In Between Time

This is a weird week- these lame duck days between Christmas and the next thing. Traffic is sparse. You can drive around relatively unmolested by commuters and park in Adam's Morgan without taking a taxi. (Where is everyone? Are you all still in the malls returning things?) The news is all about looking backwards- the year in review- the best and the worst of everything- none of which is news.

New Year's Eve has never been a favorite of mine- maybe because I never had anywhere to go. Our idea of excitement was to pick up the phone and dial up the time continuously from about 11:45 on, then at midnight, run outside and bang pots and pans together. "At the tone the time will be..."

You get the idea.

Then when I was older there were suddenly too many places to be, and all kinds of confusion about where the most righteous place was to land when the clock struck twelve. I soon realized that was all just a goose chase on a hamster wheel.

But if you are looking for somewhere to be without a lot of running around, there's a great New Year's Eve party going on via the Knights of Columbus, and it's got a DC Rocks kind of price tag: $45 for all you can drink (what?) appetizers, a champagne toast, and a full breakfast at mid night thirty. Oh and a band. A big band- the ever raucous eight piece King Soul will be playing all night and then some. Find all this under one roof at the Rock Creek Mansion on Cedar Lane  in Bethesda.

And by the way in case you do feel like staying home and calling the time- you're going to have to call a friend instead. As of last Spring, dialing up the time became another lost thing of the past.

New Space for This Place

Greetings Survivors of the Yule. Time to turn our thoughts to Other Things like the new club in town. Everyone is raving about The Hamilton- the newest venue from Clyde's featuring a large beautiful performance space which holds at least 300 people seated and more standing.

Tons of local bands are playing there coming up- too many for DC ROCKS to list, but for starters the schedule includes a humongous variety of local talent: David Kitchen, Wil Gravatt, Christylez Bacon, Soul Crackers and Justin Trawick- and that's just this week! The Hamilton is located in the old Garfinckles Department store building which was built in 1929.  inches away from Metro Center. The restaurant upstairs is open 24/7 in hopes of adding true night life to our sometimes stodgy downtown.

Merry

Hope this holiday seasons brings fond memories to keep you company,

and great  friends to keep you laughing...

Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas from DC ROCKS.

Dance This Mess Around

Yahoo and Then Some!

Please note the Music Cafe is deep in the heart of the country- tiny, no bar, and last time I went I ended up parking in the back yard. But that's all part of the charm. This Saturday is going to be a killer two for one show:  Ruthie and the Wranglers and Billy Coulter. A good place to land after you get lost looking for Christmas trees.

What the Holiday Heck?

What do you want to do? Run around like a chicken with your head cut off? Sit in a car stuck in traffic circling the drain of a shopping mall?

Heck no! Yes, dear humans, just walk away. Join the 99 percent and drop that manic consumerism. Give the gift of freedom- take someone you love to see live music. There are two traditional shows this weekend. Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun await you at Jammin Java this Friday.
And the Last Train Home once again pulls into IOTA station for the entire weekend which peaks with an all ages show and juice boxes for all my friends at the Sunday matinee.

Shopping is for sissies. Spend your money on an experience. Memories last longer.

A Preview of The Past

Unicorn Times 1979

The Bayou brings back a lot of memories for a lot of people around here. The club opened in 1953 and morphed with the times showcasing jazz, bluegrass, rock and more. The list of bands that played there- both national and local ran the gamut from Count Basie to the Ramones. Nils Lofgren to Chuck Brown. U2 opened for The Slickee Boys on their first U.S. tour. (There are a lot of stories buried under what is now a movie theater in Georgetown.)

 This Wednesday the  DC Music Salon will be hosting a discussion looking back on the bar and looking forward with a sneak preview of a new film "The Bayou: DC's Killer Joint" at the Shaw Library from 7 until 9 p.m. Bring your memories or curiosity. Both are welcome.

