On Tap Magazine // May 2017

Drink. Dine. Do. 05.17

ALT-ROCK QUEEN

GARBAGE’S SHIRLEY MANSON BACKSTAGE AT

WOLF TRAP

+

PUP-FRIENDLY PLACES WINERY-BREWERY HYBRIDS COLD BREW COCKTAIL TREND

BINGE-WORTHY PODCAST

SERIAL’S JULIE SNYDER

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Table of Contents who is on tap

May 2017: Vol 19 No 7

on our

cover

Founder James Currie

Venue: Wolf Trap Photography: Scott Suchman Design: Alanna Sheppard

Publisher Jennifer Currie

Festival season 2017 Well folks, the temperature is rapidly rising, leaving the days of powerfully bone-chilling gusts of wind far in the rearview mirror. As you toss your heavy coats and light jackets into the dark abyss of your closet, dig out those sun dresses and shorts because festival season is upon us. After living under a proverbial heat lamp for the entirety of winter, it’s time to celebrate under the actual sun, whether that includes swaying to music in front of a stage or enjoying a cold one while your dog socializes with other pups.

Regardless of whether you’re a concertgoer or festival foodie, our extensive festival guide has you covered. We also talked to Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson, NPR podcast Serial’s Julie Snyder, both giants in their respective professions. As for you foodies and drink lovers, check out cold brew cocktails, winery-brewery hybrids and meal delivery kits, plus the Bierdo is back with a different approach. Plus, interviews with DC natives SHAED, the creative minds behind the Halcyon incubator, a season update on the Nats, and more. But above all else, enjoy the summer over the next few months…we know we will.

jennifer@ontaponline.com

Managing Editor Monica Alford

monica@ontaponline.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Trent Johnson trent@ontaponline.com

Print & Digital Design Alanna Sheppard alanna@ontaponline.com

Nick Caracciolo KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Tom Roth tomroth@ontaponline.com

ACCOUNT Executive Vanessa Vieira vanessa@ontaponline.com

In this Issue n Stage & Screen Stage & Screen Events........................... 4 Serial’s Julie Snyder................................ 6 Halcyon................................................... 10

Digital EDITOR Adrianne Morris

adrianne@ontaponline.com

Events & promotions manager Theresa Converse theresa@ontaponline.com

n May Roundup

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10

Binge-Worthy Podcasts

Halcyon

Serial’s Julie Snyder

Fosters a More Creative DC

Festival Fashion..................................... 12 Did You Know? Music Festivals.......... 14 Drink, Dine, Do...................................... 15 A Day in the Life.................................... 50

n Sports Nats Put Fans First................................ 24

n Dining New, Notable, No Longer.................... 28 Meal Kit Delivery Services.................. 30

30

42

What’s For Dinner?

Brew Dog

Meal Kit Delivery Services

Pup-Friendly Breweries

n Drinks Behind the Bar....................................... 32 Winery-Brewery Hybrids..................... 34 What’s On Tap?...................................... 36 Bierdo...................................................... 40 Brew Dog................................................ 42 Cold Brew Cocktails. . ............................ 44

n Music

50

72

A Day in the Life

Alt-Rock Queen

Wolf Trap’s Sara Beesley

Garbage’s Shirley Manson

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Festival Guide...............................................54 SHAED.............................................................70 Garbage’s Shirley Manson........................72 Music Picks....................................................76

Events & Promotions Coordinator Shannon Darling shannon@ontaponline.com

OUTREACH COORDINATOR Kelcie Glass kelcie@ontaponline.com

Contributing Writers

Alex Benedetto, Mike Coleman, Jake Emen, Lani Furbank, Megan Haney, Nick Hardt, Jon Kaplan, Jamaal Lemon, Kayla Marsh, Jamie McCrary, Kaitlyn McQuin, Courtney Sexton

Contributing Photographers

Mike Coleman, Shannon Darling, Ryan Hill, Jamaal Lemon, Devin Overbey, Mark Raker, Brittany Thomas On Tap Magazine is published 11 times per year. ©2017 by Five O’Clock Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Use or reproduction of any materials contained herein is strictly prohibited without express prior written consent. www.ontaponline.com for more information.

Office

25 Dove St. Alexandria, VA 22314 Tel: 703-465-0500 Fax: 703-465-0400 www.ontaponline.com Calendar Submissions www.ontaponline.com/calendar Due by 15th of the month for print issue

You're Invited to THE BIGGEST OPEN HOUSE in DC Head to the Capitol Riverfront in Southeast DC to check out the premier amenities & luxurious rooftops of neighborhood apartments while tasting complimentary bites & beverages from local restaurants. End your tour with free wine tasting & live music in Canal Park.

Saturday, June 3rd | Rooftop Tours 2:00pm - 6:00pm followed by Canal Park at 6:00pm Visit capitolriverfront.org/rooftophop for more information & to RSVP

Photo of Arris, Courtesy of Forest City Washington

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Stage & Screen Events

By Kaitlyn McQuin

RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 21 I Ought to Be in Pictures Screenwriter Herb Tucker is quite surprised when he finds his abandoned daughter of 16 chilling on his front steps demanding a career in the movies for leaving her as a child. A fair trade, I’d say. It’s later revealed that Libby doesn’t long for a life of fame, but instead for a relationship with her estranged dad. Neil Simon lends his knack for warmth and comedy in this father/daughter tale, and translates the message that it’s never too late to start anew with family. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30. Theatre on the Run: 3700 South Four Mile Run Dr. Arlington, VA; www.petersalley.com

THURSDAY, MAY 4 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

best part? Not knowing? Reminds me of all those times I never told a guy when I had a crush on them, and now they’ll never know. But you’ll know who is performing when you get to Wolf Trap, for sure.

Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-$28.

The Barns at Wolf Trap: 1635 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org

SATURDAY, MAY 6 - MONDAY, MAY 22

5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche It’s the annual quiche brunch meeting in a small, quiet town in 1956. The women of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein are meeting to discuss business. When the conversation turns to the possibility of an atomic bomb being dropped on their homes, tensions rise (and so do skirts).

Trapped in a small space with what could be the very last quiche on Earth (a true tragedy), what happens next just might surprise you. Monday, and Thursday through Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30. Atlas Performing Arts Center: 1333 H St. NE, DC; www.monumentaltheatre.org

TUESDAY, MAY 9 - SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Laura Bush Killed a Guy Remember during Trump’s inauguration when we witnessed George W. Bush playing with a poncho, and collectively swooned and wished him and his wife back into the White House? This play might change our minds. Written by Ian Allen, DC theater collective The Klunch’s Laura Bush Killed a Guy shines a light on the first lady’s upbringing in Texas, her marriage to Bush and that one time she ran a stop sign and killed someone. Accident?

Murder? Alternative facts? Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $25. Caos on F: 923 F St. NW, DC; www.theklunch.com

FRIDAY, MAY 5 - SATURDAY, MAY 6 30th Annual Evening of Comedy If you feel like spending an evening laughing, then the 30th Annual Evening of Comedy is for you!

Three performances of back-to-back stand-up entertainment will be placed before your very eyes. Who will it be? We don’t know until we get there. Isn’t that the

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Timon of Athens Timon is a popular and rich nobleman with one major flaw: his generosity. Surrounded by friends, fame and fortune, what could possible go wrong? It isn’t until one major happenstance halts Timon’s life forever that his money and friendships begin to fade away. Helen Hayes Award winner Ian Merrell Peakes, who has also portrayed title characters Othello and Macbeth, tackles the role of Timon in this gripping Shakespearean tragedy of a man undone by his goodness. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $35-$75. Folger Shakespeare Library: 201 E. Capitol St. SE, DC; www.folger.edu

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

on the scene

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

BrouHaHa If you’re afraid of clowns, you might want to sit this one out. If not, it’s all you! BrouHaHa, described as a state of social agitation when a minor incident goes out of control, is a devised work comprised entirely of clowns. The existential escapade is inspired by Samuel Beckett, and for those familiar with the playwright, I’m sure you know what you’re in for. I hear there’s quite the ensemble to been seen here, as well as lots of comedy and even music! Wednesday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Reston Community Center Stage: 2310 Colts Neck Rd. Reston, VA; www.happenstancetheater.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 - SUNDAY, JUNE 18

Proof When children inherit their parents’ intelligence, we talk about it. We praise them and claim that our genes provided them with their smarts. But what happens when a child inherits their parents’ mental illness? Do we boast about it? Talk about it? Or push it under the rug? Join the players as they tackle the familial movements between sanity and brilliance in this spellbinding show. Wednesday through Saturday at 7:45 p.m., Sunday at 1:45 p.m. Tickets are $45-$50. Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab: 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd. Olney, MD; www.olneytheatre.org

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Whoopi Goldberg Do I really even need to elaborate on this or try to convince you to go?

This is Whoopi freakin’ Goldberg. Ghost! Sister Act! Winner of a Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award! Want to get up close and personal with this hilarious and badass actress? Then you’ll be at this show. Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $65-$130. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org

Young professionals mingled and enjoyed complimentary glasses of wine and beer after seeing Ragtime at Ford’s Theatre.

Photos: Shannon Darling

www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

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Binge-Worthy

Podcasts SERIAL AND S-TOWN’S

Julie Snyder Photo: Kristen Luce

By Monica Alford If you aren’t one of the millions of listeners who has tuned in to or downloaded NPR podcast Serial, chances are you’ve heard of the Peabody Award-winning show that ushered in a new era of investigative journalism. Our country became fascinated with the podcast’s first season in 2014, centered on a 1999 murder case in Baltimore, and stayed riveted through the second season in 2015, following a U.S. soldier’s military desertion. Now with plans for a third season in the works, co-creators and former This American Life producers Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder are speaking with live audiences about the behind-thescenes experience of creating their wildly popular podcast.

Before the talented minds behind the binge-worthy podcast stop by Strathmore on May 11, we made sure to nab an interview with Snyder. Not only was she with This American Life for 18 years before joining forces with Koenig to create Serial, she’s the executive producer of brand new podcast S-Town, released at the end of March. S-Town offers a different flavor of investigative journalism, focusing at first on a murder mystery and then veering into unexpected territory. We caught up with Snyder about this unique form of storytelling, what she’s learned after two

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

decades as a producer, what she hopes to work on next and much more.

On Tap: What was the transition like from telling multiple people’s stories on a weekly basis on This American Life to diving into one person’s story for a much longer period of time with Serial and S-Town?

Julie Snyder: It’s funny because before I started doing this, I would meet people who were documentary filmmakers and I’d ask them, “So, how long have you been working on the story?” and they’d be like, “Well, it’s been like eight years.” [Laughs] I just always felt like I did not have the attention span for

form narrative journalism in other mediums and how those have been structured because I do feel like I need more guideposts while I’m trying to put together these stories.

OT: How do you tackle that sense of responsibility for ensuring that your subjects’ stories are being told accurately and objectively, knowing that in some cases, your podcast might be the first time their story is being shared with the public?

JS: It’s something we’ve been doing for so long. And I think in terms of feeling a sense of responsibility to tell the story accurately

I’m interested in telling a more fleshed out or complicated story because I think that a lot of times, that’s what the format offers us: a lot more nuance. that. I am way too much of a dilettante. It’s definitely shown me that you really want to be into and committed to a story because you’re going to be living in it for so long.

I’m learning a lot about story selection and pacing, but I’m also looking a lot at television shows and novels and personal essays, and trying to get a sense of longer-

and fairly, that’s something that I take very seriously and I think everybody at This American Life takes very seriously. We tend to do pretty intimate stories that can be very personal, and so we’re aware of that when talking to people about the nature of the story and what we’re doing.

But the thing that’s very new now, and

I think we really learned this off of the first season of Serial, is because the stories are so much longer, you’re really much more in the world of that story and more people are coming to it. We’ve realized it can bring a lot of attention, and so we have very, very candid conversations with people about what they can expect and how to protect their own privacy…just trying to give as much of a full picture as we can.

Sarah Koenig & Julie Snyder

Photo: Robert Torres

OT: Sarah’s interviews with Adnan Syed in the first season of Serial reminded me a bit of Truman Capote visiting convicted murderer Perry Smith when he was writing In Cold Blood. What was that like, to build a relationship with someone in such a vulnerable position?

JS: It was very clear that Sarah had almost all the power in some ways. I mean, Adnan had some power in terms of choosing whether or not he wanted to talk to Sarah and what he wanted to divulge, but she was very aware that anything she said could have a very real effect on his case, and on his life.

I think that it would be difficult and probably bizarre if there were a reporter who spent a year interviewing somebody and didn’t have emotional thoughts or connections to that person. As an editor, how I advise the reporters is that you need to be honest with the listeners and the subjects about what you’re thinking. this is one of the things that Sarah talks about very candidly in the talk that we give, is about the various levels of communication that are happening in this reporter-subject relationship. It’s messy and it’s complicated, and there are gray areas and it’s human, which is something I think came across pretty well in the show.

OT: After the first season of Serial aired, Adnan was granted a new trial. Now when you approach what stories to tell, do you take into consideration that your podcast could have a tangible impact on your subject’s life?

JS: In terms of us being able to make a change, we’re not advocates in that way at all. We’re interested in stories where there are stakes, and sometimes those stakes can be incredibly high like in Adnan’s or Bowe Bergdahl’s case [the soldier from season two], and sometimes they can be much lower like they are in S-Town, but often we do feel like [our subjects have] something at

stake. I’m interested in telling a more fleshed out or complicated story because I think that a lot of times, that’s what the format offers us: a lot more nuance. In terms of affecting a change, it kind of depends on what’s at stake.

OT: Back to the subject-reporter relationship, did you and Sarah wrestle at all with forming an emotional attachment to Adnan, or any of your other interviewees?

JS: I think that it would be difficult and probably bizarre if there were a reporter who spent a year interviewing somebody and didn’t have emotional thoughts or connections to that person. As an editor, how I advise the reporters is that you need to be honest with the listeners and the subjects about what you’re thinking. That’s what editors are for, because sometimes all of us need to be called on saying, “Wait, is that fair?” or “Are you jumping to a conclusion?” or “I think you’re making an argument that I’m

not seeing the support for in the reporting.”

OT: How is S-Town different than Serial?

JS: S-Town is something we’ve never tried before, and I haven’t actually heard really done on radio. Essentially, it’s very novelistic.

It’s a horrible description of it but one that I think is sort of accurate – it’s like a non-fiction audio novel. It’s very different in that it’s not being driven by one plot the whole time. It’s been exciting.

OT: What’s up next for you?

JS: We’ve been working on Serial season three, and I can’t say that much about it because it’s constantly changing. I don’t feel ready to talk about it other than to say I’m loving it. And then we’ve got other projects that we’ve got in the works as well. There are stories that I love and then I just cross my fingers and hope they break our way, and if they don’t, we’ll move on and find something else. www.ontaponline.com | MAY 2017 | ON TAP

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ignore your emails, turn off your cell phone and leave your ID badge at the office

it’s time to take a NIGHT OFF!

gets you a LIVE performance, an INVITE to a YOUNG PROSE NIGHT reception and FREE glass of wine or beer

NEXT YOUNG PROSE NIGHTS WILL BE HELD Wednesday, June 14 Friday, June 23 Lansburgh Theatre 450 7th St NW

8

Julie Snyder & Sarah Koenig

Photo: Elise Bergerson

OT: Any subject matter or new form of journalism you’d like to explore?

JS: Lately, I’ve been really interested in long-form essays and wondering, “Is there a way to do that in a narrative audio way?” And I would love to do political reporting. I feel frustrated that in the political world there is so much happening off the record, so I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way for us to be able to do political reporting where we’re not just constantly hamstrung [and] maybe there’s some sort of benefit that we could be offering.

OT: What do you think is important to share with live audiences during your behind the scenes talks? What don’t we know about Serial that we should?

JS: Part of what audiences don’t know is the rigor that goes into the reporting. Because the tone of the stories and the writing can be very casual and conversational, I think there’s a thought that sometimes the reporting is kind of easy-breezy also. I think that what’s surprising about it: the very traditional nature of reporting that goes on.

Sarah breaks down an entire episode of the first season of Serial, and talks about all of the reporting that went into that and the very complicated relationship between a subject and the reporter, which I think a lot of times reporters don’t really want to talk about it because it can be kind of messy. I really admire Sarah. She’s very ballsy to go there and pull the curtain back on it.

202.547.1122 ShakespeareTheatre.org/Under35

OT: What is one of the most valuable tools you’ve picked up over the years that you now utilize in your work on these podcasts?

JS: I think one of the main things that I’ve learned and that has been very helpful to always keep in mind when approaching any story is that for the most part, people always have a reason for doing what they’re doing, even if it’s one that they can’t necessarily articulate – sometimes it’s even subconscious. There are reasons to not jump to conclusions and not assume intentions, but instead to really pursue what those reasons are and what the mindset is behind them. I think that has really yielded for us sometimes the most interesting and emotional and meaningful stories. I think it makes the story better.

Patrons must be 21 years or older. Valid ID required. Some restrictions apply.

Subject to avalibility and connot be combined with other offers or previously purchased tickets.

Don’t miss the chance to go behind the scenes with Julie Snyder and Sarah Koenig at Strathmore on May 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-$60.

ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; 301-581-5200; www.strathmore.org

on the scene

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

“Vibrant and resounding!”

-Brightest Young Things

“Urgent, passionate and high-stakes.”

-DCist

book by Terrence McNally; music by Stephen Flaherty; lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; based on the novel Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow; music direction by Christopher Youstra; choreographed by Michael Bobbitt; directed by Peter Flynn

Final Weeks! Must Close May 20!

Under 35 Night! Get $20 Tickets with Code UNDER35 May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Join us for a drink AFTER the performance.

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Photos: Brittany Thomas

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Tickets: (888) 616-0270 The cast of Ragtime. Photo by Carol Rosegg. www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

9

Halcyon Creative DC

By Courtney Sexton

Morgan Rose at Stravinsky Rave

he suggested attire for a recent event on a loading dock in DC’s Warehouse District was “revolutionary.”

The “classical music rave” featured a full orchestra performance of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, along with world-class ballet dancers spinning beside audience members invited to dance the night away with them.

Granted, we’re talking Union Market’s Dock5, a space known for hosting trendy and experimental gatherings catered to culture-hungry urbanites. But the event’s intention was apropos as cries of resistance grow ever louder across the city.

And what was behind this pagan revelry? Halcyon.

One of the District’s newest and most exciting nonprofits, Halcyon grew out of S&R Foundation’s Halcyon House in Georgetown – a well-supported, in-residence incubator for social entrepreneurs founded in 2014.

Halcyon launched this year as a standalone organization with the mission to “catalyze

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Photo: Victoria Pickering

emerging creatives striving for a better world.”

The incubator remains a major part of Halcyon, where the types of projects fellows develop are businesses geared toward greater social good.

“These are not dating apps, as we like to say,” says Kate Goodall, Halycon’s CEO. “They are meaningful companies that are actually going to respond to what we’re seeing as a shift in consumer culture around what they want the products that they’re buying to be doing.”

Along with the incubator, Halcyon introduced its arts lab this spring, a sister program for civic-minded artists. Eight artists selected from DC and around the world will have the opportunity to partake in a nine-month fellowship that grants funding, resources, entrepreneurial support, and creative and intellectual collaboration. Fellows will live in the historic Fillmore School in Georgetown, and will broaden their community impact through a creative mentorship program with local high school students. “[Halcyon] is about providing haven,” Goodall says. “It’s about creating a safe

space and community for creative people to produce…and this idea of supporting and really being devoted to the power of creativity, which we think will be more and more important in the 21st century.”

For Halcyon’s team, that desire for meaningful creation also translates into desire for meaningful shared experience, the impetus behind the Rite of Spring event. So, in addition to the incubator and arts lab, the organization is taking collaboration and creative engagement into the community with several programs, including Halcyon Stage, Halcyon Stage pop-ups and Halcyon Dialogue.

Enter Septime Webre.

The city’s beloved and charismatic choreographer stepped down as artistic director of the Washington Ballet last June, after 17 years.

“I think what we’re seeing in Washington, DC is a kind of breaking of molds in lots of ways,” notes Webre, who says that his new adventure at the helm of Halcyon Stage is “dizzingly exciting.”

“As we started to envision how we might foster a dialogue about the nature of creativity in the 21st century,

we knew that we needed to de-silo the conversations,” he says. “Creativity was happening in lots of places, but not in any sort of way that one could experience it the way we experience life, which is all of these exciting things abutting each other.

And so that was the premise. We wanted to be as eclectic as our lives are, and be somewhat comprehensive, but also develop programming that was not being developed by other organizations, so that it would be unique.”

The resulting programming is indeed eclectic – from more intimate experiences like an incubator and artist meet-and-greet beer garden, to a one-man show with NPR’s Ari Shapiro, to the explosive DC premiere of BalletX with works from choreographers Trey McIntyre and Matthew Neenan set to the music of Amy Winehouse and the indie rock band Beirut (on May 13).

The stage events like the Rite of Spring rave and BalletX come with a price tag, but Webre and the other organizers seem aware that inclusivity and outreach is crucial.

Halcyon Stage pop-ups and experiences “to activate the whole neighborhood” compliment ticketed evening performances.

For example, at noon on May 14, there will be a pop-up dance performance to the music of Beirut right at Union Market, with a different three-minute public concert at Dolcezza at 12:15 p.m., another behind Cotton & Reed at 12:30 p.m., etc.

And while the pop-ups are sure to be a draw for the Union Market and Ivy City distillery-going crowds, beyond the urban elite, Webre says a suite of educational engagement programs are critical to help “unleash the creativity inside” everyone.

Halcyon Stage House Party, which

Experiental Orchestra at Stravinsky Rave

Photo: Mark Alan Andre, IGDC

culminated last month, for example, was both a public concert and a workshop run in partnership with KIPP Public Charter Schools. Using the theme “visions of the future,” one group of students composed and performed an original hip-hop song, while another group choreographed a dance to it, and still another 20 students painted original works inspired by their peers.

“That was the kind of empowering, educational [and] engaging program that we will replicate over time,” Webre says.

DC is a smart city, and one full of people and organizations pushing boundaries to make change in the world. But there are also changes happening here, now – and with everyone looking for their bite of the capital’s apple, it is critical that we all play an active role in making those changes the right ones. If Webre’s vision is any indication of what that might look like, Halcyon appears to have the promise of DC’s big names doing it right.

“We can find beauty all around our lives,” Webre says. “So it’s not just a moment for the community to come together, it’s also a really important metaphor – instruction, really – for how we should walk through our neighborhoods, the places we live in, the places we call home, and see the beauty all around us.”

Learn more about Halcyon and the organization’s upcoming events at www.halcyonhouse.org.

Experiental Orchestra at Stravinsky Rave

Photo: Myron Fields, IGDC www.ontaponline.com | MAY 2017 | ON TAP

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By Megan Haney The time has come. I’ve finally packed those heavy coats and scarves away and exchanged them for lighter, warm weather pieces. While spring brings changes to my wardrobe, it means summer festival season is on the horizon, combining a few of my favorite things: music, great weather and of course, fashion.

When getting ready for a summer festival, there is one very important question involved: What to wear? Most of us probably envision crochet tops, fringe and cut-off hems. Although festival fashion often saturates our social media worlds throughout the warmer months with similar images, you’re not limited to the stereotypical festival outfit.

For starters, if there is one thing that you can predict about going to a festival in the middle of the summer in the DC area, it’s that it will inevitably be hot. This can be challenging for a number of reasons. Wearing something that is both stylish and temperature appropriate is not always an easy task. So here are my tips and tricks for staying cool when planning for your favorite summer festivals.

Whenever I need to put together a warm weather outfit, my first choice is always a dress. I can’t recall a time that wearing tight-fitting pants or shorts was comfortable in the heat of summer. Sweaty skin combined with thick, constrictive material is never a fun combination. Loose-fitting, lightweight dresses are $ the perfect solution to this problem.

