Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

Smithsonian Folkways mourns the passing of blues musician and harmonica player Phil Wiggins (1954-2024). He died peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, one day before his 70th birthday. Wiggins was a Folkways recording artist, teacher, NEA National Heritage Fellow, and frequent performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival along with his longtime musical partner John Cephas. He was known throughout the international blues community and his hometown of Washington, D.C., for his wit, humor, and powerful playing.

https://festival.si.edu/blog/phil-wiggins-tribute?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1wLNxCW_203-Hyg2G-4lhtVsqu4CkXUp-Q067hnO0hnPtDoJUtqDOSCxI_aem_ASiUT8_jnH4FaxSCXJlS1HWG0GlolhXChq1GBfoppbE3_tdnDgafR4RpItyaPdkpRyE2K_wnsXkrYF3i8wkg7qCF

Another farewell to Phil Wiggins. Plus Washington Post had an obit also

https://wapo.st/4aqHN5M

Chris Richards in Washington Post on Rhizome and his fave shows and the money raised for it and why it’s his fave dc place for music

Lots going on... Updated my concert calendar

Also--

The Runaway is just going to be a bar and rarely have music the owner just decided (after the earlier talk it was going to close down it stayed open after getting a break on rent from the landlord. Her booking agent for Runaway and Slash Run recently quit)

Ended up in the overflow room at the Motown in DC panel event at the Anacostia Arts Center. Kinda interesting still.

Saturday night went to a Tropical Dome Dj event at Marx Cafe with a Colombian headliner DJ w a vocalist. They were preceded by DJs from Crown Vic , Charles from Leon City Sounds, DJ Neeko

Sunday saw the Slickee Boys history talk with various band members and their former manager circa 1981 talking to NBC’s Mark Segraves about the band at the Palisades church community center hub. Then they reunited downstairs for a 5 song reunion gig! Fun stuff

Sunday morning I found out the Sun Ra Arkestra was playing that night at the Birchmere in Virginia, and that they are doing shows celebrating Marshall Allen's 100th birthday this week. He wasn't able to be there but it was still a great show, and they'll be at Keystone Korner in Baltimore on Wednesday if anyone feels like making the trip.

I was at the Birchmere last night too, hello neighbor lol

I hope Allen is ok. He was with the Arkestra when I saw them open for Solange at the Kennedy Center some years back. I was away when they played at Franklin Park some months back. Toyed with going last night but just did the late afternoon Slickee Boys thing.

My contact said that Allen from Sun Ra's Arkestra got worn out at a Saturday gig in North Carolina, so he rested on Sunday and therefore missed Birchmere gig. Saw DJ Baby Alcatraz's IG story video from the Birchmere gig and it still looked good. Seeing them march through the crowd reminded me of when I saw 'em do that at the old F Street 930 Club and a bunch of folks from audience followed them like it was a conga line or a New Orleans jazz parade. Alas, Birchmere makes everyone sit and watch politely.

Allen seemed strong and well the 3 times (!) I got to see them last year. even came out on a cold February night to smoke up right next to me. amazing.

DC writer and DJ John Murph talked to longtime DC rapper, poet & more Kokayi for Downbeat

https://downbeat.com/news/detail/kokayi-taps-the-musical-power-of-language?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email