The powerful, brilliant, DC-based trio, The String Queens, have been selling out shows all year. If you can get a ticket to their holiday concert on Thursday night at Heurich House Museum, you won't be sorry.
Week Of: December 9 - 15, 2019
Summary: Season and Sensation
This week's shows are interesting. There's a lot of great and expected seasonal and festive fare, and then a lot of sensational events that might open your mind/senses/eye to another way of being.
Mix them up this week and you'll get your fix both in and our of your comfort zone. Things to consider from each category:
SENSATIONAL SHOWS:
- Mon: Blue Monday Blues Westminster Blues with the Patty Reese Band at Westminster Church
- Tues: The Tuesday Concert Series: Women's Voices in Modern Composition at The Church of the Epiphany
- Tues: Arabic Language through Music - World Arabic Language Day at Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center
- Tues: Exhibition & Discussion | MusicaFemina — exhibition opening of MusicaFemina followed by a panel discussion on how to achieve gender diversity in music to be central in a gender balanced society — at Austrian Cultural Forum Washington
- Tues: Maja Hagedorn Talk : Estrogenes, Glitter Nails & Toxic Masculinity - This Could Go Boom! presents guest speaker Maja Hagedorn, Activist and Founder of the European-based Queers to the Front Booking, who will explore privilege and toxic masculinity through her personal experiences growing up male in the punk rock scene and coming out, followed by Q&A discussion and performance UK artist and producer Beth Munroe at 7DrumCity
- Wed: Seth Kibel & The Kleztet: Tribute to Benny Goodman & Artie Shaw at J&J
- Wed: 2019 KCC Year-End Concert with Three Korean Virtuoso Musicians at Larz Anderson House
- Thurs: Karim Nagi: Alive & Diverse at Ascension Church of The-Episcopal
- Fri: NextLOOK: Chitra Subramanian Presents Temple —through the language of Indian Dance and Hip Hop culture, Chitra Subramanian explores the experiences and stories of her South Asian immigrant journey through the lens of the major institutions that were powerful anchors in her life — at Joe's Movement Emporium
- Sat: Art Ensemble of Chicago! commemorating the group’s 50th anniversary with a concert event featuring elaborate costumes, theater, dance, and more; always challenging the notion of what a performance should be at The Kennedy Center
- Sat: L'enfance Du Christ — Berlioz’s grand oratorio is uniquely staged as a community exploration of human migration and the power of hospitality to those fleeing persecution, audiences can experience this production in a traditional way, or choose to be part of an interactive moving experience, through which they will travel with performers throughout the space — at Foundry United Methodist Church
- Sun: Yearning to Breathe Free — debut of an original concert of American Music and narrative with songs from the immigrant, African-American, religious, and military perspectives — at Arts Club of Washington
- Sun: Sonic Futures: The Music of Afrofuturism — This event brings together three musical giants who have made monumental contributions to Afrofuturism as we know it today. George Clinton, Nona Hendryx, and Vernon Reid will be joined on stage by world-renowned scholar and critic Alondra Nelson for an hour-long exploration of Afrofuturism – where it came from, where it is going, and what it has to offer us — at The REACH at The Kennedy Center
SEASONAL SOUNDS:
- Mon: Holiday Music You May Not Have Heard at Levine Music
- Mon: MERRY Tubachristmas! (FREE) at The Kennedy Center
- Wed: NSO at the Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert at The Anthem
- Thurs: Holidays with The String Queens at Heurich House Museum (featured)
- Thurs: Season Opening Concert with Lara Downes and Alicia Hall Moran at Arena Stage
- Thurs - Sun: NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops! with Leslie Odom, Jr. at The Kennedy Center
- Thurs - Sun: Freddy & Lionel Cole "For the Holidays" (Piano/Vocals) at 8p and 10p at Blues Alley
- Thurs: Holiday Concert with Tony Craddock, Jr. & Cold Front at U.S. Botanic Garden
- Thurs: Christmas Concert by The Catholic University Sacred Music Consort at Embassy of Argentina
- Fri: Handel, Hamilton, and Holiday Music Concert at The Kennedy Center
- Sat: SING! An Irish Christmas: Washington, DC at The Kennedy Center
- Sat: DCFlutes Winter Concert at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
- Sat & Sun: The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington Holiday Show at The Lincoln Theatre
- Sun: Songs of the Season at The Kennedy Center
- Sun: A Celtic Christmas at Dumbarton Concerts
- Sun: 2019 Holiday Concert by DCDD Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and small ensembles at Church of the Reformation
So get out there and eat some comfort food and hear some things you LOVE, but also try something new and learn how other PEOPLE experience COMFORT and WARMTH in similar or different ways.