One of my favorite destinations for this particular item of clothing is Free People. They have endless amounts of options similar to the one pictured here that are all perfectly festival appropriate. I love the bright color of this dress and how it makes a statement all on its own. This makes it easy to style because you don’t have to think too hard when it comes to choosing accessories or makeup. For a look like this, I like to stay simple with a cute pair of neutral earrings and a solid hat.

The other elements to consider are hair and makeup. How can you put together a look that will keep you cool but also rocking $ your festival style? There are a few unspoken rules that I like to abide by for an occasion like this.

1) Hats are always a good option. This is true for a couple of reasons. First, whenever you can have a little extra shade and protect your skin from the hot summer sun, why wouldn’t you?

We all know what sweaty, messy hair can look like at the end of a hot summer day. Trust me, hats can cover a multitude of sins.

Also, there’s nothing cuter than a fedora to top off the perfect festival look. Use this to your full advantage. 2) If you aren’t going to throw on a hat, then pulling back your hair is your second-best option. Headbands and flower crowns are your best friends! There are so many adorable options like the simple white one pictured that are perfect for festival wear.

I hope my tips have inspired your next summer festival look. Happy festival season!

Have tips for putting together your own summer festival outfit? Email Megan at megan@styledbymegan.com. And follow her on Instagram at @styledbymeganblog.com.

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

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Indra Mustapha Natolya Thomas DDS, MS, PhD DDS

L’Enfant Plaza, SW Promenade #325 202-628-2177

John Tsaknis DDS Jeannette Suh DMD

Kathleen Tritsch DDS

In-Network with most PPO insurances Photo: www.forever21.com www.ontaponline.com | MAY 2017 | ON TAP

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By Kayla Marsh

Did You Know?

The average festivalgoer travels 903 miles to attend the festival of their choosing.

Over 400,000 people attended Woodstock in August 1969.

Austin City Limits is the most popular music festival in the country by attendance.

Broccoli City Festival in DC, which promotes environmental sustainability through music, was the brainchild of cofounders inspired by the realization that there were more fast food restaurants than grocery stores in L.A.

The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival is the longest-running outdoor music festival in the Mid-Atlantic region.

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Firefly Music Festival in Delaware is the first fan-curated music festival, and the East Coast’s largest music and camping festival.

Approximately 32 million people go to at least one music festival every year.

Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty was famously quoted for saying, “Wow, we got to follow the band that put half a million people to sleep,” about playing after Grateful Dead for a 1:30 a.m. set at Woodstock.

An electrocuted bird at Milwaukee’s Summerfest in 2006 caused a three-hour power deficiency, rendering electric guitars ineffective. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s marching band stepped in for an impromptu show.

As of 2016, the world’s most expensive festival pass was $200K for two tickets to Secret Solstice Festival in Iceland.

Fun facts courtesy of the following articles: #1, 5: www.billboard.com/articles/columns/music-festivals/6539009/music-festival-statistics-graphic #2: www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-woodstock-festival-opens-in-bethel-new-york #3: https://fireflyfestival.com/firefly-music-festival-announces-details-of-big-break-live-contest/ #4: www.forbes.com/sites/emilycanal/2016/04/22/coachella-vs-other-music-festivals-the-numbers/#1b3d05363039 #6, 8: www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-perspec-0731-things-20110731-story.html #7: http://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/Broccoli-City-Festival-Returns-with-Star-Studded-2017-Lineup-411656355.html #9: www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2016/04/08/worlds-most-expensive-luxurious-music-festival-experience/#23a8f5d24032 #10: www.virginia.org/summerfestivals/

MONDAY, MAY 1 We’re Going to Make It After All at 1905 Bistro & Bar Pull out those old 70s clothes from your closets and get ready to step back in time for a night of classic fun when you join 1905 for a swinging 70s party featuring classic food, drink and music from “the ME decade.”

In 1972, Mary Tyler Moore tackled the wage gap on The Mary Tyler Moore Show when she asked why the man that previously held her position made more money than she did. The question has persisted, and today women still earn an average of only 80 cents for every $1 that a man earns.

100 percent of ticket sales will benefit women’s empowerment programs in DC. 6-10 p.m.

Tickets are $5. 1905 Bistro & Bar: 1905 9th St. NW, DC; www.1905dc.com All Drink, Dine, Do event listings are provided by the venues hosting them.

MONDAY, MAY 1 SATURDAY, MAY 6 Library of Congress Bibliodiscotheque The Library of Congress presents “Library of Congress Bibliodiscotheque,” an unprecedented exploration of disco culture, music, dance and fashion represented in the national collections. Disco’s influence on popular music and dance since the 1970s will be in focus through film screenings, performances, interviews and a symposium. Individual events and film showing times vary.

The Library of Congress: 101 Independence Ave. SE, DC; www.loc.gov/concerts/disco/

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3 Historical Continuity of Greek Music Panagiotis Liaropoulos, an associate professor at Berklee College of Music, will address the historical continuity of Greek music from ancient times to the

to benefit

Sunday, May 21, 2011 4

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on the scene

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

present. Manifestations of such continuity – or discontinuity – will be discussed in the context of established musical norms. He will also discuss representative Greek musical genres and composers of the 20th century, as well as their own perceptions about continuity in Greek musical heritage. 6:30-9 p.m. Free to attend. Cosmos Club: 2121 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC: www.spghworld.org

FRIDAY, MAY 5 Cinco de Mayo Party Fundraiser Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Common Good City Farm.

Join for a festive evening of tacos, margaritas, raffles and games right on the urban farm in LeDroit Park. All proceeds support Common Good City Farm. Food (chicken and vegetarian tacos, rice and beans, chips and salsa) and two drinks (margaritas and Mexican beers) are included with your ticket; additional drink tickets will be available for purchase. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $30. Common Good City Farm: V Street NW, DC; www.commongoodcityfarm.org Del Campo at Dusk: Cinco de Mayo Start your weekend with Del Campo at Dusk as the bar celebrates with a Cinco De Mayo fiesta. The rooftop makes the best backdrop for a night of imbibing with your friends. Dance the night away to the music of Matt Waller, while enjoying Mexican dishes of carnitas tacos, chorizo, chilaquiles and much more. 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $35. Del Campo Rooftop: 900 9th St. NW, DC; www.delcampodc.com

Guests at Nat Geo Nights sat back, relaxed and learned about fascinating geological mysteries while enjoying drink tastings and food from Nazca Mochica.

Photos: Devin Overbey

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

FRIDAY, MAY 5 SATURDAY, MAY 6 Cinco DC Mayo 2017 Celebrate the fiesta of the year

SATURDAY, MAY 6 Sixth Annual Running of the Chihuahuas Kick off Cinco de Mayo at the sixth annual Running of the Chihuahuas, taking place at the Wharf – DC’s amazing new destination taking shape on the Southwest Waterfront. The Running of the Chihuahuas is part of DC’s best Cinco de Mayo celebration, an afternoon that includes great food from Sol Mexican, Red Hook and Captain Cookie food trucks, cold beer, live music, and of course, the races. The highlight of the afternoon, the races feature 96 chihuahuas racing in groups of eight on a 60-foot “race track.” All the action is captured on a 17-foot jumbotron screen, and the winners take home $500 in cash and prizes. All race proceeds benefit Rural Dog Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to pulling dogs from highkill rural shelters. 1-5 p.m.

Free to attend. $25 per dog entry in race. The Wharf: 600 Water St. SW, DC; www.ontaponline.com as Drink the District presents Cinco de Mayo. Get ready to don a sombrero and shake your maracas while you party with friends, great food, mariachis and DJ Julian Rivera, plus cold cervezas and margaritas galore.

Enjoy games for awesome prizes, with lots of other fun surprises in store. It’s not time to siesta, it’s time to fiesta. Various sessions and times. Tickets are $15-$30. Canal Park: 200 M St. SE, DC; www.eventbrite.com

FRIDAY, MAY 5 SATURDAY, MAY 27

SATURDAY, MAY 6 Around the World Embassy Tour More than 40 embassies will open their doors to DC visitors and residents. Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion and music of different countries. In the past, visitors have been treated to karate demonstrations, dance performances, sariwrapping lessons and henna demonstrations. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Free admission. Around the World Embassy Tour: Various locations in Dupont Circle, NW, DC; www.culturaltourismdc.org Derby-Q: BBQ, Blues, Bourbon and Brews Festival The third annual Derby-Q Festival will feature 18 craft breweries from around Virginia, a variety of BBQ and food vendors, and a mint julep sampling. Live blues bands will perform onstage while the crowds anxiously await the greatest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby, shown on the big screen. Multiple beer packages are available for sale, including unlimited beer tastings and general admission tickets. 2-8 p.m. Tickets cost $10-$65. Old Town Square: 3999 University Dr. Fairfax, VA; www.fairfaxva.gov Shaping the New DC Thru Design and Public Art Enjoy a lively discussion about DC’s public art scene featuring

NAT GEO NIGHTS EVERY THIRD THURSDAY | 5:30 - 8:00 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 6 We Can Brew It Enjoy a pint, tasters or flights at this event celebrating women in beer, including the women who either brew or own breweries. Meet Larissa Hanpeter, creator of the national-winning beer Girl Grey IPA, and other female brewers, reps and owners in the industry. There will be live music starting with the awesome sounds of Sarah Stardust, followed by a brief intermission with stand-up comedian Angela Hamilton, before ending the night with a bang with Lindsay Collette and The Evening Stars. Starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Fireflies: 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.firefliesdelray.com

Join National Geographic for special monthly happy hours that feature live stories from Nat Geo explorers, fun interactive activities, lively music, food, and drink specials at our cash bar. Admission to the National Geographic Museum is included. Tickets start at $15.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

THUR, MAY 18

EXPEDITION RAW Get an unfiltered look at the surprises, challenges, and behind-the-scenes moments captured by National Geographic explorers in the field. Feel like part of the expedition with explorers live and in-person who have come face-to-face with wild animals, survived extreme environments, and made unexpected discoveries.

HAPPY HOUR | 5:30 - 8:00 PM

Design Army; Frank Perry, the documentarian of DC’s extensive public murals; and artist Ellington Robinson. 2-3 p.m. Free to attend. Gallery 3 Carnegie Library: 801 K St. NW, DC: www.eventbrite.com WIT in Space: The Next Frontier Enjoy drinks, food and a special performance or two all in the name of supporting WIT’s quest for a permanent theater space.

Everyone in attendance will get a sneak peek at the vision for what WIT’s future home might look like. Attire? Space theme optional, so come as a Wookie, a Cylon, Judy Jetson, a Star Trek redshirt…basically anything space-themed, or just come in whatever fun party clothes you’d wear to a party on a space station. 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $75$200. Edgewood Arts Center: 3415 8th St. NE, DC; www.witdc. org/shows/wit-space-nextfrontier/

PHOTO: MARTIN EDSTROM

Underground Comedy Presents As featured on Comedy Central and in the Washington Post, Underground Comedy presents rising comics from around the country. These comics have performed at comedy clubs and festivals all over the world.

Show times are 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets are $15. The Big Hunt: 1345 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.thebighunt.net

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

natgeo.org/natgeonights

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 17TH & M STS NW | WASHINGTON, D.C.

Farragut Square Metro stops on the Orange, Blue, Red and Silver lines.

EVENT PARTNER

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SUNDAY, MAY 7 Brabo Patio Launch Party Kick off the summer season on the Brabo tasting room’s patio. Spend Sunday afternoon sipping on rosé and indulging in delectable mussels. Pop over to the oyster station for fresh-shucked Rappahannock oysters, mingle by the mussel bar sampling delicacies, nosh on hors d’oeuvres, taste beers from Port City and 21st Amendment, and chat with Chef Sebastien.

3:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $50 and include food and beverage.

Brabo Tasting Room Patio: 1600 King St. Alexandria, VA; www.braborestaurant.com

SATURDAY, MAY 6. DOORS 6PM | TICKETS $10 @ EVENTBRITE WWW.FIREFLIESDELRAY.COM FIREFLIES: 703-548-7200 | GM DIRECT LINE: 571-277-1817

HAPPY HOUR Monday - Friday, 4-7pm $5 local drafts, select wines

FADÓ BY NIGHT

Monday night Trivia at 8pm with DJ Pieman Wednesdays Crafty Hour Thursdays Live music featuring modern and Celtic rock.

Fridays DJ Night Saturdays Live bands for a craicing good time.

Visit our website for Late Night Drink Specials and music lineup. www.fadoirishpub.com/washington

Brunch Saturday and Sunday until 2pm featuring Bottomless mimosas and bloody marys We are the premier location for European sports Open early for most EPL games

FADOIRISHPUB.COM

808 7TH ST | DC | 202.789.0066 | GALLERY PLACE METRO Please drink responsibly.

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Literary Hill BookFest Literary Hill BookFest is a day-long celebration of books and readers on Capitol Hill, with discussions, readings, and signings with the best local writers of memoirs and fiction, politics and poetry, history and sports, food and fantasy, and books for kids. After the BookFest, the fun keeps going at the open mic poetry event across the street at Tunnicliff's Tavern.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free to attend.

Eastern Market: 225 7th St. SE, DC; www.literaryhillbookfest.org Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Spring Fair Don’t miss the first annual Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Spring Fair.

Because the event takes place one week before Mother’s Day, this will be a great opportunity to find the perfect gift. 12-6 p.m.

Free to attend. Silver Spring Veterans Plaza: 1 Veterans Pl. Silver Spring, MD; www. silverspringdowntown.com Sundisco Join Takoda on the first Sunday of each month on Shaw’s exclusive rooftop beer garden.

Expect craft cocktails, artisanal bar food, and a chill way to end your weekend and recharge for the week. Kudos for those in disco-threads. 4-8 p.m. No cover.

Takoda Restaurant & Beer Garden: 715 Florida Ave. NW, DC; www.takodadc.com Whisky History + Flavor Profiling Class with Jos. A. Magnus Distiller Nicole Hassoun Join Women Who Whiskey and Jos. A. Magnus Head Distiller Nicole Hassoun for a private tasting, in-depth tour and flavor-profiling class. Each $50 ticket includes a welcome cocktail and an extensive tour and tasting (two sherries, one cognac and two Jos. A. Magnus bourbons) lead by Hassoun.

As part of the history class and tasting, the distiller will share the Magnus story of how a 122-year-old bottle led the distillery to produce the number one national straight whiskey.

12-2 p.m. Tickets are $50. Jos. A. Magnus & Co. Distillery: 2052 West Virginia Ave. NE, DC; www.josephmagnus.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 May Illustrated Cocktails: An Evening of Drinks & Painting Participants will enjoy a specialty seasonal cocktail prepared by Buffalo & Bergen. Watercolor techniques will be shared as well as a demo of how to make the drink at home. Each participant will bring home one of Chersevani's classic cocktails as a hand-colored, illustrated recipe.

Art materials for this project are included. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50. Buffalo & Bergen: 1309 5th St. NE, DC; www. buffaloandbergendc.com

THURSDAY, MAY 11 Brown Girls Museum Blog TwoYear Anniversary Celebrate the two-year anniversary of Brown Girls Museum Blog (BGMB). Come and engage in the social exchange of ideas while also reflecting on community building and self-care. And of course, party in style to celebrate

Agua 301 Alero Bravo Bravo Cactus Cantina Cafe Citron Cantina Marina -Live Music 7-9pm

El Centro (Georgetown) El Centro (14th Street) El Rey El Sol El Tio Farmers FishersBakers

H St Country Club Impala Cantina La Molienda Lauriol Plaza Madams Organ Masa 14

Mezcalero Orange Anchor Policy The Prospect Toro Toro Tortilla Coast

Thursday aprilth 18Th

May 4 2017 Rockland’s Rocklands 9th annual annual 6th

“Shed your “Shed Your Coat” Coat” Smoked Pig&& Smoked Pig oySter roaSt roaSt oYSter

5:30-7:30 pm 5pm - 8pm Professional photography for all your business marketing needs.

Branding | Product Food & Beverage Lifestyle

Bring your dogs for our kickoff to doggy Yappy Hour every Thursday on the $ 25 Ticket Patio!

Includes Food & Drink!

$20 Ticket includes Benefits: Doorways for food and raffle ticket Women & Families.

Convey your business’ for PRIZES! Benefits true value through Great Prizes!! doorways for Women high-quality imagery Raffle Tickets: and Families. and visual storytelling. $ 5 each/5 for $20 Info here: Info & Tickets here: doorways. bit.ly/PigRoast2017 www.lgphotodc.com 410.989.1226 20

ejoinme.org/ shedyourcoats12 3471 Washington Blvd Arlington, VA 703-528-9663 www.rocklands.com

Additional Raffle tickets $5 each

On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

the creativity, ingenuity and innovation of this community.

BGMB is an online platform and consulting agency created with the objective to promote the visibility of people of color in museums, and to support emerging professionals in the humanities. 7-9 p.m. Free to attend. Anacostia Arts Center: 1231 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC; www.anacostiaartscenter.com

SATURDAY, MAY 13 17th Annual Mid-Maryland Celtic Festival Experience Scotland and the Celtic nations without the travel.

Shop ‘til you drop and sample the finest Celtic foods and drinks (whisky, beer, mead) available.

Love Celtic music and dancing and cannot resist the urge to sing out loud or dance a little jig?

There will be three stages filled with Celtic rock, acoustic music and traditional songs – plus a dance stage. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tickets are $15. Mount Airy Fire Department Carnival Grounds: 1003 Twin Arch Rd. Mt Airy, MD; www.midmarylandcelticfestival. com/tickets/ Around the World Desserts & Other Sweet Treats Fair Don’t miss a fun day in downtown Clarendon (at the Clarendon Metro Station Park) enjoying delicious desserts and checking out arts & crafts vendors who will present only ethnic products from different parts of the world.

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free to attend.

Clarendon Metro Park: 3140 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.eventbrite.com Discover Arlington: Signature Rosslyn Food Tour The first of its kind, the Discover Arlington food tour series was created to build community, discover the gems and hotspots within the Arlington neighborhoods, and learn some interesting history and fun facts along the way. Discover

THURSDAY, MAY 18 Nat Geo Nights: Expedition Raw Every month, National Geographic Museum opens its doors for a night of fun and exploration. These special monthly happy hours feature live stories from Nat Geo explorers, fun interactive activities, lively music, food and drink specials at the cash bar.

Admission to the museum is included. Each evening will kick off with a happy hour with hands-on activities such as drink tastings, small bites and trivia. This month, get an unfiltered look at the surprises, challenges and behind-the-scenes moments captured by National Geographic explorers in the field. Feel like part of the expedition with explorers live and in-person who have come face-to-face with wild animals, survived extreme environments and made unexpected discoveries. 5:30-8 p.m. $15 ticket includes light fare and cash bar. National Geographic Museum: 1145 17th St. NW, DC; www.nationalgeographic. org/events Arlington offers unique tours on foot with an emphasis on food, storytelling and local culture. The groups are kept small with the intention of giving guests one-on-one interaction while experiencing art, food and more. 12-4 p.m.

Tickets cost $45-$50. Signature Rosslyn Food Tour: Various locations in Arlington, VA; www. discoverarlingtonvirginia.com

SmartPhilm Fest The SmartPhilm Fest is a unique film/tech festival that celebrates and showcases shorts shot exclusively with smartphones and other mobile devices. With the rise of smartphones and the proliferation of apps, the ways creatives represent the world around society in digital media is rapidly changing. 4-8 p.m. Tickets are $10. Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse: 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA; www.arlingtondrafthouse.com

SATURDAY, MAY 13 SUNDAY, MAY 14 Washington DC Green Festival Expo Enjoy the Green Festival Marketplace by exploring over 200 exhibitors, hearing from over 50 inspirational speakers, indulging in some delicious vegan or vegetarian food, and learning all you need to know to

live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. DC Convention Center: 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW, DC; www.greenfestivals.com

MONDAY, MAY 15 Talk of the Hill with Bill Press: Christine Brennan, Sports Columnist for USA Today Award-winning journalist, political insider and Capitol Hill resident Bill Press will sit down at Hill Center for a one-on-one, thought-provoking conversation with Christine Brennan, who covers American sports as a columnist for USA Today, and has written and coauthored seven books. She was the first woman sports writer at the Miami Herald in 1981, and the first woman at the Washington Post to cover Washington’s NFL team (whose controversial name she does not use). She has covered 17

Olympic games, winter and summer, and is considered an expert in figure skating. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free to attend.

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital: 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, DC; www.hillcenterdc.org

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 2017 Best of Bethesda Party Don’t miss this night of delicious food and drinks, great entertainment and a look at the best that the Bethesda area has to offer. The party will include food from 22 awardwinning restaurants, live music, giveaways, and specialty cocktails, wine and beer. 6:30-10 p.m. Tickets cost $65. Best of Bethesda Party: 12435 Park Potomac Ave. 5th floor, Potomac, MD; www.eventbrite.com Gallery Talk: From the Desk of Simone de Beauvoir Looking for some artistic and intellectual nourishment during your lunch break? Join on

Wednesdays for short gallery talks to explore highlights from special exhibitions and NMWA’s collection with museum staff.

This week, the Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center’s director, Sarah Osborne Bender, discusses selections from the special exhibition From the Desk of Simone de Beauvoir. Starts at 12 p.m. Free admission. National Museum of Women in the Arts: 1250 New York Ave. NW, DC; www.nmwa.org

SATURDAY, MAY 20 Henderson Hall Uncorked Spring Wine Festival Taste over 100 wines at this annual event featuring free wine tastings, music and lunch for sale. Meet vendors from the Vineyard Wine & Spirits, who will introduce their newest offerings. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free to attend. Henderson Hall: 1555 Southgate Rd. Arlington, VA; www.mccshh.com/winefestival

EVENTS AND CATERING

Let us bring our neighborhood restaurant to you!!

Our food truck is different as we’ll customize our menu to you!

For menus and more information, visit www.tortoiseandhare.events, email info@tortoiseandhare.events or call us on (703) 979-1872. www.ontaponline.com | MAY 2017 | ON TAP

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Smooth Jazz Affair Dinner Concert The Smooth Jazz Affair will make its second return to the DMV in a 100 percent live band dinner concert. Meet for a special evening of elegant cuisine and great music. Will Holton is a nujazz R&B saxophonist, producer and songwriter who has performed alongside notable musicians. Dahlia Minnette will make her second appearance in DC with Virgin Islands R&B sensations Rena Faith, Bria and Kubie. 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Tickets are $60. Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern & Market: 1356 Okie St. NE, DC; www.ivycitysmokehouse. com

SUNDAY, MAY 21 Ye Old Town Alexandria Private Food Tour On this guided, narrated walking tour, you will experience and learn about Old Town Alexandria’s significance throughout the history of this country. During the tour, you

will stop to sample specially made dishes at long-standing, family-owned restaurants.

All dishes are served sitting down, so you can enjoy the ambiance of each restaurant while trying their specialties, and hearing their stories.

2-5 p.m. Tickets cost $85.99.

Market Square: Starting point at 301 King St. Alexandria, VA; www.adventuresforcreativetourists. com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge 2017 Embassy chefs from around the world will gather for the 2017 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge to showcase the unique flavors of their countries in a friendly and delicious culinary competition. With more than 30 embassies participating, this year’s event offers attendees a global culinary experience unmatched in DC. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a sip and bite from all

participating embassy chefs, and cast their votes for the People’s Choice award. The winner will be announced alongside the judges’ choice, selected by a group of elite members from the worlds of diplomacy, culture and the culinary arts, who will critique each dish and beverage before placing their votes. Starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $65-$115. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www. eventsdcembassychefchallenge. com

SATURDAY, MAY 27 Hometown Holiday Music Festival Join the City of Rockville on Memorial Day weekend for the Hometown Holiday Music Festival. Located at Rockville Town Center, this music festival has three stages of music and a community performance stage, and features more than 30 performances. In addition

to music, the event hosts the Taste of Rockville, and offers kids activities and the Rockville “Beach.” 2-10 p.m.

