Something There Is That Doesn't Love a Wall

Robert Frost 1913

Wow. I find it hard to believe that Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall" was first published in 1914 -over a hundred years ago. It might be worth rereading if you haven't cracked a poetry book in a while. Modern times being what they are, he is also on youtube reading the thing out loud for Pete's sake.

"Before I built a wall I'd ask to know

What I was walling in or walling out,

And to whom I was like to give offense."

I'm with Robert.

In the meantime, while we are busy discussing walls, we might forget that this is really about people. People who are driven to leave their homes in hopes of finding a better life in another country.

One such person is Massama Dogo. He felt compelled to come here about fifteen years ago.  Now he keeps one foot in D.C. and one foot in Togo where he is working on musical projects. His latest video was shot both here and in Africa.  I can't understand a lot of French, but the poignancy of leaving all you know and love for opportunities elsewhere comes through loud and clear.

Massama's band DOGO will be performing at the Bossa Bistro + Lounge Thursday night. Friday night the Bold Deceivers are back doing their thing at Hell's Bottom a.k.a. the Takoma VFW.  Look for more things to do on DC ROCKS calendar and keep thinking about those walls.

Nothing But Gray Skies

The leaden skies which cloak Washington DC seem to be occurring with alarming frequency lately, almost as if the weather senses the federal mood about town. When the sun shines, we squint upward and look for the dimmer switch or dash outside to take advantage of the Vitamin D before the clouds return.

Last Sunday, in keeping with atmospheric upheavals, a mini blizzard occurred just as we began our pilgrimage to Susan Mumford's memorial at the 9:30 Club. Massachusetts Avenue was covered with snow as we cautiously descended to the deserted parking lot on 9th Street which looked more moonscape than District.

As an unintended consequence of the government melt down, Bill Warrell was snowed in at a national park in Delaware while many other friends were marooned just beyond the Beltway. Kudos to Kenny Inouye who gets the long distance award for flying in from Hawaii,

and also to Chris Vine who blew in from Brazil via England.

Brendan Canty was among a myriad of musical troops who joined forces to reprise Tiny Desk Unit - an effort which succeeded in both channeling and honoring Susan. The love in the room inspired all, and we missed those near and far who couldn't make it to say good bye. Thank you to all who helped make this event happen.

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In between storms this weekend, old school rockers might want to seek refuge from the gloaming with the ever reliable Thrillbillys at JV's on Thursday, and Lunch with Bob, featuring Ratso at the helm, will take down the Takoma VFW on Saturday.

Back to Things 9:30

Hey, kids. This Saturday night the 9:30 Club is putting on a show with all home grown bands which is not so much the norm on V Street.  The "rockabilooza" line up features Jumpin' Jupiter, The Grandsons and Virginia and the Blue Dots, but I'm also looking forward to Dingleberry Dynasty shaking things up in a different way. Attendance counts if we want to see more DC area bands on the marquee although a possible snow day might interfere with the head count. Don't be weenies, you all.  Bonus attraction: long time 9:30-ite, Lisa White will be in the DJ booth.

By the way, the folks at IMP are offering a furlough deal for everyone- not just the beleaguered federal workers:

"We know it won't pay the bills, BUT we're doing what we can to lift spirits during the furlough by offering ticket freebies from now until the shutdown ends (ha!) or 11:59pm on Monday, January 14, (whichever happens first).

Buy a ticket to eligible 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Lincoln Theatre, and 9:30 Presents at U Street Music Hall shows happening through February 8th and get one free (so long as it's not sold out and supplies are available)!" 

Sunday evening, we convene, again at 9:30,  for a concert to remember Susan Mumford who was an early pioneer at both dc space and 9:30 F Street.  Whispers and spirits of the old 9:30 live in the basement on V Street now. Here the original back bar from F Street and art postcards of past show calendars by Mark Holmes grace the walls. When we lose people from the olden days, this is where we gather to remember them. (Thank you, Seth and Rich)

I wrote about Susan back in September, but Alona Wartofsky's wonderful piece for The City Paper was more comprehensive.  Hit the links to read all about it although Susan would probably just say aw, shucks, why bother? But bother we will.

She was a rare and funny bird. She fronted the band Tiny Desk Unit which both christened and closed the club on F Street, yet her musical career and life were both too short. Despite the brevity of our time with Susan, she sparked brightly while she was here on this planet- both on stage and off.

Hello 2019

Goodbye 2018. I'm not sure what to make of you. I hope I learned a thing or two though I can't remember a single thing right now.

Pictures remind me that travels included Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Ohio.and West Virginia. The farthest I got was New Orleans for Mardi Gras, but it turns out Point Pleasant, West Virginia, despite its name, was the scariest place what with the Mothman and all.

I also took a field trip to the Baltimore Aquarium with a bunch of Wilson High school kids. That was fun until I lost one. (What? It was dark in there.)

Holton-Arms was often in the news during the Kavanaugh hearings, but I didn't hear anyone mention that The Slickee Boys made it into the Holton Arms News a while back.  How about that? (A Holton graduate worked on the DC Punk Archive project.)

We marched more than once in 2018 and did some kooky things in the name of making love not war.

I attended a wedding.

and more than one funeral.

In the DC music scene we lost Susan Mumford, Billy Hancock and now, rather suddenly, Andras Fekete. I often mentioned his band Boat Burning, and I am glad I got to see them play before it was too late. Lots of music lies ahead for January. Please make a resolution to see live music in 2019.

Here's a few considerations for your calendars- with more to come:

January 2019 (!)

3

Thrillbillys@ JV

5

Daryl Davis/Patsy Stephens @ College Park Legion

10

Rhodes Tavern Troubadours @ Takoma VFW

12

Local Music Night @ 9:30 Club

13

Susan Mumford Memorial @ 9:30

17

Thrillbillys @ JV

24

Dave Chappell Band @ JV

Dogo @ Bossa Bistro Lounge

26

Tom Principato and Dave Chappell @ JV

27

Jumping Jupiter 4 pm @ JV

30

Robert Gordon/ Chris Spedding w/ Jumping Jupiter @ City Winery

Happy New Year to you all from DC ROCKS