So much to choose from this week, with even more shows listed in the links below, with personal choices in bold, along with a list of the DCMR staff top picks and cool "gems" that you don't want to miss.
Mon — December 9
DCMR Staff Picks
- Blue Monday Blues Westminster Blues with the Patty Reese Band at Westminster Church
- Chadwick Stokes & The Pintos at Sixth & I
- CJ Chenier at City Winery DC
- Mariah Carey at MGM Grand (Oxon Hill)
Jams, Mics & Such
- Free Acoustic Open Mic, hosted by Rachel Levitin at Jammin' Java (Vienna)
- JAMonday at Epicure Café (Fairfax)
- Open Blues Jam w/ Linwood & Westcott at JV's (Falls Church)
- The Session Hosted By Clarence Ward III at Terra Cafe (Baltimore)
- DC Cabaret Network Open Mic at Seasons & Sessions
- Holiday Music You May Not Have Heard! — discover and discuss songs for the holidays from Finland, Cape Verde, Spain, and Broadway; familiar carols and songs in unfamiliar versions; and a setting for the Hanukkah hymn preserved by an Italian Catholic composer — at Levine Music
- Lady DJ Clinic: Mixing and Production Flow School at EWBA Store in Brookland Arts Walk
Sparkling Gems
- Case Graham and Erik Bradford at Galaxy Hut
- Horse Jumper of Love | Ozmo and Spring Silver at Songbyrd
- Veronneau "Snowtime" (Vocals/Guitars/Percussion) at 8p and 10p at Blues Alley
- MERRY Tubachristmas! (FREE) at The Kennedy Center
- Robin Bullock, Ken Kolodner & Elke Baker at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church (Rockville)
- Jahnel Daliya / SHEILA / Zoo Trippin / Wyatt Baldwin / Ben Phelp at Cornerstone Cigar Bar & Restaurant (Richmond)
Tue — December 10
DCMR Staff Picks
- The Tuesday Concert Series: Women's Voices in Modern Composition at The Church of the Epiphany
- Johnny Gandelsman plays the Complete Bach Cello Suites at Rhizome DC
- Cher at Capital One Arena
- Mariah Carey at MGM Grand (Oxon Hill)
Jams, Mics & Such
- Open Mic feat. Big Like Bear at Sauf Haus
- Open Mic Night w/ Silky Dave at Gypsy Sally's Vinyl Lounge
- Open Mic Jam Session at Mayahuel Cocina Mexicana
- The Tuesday Jam at Tabor Ethiopian Restaurant (Baltimore)
- Exhibition & Discussion | MusicaFemina — exhibition opening of MusicaFemina, followed by a panel discussion on how to achieve gender diversity in music to be central in a gender balanced society — at Austrian Cultural Forum Washington
- Maja Hagedorn Talk : Estrogenes, Glitter Nails & Toxic Masculinity - This Could Go Boom! presents guest speaker Maja Hagedorn, Activist and Founder of the European-based Queers to the Front Booking, who will explore privilege and toxic masculinity through her personal experiences growing up male in the punk rock scene and coming out, followed by Q&A discussion and performance UK artist and producer Beth Munroe at 7DrumCity
Sparkling Gems
- Sam Amidon | Lotion Princess at Songbyrd
- Arabic Language through Music - World Arabic Language Day at Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center
- Immortal Bird, Erlkonig, & The Osedax at Atlas Brew Works
- Season Opening Concert with Lara Downes and Alicia Hall Moran at Arena Stage
- Trifling Tuesday Musical Charity Hang: One for Josh! at The Wonderland Ballroom
- Dumbarton House Chamber Series FREE at Dumbarton House, NSCDA Museum & Headquarters
- Chamber Camerata at Phillips Hall, GWU
- The Arcadians at King's Tavern and Wine Bar (Leesburg)
- Hampden Shakedown with The Sultans Of JARF and guests at Zissimos Bar (Baltimore)
- Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey at 7:30p and 9:30p at Keystone Korner (Baltimore)
