Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

https://www.americanbluesscene.com/bear-family-records-announces-release-of-rb-in-d-c-1940-1960/

.@BearFamilyRec Announces Release of ‘R&B in D.C. 1940-1960’ CD box set tells the story of DC r’n’b in 16 cds and a 252 page book put together by Jay Bruder

Looks awesome

oh man that does.

16 CDs! I didn’t think they were making those big boxes anymore.

Lots of go-go shows happening; plus a big Caribbean dj thing at Bliss July 3rd; the second African Cookout with a bunch of djs is alo on the 3rd at Balkonie Bar & grill on Greenbelt Rd; jazz here and there; a fair amount of experimental; Lamont's 30th anniversary July 10; Palestinian oud player Huda Asfour is back sorta (now living in Baltimore); Colombian Leo Rua but not seeing much rock of the kind I am interested in live yet (although I missed that fest The Caribbean did)-- no Des Demonas, Bacchae, Coriky, although the below could be good

July 16 at Black Cat-- Exotiq Int'l is a new band from GL Jaguar (Priests), Laura Harris (Ex Hex), Niko Rao (Bottled Up), and Dajando Smith. Radical optimism and ecstatic energies sourced from Purple Music's outer reaches.

They're playing with Too Free and DJ Anno .

Amanda of Fort Reno concerts is looking to document the whole history of the concerts there since 1968.

I think she’s also waiting on a permit from National PRk Service for later this summer 2021 shows.

Meanwhile Fort Dupont Park’s online only 2021 series is still tba

rapper IDK is busy

Lamont’s club 30th anniversary show today in Pomonkey md. No website. Owner once snail mailed me a schedule. It’s an outdoor event today with Sons of Soul; and O’Jays tribute band; Hardway Connection; Jim Bennett

Nellie Travis of “Hey Mr Sexy Man” fame is at the Pomonkey American Legion July 17

There’s go-go at Lamont’s July 31

Black Cat reopened w/ DJ Baby Alcatraz

DMV rap and go-go together Wednesday at Hanger's in Camp Springs , MD

rappers Big Flock and 30H Black plus go-go bands CCB, XIB, Ambition Band, Drastic Measures Band

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/524361/city-lights-ellie-walton-la-manplesa-premieres-this-week/

La Manplesa movie doc about 1991 Mt Pleasant uprising debuts tonight at Gala Hispanic; then for free Thursday at Kennedy Center Reach. Movie focuses a lot on DC Latinx activists & musicians

Songbyrd will take over Coconut Club’s former location on Penn Street NE …The exact date of its grand opening in Northeast is still to be determined, but in the meantime, Edmonson and Lapan will reopen Songbyrd’s original location on Aug. 16

https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/joe-lapan-alisha-edmonson-dc-dream-day/2021/07/16/9fc92c3c-e416-11eb-8aa5-5662858b696e_story.html

https://dcist.com/story/21/07/23/velvet-lounge-dodge-city-u-street-close-permanently/

Velvet Lounge and Dodge City permanently closing

Fast Eddie's in Maryland got in trouble for having live go-go music before they were legally allowed to have live music under Covid rules. Prince George's County is not allowing them to have live music for now, but is letting them be open as a bar.

Jazz singer Aaron Myers has a song called “The New Jim Crow” on his new album. He’s at the Eaton Hotel Friday July 30

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/525868/city-lights-aaron-myers-fourth-album-balances-pain-with-joy/

https://www.fortreno.com/

Six August Fort Reno gigs starting Monday with Clear Channel, Nice Breeze, & Black Rails

Also , virtual online only Fort Dupont starts this weekend . I forget who

Sirius Company & Jo-go Project Saturday August 7 online

Mask up if you're going I guess--

Thurs. Aug. 5 – Feedel Band at Bossa
Raga at the Reach 5:30 p.m. DJ set with DJ Anandroid
8:30 p.m.-Raga: A Film Journey to the Soul of India film screening on the Video Wall

Fort Reno

Fri. August 6 –
Raga at the Reach 5 & 7 p.m.-DJ sets with Shuno Re!
6 p.m.-Performance by Rini
7:15 p.m.- Performance by Deepak Ram

Kundalika ( global jugalbandi- inspired by traditional Indian ragas plus jazz, bluegrass, Western drums, and Latin rhythm.) @ Rhizome

Sunstoney and Sir EU @ DC9

8:00 pm La Marvela (women, African-rooted Columbian/Caribbean @ Lubber Run Amphitheater, N.2nd &
Columbus Sts., Arlington,VA 22203; free

Rafael Ponde samba band @ Bossa DC @ 8; Alfredo Mojica salsa group @ 10:30pm

Sat. August 7- Sirius Company & Jo-go Project virtual show @ Fort Dupont Park

Ethiopian music fundraiser for city of Ataye, Ethiopia @12 noon in Barcroft Park, 4200 S. 4 Mile Run, Arlington, Va

Crazy Doberman (free jazz) , Model Home (DC rapped voice & electronics), Lazuli (DC noise) @ Rhizome

Raga at the reach 5 & 7 p.m. DJ sets with Shuno Re!

