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Don’t Miss: DC United’s Season Opener @ RFK Stadium, 3/7/15

Jeremy Bailey
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Don’t Miss: DC United’s Season Opener @ RFK Stadium, 3/7/15

a fan is born
Time for a new ball and a new season

The beauty of the beautiful game (soccer, as if you didn’t know), is no matter the conditions, you can still play.

Snow, sleet, rain and mud, freezing cold, even sun, it is all good when it comes to kicking the ball around the pitch. As a kid, I played in all these conditions. Snow is the most fun, because it makes the game even harder.

So don’t let DC’s winter get you down, you can catch DC United’s season opener against the Montreal Impact this Saturday, March 7, at 3pm at RFK Stadium.

The weather should even be nice (comparatively), up to the mid-forties. Wear your scarves.

DC United enters the 2015 campaign with something to prove. They excelled in 2014 during the regular season, finishing with the third most points (59), but then fizzled badly versus the New York Red Bulls in the playoffs. Brutal.

Major League Soccer made a few changes for this season, expanding the league to 20 teams. Most notably they contracted Chivas USA (gone!) and added two new teams, Orlando City FC and New York City FC.

Get your tickets and get on the United bandwagon now.

 

DC United MLS Season Opener vs. Montreal Impact
RFK Stadium
March 7, 2015
3pm
$35 and up

Music Park: Gang of Four @ 9:30 Club — 3/3/15

Mickey McCarter
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Music Park: Gang of Four @ 9:30 Club — 3/3/15

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John Sterry, Andy Gill and Thomas McNeice of Gang of Four (Photo by Leo Cackett)

When Andy Gill, guitarist and cofounder of the seminal post-punk band Gang of Four, was very young, he wanted to be a drummer, he said in a chat with Annie Clark of St. Vincent recently for the Talkhouse podcast.

“I do think of things in grooves and rhythms and pulses, and I very much think in those terms. I don’t really think in terms of grandiose melodic constructions,” Gill said when discussing his approach to playing guitar.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/194182377″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

In performance, Gill uses his guitar much like he uses his voice: He’s direct and sparing when communicating with it. At the 9:30 Club Tuesday night, Gill brought the latest incarnation of Gang of Four on tour to play the very new album What Happens Next, and in so doing demonstrated the power in his approach to songcraft.

First, it has to be said, this is a different incarnation of Gang of Four, in which Gill is the only original member remaining. Vocalist John “Gaoler” Sterry has taken over for Jon King — and as a result it’s a different show. But Gill gave the band’s songs a remarkable level of consistency, which the audience warmly embraced. The two-thirds full room approached the new lineup cautiously but applauded very enthusiastically by the end of the performance.

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Around Town: Flywheel Sports to Open @ Dupont Circle in March

Parklifer
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Around Town: Flywheel Sports to Open @ Dupont Circle in March

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An indoor bicycling gym is set to take over the space once occupied by the former Visions Cinema (1907 Florida Avenue NW, DC), which closed way back in 2004.

The bicycling studio in question is the rapidly expanding Flywheel Sports, which is opening its first DC studio and 33rd U.S. location overall with the Dupont Circle-area location later this month.

“We are excited to open our largest studio yet in the heart of our nation’s capital,” said Flywheel co-founder Ruth Zukerman in a statement. “Given that Washington, DC, is one of America’s healthiest cities, we understand the need to provide the most effective, results-driven workout — a product that we consistently deliver every single day.”

At the former Visions site, Flywheel will open its largest gym to date with more than 60 high-tech bikes. The studio will feature the TorqBoard, a proprietary performance-tracking technology that provides riders with information such as their resistance (Torq), speed (RPM) and power throughout each class. After working out, riders also can find data including calories burned, average speed and total miles on their performance pages at http://www.flywheelshports.com and on the Flywheel iPhone app.

“Flywheel’s advanced technology is one of the many unique elements that have positioned the brand at the forefront of the indoor cycling industry,” said Ed Kinnaly, Flywheel CEO, in a statement. “We are thrilled to add something new and innovative to the DC fitness scene.”

The company also will offer FlyBarre, its complementary total body sculpting class, in a “theatre-style studio.”

FlyBarre consists of “small, intense interval exercises choreographed to contemporary and inspiring music,” said the company. The exercises are designed to “reshape the body for strong, lean and elongated muscles.” Class exercises target arms, abs, thighs and butts.