Music Meets Art Head On This Saturday

Bob Boilen, Robert Goldstein and Robin Rose. Any of those names sound familiar?
(Picture a Tiny Desk Unit on an Urban Verb kind of street with art thrown in.)

This Saturday find all three at Hemphill Gallery where Robin Rose currently has an exhibition up called "The Big Payback." (now think James Brown) Hemphill is hosting a rather eclectic panel discussion with Robin Rose and the musical minds of both Bob Boilen and Robert Goldstein about the relationship between art and music and the blurry lines that connect and inspire.
10 a.m. Free.

Sunday Night Train

Move Over, Rover-There's a New Club in Town

Washington has seen a lot of clubs come and go, that's for sure, but the 9:30 Club which is constantly garnering national acclaim in Billboard magazine, has definite staying power. Now 9:30 has partnered up with the U Street Music Hall to catch both local and national acts that may be clawing their way up or sliding their way back down in a smaller venue. The club's capacity at 500 (somewhat smaller than the Black Cat)  fills a much needed niche in DC, and it's only a block from the Metro.

There's been press lately about the electronica music partnership between the two clubs, but keep your eye on the schedule for "9:30 Presents"- early shows at U Hall which will feature all kinds of live music, all ages, and all over by ten p.m. (Adults, however, can hang later and rehash the show over another cocktail as the club transforms into the late night groove.)

This Saturday night Chopteeth and Alma Tropicalia will be sure to give you motion loving music fans a chance to try out the "1200 square foot cork- cushioned dance floor." Show starts at 7. $15 cover.

Thank You Ian Hunter

DC Rocks was driven North last Friday to stalk the man who inspired the name of this blog in a tiny club in a tiny town in Pennsylvania.  Ian Hunter has spent most of his seventy plus years rocking the world, but I get many a blank look when I mention his name. Mott the Hoople usually rings a bell. If that fails, "Cleveland Rocks" might work, but both the band and the song are just the tip of the iceberg of this soul filled man. His songs are anthems and ballads, well written and magnificent live-his voice full of character-his songs ever relevant.

Less than a hundred people turned out in New Hope last Friday, but I am thankful I was able to be one of them. And to everyone who is reading this- thanks for helping keep DC Rocks going...
Thanks for playing music
Thanks for writing.
Thanks for reading.
And thank you, Ian Hunter.

Happy Thanksgiving from DC Rocks.

Black Friday

"Friday- it's Friday Gotta get down on Friday..."

Yes, that's from the uber- annoying song made famous by Rebecca Black. If you have a kid around,  you might have had this tune inserted into your brain, and can't get it out. In our house, the ear worm was administered by my ten year son singing falsetto, complete with a dance routine.

What may be even more annoying is all the hype surrounding Black Friday due to FFS. (Frantic Shopping Syndrome) Remember when George Bush Junior told us to shop our way out of  9-11? Well, we ought to have enough stuff by now. The only thing I would consider purchasing on Friday is a deeply discounted turkey. Or tickets to a rock show.

So consider Friday as the perfect time to turn your back on the mall and go out to the Barns of Wolf Trap for The Grandsons' annual show with Derek Huston winging his way in from New Orleans.

Or you could take yourself downtown and meet up with a bunch of old 9:30 Club types at the Black Cat for the big reunion with American Corpse Flower, Sister-Ex and Throwdown Syndicate. Our old pal, Freak Fred will be back in town for this ear plug worthy show which pays tribute to beloved DC music man, the late Tom Terrell.

Last but not least The Nighthawks and Skip Castro are over at the State Theater- a great place to see live music brought to you by seasoned pros.

The Past Isn't Even Past with the Vi-kings

This Friday The Vi-kings- are playing at Clyde's at the District Line. (You know where that is, right? Just across Wisconsin Avenue from Woodies?)  The Vi-kings were born out of a Whitman High school reunion, but what they do best is take you for a ride back to the past- back when we gave peace a chance.

