All Hail Holly's

Beach season is peaking now, and it seems like half of DC is roaming the boardwalks of Bethany and Rehobeth while the other half is down in Ocean City getting a body part tattooed or pierced. Traffic can be the stuff of nightmares- especially if an accident happens near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  I have no solution for this problem, but there is a balm, also known as a chocolate milk shake at Holly's.

When my parents were young and short on funds, there was no Bay Bridge, only a ferry. They would load the kids, towels, bathing suits and lunch into the car and make the 4 hour trip to the shore for the day.

For the day.

Ocean City 1950

Whatever method they used to cross over to the Eastern Shore, my dad liked to stop at Holly's Restaurant for a chocolate milk shake. Holly's has been around since the 1950s, and the inside feels as if time stood still with wooden booths, tile floors and a counter top flanked by chrome and vinyl stools. There's even an old water fowl gun hanging over the kitchen door - right near the picture of the original owners- the Ewing family- not far from the antique weight machine and stoves.

You can still stop in for a bite at Holly's- although it takes a bit of tactical planning and engineering to get off Route 50 now, but it's well worth it - especially if you like endangered species like family run restaurants. If you are lucky, the iconic soft shell sandwich will be available. It's like eating a crunchy delicious spider on white bread. (and if that description turns you off, well... the more for me) Places like this are disappearing at an alarming rate, and I am truly sorry to say, Holly's is no exception. The property has been sold.

(Think Royal Farms by next year. Ugh. )

Good bye old milk shake machine. Good bye wooden booths and the weight machine near the bath rooms. Good bye Maryland crab soup, fried chicken and soft shell sandwiches.  Farewell to home made ice cream. Get that milk shake while you can.

Good Things in Small places

photo by Geoffrey Baker

This week's good things include Dave Chappell at JVs on Thursday and 7 Door Sedan and friends at the Treehouse Lounge on Friday

Not to mention Alma Tropicalia and Black Masala at Comet Ping Pong also on Friday. 

Just to name a few…so much to do.

Georgetown Rocks This Saturday

David  Kitchen/ photo by Gerald Martineau

Ask any local musician who has shoehorned themselves and their band onto a stage like JVs, or stuffed themselves into an alcove flanked by a women's room and cases of beer. Why do they do it?
It's definitely not for the money, and certainly there's not much glory in lugging equipment up and down Blair-Witchy type stairs to a beer soaked basement.  Most will tell you they do it because they love to gig and because…it's just what they do.

David Kitchen and Johnny Castle /photo by Gerald Martineau

Come this Saturday however, local favorites The Thrillbillys, The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours and  the David Kitchen Band will be spreading their wings for a roots rock extravaganza which might be the DC show of the Summer in a rather spacious room that is Gypsy Sally's in Georgetown. (capacity 300)

Space to dance, tables and chairs and a separate bar on the side. The talent on this rare triple bill are one of the main reasons I keep flogging at this blog so please show up and show these guys we know why DC rocks.

Rhodes Tavern Troubadours/ photo by Steve Brown

Bethesda's Walt Whitman High must have something in the water that attracts musicians and music lovers alike. James Brown played there. A lot of local talent made it through four years there...including most of the members of The Vi-Kings- a rocking kick-ass high school reunion band that won't go away (and that's a good thing.)

 Catch them this Friday night at a new venue for them- The Harp and Fiddle on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda- a seemingly unremarkable bar with very old Psyche delly-ic vibes hiding in them there walls.

Taking A Breather

Low humidity? Blue skies? Is it a dream or are we still in DC in July? I hear the cicadas tuning up and there's a scary amount of cucumbers taking over my 'fridge so yes, it's summertime, but the next two days are supposed to be more like New England than our usual Swampoodle dog days. Fort Reno last two shows were rained out, but tomorrow night's looking good to go with Priests, Sotano and Puff Pieces on the bill.

No Blue Tuesday

Take advantage of the summer slow down. Sneak out Tuesday and see my friend Robbin light up the stage with her band Vintage 18 at  JVs- that suburban surprise in the wilds of Virginia where the music never stops- not even for a week night.

Rise Again Fort Reno

The Fort Reno concert series will endure this summer after all starting tonight with Captivators and Malatese. There's almost always a breeze here on DC's highest hill. Come see for yourself why this scene is so cool.
Mondays and Thursday throughout July.
7- 9:30 p.m.

