Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

The only electronic night i have ever been to is called Matter and it is held at the Blue Room on 18th street. I am not sure if it still exists, as i havent seen it listed for a while. The Djs played a lot of techno, including all the requisite hip german stuff, but whenever i went, there were 20 people there, and everything was being played at lounge volumes. it was a bit sad really, though the bar has a good beer selection.

SALT (listed first, because it's my night, dammit)
synthfunk, indiepop, dancehall, grime, electropunk, hip hop, industrial, hits
DJ's Sad and Lonely
1st Wednesday monthly
Cafe Saint-Ex

<>
indiedisco and beyond
DJ Will Eastman
generally 3rd Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Confusion
disco, new wave, funk, postpunk, hiphop
DJ's Serpico, William Alberque, Cullen Stalin, Sad
generally 4th Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Yellow Fever
reggae, groove, soul, hip-hop, dub
DJ's Yellow Fever
Tuesdays biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

Spilt Milk
rock, disco, funk, mod, punk, soul
Tuesdays biweekly
Red

Blowoff
indie house?
DJ's Bob Mould and Richard Morel
Saturdays
9:30 Club

Taking the Piss
jingle-jangle indie pop & psychedelic
occasional Fridays
Marx Cafe

We Fought the Big One
UK post punk, shoegaze, guitar pop, indie dance
DJ's Brandon Grover and Rick Taylor
1st Friday monthly
Marx Cafe

The Wag
60's garage soul & trash
DJ Mark Zimin
1st Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

The Mousetrap
brit pop, indie
DJ Mark Zimin
generally 2nd Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Cold
coldwave, darkwave
2nd Sunday monthly
the Blue Room

Atmosphere
post punk, UK indie, dream pop
3rd Sunday monthly
the Blue Room

The Melting Pot
everything, 1964-1980
DJ Neville Chamberlain
Thursday biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

UH-HUH!
rock and roll
DJ Johnny
Sundays
Cafe Saint-Ex

Groove
soul, mod, garage
DJ Beat Neat-O
Thursdays biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

I'll work on a whole separate list of the club/hip hop/EDM events...

24 Hour Access: 24 Hour Psycho

February 28, 2004 at 5:30 p.m.
A first for the Hirshhorn---the Museum will open the Douglas Gordon exhibition for twenty-four consecutive hours. 24 Hour Psycho (1993), the artist's video installation that stretches the Hitchcock classic into a twenty-four-hour experience, is the inspiration for this all-night happening. Launch the leap year with this unique, drop-in event, which will also include music, gallery discussions, and a "Meet the Artist" interview with Douglas Gordon conducted by Hirshhorn Director of Art and Programs and Chief Curator Kerry Brougher on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Ring Auditorium. "24 Hour Access: 24 Hour Psycho" is made possible through the generosity of Aaron and Barbara Levine.

http://hirshhorn.si.edu

The following music (presented by Signal 66) will be played:
5:30 ˆ 7:00pm DJ Sandwich Man
7:00 ˆ 8:00pm Band Chessie
8:00 ˆ 8:30pm DJ Debut
8:30 ˆ 9:15pm Band The Hipnotix
9:15 ˆ 9:45pm DJ Beat Neat-o of Groove
9:45 ˆ 10:30pm Band Rose
10:30 ˆ 11:00pm DJ Neville Chamberlain
11:00 ˆ 11:45pm Band The Phobes
11:45 ˆ 12:15am DJ Neville Chamberlain
12:15 ˆ 1:00am Band Sounds of Kaleidoscope
1:00 ˆ 1:30am DJ Happy Family
1:30 ˆ 2:15am Band Sons of Disobedience
2:15 ˆ 2:45am DJ Neville Chamberlain (tentative)
2:45 ˆ 3:30am Band Gully Jimson

Habib Koite from Mali at the National Geographic Grosvenor
Hall--Habib's got a nice live cd out--He trys to meld styles from
different parts of Mali, and while he's not a big fave of mine he's
definately not bad

Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache at the K. Ctr. Eisenhower Theater--A
wonderful percussionist, bandleader, and sideman (not to mention a
college professor) who is very charismatic and entertaining with his band

Los Hombres Calientes from New Orleans at the Clarice Smith Center-An
interesting bunch from New Orleans who blend that city's jazz with
flavors from throughout the Caribbean. I believe WPFW's Jim Byers is
hosting and leading a chat with them as well.