Actually I don't know WHAT is across the street now, but Clyde's is still there even after the Beverly Hillsification that happened to Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase a few years ago. My classmate, Catherine's  dad, John Richards Andrews was one of the men who designed that Clyde's, and I think it was the first one that branched out from the original dive down in Georgetown. On your way downstairs to see the band, look at the big honking mural over the stair well. See the little guy in the kilt under the tree? That was painted in Mr. Andrews' memory. Now you know.

Great music. No cover. No minimum. Have one for "Rick."

Remember Those Salad Days and Other Things

In 1606 the term "salad days" first cropped up when Shakespeare's Cleopatra was pondering her youthful hot romance with Julius Caesar. In 1971 "Salad Days" was known as Episode 33 of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Some years and a cart load of fake blood later,  DC's own punk rockers Minor Threat produced a song by the same name  in 1985.

And that song has inspired former Slickee Boy drummer, Dan Palenski to sequester himself in a radio station down in Richmond, Viriginia. He keeps that punk rock thing alive with his show- you guessed it- Salad Days on WRIR from 7-9 every Friday. This Saturday, however, Dan will host another show- "Songs From the Big Hair " from 3-5 p.m. Joining him to send out a shout out to DC's own 80's scene will be long time pal, Robbie White, who is driving all the way down there so we can hear him up here.

WRIR is an independent radio station- a rare breed. Listen on the net, DC- this one's for you.

So Long to Surf Club...Really

Yes, the rumors are true, and the unbelievers will just have to take this picture as proof. "Chick Hall's Surf Club" and "Surf Club Live" is no more. The building has been sold, gutted and is on it's way to becoming a laundromat.

Thank you to the Hall family and the Byrums for all the effort you put into this place, and for giving DC a place to dance for over fifty years. No amount of detergent can wash away all the musical memories you helped create.

Don't Let Little Red Down

Live music needs live bodies. Please support this show and the venues that give life support to local bands. Little Red and the Renegades will be kicking up (the imaginary) Texas dust at Hill Country BBQ this Thursday. It's a lot more fun than a telethon.

Occupy This

We don't usually do bands from out of town, but Danny Ross has spun our attention his way with his "Laid Off Tour." Keeping up with current events, Danny Ross is a recently laid off Congressional staffer on his way here from New York with a nine piece band which is NOT economical, but will be a lot of music for just $12.
Danny will be occupying IOTA this Friday night along with local favorite Justin Trawick.
Spend your tax dollars wisely- support local clubs and music!

Local Bands at Local Hangout Rule DC

A Winner On Eighteenth Street

Though we're not big on sports here at DC Rocks - this review from good friend and sports fan, jholbax, gave us food for thought:

"I still find it hard to speak about the Phillies loss in the first round. I watched a lot of those games, as well as many other of my favorite teams games at Ventnor, a little slice of Philadelphia on 18th Street N.W.  To me, the place has always been very friendly. They have a knack for hiring fun staff, the food is good, and Philly Phans Phlock there, so it's always easy to talk to anyone at the bar. 

Now to why I am writing about this place: I was really hungry. One of the reasons I stopped in there was because they have this great pigs-in-the blanket appetizer. I ordered a Bud and the pigs.  Catherine, the bartender, says, "Ahhh we just took them off the menu."  I am crushed and ask for a menu.  She gives it to me, and I peruse. I see "Fried Lobster Mac."  Ask the bartender about it- she says get it. I do. 

Mac and cheese with lump lobster, seemingly formed by an ice cream scoop, and then deep fried lightly with a really nice bread crumby crust.  Ladies and Gentlemen - may I present the newest best plate on 18th St.  It is fantastic and only $11."

