Week Of:  December 3 - 9, 2018

Summary: Immerse Yourself

I say it every week. There is a dizzying array of so many shows to see, many of which are listed in the calendar BELOW.

But what I'm seeing this week are lots of opportunities to immerse yourself in slightly different experiences from the usual. To find something new you love. To experience something unfamiliar. To learn about someone else's perspective. Understand where something fits into history. To learn how to get involved. Then get involved. To give back to the DC music community. To make your own music. To support the next generation of musicians. To support often marginalized populations in music. To celebrate time honored traditions. And to create new ones.

Before you dive into the calendar below, here's a list of "slightly different than the usual show" OPPORTUNITIES to get your started:..

Monday

• 2018 Monk Institute Piano Competition & Gala at The Kennedy Center — "The 2018 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Competition will feature gifted young pianists competing for major scholarships and a recording contract with Concord Music Group. Hosted by Blair Underwood, the evening will culminate with an All-Star Gala Concert with Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock and a stellar cast of artists paying tribute to the late Aretha Franklin, with legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater receiving the Institute’s Maria Fisher Founder’s Award."
• Blue Heron - Historically Accurate Renaissance Music at Dumbarton Oaks — "Celebrate the holiday season with the program Christmas in 15th-Century France and Burgundy, performed by vocal ensemble Blue Heron. This Renaissance music group values historical accuracy, however, their ultimate goal is not recreation, but rather bringing some of the most beautiful works of the 15th century to the 21st century. They work to keep this music alive and relevant, using such practices as experimenting with Latin pronunciation in an effort to make Latin sound more like a spoken language. The Music Room will round out the Renaissance atmosphere for this group’s return to Dumbarton Oaks."

Tuesday

• 2019 Funk Parade Open Community & Creative Brainstorming Meeting at Thurgood Marshall Center Trust — "Funk Parade is a one-of-a-kind parade, street fair, and music festival to celebrate U Street, D.C. and the spirit of funk. Please Join Funk Parade as we kick off planning for the 2019 Festival!"
• Step Afrika!'s 24th Anniversary Birthday Party at Pepco Edison Gallery — "Step Afrika! is the first professional non-profit company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Step Afrika!’s 24th Anniversary Birthday Party will feature an open bar with specialty cocktails, amazing food, Live DJ, and truly festive silent auction items! Join our fabulous hosts and committee members for an incredible after-work party with a purpose!"

Wednesday

• Children of the Gospel Choir FREE concert at 6p on Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center — "The Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG) perform a holiday concert at Millennium Stage. COTG is a destination ensemble for D.C.-area students who seek dynamic vocal training and performance experience with renowned faculty and guest artists."

Thursday

• More Than Music- Album Planning at Chesapeake Arts Center — "Join teaching artist Athena Hiotis for for this informative series focused on the professional music industry. Whether you are new to the field or have years of experience, these sessions will help focus your efforts to set your group apart from the crowd! Walk away from each session with tips, tricks, and resources from an experienced local artist. Join us for a general overview session, and then come on back to dig deeper into the different areas of the music business."

Friday

• Freestyle Fridays at Listen Vision Recording Studios — "Kurupt’s Moonrocks presents A Weekly Music Event at Listen Vision, DC's Largest and Oldest Recording Studio located at Howard U's entrance. DJ BDubb Spinning All Day with an Open Mic from 12-4pm. Rappers, Singers, Songwriters, Poets, Spoken Word, Musicians, DJ’s & Beat Makers are welcome to come out and perform on the stage (FREE)."
• Handel's Messiah (Fri, Sat, Sun) at Washington National Cathedral —  Celebrate the season with Handel's Messiah, performed in a space like Handel would have imagined. 

Saturday

• James Reese Europe and the Absence of Ruin at The Kennedy Center — "How does war impact art? Jason Moran seeks an answer to this question in the U.S. premiere of The Absence of Ruin, his salute to James Reese Europe, the early African American ragtime musician and first black bandleader who created an international demand for jazz and served as an inspiration to generations of musicians to follow. A groundbreaking artist and composer, Europe played a pivotal role in the recruitment efforts during the First World War, where his songs became anthems for the young men who fought alongside him. Often called the “Jazz King,” his sound was undeniably one of the most innovative sonic ideas at the time. Through new arrangements and stunning visual media, including a special film component directed by John Akomfrah (The March) with cinematography by Bradford Young (Selma, Arrival), Moran will explore Europe’s deep musical catalogue and how his achievements continue to affect today’s culture and sound. This event is presented as part of 1418 NOW."
• Shaolin Jazz: Can I Kick It? - The Warriors at The Kennedy Center — "This innovative film experience pushes the envelope of sound syncing, where classic martial arts films are remixed live by 2-Tone Jones, accentuating specific scenes with well-timed DJ techniques. For this special presentation of Can I Kick It?, SHAOLIN JAZZ focuses on the 1979 cult classic The Warriors, an influential film in Hip Hop culture."
• Off the Beaten Path Music Series - Balance Campaign Free at 4p at UDC — Balance Campaign, a contemporary classical music ensemble showcases new music by modern composers. This week features works by Aida Shirazi, Christopher Cerrone, Angélica Negrón, Roberto Sierra, and Shulamit Ran.  
• Handel's Messiah (Fri, Sat, Sun) at Washington National Cathedral — Celebrate the season with Handel's Messiah, performed in a space like Handel would have imagined. The 12:30 pm show on Saturday, Dec. 8, is an abbreviated performance designed for families and young children.
  
  

Sunday

• Women Who Rock: A Tribute to the 90s at Pearl Street Warehouse —  A powerful evening with an incredible line-up of some of the most talented local, female musicians paying tribute to the women of 90s music backed by a phenomenal live band. Organized by Project HERA, "an endeavor born from a deep passion of women in music. It is the mission of Project HERA to foster and nurture a community of positivity, growth, empowerment, and unity for women and girls of all ages."
• DC’s Different Drummers presents Capitol Pride Symphonic Band, DC Swing!, & more for ‘Home For the Holidays’ FREE concert/food drive at Church of the Reformation — DC's Different Drummers (DCDD) is a LGBT music organization welcoming ALL musicians as it fosters pride, inclusivity, and engagement with the greater DC region through music. Join DCDD as they present the Capitor Pride Symphonic Band, DC Swing!, and others for a festive and free concert and food drive.
• Handel's Messiah (Fri, Sat, Sun) at Washington National Cathedral —  Celebrate the season with Handel's Messiah, performed in a space like Handel would have imagined. 
• Hanukkah's Extra Flame Concert & Coat/Blanket Drive at Temple Micah - "An evening of live music and Hanukkah treats to raise awareness of ways each of us can help Syrian & other refugees in the U.S. & worldwide. Featuring Farah Abyad, famous for his fresh renditions of Syrian songs in their traditional Arabic form, he is of Aleppo-Syrian Sephardic heritage.  Donated coats and blankets will be provided to Syrian refugees facing cold winters in refugee camps."

And there are a LOT MORE exciting things to see and hear and feel 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, plus ways to get involved in the local music scene. 

Get out there and have some fun!