Wed — December 11
DCMR Staff Picks
- Jerry Tripsters - Deadcember at The 8x10 (Baltimore)
- Jojo Mayer / NERVE at U Street Music Hall at U Street Music Hall
- Lutosławski Piano Duo on the Millenium Stage FREE at 6p at The Kennedy Center
- Kirk Franklin at The Kennedy Center
- Michelle Bradley and Ken Noda at The Kennedy Center
- Bill Kirchen's Honky Tonk Holiday Show at Rams Head On Stage (Annapolis)
- Squirrel Nut Zippers with The Judy Chops at The Broadberry (Richmond)
Jams, Mics & Such
- Neel Singh’s Holiday Open Jam at Caddie's on Cordell (Bethesda)
- Capitol Hill Jazz Jam at Mr. Henry's
- Open Mic w/ host Alex The Red Parez aka El Rojo at Rhodeside Grill (Arlington)
- Collective Indie Artist Showcase at Takoma Station
- Priest Da Nomad "The Manhood Project" Album Listening Party at Wicked Bloom
- Carols & Cheer at St. Mark's Episcopal Church
- Open Mic at the Cocktail Lab at Tenth Ward Distilling Company (Frederick)
Sparkling Gems
- Mia Zabelka solo and with members of Boat Burning / Literals at Rhizome DC
- Lovejet - Final Show! w/ Adele Marie & The Milkweeds, & Liah at 7DC's The Pocket
- Twin Peaks, Lala Lala, OHMME at Black Cat
- The 5x5 Songwriters Showcase: The Best of Washington DC Songwriting at MilkBoy ArtHouse
- Seth Kibel & The Kleztet: Tribute to Benny Goodman & Artie Shaw at J&J
- NSO at the Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert at The Anthem
- 2019 KCC Year-End Concert with Three Korean Virtuoso Musicians at Larz Anderson House
- Manacá Trio at Bossa Bistro & Lounge
- Swingin' London: Songs of the '60s at Gypsy Sally's
- ilyAIMY at The Vinyl Lounge at Gypsy Sally's
- Some Kind Of Nightmare/Nox Boys/Collider at Slash Run
- Baltimore School for the Arts Benefit Concert at Keystone Korner (Baltimore)
Thu — December 12
DCMR Staff Picks
- Holidays with The String Queens at Heurich House Museum (featured photo)
- Rachael & Vilray with Akie Bermiss at Sixth & I
- Albino Rhino and The Quickening at Gypsy Sally's
- Sol Roots at The Hamilton Live
- NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops! with Leslie Odom, Jr. at The Kennedy Center
- Mumford and Sons, Cold War Kids, SHAED & White Reaper at The Anthem
- Los Lobos at City Winery DC
Jams, Mics & Such
- Project HERA's Ladies Night Open Mic w/ Featured Artist Emma G. at Songbyrd
- Last Mashriq Maghreb Jam Session at Bossa Bistro + Lounge
- Thursday Night Jazz Jam with Landon Paddock at Columbia Station
- Thursday Acoustic Night at The Avenue DC
- Liquid Sessions at Spacylounge
- Danube Sessions at The Green Zone
Sparkling Gems
- Performance: Contemporary Folk Music: Lula Wiles at Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
- Hellogoodbye (solo) at Songbyrd
- 11Grams / The Neuro Farm / This Hollow Machine at DC9 Nightclub
- Karim Nagi: Alive & Diverse at Ascension Church of The-Episcopal (Silver Spring)
- Clarence Ward III & Dat Feel Good Live at Jojo
- João Castro Pinto / Guillermo Pizarro / Maslo at Rhizome DC
- Del Florida + Pocket Bells at Pie Shop DC
- A Tribute to Tchaikovsky - 180th Anniversary Concert at Russian Chamber Art Society
- Bluebeat December: Adam Flymo Birch & The Vershons, The Chariots at The Wonderland Ballroom
- Rise Defy, BOAYT, Capital Offender at Slash Run
- Shredders at Black Cat
- Holiday Concert with Tony Craddock, Jr. & Cold Front at U.S. Botanic Garden
- Freddy & Lionel Cole "For the Holidays" (Piano/Vocals) at 8p and 10p at Blues Alley
- Alicia Ward & Joey Antico at Strathmore (Bethesda)
- The Sean Jones Trio/The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Youth Orchestra at Bethesday Blues & Jazz Supper Club (Bethesda)