Trick...or Treat? That Is the Question

DC Rocksphoto

All Souls Gather Saturday

Like the tide over the years, Chick Hall's Surf Club has been up, and Surf Club has been down. In its country music hay day amazing things happened there including the likes of Patsy Cline and Lefty Frizzell, not to mention Chick Hall himself, one of DC's secret music legends. When JB Byrum took over the club several years ago, he did his best to keep the Surf Club music scene alive and well, despite the ups and downs of the economy and lack of community support. 
This Saturday - show JB the love- come out to the last live show booked at Surf Club for the foreseeable future. (If I were a music fan with nostalgic leanings and a craving for grits and similar groceries, I would definitely make the effort to be there.)
 King Soul is playing, and on the eve of the eve of All Hallow's Eve, Tom Clifford and his very capable band can take care of all your soulful needs.

Surreal Is the New Real

Parties down at the water's edge take on a reality of their own...and this one on Friday night featuring Color School (not the art movement but a band)  looks like it will take on a life of its own.

Ghoul's Night Out

Every year I hear some confusion over the event known as All Hallow's Eve or Halloween. The origins of this celebration are murky, but some stories include a Celtic festival marking Summer's end. Flash forward a few hundred years, and we've got the Christian twist which turned things Saint-ward. Still later traditions included wandering from door to door begging for food in exchange for prayers for all those lost souls.

What I know is Halloween is Monday. Trick-or-treaters go out on Monday, and adults better go out over the weekend in order to spiritually prepare themselves for the upcoming sugar fired effects of over active young beggars. This Friday Strathmore Arts Center is hosting a mixed media event including three bands and poster art called Rock Paper Zombies.  I love this description:

"Just like the hip party you would host—if you lived in a mansion with an art gallery, a cool band and a bartender."

Doors at 8 for Happy Hour specials. (Happy Hour, by the way, was invented to combat the effects of small children and/or beastly co workers on the adult nervous system. Use it wisely and with abandon.)

Virginia Is For The Lost

JVs is a tiny little joint stranded out there in Falls Church near Seven Corners, Virginia. Seven Corners, by the way, should be on the DC area's list of top ten traffic horrors. I also nominate the obvious - the Springfield Mixing bowl, but also- how about trying to merge onto and cross over I-395 from Maine Avenue to the D Street Exit? Scares me every time.

Why would DC Rocks send our readers to this godforsaken suburban outpost?  (Wait-would using godforsaken and suburban in one sentence be the same as a double negative?)

Here's three reasons:

Because the music you will stumble upon there is just that good.
Because they just don't MAKE places like JV's anymore,
and because what do you have to lose besides yourself in Virginia?

Okay 2 out of 3.

There are 2 shows worth checking out at JVs this weekend the first being guitar guru, Dan Hovey and Mary Ann Redmond on Friday night. On  Sunday starting at 5 look for an old fashioned country jamboree running all night and hosted by the legendary Hall Brothers (former proprietors of Chick Hall's Surf Club.) No telling who will show up, but guaranteed the music will be well worth the trip- on both nights.

Be sure to bring your GPS.

This Crew Has Gotta Swing

Vi-Kings Do Rock a Party

The Vi-kings don't like to think of themselves as putting on a concert so much as creating a Happening. A lot of talent is packed into this band including percussion legend, Bob Berberich. This from Stock Wilson pretty much sums things up. Hope it works for you: "The Vi-kings are the breeze that blew through Liverpool, Surrey and Richmond. Out of the Haight, down Sunset Boulevard, up the Mississippi and along south Michigan Avenue, it blew down Beacon Street, across Washington Park and into... Chevy Chase."

