DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Black Masala performs at Pearl Street Warehouse on Oct. 6, 2018. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Some bands possess a bevy of talent and personality which cannot be fully appreciated unless seen live. DC-based Black Masala is such a band. The Balkan- and funk-inspired brass band recently put on an energy-packed raucous performance at Pearl Street Warehouse, one of the cozy new live music venues at The Wharf in Southwest DC.
Black Masala lead a parade at Sleepy Creek SpringDig 2018. (Photo by Chester Simpson)
Sleepy Creek SpringDig returned May 4-6, 2018 for its fifth year to the region’s favorite family-friendly venue, Sleepy Creek on the Potomac in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The annual camp-out offers a stellar line-up of local roots music and national superstars, with added attractions such as playgrounds and parades. Chester Simpson took some photos of this year’s Sleepy Creek SpringDig, and folk musician Sally Mae Foster wrote some words to accompany them!
Attendees watch a performance at the River and Roots Festival in June. (Photo by Chester Simpson)
The fourth annual River and Roots Festival, hosted by Shepherds Ford Productions, was held outside of Berryville, Virginia (not far from Winchester) on Friday, June 23, through Sunday, June 25 with a lineup of bluegrass, Americana, and roots musicians. Check out these pictures of the festival!
A performance at the River and Roots Festival (Photo by Chester Simpson)
With the long, hot lazy days of summer surely finally approaching, what better way to spend a weekend than to lounge by the water and listen to music?
The fourth annual River and Roots Festival, hosted by Shepherds Ford Productions, affords you an opportunity to do just that along the Shenandoah River in Watermelon Park outside of Berryville, Virginia (not far from Winchester) on Friday, June 23, through Sunday, June 25 with a lineup of bluegrass, Americana, and roots musicians.
A pour in the winetasting room at VinoFest DC 2014 (Photo by Sung J. Shin)
After a successful inaugural year in a lot at Union Market, VinoFest, a celebration of music and wine, moves to Storey Park (1005 First St. NE, DC) in NoMa for its second year. More than 1,800 wine and music appreciators attended last year, and the festival aims to grow beyond that in its new space this year.
Vinolovers, an e-commerce and festival experience company, hosts the VinoFest Wine and Music Festival in addition to providing an online wine subscription service with monthly wine deliveries.
The headliner of VinoFest DC 2015 this year is none other than globetrotting DJ Questlove. Here is the full lineup of performers:
Questlove
Trouble Funk
White Ford Bronco
Alison Carney
Alma Tropicalia
Black Masala
DJ Adrian Loving
VinoFest DC 2015 will offer wines from around the world, including local Virginia wines, and classic wine regions such as South Africa, Italy, France and California, in addition underappreciated regions like Brazil, Romania and Greece.
“Most of these will be summery wines… high acidity, lighter alcohol, very easy to drink of a beautiful spring day,” said the organizers of VinoFest.
The festival also will team up with charities, including Make A Wish Foundation Mid-Atlantic, DC Central Kitchen and Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, each of which will receive a portion of the proceeds from the festival.
Tickets are available online. Today, May 5, is the last day for general admission tickets!
Use the hashtag #VINOFESTDC to discuss your experience on social media.
VinoFest DC 2015
Storey Park
Saturday, May 9, 2015
3-10pm
GA, $59.99
VIP, $84.99
Designated driver, $30
21+ to drink
Black Masala
Eight-piece Gypsy brass band Black Masala has started an Indiegogo campaign to raise money for their new album.
The DC swing octet plans to enter the studio in May, and so they are hoping to raise $5,000 by May 15. If Black Masala raises any extra money, they will put it toward publicity and travel costs in support of a tour to support the album.
“The past three years have been a wild ride for Black Masala, the eclectic brass band from Washington, DC. The band has quickly become a crowd favorite and is excited to get into the studio and record a brand new album soon,” the band said on its Indiegogo page.
Contributors can donate amounts from $5 to $1,500. Perks and prizes for donating include:
Watch a video of Black Masala performing “Super Good” at the 9:30 Club on Jan. 10, 2015, while opening for the Pietasters:
Black Masala won two 2013 WAMMIE Awards from the Washington Area Music Association for Best New Artist and Best World Album of the Year. Its members include:
For more information on the band, visit its website at http://www.blackmasala.com. The band is offering a free track, “Bhangra V,” to visitors to http://blackmasala.com/dl. Enter code 2zci-ik3c.
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