- Christmas Concert by The Catholic University Sacred Music Consort at Embassy of Argentina
Fri — December 13
DCMR Staff Picks
- MisterWives with Tessa Violet at The Lincoln Theatre
- Ohio Players at The Birchmere (Alexandria)
- The Chuck Brown Band at The Soundry (Columbia)
- Tyler Childers - Country Squire Run at The Anthem
- Los Lobos at City Winery DC
- Omar Apollo at 9:30 Club
- Cautious Clay (Late Show) at 9:30 Club
- The HamilTones at The Kennedy Center
- NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops! with Leslie Odom, Jr. at The Kennedy Center
- Handel, Hamilton, and Holiday Music Concert at The Kennedy Center
- Justin Trawick and The Common Good at B Chord Brewing Company (Round Hill)
- Reverend Horton Heat presents "Horton's Holiday Hayride" at The Vanguard Brewpub (Hampton)
Jams, Mics & Such
- Open Mic at Dive Bar
- Freestyle Union Reunion (25th!) at The REACH at The Kennedy Center
- Artist Reception - Palestine Through Photo Essays by Hanan Awad - The Saltanah Ensemble will be playing traditional Arabic music as a trio featuring ney flute, qanun and riq / darbuka at The Jerusalem Fund and Palestine Center
- NextLOOK: Chitra Subramanian Presents Temple —through the language of Indian Dance and Hip Hop culture, Chitra Subramanian explores the experiences and stories of her South Asian immigrant journey through the lens of the major institutions that were powerful anchors in her life — at Joe's Movement Emporium (Mount Rainier)
Sparkling Gems
- Crys Matthews at The Carroll Café (Takoma Park)
- Rakim w/ Eze Jackson, B.O.M.B. and Clif Love at Baltimore Soundstage (Baltimore)
- Caustic Casanova, Eat the Cake, Queen Wolf at Pie Shop DC
- Vim & Vigor w/ Kellyn Marie Goler at DC9 Nightclub
- Brendan Ra Tyler at Gypsy Sally's
- Diploplia / Jarrett Gilgore - Asher Herzog Residency Night #3 at Rhizome DC
- Elena & Los Fulanos (Duo) at Capitol Cider House
- Eli Lev at Northside Tavern
- Freddy & Lionel Cole "For the Holidays" (Piano/Vocals) at 8p and 10p at Blues Alley
- Deeper// Emperor Plum// Caution at 7DC's The Pocket
- Jay Byrd and The Musical Trust at Dive Bar
- Emily Hall, Nick Springer Mahogany Bees, The Feelz at Spacylounge
- Chamber Music at Casa Phoenix
- Little Red's Funky Boogie Party at Haydee's
- EMP Holiday Show at Edith May's Paradise (Jessup)
- The Honey Dewdrops at Music on the Square (Baltimore)
- Santa Librada, The OSYX + more at Metro Gallery (Baltimore)
Sat — December 14
DCMR Staff Picks
- Leif Vollebekk at Songbyrd
- Performance: Vijay Iyer, keyboards; Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet at Freer, Meyer Auditorium at Smithsonian's Museum of Asian Art
- Art Ensemble of Chicago! commemorating the group’s 50th anniversary with a concert event featuring elaborate costumes, theater, dance, and more; always challenging the notion of what a performance should be at The Kennedy Center
- SING! An Irish Christmas: Washington, DC at The Kennedy Center
- NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops! with Leslie Odom, Jr. at The Kennedy Center
- Carbonleaf (All Ages Matinee) at Rams Head On Stage (Annapolis)
- Carbonleaf (21+ Over) at Rams Head On Stage (Annapolis)
- Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes at The Birchmere (Alexandria)
Jams, Mics & Such
- L'enfance Du Christ — Berlioz’s grand oratorio is uniquely staged as a community exploration of human migration and the power of hospitality to those fleeing persecution, audiences can experience this production in a traditional way, or choose to be part of an interactive moving experience, through which they will travel with performers throughout the space — at Foundry United Methodist Church