Fourth in the Hood

Tourists may flock to Washington, DC for the Fourth of July, but for us locals, the official DC parade saunters, rolls, and dances down MacArthur Boulevard featuring everything from the classic fire truck to home made floats, judged in part by my good friend and colorfully corruptible patriot, Mat Thorp.

This year 's parade will be longer than usual with a mayoral race coming up for DC, and by the way, that's turning into a real contest rather than the expected shoe in after a primary. My favorite underdog running is Faith the candidate of the Statehood Green Party. (like Cher - no last name, please) Faith is the only contender endorsed by Marlon Brando- a show biz gal all the way.

Finally, the parade pours itself into a free for all party at Palisades Park on Sherier Place with hot dogs, watermelon. live music, as well as a live moon bounce and a water spray park for the young at heart. Meet the candidates or climb on a fire truck.
Come on out and get down with my home town.

Roll time: 11 a.m /Safeway near V Street and MacArthur Blvd.

Fort Reno's Back Thanks to Flack

Mark Noone Protesting Last Week @ Fort Reno

Hey,  DC Rockers- the tide has turned. Fort Reno is on again and ready to rock thanks in large part to collective outrage. Once the word was out that the concert series was cancelled for the summer, the word became pressure… and suddenly there was a productive meeting today between event organizer, Amanda MacKaye and the Park Service after all. You can read all about what happened here.

The first concert will kick off on July 7, and performances will continue throughout the month on Mondays and Thursdays. Bring the blankets, dogs and kids and celebrate live music.

What's Up with Fort Reno?

Fort Reno is one of the very few outdoor venues which features experimental music- most often youth oriented rock and rollers trying to break into the scene, but this year,  I'm sad to say, the park will be dark.

The whole shooting match is in jeopardy thanks to the indifference and bureaucracy of the Park Police who have stalled issuing this season's permit along with a new, and as yet, unexplained demand requiring a paid officer attend every event according to the venue organizer Amanda MacKaye. Please read what she has to say and decide for your self, but I get the feeling if we don't tell the Park Service this concert series is too important to lose, Fort Reno may be relegated back to the history buffs and the ghosts of the Civil War.

P.S. I hear some people had trouble with the link above so here's teh park service info.

National Capital Parks-East
1900 Anacostia Drive, SE
Washington, D.C. 20020
Phone: 202-426-5961
Fax: 202-690-1425

And now there's a petition, too. Check it out here.

Yes My Goodness Yes

Led Zep Redux @ AFI

Twenty Five Years and Twang Proud

All you people who were out and about 25 years ago might remember when a DC original roots/country band came to life. (Can it really be 25 years?)

The year was 1989. You remember 1989… right?

(Metallica was big, but I never really dug them)

No?

Come to think of it, nothing about that year really stands out for me... so maybe it's safe to say that Ruthie and the Wranglers was what was going on because when I google the year in images this is what I get:

That being said, let's turn our eyes forward to this Saturday when a celebration/reunion party/throw down will be going on at Gypsy Sally's, a night club which is trying to create a niche in a part of town where we all used to want to be: Georgetown. Get there early ( around 7) to reminisce in the Vinyl Lounge; get there a later for the music, but make sure you catch The Bumper Jacksons who will be bringing their creative and crazy retro sound to the mix as the opening band.

A fun night no matter how you look at it.

Keepin Body and Soul Alive

I saw the extravaganza that is  "A Southern Soul Tribute" twice.

Enough said?

This Saturday will most likely be the last chance to see it because wrangling this many musicians together isn't even like herding cats- it's more like herding flies. The line up is a variation on the last two performances, but still smoking hot, and in one of my favorite venues in DC-the Hamilton. (once upon a time the old Garfinckel's on 14th and F)

The Hamilton takes full advantage of this formidable and grand building (which dates back to 1929) with completely reinvented spaces featuring uptown bars, an extensive restaurant and a top of the line performance space in the basement. Good food; great service. Tickets are a little pricier than most shows I write about, but still quite a bargain.