Founded in Manhattan’s Flatiron district in February 2010, Flywheel Sports has expanded nationally to include locations in the New York tri-state area, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, South Florida and more.

For class times and more information, visit http://www.flywheelsports.com.

Sports Park: Capitals Weekly Report Card – 2/23-3/1/15

Parklifer
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Sports Park: Capitals Weekly Report Card – 2/23-3/1/15

Caps Report Card

Weekly Record: 1-2 (2 pts)

Overall: 34-20-10 (78 pts)
+9 pt advantage for playoff spot

Nooooo! The Caps headed into last Sunday’s game on a 3-game losing streak. After a 4-game winning streak, this is the worst time to lose their cool.

But in fine form on Sunday, the Caps raked the Maple Leafs, 4-0, to get back on track.

Alex Ovechkin had two more goals, and continues to lead the league (41).

This week the Caps play a couple bad teams, including Buffalo, so it’s the perfect time to start another winning streak.

 

Results

February 25, 2015: Penguins at Capitals – LOSS (3-4)

February 27, 2015: Capitals at Hurricanes – LOSS (0-3)

March 1, 2015: Maple Leafs at Capitals – WIN (4-0)

 

Feb. 23-Mar. 1 Weekly Report Card: C-

 

Report Card Archive

Don’t Miss: Sweetlife Festival @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, 5/30-5/31/15

Mickey McCarter
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Don’t Miss: Sweetlife Festival @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, 5/30-5/31/15

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Kendrick Lamar performs at the Sweetlife Festival in 2013 (Photo courtesy Sweetgreen)

The Sweetlife Festival will expand to two days for the first time in its six-year history on May 30-31, announced organizers Sweetgreen Tuesday.

Sweetgreen, a DC-based chain of salad restaurants, will host the Sweetlife Festival again at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., with an expanded lineup across two stages.

Performers this year include Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, The Weeknd, Pixies, Charli XCX, Billy Idol, Phantogram, Marina & The Diamonds, San Fermin and others. The festival also promised a “handful of local DC-area artists.”

Tickets go on sale to the public at 10am on Friday, March 6, through Ticketfly. But presales are available for those who use the Sweetgreen rewards app on Wednesday, March 4, and those who follow the salad company on Instagram on Thursday, March 5.

The festival also offers “the best in food and experiences,” according to the organizers with art installations, play areas, and partner chefs like Erik Bruner-Yang, José Andrés and Nick Wiseman. Sweetgreen will publish full details on the food and experience offerings later this spring.

The Sweetlife Festival is produced in partnership with I.M.P., which books concerts at Merriweather Post Pavilion and the 9:30 Club, of course. For more information on the festival, visit, http://www.sweetlifefestival.com.

Tickets will be available online or at the box office of the 9:30 Club.

Sweetlife Festival
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Columbia, Md.
Saturday, May 30-Sunday, May 31
Show @12pm both days
$175 (General)-$350 (VIP)
All ages

sweetlife

Music Park: Carpark Records 16th Anniversary @ DC9, 3/7/15

Mickey McCarter
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Music Park: Carpark Records 16th Anniversary @ DC9, 3/7/15

jimmywhispers
Jimmy Whispers is among the acts playing at DC9 on March 7 in an anniversary show for Carpark Records

Carpark Records, based in DC and Brooklyn, is celebrating its 16th anniversary this month with a special series of concerts, including one at DC9 on Saturday, March 7.

The first show actually will take place with nine artists at Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right on Friday, March 6. The DC show will feature five bands, including Lexie Mountain Boys, Greys, Chandos, Adventure and Jimmy Whispers. The final anniversary show will be held on March 19 at Saw Dive in Austin, Texas, as part of SXSW.

Carpark Records made a trailer to announce the anniversary shows, but it may give you a bit of a headache to watch it:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltikhiOxQu0]

The first 50 guests at each of the anniversary shows will receive a free Carpark Records anniversary T-shirt by American Giant.

tees

The folks at Carpark Records love basketball, and they are excited that they can make “Sweet 16” references to their 16th anniversary. So in addition to the concerts, Carpark Records will mark its anniversary with a Sweet 16 basketball-themed picture disc to be released on May 26.

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Interview: Midge Ure (@ Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 3/8/15)

Mickey McCarter
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Interview: Midge Ure (@ Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 3/8/15)

midgeure
Midge Ure (Photo by Andy Siddens)

Editor’s Note: Midge Ure has announced his return to Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016! (Tickets are available online.)