Free to attend. Hometown Holiday Music Festival: Various locations in Rockville, MD; www.rockvillemd.gov

SATURDAY, MAY 27 SUNDAY, MAY 28 Beast Coast 2017 Beast Coast is the world’s largest annual parkour event, featuring a more than 20,000-square-foot parkour park at Gateway Park in Rosslyn. There will be seminars with talented athletes, breakout sessions to explore the city and the fast contest, where some of the world’s fastest athletes compete for glory. There will also be great live DJs who create a fun festival atmosphere.

Saturday at 9 a.m. to Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are $5-$84.

Gateway Park: 1300 Lee Hwy. Arlington, VA; www.beastcoast. americanparkour.com

Mexican Cuisine infused with modern flair, served up waterside at Yards Park.

COUNTDOWN TO

CINCO!

DAILY HAPPY HOUR!

Sunday, April 30th – Thursday, May 4th

NIGHTLY SPECIALS: 3 Corona bottles $ 5 Margaritas Appetizer & Taco Specials $

3:30-7:00PM

Party with us on

CINCO DE MAYO Friday, May 5th!!

301 Water St. SE | Washington, DC | 202.484.0301 | agua301.com (At Yards Park, 2 blocks from Nats Park along the river walk, next to the fountains)

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

on the scene

FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THESE AND OTHER EVENTS, VISIT THE ONLINE GALLERY AT WWW.ONTAPONLINE.COM.

Happy Hour Monday - Friday: 3-6 pm

Drink Specials $ 5 Select Appetizers Flatbreads Deviled Eggs Chips & Queso Spin Dip Potato Skins Chicken Tenders

52 TVS + 27 DRAFTS = EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A PERFECT SEASON

Take our complimentary shuttle to Nats Park.

More fun than driving.

Save your ticket for a FREE Corona after the game.

Football-crazed Washington sports fans got their first taste of the Washington Valor at Verizon Center, as they enjoyed high-octane touchdowns and bone-crunching hits.

PHOTOS: MICHAEL COLEMAN

cantinamarina.com

600 Water Street, SW • Washington, DC 20024 • (202) 554-5000

www.ontaponline.com | MAY 2017 | ON TAP

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Photos: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club

By Michael Coleman ith all-star slugger Bryce Harper smashing game-winning home runs and ace pitcher Max Scherzer fanning batters left and right, the Washington Nationals roared into first place in the National League East to start the 2017 season, invigorating a fanbase that hopes to see the team hoist a World Series trophy later this year.

Nationals Park – almost always crackling with fan energy – is pulsing with renewed excitement this spring after a disappointing end to a 2016 season that saw the team make an early playoff exit. Strong play early in 2017 is putting plenty of fans back in the seats, and the team’s front office is working to make the ballpark experience better than ever.

“We’re constantly looking for ways to refresh the park and create new experiences for fans,” said Valerie Camillo, the Nationals chief revenue and marketing officer. “We have an 81-game season, so we like to refresh it not only between seasons, but even within a season.”

The Nationals have partnered with Major League Baseball to launch a customized phone app that allows fans to buy and

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

manage their tickets, order concessions for quick pick-up during the game, and access all sorts of Nationals news, promotions and in-game activities. Fans can even share tickets with friends directly from the app on their phones, and upgrade their seats in real-time.

Speaking of smart phones, the Nats’ front office says it recognizes that connectivity is important to its busy Washington area fanbase, which is why they nearly doubled the number of Wi-Fi access points throughout the ballpark. So don’t worry: if you must, you can still check and send those weeknight work emails easily from your seat.

As usual, the franchise is planning popular giveaways of player bobblehead dolls (Daniel Murphy, Trea Turner and Tanner Roark) several times throughout the season, as well as a snow globe featuring National League Cy Young winner Scherzer on May 24 and a Harper action figure on August 29. A Chewbacca koozie is on offer for Star Wars Day on May 27. The freebies don’t stop there. There Nats will also distribute a patriotic tank top on Flag Day, an Oktoberfest beer stein, a tote bag and even a fedora. Check the team’s website for exact dates.

As the season goes on, we’ll get more and more adjusted, and as these guys get more at bats, we’ll be better and better.

Also, make sure you show up to the ballpark with an appetite. New food offerings for 2017 include a variety of chicken wings and tater tots in flavors that include Chesapeake Bay, steakhouse, BBQ and buffalo. Fans in the Norfolk Southern Club will have access to BBQ pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, and smoked baked potatoes. And keep an eye out for the new chicken fried steak and biscuits at the Virginia Country Kitchen concession stand, as well as Italian sausage burgers in the main concourse. One of last year’s new food

may CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

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UFC 211

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CHASING SUNDAYS 14

NHL PLAYOFFS ALL GAMES

NBA PLAYOFFS ALL GAMES

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Max Scherzer

favorites – Rye’s babka ice cream sandwich cart – is back with its fresh deli sandwiches, as well as those of the ice cream variety.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to get your drink on, too. In addition to plenty of Budweiser, Bud Light and other varieties of beer, the ballpark now features the Devils Backbone Left Field Lodge. The lodge is a Devils Backbone Brewing Company stand that includes

picnic tables for fans to enjoy their brews and great views atop Nationals Park. If beer is not your thing, then look for the brand new mojito cart – Rum Runners – serving mojito cocktails throughout the season in the Center Field Plaza. Anheuser-Busch’s alcoholic seltzer water, SpikedSeltzer, comes in lime and grapefruit flavors.

Also new this season, the Nats are boasting the most stunning seats in all of professional baseball. The DC franchise has partnered with MGM National Harbor to launch the Dugout Club, featuring eight luxury leather recliners situated at field level right next to the Nats dugout. The sweet seats come with televisions, a private restroom, a personal attendant and a stocked refrigerator. But in order to score these tickets, you’ll need to go beyond the Nationals box office. They are not for sale to the general public, however. “[They are] for customers of MGM’s [M Life rewards program], and they are determining who their best customers are and [who] will get to come on down,” Camillo said.

Meanwhile, on the field and in the clubhouse, Nats players and their manager, veteran Dusty Baker, are sounding confident in their chances this season. But they also know they have a bullseye on their backs after winning 95 games and their third NL East in five years last season.

After a tough 4-2 loss to the Phillies in mid-April, Baker sounded philosophical about the long – and promising – season ahead.

“The whole season, every day is going to be a fight,” Baker told reporters after the loss. “Especially when you’re the incumbent division winner, teams are going to get up for you, and so it’s a matter for us to just keep fighting.”

“As the season goes on, we’ll get more and more adjusted, and as these guys get more at bats, we’ll be better and better.”

Learn more about the Nats’ 2017 season at www.mlb.com/nationals.

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

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on the scene

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

Fans sipped cold Bud and Bud Light at Nats Park, and enjoyed tunes from the high-energy “urban Americana� band Justin Trawick & The Common Good.

Photos: Devin Overbey

www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

27

NEW | NOTABLE | NO LONGER

Poké Papa bowl

Photo: Courtesy of Poké Papa

Poké Papa

Whaley’s seafood

Photo: Courtesy of Whaley’s

By Lani Furbank On Tap keeps locals in the know about the hottest new food and drink spots around town, the top culinary news of the month, and recent closings. Read on to get the inside scoop on what’s new, notable and no longer in the DC area.

childhood in Eastern Europe. Fitting, since the bar aims to evoke the nostalgia and comfort of visiting grandma. Baba: 2901 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.baba.bar

NEW Fried chicken club sandwich

Photo: Jai Williams

Mason Dixie Biscuit Co.

Baba octopus

Photo: Tigran Andronikovich Markaryan

Baba Open: March 20 Location: Clarendon Lowdown: The team behind the Balkaninspired Ambar restaurants has opened a chic café-bar hybrid in the basement of their Clarendon location. Baba, which is Serbian for grandmother, begins each morning as a spot for early risers to fuel up on coffee, pastries and oatmeal bowls.

As the day goes on, it transitions to lunch fare with seasonal veggie bowls and sandwiches, and then to a dimly lit cocktail den with Balkan small plates, which turns into a lounge with a DJ and colorful lights as the night continues. This is one hip, versatile grandmother. The welcoming hospitality that Ivan Iricanin’s concepts are known for carries over to this dynamic space, with servers eager to share their favorite rakia flavor or a story from their

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Open: April 15 Location: Gateway Lowdown: This growing local biscuit company traded in their Union Market stall for a brick-and-mortar drive-thru location.

They’ve renovated a former fast food spot and turned it into a space reminiscent of an old-fashioned diner or ice cream parlor, with vintage furniture and a retro color scheme. The family-friendly joint seats 32, so patrons can choose to grab their meals to go at the drive-thru window or order inside at the counter and linger. Chef and owner Jason Gehring has expanded the menu to include biscuit sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, as well as fried chicken by the box or bucket. They’ve also launched an ice cream program in partnership with Milk Cult. The offerings include ice cream by the scoop, ice cream sandwiches and hand-spun “Cultshakes.”

The entire menu breaks the fast food mold by eschewing preservatives and hormones in favor of fresh, local ingredients.

Mason Dixie: 2301 Bladensburg Rd. NE, DC; www.masondixiebiscuits.com

Open: April 6 Location: Penn Quarter Lowdown: Poke is approaching peak popularity in DC, and restaurateur Kerry Chao is feeding the frenzy. Poké Papa follows the fast-casual model, with customizable poke bowls as well as signature combinations. Chao’s menu offers authentic, raw Hawaiian options, like a simple ahi tuna, along with more diverse cooked proteins like Thai-style minced chicken. Diners can choose how many scoops of protein they’d like on their bowl.

The counter is stocked with fresh, highquality fish and proteins, plus a rainbow of toppings, ranging from traditional (seaweed salad, edamame, pickled ginger) to unconventional (pineapple, watermelon radish, spicy Thai fish sauce).

Located in the heart of Penn Quarter, the space is already bustling during the lunch hour as office workers line up for fresh, flavorful poke bowls. Poké Papa: 806 H St. NW, DC; www.pokepapa.com

Stable dishes

Photo: Courtesy of Stable

Stable Open: April 4 Location: H Street Lowdown: After cooking in kitchens around the world, two native Swiss hospitality pros decided it was time to bring a taste of their home to the District.

Swiss cuisine, much like the country itself, is a melting pot of flavors from France, Germany, Austria and Italy. Chef David Fritsche’s menu reflects this diversity, with a blend of bona fide Swiss dishes, like Zürich-style veal, and dishes found across Europe, like vol-au-vent and spätzle.

Of course, the iconic raclette is offered year-round (for parties of four to 12, with a reservation). The space is also an amalgam, as industrial accents from exposed brick and corrugated metal are juxtaposed with marks of a chalet or farmhouse in Switzerland, including reclaimed tin from a barn and Swiss military blankets as upholstery. Silvan Kraemer, the general manager, is the mind behind the beverage program, which features Swiss schnapps, European wines and cocktails inspired

by Switzerland using local spirits. Stable: 1324 H St. NE, DC; www.stabledc.com

NOTABLE

NOW OPEN

Hazel’s Ducked Up!

Photo: Courtesy of Hazel

to open their concept, and what they think it brings to the DC food scene.

All-Purpose Pizzeria “All-Purpose is a love letter to my youth.

Having grown up on eggplant parm, deck-oven pizza, antipasti salads and fried calamari, I felt a need to connect with that part of my past.” – Chef Mike Friedman 1250 9th St. NW, DC www.allpurposedc.com Hazel

Fiola spaghetti nero

Photo: Beth Kennedy

“Hazel contributes to a vibrant group of DC restaurants that are cooking without a lot of geographical boundaries and redefining what American cuisine [is].” – Chef Rob Rubba

Fiola’s New Executive Chef, Ed Scarpone

808 V St. NW, DC www.hazelrestaurant.com

Start date: March 3 Location: Penn Quarter Lowdown: The Trabocchis’ flagship restaurant is now under the direction of Chef Ed Scarpone, formerly the opening chef at DBGB. Scarpone chose to join Fiola to get back into fine dining, and he admired the classic approach taken

by Chef Fabio Trabocchi. “After getting to know him and seeing how much love he puts into his restaurants, I knew this was the right move,” Scarpone says. He’s working with the team to continue to elevate the prix fixe menu at Fiola. “We are implementing a dry-age program where I can monitor the aging process. We want the tasting menu at Fiola to be something people never forget – an experience for all the senses, a place where people celebrate special occasions.” Fiola: 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www.fioladc.com

Kōbō

RAMMY Award Nominations Announcement date: April 3 Awards gala date: July 30 Lowdown: Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced the nominees for the 2017 RAMMY Awards this month. We asked the chefs and owners of the five spots in the running for the New Restaurant of the Year award to share why they wanted

“Our deepest desire at Kōbō is to show our respect for Japanese culture through our food. We strive to be part of the evolution of sushi and where it is going.” – Chef Handry Tjan 5455 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, MD www.kobo-sushiko.com Requin “Mike Isabella and I originally opened Requin in Fairfax as a pop-up in December 2015, and were so impressed with its success and positive reception in Mosaic District that we decided to keep our doors permanently open.” – Chef Jennifer Carroll 8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA www.requinbymic.com Whaley’s “Dave [Wiseman] and I grew up going to Crisfield’s for oysters and eating crabs straight out of the bay. We always wanted to open a seafood place on the water.” – Owner Nick Wiseman 301 Water St. Suite 115, SE, DC www.whaleysdc.com

Abunai Poke 1920 L St. NW, DC www.abunaipoke.com Et Voila! (reopened) 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, DC www.etvoiladc.com Glover Park Cocktail Garden 2505 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC @gloverparkcocktailgarden Heritage Brewing Co. 9436 Center Point Ln. Manassas, VA www.heritagebrewing.com Kofuku 815 7th St. NW, DC Millie’s Spring Valley 4866 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC www.madaketmillies.com Pidzza 1250 U St NW, DC www.pidzza.com TaKorean 1301 U St. NW, DC www.takorean.com TasteLab in Union Market 1309 5th St. NE, DC www.unionmarketdc.com Third Eye 1723 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC www.thirdeyedc.com World of Beer 7200 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD www.worldofbeer.com

No Longer Asian Spice in H Street Corridor Bayou Bakery in Capitol Hill Carpool in Ballston Pie 360 in Alexandria Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company in Rockville

www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

29

Meal Kit Sooma carnitas

Photo: Courtesy of Sooma

By Alex Benedetto Meal kit delivery services have become increasingly popular over the last few years, with more than a dozen companies now offering Americans a variety of options to deal with the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?”

According to consumer research company Packaged Facts, meal kit delivery services have grown into a $1.5 billion market since 2012, with the likes of Martha Stewart, the New York Times and Amazon joining the space in the last year.

Now, all of these programs appear to have the same overall goal:

delivering pre-portioned, high-quality ingredients and delicious, easy-to-follow recipes to customers, saving them time shopping and creating a fun, stress-free cooking environment.

And you get to cook recipes you may not normally have opted to try, and use ingredients that you don’t have to worry about going bad when eating leftovers (I’m looking at you, cilantro). However, when you compare services a bit more closely, you soon realize there are definitely some key differences.

We tried out two of the major national brands, Plated and Blue Apron, as well as two DC area brands, Sooma Eats and Healthy Fresh Meals, for a brief look at what’s available.

National Kits

Blue Apron seared salmon and lemon labneh Photo: Courtesy of Blue Apron

Plated salmon and bowtie pasta Similar to vodka sauce in color and swoon-worthy silkiness, Italian-

Salmon and Bowtie Photo: Plated recipe card Pasta with

Pink Sauce and Peas

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American "pink sauce" is a blend of marinara and heavy cream, which balances the tomatoes' acidity—and creates a gorgeous pink hue. For tonight's playful bowtie pasta shapes, we're bumping up the comfort with simply seared salmon, plus tender peas for a bright, seasonal contrast.

25-35 minutes 790 calories per serving ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

From the start, Plated seemed to be a touch more expensive than Blue Apron, but certainly offered more flexibility. Customers can choose to order recipes for two, four or six people, making this service equally ideal for couples, families and those looking to entertain a group.

Pricing will run you $12 per meal, with the ability to choose from seven to nine menu options.

The insulated box that arrives at your door keeps all the food fresh up to midnight of your delivery date, and once you put everything in your fridge, it will stay fresh for up to five days after the delivery date.

We tried the salmon and bowtie pasta with pink sauce and peas, and the chicken al forno with salsa verde and parmesan-mashed potatoes. When our box arrived, all the meals came in individually wrapped bags, with all the ingredients for each meal clearly labeled, definitely saving some time. Recipe times will average you 25 to 45 minutes, unless you are a bit slow on the chopping. We did really appreciate the focus Plated has on making sure all the products it uses are sustainable (nontoxic and nonhazardous bags), and they source locally when possible.

Blue Apron comes in a bit less expensive than Plated, at around $8 to $10 per meal, with a two or four-person subscription and a flat rate of three meals per week. The two-person plan offers you six menu options for the week, while the four-person only offers four recipes. Ingredients arrive in an insulated bag (inside a delivery box), will stay fresh in the bag several hours after delivery and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week from the delivery date. We wish they had grouped all the ingredients together per meal, like Plated, just to save a touch more time.

Meal prep will run you around 40 minutes or so.

The cooking process for Blue Apron was a bit more beginner-friendly, with links on the recipe cards to online tips and how-to videos. We tried out the fontina-stuffed pork chops and seared salmon with lemon labneh. The Blue Apron meals came out a bit more impressive and we picked up some new skills along the way, plus they offer a wine delivery to pair with their meals.

on the scene Sooma jambalaya

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Sooma

Healthy Fresh Meals steak Photo: Courtesy of Healthy Fresh Meals

Local Kits Sooma Eats is positioning itself away from the Blue Aprons and Plateds of the world by delivering ingredients for multi-serving meals, geared toward low- to medium-income families. The DC-based service, which launched this past month, says their meals are “less a fancy two-person dinner and more multiethnic comfort food, something that makes sense for a large group of people or an individual who just wants to eat for the week.”

Customers can cook in larger batches once or twice a week to save time, with meals priced at $29, each providing five to seven servings (around $5 per serving). Currently, the service has six meal options including Indian vegetable curry, roasted chicken with root vegetables and pork carnitas. Meals are delivered Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and are currently available in the city, as well as in Arlington and Alexandria.

For Washingtonians looking to skip the whole cooking process entirely and get health-conscious meals, Healthy Fresh Meals is the way to go. The local year-old company delivers pre-prepared packaged meals to customers’ doors on Sunday, prepared within 24 hours of delivery. All meals are 500 calories or less, with a full breakdown of the nutritional content. Menus are offered weekly, with 20 options to choose from and 10 rotating options. Customer favorites include the turkey chili and bison-stuffed peppers.

And Healthy Fresh does not require subscriptions, which they say is due to the fact that a lot of their clients travel and have changing schedules. Customers can order as many or as few meals per week as they’d like, with pricing running $10 to $12 per meal, depending on protein choice. The service operates within a 30-mile radius of DC, delivering to Arlington, Reston, Herndon and upper Maryland.

Blue Apron www.blueapron.com

Plated www.plated.com

Healthy Fresh Meals www.healthyfreshmeals.com

Sooma Eats www.soomaeats.com

Guests sipped, socialized and savored the local flavors and art scene at Rosslyn CAFE: April Arts & Beats artist and culinary pop-up event.

Photos: Devin Overbey

www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

31

BEHIND THE BAR

By Monica Alford and Trent Johnson

Spring has officially sprung, marking every dog owner’s favorite time of year when they can finally drink outside with their pups. We caught up with folks from three famously pup-friendly spots in the DC area, and even got to meet a few of their four-legged regulars.

Sarah Rosner

Kevin Perone

Photos: Trent Johnson

Lead Bartender, Radiator

Owner and GM, Lyman’s Tavern

Sarah Rosner with Radiator server Divinity Bailey’s pup, Banjo

Kevin Perone with his pup, Bubbles

On Tap: What’s new at Radiator?

Sarah Rosner: With the Radiator team taking over the Mason & Rook rooftop this spring and summer, it’s been so fun to work together on pop-up cocktail menus.

On Tap: Why did you decide to make Lyman’s dog-friendly?

Kevin Perone: We’ve been dog-friendly since we opened. Bubbles [his pup] helped supervise the build out as well. I think every patio should be dog-friendly considering they’re family.

OT: Tell me about one of your most daring cocktails.

SR: We did a duck fat-washed Angel’s Envy à la duck l’orange cocktail for our “A Radiator Story” Christmas pop-up. It took forever to get it right. I could taste the duck fat for weeks, but we finally got it down.

OT: What are the canine perks of Lyman’s?

KP: We like dogs a lot, and have plenty of water bowls. We love making new furry friends.

OT: What new ingredients have you been playing with recently?

SR: Vinegars, clarified cocktails and always fresh herbs.

OT: What adjectives would you use to describe Radiator’s libations?

SR: For Radiator’s spring cocktail menu: bright, spicy, clean. For the Mason & Rook rooftop pop-up: cocktails, dreams, sugar.

OT: What cocktail would you recommend to someone adventurous?

SR: Try an obscure spirit like the Eddie Would Go with Okolehau.

Okolehau is a Hawaiian spirit made with ti root and sugar cane, and it tastes somewhere between the tropical, caramel, sweetness of rum and the earthy funkiness of tequila.

OT: What makes Radiator a dog-friendly location?

SR: Kimpton has always been pet-friendly. It’s a huge part of our brand.

The front desk always has dog treats on hand, and we have dog beds available. Many of our staff have dogs as well.

OT: How does the pup-friendly factor impact your customer base?

SR: When you have a dog, you want to take them with you to places to maximize your time together. The patio at Radiator provides that option.

OT: Does anyone on the Radiator team have a pup that you’re particularly fond of?

SR: Our server, Divinity Bailey, has Banjo, and they are both the best.

OT: What’s the vibe at Lyman’s?

KP: We’re a neighborhood corner bar with two patios and a lot of pinball machines. It gets busy up here on the weekends, and it’s nice not being down in a crazy corridor.

OT: Walk me through your drink menu.

KP: We have cheap beer, cocktails [and] a large whiskey menu. [We have] $2 draft PBRs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, and we always have a few frozen drinks too, from Moscow mules to piña coladas.

OT: Best brew currently on tap?

KP: We always have a DC Brau on tap, and we’re really stoked [about] Hellbender’s kölsch right now.

OT: What do you recommend for the non-beer drinker?

KP: Frozen drinks! It’s always a party when you’re drinking boozy slushies.

OT: Any fun events coming up this summer?

KP: We have a bunch of pinball tournaments through the summer, and I’m sure we’ll have some fun patio events as well.

Sarah’s Pick

Kevin’s Pick

Oloroso sherry Cinnamon Citrus (orange, lemon, lime) Berries (strawberry, raspberry)

Vodka Fresh lime Barritt’s Ginger Beer

Sherry Cobbler

Radiator: 1430 Rhode Island Ave. NW, DC; www.radiatordc.com

32

OT: What is Bubbles’ best personality trait?

KP: He just loves everything. He loves people and other dogs, sniffing... you know, dog stuff. His ears are super expressive.

On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Moscow Mule Slush

Lyman’s Tavern: 3720 14th St. NW, DC; www.facebook.com/lymanstaverndc

Photo: Courtesy of Mark Kirwan

Samuel Beckett’s owner Mark Kirwan’s pup, Ted

Danni Mackay Manager, Samuel Beckett’s

On Tap: What makes Samuel Beckett’s a traditional Irish pub?

DM: We are an independently owned Irish pub, and the owner Mark is very proud of the fact that he has created a pub which reflects a pub in Ireland. All of the pub came from Ireland (the flooring [and] light fixtures), and we have a large staff (including myself ) from Ireland.

OT: What can customers imbibe?

DM: We offer a great selection of imported and craft local beers. We have a very large selection of Irish whiskeys, scotch and bourbons. We also have a very large wine list, which is unusual for an Irish pub. Plus, we have great happy hour cocktails.

OT: Name a few of your favorite beers currently available.

DM: I think my favorite beers at the moment, other than the steadfast Guinness, would be our Eggenberg Pils or Crabbie Irish Man, [which is] Crabbie’s Ginger Beer from Scotland with a shot of Jameson in a tall glass over ice. We also have Stiegl Radler for those hot days!