Muzsikas at the Freer-Hungarian vocal combo
________________________________________________________________

Sat. 2-14

Sanchez and Richie Stephens at the Crossroads-Jamaican lovers rock for
Valentines Day
_________________________________________________
Sun. 2-15

Haj Youness, Casablanca, Moroccan oud player and the Voice of Wisdom
Orchestra at 2 p.m. at the Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley Center
Lecture Hall

La India and Sonora Caruseles at the Washington Hilton, 1919
Connecticut Ave. NW salsa
__________________________________
Tues. 2-17

Peru Negro at the Kenn. Ctr- Excellent Afro-Peruvian veteran combo--if
you like Eva Aylon or Susanna Baca this outfit's blend of soaring
melodies, strumming, and funky drumming (on instruments including
wooden boxes and donkey jawbones) will be up your alley
__________________________________
Other cool stuff:2-11-Super Furry Animals
from Wales at 930;2-12( & 2-13) jazz singer Jane Monheit at the
Birchmere; 2-13-Atmosphere at 930;2-14 Black Dice at Ottobar;Jazz
singer Dee Dee Bridgewater at K. Ctr.;Carmaig De Forest at Roots Cafe;

To get on my DC African/Latin/World whatever events ocassional e-mail thing, contact me at ritmika@hotmail.com The above comes from that...

Which reminds me...any news regarding a new location for the Metro Cafe?

dc-improv-announce-owner@yahoogroups.com

salsanews@aol.com

the blow_up@hotmail.com

bw_zydeco@yahoo.com

Dizzee's supposedly coming back for a bigger tour in the summer, but I'm not sure if he'll hit DC or not. I don't know of anything regarding Dear or Mayer, but if they came I imagine it would be at 5ive, unless it was a one-off somewhere else.

What's odd it that it seems to be only the EDM scene that really tries to escape the city - the most successful go-go and indie artists are, if anything, too tied to DC.

Is it odd that the most interesting and boosterish electronic dance DJ in DC over the last year has been Bob Mould?

The DC go-go artists have seemingly given up on being national and international acts (go-go hasn't crossed over) although Chuck Brown gets flown to Japan periodically to play.

Dischord indie rockers are always playing worldwide but such gigs just never get much local press here. Q and Not U are also booked to play that big fest coming up in California over the summer(Coachatella or something). Black Eyes toured Europe awhile back.

Why did they locate it in Georgetown? You can only make so much money from selling prog to white hats from GW. Better to be on U st with a big deep house section. They never seemed to have their shit together anyways. They cheated me out of $40 once but totally inadvertantly. I had my revenge during their clearance sale I guess.

As for Q and not U, I tried to see their last show at the Black Cat and ended up waiting in line for an hour by myself. As I was waiting, the show sold out. That is all. They need to play here more often.

I always wanted to check out the Grits & Gravy dj night at Bar Nun... Years ago I saw DC rappers Opus Okuben playing with a live band at the now defunct Metro Cafe. Wow, they were great. Now they just mostly play Europe, sometimes with Ny jazz guy Steve Coleman. They were at Black Cat around New Years Eve but I missed them.

anyways, wednesday night P Brotzmann is playing with Hamid Drake and William Parker. Its at Twins on U st (btw 13th and 14th?) at 8pm.