I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with a great Scotsman, singer-songwriter Midge Ure, best known in the United States as the frontman of Ultravox in the 1980s. Midge is in the midst of a solo acoustic tour at the moment, and he stops by the DC metro area to perform at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club in Bethesda, Md., on Sunday, March 8. Tickets are available online and at the door.

Midge was quite generous with his time and shared his perspectives on touring in America, writing hit songs and his history with Ultravox as well as his late friend Steve Strange, his bandmate in Visage. (This may be a lengthy interview, but there was so much wisdom in so many of his answers that I couldn’t bear to cut it!)

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Don’t Miss: The Second Mappy Hour @ Meridan Pint, 3/2/15

Parklifer
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Don’t Miss: The Second Mappy Hour @ Meridan Pint, 3/2/15

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This is the outdoors

The second Mappy Hour is happening this Monday, March 2nd at Meridian Pint.

From the email ‘After a huge launch event (over 120 people) at Penn Social we’re bringing back Mappy Hour to a more intimate location in a private room at Meridian Pint. Join us to hear from OutdoorFest Founder Sarah Knapp on the long-term vision of this outdoor community in D.C. Join this new outdoor enthusiast community with maps, adventure planning and beer.’

Having attended the first Mappy Hour in late January, it proved to be a good opportunity to chat with fellow hikers and meet other outdoor enthusiasts. People shared their expertise and asked others about topics they were interested in, but there was no specific structure.

Moving to Meridian Pint means the event will be a bit smaller in size. Future events will include guest speakers.

 

Register for the second Mappy Hour here.

Mappy Hour in DC
Meridian Pint
Monday, March 2
7-9pm
Free (bring maps and an adventurous spirit)

Music Park: Spirit Animal @ DC9 — 2/25/15

Mickey McCarter
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Music Park: Spirit Animal @ DC9 — 2/25/15

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“Who came to dance?” asked vocalist Steve Cooper of Spirit Animal. He was about to play a dance song.

Despite occupying a very full room at DC9 on Wednesday night, the crowd gave a very noncommittal murmur.

“That’s a tepid response!” Steve said. “Then, this is a stand-the-fuck-still song!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. The entertaining banter is part of the Spirit Animal stage show, as they bring their party rock and carefree attitude to any stage they play. Spirit Animal then launch into “Party in the Back,” a new song from 2014, and along the way they manage to get the crowd to indeed dance along, starting with the people in the back of the room.

Despite their position as the opening band (for Paper Route in this case), Spirit Animal’s lengthy repertoire and charisma demand co-billing status of any main act. The audience cannot help but unwind when the prolific Brooklyn quartet take the stage with such good chemistry and crowd-pleasing songs. With their infectious enthusiasm and funky anthems, they are kind of like a young New Yorker’s answer to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

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Around Town: Mari Vanna’s Second Anniversary Celebration, 2/24/15

Mickey McCarter
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Around Town: Mari Vanna’s Second Anniversary Celebration, 2/24/15

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Mari Vanna’s house infused vodkas

Russian restaurant Mari Vanna (1141 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC) kicked off its second anniversary Tuesday with a birthday party in its swank third level, welcoming guests with a DJ spinning the likes of “Mr. Saxobeat” by Alexandra Stan and “Cool Kids” by Echosmith.

The lovely third floor lounge of the restaurant is playfully adorned with Russian records and photos of Russian musicians along its walls, and guests were seated in comfortable booths and homey settees.

Although the ambience was cozy, the real draw of the night for Mari Vanna’s patrons was its wide selection of house infused vodkas.

The house infused vodka bar includes such diverse delights as horseradish, cowberry, honey pepper, plum, cucumber and dill, and seaberry vodkas. This reporter, purely in the interest of exploring the vodkas, sampled tastes of less adventurous raspberry and apple and cinnamon vodkas. Both are absolutely wonderful full-bodied drinks with a plentifully powerful fruit flavor. The juiciness of the raspberry vodka particularly made it surprisingly easy to drink.

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Records adorn the walls of Mari Vanna’s third floor lounge

Outside of the DJ on the third floor, guests on all three levels of the restaurant were treated to the music of accordionist Peter Dranga, who wandered minstrel-like among diners and revelers as he played traditional folks tunes.

Since its DC opening in February 2013 (its fourth location after the original in St. Petersburg, Russia, and expansions to London and New York), Mari Vanna has offered its Slavic food and kitschy atmosphere to enthusiastic crowds, and judging from its birthday party celebrations, we can expect it to continue to do so for years to come!

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