OT: Best food/beer pairing available?

DM: Our lamb shank marinated in Guinness with a pint of Guinness.

OT: Why is Beckett’s a great spot for pups?

DM: The owner Mark [Kirwan] is a big dog lover. He owns a 68-pound English bulldog, Ted. He is a lunatic who is striving to be the laziest dog in the world. We love dogs and are very involved with Dogma [Bakery] and the Arlington County Rescue Society. We have the largest patio in Shirlington, so we can accommodate lots of dogs and their owners.

OT: Any dog-themed events or other perks?

DM: We serve dog treats and line our patios with watering bowls filled with ice for our favorite friends. We also hold happy hours for the rescue league and for the Irish Wolfhound Society.

OT: If you were a pup, why would you want to hang at Beckett’s?

DM: The care and attention that the staff and management give you, and the fact that Shirlington is like a dog mecca.

Danni’s Pick

guinness & Yellow spot whiskey

SOPHISTICATED GOURMET FOOD. AUTHENTIC GERMAN LAGERS. PERFECTLY CRAFTED. Gordon Biersch Navy Yard 100 M Street SE, Washington, DC 202.484.2739

Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub The Village at Shirlington 2800 S. Randolph St. #110, Arlington, VA; www.samuelbecketts.com

www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

33

Winery Brewery

By Alex Benedetto ineyards in Northern Virginia have become a haven for Washingtonians to get away from the hustle and bustle of the weekly grind. The wide open countryside, outdoor picnic spreads of charcuterie and cheeses, and regional wine varieties go perfectly with the need to slow down after a long week.

But, what do you do when some in your group are less interested in wine, and instead feeling a local brew?

Over the last few years, several local wineries have answered that call thanks to changes in local laws and the desire to offer their customers more variety.

Barrel Oak started brewing beer in November 2014, and in November 2016, opened its farm taphouse, with five beers on draft to join the 20 wines available.

Photos: Corcoran’s Facebook

sy Courte Photo:

l Oak of Barre

Photo: Barrel Oak’s Face

book

Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane is the only family farm winery in Virginia that is also licensed as a family farm brewery, and as such, its customers can drink wine and beer together.

“We are a hospitality business, here to take care of customers and make them happy,” says Barrel Oak’s proprietor, Brian Roeder. “A significant number of our customers kept asking why we didn’t have beer. So even though we are a winery and associate ourselves [with] that, we could see no good reason not to start producing and serving our beer.”

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Looking to diversify itself from competitors in the area, Corcoran Vineyards & Cidery opened up a second venture in Loudoun County several years ago. Corcoran Brewery started on the farm as a threebarrel system, separate from the winery, but soon outgrew its space.

In March 2014, Corcoran expanded to a new brewery facility in Purcellville, with a 10-barrel system and 12 beers on tap daily.

So far, Corcoran Brewing Company has produced over 33 distinct beers, ranging from kölsch-style and American pale ales to IPAs, stouts and bourbon barrel-aged drafts. The brewery is just five miles from the vineyards and cidery, where guests can sample 10 different wines and five unique ciders.

“We are able to offer everything people want right there,” says owner Lori Corcoran. “Having it together is key, and it serves everyone.”

The facilities operate separately, but are still in relatively close proximity to one another for those that want to make stops at both.

Corcoran says they aren’t exploring a family beer farm license like Barrel Oak, but aren’t completely ruling out the possibility, either.

“Not at this time, but never say, ‘never,’” she adds.

on the scene

FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THESE AND OTHER EVENTS, VISIT THE ONLINE GALLERY AT WWW.ONTAPONLINE.COM.

Photo: Quattro Goomba’s website

Photo: Quattro Goomba ’s Facebook

Over in Aldie, Quattro Goomba’s Winery and Brewery operate on the same property, offering patrons beer and wine, but they have to be consumed in separate, designated locations. The reason being, the winery and brewery have separate licenses, the latter of which is commercial.

But that doesn’t seem to hurt Quattro, which gets steady crowds every week interested in the wine selection and changing lineup of custom craft beers. And, as if beer and wine at the same location wasn’t enough, Quattro Goomba Brewery offers a brewpub menu with tacos and sandwiches, while the winery offers freshly baked bread and local handmade cheeses. There is also a pizza shop on the grounds, offering heavenly Sicilian pizzas, freshly made to order.

All three facilities are sure to have big plans come Memorial Day weekend. Barrel Oak Winery will be celebrating its ninth anniversary with live music, dancing and thousands of dollars in giveaways all weekend. Learn more about upcoming events at these winery-brewery hybrids on their websites.

Winery-Brewery Locations

Barrel Oak Winery and Farm Taphouse 3623 Grove Ln. Delaplane, VA www.barreloak.com Corcoran Brewery Company 205 E. Hirst Rd. Purcellville, VA www.corcoranbrewing.com Corcoran Vineyards & Cidery 14635 Corky’s Farm Ln. Waterford, VA www.corcorancider.com

Quattro Goomba’s Winery and Brewery 22860 Monroe-Madison Memorial Hwy. Aldie, VA www.goombawine.com www.goombabrewery.com

The DC Wine Fest spring edition at Long View Gallery was an elevated wine tasting experience featuring great food, live music performances and more.

PHOTOS: BRITTANY THOMAS

www.ontaponline.com | MAY 2017 | ON TAP

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All What’s On Tap listings are provided by the venues hosting them.

By Trent Johnson

Greetings, beer nerds! As you likely know, there are a number of fantastic establishments in the DMV where you can grab a pint, and their menus are always evolving and adapting to your tastes. If you’d rather avoid the guessing game, check out some of what’s coming up On Tap at a few of the area establishments below.

FRIDAY, MAY 5 Cinco De Mayo Party Join the Mad Fox Taproom for a Cinco de Mayo celebration as they open the windows to Wisconsin Avenue and enjoy the spring weather. Check out their selection of Mexican food and drink specials as you enjoy the mariachi music. 4 p.m. - 1 a.m. Mad Fox Taproom: 2218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; www.madfoxbrewing.com Lager Series: Mexican Dark Lager Release Party Port City is celebrating Cinco de Mayo by kicking off their new lager series with a Mexican dark lager. The brewery will also have live music from local favorite Taylor Carson from 7-9 p.m. The tour is at 6:30 p.m.

Be sure to reserve a spot. 3-10 p.m. Port City Brewery: 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.portcitybrewing.com

SATURDAY, MAY 6 Beer School 103: Beer & Food Pairing Join Heavy Seas Alehouse for a fun afternoon of pairing different Heavy Seas beers with classic summer foods: small plates with burger sliders, smoked chicken and everybody’s favorite – deviled eggs. There will even be something sweet to eat at the end. Learning never tasted so good. You will receive beer, samples and three small plates, plus dessert if attending.

12-2 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Heavy Seas Alehouse: 1501

36

Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.heavyseasalehouse.com Mad Fox Spring BierFest Join as Mad Fox turns their market square into a spring celebration showcasing more than 30 seasonal beers from some of the region’s finest breweries. There will be live music, grilled fare and activities for kids. Dogs are welcome as long as their humans are wellbehaved. Get tickets in advance so you don’t have to wait in line when you arrive. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets are $25-$65. Mad Fox Brewing Company: 444 W. Broad St. Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com Pedals ‘N’ Pints: May Long Ride Are you a bicyclist who loves beer and lives in the DMV? Be a part of Port City’s Pedals ‘N’ Pints May Long Ride. The brewery heard cries from hardcore bicyclists who wanted a longer ride before their beers. So, come out for a 9:45 a.m. ride this May. The group will leave from and come back to the brewery after tackling about 30 miles round trip at about a 14 to 16 mile-perhour pace. You’ll work up a thirst and return to plentiful brews.

There will also be a May Short Ride on May 20. All participants will need to sign a waiver beforehand. All riders must wear helmets. 9:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Port City Brewery: 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.portcitybrewing.com

On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

THURSDAY, MAY 11 Cheese & Craft Beer for the Great Outdoors Spend an evening with Righteous Cheese in an intimate class discovering and savoring seasonal cheeses. You’ll explore the world of cheese pairing by tasting four seasonal springtime cheeses perfect for the outdoors paired with four seasonal, refreshing craft beers, as well as accompaniments perfect for a picnic. Fromager and beer aficionado Melissa Provinsal will delve into the story behind each cheese, as well as give advice about selecting, serving, pairing and more. 7 p.m. Tickets are $49. Righteous Cheese: 1309 5th St. NE, DC; www.righteouscheese.com

SATURDAY, MAY 13 2017 LoCo Brewfest The 2017 LoCo Brewfest will feature the debut of a new beer from 18 Loudoun breweries. Be the first to sample the newest brews on Saturday, May 13 at Loudoun Station. The LoCo Brewfest will also highlight local food from Loudoun Station restaurants. Enjoy outdoor games from the Zone, as well as local music from live performances throughout the day. 1-6 p.m. Tickets are $10-$35.

Loudoun Station: Loudoun Station Drive in Ashburn, VA; www.lostrhino.com 80s Bar Crawl If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, it’s probably this crawl. The 80s Bar Crawl

takes you back to the days when MTV played music, when Pac-Man dominated the market and when Top Gun rocked the box office. Pull on your leotards, whip out your windbreakers and meet up at the bars. Tickets include a signature crawl cup, welcome drink, drink specials and a ton of 80s music. 2-10 p.m.

Tickets are $20-$30. Public Bar (registration bar): 1214 18th St. NW, DC; www.publicbar.co

SATURDAY, MAY 20 Bram Brew Fest If you are a true craft beer lover and a supporter of local breweries, then the Bram Brew Fest is for you. The event features almost 30 breweries that are within a drivable distance from Brambleton, so after you have your taste, you can easily visit the participators. Each brewer will be presenting two of their brews, plus be on hand to discuss anything you would like to know. 12-6 p.m. Tickets are $10-$50. Brambleton Plaza: Brambleton Plaza in Ashburn, VA; www.brambletonhoa.com/brew-fest

THURSDAY, MAY 25 Beer & Jazz Date Night Enjoy a superb four-course dinner prepared by Chef Nima Khazaeli, with each course paired with a 10-ounce, specialty in-house brewed beer. 6-9 p.m.

Tickets start at $55. Gordon Biersch: 900 F St. NW, DC; www.gordonbiersch.com

1020 Rockfish Valley Highway (Rt. 151) Nellysford, VA 22958 | (434) 361-1030

FRIDAY, JUNE 2 - SATURDAY, JUNE 3 SAVOR Craft Beer Festival Discover the perfect pairing. Mingle with the people behind the beers. Delight your senses under the soaring columns of the historic National Building Museum. A must-attend event for craft beer aficionados and foodies alike, SAVOR offers a memorable craft beer and food experience to a limited number

of guests in a truly unique atmosphere. At SAVOR, 86 small and independent breweries from around the country showcase 172 beers, each one thoughtfully paired with a small plate that will dazzle your palate. 7:3011 p.m. on both dates. Tickets are $135 per session. National Building Museum: 401 F St. NW, DC; www.savorcraftbeer.com

Drew McCormick Executive Beverage Director, Pizza Paradiso On Tap: How did you get into beer?

Drew McCormick: I’ve worked in restaurants for [as long as] I can remember. That’s how I got into alcohol generally, and I always loved beer growing up in Maine. I drank a lot of fresh IPAs up there. I started working at Paradiso maybe four years ago, and started drinking more and more beers, and realized that there’s way more than hoppy, fresh things. I realized that it can be a real culinary experience with pairings. I’ve always loved beer, and I believe that there’s a beer for every occasion.

On Tap: What sets Pizza Paradiso apart from other places you’ve worked?

DM: Staff education is really important to me, and you can do as much or as little with it as you want. We have a ton of people that are experienced here at work, so I’m always learning. I’m realizing that it’s a real profession, and something I’m really passionate about.

In Maine, the restaurant season is real seasonal. Coming down here and experiencing the broader restaurant community is radically different, and open year-round.

OT: How do you select beers?

DM: If someone on staff has something that I really like, I’ll bring it in and give it a try. Plus, you have to go out and drink and try new things.

In the past few weeks, because of the Craft Brewers Conference, there’s [been] a lot of beer in town that’s not normally accessible in DC. All of our draft lists are constantly rotating, and it gives me the freedom to try things.

OT: How often do you add new brews? Are you always looking?

DM: A lot of it is bouncing ideas off of people. [It’s] a balancing act because you don’t want to bring in more things than you’re selling.

Sometimes, you can’t help but order something weird to see if it works out.

OT: Are there certain beers that you get most excited about, such as varietals?

DM: I think it depends on the mood. My beer drinking mood depends

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Photo: Juliana Molina

on the weather. I love saison, [and] the whole farmhouse category, and I love anything that’s dry with a little bit of funk. Sour beers are good for the summer weather; when you’re outside and sweating, it’s good to have a salty beer. I’ve been drinking a lot of hoppy pilsners lately. They’re hoppy like an IPA, but not as boozy.

OT: What beer do you recommend for summer 2017?

DM: Union Brewing up in Baltimore has its Old Pro that’s really delicious. [It’s] a summer favorite around here. That hoppy pilsner is a great thing. One of my all-time favorites is a hiking beer: Evil Twin’s Sour Bikini. The ABV is super low, because you can drink it all day and even [stay] hydrated. I love the New England IPA style as well, because [of ] their hoppy, delicious beers. I’m excited to see what will happen with that over the summer.

Pizza Paradiso locations: Dupont Circle: 2003 P St. NW, DC Georgetown: 3282 M St. NW, DC Old Town Alexandria: 124 King St. Alexandria, VA Go to www.eatyourpizza.com to learn more.

BIERDO

By Nick Hardt

NEXT STOP:

PORTNER BREWHOUSE Portner’s cofounder Catherine Portner with head brewer Brian McElvaney

eimagined and tucked into the hip and blossoming West End of Alexandria, Portner Brewhouse has sprung up from its slumbering roots just in time for spring.

Prohibition forced the Robert Portner Brewing Company to close its doors in 1916, after nearly 50 years in business. Fortunately for us, the new brewhouse and restaurant has re-emerged with a plethora of beer recipes from its family’s rich brewing history, combined with new brewing ideas and a unique business model. I recently caught up with president and cofounder Catherine Portner about her newly revamped brewery, with one foot in the past and one foot stepping confidently into the future of local craft brewing. Read on to learn about what Portner’s new and improved business is up to, including a program to support the aspirations of homebrewers.

On Tap: Prohibition ended your family business and then as great-great granddaughters, you decided it was time

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

to bring the brewery back with your sister Margaret. What inspired that decision, and what changes have you made to the family brand?

Catherine Portner: Growing up, we would hear stories every now and then about a member of our family owning a brewery, but it was only much later in life that my sister and I really gained a greater appreciation for our own history, and also how much others appreciated it. After graduating from college, I became interested in craft beer at a music festival while my sister, Margaret, had a passion for hospitality and the culinary arts. Together with our family’s history, the three merged as a trifecta into the genesis of Portner Brewhouse, where we could give this history a proper home back in Alexandria. It is our goal to keep the original brand identity intact while building our own history. We showcase a celebration of the American Dream and strive to assist others in their own pursuit through our Craft Beer Test Kitchen®.

OT: What’s your long-term vision for the brewery outside of the actual brewhouse and restaurant?

CP: The greater vision for Portner Brewhouse is through that of the test kitchen. The goal

Photos: Jon Barnes

is to create a new sublevel distribution network within the existing three-tier alcohol system. We will be fine-tuning the program at Portner Brewhouse, and then looking to offer it to other breweries/brewpubs around the country so that other aspiring brewers in different areas may take part in such a program or any other location within the network.

OT: What else does the Craft Beer Test Kitchen® offer beyond giving aspiring homebrewers the ability to brew onsite and showcase their beer at Portner?

CP: April 7 was the official launch of the test kitchen with the release of two beers: the Andrew Wales Strong Ale and Andrew Wales Small Beer, brewed with local homebrewers Mike Stein and Pete Jones. We hope to accommodate a new applicant every four to six weeks. The overall program is designed to offer those accepted [the] experience [of ] working in a commercial setting, consultation with our head brewer on scaling their recipe, a public launch party for its official release at the brewpub, and dedicated feedback and sales data related to their beer. This is private production for public consumption as opposed to private production for private

consumption that may be done at a traditional brew-on-premises operation. The program is open to brewers at any level, though [the] focus [is] mainly on intermediate homebrewers to breweries in planning.

OT: Any exciting releases this summer?

CP: Our first full Craft Beer Test Kitchen® beer release will take place in mid-May: Mike Stuppy’s Pale Ale. The next seasonal lined up is a German hefeweizen, and we are still working out the remainder of our brewing calendar to provide flexibility for test kitchen applications.

on the scene

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

OT: Is your focus more on perfecting the historic recipes of Portner, or breathing fresh air into them?

CP: The total beer portfolio breaks down into three series: the pre-Prohibition series, which are our reconstructed recipes from the Robert Portner Brewing Company and will remain on tap year-round, brewmaster seasonal selections and the Craft Beer Test Kitchen®.

Over the last three years, we perfected the historic recipes to the best representations of what those would have been a century ago. Should additional information become available, we would definitely consider brewing a recipe that reflected that new information. While you can’t change history, there is always more to learn from it.

Bierdo Pro Tip: At Portner, start with the easy drinking Hofbrau Pilsner or the Tivoli Cream Ale. OT: Tell me about Portner’s outdoor space for the summer months.

CP: The 54-seat outdoor patio is about a week away from opening, and will provide one of the largest outdoor seating areas in Alexandria’s West End. OT: Other than the brewing company’s place of origin, why did Alexandria’s West End feel like a good fit for Portner?

CP: We were dedicated to opening our business in the City of Alexandria, back where it all began. The West End is a very diverse and growing area within the city, which was attractive to us for sharing the history outside of the confines of Old Town.

Are you interested in participating in the Craft Beer Test Kitchen®? Visit www.portnerbrewhouse.com or www.craftbeertestkitchen.com to apply, and drop off or send in a sample of your beer recipe.

Portner Brewhouse: 5770 Dow Ave. Alexandria, VA; 571-312-0243; www.portnerbrewhouse.com

Guests at the Capital BrewFest: Blossom Bash kicked off beer drinking season with unlimited tastings of 70+ craft beers and 25+ wines, and live music all day.

Photos: Ryan Hill

www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

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Coltrane

The Boston

Visits Pup-F ri

Terrier

endly Brewer

ies

Photos: Jamaal Lemon

By Jamaal Lemon August 9, 2012 It was on this date in Baltimore when I received one of the greatest buds on the planet, Coltrane – a stout, 14-pound Boston terrier with loads of intrusive curiosity and sulfur-scented butt rockets.

We’ve been through a lot in the past five years – failed relationships with women, unexpected and unwanted job promotions,

all-access summer concert passes, a paid internship to travel the world and drink beer, and a marriage to a first-generation Guyanese woman from New York. From start to present, Coltrane has been there and managed to ease tensions and anxieties a time or two along the way.

Unknowingly to most, Coltrane also takes frequent outings in the DMV, where he often displays his high aptitude for nosiness in pet-friendly establishments. As the South

Carolinian saying goes, “Those two are like bookends,” which perfectly describes our jaunts out on the town. If you see me (a Charleston, SC native, by the way), there’s a very high probability you’ll see Coltrane, and maybe even his beautiful Guyanese mother.

So where are these establishments that allow you to bring seemingly Napoleoniccomplexed dogs and hot South American wives married to mathematically-inept guys from South Carolina?

BREWERIES! Everybody wins! Who doesn’t love selecting session ales, checking out food trucks and meeting friendly strangers? These are some of the perks you get at breweries. I recently stopped by a few DMV area breweries so Coltrane could “socialize” (i.e., so his mom and dad could try some great and fresh local beer).

Columbia, Md. Living in downtown Silver Spring puts you in a sweet spot. You’re a few feet away from DC, a stone’s throw from Bethesda and Rockville, and a short 15-minute drive to Columbia, Md., which is also not far to take the day to kick back and have a few beers with Coltrane.

Enter Black Flag Brewing Company.

Right away, Black Flag jumped out at me because of its name.

Though I’m not the biggest Star Wars fan (the brewery is home to a mural paying homage to the beloved sci-fi saga), I can appreciate the theme and the pet-friendly environment.

Coltrane and I wandered in and were immediately greeted by a couple dogs and friendly smiles. I found a menu, ordered a flight and found a new favorite beer, (the “Belgie”), while Coltrane took the brewery tour and was given a growler.

Black Flag Brewing Company: 9315 Snowden River Pkwy.

Columbia, MD; www.blackflagbrewingco.com

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Brookland in NE, DC

Black Flag Brewing Company

I was excited to make a trip to Right Proper. I recently chatted with the executive director of the DC Brewers’ Guild, Kathy Rizzo, and she mentioned how awesome the beer and people are there. So Coltrane and I took a hump day trip to the Brookland neighborhood to toss back a few.

Though pets aren't allowed in the brewery, Right Proper does have a “front yard” equipped with picnic benches. Coltrane was perfectly fine with those arrangements.

Since we came on a Wednesday, there weren’t loads of people or pets outside, so I thought it would be a good idea to call up a few of my Atlas Brew Works buddies and have a “dudes only” gathering.

Always a good time, especially when Coltrane gets to bite and lick beards as well as lay out on Right Proper’s lawn.

As far as beer, try the Runcible (farmhouse IPA). Right Proper also has quite a few Berliner Weisse options for your sour cravings during the warm weather months.

Right Proper Brewing Company: 624 T St. NW, DC; www.rightproperbrewing.com Arlington, Va. Poor Coltrane.

Cap City is a brewpub (they serve food and beer), so pets aren’t allowed inside. But lucky for them, there is outside seating.

However, on this day, sitting outside may not have been the best idea due to the slight chill.

But as chilly as it was, it didn’t take away my need to have a few beers. Just like every brewery I visit, I always fall in love with one.

And on this day, I loved the Prohibition Porter. Malty, chocolatey and not too boozy – all the ingress of a love affair.

The only bummer was, I’m not convinced Coltrane had the best of times. The weather was not the coziest, but his mom managed to use a little ingenuity in keeping him warm (in the form of a pink scarf ).

Once the weather warms up for certain, we’ll all be heading back for more Prohibition Porters.

Capitol City Brewing Company: 4001 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA; www.capcitybrew.com

Right Proper Brewing Company

changing rowing and -g er ev an is to this truth The DMV uting factor ib tr n co a d are alike, area, an ies. No two er w re b y an is its m et-friendly them have p f ant o t lo a d an t time you w ts. So the nex . If g o d r u yo g environmen beer, brin a e av n, too. h ca d g an o your d go out ig it, I’m sure d n ca e n ra Colt

Capitol City Brewing Company www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

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11

Get a Proper Caffeine Buzz with

By Jake Emen

Cocktails

Affloatgato at Urbana With mezcal, Averna, vanilla syrup, cold brew and vanilla ice cream “When I was a child in Rhode Island, my grandmother would occasionally treat me to a root beer float, or her famous ‘coffee cabinet’ with vanilla bean ice cream and Rhode Island’s traditional coffee syrup,” says lead bartender Andrea Tateosian, who came up with the Affloatgato and its catchy name. “I wanted to recreate the nostalgia of this drink while staying true to Urbana’s Italian flavors.” Urbana: 2121 P St. NW, DC; www.urbanadc.com

44

Affogato Mr. Roboto at Quarter+Glory With Nonino Amaro, Dolin Rouge vermouth, cold brew, cream, Averna and vanilla ice cream Kenneth McCoy came up with this riff on an affogato, and found his own pun-inspired name. Not only is he the chief creative director of Public House Collective, but you may recognize him from Spike’s Behind the Bar. He has a simple description for this one: “La dolce vita!” Quarter+Glory: 2017 14th St. NW, DC; www.quarterandglory.com

On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Black Irish at Jack Rose With Jameson Black Barrel, Drambuie, cold brew, Angostura bitters and lemon peel Head bartender Benny Hurwitz took his inspiration from a classic Irish coffee, transforming it though into an Old Fashionedstyle cocktail. “This cocktail brings together two great classics: the Irish coffee and the Old Fashioned,” he says.