DC 9 is in the original Asylum space, I'm not sure what it was between then and now. Half the music I've heard played there has been great indie/hip hop/disco, the other half has been too much midrange compressed guitar and singers that sound like they're in beer commercials. Which is a better hit rate than most places, but the DJs seriously can't mix or sequence their tracks.

List of EDM events is not so good. Seems like no place is doing well with regular nights and lineups are changing like crazy. And Cubik is filling the main room at Nation with the level of talent that would have played the front room at Buzz.

how long have you been in DC? what is the reason for the instability?

Is the below show which is at the Ottobar coming to DC?

Thursday March 25th
DEFINITIVE JUX PRESENTS:
Murs
The Perceptionists
(Feat. Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, DJ Fakts One)
RJD2, C Rayz Walz
Hangar 18, SA Smash and more
Doorsat 8pm/ Show at 9pm- ALL AGES

3 years! I want stuff NOW ;)

I've been complaining to friends for 2 or so years that I wish someone would book all of the Afropop and Latin acts that play for free in Central Park in NY each summer, in DC... So I'll have to form my own group to do this...

There's the once.twice festival coming up in Baltimore next month-

April 15th - 17th, 2004
Baltimore's 4th Annual
once.twice:festival of sound and video art feat.
AKUFEN . DIMBIMAN . AGF . CHRISTOPHER WILLITS .
DABRYE . SUE COSTABILE . MATTHEW DEAR .
GHISLAIN POIRIER. NAUTICAL ALMANAC.JIMMY EDGAR
MYLENA BERGERON . CAROLINE HAYEUR .
SCOTT PAGANO + more TBA

once.twice also runs the occasional Treatment night at Sonar, the last one in November featured Magda and Sammy Dee.

On a different note, any musicians (d.j.'s?) who wanna perform for free outdoors or maybe at Carter Barron or other locations during the June 18-21st 2nd annual Fete de la Musique DC should call 202-724-5614 or e-mail jose.dominguez@dc.gov . There will also be meetings at the DC Arts Commission, 410 8th St. NW , 5th Fl. on Mon. 3-15 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 and on Thurs. 3-18 from noon to 1.

I'm trying to encourage them to expand the musical horizons of this event...

Five is a great venue, nearly perfect, but the different promoters that do nights there only really book house, d+b, and reggae. There was the electroclash/breaks night there, too, but that's over and has turned into a retro night.

9:30 Club, as you mentioned, is a live music venue. They'll have the occasional DJ, but it always comes off as a bit out of place.

It costs a lot of money to run a club in DC due to the scarcity of suitable spaces. In a town with 8-foot ceilings in 95% of all buildings, there’s going to be a lot of competition for the remaining few with large open spaces. Permitting, safety codes, and accessibility standards are pretty tightly enforced, which means you have to sink a lot of money into a space before you can do anything with it. This goes for bars, dance clubs, live music clubs, and pretty much everything. And don't even get me started on ANC's and "voluntary agreements".

"After over 4 years in business, the owners of Now! Music and Fashion
have decided to close permanently, so we can move on and pursue
other opportunities. We've had a blast talking to you about music,
putting on instore performances, and participating in the local
community. But the best thing about running a record store has been
the opportunity to meet you. Many thanks to our loyal customers and
friends we've made along the way.

We will be having a going-out-of-business sale beginning this
weekend. All clothing and music (except consignments and bargain bin
stuff) will be on sale for 30% off the regular price."

So I don't think DC's gone utterly down the pan. Close, but not gone yet.

They're also stocking the Ellen Allien album and remixes, Coloma's Finery. I think I even saw that Damon Album demo double 10" there, too!

Melody on Conn. Ave. is very underrated - I always thought they were better than DCCD for keeping up with current releases and pointing customers in the right direction. Good international and classical sections, too.