Yes, the Happening happensat the Chevy Chase Women's Club. (7931 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD) Friday 7:30- 12  Doors open at 7 p.m. with limited tickets available. $20

Gotta Love the Title: "Anti-Mosquito Activist Tells City to Put a Sock in It"

Just when I despair of DC radio being the most boring thing on the planet, along comes my neighbor and local hero, Doug Dupin who has taken the role of David in this summer's battle of Man Vs. Mosquito. On WAMU this morning,  he provokes a DC official into talking about dirty socks.

d.c.space still on our mind(s)

The corner of Seventh and E Streets, Northwest D.C. It's a Starbucks now; it was Clara Barton's office long ago. In the middle of all of that it was d.c. space where all kinds of art and music took place from 1977 until 1991. If this means anything to you, or if you would like to get a glimpse into how cool this little place once was-the DC Music Salon is hosting a retrospective this Wednesday at the Watha T. Daniel- Shaw Library. A discussion, a presentation and a happening featuring people who were there, live footage, music and more. 7- 9 p.m.

The Basement People

photo by chip py

Quarry House types (and you know who you are) or if you ever wanted to be one -there's a great show this Saturday night featuring the David Kitchen band. As usual DC Rocks promotes a lot of music for very little money in a not to be replicated, genuine throw back dive.

Save Where Poe Slept

Quite a few towns like to claim the relatively short and somewhat tragic lifespan of Edgar Allan Poe.  There's a square in his honor in Boston. (though he once called his birth place a "provincial frogpondium") His dorm room is well preserved on the lawn at the University of Virginia. (even though he had to drop out for lack of funds) There's a museum in Richmond where Poe grew up with the people who almost adopted him. And there's The Poe House in Baltimore where Poe met and married his young cousin. Mr. Poe died in Baltimore on October 7, 1849, and his death is still a bit of a mystery which  I suspect is just how he would like it.

Baltimore, I have to admit is a way cooler city in many respects than this humble burg, but the city has cut funding to this very romantic site. This Friday- 162 years to the day after his demise, The Velvet Lounge on U Street NW is hosting a benefit to save the Poe House with a raffle and live music including DC ROCKS' fave- Nunchucks. The event kicks off at 9:30 p.m.
Only $8 admission.

A sculpture of E. A. Poe by Paul Spaulding landed in NW DC

They'll Be Dancing in the Streets

Where are all these people going? Right where they were last year- watching music in the middle of the street in the middle of Takoma Park which makes this none other than the Takoma Park Street Festival. Bands band bands.  Food food food.  Farmer's Market and festive stuff. Live music scheduled from 11- 5 on three different stages- all this Sunday. Free.

Guitar Wonks' Alert

Friday Is Top Heavy

Today is Wednesday. Hump day- gotta get through to the other side day for the majority of working stiffs. For many musicians though, it's actually the weekend. A Sunday night kind of thing since a lot of bands start their weekends on Thursday. Here in Washington where the weather has been and continues to be partly sunny partly cloudy chance of thunderstorms for what seems like years now, it could be any day -same weather.

You could make things different. Go and see a live show. There are a lot of choices this week. Thursday night The Thrillbillys will command the Sunset Grille as usual.  Friday night  Baked and Wired in Georgetown is hosting an unplugged show with Peter Maybarduk.  Energetic types might want to go downtown to the Rock n Roll Hotel to catch The Great Unknowns who are doing  a benefit show for American veterans. And last but not least, you dancing animals should head over to Surf Club Live for a double header featuring The Grandsons and Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble. All of these shows are less than $20, but a little money goes a long way in the music world around here.

A Truly Honky Tonk Girl for One of DC's Last True Honky Tonk's

Good Things in Small Packages

The Sunset Grille in Annandale could not be a weirder, funkier, more down to earth kind of bar if it tried. (Yes, it's in Virginia, but it's a straight shot off that necessary evil- The Beltway.)
Music there ranges from pretty good to over the top outstanding, and the cover is never a big deal. Never a bad view-The Grille might be eight people deep from bar to stage- the picture above ,of the night Eddie Angel of Los Straightjackets showed up, was taken from the bar with a phone.

This THURSDAY go see David Kitchen and you will see what we mean.