“A balance of spirit, sweet and spice with an added darkroasted finish.” Jack Rose: 2017 18th St. NW, DC; www.jackrosediningsaloon.com

Photo : Jake Emen

Photo : Courtesy of Jack Rose

Photo : Courtesy of Urbana

Photo : Courtesy of Quarter+Glory

eople get their buzz going in different ways. For some, it might be a happy hour cocktail after work. For others, it might be a morning or midday caffeine fix. Certainly, there are plenty of us who partake in both – so why not just do it at once? Enter the world of cold brew cocktails, with these 11 caffeinated cocktail creations across the city.

BSDC Nitro Irish Coffee at Bourbon Steak With Red Breast 12 Irish whiskey, cane syrup and Alchemist cold brew “We wanted to really elevate our coffee service in the restaurant and bar, and were particularly impressed with the cold brew

by Alchemist in Alexandria,” explains head bartender Torrence Swain. “Their nitro cold brew coffee is incredibly smooth, and has this creaminess that really works with the Red Breast. Whether or not you take your coffee black or with sugar, we found a little sweetness to be just right with the addition of cane syrup.” Bourbon Steak: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; www.bourbonsteakdc.com

NELSON COUNTY’S

FRESH LOOK FROM ORIGINAL CRAFT BREWERY

FOR A

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GET READY

Photo : Courtesy of Radiator

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

Carajillo at Radiator

Grace Street Martini at The Rye Bar at Rosewood

With blanco or reposado tequila, Licor 43, cold brew Kona coffee and orange peel

With rye whiskey, Grace Street cold brew, Maraschino liquor, Kahlua and simple syrup

“The Carajillo has a soft spot in my heart,” explains lead bartender Sarah Rosner. “One of my dear friends served a cold brew cocktail to me on my annual trip to Puerto Vallarta, and I immediately wanted to create a variation for American palates. And I absolutely had to use Kona coffee. Cold brew Kona is delicious and easy to keep behind the bar, and it incorporates a piece of my Hawaiian homeland into this cocktail.” Radiator: 1430 Rhode Island Ave. NW, DC; www.raditordc.com

The Rosewood partnered with Georgetown neighbor Grace Street Coffee to offer a popup coffee shop in their lobby, in-room coffee bags and a specialty cocktail at The Rye Bar. “We’re honored to be working alongside an established hotel, and [to] bring their visitors a signature DC experience,” says Angel Cabrera, GM of Grace Street. The Rye Bar at Rosewood: 1050 31st St. NW, DC; www.rosewoodhotels.com

With amber rum, simple syrup, Fernet, mint and cold brew

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Juan Coronado came up with this cocktail, a perfect fit for Colada Shop’s trifecta of Cuban culture, coffee and cocktails. The drink is named for Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill, a Cuban composer and conductor. “He’s best known for his work in the Latin idiom, especially Afro-Cuban jazz or ‘Cubop,’ although he also composed traditional jazz pieces and even symphonic works,” Coronado says. Colada Shop: 1405 T. St NW, DC; www.coladashop.com

Photo : Courtesy of Dino’s Grotto

Photo : Courtesy of Courtesy of Colada Shop

Chico O’ Farrill at Colada Shop

Gin Festival at One Eight Distilling was the culmination of Gin World DC, featuring multiple brand tastings and gin education.

Photos: Brittany Thomas

Photo : Courtesy of Rosewood

on the scene

Hipnos at Dino’s Grotto With rye whiskey, amaro, cold brew Kona coffee, sugar, absinthe rinse and orange bitters “Spicy chocolate notes that rounds out with a hint of licorice,” describes Dino’s Grotto Beverage Director Ric Newton about his drink. “I use Kona coffee to pick up the chocolate notes in the amaro. The rye adds the spice; the absinthe [adds] the licorice. The sugar and bitters makes all the ingredients get along.” Dino’s Grotto: 1914 19th St. NW, DC; www.dinoinshaw.comm

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on the scene

Photo : Courtesy of The Royal

Photo : Courtesy of Penn Commons

For more photos from these And other events, visit the online gallery at www.ontaponline.com.

Spiked Nitro Cold Brew at Penn Commons

The Monks Made Me Do It at The Royal

With green Chartreuse, Tempus Fugit Dark Cacao and housemade cold brew

With Rujero singani, green Chartreuse, cold brew, hopped grapefruit bitters and lemon

“Cold brew is really having a moment right now, and I was eager to try it out behind the bar,” says Passion Food Hospitality Wine and Beverage Director Scott Clime, who makes his own nitrous-charged cold brew in-house. “Charging it with nitrogen lightens it up by pumping it full of tiny bubbles so you get that Guinness-like creaminess, and the addition of Chartreuse was a no-brainer.”

Penn Commons: 700 6th St. NW, DC; www.penncommonsdc.com

The Royal is an ideal destination for a combo caffeine and cocktail fix, as the all-day joint is known for their stellar programs for both. “The natural citrus notes and bitterness of the cold brew really pair well with the lemon juice and the rich floral earthiness from the Rujero singani,” explains bar manager Andrew Larsen. “Using the Chartreuse and the hopped grapefruit bitters really kicks the complexity to another level.” The Royal: 501 Florida Ave. NW, DC; www.theroyaldc.com

Wide Eyed at Dirty Habit

Photo : Courtesy of Dirty Habit

With Hamilton Jamaican rum, macadamia orgeat, salted falernum, cream and Vigilante cold brew

This year’s Craft Brewers Conference brought 14,000+ brewing professionals together for a week of expo events, craft beer industry panels and much more.

Photos: Mark Raker

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Head bartender Sarah Ruiz wanted to go funky and nutty with her Wide Eyed cocktail.

“I love rum and salt together,” she says. “The addition of macadamia and cold brew creates a decadent drink that highlights the funky Jamaican rum.” Dirty Habit: 555 8th St. NW, DC; www.dirtyhabitdc.com

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A Day in the

Life

Wolf Trap’s

SARA BEESLEY Photo: Traci J Brooks Studios

By Trent Johnson

ver wonder what it took to get that musician on that stage? It’s not as easy as choosing songs for a playlist; there’s no “drag and drop” to the concert business. Enter folks like Wolf Trap’s Sara Beesley, a lifelong fan of music who turned her passion into her profession, booking shows behind the scenes at the Northern Virginia venue as the senior director of program and production.

Her fandom for songs and musicians is easily identified by a peek inside her office, where old concert posters adorn the walls, and a Prince shrine occupies an entire row of a shelf loaded with numerous other knick-knacks from her time in the business.

With summer quickly approaching, festival season comes with it, meaning Beesley’s hard work booking and negotiating is about to come to vivid fruition. Before the weather and Wolf Trap stage heat up, we got a chance to speak with her about her role at the famed national park for the performing arts.

On Tap: You’ve been on the booking and programming side of music for awhile now, but you studied music theory in college. How were you introduced to music? Did you play instruments growing up?

Sara Beesley: I grew up performing and listening to music constantly. I wanted a job after college, so I went into the music business [laughs]. But I still kept a lot of the focus on performing while I was at Manhattanville College as well. I played classical guitar all throughout college, and was in both jazz and classical guitar ensembles for four years.

I was never super comfortable on the stage, so I thought it would be best for me to go into the management side of it and work behind the scenes.

OT: How much research did you do before moving from New York City to here?

SB: A good amount. I researched a lot about

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

this venue and some other venues in the area. I had some friends down here. For me, it seemed like a really good transition. [My] previous job as associate director was also at a nonprofit music venue, Joe’s Pub. It was a performance space that was part of a larger organization that was mission-driven, and there’s only a few venues that are like that.

To me, it’s something that’s important.

OT: Can you give us a quick rundown of your responsibilities at Wolf Trap?

SB: I book all of the pop shows at the Filene Center, which is 70 to 80 shows per summer in the outdoor amphitheater. I also book for the Barns, the indoor space that runs from October to April. And I oversee all of the production aspects at both venues, and the backstage catering, productions, artist relations, and all the nuts and bolts that go into the back end of a show.

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Dresses with pockets A nearby karaoke bar Excel spreadsheets A Kitchenaid mixer Meat and cheese plates OT: How do you keep a pulse on the music scene and decide who to book?

SB: A big part of my job is staying current with what’s out there. I go to a lot of festivals, and there are a lot of conferences that I attend. I live downtown, and I go to a ton of shows in DC. A big part of my job is watching the charts, the ticket sales and in a perfect world, getting an emerging artist at the right time for our venue. For example, I saw Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at Rock

ALL-TIME FAVES Paul McCartney Provincetown, Mass.

Shellfish Polka dots Bridget Everett & Roll Hotel, and booked them nine months later to sell out the Filene Center. I saw them, and it was packed and they were incredible.

There were enough indicators that it would be a thing.

OT: How do you determine what acts make sense for Wolf Trap?

SB: I listen to a lot of college radio stations, and just pay attention to what people are listening to. I wouldn’t work in live music if I didn’t like going out to see it often. It’s a fun part of the job to keep up with it.

OT: Pop is an overarching term for a lot of genres. Are there any in particular you focus on at Wolf Trap?

SB: We try to be as diverse as possible and hit as many different genres in a season.

Within that, we also want to hit different generations as well. Really, it’s a universal amphitheater, and so many kinds of music work well. We’ll have old-school R&B, classical Latin, rock and even opera.

OT: How do you keep track of who’s coming and going, and what sphere of music they operate in?

SB: Massive spreadsheets [laughs]. I have a nerdy system of keeping track of artists that I want to have here. I’ve been booking here for four years, and I have a wish list of artists that I put offers in for every year, and a list of people [who] agents suggest. It’s a big puzzle – making sure we don’t have two conflicting artists [in one] week, and keeping the genres spread out.

OT: Can you name one on your wish list?

SB: I’ve been a massive Paul McCartney fan my whole life, and I know he’s on everyone’s wish list. That would be a huge one for me.

Getting [Bruce] Springsteen in here would probably be a reach, but a dream. For me personally, I’m a huge Fleetwood Mac fan and we have Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie here together this summer. I almost cried when that show confirmed.

OT: What other artists are you looking forward to this season?

SB: We have a ton of good folks this season.

Mary J. Blige is kicking off this summer.

Photos: Trent Johnson

She’s an artist that we had in 2000, and we’ve wanted her back for awhile. Another band that I saw at SXSW a couple of years ago that’s playing this year is St. Paul & The Broken Bones.

OT: Are there any that you thought you had this season, but fell through at the last minute?

SB: Things kind of fall apart all the time, unfortunately [laughs]. I had to learn pretty quickly to not let it faze me, because sometimes big shows happen when you don’t expect them to. We always have to have plans B, C and D ready. I’m always a little superstitious until we get a real confirmation.

WOLF TRAP MUST-HAVES A Walkie Talkie Snacks Flavor ices Comfortable shoes A golf cart show by show to find who the audience is for a particular show, rather than doing the overarching season as a whole. We have a baseline of Wolf Trap devotees, and then the rest are filled in with the specific fans of those artists.

OT: What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?

SB: Once the show is up and we can breathe, walking outside through the lawn on a venue tour is fun. It’s a rewarding feeling to watch 7,000 people see their favorite band up on the stage, and then watching them leave happy. That’s why we do this, for that experience.

OT: Is there a recent show that sticks out to you?

SB: Last year, we had Sufjan Stevens, and that was the most fun show I’ve ever seen here. For a lot of the audience, I think it was their first time at the venue, and the show was gorgeous and visually stunning. There were balloons, costumes and a video screen designed for the show. Everyone’s faces were glowing because of how fun it was.

OT: Is there a target audience that you keep in mind while booking shows?

SB: We have multiple audiences. We have marketing meetings and [go through]

OT: What’s the strangest thing an artist has requested?

SB: We had a show a couple of years ago www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

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Photo: Courtesy of Wolf Trap

[where] we received a request for an autographed and framed picture of Burt Reynolds to be in the dressing room. That’s my favorite. A lot of times, those requests are included to see if you’re paying attention.

Sometimes if it’s really obscure, we’ll ask and see if they really need it.

OT: So did you guys find the Burt Reynolds photo?

SB: Yeah, we ended up having to get it. Another time a band brought an outdoor setup for their kids who were on tour with them, so we had to fill up a kiddie pool and set up chairs. Some artists bring grills and bikes, and we even had to set up a tattoo room for an artist once.

OT: What are some major differences in prepping for an outdoor versus indoor show?

SB: For the park, we partner with the National Park Service, so there’s a lot of prep with the grounds in general. The biggest challenge we have is weather, but we are rain or shine. People come out with tarps and umbrellas, because they’re out there for the long haul. But it’s fun sometimes if the artist is digging it and everyone is working through the weather.

OT: What sets Wolf Trap apart from other venues?

SB: I think the pristine setting of Wolf Trap and the national park is a big selling point. It’s a radical difference from the city. You walk in and you just see park grounds all around you. That’s something the artists and audiences see immediately, and it keeps them wanting to come back. We also allow people to bring their own food and drinks. We want it to be as accessible as possible. It’s an experience, and an overall introduction to the arts. Our audience appreciates and knows this.

Check out Wolf Trap’s summer 2017 lineup at www.wolftrap.org.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts: 1635 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; 703-255-1900; www.wolftrap.org

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

S

ummer starts now. It is said that Memorial Day is the “unofficial start of summer,” but we beg to differ. When the calendar turns to May 1, the DC area explodes with a frenzy of festivals and outdoor fun. Following is a list of highlights, from free concerts to road tripworthy adventures.

The entire list will be online all summer, and we’ll be adding to it as new info comes in, so be sure to visit www.ontaponline. com for updates. As always, the listings are provided courtesy of the organizers or culled from online postings. Please check event websites before heading out the door, as ticket pricing is often tiered and lineups are subject to change. Happy festival season!

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DC JazzFest at Yards Park

FRIDAY, MAY 5 SATURDAY, MAY 6 Breakin’ Even Fest This two-day music festival in DC features headliners Pkew Pkew Pkew and The Sidekicks.

Music lovers everywhere can come enjoy and support local bands that are sure to light up DC. Songbyrd Music House & Record Café: 2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.facebook.com/ breakinevenfest/

SATURDAY, MAY 6 Broccoli City Music Festival Broccoli City launched in 2013 and has gathered over 35,000 people in the spirit of Earth Day, health, sustainability and economic development, promoting an environmentally sustainable lifestyle through music. This year’s big names in music include Solange and Rae Sremmurd, along with others like 21 Savage and Lil Yachty. 12-10 p.m. Various ticket prices available.

St. Elizabeth East Gateway Pavilion: 1100 Alabama Ave. SE, DC; www.bcfestival.com

On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Funk Parade Funk Parade is a one-of-a-kind day fair, parade and music festival celebrating DC’s vibrant music and arts scenes, including the U Street neighborhood and the spirit of funk that brings people together. The lineup includes Backyard Band, Sinkane, Sun Ra Arkestra, Reesa Renee and Clones of Funk, among others.

12-10 p.m. Free to attend, but donations appreciated. Funk Parade: Along U Street in NW, DC; www.funkparade.com Mad Fox’s Spring BierFest Kick off the beer festival season outdoors in the market square!

Sample a wide variety of awardwinning Spring Bock, and over 30 seasonal beers from some of the region’s finest breweries.

Enjoy live music and great food as you sip and celebrate spring! 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets are $25-$65 with VIP tickets available. Mad Fox Brewing Company: 444 W. Broad St. Falls Church, VA; www.madfoxbrewing.com Park Potomac Festival Enjoy a beer and wine garden, food samples from local restaurants, treats from food trucks, and live music from the 19th Street Band for adults. For

the little ones, check out the Squeals on Wheels petting zoo, face painting, balloon twisting and more. This year, the festival is partnering with Children’s National Medical, with Dr. Bear and kid-friendly activities onsite.

12-3 p.m. Free to attend. Park Potomac Festival: 12435 Park Potomac Ave. Potomac, MD; www.parkpotomac.com Starr Hill IPA JAMBEEREE Starr Hill Brewery's IPA JAMBEEREE is a festival celebrating IPAs and live music in Virginia. The event will be held at Hangar Park, across from Starr Hill Brewery & Tap Room. Attendees will sample more than 50 different IPAs from more than 15 Virginia breweries, featuring rare and exclusive offerings from Starr Hill.

Attendees will also partake in interactive exhibits with local hop growers. Enter in the homebrew competition for a chance to brew with the Star Hill team. A showstopping lineup of live music performances will complete the ultimate Starr Hill experience alongside food trucks, games and proceeds to benefit a local nonprofit organization. 2-6 p.m.

Tickets cost $25-$65. The Hangar Park: 5391 Three Notch'd Rd. Crozet, VA; www.jambeeree.com

SUNDAY, MAY 7 (RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER) First Sunday Arts Festivals First Sunday Arts is the area’s premier monthly arts & craft festival with 130 artisans, café dining, entertainment and food trucks. This monthly arts festival in downtown Annapolis has easy garage parking right next to the festival, and free admission. Come out and enjoy the day with your friends and family in the Annapolis Arts District. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Annapolis Arts District: 55 West St. Annapolis, MD; www.facebook. com/firstsundayarts

SUNDAY, MAY 7 The Bloody Mary Festival Enjoy the craftiest and most delicious Bloody Marys from the 14th Street Corridor to Georgetown at the Blind Whino SW Arts Club. You won’t find any plain tomato juice or horseradish concoctions at this event. Enjoy three hours of the DC area’s most creative and innovative Bloody Marys, created by the finest restaurants and bars in the area.

The festival includes Bloody Marys, a bagel bar, cheese tables, tastes of local artisanal food and drinks, music and more. Participating bars include Hank’s Oyster Bar, Bar Pilar, Range, Barrel, Due South, Old Engine 12 and newcomer La Jambe. 1-4 p.m. $50-$79. SW Arts Club: 700 Delaware Ave. SW, DC; www.thebloodymaryfest.com Fiesta Asia Silver Spring Happenings at Fiesta Asia include live performances, open market exhibitors, interactive displays, AsiaMoves dance lessons and much more. This Maryland event will enchant and entertain you all day long. Fiesta Asia Silver Spring: Time and location TBD; www.fiestaasia.org

SATURDAY, MAY 13 Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival Join DC’s signature folk festival in its eighth year. Celebrate spring with amazing local talent and the natural beauty of the nation’s

capital. Come out for music, food, drinks and community! 12-9 p.m.

Tickets are $30. Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival: 575 Oklahoma Ave. NE, DC; www.kingmanislandbluegrass. info Maryland Craft Beer Festival Celebrate your favorite Maryland breweries at the Maryland Craft Beer Festival. More than 40 all-Maryland breweries will present 180+ unique, finely crafted ales and lagers. This festival features live music, an eclectic display of Frederickbased art and a variety of food offerings prepared to partner perfectly with craft beers. 12-5 p.m. Tickets are $40-$50, with $10 designated driver tickets available.

Carroll Creek Linear Park: 44 South Market St. Frederick, MD; www.mdcraftbeerfestival.com Of Ale and History Beer Fest This is the longest running beer festival in Virginia, with more than 60 beers available for tasting including European imports, American craft brews, hard ciders and specialty beers. There will also be live music all day, featuring the Robbie Limon Band and The Reflex. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass, eight beer tastings, access to all vendors, live performances and new this year, speakers on beer and brewing in the Big Red Barn.

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. At the gate, tasting tickets will be $25. Designated drivers or guests under 21 may purchase admission tickets for $10, including two nonalcoholic beverages. Belle Grove Plantation: 336 Belle Grove Rd. Middletown, VA; www.bellegrove. org/calendar/beer_festival

SATURDAY, MAY 13 SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Virginia Renaissance Faire At the Virginia Renaissance Faire, there’s music and dancing, shops filled with the finest crafts, and a variety of foods and beverages.

Sample the ales, ciders and mead in the Barleycorn Tavern or the Lake Anna wines near the Woodland stage. Join the militia in

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FRIDAY, MAY 19 - SUNDAY, MAY 21

pike drill or present a case in the Court of Common Pleas. It’s a full day of fun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are $10. Lake Anna Winery: 5621 Courthouse Rd. Spotsylvania, VA; www.varf.org

Along Norfolk, Auburn and Del Ray Avenues in Bethesda, MD; www.bethesda.org

SATURDAY, MAY 13 SUNDAY, MAY 14

Preakness Balloon Festival The Howard County Fairgrounds in Howard County, Md. will brighten the skies this year as the centerpiece venue for the long-running balloon festival.

Spectators will enjoy the wonder of hot air balloons, specialty crafts, entertainment and good food during this family-friendly festival. Thursday and Friday 2-9 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 6-9 a.m. Parking tickets are $20-$35. Howard County Fairgrounds: 2210 Fairgrounds Rd. West Friendship, MD; www. ballooningusa.com/preakness/

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival This year’s Bethesda Fine Arts festival features 130 artists in various genres including live rock, jazz, reggae music and more!

Walk through the festival and peruse unique jewelry, clothing and furniture that’ll be on display.

Then stop by the restaurants to enjoy pizza, barbecue, sandwiches and ice cream. Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free to attend.

Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle:

THURSDAY, MAY 18 SATURDAY, MAY 20

Mount Vernon Wine Festival & Sunset Tour You might see George and Martha Washington…okay, so you meet them in costume!

Celebrate the history of wine in Virginia with exclusive evening tours of the mansion and cellars, more than 20 Virginia wineries, and live jazz overlooking views of the estate and the Potomac River. 6-9 p.m. $36-40 for general admission. Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. Mt. Vernon, VA; www.mountvernon.org

SATURDAY, MAY 20 Adventure Brewing’s 3rd Anniversary Festival There will be a ton of great stuff planned for you, including live music all day, rotating taps, breweries with their own stations, food trucks and local vendors.

The brewery will also release its three-year anniversary triple IPA, Bourbon Barrel Stonewall Stout and long-awaited Temporary Insanity, all on the same day.

12-10 p.m. Tickets are $14$25. Adventure North: 33 Perchwood Dr. Fredericksburg, VA; www.adventurebrewing.com Budweiser InfieldFest Get ready for the running of the 142nd Preakness Stakes with this year’s festival, featuring two stages, the MUG club and unique attractions all day. Headliners include multi-platinum artist Sam Hunt, Good Charlotte, LOCASH and Zedd. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tickets are $100. Pimlico Race Course: 5201 Park Heights Ave. Baltimore, MD; www.preakness.com Fiesta Asia Street Fair The 11th annual National Asian Heritage Festival’s signature event, the Fiesta Asia Street Fair, features more than 1,000 performers on five stages representing more than 20 cultures for nine consecutive hours. Enjoy live performances from musicians, vocalists, dancers and martial artists, Pan-Asian cuisine, a

Justin Trawick at the District Wharf Photo: Tracy Conoboy

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

shopping bazaar, kid-friendly interactive activities, a talent competition, a cultural parade, Bollywood street dancing, and exhibits of traditional and contemporary Asian crafts and beer. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Free to attend. Fiesta Asia Street Fair: Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 6th Streets in NW, DC; www.fiestaasia.org Virginia Wine & Craft Festival Grab a drink and hit the caves.

Relax and enjoy shopping for handmade crafts from 100+ vendors, artists and crafters from all over the East Coast, listening to live music, playing games, and trying lots of wine from 20 different wineries. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free entry; $25$30 for wine tasting. Historic Downtown Front Royal: 106 Chester St. Front Royal, VA; www.wineandcraftfestival.com

SATURDAY, MAY 20 SUNDAY, MAY 21 Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival The 26th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will take place this year at the Reston Town Center. The festival is free and open to the public, although $5 donations per adult in support of GRACE are encouraged and appreciated. Festival attendees will enjoy viewing inspiring and innovative art in a wide variety of media and styles; interacting directly with artists from around the country; and exploring their own creativity in the Family Art Park, featuring free face painting and balloon animals. Expect to get a festival guide with over $50 worth of dining certificates.

