Parklife DC

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings perform in May, 2014 (Photo by wcmickle)

You haven’t seen Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings until you’ve seen Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. By which I mean that you’ve heard the music and the voice, and seen some videos or clips of live shows, but that isn’t really seeing her. Because to see Sharon Jones is to feel her. The energy, the presence, the command that she brings into a room. And I’m not speaking of just any room, but a sold out, standing room only night at The Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.

This past Tuesday marked one of just two live performance scheduled for this holiday season and Jones brought a dynamic collection of originals, holiday standards, and holiday originals, which were released on her first holiday album, It’s a Holiday Soul Party. The audience hung on every soulful word she sang and every tight, clean note that The Dap-Kings played.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/4252841″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Don’t Miss: ShamrockFest @ RFK Stadium, 3/12/16

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December 11, 2015

Scythian perform in Dublin, Ohio, on Aug. 4, 2014. (Photo by Paul and Cathy)

We know that Saint Patrick’s Day is a little over four months away yet, but given how warm it is this DC weekend, it’s hard not to think of that portal to Spring that comes with waves of green.

And so it is that exactly three months from tomorrow, on March 12, 2016, you will have an opportunity to celebrate with ShamrockFest, returning again to the grounds of RFK Stadium.

As announced recently, ShamrockFest will feature headliners Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly as well as Street Dogs, Scythian, Go Go Gadjet, Fighting Jamesons, and more than 25 additional bands, DJs, and performers across six stages.

Tonight! Ex Hex @ 9:30 Club – Go!

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December 10, 2015

Laura Harris, Betsy Wright, and Mary Timony of Ex Hex. (Photo courtesy Merge Records)

Somehow in mid-’90s, friends of mine were clued into some good female-fronted indie rock bands — quite a few of them from Boston (including the likes of the Blake Babies and Belly).

Don’t Miss: Des Ark @ Comet Ping Pong, 12/16/15

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Jeremy Bailey

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December 10, 2015

Aimée Collet Argote of Des Ark (Photo Credit: Marc Krause)

Listening to Des Ark’s latest album, I had to chuckle at some of the song titles.

Des Ark, coming to Comet Ping Pong on Wednesday, December 16th, is primarily singer/guitarist Aimée Collet Argote with a mix of rotating members.

It is clear Aimée likes the word ‘motherf***r’ a great deal, as two of the songs feature the word in the title. It is also clear that she has a bit of a sense of humor, with songs titles like, “French Fries are Magical” and “Don Taco & His Hot Sauce Toss”.

Everything Dies is the title of their third full length album, and is a quietly strong set of songs that are both sentimental and slightly folky in nature.

Apparently (though I have yet to experience it myself), their shows are a wide mix of music styles, from loud rock to the softer, compelling ballads.

Their video, “Snake Stuff”, is more akin to the softer side.

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

Come out to Comet Ping Pong and see what the fuss is all about.

Des Ark
w/ Pygmy Lush and The City And I
Comet Ping Pong
Wednesday, December 16
Doors @ 9:00pm
$12
All ages

Music Park: Gun Outfit @ Café Saint-Ex — 12/7/15

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December 9, 2015

Gun Outfit at the Northside Fest Pitchfork Showcase (Photo by Samantha Marble)

Dylan Sharp sings with a kind of twang that takes you down empty, open roads.

His band Gun Outfit, which he formed with fellow vocalist and guitarist Carrie Keith, covers some distinct territory as its music rolls down those roads. Gun Outfit play folk music to be sure — but the band’s fourth full-length album, Dream All Over, released in October via Paradise of Bachelors, wanders into the unhurried haziness of psychedelia with an air of Americana.

When Dylan sings on “Matters to a Head,” one of the more rollicking and best tracks on the new album, he sings as a bit of a rambler who has witnessed it all. The song’s bright and lively guitar backs up the concept of a man on the move as he assesses expectations and confrontations.

