music

1811 14th Street, NW

Well this could be huge. A recent liquor license amendment posted out front of the Black Cat says:

“Applicant requests to make some modification to the building including the addition of the 3rd floor for extra dressing room and storage space. The changes will include 1500 square foot room with a bar. In addition, increase the total load by 149.”

The hearing date is scheduled for September 30th. Updates at that time.

Congrats to U Street Music Hall Ranked #10 by Rolling Stone magazine:

There are no dress codes, VIP areas or bottle service at D.C.’s underground outpost, and the seats are mostly bar stools: “U Street Music Hall is for dancing, not sitting,” reminds their official website. Come here for cool DJs like Juan MacLean and Boys Noize, plus super-high-energy parties spotlighting the buzzy local sound known as moombahton.

U Street Music Hall is located at 1115 U Street, NW:

“Opened March 17th, 2010, U Street Music Hall is a DJ-owned and operated basement dance club and live music venue. Its 500-person capacity room features one of the city’s best sound systems, a 1200 square foot cork-cushioned dance floor and two bars with a full liquor selection.”

1215 U Street, NW

Last week we learned that U Street’s Historic Lincoln Theatre would be run by I.M.P., owners of the 9:30 Club. DC Commission on the Arts and Mayor Gray have released the first concerts:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray, along with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, announced just last week that Washington, D.C. has selected I.M.P., owners of the 9:30 Club, to become the new operator for the Historic Lincoln Theatre to revitalize one of the District of Columbia’s most important and historic cultural landmark, and today, Mayor Gray is announcing the first slate of I.M.P. shows coming to The Lincoln Theatre.

Laura Marling, Wednesday, Sept. 4
Travis, Friday, Sept. 20
KT Tunstall, Tuesday, Sept. 29
Matt Nathanson, Tuesday, Oct. 29
Neko Case, Wednesday, Oct. 30

These shows will go on sale 10am Friday, July 12 on ticketfly.com. For more information visit 930.com.

Seth Hurwitz, chairman of I.M.P., co-­‐owner of the 9:30 Club and newly appointed operator of The Lincoln Theatre, elaborates on initial booking philosophies for the Lincoln:

“Well, obviously, this will fill a need for sit-­‐down shows. We do those at the 9:30, and they are okay, but this will be better.

“There a lot of acts who want to work with us, love the 9:30, want to play downtown, but would understandably like to try something different. And I think our audience will appreciate the variety as well.

“There are some genres that simply don’t fit in a nightclub setting…we will be experimenting with those. Obviously, comedy will work well here.

“And we hope to make an easy turnkey solution for all kinds of promoters, fledgling and veterans, to come and put on a show here. Installing our family of crew and staff from around the corner will provide a friendly and affordable way to run this place. As I told the selection committee, we don’t need to put a proposal together for staffing…you can come down and meet them now.

“My thing is to fit the right venue with the right show, and this gives us one more tool in our box to do that…a tool we didn’t have. I like to push boundaries…we will do that here, to everyone’s delight I hope.

1215 U Street, NW

Great news from the mayor’s office:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray is pleased to join with the Deputy Mayor For Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) and the Department of General Services (DGS) in announcing the selection of I.M.P., owners of the 9:30 Club, as the winning bid to become the new operator for the Historic Lincoln Theatre, beginning September 2013. The selection of the new operator highlights Mayor Gray’s commitment to a long-term sustainable business plan for the theatre, as well as the city’s efforts to revitalize one of the District of Columbia’s most important and historic cultural landmarks.

I.M.P. demonstrates a proven track record of successfully operating and managing cultural facilities throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area and represents a strong brand of excellence. I.M.P. possesses the experienced leadership necessary to build and sustain a consistent artistic identity for the Lincoln Theatre. Currently, I.M.P. operates the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland and produces concerts in various venues of all sizes throughout the region.

“I applaud the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Department of General Services for moving this process forward,” said Mayor Gray. “I’m delighted that we can now move forward with I.M.P. and begin revitalizing this immense cultural asset.”

The process of selecting an operator began in January 2012 when Mayor Vincent C. Gray granted oversight of the Lincoln Theatre to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH). The DCCAH’s primary role was to continue operating the theatre while developing a sustainable long-term business strategy for the theater. The District evaluated the Letters of Intent based upon the economic terms, vision and business model. A shortlist of Offerors was selected to submit detailed backup information as a second round of evaluations. From there, a selection panel of representatives from District government agencies, the local arts community, and Ward One convened to evaluate the short-listed candidates.

“This selection raises the bar for arts and entertainment in Washington,” said Judith Terra, Chair of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “As we move toward becoming the cultural capital of the United States, our cultural assets that draw residents and visitors to our neighborhoods continue to define the greatness of our city.”

“The Historic Lincoln Theatre has been a cultural landmark in Washington for more than 90 years, and will continue to provide high quality artistic excellence for our residents and visitors,” said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “The new vision for the theater represents the growing diversity of our city.”

“The Department of General Services is very pleased with the outcome of this process that will bring this historic jewel back to life,” said Brian J. Hanlon, DGS Director. “This was a collaborative effort that resulted in selecting a very strong, long-term operator for the Lincoln Theatre.”

“It’s an honor and a thrill to be entrusted with bringing new life to such a wonderful old theatre,” said Seth Hurwitz, chairman of I.M.P. “Who doesn’t love places like this? You walk into it and gasp every time. To be able to make this more a part of people’s lives here again is an opportunity that is truly a privilege. There are so many kinds of shows that we are not able to do at 9:30 Club that we will now have a place for, including many that we had to take out of the city. Although we have been doing this for 33 years, we have added very few venues in our family roster. But this one we couldn’t pass up. The Lincoln is just too cool not to do.”