Tiger Pride

At first I was annoyed that people from Westboro Baptist Church took it upon themselves to come all the way up here to protest Washington's Wilson High School Pride Day events. Personally, I wouldn't give the time of day to a group whose home page boasts the hashtag "godhatesfags." (a rather loose translation of the Bible if I ever heard one. ) No one knew what to expect at the clash of protests this morning, but their tiny band of Baptists was vastly out numbered and, as my 13 year old astutely observed, "Their signs were stupid."

photo by Deean Rubin

 In the end I have to hand it to the hate mongers for inspiring students, families and school staff to come out in droves to show their support of inclusion and love.  The counter protest was peaceful, and everything was over by 9 a.m.

photo by Deean Rubin

Afterwards, I registered my youngest at Wilson for next year, and I am happy he is going to a school with a courageous man like Pete Cahall in charge.

GO TIGERS!

What the Punk?

This week there are two events involving two films - both fascinated with the HarDCore scene here in the Nation's Capital. Thanks to the efforts of a kick-starter campaign, "Punk the Capital" is well on its way,  but the film makers could still use your help to meet their goal. That could be as easy as attending a party at Black Cat this Tuesday. Our old friend, DJ Tommy B from old 9:30 days will provide the music. Film maker James Schneider and Paul Bishow will screen rare  punk films circa 1979 and a section or two of the film.

How much of a fan are you?

Wednesday DC Salon will be hosting Scott Crawford at Shaw Library where he is showing sneak previews of his film "Salad Days." (As far as I can tell this film covers the punk scene of the 1980s from its birth and throughout the decade, where as "Punk the Capital" gives you the back story of how DC bands like Slickee Boys inspired that scene.) Tommy B. will be at both- as most of us probably should be.

Both events hope to bring old friends, band members and fans out of the woodwork so please come join the fray if you can.

Full Throttle Weekend

FRIDAY and SATURDAY 

LIVE MUSIC  CAN'T BE BEAT

When Ratso Met Kinky

Here's a little quiz for you long time DC music fans:

Who was in a band with Eddie Angel of Los Straightjackets?

Who was featured as a character in more than one mystery?

What DC musician plays with that crazy ass Texan Kinky Friedman ?

Who is an Emmy award winning news camera man?

Who can lay claim to all the above?

None other than DC Ratso. 

If you hop into the way back machine with me, back when the Cellar Door was still happening in Georgetown circa 1978, Kinky liked to do a solo show back then, but he also liked to "turn on the juice and cut the damn thing loose" by the end of the night.  Through mutual friends, Kinky found just the man to hook him up with local musicians that could fill that bill: Jim Silman (aka Ratso since college days. ) Those of you who remember Switchblade and Tex Rubinowitz and the Bad Boys will know exactly whom I am talking about; those of you who don't can read all about it here thanks to Buzz McClain. 

Cellar Door might be a thing of the past and Switchblade is no longer together,  but DC Ratso, a not so fictional character, and Kinky Friedman, a character in his own rite, are still making beautiful music together.  Kinky next comes to town June 11 as part of the Washington Jewish Music Festival. (Apropos considering Kinky calls his home band "the Texas Jew Boys.") The festival runs today through June 14th, and features ALL kinds of music from klezmer to reggae, jazz to Broadway; ticketed shows as well as out door free events. Something for everyone, and that's the point.

Vinyl Rocks

Calling all vinyl and nostalgic music fans. If you haven't gotten the chance to see Jeff Krulik's latest film "Led Zeppelin Played Here," tomorrow's event at Artisphere is where you want to be. The  DC Record Fair features music, film, discussions, and loads of vinyl from 11 until 5. The Led Zep movie, screens at 2:30, and will be followed by a talk with both the film maker and Dischord Records' Ian MacKaye. $5 admission all inclusive. Such a deal.

The Kids Are Alright

One thing DC does NOT have is places to take kids to see live music, but summertime opens up a lot more possibilities including the free Washington Folk Festival which runs at Glen Echo this weekend. If you haven't been to the park in a while, you'll be surprised at the restoration which is topped off with a big ole retro style neon sign and an old street car parked right out in front. (I used to go to the music events there in the 1970s when Glen Echo was pretty much abandoned and down to weeds and yurts)
The festival can get zoo-ey so go early or take a bike.

Also there's a rare chance to take the small fry to IOTA this Saturday at 5 pm for an all ages matinee with the NRIs who are celebrating their new CD "Playground." Check out  "Across the River." It's one of my favorite DC songs.  NRIS also play a "drinking age show" later that night with Light Arms and Step Pets.