Per the Bmore Art site the Washington Post is cancelling freelancer Mark Jenkins DC area art galleries column after next week. This is sad news as Jenkins provided detailed coverage of visual art that generally cannot be found anywhere else

https://bmoreart.com/2024/08/washington-post-cancels-regional-arts-coverage-effective-immediately.html

Here's a gift link to a recent Jenkins galleries column piece

https://wapo.st/3AtFYcj

The @NatlParkService of Greater Washington finally announced that 3 2024 Fort DuPont Park in SE DC gigs will happen in September starting with EU, the Blackbyrds, & DJ Lance Reynolds on September 7. In some prior years they had gigs every summer weekend

https://www.nps.gov/fodu/learn/news/three-dates-for-this-year-s-fort-dupont-park-summer-event-series.htm

Kim Gordon has a new song and video out with DC duo Model Home ( Nappy Nappa and Pat Cain)

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/747583/washington-post-kills-column-on-local-artists-and-gallery-exhibits/

City Paper article on Washington Post dropping Jenkins art gallery column, reducing number of local news columns, and hiring a NY based theatre reviewer who has yet to come down to Dc to see any local theatre productions

Jeez

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/747803/dave-alvin-and-jimmie-dale-gilmore-dc-tap-fest-and-more-city-lights-for-aug-29-sept-6/

I previewed Thursday night's Dave Alvin w/ Jimmie Dale Gilmore at the Birchmere show with Jon Langford and the Bright Shiners opening . Langford designed the cover of the latest Alvin & Gilmore album Texicali. Always love seeing Langford, but am going to be out of town

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/09/03/2024-best-fall-pop-concerts/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzI1MzM2MDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzI2NzE4Mzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MjUzMzYwMDAsImp0aSI6IjMyMjY0ZTI0LWFjZmYtNDI1MS1iNjRjLTI2ZTNkMDIwZDY4NCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljLzIwMjQvMDkvMDMvMjAyNC1iZXN0LWZhbGwtcG9wLWNvbmNlcnRzLyJ9.PJuWtScB5CdDdTBa6gEAcAf1kLOYLH9GGS9eO9RCWWY

Chris Kelly pop, indie, rap , r& b shows he's looking forward to

Always adding more to my DC concert calendar--

Thurs Sept 5 in DMV DC- Next Now Fest w/ Feeble Little Horse @ 7:45 to 8:30 @ U of MD Clarice Smith Ctr courtyard (rock); Verny Varela @ 9:30 @ Bossa (Colombian valenata, salsa ); Raw Image @ 7 @ Sycamore & Oak Se (go-go); Anees @ 6 popup @ Malcolm X Park

https://www.stereogum.com/2277849/bad-moves-video-for-new-song-outta-my-head-features-margaret-cho-josh-gondelman-chris-gethard-more/music/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

I get the Hometown Sounds substack even though sometimes it is too bland dc rock only for me

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/748643/the-best-world-roots-and-jazz-music-to-see-live-this-fall/

My fall preview of some shows including Julieta Venegas, a Creole and Cajun supergroup, Ebo Taylor, MakYa McCraven and a more

Sat Sept 14- Music producer Joe Boyd with his new book — And the Roots of Rhythm Remain - with dj/musician Bob Boilen — @ 6 @ Union Market via Byrdland Records

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/748735/what-to-listen-to-david-combs-recommends-raging-post-punk-emo-tinged-indie-pop-and-more/

Bad Moves member David Combs also books shows at Quarry House, Comet, & some at Black Cat . He tqlks about that and gigs he recommends for fall

City Paper has since added a list from a Cp contributor of upcoming metal and hardcore shows he’s looking forward to ; and another guy did a list of upcoming rap shows and hiphop DJ ones he’s looking forward to.