6 p.m. Performance by Deepak Ram
7:15 p.m.Performance by Rini

August 13, Friday Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble @Peerless Rens Club, 406 Chester Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403 FFIC: http://www.peerlessrensclub.com

August 13- BAD MOVES, OCEANATOR, BACCHAE at Black Cat

75th India Independence Day Celebration w/ Sukhbir Singh is a Bhangra singer. He is often referred to as the "Prince of Bhangra" plus Kajal Aggarwal is an Indian film actress and model.
Sun, Aug 15 3:00 PM Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121

OUTDOOR CONCERT: Vivien Goldman / Dunia & Aram
Aug 19, 2021 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday August 19 * doors at 630pm * outside at Rhizome * TICKETS

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/527163/city-lights-sirius-company-brings-new-sounds-classic-style-to-fort-dupont-park-concert-series/

Frank Scooby Sirius talking about how go-go bands need to reinvent while still maintaining classic sound

Saturday night Fort Dupont streams their show

James Jas Funk, vocalist w/ DC go-go bands Rare Essence and Proper Utensils is also a
@WPFWDC
DJ where he usually plays old school soul. But he’s filling in for jazz DJ Myuki today & playing Betty Carter, Freddie Cole, Nancy Wilson plus jazz instrumentalists as well.

RIP dc raised producer Chucky Thompson at 53 from Covid complications. Also produced Chuck Brown and many others

https://digdc.dclibrary.org/islandora/object/dcplislandora%3A305086

Lots of Chip Py go-go photos here

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/528332/go-go-musicians-remember-and-mourn-producer-chucky-thompson/

Chucky Thompson go-go history

Final Fort Reno gig of summer 2021 tonight Monday. Mark Cisneros & DJ Baby Alcatraz will be spinning records in between bands Interstate Rivals and Grumbler

August 28 is March on Washington and a Moechella

Washington Women in Jazz hosting events at K Center next Thursday through Saturday plus Spacycloud Djs

http://stevekiviat.blogspot.com/2021/09/dc-baltimore-dmv-global-music-and-more.html

Did my first DMV DC Baltimore concert calendar gig list since March 2020. Lots of fall events including many many today:

Ethiopian New Year

End of Summer Soul Fest w/ JR Walker Allstars Band & Show, Stylistics Revue feat. Van Field, Might Mighty Dells Revue, Dr Salaam Love honoring Smokey Robinson, Hardway Connection, Kevin Langford Band @ Drury Ballpark, 1139 Smith Ln., Lothian, MD

CultureFest DMV (Caribbean music) @ 1 @ National Harbor

Free Kennedy Center outdoor event--Dupont Brass (5-6pm), DC Legendary Musicians Gospel (6:15-7:15pm), Ragamala Dance Co on Kennedy Center Lower lawn 7:30 to 9pm

Proper Utensils, 4 Life Project, X Factor, Pump Blenders, West Mob 12 noon to 7 pm 2 Fort Circle Park/Fort Totten (Between Galloway St. & Gallatin St. NE DC)

Ambition Band (go-go) for free @ 6 pm @ Moechella Gallery in Eastern Market

Fiesta DC 11am to 7 pm on Pennsylvania Ave w/ Mala Fe & Orquestra; Optimo;

Long Branch Festival with Cheick Hamala Diabate @ 6 pm & La Colombopercutivo @ 7 pm in Long Branch, MD

CCB go-go band at halftime of 7:30 pm Howard U. at U of MD football game

Black Cat 28th Anniversary party w/ Algiers; Ted Leo; The Owners; Teen Cobra; Anna Connolly (w/ Hannah Burris) @ Black Cat

Raheen DeVaughan @ City Winery

Kush: Sitali w/ Eliot Seppa @ Bossa @ 7:30 (afro-folk); Latin Night w/ Tumbao @ 9 @ Bossa

Dave Chappell Band @ Hank Dietle’s

Embassies of embassy row tour @ 12 noon

Crown Vic’s Weird World Dance Party at the Green Zone @ 10 pm

BYB & New Impressionz @ Hard Rock Café

Rare Essence @ Aqua

TOB @ 4 pm @ Marvin Gaye Park

Still Familiar @ Masonic Temple on U St NW

Thanks!!!

https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/inner-ear-studio-label-profile

Inner Ear Studio history article with lots of Ian Mackaye quotes about the place and Don Zientara. The Arlington location is closing but Don says he will reopen elsewhere. He had a studio in his home basement before Inner Ear.

