Virginia

Live Review: Karen Jonas @ Jammin’ Java — 9/10/20

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Karen Jonas performs at Jammin’ Java on Sept. 10, 2020. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)

Playing a parking lot is not exactly the dream of every working musician but in the age of Covid it may be the best gig in the world. The cool evening, the sweet scent of recent rain, and the soft city lights helped make Karen Jonas’ album release show on a recent night at Jammin’ Java if not a dream, a lovely end of summer outdoor show.

If one’s imagination was allowed to wander, even the fading daylight on the western horizon transported us to fiery desert sunsets as Karen and her band performed songs from her new album, The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams (Yellow Brick Road).

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Interview: Karen Jonas (New Album: The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams)

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KarenJonas1Karen Jonas (Photo courtesy Big Hassle)

The voice of country music in the DMV is a big, bright voice that belongs to Virginia native Karen Jonas. A regular sight on DC concert stages, Karen releases her fifth album, The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams, on Friday, Aug. 28 via Yellow Brick Records.

On past tours, Karen has visited Texas, New Mexico, California, and their neighbors, scribbling notes while on the road. She drew upon those memories to animate the characters of The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams. The results are a little bit peppy and a little bit sad but always full of life.

Prior to the new album’s release, Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter chatted with Karen about the record, her band, and her desire to get back on the road. And Karen plays a free outdoor album release show with her full band at Jammin’ Java on Thursday, Sept. 10.

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Livestream Preview: GWAR’s Undead from Antarctica Monthly Variety Show @ YouTube, 8/16/20

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GWAR (Photo courtesy Freeman Promotions)

Been stuck at home in your mom’s basement since March? Tired of watching the same old shit on Netflix and Hulu? Have you had enough of Ancient Aliens, and the Tiger King? Ready to throttle that no-neck Danzig twin Big Ed from 90 Day Fiancé?

GWAR has the solution! Your Lords and Masters are launching a brand new monthly variety show from their frozen fortress to warm the cockles of your cold dead hearts!

“Undead From Antarctica” premieres Sunday, Aug. 19, at 9pm ET, on GWAR’s YouTube Channel with special guest Lzzy Hale!

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Livestream Preview: Lauren Calve @ WERA 96.7 FM, 8/8/20

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Lauren Calve (Photo by Shane Gardner)

Northern Virginia native, storyteller, singer, and songwriter Lauren Calve recently released her Wildfire EP on June 23. She’ll perform songs off the EP during the final show of Arlington Arts’ concert series Lubber Run Live on WERA 96.7 FM on Friday, Aug. 8.

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Live Review: Daryl Davis @ The Birchmere — 7/11/20

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Daryl Davis and his band entertain music fans with a high-energy blues and rock & roll performance at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, July 11, 2020. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

A sight for sore eyes appeared on Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, this past weekend as the iconic Birchmere sign light up with news that it is once again open for business.

After a four-month hiatus since early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the legendary Northern Virginia music venue reopened recently at a limited capacity using enhanced health and safety measures set forth by the CDC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Parklife DC’s Ari Strauss went to see the Daryl Davis Band perform on July 11 and reviews his experience with photos of the performance.

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Preview: Jumpin’ Jupiter @ The Birchmere, 7/18/20

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Jumpin’ Jupiter (Photo courtesy the band)

Virginia rockabilly band Jumpin’ Jupiter has been entertaining the DC region for decades! They are always a welcome sight — and sound! — and never more so as area clubs begin to carefully welcome the return of bands to their stages.

Jumpin’ Jupiter next rocks down The Birchmere on Saturday, July 18.

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Preview: My Kid Brother @ Jammin’ Java, 6/27/20

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My Kid Brother (Photo courtesy Fearless Records)

My Kid Brother recently signed to Fearless Records and released new music in March — then the coronavirus pandemic struck! So, the band hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to play their new songs live.

But Jammin’ Java comes to the rescue with “A Song & A Slice: A Socially Distanced Outdoor Concert Series,” and My Kid Brother performs there on Saturday, June 27!

The show is free but suggested donations go to support Black Lives Matter DC. What a great opportunity then to hear new tunes from these local indie rockers.

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