bad teams. When the ball isn’t moving as fast in the postseason, you want to have a defense that is at least semi-reliable when the shots aren’t falling. Currently, the Wizards defensive rating is at fourteenth, and even players like John Wall are statistically experiencing down years on that side of the ball, even if marginally.
REALISTIC OUTLOOK The Wizards have set themselves up for at least one home series in the playoffs, which is a nice departure from the early season doldrums. The team has a lot of the makings of a championship squad: experienced head coach, a superstar experiencing a career year, multiple shot creators and a solid supporting cast. I think the defense will improve in the playoffs, but the bench is probably still a tad unreliable. “You obviously want to get out of the first round,” Whitacre says. “I think they get past that, and you hope for Boston because they’re a little inexperienced in the playoffs. Plus, Oubre Jr. can at least bother Isiah Thomas a little bit, and that will definitely help in that series.” Facing the Boston Celtics in the second round is likely, and probably a tough series even if the Wizards emerge victorious. The ceiling for this team if LeBron James stays healthy in Cleveland is probably bowing out after a series against the Cavs. If this outcome comes to bear, and the Wizards fall short in an Eastern Conference finals matchup with the defending champs, that would still be an amazing season for Washington fans, who months ago, weren’t sure if this team would or should stay intact. “Any team with a healthy LeBron James is the favorite in the playoffs,” Nolan says. “When he gets to the playoffs, year after year, right off the bat, he deserves to be favorite. If a healthy Cleveland team plays a healthy Washington, they’d be favorites because they’ve earned that. Overall, though, honestly I think this is simply very exciting. To have this level of basketball right now in Washington, to be in contention, is astonishing.”
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For more information about the Washington Wizards, visit www.nba.com/wizards. Check out Dan Nolan and Jake Whitacre on Twitter at @DanPNolan and @JakeWhitacre. ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
MORE TASTE, FEWER CALORIES AND HALF THE CARBS OF BUD LIGHT.
©2017 MILLER BREWING CO., MILWAUKEE, WI Av. analysis (12 fl. oz.): 96 cals, 3.2g carbs, <1g protein, 0g fat. Per 12 fl. oz., Bud Light has 110 cals, 6.6g carbs. Taste testing performed by Institute for Perception, May 2015.
Photo: Jeff Martin Photography
New | Notable | No Longer
Le DeSales red snapper crudo
Le DeSales
Taqueria del Barrio flatbread
By On Tap staff
Photo: Courtesy of Hill Prince
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 Hill Prince Open: March 10 Location: H Street Corridor Lowdown: Classic neighborhood bar
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Fourth-generation Washingtonians Nick and David Wiseman are excited to join the H Street community with their newest spot, Hill Prince. Nestled between the Atlas Performing Arts Center and the Rock & Roll Hotel, the duo is aiming to bring another option to the burgeoning area in their stripped-down version of a classic bar. “H Street is such a vibrant place, and steeped in so much history,” Wiseman says. With a mix of local brews and more traditional cocktails, and a few snacks on the menu (like the delicious pretzel freshly baked by Maketto Chef Erik Bruner-Yang), Wiseman is aiming for his spot to become a staple on the H Street drag. “Our vision was to become a neighborhood bar, so we designed the menu to appeal to everyone. You can sip on a hopped, locally-made IPA or throw back a good, old-fashioned American beer.” When asked about the cocktail selection, Wiseman says the classics are classics for a reason. “They are really good drinks. We use quality spirits and fresh juices for added punch.” Hill Prince will feature an outdoor courtyard with patio parties as the weather begins to warm up, as well as the location’s first annual Preakness party. Hill Prince: 1337 H St. NE, DC; www.hillprince.com
With a vast range in style and approach, there are numerous ways to conjure up French dishes in the kitchen. For new DC restaurant Le DeSales, executive chef Raphael Francois is excited to bring simple, bistro-style dishes to the supremely decorated tables. “French cuisine has a vast range. It can be traditional classic, bistro, fine dining and also inspired by other cultures. The idea is to make simple comfort food and mix American foodie culture [and] local products with a European twist.” Couple these options with cocktails from consulting mixologist Lukas B. Smith (featured in this month’s “A Day in the Life” column), and you begin creating a dining experience comparable to other stellar restaurants in the area. Le DeSales: 1725 DeSales St. NW, DC; www.ledesales.com
Photo: Rey Lopez
Photo: Courtesy of Taqueria del Barrio
Open: March 29 Location: Golden Triangle Lowdown: French hits with curated drinks
Mirabelle pastry cart
Mirabelle Open: March 20 Location: Downtown (near the White House) Lowdown: French fine dining headed by a former White House chef When Mirabelle opened its doors in mid-March, Chef Frank Ruta took his traditional cooking skills, once used at the
menu, which doesn’t fall victim to the typical clichés of Mexican restaurants,” according to Bran-Leis. Taqueria del Barrio: 821 Upshur St. NW, DC; www.taqueriadelbarrio.com
Now Open DC Arroz Marriott Marquis Washington, 901 Massachussetts Ave. NW, DC www.arrozbymic.com
Photo: Torrence Swain
White House, and combined them with a more contemporary twist on French cuisine. “From my vantage point, Mirabelle offers a unique experience in that we try to provide everything in-house,” says the restaurant’s pastry chef, Aggie Chin. “We want everything to be the best of the very best.” Ruta, Chin and the rest of their team are looking to put Mirabelle on the downtown map, while cultivating entrees and desserts that stick with patrons even after they leave the restaurant’s decadent interior. Though everything on the menu is prepared at a high level, Chin’s yuzu sesame mille crepe is a standout dish. “I love yuzu as a flavor – it is so floral and vibrant, more so than just lemon. I wanted to incorporate it into the menu as a bright point to the mainstays of winter.” Mirabelle: 900 16th St. NW, DC; www.mirabelledc.com
Photo: Courtesy of Taqueria del Barrio
Good Life Cocktail Club’s Falling Leaves cocktail
Taqueria del Barrio quesadilla
Taqueria del Barrio Open: March 30 Location: Petworth Lowdown: Made-from-scratch tacos paired with top-notch cocktails With décor inspired by Mexican culture and heritage, and a menu prepared from scratch, Taqueria del Barrio is a must-visit spot for the rest of the year, especially when the weather heats up and tacos become a hefty part of your diet. “Making food from scratch is the single most important goal of our menu,” says owner and chef Anna Bran-Leis. Mexican cuisine comes from centuries of traditions, and it’s important for us to honor and respect those traditions.” The menu offers up to 14 different taco varieties, and includes other traditional Mexican dishes such as pozole and albondigas. The taqueria also features an impeccable cocktail program run by Chris Martino, who “brings a chic sophistication to the bar
NOTABLE Good Life Cocktail Club Open: Every second Saturday Location: Wicked Bloom in Bloomingdale Lowdown: One of DC’s most creative mixologists kicks off inspired initiative In an effort to curate unique and engaging events that center around music, art and cocktails, Torrence Swain has combined multiple mediums to create one engaging experience with his Good Life Cocktail Club. “I think about what I want to do with the cocktails and then Tanya [Ellis] curates a playlist that corresponds with the idea or theme I’m going with,” Swain says. The themes vary from Freaky Tiki, with afrobeat tunes instead of traditional surfer sounds, to his disco-era theme coming up in May. Though Swain’s club hosts virtual events through Facebook Live, his in-person events are held at Wicked Bloom in Bloomingdale. “This venue is wellsuited for the event in that it is able to take on any theme rather easily,” he says. With that kind of adaptability, expect many more twists from Swain. “We have not collaborated with any local artists as of yet, but are looking to do so in the near future.” Follow Good Life on Instagram @goodlifecollective and Twitter @goodgirlsnboys. Good Life Cocktail Club at Wicked Bloom: 1540 N Capitol St. NW, DC; www.glcollective.com
NO LONGER Armand’s on Capitol Hill Darnell’s at Manchester in Shaw DGS Delicatessen in Mosaic District Fast Gourmet on U Street
Flying Fish Coffee & Tea in Mount Pleasant High Dive in Adams Morgan ShopHouse (all locations) Tienda La Union in Petworth
Barrilito Bar & Restaurant 3911 14th St. NW, DC No website Choong Man Chicken & Seafood 1125 H St. NE, DC No website Cuba Cuba Corner 2309 18th St. NW, DC www.cubancornermd.com Dacha Beer Garden 1600 7th St. NW, DC www.dachadc.com Pidzza 740 6th St. NW, DC www.pidzza.com Quickway Hibachi 81 H St. NW, DC www.quickwayhibachi.com Rosario 2435 18th St. NW, DC www.rosariodc.com Shake Shack 1400 14th St. NW, DC www.shakeshack.com Stable 1324 H St. NE, DC www.stabledc.com Taylor Gourmet 1116 H St. NE, DC www.taylorgourmet.com
Maryland Alatri Bros. 4926 Cordell Ave. Bethesda, MD www.toasttab.com/alatri-bros Lincoln Bar-B-Que 931 Ellsworth Dr. Silver Spring, MD www.lincolnsbbq.com
www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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Brunch
by
The Block
10 Local Spots on Our Radar
L-R: Brine, Espita Mezcaleria and Community
By Lani Furbank
B
runch has claimed a spot at the top of DC’s food chain, and rightfully so. The weekend meal can be anything you make it: a time to relax and catch up with friends, a way to nurse your hangover, or a pregame to ramp things up for the festivities ahead. Whatever you’re in the mood for, DC restaurants have your weekend handled – from baked goods to booze. Considering the amount of brunching city residents do, it’s a wonder the phenomenon hasn’t gotten old yet. Thankfully, the brunch scene changes as frequently as the weather, with a constant influx of new restaurants and fresh menus. Here are 10 of the brunches we can’t get enough of right now.
Ari’s Diner classic burger
Photo: Courtesy of Ari’s Diner
Ari’s Diner
Neighborhood: Ivy City The former industrial district of Ivy City is experiencing a dining boom, with some of the region’s buzziest new restaurants moving in. That includes Ari’s Diner from restaurateur Ari Gejdensen of Mindful Restaurant Group. This GMC Streamliner-inspired eatery is everything you want in a classic diner, with fluffy pancakes, combo platters and satisfying burgers. Since breakfast is served all day, brunch here is a no-brainer. Settle into one of the vinyl booths and take your pick of morning specialties or stacked sandwiches. Just make sure to wash it down with a boozy milkshake.
Ari’s Diner: 2003 Fenwick St. NE, DC www.arisdiner.com
Brine brunch offering
Photo: Courtesy of Brine
Brine
Neighborhood: Mosaic District Shoppers and diners in the Mosaic District tend to congregate in the central plaza, but wandering over to the less visible bank of storefronts and restaurants will pay off big time. That’s where you’ll find one of the pearls of the development: Brine. This seafood-focused spot is owned by Travis Croxton of Rappahannock Oyster Company, so naturally, their raw bar is on point. Find fresh and succulent bivalves, citrus ceviche, and Carolina shrimp cocktails. Fish is definitely the star, especially the catch of the day roasted over oak, but don’t sleep on the decadent brunch burger, topped with red onion jam and farmhouse cheese.
Brine: 2985 District Ave. Fairfax, VA www.brinerestaurants.com
Colada Shop empanadas
Photo: Brian Oh
Colada Shop
Neighborhood: U Street/14th Street Colada Shop’s first location is in Sterling, Va., but they’ve since brought their traditional Cuban fare to the heart of the District. Those looking for a reminder of home or a taste of adventure can enjoy pastelitos or empanadas any time of day, but these flaky pockets of joy are destined to be brunch MVPs. Round out your meal with warm sandwiches, strong Cuban coffee, and surprisingly affordable craft cocktails from minibar alum and Colada Shop partner Juan Coronado. There are also plenty of breakfast options, like a ham and Swiss cheese tortilla and mango coconut granola with yogurt. The space is a little tight, but new seating areas in the back and on the roof are in the works. While the weather is warm, you can enjoy your Cuban bites on the outdoor patio.
Colada Shop: 1405 T St. NW, DC www.coladashop.com
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Spice up your
BRUNCH! Visit
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and jalapeño cheese biscuits with eggs. Brunch is also available à la carte for those who aren’t feeling quite so ambitious.
