Author: Ari Strauss

Live Review: Rob Thomas @ The Anthem — 7/12/19

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Rob Thomas performs at The Anthem during his Chip Tooth Tour, July 12, 2019 (Photo by Ari Strauss/ aristrauss.com)

When Rob Thomas and his Chip Tooth Tour rolled into DC for a performance at The Anthem on a recent evening, perhaps no one in the building was more excited than Rob himself.

“I’m so excited to be here at The Anthem,” he told the audience, “This place is owned by the same people as the 9:30 Club [hello, IMP!], and there is a special place in my heart for the 9:30 Club. Every morning I wake up on my tour bus, I drink coffee from my prized 9:30 mug.”

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Interview: Abby Anderson (@ The Anthem, 7/12/19)

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Abby Anderson (Photo by John Shearer)

Abby Anderson was so anxious to get to Nashville and start her music career, she asked to be homeschooled through her senior year of high school so she could graduate early and get a head start. At just 17, Abby arrived in Nashville with a suitcase and a dream. That was 2015.

Today, she’s got a recording contract and is spending her summer touring the country in support of Rob Thomas’ Chipped Tooth Tour. The tour comes to DC with a performance on Friday, July 12, at The Anthem.

Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss recently chatted with Abby about the upcoming show at The Anthem and her experience getting her career underway in Nashville.

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Live Review: Colbie Caillat featuring Gone West @ The Birchmere — 7/7/19

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Colbie Caillat performs with her new band Gone West at The Birchmere, July 7, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

Walking through the parking lot at The Birchmere one recent evening after seeing Colbie Caillat perform with her new band, Gone West, I overheard a woman say to her friend, “Wow, that was such a great show; you could tell there was so much love in the room!” I whole-heatedly agree.
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Live Review: LeAnn Rimes @ The Birchmere — 6/30/19

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LeAnn Rimes performs at The Birchmere, accompanied by Greg Hagan on guitar, June 30, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

When LeAnn Rimes casually walked to the microphone in bare feet and a simple white sundress recently, the vibe in the room felt like a warm summer evening on the back porch rather than on the main stage at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. After warmly welcoming the crowd to her “living room,” the audience could sense they were in for a real treat.

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Snapshots: Reel Big Fish @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 6/25/19

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Reel Big Fish frontman Aaron Barrett poses for the camera during a performance at The Fillmore Silver Spring, June 25, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

Reel Big Fish played to a packed house recently at The Fillmore Silver Spring. The southern California ska-punk band co-headlined a show with Texas-based Bowling for Soup.

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