- Thinking About Jazz with Ellen Carter, Jazz Research and Programmer at Westminster Presbyterian Church
- Celebrating The Sanctuaries - Event and Jam! at The Festival Center
- Diary of an R&B Legend: The Legacy of Motown Records at Songbyrd
- BaTiDa! Holiday Edition! Brazilian Vinyl Party w Marcello&Neal! at The Green Zone
- Best of 2010s Flashband Showcase by 7DrumCity at Union Stage
- Kwanzaa Celebration at Dance PlaceAdMo Funk DJ at Seasons & Sessions
Sparkling Gems
- Ex Hex, Gauche, Quattracenta at Ottobar (Baltimore)
- Showcase: Carly Harvey / Matizwave / Huda Asfour at The Dew Drop Inn DC
- Uptown Sagittarius Showdown with Proper Utensils at Takoma Station
- Hambone Relay feat. members of Surprise Attack at Solly's
- Albino Rhino w/ Special Guests Paper Aliens at Crooked Run Brewery (Sterling)
- Rayshun Lamarr at Sotto
- Cristian Allexis & Urbanova at Bossa Bistro + Lounge
- Freddy & Lionel Cole "For the Holidays" (Piano/Vocals) at 8p and 10p at Blues Alley
- Slim Jim Phantom Trio (ft. Jennie Vee) w/ Jumpin' Jupiter at City Winery DC
- Lomelda, Long Beard, The Goodbye Party at Comet Ping Pong
- The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington Holiday Show at The Lincoln Theatre
- Arch of Love | L’Avenir at Songybyrd Vinyl Lounge
- Bleep Bloop & Eazybaked at U Street Music Hall
- Unregistered Nurse & Monozine present Pile at Metro Gallery (Baltimore)
- DCFlutes Winter Concert at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
Sun — December 15
DCMR Staff Picks
- Emmylou Harris at The Hamilton
- Reverend Horton Heat presents "Horton's Holiday Hayride" at Black Cat
- Caamp w/ Savannah Conley at 9:30 Club
- Andrea Bocelli at Capital One Arena
- Hanson at The Fillmore (Silver Spring)
- Carbonleaf (All Ages Matinee) at Rams Head On Stage (Annapolis)
Jams, Mics & Such
- Sonic Futures: The Music of Afrofuturism — This event brings together three musical giants who have made monumental contributions to Afrofuturism as we know it today. George Clinton, Nona Hendryx, and Vernon Reid will be joined on stage by world-renowned scholar and critic Alondra Nelson for an hour-long exploration of Afrofuturism – where it came from, where it is going, and what it has to offer us — at The REACH at The Kennedy Center
- Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Phish for Kids at 11a at Gypsy Sally's
- The Open Irish Session at the Petworth Citizen
- Modular Meetup at Rhizome DC
- Hubri$ Release Party at Halycon Arts Lab
- Caroling on Connecticut with the Singing Capital Chorus at Van Ness Main Street
- Kwanzaa Celebration at Dance Place
Sparkling Gems
- Ladygod / Skyline Hotel / Maddi Mae at Songbyrd
- Jessy Wilson at DC9 Nightclub
- Freddy & Lionel Cole "For the Holidays" (Piano/Vocals) at 8p and 10p at Blues Alley
- 2019 Holiday Concert by DCDD Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and small ensembles at Church of the Reformation
- Yearning to Breathe Free — debut of an original concert of American Music and narrative with songs from the immigrant, African-American, religious, and military perspectives — at Arts Club of Washington
- Amy Guess | Dreamwave at Songbyrd Vinyl Lounge
- The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington Holiday Show at The Lincoln Theatre
- Songs of the Season at The Kennedy Center
- A Celtic Christmas at Dumbarton Concerts
- Granny & The Boys at Showtime Bar