Espita Mezcaleria: 1250 9th St. NW, DC www.espitadc.com
Photo: Lani Furbank
Hazel: 808 V St. NW, DC www.hazelrestaurant.com
Community
Neighborhood: Bethesda Community is Bethesda’s newest gathering place, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a diner atmosphere. The menu features plenty of American comfort food, plus serious burgers, a specialty of owner Mark Bucher, the founder of BGR and Medium Rare. While there isn’t an official brunch menu, you’ll have no trouble finding a satisfying meal. Breakfast items like massive pancakes and Frosted Flake French toast are available all day, and the extensive lunch offerings include a mean chicken and waffles. Don’t forget about the adult milkshakes and boozy slurpees.
Garrison smørrebrød
Photo: Courtesy of Garrison Garrison
Garrison
Photo: Courtesy of Espita Mezcaleria
Community: 7776 Norfolk Ave. Bethesda, MD; www.communitybethesda.com
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill This hyper-seasonal restaurant is the place to go for a uniquely satisfying brunch. Sure, they have the standards like pancakes, quiche and eggs, but they also lean Danish with several of their offerings. Chef Rob Weland’s wife and business partner, Amy Garrett, grew up in Copenhagen, so chef started experimenting with Danish openfaced sandwiches called smørrebrød. The base of the dish is a special sprouted rye bread, made in-house. They’re piled high with toppings like smoked trout and dill crème fraiche, or ramp shoots and pickled summer tomatoes. The recommended accompaniment is a cold pilsner and a shot of Danish aquavit. We’re not going to argue with that!
Garrison: 524 8th St. SE, DC www.garrisondc.com
Espita Mezcaleria biscuits and eggs
Espita Mezcaleria
Neighborhood: Shaw This mezcal mecca recently added two new brunch offerings: an unlimited boozy brunch and a precio fijo (fixed price) menu. For $16, you can embrace your inner espita (slang for drunkard) and enjoy unlimited brunch cocktails, like the quaffable misa del gallo with tequila, grapefruit, honey and sparkling rosé. The fixed price food menu doesn’t leave anything out. Start with salsas, guacamole and housemade corn tortilla chips, and then choose a first and second course. Options include a tinga tlacoyo (a masa turnover filled with chicken tinga), machaca breakfast tacos
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Hazel matcha donuts
Hazel
Photo: Courtesy of Hazel
Neighborhood: North End Shaw Hazel’s regular menu is ripe with flashes of international flavors, and their “DimSunday” brunch special is no exception. You’ll feel like you’re dining your way
Photo: Courtesy of Junction Bakery & Bistro
Community chicken and waffles
around the world with à la carte small plates like zucchini bread with foie gras mousse, mapo eggs with Szechuan pepper lamb sauce, kimchi scramble with crispy rice, or an English muffin with duck sausage and mayonnaise spiked with their signature Fire Panda hot sauce. If you’re really hungry, you can opt for “The Whole Shebang” and get all 11 dishes for $95. On the beverage front, be prepared for some tough decisions – the bottle book boasts an impressive selection of unusual cocktails, beers and wines.
Junction Tuscan toast
Junction Bakery & Bistro
Neighborhood: Del Ray In Alexandria’s trendiest ‘hood, Junction Bakery & Bistro is serving up a brunch that spotlights one of our very favorite food groups: carbs. But they don’t phone it in. Find creative pastry and toast offerings (Everything croissant? Yes, please!) plus a few globally-inspired options like the Sicily toast with caramelized onion, rapini, roasted mushroom and Pecorino. If you’re looking for a hearty brunch dish, good luck choosing between cheddar and chive biscuits with chili and fried eggs and roasted pork shoulder, housemade kimchi and a fried egg on a brioche roll. But don’t worry, dieters. Dishes like the falafel cakes or the golden quinoa with roasted root vegetables, Brussels sprouts and a poached egg are here for you.
Junction Bakery & Bistro: 1508 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA www.junctionbakery.com
Little Coco’s panna cotta
Photo: Courtesy of Little Coco’s
Little Coco’s
Neighborhood: Petworth Pizza is one of those foods that is nearly impossible to refuse, so why try? Head to Petworth’s new neighborhood hang, Little Coco’s, which is named after Chef Adam Harvey’s Italian wife. Their brunch offerings feature plenty of their signature pies, plus some breakfast pizzas like one with eggs, bacon, potatoes and white sauce. On the off chance that you’re not feeling up for pizza, you won’t go hungry. There’s Nutella brioche French toast, a porchetta omelette, a chicken Milanese sandwich and more. Don’t skip the classic Italian cocktails or the mimosas, offered by the liter for efficient imbibing.
Little Coco’s: 3907 14th St. NW, DC; www.littlecocos.com
a space to enjoy French cuisine with a great wine selection & craft cocktails in a vintage attic decor, a cosy atmosphere with intimate ambiance on the vibrant H Street corridor
Open Tuesday - Sunday | Brunch Saturday & Sunday 502 H Street NE, Washington, DC | 202.544.5999 | legrenierdc.com
Osteria Morini brunch offering
Photo: Courtesy of Osteria Morini
Osteria Morini
Neighborhood: Capitol Riverfront When it comes to curing hangovers, it’s hard to compete with a heaping plate of homemade pasta. That’s what you’ll find at Osteria Morini, where every shape is perfect – from cappelletti and conchiglie to rigatoni and tagliatelle. The waterfront restaurant offers two- and three-course brunch specials so you can sample the entire menu and score a deal on bloody Marias and mimosas. The sweet and savory pastry basket is always a good place to start, and appetizers like battilardo and burrata provide a light warmup before the main event of pasta or entrée. Try the stickto-your-ribs stracotto (braised short rib with polenta, Calabrian chile hollandaise and a fried egg) if pasta isn’t your game.
Osteria Morini: 301 Water St. Suite 109, SE, DC www.osteriamorini.com/washington-dc
Come join us for brunch at Tunnicliff’s Tavern, located right in the middle of Eastern Market! We are open for brunch from 9am until 3pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Try our brunch special: one brunch entree and a cocktail for $15. Enjoy our patio all year long, as well as our bar area where we have lots of TV’s showing all the day’s games. Craft beer, cocktails and delicious seasonal fare– reserve your table or private party today!
222 7th St SE, Washington, DC | 202.544.5680 www.ontaponline.com | APRIL 2017 | ON TAP
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Index of Advertisers Bilbo Baggins Join us for
DC’s Best brunch Every weekend downtown in the heart of the city!
208 Queen St. Alexandria, VA; 703-683-0300; www.bilbobaggins.com Brunch hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
District Chophouse 509 7th St. NW, DC; 202-347-3434; www.districtchophouse.com Brunch hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fado Irish Pub 808 7th St. NW, DC; 202-789-0066; www.fadoirishpub.com Brunch hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Once you visit, you’ll agree – DC stands for District Chop! Brunch Saturday & Sunday from 11am-3pm Plus Signature Cocktails & Craft Beer! Join us for weekday Happy Hour, Lunch and Dinner. Book your private party with us today! DISTRICT CHOPHOUSE & BREWERY 509 7th Street, NW 202.347.3434 | www.districtchophouse.com
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center 201 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD; 301-965-4000; www.marriott.com/hotel-info/wasgn-gaylord-nationalresort-and-convention-center/ Brunch hours: Times vary
Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant 555 S 23rd St. Arlington, VA; 703-687-0555; www.freddiesbeachbar.com Brunch Hours: Saturday diner brunch and Sunday champagne brunch, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Hamilton 600 14th St. NW, DC; 202-787-1000; www.thehamiltondc.com Brunch hours: Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
La Grenier 502 H St. NE, DC; 202-544-5999; www.legrenierdc.com Brunch Hours: Saturday and Sunday, regular hours
Siné Irish Pub 1301 S. Joyce St. Arlington, VA; 703-415-4420; www.sineirishpub.com Brunch hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tortoise and Hare 567 South 23rd St. Arlington, VA; 703-979-1872; www.tortoiseandharebar.com Brunch hours: Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.
Tunnicliff’s Tavern 222 7th St. SE, DC; 202-544-5680; www.twitter.com/tunnicliffs Brunch hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Whitlow’s on Wilson 2854 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-276-9693; www.whitlows.com Brunch hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Join us f0r brunch every Sat & Sun from 11am to 3pm We have all your favorites from Traditional Irish Breakfast to Eggs Benedict & Pancakes. Check us out at sineirishpub.com for the full brunch and regular menus. Come enjoy our brunch inside when you want to watch your favorite sporting event on our flat screen HD TVs, or outside on the patio in the beautiful weather.
Saturday: Limited Brunch Sunday: Full Brunch/Lunch Menu 10:30-2:30 • • • •
Frodo’s French Toast Great Omelets Egg Benedict Options Crab & Asparagus Frittatas
• Smaug’s Delight
Portabella mushroom with melted brie cheese and scrambled eggs.
Mimosas, Bloody Marys & Champagne Available! Guests showed their true colors on St. Patrick’s Day at Sine Irish Pub in Pentagon Row. Drink specials, an all-you-can-eat buffet and plenty of shenanigans were on hand. Photos: Cristina O’Connell
208 Queen St., Alexandria, VA • 703-683-0300 www.bilbobaggins.net www.ontaponline.com | APRIL 2017 | On Tap
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By Trent Johnson Greetings, beer nerds! As you likely know, there are a number of fantastic establishments in the DMV where you can grab a pint, and their menus are always evolving and adapting to your tastes. If you’d rather avoid the guessing game, check out some of what’s coming up On Tap at a few of the area establishments below.
