ROSCOE ROCKS THIS SUNDAY

Nuclear free Takoma Park. Tacky Park. Tree city. Whatever you want to call it, it's an eclectic neighborhood full of characters, small shops and now, finally, a fine little bar called The Olive Lounge. Washington has its statues, but Takoma has its rooster. And it's a fun place to hang out -especially the first Sunday of October when the streets close down for a rather remarkable musical event- the Takoma Park Street Fest. Music will be happening all day on three separate stages, and many of DC ROCKS' favorite local bands will be there. It's a free for all in the best sense of the word. Wander around and you're sure to find something you like. (This writer will definitely be getting more exercise than usual trying to catch two or more acts at the same time.) Take a look at the schedule, and you will see what I mean.

Parking can be tight, but the Metro will deliver you just a few blocks away.

Free Music/Free Spirits

Takoma Park. It's a haven for the oh so politically correct set- plus artists, writers, and musicians. You could shoot a Nerf gun down Carroll Avenue, and your chances of hitting a Republican are probably a thousand to one. (I'll bet Cheney has never even stepped foot in this berg.) At any rate, this Sunday head on up there for a  great escape from all the talking heads and problems of the last week.

Since 1981 The Takoma Park Street Festival has been a great all day party with craft and food vendors and stuff for kids to do.  Best of all, three stages of live music will be happening from one end of town to the other. This year's line up is pretty amazing, including Ruthie and The Wranglers, Janine Wilson, Tommy Lepson, Billy Coulter, King Soul and more! Hit the link above for a list of all the bands, times, and locations. Wake up with 7 Door Sedan at 11 and polish the day off at 4 with Chopteeth and/or The Nighthawks , but whatever you do, don't miss PRABIR AND THE SUBSTITUTES at 2 p.m. at the dance stage.

Parking can be problematic at this event, but The Metro is just a few blocks away.

Ottley/Beatnik Fly Alert

Sangha on Westmoreland Avenue in Takoma Park is an unusual space- part store-part somebody's living room- and furthermore, it's a really fun place to see a band. Two blasts (and I don't use that word lightly) from our area past will be there this Saturday. Slickee boy legends, Marshall Keith and Martha Hull make up two out of three members of Ottley- a self described garage band. And Bob Berberich, the other member, was the original drummer for Grin and the Hangmen. The Beatnik Flies have been together, well, since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, but they played Sangha a few months ago, and it was great. It's amazing what this town can cough up in the way of talent.
So here's the scoop from Joe Dolan, spokesman Fly:
"The doors open at 8:30. Ottley will go on about 9:30 for a one hour set. The Beatnik Flies will start at 10:50, and will play until we can't play no more. We are planning on about 20 songs.
THIS SHOW WILL ROCK.
We especially encourage young people to check us out, cause they
usually dig us once they do. Is it our girlish hairdos and dandyish cloths? We don't know.
People should try to get there early, 'cause I don't know how many people this place holds. Admission is
$10 or $6 with student ID. A portion of the proceeds
will be donated to "HUNGRY FOR MUSIC" a charity that
provides musical instruments to kids that cannot afford to buy them.
Also we will be celebrating two birthdays: Martha Hull
(legendary singer of Ottley) and Jennifer (the hard
working lady who runs Sangha Cafe/Sangha Peace
Project. So lets rock!"

Yep, let's go!