The DC Traveler

While August seems to be a slow month in Washington, DC for “the arts”, DC’s live music scene is still hot, hot, hot.

This month at The Birchmere starts off smooth and ends up tough.

Argentine tenor jazz saxophonist Gato Barbieri brings his passionately romantic and caliente hot sound to DC. His version of Carlos Santana’s “Europa” has been adopted as the smooth jazz radio station theme song. Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 7:30 - $45.00.
Straight from his Geico Insurance commercial, and his early 1970s roots with supergroup Humble Pie, Peter Frampton brings his unique talk box guitar effect made famous on his anthem “Do You Feel Like We Do". Monday, August 11 at 7:30 - $75.00.
Eclectic folk singer, Suzanne Vega, is probably best known for her hit Tom’s Diner. Monday, August 18, 7:30 - $35.00.
Another smooth jazz saxophonist, Mindi Abair this has some strong pop influence and a focus on the chill out sound. Tuesday, August 26, 7:30 - $29.50.
Are you tough enough? The rough and always ready The Fabulous Thunderbirds are!! Wednesday, August 27, 7:30 - $25.00.

And what can you say about Kinky Friedman? He’s a straight-talking Texas singer, songwriter, author, humorist, and in 2006, he ran for Texas governor and received over 12% of the vote. Check out some of his Kinkyisms. this will be his first performance in DC in over ten years. Thursday, August 29, 7:30 - $29.50.

The Birchmere
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305 (map it)

The State Theatre in Falls Church has some great artist as well:

Known for their hit "Inside Out" and the graduation anthem "Here’s To the Night", Eve 6 is again touring after a couple years off. Friday, August 22 – 9:00 - $20.00
Former guitarist of Toto, Steve Lukather brings his blues-rock sound to The State. Saturday, August 23 - 9:00 - $25.00
The Motels were New Wave pop stars with hits like “Suddenly Last Summer” and “Only the Lonely”. Friday, August 29, 9:00 - $21.00.

State Theatre
220 Washington Street
Falls Church, VA
703-237-0300 (map it)

All State shows are 18+, doors open at 7:00 most nights.

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At Georgetown’s Blues Alley:

Keyboardist, Lonnie Smith is known as one of the best jazz Hammond B3 organ players in the world. He calls himself, “Doctor Lonnie Smith and his signature turban, but no one is quite sure why. Thursday – Sunday, August 14-17 – 8:00 & 10:00 - $25.00.
Mose Allison has been recording jazz since 1957. His tunes have been covers by Van Morrison, Leon Russell, Elvis Costello and even the Clash. He’ll be playing at Blues Alley with his trio for 4 nights. Thursday – Sunday, August 28 – 31, 8:00 & 10:00 - $25.00.

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007 (map it)

A great local band and one from London highlight this month at 9:30 Club:

From suburban Waldorf, Maryland, Good Charlotte’s second of four CDs The Young and the Hopeless went multi-platinum. – Tuesday, August 19, 7:00 (doors open) - 25.00.
70’s New Wavers Squeeze recorded hits such as "Cool for Cats," "Black Coffee In Bed," and "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)". Thursday, August 21, 7:30 (doors open) - $45.00

9:30 Club
815 V Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-393-0930

At the Black Cat on 14th Street:

Here’s one show that should be really fun!! Check out ElVes, the rockabilly “Mexican Elvis” out of East LA and his fun version of En El Bario. Friday, August 15 , 9:00 - $15.00

Black Cat
1811 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-667-7960

Live at the Ram’s Head in August, it’s:

Grammy award-winning jazz icon and pianist Ramsey Lewis. Friday, August 8, 8:30 - $85.00
Actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton has been married five times, including to Angelina Jolie. He’s stared in Monsters Ball, and Armageddon, and bring his country-influenced sound to Annapolis. Friday, August 22, 7:00 - $41.50

Ram’s Head Tavern
33 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401 (map it)
410-268-4545

At the Belmont Country Club in Ashburn, VA,

Selling over a hundred million disco records, KC and The Sunshine Band, will Get Down Tonight…and I hope, That’s the Way you like it. Sunday, August 3, gates open at 5:00. $17.00 and $35.00.

Belmont Country Club
19661 Belmont Manor Lane
Ashburn, VA 20147 (map it)
703-726-8867

For the icons and idols, the Verizon Center has a coupe big shows in August:

Neil Diamond brings his catalogue of hits like "Sweet Caroline" to the Verizon Center - Tuesday, August 5 - 8:00 $ 55.00, $85.. and 120.00
The top ten finalists on American Idol sing for their fans with American Idols Live. If you’re an American Idol fan, check out Idol Stalker. Thursday, August 14, 7:00 - $42.50, 54.50 and $68.50.

Verizon Center
601 F Street, NW, (between 6th and 7th NE)
Washington, DC 20004 (map it)

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