The festival will also include the performing arts, with innovative dance performances sponsored by the Reston Community Center and other musical entertainment presented throughout the weekend. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Reston Town Center: 11900 Market St. Reston, VA; www. restonarts.org/fineartsfestival2017

DCJAZZFESTIVAL TAKE METROBUS AND METRORAIL TO THE...

JUNE 9 – 18, 2017

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EVENTS DC PRESENTS DC JAZZFEST AT THE YARDS 355 Water Street SE • TICKETMASTER.COM

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Saturday EVENTS DC PRESENTS DC JAZZFEST AT THE YARDS

KENNY GARRETT • JACOB (Gate) 2 PM –Water 106/16 PM LORI WILLIAMS, OLA ONABULÉ 355Friday Street SE • TICKETMASTER.COM

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WILLIAMS, OLA ONABULÉ 6/16 LORI ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT 6/17GREGORY PORTER KENNY GARRETT • JACOB COLLIER 6/18 ROBERT KANDACE GLASPER SPRINGS, NEW CENTURY JAZZ QUINTET Saturday 6/17 VIOLIN EXPERIMENT • YOUNGJOO SONG SEPTET, (Gate) 2 PM – 9:30 PM BLACK (Gate) 2 PM – 10 PM KENNY GARRETT • JACOB COLLIER GREGORY PORTER SARAH ELIZABETH CHARLES & SCOPE Sunday 6/18 KANDACE SPRINGS, NEW CENTURY JAZZ QUINTET (Gate) 2 PM – 9:30 PM BLACK VIOLIN • YOUNGJOO SONG SEPTET, PORTER SARAHDCJAZZFEST.ORG ELIZABETH CHARLES & SCOPE Sunday 6/18 GREGORY @DCJAZZFEST For tickets, artists and a complete schedule, visit Friday (Gate) 5Saturday PM – 10 PM • Free Sunday(Gate) 2 PM – 10 PM

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The DC Jazz Festival®, a 501(c)(3) non-profit service organization, and its programs are made possible, in part, with major grants from the Government of the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, Mayor; and, in part, by major grants from the Anne and Ronald Abramson Family Foundation, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Gillon Family Charitable Fund, The JazzCharitable Festival®non-profit , aFoundation, 501(c)(3) non-profit service organization,Wells andand itsFargo programs are madeThe possible, in part, with major Mayo CrossCurrents Foundation, NEAmade Foundation, Venable in part, with major The DC Jazz Festival®The , aDC 501(c)(3) service organization, itsFoundation, programs are possible, grants from the of the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, Mayor; and, in part, by majorDreyfus grants from Anne The Foundation, TheGovernment Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts, The Max and Victoria Foundation, grants from the Government ofAbramson the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, Mayor; and, inFamily part, by the major grants from the Anne and Ronald Family Foundation, The Morris and Memorial Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Charitable Fund,and Reva & David Logan Foundation, John Edward Fowler Foundation, Bill and Gillon Melinda Gates Foundation; TheFamily Mayo Foundation, CrossCurrents Foundation, Wells Foundation, The Venable with awardsCharitable from the National Endowment for the Arts and the DC Fargo Commission on the ArtsNEA and Foundation, Humanities, an agency and Ronald Abramson Foundation, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Gillon Family Charitable Fund, Foundation,in The Coors Foundation Performing The Max andAll Victoria Foundation, The supported partDallas by theMorse National Endowment forfor thethe Arts. ©2017 Arts, DC Jazz Festival. rights Dreyfus reserved.

The Mayo CharitableRevaFoundation, CrossCurrents Foundation, Fargo The NEA & David Logan Foundation, John Edward Fowler MemorialWells Foundation, Bill andFoundation, Melinda Gates Foundation; and Foundation, Venable with Morse awards from the National Endowment for Arts Performing and the DC Commission the Max Arts andand Humanities, an agency Foundation, The Dallas Coors Foundation forthethe Arts, on The Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, The supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. ©2017 DC Jazz Festival. All rights reserved.

Reva & David Logan Foundation, John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and with awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. ©2017 DC Jazz Festival. All rights reserved.

Wine in the Woods With over 35 wineries participating, sharpen your palate by attending wine education seminars while also enjoying exceptional food and works offered by invited chefs, artists and over 40 craft artisans. There will be live music on two stages and 20 food vendors. 11 a.m.

- 5 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$40.

Symphony Woods Park: Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; www.wineinthewoods.com

SUNDAY, MAY 21 Taste of Arlington The 30th annual Taste of Arlington transforms Wilson Boulevard and neighboring streets into a family-friendly street festival with dining, music and entertainment for all ages. This annual festival features the cuisine of more than 50 Arlington restaurants and two food trucks, two concert stages, an expanded beer and wine garden with Deschutes Brewery’s Street Pub, a 5K race benefiting Girls on the Run, a bark park, and a kids’ zone. 12-6 p.m. Tickets are $5$15. Taste of Arlington: Between N. Randolph and N. Monroe Streets on Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.tasteofarlington.com

THURSDAY, MAY 25 SUNDAY, MAY 28 DelFest With acts like the Del McCoury Band and Trey Anastasio Band, this family-friendly music festival is pure bluegrass bliss. Also, learn from the some of the best musicians in the business at DelFest Academy hosted by the Travelin’ McCourys and other allstar musicians. Various times and performances each day. Singleday passes are available for $50$65; four-day passes for $220.50.

Allegany County Fairgrounds: 11400 Moss Ave. Cumberland, MD; www.delfest.com

SATURDAY, MAY 27 SUNDAY, MAY 28 Caribbean Wine Festival Listen to steel drums and reggae beats while enjoying arts & crafts, great food and the island vibes of this wine festival. Open your palate to unique Linganore wines with your souvenir wine glass or take a guided winery tour. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$25.

Linganore Wine Cellars: 13601 Glissans Mill Rd. Mt. Airy, MD; www.linganore-wine.com

PEO and the Carriers at Canal Park

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On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

SATURDAY, MAY 27 MONDAY, MAY 29

FRIDAY, JUNE 2 SATURDAY, JUNE 4

Rockville Hometown Holidays Enjoy several dozen live performances on four different stages featuring rock, reggae, country and Americana artists.

There will be marching bands, floats and more at the Memorial Day parade from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Monday. Runs various times throughout the weekend. Free to attend. Rockville Town Center: 30 Maryland Ave. Rockville, MD; www.rockvillemd.gov

Vinofest “Wine” and “summertime” rhyme, and that’s no coincidence! Join as you raise glasses to summer and enjoy unlimited samples of more than 100+ wines. Kick back with friends while you enjoy chill live tunes, demonstrations on the culinary stage, a local artisan market and more. Multiple sessions with various times.

Tickets are $25-$99. Canal Park: 200 M St. SE, DC; www.facebook. com/vinofestival

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 SATURDAY, JUNE 3 Mountain Music Festival Mountain Music Festival is an annual celebration of the best outdoor adventures West Virginia offers, with live music to match.

Situated on a 1,500-acre outdoor adventure resort in the New River Gorge, Mountain Music Festival brings the spirit of Appalachia to life through its two greatest exports: music and wilderness.

This year, Mountain Music Fest welcomes Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, Twiddle, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Big Something and many more to the stage atop Wonderland Mountain. ACE Adventure Resort: 1 Concho Rd. Minden, WV; www.mountainmusicfestwv.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 SUNDAY, JUNE 4 Great Grapes! Wine, Arts & Food Festival Great Grapes! has grown to be Baltimore’s premier casual Maryland wine festival with live music, fun festival eats, arts & crafts, a free kids’ area, and gourmet items. Grab a souvenir glass and stroll from tent to tent, sipping and savoring the hundreds of wines from over 25 Maryland wineries available for tasting at Oregon Ridge Park. 12-6 p.m. Tickets are $29-$79. Oregon Ridge Nature Center: 13555 Beaver Dam Rd. Cockeysville, MD; www.uncorkthefun.com Summerfest DC Get your own tasting glass and enjoy your favorites from more than 125 carefully selected craft beers in a single afternoon, including cider and gluten-free

Image Credit: Julie Keaten-Reed, Exuberance (detail),

Featuring WORKS FROM 200+ JURIED ARTISTS DANCE PERFORMANCES CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES & MORE! $5 REQUESTED DONATION

Get Involved Today! ®

restonarts.org

ADOPT-AN-ARTIST

FESTIVAL PARTY

For $100 you can make a personal connection to the Festival by sponsoring an artist.

Sponsors receive program recogntion and a discount on Festival party tickets.

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 6–9 PM Join us as we kick off the Festival weekend!

Featuring a silent auction of must-have items.

Catering generously provided by The Counter Custom Burgers, tickets on sale now.

VOLUNTEER The festival wouldn’t be possible without the help of our volunteers. Sign up for a shift today!

FREE GARAGE PARKING FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY

Brewing. Plus, enjoy noms from tons of food trucks including Say Cheese, Old Town Food Co. and others. 12-5 p.m. Tickets are $10-$30. City Parking Lot: 201 Ethan Allen Ave. Takoma Park, MD; www.mainstreettakoma.org

options. Unlimited tastes of 25+ wines, 10+ ciders and more will be available, plus at least 15 amazing food options on hand to try. Enjoy live music all day from multiple acts on the main stage. Saturday at 11:30 a.m. to Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $54.95-$79.95.

The Fairgrounds: 1299 Half St. SE, DC; www.summerfestdc.com Vintage Virginia Since 1982, Vintage Virginia has offered an opportunity to taste from nearly half of Virginia’s homegrown wineries, from the oldest and the largest to the smallest boutiques and exciting new players. The festival is a mustsee for everyone from newbies to foodies. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets cost $30-$55, with $20 designated driver tickets available. Bull Run Special Events Center: 7700 Bull Run Dr. Centreville, VA; www.vintagevirginia.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 The Capital Jazz Fest Come see Corinne Bailey Rae, Anthony Hamilton, Incognito, West Coast Jam, Lee Ritenour, Pieces of a Dream, and more up-and-coming jazz and soul music artists at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Enjoy fine arts & crafts at the festival marketplace and culinary treats from the food court, plus artist workshops and meet and greets. There will also be special late-night events at the host hotel. Doors open at 10 a.m.

Ticket prices vary. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; www.merriweathermusic.com Takoma Trukgarten Don’t miss this event featuring local beer, food trucks and live music. Participating breweries include Denizens Brewing, Full Tilt Brewing, Waredaca Brewing, Union Craft Brewing and 7 Locks

Taste of 3 Cities Festival Check out the sixth annual Taste of 3 Cities Festival in Baltimore’s famous Patterson Park on Saturday, June 3. Indulge in the region’s top food trucks, music, craft beer and drinks, and the family field. Enjoy all-day live music and cast your vote for your favorite food truck. 12-10 p.m. Tickets are $10-$50. Patterson Park: 27 S Patterson Park Ave. Baltimore, MD; www.tasteof3cities.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 Corks & Canines Summer days scream for epic #SundayFundays. And Fido shouldn’t miss out on the fun, either. Grab your pooch, a few friends, and come on out for a pop-up wine garden and brunch experience. Help create a new Sunday summertime tradition.

10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tickets are $10$30. Canal Park: 200 M St. SE, DC; www.eventbrite.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 9 - SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Celebrate Fairfax!

The 36th annual festival features concerts on nine different stages, with performances by Bush, Everclear, Vertical Horizon and Sunday Brew. In addition to live music, there will be a donuteating contest, team trivia and a karaoke championship. There will also be a petting zoo, carnival rides and plenty of great food.

Each night ends with a fireworks show. Friday 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Various ticket packages and admission prices available. Fairfax County Government Center: 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Fairfax, VA; www.celebratefairfax.com Pentagon Row

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FRIDAY, JUNE 9 - SUNDAY, JUNE 18 DC JazzFest This citywide festival presents 90+ bands, 300+ artists, and 60+ venues including Yards Park, the Kennedy Center, Howard Theatre, Nats Park, and area clubs and restaurants. Check out live performances from a selection of the jazz genre’s most acclaimed and emerging artists. DC JazzFest enhances exposure for the rich treasure trove of musicians from the DC area. Artists featured at this year’s festival include Pat Metheny, Gregory Porter, Lalah Hathaway, the Robert Glasper Experience, the Kenny Garrett Quintet, Jacob Collier and many more. One highlight of the festival is the three-day Jazz in the Yards weekend at Yards Park from June 16 to 18. Various show times, ticket prices and venues. DC JazzFest: Various locations in Washington, DC; www.dcjazzfest.org

Saturday, JUNE 10 Annapolis Arts & Wine Festival Don’t miss the Annapolis Arts & Wine Festival, a celebration of the area’s artists and vineyards! The annual festival is a weekend of fine art, handmade crafts, wine tastings from 24 Maryland wineries, live music all day long from 11 local bands, and delectable cuisine and activities for the whole family. It’s a two-day, outdoor celebration of the arts and Maryland’s fruit of the vine. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets are $12-$45. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium: 550 Taylor Ave. Annapolis, MD; www. annapolisartsandwinefestival.com Breaux Vineyards Cajun Festival Celebrate Cajun heritage with live music, wine tastings, craft vendors and Cajun fare such as crawfish. Get ready to dance with the Dixie Power Trio, and dig into some crawfish provided by Savoir Fare Limited. Kids activities such as balloon art, clowns and face painting will also be available. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$20.

Breaux Vineyards: 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln. Purcellville, VA; www.breauxvineyards.com

Okra’s Cajun Occasion 3 Head to Okra’s Cajun Occasion for good times, music, family, friends, fun and of course, classic bayou fare. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn with an authentic Louisiana buffet and a crawfish boil, plus a shaded wine and beer garden (pay as you go) with four Louisiana beers on tap. Also, enjoy live music from Kitty & The Fat Cats. 12-4 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Manassas Museum Lawn: 9101 Prince William St. Manassas, VA; www.okras.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Capital Pride Festival The 42nd annual Pride Festival in the nation’s capital will be held on Pennsylvania Avenue. The festival includes three stages of both national and local talent, and will host 300 exhibitors who are there to promote their services to the community. Celebrate the LGBTQ+ communities of DC with your favorite cocktails, beers and wines. It is free to attend but VIP packages are available for purchase. Capital Pride Festival:

Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets in NW, DC; www.capitalpride.org

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 SUNDAY, JUNE 18 Firefly Music Festival Your favorite summer weekend is around the corner. Four days, nine stages and over 140 bands.

Artists include Twenty One Pilots, Weezer, Chance the Rapper, Bob Dylan, Kesha, Thirty Seconds to Mars, The Weeknd, Glass Animals, OAR, Benny Banassi, Galantis, Busta Rhymes, Misterwives, Waka Flocka Flame, Daya, Judah & The Lion, Ok Go and so many more.

Various show times and ticket prices, ranging from single-day to camping passes. Firefly Music Festival: The Woodlands of Dover, DE; www.fireflyfestival.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 SATURDAY, JUNE 17 Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Enjoy beer, bourbon, music, cigars and barbecue! Admission buys you a souvenir glass so you can

enjoy an all-you-care-to-taste sampling of the 60 beers and 40 bourbons on tap. There is barbecue galore as this festival contains some of the best vendors onsite. The amazing barbecue selection includes the Shrine of Swine, featuring pulled pork right from the source. You can also enjoy seminars in the tasting theater, special hot sauces, cool exhibits and a cigar tent for all guests. There’s also live rock and blues music all day. The event comes to Leesburg in October as well. Tickets cost $39-$115, and $29 for designated drivers.

6-10 p.m. on Friday and 12-6 p.m. on Saturday. The Plateau at National Harbor: 165 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD; www.beerandbourbon.com Taste of Reston Taste of Reston, produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, is the largest outdoor food festival in the area, and was voted “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” multiple times in recent years by Virginia Living. Reston Town Center will

host the event's restaurants and community vendors, and live entertainment on three stages.

There will be a family fun zone and wine ‘n’ dine area. Friday from 3-11 p.m. and Saturday from 12-11 p.m. Reston Town Center: 11900 Market St. Reston, VA; www.restontaste.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 SUNDAY, JUNE 18 Architects of Air The inflatable walk-in sculpture from the UK will be part of this summer’s Columbia Festival of the Arts weekend. This three-day event includes live music, kids’ entertainment and crafts, a fine arts & craft sale, festival food fare, a beer garden, wine tastings, and a variety of activities for all ages.

All-day event. Free to attend.

Columbia Lakefront: 10275 Wincopin Cir. Columbia, MD; www.home.columbiafestival.org

$10 (703) 508-5036 www.VaRF.org

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THURSDAY, JUNE 22

SATURDAY, JUNE 17 SUNDAY, JUNE 18 Around the World Cultural Food Festival Around the World Cultural Food Festival brings together diverse, authentic, living traditions from different countries around the world. The mission is to preserve and strengthen the culture of each country while presenting it to the public throughout the course of this event, and to give all the participants a chance to learn from one another and to understand their cultural differences and similarities.

From Saturday at 11 a.m. to Sunday at 7 p.m. Free to attend; VIP tickets available for $25$35. Washington Monument: 2 15th St. NW, DC; www. aroundtheworldfestival.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 17 3rd Annual Baltimore Wine Fest Experience 160+ wines from around the world, gourmet eats provided by local eateries, live music, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, craft beers and spirits, unique shopping, and a family zone. 12-7 p.m. Tickets are $15-$89. Canton Waterfront Park: 3001 Boston St. Baltimore, MD; www.baltimorewinefest.com Silver Spring Blues Festival Enjoy this all-day blues block party with two stages, a fountain to cool off in, and plenty of places to eat and shop at the music-filled celebration in downtown Silver Spring. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Free to attend.

Silver Spring Town Center: 1 Veterans Pl. Silver Spring, MD; www.silverspringblues.com

DC Inno’s DC Fest 2017 Celebrate working, living and playing at the District’s coolest festival featuring live music, local food trucks favorites, cold brews, summer cocktails, cornhole and other lawn games, and more.

5:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15$65. Half Street Fairgrounds: 1201 Half Street SE, DC; dcinno. streetwise.co

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival This annual festival is an all-youcan-taste extravaganza complete with over 30,000 crabs, lots of beer, arts & crafts, live music, family fun and so much more!

Find out what over 22,000 people have come to enjoy. Can’t make it? The event comes to National Harbor, MD on August 19. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. for session one, 5-9 p.m. for session two. Tickets are $29-$95. Can’t make it? The event comes to National Harbor, MD on August 19. Rash Field: 201 Key Hwy. Baltimore, MD; www.mdcrabfest.com WMZQ Fest Country fans unite! Join 98.7 WMZQ at the hottest country music event of the season with award-winning artists like Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young and more at Jiffy Lube Live.

Show starts at 5 p.m., and tickets start at $33. Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Dr. Bristow, VA; www.livenation.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Phil Kominski at Mount Vernon

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25th Annual Giant National Capital BBQ Battle Kick off summer at America’s BBQ party, the 25th annual Giant Barbecue Battle. Pennsylvania Avenue will be smokin’ with rock, reggae, jazz and blues from 30 bands on three stages. Enjoy free BBQ and grilled food samples in the Taste of Giant sampling pavilion while witnessing America’s best eaters onstage at Nathan’s famous hot dog-eating

contest. Other activities include free wine samples at Barefoot Beach, the military chef cook-off, celebrity chefs, lots of interactive exhibits and America’s national BBQ championship contest.

Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Giant National Capital BBQ Battle: Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets in NW, DC; www.bbqdc.com Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest The 10th annual Northern Virginia BrewFest, presented by Mad Fox Brewing Company, returns to the Special Events Center at Bull Run Regional Park. The two-day event will feature seasonal beers, meads and ciders from more than 45 regional breweries, educational programs, live music, cornhole, and more. Take your sampling glass and use it wisely, trying spring and summer seasonal brews. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m, and last pour at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Bull Run Regional Park: 7700 Bull Run Dr. Centreville, VA; www.novabrewfest.com

SATURDAY, JULY 1 SUNDAY, JULY 2 Red White & Brew Festival Th Red, White & Brew Wine and Beer Festival returns! Show your patriotic colors while you kick back with friends, food, tunes and a sweet selection of reds, whites and brews. There’s no better way to raise a flag (and a toast) to Uncle Sam than by drinking in America’s fruits of the vine and amber waves of grain. Multiple sessions at various times. Tickets are $25-$89. Yards Park: 1300 1st St. SE, DC; www.drinkthedistrict. com

THURSDAY, JUNE 29 TUESDAY, JULY 4 and THURSDAY, JULY 6 SUNDAY, JULY 9 Smithsonian Folklife Festival The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in DC during the last week of June and first week of July. The

SATURDAY, JULY 8

festival will feature performances such as “Circus Arts” and “On the Move: Migration Across Generations,” plus a festival reunion and other special events.

The festival is free of charge.

Festival hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., with special events taking place most evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Various locations; www.festival.si.edu

THURSDAY, JULY 6 SUNDAY, JULY 9 Doah Fest Doah Fest is a four-day celebration of music, art and community held on a private farm between the banks of the Shenandoah River and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Doah is more than just a music festival. It is a chance to unplug and connect, to share positivity and happiness with a community of beautiful and optimistic people.

Starting Friday afternoon, the bands kick off and begin to fill

the farm with great music. Jam, reggae, rock, bluegrass, indie and more on two stages by the river. Unlike any other festival, Doah allows you direct access to the Shenandoah River. Jump in cool off and relax. The event begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Tickets cost $89-$189. The Farm: 1920 S Page Valley Rd. Luray, VA; www.doahfest.com

THURSDAY, JULY 6 SUNDAY, JULY 30 Capital Fringe Festival Check out eclectic theatre, unusual poetry, wild dance performances and even puppetry.

With countless performing groups, there’s bound to be something for everybody from theatre to dance, including risk-taking art and untraditional acts. Tickets go on sale June 19. The Logan Fringe Arts Space: 1358 Florida Ave. NE, DC; www.capitalfringe.org

Flashlight Music Festival Come to the Flashlight Music Festival! Spend a beautiful day outdoors listening to music and enjoying the lights of Baltimore.

Flashlight is a unique, multigenre music festival that raises awareness and funds to help the homeless in Baltimore. Flashlight offers participants an opportunity to experience awesomeness with live bands, food trucks, a glow dance party, a DJ battle, a laser light show, and fun games and activities. 3-11 p.m. $40$100. Canton Waterfront Park: 3001 Boston St. Baltimore, MD; www.flashlightbaltimore.org

SUNDAY, JULY 9 Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Summer Fair Check out the Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fair this summer, featuring arts & crafts, food and beverage vendors, and many fun family activities. 12-7 p.m. Free to attend.

Silver Spring Veterans Plaza: 1 Veterans Pl. Silver Spring, MD; www.eventbrite.com

FRIDAY, JULY 21 - SUNDAY, JULY 23 Artscape Check out fashion designers, outdoor sculpture, photography and art cars! America’s largest free arts festival will also feature the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and other incredible live music on outdoor stages. Expect to see a delicious international menu of food and beverages available throughout the festival. Free to attend. Artscape: Various locations in Baltimore, MD; www.artscape.org

SATURDAY, JULY 22 Fat Tire Presents Tour de Fat Tour de Fat is New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle, honoring mankind’s greatest invention.

Born in Colorado to increase awareness and participation in cycling as a sustainable form of transportation, Tour de Fat has grown into a national rite of passage for cycling advocates and bon vivants alike. The day-long event is free, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales go to DC area nonprofits. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium. 4-9 p.m. Tickets are $25. Tour de Fat: Outdoor parking lot next to Nationals Park at 136 N St. SE, DC; www.waba.org/tourdefat

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 SUNDAY, JULY 30 FloydFest It’s a Dreamweavin’ week at FloydFest 2017. This world music festival set in the scenic Virginia Blue Ridge features Thievery Corporation, Michael Franti & Spearhead, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Leftover Salmon, Rise Appalachia and many, many more. Various times for each day. Single, multi and camping passes available for various prices.