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/749685/craving-go-go-darrin-x-frazier-says-theres-a-show-for-that/

Me talking to Darrin X Frazier, former RE Keyboardist & TCB manager, regarding where he likes to go see go-go and bouncebeat bands

Nice

Just saw final DC JCC showing of "Ain't No Back to a Merry-go-Round," Ilana Trachtman's powerful film doc re the Howard U students, & Montgomery County Black & Jewish, Quaker, & Union locals whose 10 weeks protest ended the segregation of Glen Echo Park in 1960. The Park then had a roller coaster and large pool and the merry go round . The title of the film comes from Langston Hughes who noted that Black were forced to sit in the back of buses but were barred from amusement parks and that there ain't no back to a merry go round. Deep, dense sad film. The director is hoping to get more showings at the AFI Silver and or the Avalon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmloeCXXJ78

Blacks

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/09/23/dc-punk-senior-citizen-food-insecurity-we-are-family/

Mark Andersen of Positive Force dayjob is working with volunteers to help bring groceries to poor seniors.

They do good work, though it’s too bad the DC government or the Feds aren’t doing this

https://www.capitalbop.com/fred-irby-howard-university-interview/

Jazz musician and professor Fred Irby retiring from Howard U after 51 years of running the jazz ensemble

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/750175/they-got-the-beat-claudia-a-lawrence-knows-where-to-go-when-youre-craving-cumbia-chicha-and-more/

My email interview w/ DJ Claudia Lawrence of Leon City Sounds who spins chicha, cumbia, and more on vinyl (& sometimes punk, ska, and reggae) regarding where she spins, her background, and a gig she is looking forward to

And my latest and final City Paper Fall arts piece. An email interview with DJ Dr Nick about southern soul, r& b, and blues gigs in the DMV

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/750272/feel-the-blues-dj-dr-nick-johnson-recommends-southern-soul-blues-and-jazz/

Added some Art All Night events and Fiesta DC on PA Ave info to my concert calendar

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/750792/meshell-ndegeocello-explicating-documentary-photography-and-more-city-lights-for-oct-3-9/

I previewed Meshell Ndegeocello and her James Baldwin tribute that will be at Strathmore Sat. Oct 5

https://open.substack.com/pub/discerningeye/p/afro-cuban-history-salvaged?r=2ck8a&utm_medium=ios

The Washington Post dropped Mark Jenkins weekly dc area art galleries column so he he is doing a substack now

Finally posted my October 2024 blogspot concert calendar

got delayed posting it because in part I have been seeing so much live music-- Bad Moves, Ekko Astral at Black Cat then a day at the Richmond Folk Fest seeing go-go, gospel, international sounds, Lonnie Holley; this past weekend- Maxwell & Jazmine Sullivan, Valerie June, some bands at Takoma Park Street fest, Ray Barker tribute event at Rhizome

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/751345/the-people-issue-2024/

Others wrote about Chad Clark of Beauty Pill, singer J’tae Freeman, and Ekko Astral. Plus many non-musicians

I previewed NY-based Puerto Rican Latin Jazz and salsa pianist Eddie Palmieri last week Friday Oct 18 playing free at the Library of Congress. I previewed for City Paper this week the Friday Oct 25 show by NY-based band Loboko at the Hill Center. They have a singer guitarist from Kinshasa and play Congolese dance music

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/752342/sweet-treats-and-diwali-rock-show-city-lights-for-oct-24-30/

Finally posted my November 2024 calendar early this am. Steve K..... blogspot . Also tweeted it, & posted it on Bluesky and Threads (don't have too many followers on those latter 2 ) & IG & FB. I need to give it its own IG page and an email I think.

freelancer Chris Kelly recommends the following November gigs in Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/10/30/best-concerts-dc-november/

Washingtonian has Pat Padua with a list and then farther down the page Brianna Thomas

https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/10/31/culture-guide-things-to-do-in-dc-this-november-2024/

A posting I saw on Threads about the very crowded Adams Morgan Porch Fest (much of which took place on 18th street with no porches. Bands were pretty obscure. I did not go. Saw a photo Fritz Hahn of W Post posted plus the below):

In the crowd at AdMoPorchfest I overheard an older black man saying to his friend: “It’s like the Million White March.”