MONDAY, APRIL 3
themselves about the magic behind the brew. SweetWater swag will be available on a first come, first serve basis! SweetWater beers on tap will include SweetWater’s 20th anniversary brew, a double IPA, SweetWater 420, an extra pale ale, and SweetWater Grass Monkey, a hoppy American wheat with flavors of lemongrass. 4-7 p.m. Dacha Beer Garden: 1600 7th St. NW, DC; www.dachadc.com
The Near & Far Beer Dinner Series Rustico will host a five-course dinner pairing the beers of Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery with a special menu prepared by Chef Daniel Rothbart. Don’t miss the opportunity to try some deliciously rare treats like bourbon Barrel-Aged Coconut Delight, Nasty Woman and Supreme Leader Vintage 2016. As an added bonus, founder Sean-Thomas Pumphrey will be in the house, sharing stories about his excellent brewery and outstanding beers. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60. Reserve your seat by calling 703224-5051 or emailing slaters@ rusticorestaurant.com. Rustico Alexandria: 827 Slaters Ln. Alexandria, VA; www.rusticorestaurant.com
THURSDAYS, APRIL 6, 20, 27
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Dacha DC Beer Club Features SweetWater Brewing’s 20th Anniversary Join Dacha Beer Garden for a happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with SweetWater Brewing Company. Mingle with your fellow like-minded beer lovers and learn from the brewmasters
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
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DC Brews & Booze Takeover Series Thursdays in April, Right Proper will be highlighting DC-made beverages as Mad Fox Taproom hosts some of their favorite breweries and distilleries from the District. On Thursday, April 6, Right Proper Brewing Company will feature the release of Yeastie Boyz, a hop and yeastforward New England IPA and collaboration beer from Mad Fox/Right Proper/BYL/Gordon Biersch. On April 20, they will be featuring One Eight Distilling, and on April 27, they will feature Cotton & Reed. 7-10 p.m. Free to attend. Mad Fox Taproom: 2218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; www.madfoxbrewing.com
ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
tour. At the conclusion, guests will head to the Bottle Shop & Tasting Room to enjoy a flight of three additional tasters each expertly paired with a snack from the talented culinary team led by Chef de Cuisine Marcelle Afram. 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35. Bluejacket: 300 Tingey St. SE, DC; www.bluejacketdc.com/ tours
SATURDAY, APRIL 8 Capital BrewFest: Blossom Bash Beer, Wine & Music Festival Get your own tasting glass, and enjoy your favorites of more than 70 carefully selected craft beers in a single afternoon! Cider and gluten-free options will be available. Unlimited tastes of wines, ciders and more! Plus, amazing food options on hand to nibble (for purchase). Live music all day from multiple acts on the main stage, and lots of outdoor games, arts and activities. 1:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $32.95-$69.95. The Fairgrounds: 1299 Half St. SE, DC; www.brewfest.com
MONDAY, APRIL 10 THURSDAY, APRIL 13 All-Purpose Pizzeria Tap Takeover All-Purpose Pizzeria will host a Maine Brewing Company tap takeover on Monday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. Owners David and Daniel Kleban, as well as several brewers, will be in attendance. Beers on tap will include the Woods & Waters, an IPA with pine and citrus notes inspired by the great outdoors, Lunch, an East Coast version of a West Coast IPA with intense hoppiness and
tropical fruit, and A Tiny Beautiful Something, a pale ale brewed with El Dorado hops featuring intense candied orange and citrus flavors. All-Purpose Pizzeria: 1250 9th St. NW, DC; www.allpurposedc.com The Hamilton’s Craft Brew Concert Series Three nights, three bands and three unique beers. In conjunction with this year’s Craft Brewers Conference returning to DC, The Hamilton has partnered with several independent breweries to bring you a handpicked lineup of regional bands. Each night, the menu will feature a unique beer from a brewery that is specifically paired with that evening’s performer. On April 10, Lagunitas Brewing presents Low Cut Connie with Skribe; on April 11, Brewery Ommegang presents The Felice Brothers; and on April 12, Terrapin Beer Co. presents Roadkill Ghost Choir. Showtimes and tickets available on the website. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc. com
MONDAY, APRIL 10 CBC Massachusetts Meet-Up Going to the Craft Brewers Conference? The Mass Brewers Guild will host a Massachusetts brewers and industry professionals meet-up on Monday, April 10 at the Bier Baron. An all-Massachusetts beer line-up will be served alongside appetizers generously provided by Solomon McCown & Co. Just good food, beer and company. 5-7 p.m. Event is free. Registration is required. The Bier Baron Tavern: 1523 22nd St. NW, DC; www.thebierbaron.com
1020 Rockfish Valley Highway (Rt. 151) Nellysford, VA 22958 | (434) 361-1030
Charlie Bravo Charlie Beer Dinner Each year, Flying Dog, Surly, Maui, DC Brau and Firestone Walker combine forces at the Craft Brewers Conference to host Charlie Bravo Charlie - an incredible, six-course beer dinner. Meridian Pint is hosting this year’s iteration at Meridian Pint, and also add Wicked Weed to the fold. The beers include Wicked Weed White Angel, Surly Misanthrope, Maui Mosaic Mo’ Betta, DC Brau Willett Barrel-Aged Stone of Arbroath, Firestone Walker SLOambic and Flying Dog Barrel-Aged Gonzo. 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $85. Meridian Pint: 3400 11th St. NW, DC; www.meridianpint.com ChurchKey Presents CBC17 East Coast’s Finest ChurchKey will showcase the best breweries from across the country for an unforgettable series of events. Things kick off on Monday, April 10, highlighting a few of the best from the East Coast with no less than 30 drafts from these exceptional brewers. Notables include Bissell Brothers Swish, Other Half All Green Everything, Suarez Family Call to Mind, Trillium Double Dry-Hopped Stillings Street and the Veil Never Aloha. ChurchKey will open early at 2 p.m. on this day. There is no admission fee for this event. All featured beers will be priced individually by the glass and in 4-oz. tasting pours. 2-11 p.m. ChurchKey: 1337 14th St. NW, DC; www.churchkeydc.com
TUESDAY, APRIL 11 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 Dogfish Head/Crosley Cruiser Stops Join Dogfish Head and Crosley Radio as part of the duo’s 29city tour to celebrate the Craft Brewers Conference in DC. The Crosley Cruiser, featuring Dogfish Head beers, will be parked out front of these locations offering a record store pint glass with their beer purchases while supplies last.
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7-9 p.m. on April 11 at Penn Social: 801 E St. NW, DC; www. pennsocialdc.com; 12-2 p.m. on April 12 at Crooked Beat Records: 802 North Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA; www. crookedbeat.com; 4-7 p.m. on April 12 at Dogfish Head Alehouse: 13041 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy, Fairfax, VA; www.dogfishalehouse.com; and 8-10 p.m. on April 12 at Dogfish Head Alehouse: 6220 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA; www. dogfishalehouse.com
MONDAY, APRIL 24 Beer Yoga at Cap City Welcome back to the monthly happening at Capitol City Brewing in Shirlington. Join for an all-levels yoga flow in the brewery followed by a pint of beer. All are welcome, no yoga experience required. Limited to 20 guests. BYO yoga mat; the bar will provide the beer. 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $15. Capitol City Brewing Company: 4001 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA; www.capcitybrew.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 13 Metal & Beer at Atlas Brew Works DCHeavyMetal.com and Atlas Brew Works are teaming up with Decibel Magazine, Trve Brewing and Champion Brewing for the biggest metal event at Atlas yet! In addition to a great music lineup, there will be guest beers from Denver’s black metal-themed Trve Brewing. Beer nerds know that along with their aesthetic, Trve makes some of the best sour beers in the country – but only in small batches, so this is a rare chance to try their beers in the DMV area. 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $10. Atlas Brew Works: 2052 West Virginia Ave. NE, DC; www.atlasbrewworks.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 14 The Underdogs: Small But Mighty Breweries Join the Black Squirrel in celebrating two underdogs of the craft beer world. Since its inception in 2008, RoyPitz Brewing Co. has won 23 medals at the World Beer Championships in recognition of their liquid art. At the 2016 World Beer Cup, Aspen Brewing’s Double Conundrum Imperial Red Fresh Hop won a bronze medal in the “Fresh Hop” category, and their flagship Independence Pass Ale IPA took home the gold in the Englishstyle IPA category. 5-9 p.m. The Black Squirrel: 2427 18th St. NW, DC; www.blacksquirreldc.com
On Tap | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Red Derby
Shamus Durac, Beverage Director On Tap: How did you get into beer? Shamus Durac: I got into the industry in 2014. I began working here at the Red Derby, and it was a fun time just doing things with the community. It was a fun, creative world to play in with cocktails, and obviously beers. OT: How do you select beers? SD: I’ll see something out and about, or I’ll hear from the breweries about their new products. For instance, we just started carrying canned wines, and I thought that was cool. I’m always looking for what people want. OT: How often do you switch up the menu? SD: I’m looking for new things all the time. We’re just trying to see what’s popping and what’s new, and also what has staying power. You have to have a nice blend of those two things. OT: What are some beers coming up in April that you’re excited about? SD: We’re getting some sour beers back. We’re looking to also bring in some mead. Also, we’re rolling out a new cocktail menu in mid-April. We’ll have some beer cocktails to go with our brunch menu. OT: Are you excited about the Craft Brewers Conference coming to town? SD: I love to try stuff that you’ll see at smaller breweries. You get to see breweries doing things that are radically different; it’s always exciting to see what others are bringing to the table.
Red Derby: 3718 14th St. NW, DC; www.redderby.com
BEHIND THE BAR
By Monica Alford and Trent Johnson
In keeping with our vinyl theme, we caught up with folks from three of the city’s best dives that host vinyl-only DJs and dance parties. Whether you’re in Bloomingdale, Brookland or on U Street, these bars have you covered when it comes to fantastic music and good drinks to boot.
Tariq Haqq
Photos: Cristina O’Connell
Head Bartender, Showtime Lounge On Tap: What do you think sets Showtime apart from other local dives? Tariq Haqq: We don’t show sports and we allow dancing – the opposite of most dives. OT: How would you describe the vibe here? Who hangs at Showtime? TH: We get a lot of people from the neighborhood [Bloomingdale], for sure. A lot of young, urban professionals.
Photos: Trent Johnson
Andy Fox
Bartender/Music Booker, Dew Drop Inn On Tap: What’s on tap at Dew Drop? Andy Fox: We have an excellent selection of draft beers including La Fin du Monde, Bitburger, Köstritzer and two rotating IPAs. There’s something for everyone!
OT: What’s your favorite beer on tap at Showtime? TH: 3 Stars; they’re the most consistent of the local breweries we carry.
OT: What about mixed drinks? AF: A fully stocked bar allows us to make mixed drinks with a wide variety of liquors. When it’s warm, we offer “frozen” drinks. All of these drinks can be enjoyed on our awesome outdoor deck where you can watch – and many times feel – the trains going by.
OT: Favorite mixed drink/shot to serve? TH: Who am I kidding? Jägerbombs. But we stopped carrying the ingredients, so now I like something called Wild Africa. It’s a cream liqueur.
OT: How often does Dew Drop host DJs? AF: We have DJs regularly Thursday through Saturday nights. Any night can turn into a dance party.
OT: What about customer favorites? TH: Everyone likes the Natty Boh/shot deal. It’s only $5. People like drinking Natty Boh because it makes them feel local by drinking a Baltimore beer.
OT: When did you first start hosting vinyl-only DJs? Who is in your current rotation? AF: We have had vinyl-only DJs on the schedule since we opened. Right now, in addition to Baby Alcatraz, we have DJ Lap Aura, DJ Pharaoh Haqq and DJ Diaspora. DJ Smile Now Cry Later is all vinyl and spins often with Baby Alcatraz. And DJs Matt V and Many Spaceships fill in when necessary. DJ Retrospect [Lantern] will occasionally bring vinyl.
OT: Best song on Paul Vivari’s [the owner] jukebox? TH: #4805: “The Prowler” by The Idols OT: Who are your favorite DJs who play here regularly? TH: All the DJs are legit. Paul has done a good job making sure they are. They only use records, ya know? I guess Retrospect Lantern. He’s the illist! OT: You’re also a DJ. Where do you play as DJ Pharaoh Haqq? TH: I DJ once a month at Dew Drop Inn. I also do a night with a homie of mind at Haydee’s in Mount Pleasant. It’s super fun! It’s called Shout Bamalama. We do 50s and 60s stuff; usually a lot of dancing. OT: What kind of music do you play? TH: Mostly 50s and 60s R&B and rock ‘n’ roll. But I’ve really been getting into trap and punk. I’m trying to spin more stuff like that. Ya know, like Drake and Black Flag.
Tariq’s Pick
Wild Africa Showtime Lounge: 113 Rhode Island Ave. NW, DC; www.fb.com/showtimebardc/
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OT: Do most of the vinyl-only DJs have a retro sound? AF: DJ Pharaoh Haqq often appears elsewhere in DC with Baby Alcatraz, and has a similar aesthetic but probably few overlapping songs. DJ Lap Aura spins an eclectic mix, often veering toward post-punk and garage. DJ Diaspora plays brokebeat, jazz, house and afrobeat. OT: What else happens at Dew Drop besides vinyl dance parties? AF: Our second anniversary party is coming up in June. We host trivia every Tuesday, [and] live music on Mondays and many Sundays. When the weather is good, every night is perfect for sitting on our deck and having a sandwich [Fox recommends the pay-by-the-inch Italian sub or veggie sweet potato burrito] with your favorite drink.
Andy’s Pick
Köstritzer Dew Drop Inn: 2801 8th St. NE, DC; www.dewdropinndc.com
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Abdullah Kayoumy
Photos: Trent Johnson
Manager/Part Owner, Velvet Lounge
On Tap: How would you describe the vibe at Velvet? Abdullah Kayoumy: To me, it’s a very honest place. It’s real. This is a place where you come and f---ing relax, you know? There’s writing on the walls and stuff. This is a place of expression. OT: Who hangs out here? AK: It’s a dive, and everybody comes to a dive. I don’t encourage anything. I just pour drinks and let [people] do what they want to do [laughs]. That’s the beauty of this location. You get tons of people coming through here. OT: Tell me about your vinyl-only nights. AK: We have that kind of show on the second Friday of the month. Typically, either Soul Call Paul [Showtime’s owner] or Baby Alcatraz. Those are my legit all-vinyl shows. OT: What kind of vinyl do they play? AK: They’ve got a great selection and inventory. They know how to put it all together. It’s not only about having great records; it’s about playing it in a good order. I love their music. I really enjoy it. I think that 50s soul music belongs in a place like this. It’s a nice change-up, because normally we play to the hip-hop crowd. We play house music sometimes too. OT: What mixed drink do customers order most frequently? AK: This is a shot and beer place. We’ll serve ginger ale and anything [laughs]. There’s really no cocktail here. OT: What beers do you guys carry? AK: I try to keep shit as simple as possible, man. I don’t have fruit. There’s not much selection here. You just take what you get. I think people like the simplicity.