FloydFest: 894 Rock Castle Gorge Rd. Floyd, VA; www.floydfest.com

Jeff From Accounting in Rosslyn

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SATURDAY, JULY 29 Trifecta Food Truck Festival Over 40 of Maryland’s best food trucks will transform the racetrack infield into a festive playground with plenty of activities for both adults and kids to enjoy including live bands, local craft beer tents, mechanical bull rides, a dunk tank, a pie-eating contest, a kids’ play land, moon bounces, a local artist village, an appearance by the Oriole Bird and more. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. Maryland State Fairgrounds: 2200 York Rd. Lutherville-Timonium, MD; www. mt.cm/trifecta-food-truck-festival/

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 6th Annual Kegs and Corks Festival Head to the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds for a beer and wine festival featuring 16 craft breweries and 16 Maryland wineries together with great music, good food, and a variety of arts and crafts vendors. Get a group together to experience the

group tent packages! 12-7 p.m.

Tickets are $15-$45, with $125 VIP tickets available. Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds: 1450 Generals Hwy. Crownsville, MD; www.kegsandcorksfest.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 Hot August Festival Old Crow Medicine Show and The Infamous Stringdusters are festival favorites, but added to this lineup are classic funk sensations Lettuce.

Gates open at 11 a.m. General admission is $57-$79. Oregon Ridge Park: 13555 Beaver Dam Rd. Cockeysville, MD; www. hotaugustfestival.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 MONDAY, AUGUST 22 Comcast Outdoor Film Festival Enjoy free outdoor movies on some of the largest screens in the country. Experience the oldschool feel of a drive-in theater while helping to raise funds for a great cause. This year’s movies

ROCKIN’ THE BLOCK 2017

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24 SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 LOCKN’ Festival Jam band fans: it may not get better than this. Two nights and four sets of Phish, and three nights of awesome music from The Avett Brothers, John Fogerty, Umphrey’s McGee, The Revivalists, John Butler Trio and so much more. The stellar lineup is only matched by the beautiful setting in the mountains of Virginia.

Various times. Tickets start at $279. Infinity Downs Farm: 1510 Diggs Mountain Rd. Arrington, VA; www.locknfestival.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Virginia Scottish Games You can wear a kilt and bring your dog! The Scottish Games are one of the few places inside the Commonwealth where you can experience authentic Scottish culture and traditions, including spectacular highland dancers, bagpipes, adorable Scottish dogs, cool British cars and sheep herding. Gates open at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20-$30. Great Meadow: 5089 Old Tavern Rd. The Plains, VA; www.vascottishgames.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 4th Annual Baltimore Seafood Fest Baltimore loves its seafood, that’s for sure! Charm City also loves all of the wonderful local restaurants that truly make Baltimore one of the best places for foodies to visit. Why the Baltimore Seafood Festival? Baltimoreans are so proud of their crab cakes, crab

Tunes in The Triangle 6:30 pm–8:30 pm May 25: • Thursday, JulyThe 21: Perfectionists The Oxymorons at Milian Park (Mass Ave & 5th St.) June 8: Justin Trawick • Tuesday, august 2: Alison Carney June 22: Alison Carney Special concert and family activities for National at 5th & KTo Parking Lot JulyNight 6: OutPebble Pearl • Thursday , august 18: Justin Trawick July 20: Phil Kominski

Live Music & Local Fare Canal Park - 200 M Street SE 6:30-8:30 p.m.

5/31 PEO and The Carriers 6/7 South Rail 7/12 Daniel Hill

include Jurassic World, Minions and The Wizard of Oz. Gates open at 6:45 p.m., movies start at 8:45 p.m. Free to attend. Strathmore Mansion: 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD; www.filmfestnih.org

at Milian Park

August 1: Eastern Standard Time Stop by with your friendS, family, and petS for free Summer concertS

8/2 Mike McHenry Trio 9/6 Zach Cutler

capitolriverfront.org/canalpark

mvtcid.org @MVTCiD

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THURSDAYS

soup, shrimp salad, local oysters and of course, Maryland blue crabs. It seems fitting to host a waterfront festival showcasing some of Baltimore’s favorite restaurants serving their signature seafood dishes. 12-7 p.m. Tickets are $35-$89. Canton Waterfront Park: 3001 Boston St. Baltimore, MD; www.baltimoreseafoodfest. com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Arts & Ales: Downtown Hyattsville Arts Festival Check out 100+ exhibiting artists, Maryland breweries, food trucks and vendors, and live entertainment at Arts & Ales. 12-6 p.m. Hyattsville Community Development Corporation: 4312 Hamilton St. Hyattsville, MD; www.hyattsvillearts.com

CONCERT SERIES WEDNESDAYS Canal Park Summer Concert Series May 31 – September 6 Enjoy Wednesday night concerts at the Capitol Riverfront. Grab the dog, bring a blanket and enjoy a chill evening in the park listening to the fun and relaxing sounds of bands like PEO and The Carriers, South Rail, Daniel Hill, Mike McHenry Trio and Zach Cutler. Concerts are free and run on select Wednesdays only. 6:308:30 p.m. Canal Park: 200 M St. SE, DC; www.capitolriverfront.org/ canal-park

Bethesda Summer Concert Series May 11 - July 20 Bask in the sweet melodies and the summer air as you catch the music in Veterans Park. Featuring local favorites like Hayley Fahey Band, Gary and the Groove, Urban Funk, Chuggalug, and more. 6-8 p.m. Free. Veterans Park: 7898 Woodmont Ave. Bethesda, MD; www.bethesda.org District Wharf Summer Concert Series June 1 - August 24 Bring your friends and head to District Wharf each Thursday evening this summer to listen to live music at Gangplank Park.

Each week, a different cover band will be featured including the Lloyd Dobler Effect, The Reflex, Practically Einstein, Wil Gravett, Uncle Jesse, Moose Jaw, Monster Band, 7 Deadlies, Jeff From Accounting, Justin Trawick and Eastern Standard Time. Concerts are free and ice-cold beer will be available onsite at the bar. Must be 21+ (no outside alcohol).

6:30-8:30 p.m. Gangplank Park: 600 Water St. SW, DC; www.wharfdc.com Rock the Row at Pentagon Row July 13 - August 17 Hot bands and cold beer return to Pentagon Row for the annual Rock the Row series. Each week, a different band takes the stage and a different craft brewery is featured in the VIP lounge. Bands include White Ford Bronco, The Reagan Years, 3AM Tokyo, The Rockets and more. The VIP lounge will host Virginia craft breweries, plus a rotating restaurant partner.

Admission to the concerts is free, and admission to the VIP lounge is $10. 7-9 p.m. Free to attend. Pentagon Row: 1201 South Joyce St. Arlington, VA; www.pentagonrow.com

Friday Nights at Yards Park

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Rosslyn Rocks! Summer Concert Series June 1 - June 29 Bring your friends and head to Central Place Plaza each Thursday evening in June to listen to live

music. Each week, a different cover band will perform including White Ford Bronco, the Lloyd Dobler Effect, the 19th Street Band, Jeff From Accounting and Monster Band. Enjoy the concert while sipping on a glass of wine or having a beer in downtown Rosslyn’s happening outdoor space. Proceeds from wine and beer purchases will go to A-SPAN, a charity organization striving to end homelessness in Arlington. So bring your dancing feet and meet us there. 6-8 p.m. Central Place Plaza: 1800 N Lynn St. Arlington, VA; www.rosslynva.org Tunes in the Triangle Summer Concert Series May 25 - August 1 Stop by Milan Park with your friends, family and pets for free summer concerts from great local bands like The Perfectionists, Justin Trawick, Alison Carney, Pebble to Pearl, Phil Kominski and Eastern Standard Time. 6:30-8:30 p.m. on select Thursdays. Milan Park Mount Vernon Triangle: 499 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC; www.mountvernontriangle.org

FRIDAYS Farragut Fridays May 12 - September 29 Farragut Fridays are a full day of getting outside in the Golden Triangle. Starting at 9 a.m., drop in for an outdoor “office” that includes free Wi-Fi, tables and chairs, and games to get your creative juices flowing. At noon, the picnic in the park begins. Grab a bite to eat, play lawn games (cornhole, foosball and table tennis), hang out with puppies, and listen to live music. Then, head back after work for the Golden Cinema movie series.

Pre-show fun starts at 7 p.m., and movies are at dusk from June 2 to August 4. This year’s movie lineup begins with Hidden Figures, and features others like 500 Days of Summer, Moana, ending with Big and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Free to attend.

Farragut Park: Connecticut Avenue and K Street in NW, DC; www.goldentriangledc.com

FRIDAY CONCERT SERIES 2017 Friday Night Series 6:30-8:30 at Yards Park | 355 Water Street SE

Back on the Boardwalk!

New

Presented by

4th Street

3rd Street

Pop Cover Everything Pop Cover Country R&B Americana Top Hits & Classics

y Ave

Motown Country Pop Cover Jazz Bluegrass Reggae 8’0s Americana

Jerse

7/21 7/28 8/4 8/11 8/18 8/25 9/1

Jimmi Smooth Morrison Brothers Band Jeff From Accounting DC JazzFest Moose Jaw Jah Works The Reagan Years Justin Trawick & The Common Good Bachelor Boys Band Covered with Jam Party Like Its Sam Grow Pebble to Pearl 19th Street Band Burnt Sienna

1st Street

Half Street

5/26 6/2 6/9 6/16 6/23 6/30 7/7 7/14

Tingey Street N Street

Nationals Park

Water Street

Yards Park

ac

om Pot

Ave

Anacostia River

Beer & Wine Available On-Site (must be 21+, no outside alcohol)

yardspark.org | capitolriverfront.org | @yardspark

Navy Yard

Herndon Friday Night Live!

May 5 - August 25 It’s the 23rd year of hooking folks up with cold beer, hot tunes and fantastic food during the summer.

Featuring party favorites 2U, Burnt Sienna, The Reflex and more, Herndon rocks you through the summer with the best local and regional talent from the East Coast.

No concert on June 2, but be sure to check out Herndon Festival instead. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Free to attend. Town Green: 777 Lynn St. Herndon, VA; www.herndonrocks. com Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series June 16 - September 17 This year’s summer concert series features a diverse lineup of internationally renowned musicians and regional favorites including reggae rockers The Scot Bonnets, Grammynominated musician Christylez Bacon, performances from the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre and DC fusion band JoGo Project. Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m., and Sunday shows at 6 p.m. Free. Lubber Run Ampitheater: North Columbus and 2nd Streets in Arlington, VA; www.arlingtonarts.org Park Potomac Concert Series June 17 - July 29 Welcome to the Park Potomac Concert Series. Don’t miss great live music and a craft beer garden each week. Bands include Darcy Dawn, Lloyd Dobler Effect, Practically Einstein, Sly 45, 7 Deadlies and Justin Trawick.

Participating breweries include Oliver Brewing Co., Flying Dog, Du Claw, 7 Locks, Milkhouse and Jailbreak. All proceeds from the beer garden go to the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. All concerts will run 6-8 p.m. Concert is free; beer garden admission is $10. Park Potomac Place: 12505 Park Potomac Ave. Potomac, MD; www.parkpotomacmusic.com Rio Center Concerts May 5 - September 30 Every Friday and Saturday night, the party is lakeside at the Rio Center. Just outside Union Jack’s

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and near the paddle boards, enjoy live music from Route 66, Diamond Alley, Mason Dixon, Four Star Combo and more.

6-9 p.m. Free to attend. Rio Washingtonian Center: 209 Boardwalk Pl. Gaithersburg, MD; www.riowashingtonian.com Rock the Block #TGIFairfax May 26 - October 27 Rock the Block at Old Town Square in Fairfax is back this summer. Each fourth Friday of the month from June through October, walk, run, ride your bike or drive because you don’t want to miss out on Stereo A, The Reagan Years, Rockets, White Ford Bronco and more. Food and drink vendors will be onsite. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on, and kids can wear swimsuits and bring towels for the splash pad. No pets allowed except service animals.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Old Town Square: 3999 University Dr. Fairfax, VA; www. fairfaxva.gov/government/ parks-recreation/rock-the-block Yards Park Summer Concert Series May 26 - September 28 Spend your Friday night relaxing at the Capitol Riverfront. Spread a blanket, grab a cold one and get down with some great local music.

Enjoy bands like Jimi Smooth & HitTime, The Morrison Brothers Band, Jeff From Accounting, Moose Jaw, Jah Works, The Reagan Years, Justin Trawick & The Common Good, The Bachelor Boys, Covered with Jam, Party Like It’s, Sam Grow Band, Pebble to Pearl, 19th Street Band and Burnt Sienna. Concerts are free and stage is located on the boardwalk. Beer and wine will be available onsite at the Modelo Especial Bar. Must be 21+ (no outside alcohol). 6:30-8:30 p.m. Yards Park: 355 Water St. SE, DC; www.capitolriverfront.org/ yards-park

SATURDAYS Adams Morgan Summer Concert Series May 6 - June 24 Don’t miss live concerts featuring the best local musical talent!

Check out this mixture of musical styles including Brazilian jazz,

On Tap | May 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

bluegrass, swing, country and rock ‘n’ roll in an intimate outdoor setting. The shows are 5-7 p.m. Free to attend.

Adams Morgan Summer Concert Series: Corner of 18th Street and Columbia Road in the BB&T Bank Plaza; www. adamsmorganonline.com

terraced seating is built into the hillside overlooking the screen.

Each movie will start at 8 p.m.

Free to attend. Walter Pierce Park: 2630 Adams Mill Rd. NW, DC; www.facebook.com/ adamsmorganmovienights/

Downtown Silver Spring Concerts May 6 - September 30 Enjoy free concerts in the Fountain Plaza in downtown Silver Spring on Saturday nights, featuring acts like Trackside, Jessie’s Gang, Loose Ends, Priceless Advice, Distant Thunder and more. 6:308:30 p.m. Free to attend. The Fountain Plaza: 916 Ellsworth Dr. Silver Spring, MD; www. downtownsilverspring.com

Canal Park Movies June 1 - August 10 From classics to the latest Academy Award winners, the people spoke and the movies will be shown! Join the Riverfront community for free movies at Canal Park on Thursday evenings, featuring hot new movies like Rogue One, La La Land, Beauty and the Beast and Doctor Strange. Movies begin at sundown. Free to attend.

Canal Park: 200 M St. SE, DC; www.capitolriverfront.org

Tarara Winery Summer Concert Series June 3 - September 30 Dance under the stars with great food and wine at this summer-long series including Bruce in the USA, the Dave Matthews Tribute Band and David Bowie cover band Life on Mars. Enjoy 80s hits and classic rock – there’s a little bit of everything! Individual tickets are available as well as $100 season passes. Tarara Winery: 13648 Tarara Ln. Leesburg, VA; www.tarara.com

MOVIE NIGHTS TUESDAYS Adams Morgan Movie Nights May 16 - June 13 Adams Morgan Movie Nights showcase a broad range of films, from classics to awardwinning contemporary and animated features. This year’s lineup includes Grease, Rogue One, Selma and Pretty in Pink.

The series is held at one of the best outdoor movie-watching venues in the city – the plush new soccer field at Marie Reed School in Adams Morgan, where

THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS Rosslyn Cinema + Pub in the Park June 2 - August 25 Head to Gateway Park for this year’s Rosslyn Cinema + Pub in the Park on Friday nights, featuring fare from food trucks and local restaurants, plus a glass of beer, wine or mocktails at the mobile bar prior to show time. Anchorman, Some Like It Hot, The Avengers and When Harry Met Sally are all part of this year’s movies. 6-11 p.m.

Free. Gateway Park: 1300 Lee Hwy. Arlington, VA; www. rosslynva.org Union Market Drive-In May 5 - November 3 The drive-in at Union Market is back for a new season! The first Friday of every month will feature classics like Coming to America and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and recent films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Chef. There’s a film for everyone. The lot opens at 6 p.m., and films will start at 7:30 p.m. $10 parking fee; free walkups. Union Market: 1309 5th St. NE, DC; www.unionmarketdc. com

S

S H A E D

Creates Colorful Music That Moves

By Jamie McCrary

HAED, though only a year old, already has a compelling story to tell. The band has a vibrant sound that sticks – one formed not just through talent, but through deep comradery.

“We’re all best friends,” says Max Ernst, one of the band’s multi-instrumentalists. “Our strong connection to each other shapes our music.”

Their friendship is deep-rooted. The group, also made up of vocalist Chelsea Lee and instrumentalist Spencer Ernst, Max’s twin brother, has written music together since high school.

“Chelsea heard about a band Spencer and I played with, and came to one of our shows to check us out,” Max says. “She introduced herself, and the rest was history.”

So, why SHAED? (Pronounced “shade”).

The name comes from Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, a fantasy novel they read when first forming the band. “Shaed” is a magical cloak that contrasts shadow and

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Photos: Catie Laffoon

light – a difference they aim to create in their music.

The group also loves the word’s literal meaning. Shade, though usually in reference to color, also describes nuances in sound. It’s where their tagline, “Colorful music,” comes from.

“We want every song to be a different shade,” Spencer says.

Fans have described SHAED as “psychedelic city pop,” according to the Ernst brothers. It’s true they’ve got a certain ambient, pop-like feel to them. Lee, the band’s frontwoman, also adds a hint of rhythm and blues. Her voice is smooth and soulful, an uncommon balance that defines the band’s sound.

Take “Perfume,” for example. The song opens with a steady beat on drums and keyboard, overlaid with a bright, four-note melody that’s constant throughout the song.

Lee’s bluesy voice contrasts the song’s pop-like feel, creating a melded style that’s

100 percent unique to SHAED. What really sets the band apart, though, isn’t their sound. It’s how they create it.

SHAED is collaborative to the extreme – a byproduct of their close friendship. This translates to an authentically creative approach to their songwriting.

“It’s important for our music that we try things different ways,” Spencer says.

They’ve composed in unconventional places (like the desert), taken turns singing during rehearsal and even used Snapchat as a composition tool. Listening to the band talk about their rehearsal process, it’s clear they get just as much joy out of writing songs as they do performing them.

“We have a great time working together,” Spencer says. “We inspire each other.”

The band is currently on tour with Bishop Briggs, the Los Angeles-based British singersongwriter, through the end of the summer.

And they’ve got a major stop on the East Coast that’s definitely worth marking on

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What really sets the band apart, though, isn’t their s o u n d . I t ’s h o w they create it. your calendar: Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Del. The four-day event runs June 15-18, and features over 140 bands on nine different stages.

Other acts include Franz Ferdinand, Muse, OK Go and Weezer, to name a few.

SHAED admits they’re a little bummed they don’t get to perform in DC proper this summer, though. As locals, they’ve got a real affection for the city’s music scene.

“DC has a really eclectic range of music,” Spencer says. “You don’t have to play a certain genre to fit in. People are also really receptive, which isn’t easy to find.”

The group is hard at work on some new songs, which they’ll feature on their first full-length album. No release date yet, though they advise to stay tuned.

So, what is SHEAD all about? They’re about friendship and collaboration. And they’re also about creating music that’s fun and uplifting.

“We want people to dance and move around,” Lee says.

Most of all, though, they’re about moving people. SHAED writes songs that are deeply emotional, yet easily relatable.

“That’s really what we’re trying to do – to make people feel something,” Spencer says. “We just want to put out good music, and hopefully move people while we’re doing it.”

Learn more about SHAED at www.shaedband.com.

Firefly Music Festival: The Woodlands of Dover, DE; www.fireflyfestival.com

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Photos: Joseph Cultice

By Monica Alford More than 20 years have passed since Garbage’s first album hit airwaves, gifting the 90s with their revolutionary sound that wraps alt-rock, grunge, trip-hop and even some pop sensibilities into one badass package. It seems only fitting that one of the most influential rock bands of the past two decades, revered by Gen Xers and adored by tuned-in millennials, is about to embark on tour with punk and new wave pioneers Blondie.

The two bands’ Rage and Rapture tour kicks off in early July, and makes its way to the DC area on August 3 with a performance at Wolf Trap. Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Garbage’s iconic frontwoman, the fierce and talented Shirley Manson.

We covered a lot of ground, from the homogenization of pop music and why she strives for originality to changing hair colors and why DC feels like her band’s East Coast home. Read on to learn more about this charming, thoughtful and humble alt-rock queen, and my “#1 (girl) Crush.”

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On Tap: I just have to start by saying that I am so honored to speak with you. You are totally making my week, so thank you so much for the opportunity.

Shirley Manson: Well thank you. That’s a really sweet thing to say.

OT: Well I mean it, I really do. I wanted to start by asking a little bit about how the Rage and Rapture tour came about. Had you always wanted to go on tour with Blondie?

SM: We go way, way, way back to the 1980s.

[Laughs] I was in another band called Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, and we opened for Debbie on her solo tour of the United Kingdom [circa 1986].

Debbie is somebody who I’ve looked up to and who has been a mentor. We shared the same record label for awhile, and her manager was the one who basically gave me a start in the music industry on my own terms. I had the pleasure of inducting Blondie into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and I’ve had the pleasure of Debbie coming to many

of my shows.

There was an infamous night at the Academy New York when I was opening for the Ramones and I stepped onstage and I was shaking like a leaf and I looked down, and there was Debbie in the mosh pit with

a crowd of college kids and I just thought, “You are the coolest, most unaffected, most unpretentious goddess I have ever met in my life.”

We got called up and asked if we were interested in going out in North America this summer, and it was a no-brainer. Everybody in the band is a huge Blondie fan. And of course, I have this incredible history with Debbie.

OT: Will you perform any songs with her while you’re on tour?

SM: Let’s just say I’m sure if I was asked, I wouldn’t turn it down. [Laughs] OT: I read that you recently recorded a disco track for the season finale of American Gods [based on Neil Gaiman’s novel and debuting April 30 on Starz] with Debbie.

SM: I was asked if I wanted to come in and sing with her, and of course, who turns that opportunity down? It was an incredible honor for me and phenomenal to be on a disco track with her, queen of that scene.

Even though we think of Blondie as sort of post-punk, they were also one of the first to start to incorporate disco into that post-punk sound.

They’re real pioneers.

OT: And you provided the vocals for the show’s title music.

SM: I did. It’s all been such a crazy ride. The show is phenomenal. It’s kind of mind-blowing and something very new, and so to get landed that opportunity to come and sing on the main title sequence for something that feels very exciting was most unexpected. I’m so proud to be working with Brian Reitzell, the composer, and [executive producer] Bryan Fuller, who is just an incredible mind.

OT: I’m jumping around a lot because I have so many questions. I apologize for the lack of transition.

SM: I like it; I think it’s cool. [Laughs] OT: Thank you. Do you have plans for a new album, or are you staying focused on the tour and still enjoying the success of 2016’s Strange Little Birds? (Which came out on my birthday, by the way!)

SM: It did? Oh, happy memories. Happy anniversary to us both. We had a week session about a month ago where we came up with a nucleus of about five new songs, and our hope is that we get to release one of those songs to come out in tandem with the Rage and Rapture tour because we feel it would be just great to have a new piece of music out at the same time as this momentous occasion.

OT: Can you tell me a little bit about the song you plan to release?

SM: It’s actually a vision into the future. [Laughs] It’s a dystopian tragedy.

[Laughs harder] It has all the elements that you would expect from us, but it’s more of a piece rather than a pop song. It’s an imagining into a dystopian future and what that would mean for us all. [Laughs] It’s dark.

Let’s leave it at that.

OT: I actually have a question about dark things, but I’ll come back to it in a bit. Your last two albums were recorded at Red Razor Sounds in L.A. Did you record your new songs there?

SM: We did. We’re actually trying out some crazy brand new technology.

We recorded in Red Razor just to start everything off, and get a sort of framework for the song, and then everybody has been working remotely from Colorado, from Wisconsin, from London, from L.A. We’re attempting to see how far we can push the new technology to work for us. Two of the men in the band have kids that are still at school, and so we’re trying to get around the practicalities of them raising their children and getting deadlines met.

OT: Do you think you’ll stay in L.A. for awhile? It sounds like you really love it there.