Haa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US3oi-M7fZg

Go Go Go and Vote by Shorty Corleone and friends

Caught up on seeing some exhibits in DC . Saw the Haitian Art; 70s photos; and Gordon Parks photo portrait s ones at the National Gallery. Then saw the small and provocative exhibit at American History museum about Mack McCormick, Texas blues collector who was also sadly dealing with some mental health issues that led him to take advantage of some poor musicians and create conspiracy theory hoaxes about musicians as well

https://wtop.com/dc/2024/11/dj-and-pillar-in-dc-community-dies-more-than-a-week-after-attempted-robbery-left-him-with-critical-injuries/

Joe Lally is back from touring and doing bass lessons again

Went to the 618 H St NW lounge last night for first time and saw UK dub reggae great Mad Professor w/ Model Home opening . Near Capital One Arena in Chinatown above a restaurant on second floor ( & maybe another floor too). Gig was advertised by a techno programmer and tix were sold in advance on Resident Advisor. So there were no attempts to reach out to an older Caribbean audience in the area that would have also loved seeing Mad Professor. Me highlighting it on my concert calendar was likely only crossover attention. I don’t think Washington Post, Washingtonian, 730 DC email mentioned it.

So it was a fun show ( bass was booming)and they had free food ( baked chicken legs, plantains, salad) plus free water and a bar .

Missing various gigs this weekend that interest me but you can't do it all.

I feel that

Go-go museum ribbon cutting and live music from Backyard Band and Junkyard 11 am to 1pm today. Streamed at http://www.youtube.com/@go-gomuseumcafe2736

and on Facebook Go-go museum pages

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-kDjtIGvbo

The sound went out for a bit but its back and still go going

DC bouncebeat go-go band TCB used to play at Power nightclub in NE every Friday. That stopped in October . Now I see why. DC Police shut down Power and its liquor license was taken away . Details in the link. TCB is playing at Culture in NE DC this Friday

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/dc-shuts-down-2-more-dispensaries-night-club/

I added Ethiopiques great Mahmoud Ahmed gig in Springfield VA Friday night to my concert calendar. It looks to be a special retirement event for him ( before that 80 something singer does one back in Ethiopia in January). He lives in Springfield, Va

Didn’t make it to the Ahmed tribute thing . It might have been more others talking in Amharic about him and other musicians, but not sure. I paid a high ticket fee to see him in 2020 at the Ethiopian Embassy and he was great and he sang 2 sets . It was just before the pandemic. Also saw him farther back 2013 I think at Echostage really late at night on a bill with Teddy Afro.

Oh so my wife and I went to Takoma Station last night where Proper Utensils ( with vocalist James Funk who’s also in Rare Essence and a WPFW DJ) cranked the old school go-go. It was a bit a bit pricey for a local band but they did 2 hour long sets . Takoma Station for some reason closes early some nights so they did a set at 8:30 and then at 10. As many go-go gigs don’t start till 11 this was nice for us old folks .

Ugh , easy accessibility to guns

This guy was trying to help those in his Md community via his nonprofit and his speeches and not mentioned in article but he was an early member of dc bouncebeat band XIB. Rip Cornelius Neal McDonald

https://wtop.com/prince-georges-county/2024/12/prince-georges-co-leaders-praise-community-activist-fatally-shot-in-largo/

WPFW holiday party featuring music by DJs Abby, Lance Reynolds and Funk. Free cds and books plus light refreshments. Free admission. Dec 15 When: Sunday, December 15 4:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: 1990 K Street NW, Suite 14R; Washington, DC

WPFW lease is up soon & they're going to be moving somewhere

Rhizome is trying to raise $200,000 more in donations and loans to fix up the 2nd floor and roof of the new location and more . They're hoping to reach that amount by March 2025

The 2025 Wammies are being delayed from spring to fall and more changes to their voting procedures may be happening too. Hmmmm