Abdullah’s Pick
Jägermeister & PBR combo
Locals celebrated at the annual DC Brewer’s Ball to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Guests enjoyed food and beer pairings, live music and an auction. Photos: Mark Raker
Velvet Lounge: 915 U St. NW, DC; www.velvetloungedc.com
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On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
WWW.DCBREWERSBALL.ORG
PROUD SUPPORTER OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION
13TH ANNUAL
SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018
7:00 PM – MIDNIGHT | NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, D.C. (All guests must be 21+)
Like us on Facebook – Brewer’s Ball and Follow us on Twitter @dcbrewersball #dcbrewersball Presented By
For more information, please contact Erin Leahey 301-657-8444 or eleahey@cff.org
THANK YOU TO OUR 2017 Restaurants, Breweries and Spirits Adroit Theory • Allagash Brewing Company • B DC- Penn Quarter • Belga Café & B Too • Belly Love Brewing Company • BJ’s Restaurants • Blue Point • Bold Rock Hard Cider • Boston Beer • Boulevard Brewing Co • Brasserie Beck • Breakthru Beverage Group (Sonoma Cutrer) • Brewers United for Real Potables (BURP) • Brewery Ommegang • Calvert Brewing Company • Capital Crab • Charm City Meadworks • Chesapeake Real Ale Brewers Society (CRABS) • Chouquette • Cisco Brewers • City Tap Penn Quarter • Constellation Brands Beer Division • Cotton & Reed • Denizens Brewing Co. • Devils Backbone Brewing Company • Dino’s Grotto • Dirty South Deli • District Baking Co • Dogfish Head Alehouse • Dogfish Head Craft Brewery • Elysian • Evolution Craft Brewing Company • Fair Winds Brewing Company • Flying Dog Brewery • Fordham & Dominion Brewing • Founders Brewing Co. Frederick’s Original Ale Makers (FOAM) • Goose Island • Gordon Biersch Brewery-Restaurants Hank’s Oyster Bar • Heavy Seas Alehouse • Heavy Seas Beer • Heineken • Heritage Brewing Heroic Aleworks • Hill Country BBQ • Mad Fox Brewing Company • Manor Hill Brewing Maryland Free State Homebrew Club Guild • matchbox • Mon Ami Gabi • O’Connor Brewing Co. • Old Forester Bourbon (Breakthru Beverage Group) • Old Ox Brewery • Penn Commons • Pete’s New Haven Syle Apizza • Port City Brewing Company • Rapp Distributing Company • Republic • Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. • Sixth Engine • Starr Hill Brewery • Stella Artois Nova Unit • Stella Barra Pizzeria • Summer House Santa Monica • Taylor Gourmet • Teddy & The Bully Bar • Ted’s Bulletin • The Brewer’s Art The Cocktail Guru • The Grilled Oyster Company • The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse • Total Wine & More Town Hall • Troegs Independent Brewing Company • Union Craft Brewing • Victory Brewing Company Important Note on Attendance at Foundation Events: To reduce the risk of getting and spreading germs at CF Foundation-sponsored events, we ask that everyone follow basic best practices by regularly cleaning your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand gel, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your inner elbow and maintaining a safe 6-foot distance from anyone with a cold or infection. Medical evidence shows that germs may spread among people with CF through direct and indirect contact, as well as through droplets that travel short distances when a person coughs or sneezes. These germs can lead to worsening symptoms and speed decline in lung function. To further help reduce the risk of crossinfection, the Foundation’s attendance policy recommends inviting only one person with CF to an indoor Foundation-sponsored event at a specific time.
A Day in the Life
By Trent Johnson
Cocktail Concocter
Lukas B. Smith
L
On Tap: How are things at Cotton & Reed? Lukas B. Smith: Cotton & Reed has been a really refreshing, unexpected surprise. We’ve done better with the bar menu than we thought we would – almost 40 percent higher than our projections.
OT: How do you go about building a drink menu? LBS: For the new pairing menu I’m doing with Le DeSales, the first thing I did was talk to the chef. I want to have a menu that makes sense. It’s all about how [the drinks] look, smell and taste. I’m a big advocate for pairing cocktails with food. That’s an attractive concept for people. OT: How would you characterize the cocktails at Le DeSales? LBS: I need people to have refreshing
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ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Photos: Farrah Skeiky
ukas B. Smith is a busy fella. The bright star on DC’s cocktail scene is simply in demand, with three posts at present: barman at rum distillery Cotton & Reed, beverage consultant at just-opened French restaurant Le DeSales and beverage codirector at Eighteenth Street Lounge’s new bar Addendum. And despite his stock rising exponentially in the past months, there’s no big head; he remains a joy to converse with. Whether it’s diatribes about the The Fast and the Furious franchise, or the manner in which he intricately describes his thought process when approaching prospective menus, Smith maintained a gregarious candor during our interview. So if you happen to see a tall bearded gent manning the bar at Cotton & Reed, listen closely to his cocktail suggestions and be sure to ask him what he thinks about AMC Theatres’ chicken tenders. Read on to learn more about the District’s favorite cocktail concocter.
cocktails with maybe a little less alcohol. We want them to be a little wetter. I have a sour build cocktail, and I rely on herbs a lot for cocktails that I’ve made. That approach kind of infiltrates everything I do: integrating brown and white spirits, while trying to cover everything. I like all my drinks to be on the lighter side, generally, [without] a ton of sugar. You want to make sure that everyone, even folks not super into cocktails, can find something that they are going to like. OT: How are the drinks different at Cotton & Reed? LBS: At Cotton & Reed, the needs are a little different. There’s no food, so the difference is that I need to have a cocktail for every person that wants a cocktail: gin drinks, whiskey drinks, sweet drinks, sour drinks. I have to make those drinks as different
ALL-TIME FAVES Mountains The ocean France Greek literature Champagne
as I can, and represent a broad range of textures and flavors. We serve 400 people on Saturdays, so you have to be able to move fast. OT: How often do experiment with new cocktails? LBS: New cocktails are constant. I’d say that I make new ones on a weekly basis. In a way,
I’m always thinking about it. There’s classic stirred and shaken cocktails, and even some on draft. I’m developing new rum products for Cotton & Reed, and I’m working on a few different rums, so the menu skews toward those things. I need to communicate to the guests how they can use them at home. OT: What rituals do you have to help you get into that creative mindset? LBS: A big part of what I do is hitting the farmer’s market to see what looks good. Between that and going out to eat, a lot of my innovative cocktails are things that I stole from chefs, such as a combination in a dessert that I figured out how to make into a drink without it tasting like food. I always experiment twice a week, but always on Sunday. It’s not like I’m throwing different spirits in a glass, it’s that I’m trying to make a syrup or a bitter taste exactly like I want it. If it turns out how I want it, then I’ll drink it. Sunday is technically my day off anyway. OT: What does a regular work day look like for you? LBS: Today isn’t uncommon. I made piña colada mix from scratch at 6 a.m. this morning, because I had to be at Le DeSales to meet with press from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then I’ll go back to Cotton & Reed and work the night shift.
OT: What’s your favorite restaurant in DC? LBS: The thing I crave most often and enjoy the most is ramen at Daikaya. I probably eat it more often than anything else. If I’m going to have a no-limit experience, and I’ll admit that I let it go from time to time, my roommate is a bartender at Rose’s Luxury, so I’ll go and start dinner there with the caviar service. That’s the best thing in the city. Another I enjoy is Sushi Taro. The trouble is that it’s getting harder to name them now, because of how many there are.
Can’t Live Without Champagne Mezcal Cheese A good hat Uber/Lyft
OT: Go-to date spot? LBS: Probably at the Dabney; the Dabney is a little less formal. The reputation at Rose’s Luxury is so big, and it might make a date feel way bigger. At the Dabney, it’s a little more relaxed and you can eat some cornbread or some sliders, and the service is wonderful. Le Diplomate is good for that too.
OT: What kinds of movies are you into? LBS: I have an embarrassingly thorough appreciation for crappy movies. OT: Where’s your favorite place to catch a flick? LBS: I spend a lot of time at the Regal at Chinatown. I’ll go see pretty much anything. I don’t care if the reviews are bad. I love bad movies. I go by myself. I just want to turn it off and enjoy. I’m shamelessly embarrassed. OT: Are you a sports fan? LBS: I am a college football fan, an NBA basketball fan and a baseball fan across the board. I’m from Georgia, so I root for the Braves, Hawks and Bulldogs. With how busy I get, they’re more of a distraction than a passion these days. I might have gone to see four games last year. I’m getting into hockey, and the Capitals are the only DC team I’ve really adopted. OT: Did you play any sports growing up? LBS: I played football and baseball young. In high school, I focused on basketball and crew, because I’m rather tall. Basketball is my passion, but I wasn’t that athletic or good at it. Before too long, I was a spectator on my own team [laughs].
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on the scene
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THESE AND OTHER EVENTS, VISIT THE ONLINE GALLERY AT WWW.ONTAPONLINE.COM.
BAR MUST-HAVES A jigger A bar spoon A lime A centigram scale Cotton & Reed rum
OT: What music do you listen to while working? LBS: I’m pretty eclectic with music. I’m a big rocksteady and ska person. But honestly, I’m all over the place. I like jazz when I’m working and thinking. I’m actually kind of snobby with it. OT: What about live music? Any favorite venues? LBS: Most of my going out time, I’m at restaurants. That’s my number one hobby. But, if I’m going to see music, I’ll go to Baltimore for that. I spend a lot of time in Baltimore. I’ve got a ton of friends up there, and it has a different vibe.
Try Smith’s cocktails at these locations: The 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off at the Warner Theatre with world-renowned performers welcoming springtime in DC. PHOTOS: JOHN GERVASI
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Addendum: 1212 18th St. NW, DC; www.eighteenthstreetlounge.com/index.php/addendum Cotton & Reed: 1330 5th St. NE, DC; www.cottonandreed.com Le DeSales: 1725 Desales St. NW, DC; www.ledesales.com
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Kickin’ It Local BEER VINYL
+ ––––– PAIRINGS By Jamaal Lemon Photos: Jamaal Lemon
Harmony (n.) The quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole Synonyms include: cooperation, unity, compatibility, friendship, fellowship, symmetry Given my degrees in education and English, one could assume any “expertise” I may possess would probably be in one of the aforementioned fields. Yet, I know much more about who added background vocals to Frank Ocean’s “Pink + White,” who mixed Santana’s “Gypsy Woman” and the cannabis strain used to help curate The Arcs’ Yours, Dreamily. Add to that the fact that I consume enough beer for a small town, and I frequently catch myself drinking a specific beer while listening to a specific album or song, and the genesis of this article was formed. In it, I pair five local beers with five pieces of vinyl (by mostly local musicians). Enjoy.
Pairing #1 Hellbender’s Bare Bones Kölsch Grap Luva’s Sounds of Mount Vernon
The numbers: 5 percent ABV, 21 IBU The taste: Usually, a kölsch is not my #1 selection. However, on this day, I felt a bit “froggy.” I decided to get uncomfortable for no reason in particular, other than the thought of, “I wonder what I could pair
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musically with this beer.” I ordered a pint of the Bare Bones and on the first sip, I was impressed. It starts hoppy, but finishes crisp and clean, as all session ales should. Even if you’re not a fan of kölsch beers, you have to admire how well Hellbender Brewing Company configured the temperatures in regard to the yeast strain and the use of the Munich malt. The sound: Well-balanced, some rough edges in the beginning, but mellowed out on the finish – definitely sounds like a collection of instrumentals by Grap Luva. In particular, his Sounds of Mount Vernon album. For those in-the-know, you’re probably saying, “He’s not from the DMV,” which is very true. What is also true is the fact that Grap has been a staple in the DMV hip-hop scene with the Low Budget Crew for some years, thus warranting him eligible for this pairing. Not to mention, this album is congruent with the juxtaposed flavors of Hellbender’s Bare Bones Kölsch. Aggressive on the front, easy on the end. Grap’s albums follow this formula; however this one in particular is easy in the beginning and more “rugged” toward the end. Give it a listen. And while you’re at it, head over to Hellbender to try out their other flavors on tap, and kick it in the taproom for awhile.