SM: I do love it in L.A. actually, much to my surprise. I really didn’t think

that I would warm up to it at all. I think it’s a very interesting city right now. It’s really developing fast and the creative world seems to be exploding around us. It’s wonderful; it’s magical, I think. For all its faults, it’s magical still.

OT: The fact that you vouch for it makes me want to go back and explore it more.

SM: Well it’s a tale of two cities, because clearly if you go to the west [side] of the city you knock into this rather sort of terrifying edifice of inauthenticity, you know? There’s definitely that part of the city. But like anything where you have extremes, we also have this incredible sort of east side cultural hub, with great music. Everybody seems to want to help everyone out, which is NOT the experience I have had throughout my life anywhere else in the world.

OT: I’m ready to jump back to my dark question.

SM: Go for it.

OT: You’ve described Strange Little Birds as dark and brooding, and reminiscent of your first album. Why do you think you tapped into a darker place for your last album?

SM: I think there was definitely an awareness of where the world was going. I think we basically foresaw the trends of populism, for want of a better word. I think we understood that it wasn’t the world that we had been inhabiting; something was changing. www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

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it always feels like we’re coming home a little when we come to the East Coast. DC is our East Coast home.

OT: Well I’m glad to hear that. Okay, fangirl moment. I don’t know how to say it other than you are literally an icon not only of female empowerment but of just general badassery.

SM: [Laughs]

As I’m getting older and older, I’m feeling more and more an urgency to raise the stakes every time I write because you know, we’ve watched all my heroes start to die off and it makes you think about your own lifespan and, “What have I achieved?” and “What have I said?” and “What have I not said?” and “Where have I failed myself?” I just want to start filling in all of these little blanks that I imagine are in my arsenal.

OT: Absolutely. I read this great quote you gave about some young performers being like “mini-robots,” producing a sound that is basically interchangeable. What do you do to make sure Garbage’s sound stays original and true to who you are as a band?

SM: You’re absolutely right. I’m well-aware of the generic nature of today’s pop landscape. I love pop music as much as anybody does. It’s always fun to switch on and zone out, and just enjoy a great melody with incredible beats.

I’m not trying to knock anybody or the genre itself, because I prize pop and I think it’s an important part of our culture.

But at the same time, I don’t like the fact that pop, popularity and populism have become so encompassing that there isn’t room for anything else. And that’s what I want to reel against – that kind of uniformity and homogenization of the music industry.

It’s really, really frightening. It becomes a money venture rather than a creative venture.

Musicians are meant to make mistakes. They’re meant to fail. They’re meant to be curious.

They’re meant to take risks. They’re not meant to just [focus on a sound] that they know will be successful because they’re scared of not being the current, biggest thing. I think that’s a very, very dangerous space for ALL humans, let alone artists, to get into.

OT: You toured with Kristin Kontrol (Dee Dee From Dum Dum Girls) last year. I

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feel like Dum Dum Girls is a band that’s definitely creating their own sound. Are there any bands on your radar right now for their originality?

SM: There’s a billion and one, I could go on for hours. [Laughs] I do try and find things that excite me, and I think it’s important at the same time to listen to DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar and some of the [other] big artists out there. I still try and seek out the little voices, because often they have the most to say.

I never imagined I would have such a long career. I never imagined I,d still be doing what I do at the age of 50.

OT: I interviewed Michael Holstein about Live at 9:30 last year, and he raved about having you perform on the show and interviewing you for it. What was that experience like for you? Do you feel a special connection with 9:30 Club, or DC? SM: We were SO flattered to be asked to be on the first cut of Live at 9:30. This is a club that’s known for live music for as long as I can remember. We have deep connections.

I think we’ve played at the 9:30 every single tour we’ve ever played, so we know it well and we know ALL the characters involved pretty well. We’ve watched some of them rear their children and see them off to university – that’s how long we’ve been going to the 9:30. DC is special for us. Our guitarist has family there, so

OT: And so many people in my life, especially women, really look up to you.

How do you feel about being someone in the music industry that so many people look up to? Big question, sorry.

SM: Yeah, big question. I mean first of all, thank you so much. It’s a beautiful thing to hear. But I also know what a little twat I am so I can’t take on board [laughs] any of those sorts of massive words. I feel like the word “icon” is so overused. I feel like I don’t relate to any of that.

What I do know though is I think every individual on this planet has the ability to inspire or comfort somebody. We have that power as human beings, and I think I’ve used that ability sometimes to comfort. Mostly, I see myself as a caretaker at this point in the band.

I never imagined I would have such a long career. I never imagined I’d still be doing what I do at the age of 50. I feel very maternal toward other artists and young kids that come to the show, and then I feel protective toward those who’ve grown up with me because I know how difficult it is to grow up in the world.

It’s difficult for every single person, and they never talk about it.

So if I can help articulate some things for people that they are unable to articulate in their life, and they feel some relief from reading something I’ve said or something I’ve done, then I feel like I have lived a good life and I’ve done something with my time here, even though it may be small.

OT: I have to ask: pink hair for life? Or will you change colors again?

SM: Well, I’m red right now. I’m back to red and I feel like, as my goddaughter put it so beautifully when she saw me, she went, “[Gasps] Auntie Shirley,” she goes. “I love your red hair. It’s the color of resistance.” [Laughs] I feel like even from a political standpoint, the red is good for me right now. It seems the right place to be. Even though I never ever thought I would enjoy going back to red, I really have enjoyed it. [Laughs] Catch Garbage with Blondie at Wolf Trap on August 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-$85.

Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; 703-255-1800; www.wolftrap.org

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TUESDAY, MAY 2

Andy Shauf Canada’s Andy Shauf returns to our area to headline his own show. He last appeared a few months ago as opener for the Case/Lang/ Veirs tour. Shauf’s tunes are a mix of Elliott Smith, Nick Drake and Harry Nilsson, and his most recent album, The Party, came out last May. With Julia Jacklin. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

THURSDAY, MAY 4

lyrics are borderline abstract, the sunglassesdonning rapper from California is definitely worth seeing. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. The Fillmore at Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.fillmoresilverspring.com

Brian Wilson The Beach Boys legend is on a tour he’s billing as the final performances of the band’s masterpiece, Pet Sounds. A seminal album that inspired countless songwriters, even prompting The Beatles to write their Sgt. Pepper’s album, Pet Sounds certainly made its mark. Beach Boys members Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin join. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $75. The Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; www.thelincolndc.com

FRIDAY, MAY 5 Ab-Soul Part of the Black Hippy collective, essentially the four horsemen of California rap, with Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul shares similarities to his West Coast contemporaries, but also stands out amongst the crowd. Currently he’s touring on the success of his December release Do What Thou Wilt., which contains numerous word plays packed on top of deliberate, slow tempo thuds for beats. Though some of his

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ON TAP | MAY 2017 | www.ontaponline.com

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta with La Fiesta Zakke In the United States, Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican commemoration of a decisive

military battle against the French in 1862 – is mostly about celebrating the rich and vibrant culture of our neighbor to the south.

But there are good and not-so-good ways to do it. Instead of donning a sombrero, chugging tequila and spouting Spanish clichés in some cheesy bar, consider heading to Gypsy Sally’s for an authentic Mexican musical extravaganza with DC’s own La Fiesta Zakke. Zakke is nine-piece Latin fusion band that incorporates explosive blasts of funk, ska, disco and rock ‘n’ roll. Maybe skip the sombrero, but feel free to proceed with the tequila shots. Show at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com

SATURDAY, MAY 6

Black Lips Here’s the deal: Atlanta-based, self-described “flower punk” band Black Lips uses riffs that sound like they belong to 60s bands like Black Sabbath, The Doors and others from the era. Instead of practicing their punk principalities at a breakneck pace, the group restrains themselves musically, offering deeper, nearly psychedelic tunes. And just when you think they’re going to speed up, they slow down. There are some peppier songs in their catalog, for sure, but they definitely dig the slow dance. Doors at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $16-$18. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

Official Funk Parade Show If you’ve ever spent the afternoon at DC’s day-long Funk Parade, you know the mood and the music is infectious. Thankfully, it’s not over when the sun goes down. Revelers move the party into bars and clubs around the city for free, funkoriented sets of music from some of the city’s finest acts.

DC9 is hosting one of this year’s best bills with 8 Ohms and Backbeat Underground. Drawing from diverse musical backgrounds, 8 Ohms blurs the lines between hard groove, funk, soul and reggae, and then toss in a smidge of DC’s own go-go sound for good measure.

Backbeat Underground delivers tight, energetic sets steeped in fresh improvisation and head-bopping, booty-shaking grooves. Show at 6 p.m. Free to attend. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com

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Yngwie Malmsteen In the pantheon of neoclassical heavy metal guitar players, no one looms as large as Sweden’s Yngwie Malmsteen. In fact, in 2015, none other than Guitar Player Magazine declared Malmsteen “the greatest shredder of all time.” Thirty years after his landmark instrumental album, Rising Force, blew the minds of heavy metal maniacs everywhere, Malmsteen is still going strong, touring on his latest release World on Fire. Drawing influence from classical composers such as Bach, Paganini and Vivaldi, Yngwie is responsible for birthing the neo-classical genre to the world of rock. Show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $30. The State Theatre: 220 N. Washington St. Falls Church, VA; w ww.thestatetheatre.com

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SUNDAY, MAY 7 Tycho California-based Tycho surprised fans in September with the unexpected release of Epoch, a criticallyacclaimed fourth full-length record from the instrumental, experimental electronic trio.

The album, the third in a trilogy, finds Tycho tightening things up a bit compared to its predecessor, Awake. The tunes still meander beautifully, but they retain more focus. As usual, the group infuses its electronic, synth-driven tunes with melodic instrumentation that keeps the sound rich and organic. Fronted by Scott Hansen, Tycho creates ambient earworms that form a fitting soundtrack for a modern 21st-century lifestyle. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35. Echostage: 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NW, DC; www.echostage.com

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Music Picks TUESDAY, MAY 9 Graham Parker Duo Featuring Brinsley Schwarz Graham Parker rose to fame as the frontman of Graham Parker & the Rumour, one of the biggest bands in the British “pub rock” scene. He’s considered an influence on punk rock and new wave, and later artists who made it much bigger, like Elvis Costello.

Brinsley Schwarz was the guitarist by his side, and still is to this day. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$39.50. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 - THURSDAY, MAY 11 Robyn Hitchcock More than four decades after Robyn Hitchcock kicked his career off with the mid-1970s era band The Soft Boys, he’s still crafting his unusual combination of jangly psychedelic punk and sensitive ballads. In fact, Hitchcock remains remarkably proficient, cranking out records both with and without his longtime touring band, The Egyptians.

Hitchcock’s eponymously titled newest record strips away the psych flourishes and focuses more on meat and potatoes rock ‘n’ roll – to a satisfying effect. Fresh off of a theater tour with The Psychedelic Furs, Hitchcock’s double date of shows at Jammin Java provides a chance to see the London rocker up close and personal. Show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna; www.jamminjava.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 Christopher Cross Looking at Christopher Cross, now 66 years old, but appearing to be around 36, it’s hard to believe that he released his self-titled debut album almost 40 years ago. The writer of such hits as “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind” and “Arthur’s

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Theme (Best That You Can Do)” has quietly kept his career in the music biz going, despite changing times and trends. Show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45. The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.birchmere.com

the background. So, if you want to see where EDM started, venture out to see one of its oldest pioneers. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Empire of the Sun & Lee “Scratch” Perry You might know Empire of the Sun primarily from their anthemic song, “Walking on a Dream,” which was featured in a Honda commercial. But the Australian electronica duo and their elaborate and invigorating stage show is also gaining real critical and commercial traction in the U.S. and beyond.

A collaboration between Luke Steele of alternative rock act The Sleepy Jackson and Nick Littlemore of electronic dance outfit Pnau, Empire of the Sun features multiple layers of programmed sound atop live drums and guitars. Kooky costumes and flamboyant dancers punctuate the live show, which should be nothing short of an all-out dance party at Echostage. Jamaica’s legendary dub music pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry opens. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $45.

Echostage: 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NW, DC; www.echostage.com

FRIDAY, MAY 12 Giorgio Moroder If you’ve ever heard EDM and thought to yourself, “Man, that is some cool stuff; I wonder where it came from,” then you probably found Giorgio Moroder’s name five minutes later on Google. The Italian singer, songwriter, producer and DJ is frequently credited with the rise of the genre. Since then, the subculture and the artist have exploded in popularity. Even modern stalwarts such as Daft Punk have shown him respect, such as the track “Giorgio by Moroder” featured on the duo’s amazing Random Access Memories.

You might remember the song because it’s basically an interview with dope music in

Pond One of the coolest things about Pond is their former members, because you’ve probably heard of them. They’re called Tame Impala.

WHAT? I know, right? That’s weird. But you know what else is weird? Pond is also an amazing band. Hailing from Australia, like Tame Impala, the groups are actually extremely familiar, probably because Kevin Parker acts as the group’s producer. Pond is essentially a band formed by folks from other bands, so they create collaborative music however they want. What you get is a psychedelic sound with pop sensibilities and a fun show. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16$18. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com Ryan Adams Ryan Adams released his new album, Prisoner, in February. It’s his 16th studio album, which is not hard to believe if you’re familiar with how prolific Adams is. While he’s known for his heartfelt rootsy rock and alt-country tunes, Adams has released death metal songs, hard rock tracks and a cover version of Taylor Swift’s album 1989. With Jenny Lewis. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40-$55. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pky. Columbia, MD: www.merriweathermusic.com Tei Shi Though Drake popularized the “0 to 100” phrase, upon listening to Tei Shi’s debut album Crawl Space, you can actually hear the singer doing just that. Whether it’s a whispery falsetto

or a Whitney Houston-like roar (all in one song, no less!), Tei Shi, or Valerie Teicher, proves her versatility and creativity know no bound when it comes to her voice. Just when you think the song has settled on a pitch, she raises it to the sky or bellows back underground. To complement the vocalist’s skillfulness, the album has been arranged with different sounds, ranging from sultry guitar strums to quick-paced synths fresh out of Marty and Doc’s DeLorean. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$17.

Songbyrd Music House and Cafe: 2477 18th St. NW, DC; www.songbyrddc.com

SATURDAY, MAY 13 Wavves It’s hard to put a finger on what exactly Wavves is.

Are they a punk band because of their antiestablishment words? Are they a garage rock band because of the distorted vocals? Or are they just a pop rock band, because of the easygoing sounds that are pleasing to all ears, regardless of shape, size and age? Well, it’s probably all three, as Nathan Williams’ band encompasses numerous facets of what it means to be a rock band in the 21st century, including the fact that they’re essentially independent at this point. So, whatever they are, Wavves provides a ton of fun to listeners, and that’s enough for us to suggest them.

Show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. U Street Music Hall: 1115 U St. NW, DC; www.ustreetmusichall.com

J. Robbins J. Robbins has been part of – or produced – many seminal DC punk and rock bands over the past few decades. As part of Government Issue, Jawbox and Burning Airlines, he made his definite mark on the DC punk scene. He also owns and operates a recording studio in Baltimore called The Magpie Cage. This is a rare opportunity to see him play live. With Iron Chic and The Rememberables. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $15. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com

TUESDAY, MAY 16 Buddy Guy A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and a major influence on guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy is now 80 and shows no signs of slowing down. The wild man with the polka dot Fender Stratocaster still knows how to play the blues like it means life or death. With Quinn Sullivan. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $79. The State Theatre: 220 N. Washington St. Falls Church, VA; www.thestatetheatre.com

SUNDAY, MAY 14 Garry Tallent Yes, that’s his real name. And yes, he’s the legendary bass player for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

But Garry Tallent also has a side career as a Nashville-based rockabilly artist. He brings his first solo tour to our area, singing and playing guitar, as well as telling stories.

Finally fronting his own band, Tallent – at least for this tour – is The Boss. With Shun Ng. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30-$40.

AMP by Strathmore: 11810 Grand Park Ave. North Bethesda, MD; www.ampbystrathmore.com

The Delta Saints Fans of Heartless Bastards and The Black Crowes will find a kindred sound in The Delta Saints heavy blues and swampy, gospeltinged rock. The Saints formed in Nashville a decade ago and spent the intervening years relentlessly honing their chops in the studio and on the road. It shows on the first single from the band’s new album, Monte Vista, a laser-focused, propulsive rocker called “California.” Lead singer and dobro player Ben Ringel told the Chattanooga Pulse that he often picks up musical ideas by listening to Nashville’s gospel station. “There’s so much attention to dynamics in gospel music, and that’s something we try really hard to put into our live shows,” he said. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10-$12. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com

THURSDAY, MAY 18 The Legendary Shack Shakers Led by charismatic frontman and blues harpist JD Wilkes, the Shack Shakers’ explosive interpretations of blues, punk, rock and country have made legions of potential converts into true believers. The band counts none other than Robert Plant and Stephen King among its biggest fans, and their music has been featured on TV shows such as True Blood. Meanwhile, Texas country-blues rocker Jesse Dayton is having a breakout year on the strength of his latest release, The Revealer. The first single off the album, a Southern-fried scorcher of a tribute to his father, “Daddy was a Badass,” is currently a staple on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country station.

Show at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-$15. Hill Country: 410 7th St. NW, DC; www.hillcountry.com/dc/

FRIDAY, MAY 19

The Black Lillies Armed with a raucous live show and rich, rootsy tunes performed with tremendous energy and heart, The Black Lillies are prepared to dominate the summer touring season. With shout outs by NPR, CMT and the Wall Street Journal, the Tennessee-based band is well on their way to super stardom, and they’ve been pleasing their diehard fans along the way. With The Ragbirds. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20$25. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com Eric Church Other than Miranda Lambert, no artist in contemporary country music straddles the line between commercial success and artistic credibility as well as Eric Church. A lot of music writers – including this one – think the swaggering North Carolina songwriter got robbed at the Grammys this year when his stellar Record Year didn’t get nominated for Best Country www.ontaponline.com | May 2017 | On Tap

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Music Picks Album. But that’s a technicality in what is shaping up to be an otherwise stellar career.

The Ray-Ban-wearing troubadour, maybe best known for his song “Springsteen,” is known for working almost as hard as The Boss onstage, which makes this show at the Verizon Center a no-brainer if you’re a modern country music fan. Show at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $89 and up. Verizon Center: 601 F St. NW DC; www.ticketmaster.com

SATURDAY, MAY 20 Natalie Prass Richmond resident Natalie Prass spent a year at Berklee College of Music before planting her flag in Nashville and dedicating her time to writing songs. Her influences from those different musical locales have coalesced into a blend of genres, drawing comparisons to newer acts like Jenny Lewis and classic ones like Dusty Springfield. Opening for Whitney. Early show; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

SUNDAY, MAY 21 Haas Kowert Tice I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for any kind of music that makes me want to storm into an old Western saloon with two pistols hoisted in the air in an attempt to take back what’s mine.

I don’t know what I’m searching for, but Haas Kowert Tice makes me want to pull up my cowboy boots (I have none) and go out looking for it. The trio of performers (Brittany Haas, Jordan Tice and Paul Kowert) merge impressive resumes and instruments together to form music pulling from country, bluegrass and other genres featuring acoustic strings. So whether you’re like me and enjoy the aesthetic of old Western flicks, or you’re in the mood for a classic hoedown, these three talents have you covered. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25. Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com

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Skating Polly With the sort of pop-punk sound that reminds me of Blink 182, and vocals echoing those of Metric’s Emily Haines, Skating Polly is an absolute blast to vibe to.

Piano keys, guitars and the vocals of both Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse make these tales about growing up in Oklahoma City a must-listen. Lately, the band has picked up steam, including airtime on indie and college radio stations. So don’t miss out on the rise of this feisty trio, and run to DC9. No seriously, run there. RIGHT NOW. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$12.

DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com

MONDAY, MAY 22 Animal Collective One of the most experimental bands in the business of making music, Animal Collective is always bending expectations and working on the perfect sound, like scientists in a laboratory bunker. But instead of test tubes and liquids and chemistry, they’re working with synths, percussions and nasally vocals that mean nothing and everything at the same time. Whether you’re in the mood for classical pop or indie music, rest easy knowing that you can find it in there, although it’s probably buried underneath layers and layers of other eclectic sounds the group found fun to play with in the interim.

Plus, the group is almost local, hailing from Baltimore. So go support these wild animals from Maryland, because they’re dope. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $35. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

TUESDAY, MAY 23

Old Crow Medicine Show Old Crow Medicine Show has been associated with Bob Dylan for awhile now. Their signature hit, “Wagon Wheel,”

developed out of a Dylan bootleg and is credited as a cowrite with the legendary singer and songwriter. Now the group delves even deeper into Dylan as they release 50 Years of Blonde on Blonde, their take on Dylan’s classic album, released 50 years ago.

They’ll be performing it live on this tour.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.

Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; www.thelincolndc.com

THURSDAY, MAY 25 Lincoln Durham The novelty of the one-man band died, oh, at least a half-century ago, but a few of these multitasking musicians still roam the earth. And some of them can flat-out rock. Austin blues-country-metal standout Scott H. Biram is one example.

Lincoln Durham, another Texan with a gothic take on the blues, is another. Armed with bastardized mid-century guitars, hand-medown fiddles and banjos, and homemade contraptions with just enough tension on a string to be considered an instrument, Durham is a roots-rock revivalist with a heavy-amped edge. It’s a whole lot of dark and compelling noise coming from just one man. Show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12. DC9: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; www.dcnine.com

SATURDAY, MAY 27 Amel Larrieux If you’re in search of R&B music this May, just start marking the days on your calendar in anticipation of Amel Larrieux.

Armed with a beautiful voice, Larrieux dishes on tales of love, and most importantly, “being real.” Not to mention, she’s been at this a long time, as a founding member of the 90s duo Groove Theory. Though she hasn’t released an album since 2013, she has an expansive catalog sure to keep you dancing, smiling and having a wonderful time. Early show: doors at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Late show: doors at 10 p.m., show at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $34.50-$69.50. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamiltondc.com

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ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS IMELDA MAY

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LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM & CHRISTINE McVIE THE WALLFLOWERS

MAY 27

MAY 25

FIFTH HARMONY

MARY J. BLIGE

JUN 3 BERNADETTE PETERS

JUN 9 WILCO

WITH WOLF TRAP ORCHESTRA

KACY & CLAYTON

JUN 2

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LIONEL RICHIE

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TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND

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NATALIE MERCHANT

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NEIL GAIMAN

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PJ HARVEY

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REBELUTION

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DIANA ROSS

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REGINA SPEKTOR BEN FOLDS

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GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS 38 SPECIAL

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PUNCH BROTHERS

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BLONDIE & GARBAGE

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GOO GOO DOLLS

KOOL & THE GANG

MORRIS DAY & THE TIME

JUN 10 JOE JACKSON

FAST FORWARD TOUR

MAVIS STAPLES

THE WOOD BROTHERS HOT TUNA

NAHKO AND MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE COLLIE BUDDZ HIRIE

I’M WITH HER JULIAN LAGE

PHILLIP PHILLIPS u

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS

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LIFEHOUSE SWITCHFOOT

BRYNN ELLIOTT

JUN 11 THE B-52s

JUN 16

JUN 17

ST. PAUL & SLIGHTLY STOOPID THE BROKEN BONES SOUNDS OF SUMMER TOUR SHOVELS & ROPE

IRATION

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RICK SPRINGFIELD RICHARD MARX

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J BOOG THE MOVEMENT

BRING YOUR OWN BREWS AND PICNIC TO ENJOY AT THE SHOW!

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SATURDAY, MAY 6 | 1-5pm (RAIN DATE MAY 7)

COLD FOOD LIVE BEER TRUCKS MUSIC And the

running of the CHIHUAHUAS

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Cash Prizes | Live Action Jumbotron® | All Dogs Welcome*

WWW.CINCODC.COM Must be 21+ to purchase alcohol

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*$25 per dog to race. Races open to Chihuahuas only. All entry fees are donated to Rural Dog Rescue. Contests for all dogs.

Dogs must be current on vaccinations and leashed when not racing. Unruly dogs will be excused, owners must pick up after their pets.