Here's what's happening from Mr Kitchen:

"Come to The Sunset Grille, my home away from home where this Thursday night I will be bringing in my buddies to play the flat out rock and roll, double shuffling country numbers and funky old soul tunes that will have you dancing for sure. Dan Hovey on guitar, Jon Combs on bass and Robbie Magruder on drums. "

Thursday is the New Friday by Lynn Thorp

Whether you are in DC or one of our readers to the North or South, there's something for you to do this Thursday night.

At the Ottobar in Baltimore, DC's own Dear Season (Nathan Strejcek, Phil Duarte and Sean Randolph) will join Glen Matlock and the Philistines and two other bands. (Rock History Quiz: Do you know who Glen Matlock is?)

At DC9, you can catch 7 Door Sedan, Sister Ex and Marshall Keith. Doors at 8:30, bands at 9 pm in that order.

And at JV's out in Virginia-it's Dan Hovey. A lotta music.

You can't go wrong here folks. Support local music and your friends!

Thursdays Can Be Thrilling

Our Man About Town

George Pelecanos writes prolifically and profoundly, and sets his books in and around his hometown- our own Washington D.C. A big music fan, George writes about the real streets and sounds of Washington and that rarely includes Pennsylvania Avenue- especially now that the Powers That Be have seen fit to close the roads around the White House which cripples crosstown traffic. (How ironic that with all the latest 9/11 hoopla, there is talk of terrorists taking advantage of our horrible evacuation routes!)

But I digress.

George Pelecanos- will be reading from his new book, The Cut at Politics and Prose this Monday at 7 p.m. This independent bookstore has outlasted the Borders mega chain and holds down the fort near the corner of Connecticut and Nebraska.

Remembering Kazz

DC ROCKS readers may want to know about the plans to honor Kazz Montgomery, a legendary figure in our music and entertainment scene and a bright light in the lives of many in our community. Here's the info:

Saturday, September 10, 2011
GREENE FUNERAL HOME
814 Franklin Street, Alexandria VA 22314
(703) 549 - 0089

The viewing will be from 10am - 11am
The funeral service will be from 11am - 1pm

Any flowers or cards, etc. that you may wish to send may be delivered to:
GEORGIA BROWN'S RESTAURANT; 950 15th Street NW; Washington DC 20005
PHONE : (202) 393-4499

Goodbye Summer and Good Riddance

Perhaps the only good thing about the end of summer is the first freeze will knock out that incredibly pesky pest- the Mosquito. Besides feeding bats, I can't think of a single reason these blood suckers are here on the planet except to ruin the great outdoors for the rest of us.

Everybody complains, but few really do something about the invasion. My local hero, Doug Dupin is on the mission. He participated in DC's West Nile monitoring  program and was disappointed that the Tiger Mosquito, clearly our worst offender, was eluding capture. Doug went the extra mile , however, and developed the perfect lure-which involves smelly foot wear.  A giant step forward for civilization in the War of Bug vs Man. Read more about here at The Palisades Museum of Prehistory.

Relax-Chuck's in Charge for Labor Day Weekend

With temperatures back in the nineties forecast for Saturday, it's back to DC weather as usual- as usual as Washington can get being the weirdest city on the planet. (Did anyone else think this was a particularly long August? Not to mention rather peculiar?) At any rate, the long weekend will give DCPS students a much needed respite after two full weeks of school if you don't count that Earthquake break.

What's up for Summer's Last Weekend?

Friday night, Last Train Home, the DC band with Nashville wanderlust, will report back to their true home bar IOTA for one show only with good friends Chris Watling, Dave Van Allen and Kevin Cordt coming out for full press band support.

Then Sunday, the deepest DC experience award has got to go to the National Symphony's tribute to native cats John Sousa, Duke Ellington and Mr.  Chuck Brown (!) happening on the West lawn of the Capital at 8 p.m. This concert will be followed by a performance featuring the only man in that crew that is still very much alive.

So good bye August and hello September. Slip out of those white bucks and gear up for November .