Hellbender Brewing Company: 5788 2nd St. NE, DC; www.hellbenderbeer.com
Pairing #2
Pairing #3
Denizens’ Third-Party Belgian-Style Tripel The Skip Castro Band’s Boogie at Midnight
Atlas Brew Works’ Saison de Fetes Charlie Parker’s The Genius of Charlie Parker
The numbers: 9.4 percent ABV
The numbers: 7.1 percent ABV, 25 IBU
The taste: I love Belgian styles. When most are scanning brewery menus for the latest IPAs, I find great solace and political freedom in saisons, dubbels and tripels. Sure, it may seem prejudiced to most, but I like to think of it as me always being right about my life decisions, as well as yours. So first things first, this is a pretty “big” beer if we’re talking alcohol by volume (ABV), and stays true to the normalcy of tripels as it relates to their potential spiciness. Denizens adds a corner of creativity by adding Belgian candi sugar to the batch to elevate the flavor just a tad, without the loss of spice. Sweet, spicy and a hefty calculation of booziness will always equate to a good time for all.
The taste: I’m going to ride this Belgian train just a tad bit longer. Next stop, Atlas Brew Works’ Saison de Fetes – by far my favorite out of all the beer they have on tap in their newly constructed taproom (since May 2016). It’s prepped in an engraved tulip (great for aromas), with the perfect amount of carbonation and well-balanced flavors of spice and malt. Random aside, I always feel like eating Reese’s Pieces while drinking this. But most importantly, I feel a wave of maturity when I drink this beer. I feel as though I should be acting like a late 30-something-year-old who only talks credit scores and city government policy hearings.
The sound: I feel this beer would be great for a group of people who enjoy dancing. Something about this beer screams “festive,” and there’s only one piece of vinyl good enough to parallel ThirdParty’s flavor. Nothing spells “sweaty” and unbuttoned Oxfords mixed with high beer consumption on festival lawns than Skip Castro. In Charlottesville, Va., you can always hear the band’s music played in the vicinity of uncoordinated fans between the ages of 55 and 65. But when the beer is as good as Denizens’ Third-Party Tripel, the weather is hot, and there’s a sale on deep-fried Oreos and fried ‘gator tails, who’s really giving thought to the how crazy and UFC-like their dancing is? These two definitely are a perfect pair.
The sound: But because I refuse to speak on these topics on the regular, I’ll result to pairing this saison with the likes of a musical genius. So much of a genius that he may only be appreciated by authentic music lovers. No, Charlie Parker is not from the DMV. However, the song “KoKo” is on this album, which is one of the songs Parker performed at his legendary DC show in 1948. It’s very much warranted for this list, mainly because you can’t play beer pong and listen to jazz. When the bebop is on rotation, you’re probably relaxing and taking in the textures. If you’re looking for a supplement to this state of mind, I highly recommend the La Saison de Fetes. It’s definitely the bridge for those who don’t associate a good beer with formal events, or a nice dinner. Play this and drink this, and watch your perceptions shift.
Denizens Brewing Co.: 1115 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD; www.denizensbrewingco.com
Pairing #4
3 Stars’ Southern Belle
Atlas Brew Works: 2052 West Virginia Ave. #102, NE, DC; www.atlasbrewworks.com
Kev Brown’s Brazil Dedication The numbers: 8.7 percent ABV The taste: So, bear with me. For this pairing, it’s not as obvious. The brown ale by 3 Stars Brewing Company is truly immaculate in flavor and profile. Never have I tasted a beer with such layered flavor. Chocolate, yes. Wheat, yes. Malt, yes. The balance of these flavors is damn near perfect. Each of the aforementioned flavors are so intense and colorful on the palate that it’s almost like walking the streets of the Getsemani neighborhood in Cartagena, Colombia – or the colorful vibes of Brazilian jazz.
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The sound: So naturally, I turned to Largo, Md. native Kev Brown’s Brazil Dedication. 3 Stars’ Southern Belle is visually one color; however, the taste is multicolored. This brown ale is perfect for warm weather; in particular, the Caribbean or coastal Latin America – and in this case, Brazil. Kev Brown’s ode to Brazil is as layered in colors as Southern Belle is in flavor. Though I’ve never been to Brazil, this album does evoke the vibe of a festive street party in a narrow alley with colorful, graffiti-filled walls. Just as the cultural lineage of Brazil runs deep, the relatively thorough ABV should grant you assistance in enjoying this album. These two are as harmonious as yucca, red snapper and avocado. 3 Stars hit the jackpot with this one.
3 Stars Brewing Company: 6400 Chillum Pl. NW, DC; www.3starsbrewing.com
Pairing #5 DuClaw Brewing Company’s Dirty Little Freak Not Even’s Pant Sale
HAPPY HOUR The numbers: 5.8 percent ABV, 30 IBU The taste: Just like Southern Belle, you’re going to get some pretty tasty chocolate notes rounded out with some coconut from this DuClaw product. More importantly, I didn’t purchase this beer at DuClaw’s Brewery in Bowie, Md. I decided to keep thing all the way local - like a five-minute walk local – and stop by my favorite neighborhood store for craft beer, Fenwick Beer & Wine. This little, quaint, almost doctor’s office-esque store has everything from Weihenstephaner wheat beer to imported Belgian lambics to this lovely brown ale. As much as I love visiting breweries, I’m equally in love with knowing I don’t have to travel far to get my “pick of the litter.” The Dirty Little Freak is not complex at all. No frills, no gimmicks. Brown, chocolate, coconut, aromas and taste. Perfect. The sound: Fittingly, Bethesda-based 80s pop band Not Even’s Pant Sale is the perfect match. Nothing screams DMV more than a local craft beer from a local neighborhood store paired with a local band reminiscent of The Ramones and Green Day. And other than blue crab, Terrapin basketball and speed cameras, nothing says Montgomery County more than these three pairings of beer, store and band.
Follow Jamaal Lemon on Instagram: @thewayfarerstudy.
Monday - Friday, 4-7pm $5 local drafts, select wines
FADÓ BY NIGHT
Monday night Trivia at 8pm with DJ Pieman Wednesdays Crafty Hour Thursdays Live music featuring modern and Celtic rock. Fridays DJ Night Saturdays Live bands for a craicing good time. Visit our website for Late Night Drink Specials and music lineup. www.fadoirishpub.com/washington
Brunch Saturday and Sunday until 2pm featuring Bottomless mimosas and bloody marys We are the premier location for European sports Open early for most EPL games
FADOIRISHPUB.COM
808 7TH ST | DC | 202.789.0066 | GALLERY PLACE METRO Please drink responsibly.
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on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
NAVY YARD
APRIL
BREWERY EVENTS
4/5
SAISON TAPPING PARTY 5:00PM
4/13
HISTORICAL BEER PANEL 5:30PM
4/19
MAIBOCK TAPPING PARTY 6:00PM
4/26
SPRING STOUT TAPPING 5:30PM
Four craft beers brewed from historical recipes on tap for discussion and consumption
Charity Fundraiser and Live Music
On Tap and Gordon Biersch partnered for a spring beer sampling at the Chinatown location, inviting guests to sample various beers brewed in-house as well as light fare. Photos: Devin Overby
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MORE SHOWS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 6!
JUN 22 ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS
JUL 21 PJ HARVEY
JUL 26 REGINA SPEKTOR BEN FOLDS
IMPERIAL BEDROOM TOUR
AUG 2 AMERICAN ACOUSTIC WITH
PUNCH BROTHERS
AUG 3 BLONDIE & GARBAGE
THE RAGE AND RAPTURE TOUR
I’M WITH HER
PLUS u FIFTH HARMONY u KOOL & THE GANG MORRIS DAY & THE TIME
u BERNADETTE PETERS
WITH WOLF TRAP ORCHESTRA
u JOE JACKSON MAVIS STAPLES
u ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES SHOVELS & ROPE
I LOVE THE 90’S
THE PARTY CONTINUES TOUR FEATURING
TLC, KID N PLAY, MONTELL JORDAN, ROB BASE, C&C MUSIC FACTORY, SNAP
(SARA WATKINS, SARAH JAROSZ, AOIFE O’DONOVAN) AND JULIAN LAGE
u MARY J. BLIGE
SEP 3
u SLIGHTLY STOOPID IRATION J BOOG THE MOVEMENT
u REBELUTION
NAHKO AND MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE COLLIE BUDDZ HIRIE
u DIANA ROSS u ARETHA FRANKLIN
u GOO GOO DOLLS PHILLIP PHILLIPS
u MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER
LUCINDA WILLIAMS
u THE BEACH BOYS u GIPSY KINGS
FEATURING NICOLAS REYES AND TONINO BALIARDO
AND MANY MORE!
u CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND
BÉLA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES
WOLFTRAP.ORG | 1.877.WOLFTRAP
with DC’s Record Store Owners
By Monica Alford and Trent Johnson
Photo: Courtesy of DJ Baby Alcatraz
National Record Store Day is just around the corner, celebrating 10 years on April 22 with special releases and other vinyl-themed treats. In a city that embraces vinyl with open arms, where vinyl-only dance nights and listening parties are popping up around town and owning a record player is becoming increasingly essential, it only seemed natural to catch up with the folks providing the tunes. We chatted with the owners of eight record stores in and around the city about their plans for RSD 2017, DC’s thriving vinyl scene and everything else in between
fresh, unwrapped), but our selection ranges from soul and hip-hop to jazz and rock – classic albums as well as the best new records. It is also important to us to feature and provide space for local DC records. [JL] What’s on the schedule: We have a really robust live show and musicbased party calendar. We have touring acts and local bands of a variety of genres, and a lot of fantastic events like all-vinyl dance parties and listening parties. We partner with folks all the time! We just hosted a DC label record fair in partnership with D.C. Music Download featuring over a dozen DMV-based labels. [JL]
Joe Lapan and Alisha Edmonson
Photo: Lindsay Galatro
Songbyrd Music House & Cafe On Songbyrd’s ambiance: We are a very relaxed, comfortable place. We have tried to be very warm and inviting and wanted to design a place that was accessible to a wide audience. [AE] Who hangs there: Our customers run the gamut, from the music writer that works in the record cafe to the neighborhood local that comes for dinner and a drink to the record junkie. We’ve tried to make space for all types of music fans. [AE] On what they carry: We specialize primarily in “new” records (i.e.,
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The vinyl connection: I think records and music are so connective! There are no boundaries with music and so you get to have really unique experiences with people that aren’t about what someone does, or any of those typical interactions. The conversations lean more toward learning where someone first heard a band or why they love a certain genre. [AE] Why they love vinyl: Music on vinyl inherently lends itself to caring about, learning about and paying attention to what you are listening to. [JL] RSD plans: DJ Nitekrawler spinning brunch, a series of live acts all day and evening, DJ Neville C spinning Ritmos Raros at night, and RSD releases in stock
Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe: 2475-2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com
Strong points: Our rock/pop and jazz sections, but blues, folk, classical, electronic/dance and R&B are also very strong, we [just] don’t get as much traded in. Anything goes: We play a little bit of everything in the shop: loads of jazz, rock ‘n’ roll from the 50s and on, classic R&B, blues, indie pop, etc. It’s whatever we're in the mood for. I’m often in the mood for Slayer, but sometimes the customers aren’t. I try to get a feel for the room before I blast The Prodigy or Pharoah Sanders. Fave vinyl/retro happenings around town: Ritmos Raros, Tighten Up! Soul and Reggae, Biff Bang Pow and of course, Mousetrap and The Wag. I’m there to hear music and have a good time.
Neal Becton
Photo: Cristina O’Connell
Som Records On life before Som: I worked in the newsroom of the Washington Post from 1993 to 2003. I also DJed. Before that, I was a bartender and hotel manager. On genres: We are a generalist store, so we specialize in good records in all (or almost all) genres. We sell new and used, but our stock is probably 80/20 used/new.
