Vox presents the revamped Remix Your Weekend, an end-of-week events listing for Georgetown and the greater District. Going forward, Vox will also have event previews and more extensive events listings.
The first week (ok, half week) of school is over, and it’s a three day weekend. It’s the middle of the winter but the weather could not be more pleasant, and there’s a good chance you don’t have any daunting homework assignments yet. In other words, there are no excuses for staying on campus all three days.
Tonight
DC rapper Tabi Bonney will be taking the stage at the Black Cat at 9 p.m. Check out some of his work here. The National Gallery will also hold a celebration for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday at 7 p.m., a free event that requires reservations. And don’t miss trombonist Jeff Bradshaw perform from his wide palette of work, ranging from funk to gospel. He’s playing at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. for free.
On Sunday, get cultured with the new art exhibit She Got Game at the Arlington Arts Center. And if you’re not up to going to mass, you can listen to a gospel choir at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (6 p.m.).
Monday
End the weekend at the Kennedy Center with Bobby McFerrin, famous for his one-hit-wonder “Don’t Worry, Be Happy“. The 6 p.m. performance is part of the “Let Freedom Ring” tribute, put on by Georgetown in celebration of MLK’s birthday. Check out the complete schedule of events for the festival here.
Speaking Wednesday, President DeGioia was incredibly excited for McFerrin’s performance:
Mr. McFerrin was a visiting faculty member here, about ten years ago, and spent the fall with us, and it was fantastic. So I can only imagine what it’s going to be like with him on Monday night.
Slightly Stoopid w/ Fishbone, Dumpstaphunk Wednesday, February 16, 9:30 Club ($29.50), doors at 6:30 p.m.
Slightly Stoopid are a dub-punk bad akin to Sublime. Originally founded in San Diego, Slightly Stoopid has played shows around the world for fifteen years. This second was added because their first show sold out. Fishbone are a funk rock band that takes influences from all over. They’ve been active since 1979. Dumpstaphunk is the band of Ivan Neville, son of Aaron Neville, who plays New Orleans style R&B.
The B-52s Wednesday, January 19, 9:30 Club ($45), doors at 7 p.m.
The B-52s have been legendary for their campy antics since their inception in 1976. “Love Shack” and “Rock Lobster” rank 243rd and 146th respectively on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Besides, how many more opportunities will you have to hear them live?
Saturday, December 11, Black Cat ($8), doors at 8:30 p.m.
Railsplitter are a punk rock band from Washington, D.C. whose straight forward is reminiscent of bands like Choking Victim. If ECFU means something to you, Railsplitter could be your new favorite band.
Linfinity Sunday, December 12, The Red Palace ($10), doors at 9 p.m.
Big and anthemic are what Linfinity do best. The New York indie rock band will be bringing their echoey soulfulness to DC this Sunday.
The Walkmen w/ Tennis Friday, December 3, 9:30 Club (sold out), doors at 8 p.m.
The Walkmen came up through the New York rock scene with a fresh sound filled with chords, beats, and vocals like you’ve never heard before. The Walkmen’s music is world-weary, yet genuinely dramatic. While they made it big in the New York garage rock scene their personal style is far from grunge. They keep things innovative by mixing classical instruments (such as the upright piano) with new sounds and adaptations. Rock fans should not miss this concert.
Kokayi w. the Rising Suns, DJ Beach, and Sea Dog Friday, November 12, Bulldog Alley (free with GOCard), doors at 10 p.m.
This Friday, the Georgetown Alternative Music Series presents Kokayi, a local Grammy-nominated emcee, producer, singer, and songwriter. Kokayi’s music combines elements of hip-hop, punk, rock, funk, and electro. D.C. student bands Sea Dog and the Rising Suns will open the show, while DJ Beach will spin throughout the night.
Friday and Saturday, November 5 and 6, 9:30 Club ($25), doors at 10 p.m.
In the mood for some late-1990s prog rock?
Umphrey’s McGee, an improvising band with songs that often trail past the ten-minute mark, is known for its unique concerts. (The band often asks for track recommendations from the crowd, for example.) In the tradition of Phish and the Grateful Dead—while drawing influences heavy metal, jazz, bluegrass, and country—Umphrey’s McGee adds a unique twist to traditional jam band fare.
As a bonus h8r @$$ review, Nico Dodd trekked out to the Black Cat last night to see We Are Scientists perform.
When my friend and I showed up at the Black Cat last night, we immediately noticed how good a view we had … before we realized the audience was comprised of 80 percent teenage girls and 20 percent teenage boyfriends.
You may remember We Are Scientists from their 2006 minor hit album With Love and Squalor. Since then, they toured with Kings of Leon, had an MTV comedy mini-series, and even wrote an anthem for English National football team. They are currently touring on their newest release, Barbara, which came out this June.
After Lightspeed Champion’s confusing opening act, WAS sprung from the outer reaches of buzz-band purgatory to woo the audience with two-minute-long banter sessions and audience participation via tambourine. I wasn’t into it. Hell, they weren’t even actual scientists!
We Are Scientists committed the cardinal sin of rock n’ roll last night—trying too hard. Lots of people laughed at their jokes, but it was difficult to take them seriously when the band finally started playing again. Such gratuitous thanks to the audience at the end of their performance was unnecessary and made them look weak. After a set of songs that showed little dynamic for a band with a four-album catalog, We Are Scientists demonstrated that they can play to their fans, but they simply didn’t impress.
We Are Scientists are playing at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn tonight, but if you ask me, you should go see Inception instead.
Photo from Flickr user “kokalola” used under a Creative Commons license.
Vox Populi is the staff blog of the Georgetown Voice, Georgetown University's weekly newsmagazine. Opinions expressed in posts are those of their author alone unless otherwise stated.
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