Don will be playing music himself at Epicure Cafe in Fairfax on October 2. I am adding that to my concert calendar along with a bunch of other gigs I have noticed

Yay

Looking ahead —September 25 has that cool jazz meets go-go event in Malcolm X Park and late that several nice Art all Night events

Broccoli Fest cancelled this year

RIP 91-year old blues guitarist Warner Williams whose duo group Little Bit of Blues used to play around in the 1990s. Williams was known for his Piedmont blues style
Blues
Here’s an old article about him. Saw on FB that he passed

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/music/brace14.htm

https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/08/30/think-you-know-dc-music-a-huge-new-compilation-reveals-treasures-from-a-bygone-era/

German Bear Family label releases 16 cd plus huge book in a box of 1940 to 1960 DC r’n’b

RIP Melvin Deal at 75, leader of the DC based African Heritage Dancers and Drummers

thanks curm for that blogspot you posted with local shows. bookmarked

I keep updating it too.

Some ones that interest me—
Cameroon’s Petit Pays Friday night in Burtonsville; Next Fest jazz & go-go w/ specific times listed for Saturday, some Saturday Art all Night events; Erykah Badu; Sept 30- 75 Dollar Bill opening for Mac M at DC 9

yeah gonna take the family out for nextfest

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/randb-in-dc-box-set-washington/2021/09/21/1ca21e2c-1aee-11ec-a99a-5fea2b2da34b_story.html

Chris Richards re the $200 16 cds plus huge coffee table book of 1940-1960 dc r & b

An Amazon reviewer savaged the remastering as flat but I may buy this anyway.

Some tracks are from 78s and some from tape and yeah some of it does sound muffled and flawed . But I am just going to deal with that .

If like most people, you've been jonesing to read the origin story of the music biz in DC, and hear its first sixteen volumes, we got you!

Now in stock, hand delivery citywide, free delivery on #capitolhill .https://t.co/tTAxLi0FHq

— Spin Time Records (@SpinTimeRecords) September 13, 2021

https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/music/don-zientara-inner-ear-closing/2021/09/29/672c1e46-1c7b-11ec-a99a-5fea2b2da34b_story.html

Chris Richards on Don Zientara and Inner Ear studio.

At the end it notes Zientara is doing a free gig himself Friday at 6 at a brewery and one Saturday night in Fairfax

Oh no. Singer Julia Nixon has died of Covid. She used her soulful voice and theatrical power in DC music clubs and onstage in Dreamgirls and other shows on and off from the 80s. She used to play little Mr Henry''s a lot. Then moved back to her native North Carolina in early 2000s

Hey DC locals, I am trying to talk my teenage son to seeing an All Ages show with my wife and myself at the Black Cat and he asked me if there was a place to sit. I told him I was dubious since it's a club but I would ask the locals.

There are a few tables and seats in the back of the room, yes.

Now a City Paper writer on Inner Ear Studio

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/534537/end-of-an-ear-a-the-legendary-inner-ear-studios-closes-a-chapter/

There are a few tables and seats in the back of the room, yes.

― Chris L, Friday, October 1, 2021 1:21 PM (six days ago) bookmarkflaglink

And benches and stools on the side of the room opposite the bar.

La Marvela and Leo Rua, dc based acts from Colombia are part of the free Down in the Reeds fest Saturday at the old Walter Reed Medical Center ( now the Parks at Walter Reed)

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/534443/city-lights-feel-good-feel-great-at-down-in-the-reeds/

There’s also Saturday in the Parks event at the reopened Franklin Square park ( now with less trees) with club dance music and jazz.

This Saturdays in Franklin Park DC dance music & more series is impressive. OCTOBER 9th
Afrofuturism Meets Jazz
Ron Trent (Music and Power, Chicago)
Live Performance & DJ Set By
Brad Linde’s Tribute To Sun Ra / Adrian Loving
https://www.downtowndc.org/event/rocktheparkdc/

https://www.arlnow.com/2021/10/13/county-to-ask-public-what-arts-programming-should-replace-inner-ear-studios/

After Inner Ear studio is demolished they might build an outdoor stage and name it after Inner Ear ( or maybe not).

Outer Ear

Zientaraweather Post Pavilion