music

“COVID-19 has devastated DC’s music community. Coalition of Music Advocates Launch Campaign To Pass DC Music Venue Relief Legislation”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Tim Brown

From a press release:

“A coalition of DC musicians and music advocates launched a grassroots campaign this week to advocate for government relief of the city’s music venues. The #SaveDCVenues campaign, which has accrued hundreds of signers within a few days, urges the DC Council and mayor Muriel Bowser to adopt a version of the 2020 DC Music Venue Relief Act: a piece of draft legislation that provides direct relief to businesses who rely on (now-absent) revenue from live music.

The outreach campaign is the latest in a series of public actions organized by the “DC Music Stakeholders,” a grassroots coalition of many DC-based musicians, venue owners, nonprofit leaders, and local activists. The Stakeholders formed shortly after the pandemic hit the District in March, and have met twice weekly since then, sharing information and providing support for a music scene in crisis.

COVID-19 has devastated DC’s music community. Since it began, the pandemic has forced the closure of at least four longstanding D.C. music institutions, all four cornerstones of the local music economy who presented the jazz, R&B and soul musicians bearing the torch of D.C.’s legacy of Black music. The most recent casualty is the beloved Twins Jazz, which supported DC’s vibrant jazz scene for 33 years, which announced its closure on August 27. (more…)

Hot Jazz Saturday Night Returning to WAMU starting Saturday September 19th!!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Clif Burns

June 4th 2018 was a dark day.

Never stop dreaming.

From a press release:

“Effective Friday, September 18, 2020, WAMU, Washington, D.C.’s NPR station, will implement a program schedule change, which includes the return of their 37-year legacy program Hot Jazz Saturday Night, a new dedicated special programming segment and The Arts Hour from BBC World News Service.

Hot Jazz Saturday Night, produced by WAMU and hosted by Rob Bamberger, will return for a two-year commitment beginning on Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 7-10 p.m. The show will replace Live from Here from American Public Radio, which ceased production in June. (more…)

Twins Jazz permanently closing on U Street

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Tim Brown

Thanks to Andrea for passing on the incredibly sad news from Twins Jazz:

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Jazz community in Washington, DC for 33 years. We came to this country from Ethiopia with a dream of owning our own business and for 33 years we have done more than we could have ever imagined. The decision to close was very difficult, however, we knew the safety of our patrons, musicians, and our staff was our top priority, and given the uncertainty of when we could safely open our doors, we decided to close our location permanently. (more…)

6th Annual Chuck Brown Day to be celebrated virtually on Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“On Saturday, August 22, 2020, the Bowser Administration and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), in conjunction with the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment (OCTFME), will celebrate the late Go-Go legend Chuck Brown’s birthday with the 6th Annual Chuck Brown Day virtually. The event celebrates the Godfather of Go-Go and the rich, original musical history of the District.  (more…)

“Live, Legal Jazz Performances in Your Yard”

By Prince Of Petworth


courtesy YardWork

“Dear PoPville,

I’m bringing live, covid-safe jazz performances to people’s yards. Restaurants and clubs in DC and MD are prohibited from having live music, even if it’s outside. But you are allowed to have musicians play in your yard at your home, and you are allowed to have a limited number of guests. So that’s what we’re doing.

I’m the music director at WOWD Takoma Radio and was bringing jazz shows back to Takoma Station when the pandemic hit. The shutdown of live performances has been very unfortunate for music fans, but it’s been terrible for the working musicians themselves who depend on live performance, along with teaching, for their livelihoods. Livestream performances are nice, but they don’t bring in much money and there’s nothing like the real thing for both the musicians and fans.

So, inspired by what Creative Alliance, the non-profit arts organization, is doing in Baltimore, we’re sponsoring YardWork Concerts. (more…)

City Winery “Hitting the Pause Button” in Ivy City, “for now, we are truly in survival mode.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From City Winery (1350 Okie Street, NE):

“In light of current challenging conditions and in the interest of public safety, we have temporarily paused our operations at City Winery Washington DC.

The length of the temporary closure is unclear at this time, but we are optimistic that it will only last a short while. Ultimately, that timing will be dictated by uncontrollable factors that we are hopeful will work in our favor sooner than later.

This decision is not one that we took lightly, and one that has been made in order to preserve the continued existence of City Winery. I believe we will return stronger than ever to serving you, our incredible guests, putting on concerts, hosting private parties, and supporting our amazing team members, but for now, we are truly in survival mode.

Although this process has been more painful to endure than we initially thought, we will get through this.

In the meantime, take care of yourselves and your communities, and if you are able, please consider supporting City Winery by: (more…)

View More Stories