Music that keeps him going at work: Black Sabbath, The Smiths, Style Council, Funkadelic or a random funk/soul compilation. On vinyl’s popularity: Vinyl is less exotic now. It’s everywhere. Bars and barbershops use vinyl as a draw, and that’s fine by me. I hope it continues for many years to come. RSD plans: Important titles in stock, coffee and pastries, and “let the customers go crazy”
CD Cellar: 105 Park Ave. Falls Church, VA; www.cdcellarva.com
Record players: I have six Technics 1200s: two in my shop (listening station and store stereo), two at home and two in my storage unit, which I use for weddings and gigs. Fave spots to hear vinyl: I LOVE playing Showtime [as DJ Neville C] for the vibe and crowd. I also love Songbyrd because it’s got great sound, and is such an oasis in Adams Morgan. Daily routine: I usually grab a stack of records at home each morning before I work. If I have a DJ gig coming up, I’ll bring records I might be playing there. I also play stuff I have in the shop, but not always. On the best part of the gig: Best is hanging out in a record store all day listening to music and talking to people about music. RSD plans: A lot of RSD titles in stock, gift certificates and “trying to get folks in and out of the shop in one piece” when it gets packed
Som Records: 1843 14th St. NW, DC; www.somrecordsdc.com
Photo: Cristina O’Connell
Noah David Gumbo Records Reason for location: I opened the shop in the spring of 2013 out of a garage a couple blocks from my house. There was never a conscious decision of, “Oh, I'm going to open a record shop in a back-alley garage.” It just kind of evolved from me selling on Craigslist into going more public with it. People liked the off-the-beaten-path aspect. Gumbo’s vibe: The feel of my shop is kind of a Mississippi roadside juke joint: rough around the edges [but] a comforting spot. On Gumbo customers: My customers are mostly folks from the neighborhood who have heard about it and like weaving it into a Saturday morning walking their dog (we are dog-friendly).
CD Cellar
What’s in stock: Mostly blues, jazz and R&B. I currently only carry used vinyl, but am hoping to start stocking new vinyl from some of the local record labels.
On his customers: It takes all kinds, and we’ve got them. Obsessive music lovers keep my business going. I love them all.
Favorite vinyl DJ night: I enjoy Neal Becton’s [DJ Neville C] Ritmos Raros night he does every month.
Best part of the gig: The people. The customers. They’re from all over the world. They have far-reaching tastes in music. They’re well-traveled. And there’s so much disposable income.
On what makes vinyl special: People have this desire in the digital age to hold on to something – to touch and feel and have that visceral experience that is really unique to vinyl.
Photo: Trent Johnson
David Schlank
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Why he can’t quit vinyl: I love those first few seconds when you drop the needle and the music hits. It’s just pure satisfaction. How to connect with Gumbo on social media: @gumborecords RSD plans: 33 rpm Spread Music/Spread Love sale with 33 1/3 percent off all vinyl if you bring a non-perishable food item for the Capital Area Food Bank
Gumbo Records (temporary location): The little orange garage behind 940 Shepherd St. NW, DC; www.facebook.com/GumboRecords
Photo: Cristina O’Connell
On Hill & Dale’s vibe: The shop is very clean and spare, probably reflecting my OCD. We also offer framed photographs and collectible posters, so the store looks a lot like an art gallery. We really want visitors to feel welcome to hang out, talk to us about music and enjoy the shop.
Photo: Trent Johnson
Bill Daly
Best sellers: Our biggest sellers tend to be new releases from current alternative/indie bands, classic rock staples and jazz. Our all-time best seller is Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue.”
Crooked Beat
What plays in the shop: Some days it will be all jazz, and others it will be a mix of new bands, Iron Maiden and electronica.
On why vinyl is still relevant: It’s fun, and it’s a bigger medium. You can read what’s on the record covers. In 1990, I got a CD player, and I felt cheated.
On his goals for Hill & Dale: Right now, we specialize in new records, and I would like to offer used/vintage records for customers who love searching bins for old treasures.
Crooked Beat regulars: We never focused on Billboard’s Top 100, and we still don’t. It’s not us being snobs. We’ll sell maybe seven Adele records per year, but we’ll sell 150 Fugazi records per year.
RSD plans: Giveaways, special releases, and coffee and snacks in the morning
Genres covered: Indie stuff, and reggae. In used stuff, we specialize in classic rock, soul and alternative. You know when you come to us, you’ll be able to find old alternative, back catalogue stuff. You’ll see all The Smiths, Depeche Mode and The Clash albums here, but you’ll also see David Bowie and The Velvet Underground.
Hill & Dale: 1054 31st St. #010, NW, DC; www.hillanddalerecords.com
On why RSD matters: It’s a way for people to get their stuff out there for people to see. The way things are in 2017 America, there aren’t many mom-and-pop places left; it’s all mainstream. If you go to a chain looking for records, you’re not going to see the local bands like Fugazi. You’re only going to see what the status quo wants. On Crooked Beat’s RSD release, Recutting the Crap: It’s a tribute to The Clash; mostly their obscure stuff. A lot of these bands are from all over the U.S. It’s from our record label; the album will be our 17th release. RSD plans: Pre-RSD golden ticket drawing, grab bags filled with swag and 80 percent of RSD’s 600 releases in stock
Crooked Beat: 802 N Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA; www.crookedbeat.com
Rob Norton Hill & Dale On his relationship with vinyl: I grew up listening to vinyl records and cassettes. I taught myself how to play drums by playing along to entire sides of LPs nonstop. Whatever song came next, I learned to play – or tried. Most of my records were classic and progressive. Later, I started listening to college rock [and] alternative bands like R.E.M., The Smiths and Pylon.
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Photo: Cristina O’Connell
Matt Moffatt Smash Records On in-store play: There are no rules. It’s whatever the person wants to listen to. I used to work at a cheesy chain, and you used to have to play the cheesy chain in-store tape. It’s nothing like that. It would not be very punk if we had a different system. Smash’s focal point: Punk is our forte, if you come in the store, I think it’s pretty clear that’s what we go for. But rock ‘n’ roll in general is what we peddle. Where he finds new music: A good thing about this job is that a lot of times, people come to you on a one-on-one level. And it’s all local, so
it’s actually music made by people that live in DC. On supporting the local punk scene: Being connected to these local bands that still take the time to put out physical music and drop off a couple of copies at the store, that’s real ground level. So that’s what we want to support
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
CDs are like candy bars: We still sell CDs. People are always kind of shocked, and I’m like, “People buy CDs like I would buy a candy bar, you know?” At 7-Eleven, sometimes you want a Snickers. At Smash, sometimes you want a James Brown CD. RSD plans: A bunch of RSD titles in stock, refreshments and snacks, and doubles as the store’s anniversary party
Smash Records: 2314 18th St. NW, DC; www.smashrecords.com
Photo: Trent Johnson
Gene Melkisethian Joint Custody On life before Joint Custody: James [Ritter, co-owner] has had a few office jobs over the years. I have helped run a family music business since I could hold a packing knife. On his lifelong relationship with vinyl: Both James and I were raised in households where collecting old/strange/interesting things was a fact of life. We both also come from a punk background, the one place (besides hip-hop, which we were also immersed in) where vinyl never really went away. I put out my first record in early 1997 [Melkisethian is a drummer in hardcore punk bands], and every release since then has been primarily a vinyl release. The same goes for James. On DC’s vinyl scene: Every record store in DC gets along and supports one another, [but] the real winners are the music lovers. I travel a lot and trust me when I say that for the relatively small size of the city, DC is world-class when it comes to the record scene. We have more good stores now than we did 10 years ago. On vinyl’s relevance: The medium is very important to taking in a creative work: the size of an LP cover, the length limitations of an LP that force artists to put thought into the sequencing of songs, the richness in fidelity – all of this creates an experience that cannot be replicated in the digital realm. RSD plans: Giveaways, extra treats and essential non-RSD releases in stock for record store newbies
Joint Custody: 1530 U St. NW, DC; www.jointcustodydc.com
Valerie June played Sixth & I as part of her North American headline tour in support of her forthcoming new album, The Order of Time, slated for release on January 27. Photos: Mark D. Caicedo
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l y Vin
g n o r t S ’ n i n n i p S in
DC
DJ Mad Squirrel
Photo: Rachel Carrier
By Courtney Sexton
DJ (n.) disc jockey: a person who introduces and plays recorded popular music, especially on a radio or at a disco
At a disco. A DISCO. Okay, so our present-day definition of DJ may be slightly different than the dictionary’s. The rise of EDM and EDM culture has also given rise to a particular persona associated with the modern DJ, one that does not conjure images of disco or coordinated dancing or even Pirate Radio. But while glow sticks may have their place on a Saturday (or you know, Tuesday) night, there is among many DC nightclub-goers a desire for something more than bumping and blowing out eardrums. More than once over the past month, I’ve overheard a variation of this conversation: I want to be able to go somewhere and like, dance. Well, yeah... No, I mean like really dance, not the grinding up on each other kind. I know, RIGHT? Do they have those places? I want to go there.
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DJ Baby Alcatraz
Photo: Tronster Hartley
Yes, there is an alternative. Enter the vinyl spinners. Sure, America may have a love affair with nostalgia, but that doesn’t make showing up at Showtime Lounge for some Patrick Swayze-style dirty dancing (minus the space for “the lift”) with DJ Baby Alcatraz any less legit. Baby Alacatraz, like her compatriots Soul Call Paul (Showtime’s owner), Mad Squirrel, Nitekrawler and others, totes a collection of vinyl classics to DC’s dimly lit dives and dance spots, and breaks up the bass pound by spinning it old school with rhythm and blues. “I started collecting vinyl because of the treasure hunt aspect, and also because you couldn’t find anything you wanted instantly on the Internet at the time,” says Alcatraz, who has developed a following that flocks to her all-vinyl dance party nights. “I’m still surprised at what information I can’t find online about many records and artists. Sticking to vinyl is a way for me to keep things fresh, and an excuse to play the records I love and collect.”
DJ Nitekrawler
Photo: Kevin Coombe
Along with Showtime, other smaller local venues, including Velvet Lounge, Slash Run and Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar, have also started catering to the crowd that wants to get down to vinyl, and offering space to the DJs that bring it. For Sean Hissey, a.k.a. DJ Mad Squirrel, vinyl is all about daylighting forgotten gems. “I grew up with records, so I’ve always enjoyed and collected vinyl,” Hissey says. “There's something nostalgic about hearing that needle drop and the rich, full sound of the song – even with the occasional pops and crackles – blaring out of the speakers. Not only are you enjoying the wonderful recording of the musicians, but it can also bring back memories of where you found or first heard that record, and all that happened around it. The most exciting thing for me since I mostly DJ and collect 45s is that I’m constantly discovering great songs I’ve never heard.” Hissey points to local record shops like Som, Smash, Joint Custody and Red Onion as places where DJs and collectors can find and share music, stories and projects. He is currently working on a compilation of rare 50s and 60s girl groups and female-fronted songs with friend Paul Vivari, which they hope to release on Vivari’s label. But despite the steadily reemerging market for vinyl collecting and listening, and with “support groups” like DC Vinyl Headz that promote vinyl DJ events popping up, spinning vinyl is, according to some, still somewhat of a niche undertaking. Kevin Coombe spins both vinyl and electronic as DJ Nitekrawler, often at Little Miss Whiskey’s, where his Moneytown night is popular. “The percentage of DJs regularly spinning vinyl sets is certainly on the low end these days,” Coombe says. “I wouldn't necessarily say there is an exclusivity about it, nor is there a general camaraderie. I think everyone is just out there doing what works best for them.” Of course, what works best is bound to vary, and while their styles and perspectives may differ, vinyl DJs are all offering DC something those of us keeping the needle in the groove are craving – a little soul.
DJ Baby Alcatraz: On Twitter and Instagram @babyalcatraz DJ Mad Squirrel: www.facebook.com/PartyLightsDC DJ Nitekrawler: www.dcsoulrecordings.com www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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Build Your Own Band with
By Kayla Marsh very third Monday of the month, Arlington’s IOTA Club & Cafe is packed with locals there to check out the Bachelor Boys Band. Some come to enjoy the cover band’s high-energy shows, but most are there to scout them out for events – namely weddings. Potential clients can check out the band’s public showcases, also in Richmond, Baltimore, Philly and Pittsburgh, on a monthly basis. The Bachelor Boys offer musicians à la carte, whether it’s a three- or eight-piece band. Three to four musicians can play each instrument, and several can step into the role of lead vocalist, emphasizing their flexibility as a band. “We hear all the time from clients that they hired us because it’s more like going to a concert than listening to a wedding band, and we really pride ourselves on that,” says band manager and bassist Adam Hopkins. “It’s pretty cool that people ask us to play for one of the most important days of their lives.”