Hunker Down- Shows Cancelled Tonight

Mother Nature is not to be argued with so Surf Club and Chuck Brown shows have been cancelled for this evening. Fill the bathtub with gin and take it easy 'til we meet again.

Real Rocking Beats Quaking

DC really did rock yesterday, but now it's time to get over the earth quake and look forward to real rocking plus maybe a hurricane this weekend. (As the Cowardly Lion would say "Unusual weather we're having, ain't it?") And why do they name hurricanes but not earthquakes? I would've called this one "Little Susie." (You know "Quake up, Lil Susie, quake up)

Although live shows have been suspended at Surf Club of late, this weekend the show(s) will go on so please come out and support this venue and keep this place more than just a great idea.

Friday night a Hank Williams tribute brings a variety of musicians out to give HW the musical nod he so well deserves. (You might want to sport dancing shoes and a cowboy hat for this one.)

And Saturday brings the long awaited return of The Beatnik Flies- a band that that just plain defies the box. It's been two years since the Flies played, and with The Yachtsmen at the helm for openers, this will be a night to remember. Original music and attire all OVER the place so come as you want to be.
Just be sure you are there.

Play It Again, Marginal Man

All the original members of Marginal Man will reunite THIS SATURDAY at the Black Cat. If you know the name of this band then I am preaching to the choir, but if you don't this is original DC harDCore springing from our very own home town when 9:30 was on F Street and Dischord Records gave bands like this a voice... on vinyl.

Here's Mark Noone's take: 
 "Marginal man had the power. That double guitar attack contributed to their wide loud sound. They also sported a great front man and killer drummer; Slickees were considering him when Dan Palenski left."

And this from a deep background source at the 9:30 Club: 
"Although they came out of the harDCore scene, I always felt they were a little different than many of those other bands. They had plenty of songs that were serious, like "Identity", but also had some more fun, light-hearted songs, like the instrumental "Chocolate Pudding", and a pop sensibility to their songwriting.  I now see them as one of the founding bands of the "pop-punk" genre, which later became huge and spawned very successful bands like Green Day, although their influence on others up and coming bands was not apparent at the time. It takes time and perspective to see how influential they were."

Also on the bill: Strike Anywhere and Damnation ID. 

Tickets $15

Support Your Local Surfers

You may have heard that live shows at the Surf Club have been suspended due to an overlooked and unchecked box on a form and an unfortunate series of events possibly resulting in a nearby shooting last March after the club had closed. This incident did NOT involve live music and did not occur at the Surf Club and is the ONLY act of its kind in the three and a half years JB has owned the club.

Politically the towns of Edmonston and Hyattsville are torn between having a club and shutting it down. Most people involved in making the decision have never attended a show there and mistakenly think it's a dark and violent place, not one where the disco ball inspires swing and zydeco types to go nuts only on the dance floor.

Shows have already been cancelled, but a temporary though precarious permit has been issued for the Hank Williams tribute and The Beatnik Flies Reunion- August 26 and 27. If you want to see more shows like this, please take a minute  and help keep this historic and endangered honky-tonk  live and alive.  Here's how:

Write to Chairman Franklin D. Jackson of the Prince Georges County Liquor Board. Chairman Jackson oversees the board which has the authority to amend the oversight in the application that would allow live bands to once again play at the Surf Club. Please speak of your experiences there, and whether this included witnessing any sort of violence.

(Chairman Jackson's emails are directed to him by staff members.)

Email:

KEMarkomanolakis@co.pg.md.us (Kelly)

DMBryant@co.pg.md.us (Diane)

Direct Mail:

Franklin D Jackson, Chairman

Board of License Commissioners

County Service Building

5012 Rhode Island Ave., Room 204

Hyattsville, MD 20781

Gone Fishing

Yeah. It's August. Things are slow, and as usual Congress has left such a mess that even DC Rocks needs a vacation.
 See ya next week.