Around Town: Drink the District’s Hoppy Holidays Beer Festival @ The Ring Building, 12/11 & 12/12/15

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Jeremy Bailey

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December 9, 2015

With more than 30 beers and ciders on hand for you to enjoy and make merry with, it’s a no brainer not to regale yourself at one of the three Hoppy Holidays Beer Festival sessions hosted by Drink the District.

It’s indoors, at the top floor of the Ring Building in Dupont (1200 18th St NW), so no need to worry about the frosty elements. Worry instead about the frosty glass you can use to partake in as many two oz pours of delicious beer as possible over the span of three hours.

Breweries include Elysian, Devil’s Backbone, Victory, Bluepoint, Rogue, Schlafly and many more!

There will also be vendors, including food, like Rito Loco, District Doughnut and The Bacon Jams (mmmm, bacon).

Buy tickets here.

Drink the District’s Hoppy Holidays Beer Festival
The Ring Building (1200 18th St NW, Top Floor)
December 11 (7-10pm)
December 12 (2-5pm and 7-10pm )
$35 ($50 at the door)
21+

Don’t Miss: Ed Schrader’s Music Beat (Opening for Ex Hex) @ 9:30 Club, 12/10/15

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December 8, 2015

Ed Schrader’s Music Beat perform at Cause in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 8, 2013. (Photo by Sharyn Morrow)

If you’ve heard DC power pop trio Ex Hex, a favorite band of us here at Parklife DC, you know the ladies occasionally capture an early punk vibe from the mid-’70s a la Blondie. While not a punk band per se, Ex Hex are certainly “punk friendly.”

Sports Park: Capitals Fortnightly Report Card — 11/23-12/6/15

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Jeremy Bailey

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December 7, 2015

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive

Fortnightly Record: 5-0-1 (11 pts)
Overall: 18-5-2 (38 pts)

The Capitals are hot now, winning six straight games before finally succumbing to the Winnipeg Jets on the road in overtime.

But they have won five of six games over the last two weeks and sit only 1 point behind the New York Rangers for first place. The Rangers have also played three more games overall, so it should be easy for the Capitals to regain first place.

Alex Ovechkin is tied for 10th place in goals scored in the league (12), while Nicklas Backstrom (9) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (8) are close behind. Kuznetsov also leads the Capitals with 26 offensive points (8 goals/18 assists).

It is suddenly looking bright for DC sports. The Washington Football Team is in first place (pending tonight’s Monday Night Football game outcome vs. Dallas) and the Capitals are looking like the cream of the NHL so far.

They knocked off the powerhouse, Montreal Canadiens, on the road last Thursday. An impressive feat against the current #1 team in the Eastern Conference.

An exciting few months of hockey are in store.

Results

November 23, 2015: Oilers at Capitals – Win (1-0)

November 25, 2015: Jets at Capitals – Win (5-3)

November 27, 2015: Lightning at Capitals – Win (4-2)

November 28, 2015: Capitals at Maple Leafs – Win (4-2)

December 3, 2015: Capitals at Canadiens – Win (3-2)

December 5, 2015: Capitals at Jets – Loss (1-2 OT)

November 23-December 6 Fortnightly Report Card: A

Music Park: Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders @ DC9 — 12/3/15

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December 7, 2015

Jack Ladder performs at TEDxSydney 2015 on May 21, 2015. (Photo by Vicky Benko)

Jack Ladder’s new album is the most amazing thing I’ve heard from a newly discovered artist all year. It’s his fourth studio album overall, but his first release in the United States.

The Aussie crooner and his band, The Dreamlanders, stopped by DC9 on Thursday to perform the album for DC, but we largely didn’t get the memo. So only a small crowd turned out for some big glam, keeping Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders a secret gem in our city for now.

But that did not deter the band from playing a wonderfully full set, full of great songwriting and powerful guitar hooks. Drawing largely from the new album Playmates, Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders preceded to deliver the audience back to an earlier time when skillful rock musicians sang of love while wearing smart suits from the very first song.