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Photos: J Fannon Photography
Tim Bracken, the band’s primary guitarist and vocalist, says their showcases are treated like open rehearsals. “We are all in a good mood and have fun with the set lists,” he says. “We really just focus on doing the best job we can every time. If we stick to that, we continue to grow as musicians, and clients stay super happy.” The band switches out their repertoire almost every time they perform live, and even try out things that are brand new to them at showcases, which just adds to the fun factor for the audience. They cover everything from Adele and Maroon 5 to The Temptations and Frankie Valli. Five core musicians, including Bracken and Hopkins, have been managing the “self-run” band together since 2012. Vocalist Amber Twait, one of the original members, says being in a young, fun group translates into high energy onstage and encourages her to strive for improvement.
on the scene
For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.
Being self-managed is just one of the ways Bachelor Boys differs from your standard band. Their a-la-carte approach to booking means a client can literally build their dream band, ensuring that their event is uniquely â&#x20AC;&#x153;theirs.â&#x20AC;? At the IOTA showcases a full band - comprised of horns, keys, drums and guitar, takes the stage and then an array of vocalists performs. The audience gets to sit back, listen and then, ultimately, choose their band. Think of it as your own personal The Voice and you get to be Gwen or Blake. Each vocalist introduces him or herself, then proceeds to sing two songs that reflect their best genre. Once you have narrowed down who you think you would like to have sing at your event, you work with one of the five managers to configure your band. Typically, you will be asked to submit a wish list of songs, and then the manager can help you finalize your vocalist choice as well as the instruments needed. Pricing varies according to number of people requested, so they are able to customize their offering to a range of budgets. Not planning a wedding or an event? This is hands-down one of the best nights of free cover band music in the DMV and a totally unique approach. See for yourself every third
I have the pleasure of playing every single weekend next to some of the most talented musicians I have ever met. They constantly push me to want to be a better musician. Monday of the month at IOTA and every third Thursday of the month at The Windup Space in Baltimore. Learn more at www.bachelorboysband.com.
IOTA Club & Cafe: 2832 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-522-8340; www.iotaclubandcafe.com
The sixth annual DC Bluegrass Festival was held at the beautiful Sheraton Tysons Hotel in Vienna, Va., and featured an all-star lineup, workshops and jam sessions. Photos: Nhu Duong
www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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Dengue Fever A Little Bit Cambodian, A Little Bit Rock ‘n’ Roll
By Jon Kaplan
Photo: Marc Walker
When you hear the words “dengue fever,” if you have any sense, you’ll run the other way. After all, it’s a nasty tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes. But there’s another Dengue Fever you should run toward, this one a band from L.A., that combines surf rock and psychedelic rock with Cambodian pop influences. Dengue Fever started in 2001 after keyboardist Ethan Holtzman took a trip to Cambodia and was inspired by what he heard. When he got back, he recruited his brother Zac to play guitar, as well as Senon Williams on bass, Paul Smith on drums and David Ralicke on saxophone.
lucky enough to maintain a consistent recording and touring schedule, drawing fans wherever they go. The band has played all over the world and was just returning from Abu Dhabi when we caught up with Williams. He said that people from different cultures and backgrounds can easily connect with the band’s music. “I hope to convey honesty. I think people want to be a part of that, to feel something apart from their daily routine.” Dengue Fever started their own label, TUK TUK Records, in 2013, and has just released deluxe edition reissues of their first two albums with bonus tracks, expanded liner notes, upgraded artwork and new
Photo: Chean Long
“I hope to convey honesty. I think people want to be a part of that, to feel something apart from their daily routine.” The missing link was a Cambodian singer who could authentically reproduce the sounds that Holtzman heard on his trip. The band found their singer in Chhom Nimol, who was discovered singing karaoke in a nightclub in the Little Phnom Penh section of Long Beach, Calif. In a recent interview with On Tap, Williams said that Nimol is the real deal. “She sings with emotion very easily,” the band’s bassist said. “She came from a very rough upbringing, and you can hear it in her voice. From the first moment I heard her sing, she put chills down my spine. As the years go by, she continues to surprise me. I feel her voice is better now than it ever has been.” Since finding Nimol and beginning their career, the band has been
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packaging. They’re also gearing up for more international touring, working on more reissues and collaborating on another new album. It’s all part of the band’s growth, Williams said, and what has kept them going for over 15 years. “We have stayed a band all these years because we’re still flowering.” Catch Dengue Fever at AMP by Strathmore on Saturday, April 22. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30. Learn more about the band at www.denguefevermusic.com.
AMP by Strathmore: 11810 Grand Park Ave. North Bethesda, MD; 301-581-5100; www.ampbystrathmore.com
By Michael Coleman, Trent Johnson and Courtney Sexton
THURSDAY, APRIL 6 SUNDAY, APRIL 9
Damaged City Fest Spike up your ‘hawk and get your chains ready. The annual DIY DC (Damaged City, get it?) hardcore punk festival is not for the faint of ear. In its fifth year running, Damaged City is one of the largest punk and hardcore festivals to be found. This year, more than 40 DC-based, national and international acts will be featured over the course of four days in multiple venues around the city. For a taste of what’s local, you’ll want to make sure you catch acts like Red Death, Protester, Coke Bust, Battery, Guilt Parade, Witchtrial and more. Damaged City Fest: Multiple venues and showtimes; www.damaged-city.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Eliane Elias With her last two albums recorded in Brazil, Eliane Elias approaches music with a different perspective. The Grammy Award-winning artist incorporates numerous Latin influences into her music, making the jazz different from others you might hear around DC. The Brazilian native has racked up accolades for her beautiful piano skills, and hasn’t slowed down one bit, releasing Dance of Time in March. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30-$60. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Boss Hog Boss Hog, fronted by former DC-based Pussy Galore
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members Jon Spencer and Cristina Martinez, are in the midst of their first nationwide club tour in more than a decade in support of their new album, Brood X. Like much of the band’s earlier work, Brood X promises lots of Spencer’s twisted, abrasive guitar and Martinez’s in-your-face sexuality, all set to heavy punk-blues grooves. At a time when punk rock irreverence is on the wane, Boss Hog is sure to bring a heavy dose of the attitude and ear-crunching noise that made the genre famous. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15-$18. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www. rockandrollhotel.com
Crystal Fighters One of the more original bands on the touring circuit today, Crystal Fighters marry synth and electronica dance music with a slew of acoustic instruments, including some from their spiritual home in the Basque region between France and Spain. The effect is compelling and often uplifting, and it’s no surprise that Crystal Fighters
remain an in-demand festival draw seven years after their formation. The five-piece band is passionate about making people dance, but the musical depth is what keeps fans rooting long after the party is over. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong To carry a moniker like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, you have to be a little off-kilter, which is exactly how folks describe this electro-funk foursome from Baltimore. The group isn’t merely meant to be heard on the radio (or, like, Spotify because it’s 2017) because part of the appeal to these oddballs is their attire, energy and overall stage presence. So, yeah, you can judge them on the sound of their tunes, which is vibrant and fun anyway, or you can venture out for an experience as these guys get as funky as a bird playing ping pong in a college dormitory. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $17. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
Wytold Wytold is DC’s own rising (risen?) superstar. As a musician, he is the perfect embodiment of the way many millennials (especially here in DC) have created their own paths to success outside of the traditional bounds of their fields. A young, classically trained musician and composer, Wytold can most often be found playing an electric cello with two extra strings. But it’s not just the instrument that makes him stand out – he has made a name by collaborating on projects that would otherwise be deemed outside of his genre (notably with DC rapper Christylez Bacon) and his experimental performances are one-of-a-kind. He “creates his own rock-orchestral accompaniment through livelooping, often accompanied by bass, viola, violin, flute, saxophone, guitar, banjo and/ or percussion.” Doors at 6 p.m. The show is free. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.kennedy-center.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
tempos, as his music was largely about just chilling out. Despite his longevity in the genre, Devin the Dude has never really garnered mainstream staying power, but has remained active in the game despite this, appearing on tracks with Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and a score of others. Show at 11 p.m. Tickets are $25-$65. The Howard Theatre: 620 T St. NW, DC; www.thehowardtheatre.com
MONDAY, APRIL 10
Emily Wells Don’t go to this show if you’re looking for a pick-me-up. Listening to Emily Wells is asking to be haunted. While she plays heavy on the strings, Wells is a multi-instrumentalist and it’s her control over synthesizers and sampling to match her stinging sweet voice (let’s not even get into the lyrics) that ultimately suck you willingly down a deep tunnel. The hope for light at the end isn’t extinguished, but you know damn well there are going to be some demons crawling out of the walls. It’s like drinking your own darkest thoughts, and chasing them with a sweet port – sweet and twisted just enough to make you want more. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$15. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 13 Devin the Dude and the Backyard Band Houston, Texas has a special place in hip-hop and rap history, as notable MCs and producers emerged from the South as bonafide superstars. Devin the Dude was one of the first rappers from the area with notoriety, and his stonerfriendly persona played well with his use of melodic slow
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BAR & GRILL
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703-276-WOWE (9693) Clarendon Metro Stop (Orange Line) www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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Music Picks Cigs? Because it’s likely folks would treat it the way of soda, and figure “Why the hell not?” if tobacco could actually produce some sort of comparable product? Sure, there are light cigarettes, but that’s not “diet.” Oh, by the way, this band is splendid. With soft melodies overlaying laid-back guitar strums, these songs kind of sound like a cigarette buzz feels. A little jolt of energy, but still relaxing and easy to listen to. So, no, we’re pretty sure a product titled “Diet Cigarette” isn’t going to hit the market, but Diet Cig is set to hit the stage, and it makes you feel as good without the health drawbacks. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www. rockandrollhoteldc.com
Dirty Bourbon River Show With a gravely grunt of vocals laid over top of self-described “hard-edged blues,” this isn’t your typical bluegrass/folk band. With varying speeds in the actual music, the sound is chaotic, at times provoking folks into either slow dances or full-on do-si-dos. Not to mention the fact that you have pianos, accordions, trumpets, saxophones and even a clarinet represented in the act, proving this band is more than willing to stretch itself for the best musical representation of their wide-reaching talents. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8-$12.25. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com
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SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Sallie Ford The first time we heard Portland-based Sallie Ford, our immediate thought was “Whose voice is that?” The next was “Wow, she’s also got something to say.” The lead track on Ford’s first solo album, Soul Sick, an infectious song called “Record on Repeat,” encapsulates a lot of what we like about this emerging Portland artist. It’s got a propulsive, 60s-inspired sound, gutsy vocals, clear production and plenty of raw emotion. Ford made her name in the great Northwest with band called the Sound Outside, but she steps fully into solo spotlight here with a new backing band and uses the moment to craft an inspired, introspective album dealing with loss, self-doubt and fear. While Ford’s sound harkens to 60s rock and pop, the modern production and contemporary lyrics keep it fresh. Show at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
in the best “Netflix and chill” session. Need more? Well, she’s from Australia and her actual name is Jessica Anne Newham. So, add some Betty Who to a playlist in the wait for her performance. Who? C’mon, don’t play. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
City of the Sun This NYC-based trio is part of what seems like a new wave of instrumental music coming back into the collective consciousness – not new wave, mind you though, you will occasionally hear traces of Tears for Fears, etc. in City of the Sun. There is something both worldly, and simultaneously otherworldly, that guitarists John Pita and Avi Snow and percussionist Zach Para produce. Instead of the usual hypnosis we have largely come to expect from instrumental acts of the past, this band’s tracks turn and surprise in clean, delicious ways that make listening delightfully stimulating, rather than droning. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12$14. Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe: 2475-2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com
MONDAY, APRIL 17 Betty Who Who is Betty Who? Fair question, as the pop singer sort of pokes fun at the possibility that you might not have heard of her. However, if you listen to pop music, her songs have definitely ventured into your ear holes. “Human Touch” is a sexy anthem about the activities involved
On Tap | April 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
Sondre Lerche Norwegian indie-pop rocker Sondre Lerche barreled onto
the scene in 2001 at the age of just 19. His releases since then include 10 full-length albums along with more than two dozen EPs and singles. But it’s hard to really pin Lerche to a particular genre or sound – he is described as everything from garage fuzz to jazz to straight pop, and cites such equally varied influences as A-Ha, The Beach Boys and Elvis Costello. His stop here in DC is part of his “Pleasure Tour,” promoting his latest album, Pleasure, which is, from what we’ve heard of it so far, pretty pleasurable indeed. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
Lydia Ainsworth Toronto’s Lydia Ainsworth is categorized as electronica, but she cites classic rock legend Jimi Hendrix as a primary inspiration. You can see why in her fearless experimentation. Ainsworth’s second album, Darling of the Afterglow, upholds Hendrix’s wisdom in the best way. Vividly imagined and richly felt, the follow-up to Ainsworth’s Junonominated Right from Real marries yearning pop classicism with otherworldly synth sounds and weird, gothic R&B influences. While Ainsworth’s sonic palette is adventurous, her meticulous attention to musical detail reflects impressive discipline and vision. Darling of the Afterglow is a bold, beautiful album from a voice ready to be heard. Show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com
Ryan Montbleau Band A fairly regular – and popular – stage presence at Gypsy Sally’s in Georgetown, soulful folk-rocker Ryan Montbleau returns in April with a new solo album and a burgeoning fan base. The album cover for I Was Just Leaving shows the bearded young singer-songwriter alone with a guitar, as soft light pours in from a window in the room. It’s an apt image for Montbleau’s highly personal and introspective lyrics, and it reflects the solitary, acoustic nature of his new album, produced by powerhouse New Orleans rocker Anders Osborne. While Montbleau is a singersongwriter at heart, he’s also capable of bringing the rock and funk into a live setting. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com
OPEN MIC EVERY TUESDAY IN OUR VINYL LOUNGE
SATURDAY, APRIL 1
Pat McGee Band Pat McGee leaves a soft spot on the heart of the prep school hacky-sack-on-the-quad kid/ teenage girl watching the sun set on the beach in all of us. A local, hailing from Richmond, Va., McGee and his band have been producing comfortable, softcore rock for more than 20 years. They hit their stride in 2000, and their sound is still very much reminiscent of the early aughts, now with perhaps a little bit more of a countryrock influence. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25. The Barns at Wolftrap: 1635 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
JAMES BROWN DANCE PARTY FT. THE CHASE BROTHERS, ELISE TESTONE, MEMBERS OF RUBBLEBUCKET, THE BRIDGE, DJ WILLIAMS PROJEKT & ROB SEVEN TUESDAY, APRIL 4
ANDREW COMBS BAND WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
JOHN KADLECIK SOLO ACOUSTI’LECTRIC
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THURSDAY, APRIL 6
BLACK MASALA FRIDAY, APRIL 7
ALL NEW
OPEN MIC NIGHT!
JON CLEARY AND THE ABSOLUTE MONSTER GENTLEMEN SATURDAY, APRIL 8
TRAMPS LIKE US: A BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE SUNDAY, APRIL 9
WOVEN GREEN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
$5 $10 $6 $3 $3
Appetizer Menu Sangria Pitchers Bombs Sangrias Guinness
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
BIRDS OF CHICAGO THURSDAY, APRIL 13
THE HEAVY PETS, BACKUP PLANET FRIDAY, APRIL 14
DANGERMUFFIN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY!!! SATURDAY, APRIL 15
PINK TALKING FISH
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
4/7 What’s Next
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
RYAN MONTBLEAU BAND ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
4/8 Dead Eye Stare
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
BETTER OFF DEAD 4/20
4/8 UFC Pay Per View
The Hackensaw Boys with The Tillers The all-string Hackensaw Boys are back on the heels of their 2016 album, Charismo. Known for their rowdy shows pulsating with energy, the group has undergone lineup changes since their 1999 inception, but has always played to their roots of old-fashioned, string-driven country. Opening for the Boys are The Tillers, a Cincinnatibased group that has been relentless in traveling both coasts with their wide-ranging songs, including jazz, punk and bluegrass influences. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8
The Jayhawks The Jayhawks have been around since 1984, which seems unbelievable. They started out on the Twin Cities scene with the likes of Uncle Tupelo, classified in the charts as alt-country/alt-rock. But their sound has grown stronger and more distinct as the decades have gone by, with frontman Gary Louris’ rust-tinged honey vocals leading the way. Arguably still under-known, The Jayhawks create music that is the perfect backdrop for anything – road trips, rainy days, romance, regret…the list goes on. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39.50. The Birchmere Music Hall: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.birchmere.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
4/14 Diamond Alley 4/15 Here’s to the Night (90’s Cover)
POST 4/20 EARTH DAY SHOW FT. NAPPY RIDDEM & TALKING DREADS SATURDAY, APRIL 22
THE SKATALITES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
4/21 TBD
LADIES SING THE BLUES FT. CATHY PONTON KING AND IDA CAMPBELL
4/22 TBD
THURSDAY, APRIL 27
4/28 TBD
EVERYONE ORCHESTRA (CONDUCTED BY MATT BUTLER) FT. STEVE KIMOCK, JASON HANN (STRING CHEESE INCIDENT), ZACH DEPUTY, ANDREW ALTMAN (RAILROAD EARTH), TIM CARBONE (RAILROAD EARTH)
4/29 The Reagan Years 5/5 Doc Marten & the Flannels
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
THE SHACK BAND, VACATION MANOR
5/6 TBD
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
PSYCHO THRILLERS (TALKING HEADS & MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE)
9811 WASHINGTON BLVD GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877 240.780.7139 UNIONJACKSRIO.COM www.ontaponline.com | April 2017 | On Tap
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MUSIC PICKS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
AMP & COMEDY ZONE PRESENT
Spanky Brown Todd Riley THU, April 6
Secret Society FRI, April 7
Alphabet Rockers {Kids pajama jam party}
Sat, April 8
The VI-Kings Sat, April 8
Tribute to Charlie Byrd WITH CHUCK REDD & FRIENDS Fri, April 14
Fortunate Youth This band is easily a throwback to the Bob Marley days. Fortunate Youth acts as a clear retro reggae band mimicking the sounds of their forefathers, writing quippy songs about blazing up, chilling and breaking barriers. Though we don’t believe all of the music from the genre sounds the same, there is definitely a formula for successful reggae music, and it’s okay to throw in those ingredients to create enjoyable music. Fortunate Youth does just that, and if you’re into the 60s Jamaica sound, the band is a good bet for a fun show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$18. Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com
Owen Danoff Sat, APril 15
AMP & COMEDY ZONE PRESENT
Jason Kanter Keith Purnell THU, April 20
Dengue Fever
{Cambodian pop + indie rock}
Sat, April 22
An Evening with
Noah & Abby Gundersen Wed, April 26 11810 Grand Park Ave, N. Bethesda, MD Red Line–White Flint Metro
AMPbySTRATHMORE.COM
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Overcoats Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell are a female duo out of NYC whose debut album hits the streets on April 21. There are some vocal similarities to Meghan Trainor, but overall the sound is much less pop-y and in-your-face. It’s smooth, subdued melodies held up by solid underlying beats. The duo’s clean, gentle harmonies are so well-tuned that you almost forget it’s two different people singing, and not just the treble and bass of the same instrument. We have a feeling this will be a really evocative live show, especially
ON TAP | APRIL 2017 | www.ontaponline.com
in a small spot like DC9. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $12. DC9 Nightclub: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com
The Pretty Reckless It’s kind of hard to believe Taylor Momsen is just 23 years old, considering she’s already well into her third career. The former child actress and model, now the lead singer for acclaimed hard rockers The Pretty Reckless, has the work ethic and the musical soul of a seasoned pro. She recently lamented the proliferation of digital recording gizmos that so many of her pop, rock and rap contemporaries rely on in the studio. Make no mistake, The Pretty Reckless sound is studio polished, but it’s still basically just three guys and young woman making straightahead rock ‘n’ roll, with dark glam style to burn. The band headlines a few club dates in April, including one at the 9:30 Club, before they rock larger venues with Seattle legends Soundgarden in the late spring and summer. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com
their music isn’t political, their name is still apt as the music they incorporate and borrows sounds from spans generations – whether it’s synth from the 80s or even 50s doo-wop that you’d hear in a diner serving burgers to teens with slicked back hair and leather jackets. There’s a lot to unpack in the lyrics as well, as the music can trick you with tempo, but the songs are loaded with stories of being lost and other serious topics. Doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$17. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com
Gucci Mane After a decade spent in and out of jail on weapons, drugs and other charges, talented Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane released two well-received albums in 2016, and is set to embark on his first headlining tour this spring with an April stop at Echostage. Hopefully, Mane – one of the originators of the trap music phenomenon – can keep his eyes on the prize and himself out of trouble. Doors at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $48.40. Echostage: 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE, DC; www.echostage.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 27
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
Generationals Spawned on the heels of the 2008 presidential election, the duo dubbed their band “Generationals” after hearing ad nauseam how every issue was a generational one. While
Luce Community Showcase: Janel Leppin + Coup Sauvage & The Snips Luce Unplugged is one of the best concert series around. Held monthly at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the
Music Picks series shines the spotlight on local bands and invites audiences to experience their music (for free) in a gorgeous hall amid old masters. This month, Unplugged features Coup Sauvage & The Snips – think a whole band’s worth of modern-day weather girls dosed with a healthy splash of DC funk – alongside Janel Leppin-Pirog, a conservatory-trained cellist and multiinstrumentalist who has been making waves in the DC new music scene for her ethereal take on blues; it’s so artsy, it’s perfectly suited to the venue. Show at 6 p.m. Free. Luce Foundation Center for American Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum: 8th and G Streets in NW, DC; www.americanart. si.edu/luce/unplugged
pilgrimages to Clarksdale, Miss. to study under such blues masters as T-Model Ford and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. The band’s new record, The Front Porch Sessions, puts Peyton’s acoustic picking front-and-center to powerful effect. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. Jammin Java: 27 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com www.dc9. com
some world-class contemporary classicists. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will be in town to perform Symphony No. 2 from Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, whose works are among the most wellknown and loved in the classical repertoire (because not everything to do with Russia has to be a scandal). This show has the makings of a very capital ‘R’ in romantic date night, with plenty of sensory drama. 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and up. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org
MONDAY, APRIL 30
Lewis Del Mar No, Lewis Del Mar is not one person named Lewis Del Mar. It’s actually a pair of guys from New York City in Danny Miller and Max Harwood. Off the heels of their self-titled album, the guys have a gift for making folk pop music with an edge – whether it’s the candor or delivery of their lyrics, or their ability to shift things up on the drums. These guys aren’t going anywhere for awhile; in fact, they’re just getting warmed up. Catch ‘em before they blow up! Show at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Southern Indiana singer-guitarist Reverend Peyton may not get the same amount of media attention as fellow American roots traditionalists The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons, but he and his Big Damn Band make a similar brand of authentic, timeless music. Peyton has earned a reputation as both a singularly compelling performer and a persuasive evangelist for the rootsy country blues styles he honed during
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The Wild Reeds The Wild Reeds can be defined by one word: harmony. The sound from this L.A.-based band fronted by Kinsey Lee, Mackenzie Howe and Sharon Silva dips in and out of multiple genres – some ethereal folk, some rock ‘n’ roll rhythm and a hint of country twang. But it all comes back to the root of this band’s power: harmonies that create an instrument in and of itself. After spending much of the past two years on the road, The Wild Reeds went back into the studio in 2016, and their second full-length album is set for release this spring. Show at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $14. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhotel.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 BSO Performing Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 Switch up your regularly scheduled musical intake and indulge your intellectual side with a performance of one of the greats by
The Black Angels Austin-based psychedelic rockers The Black Angels land at the 9:30 Club this month in the midst of a national tour supporting Death Song, their first album in four years. The album doesn’t officially drop until April 21, but the release of its first single, “Currency,” suggests fans are in store for some of the Angels heaviest, darkest material in years. The band, formed in 2004, took its name from a Velvet Underground song, and traces of that band’s seminal psychedelic sound are all over The Black Angels impressive catalogue. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW; www.930.com
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