music

Well, I didn’t see Maureen Bunyan this time but I did see lots of folks having a great time at the show. Bloombars of course is the great new spot on 11th Street next to Wonderland that bills itself as an underground “spontaneous” scene for art and music. It is arguably the coolest new development in the entire city. Despite opening an hour late, a quick power outage and an annoying fire alarm blaring across the street the evening had the same great vibe as the previous performances. There is a wonderful diversity among the crowd and the music of course is terrific. I unfortunately only caught the opening act before having to leave. Did anyone catch the headliners? How was your experience?

Headliners Kissey Asplund (center) and Shantell Martin (right) (more…)

Remember the super cool new addition to 11th Street? Bloombars located at 3222 11th Street (next to Wonderland) gave us a taste of sweetness before closing their doors. Well, if you missed it last time be sure to catch them this time. It is free (donations accepted) and there is a super cool vibe. You can read about last time here. And if you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of famed WJLA anchor Maureen Bunyan.

Bloombars describes the featured singers:

“Kissey Asplund Profile:

Crowned an electro-soul funk queen by legendary BBC RadioOne DJ Giles Peterson, Kissey was one of just 20 of his 2008 WorldwideWinners. Since the release of her debut album, Plethora, this native of Sweden with Caribbean roots has been on an odyssey to funkafy the globe with her soulful vocals over a plethora of futuristic funky beats created by some of the hottest producer/DJs in Europe and the US. At her first Washington, DC appearance, Kissey is poised to continue her early bloom at the appropriately named BloomBars.

myspace.com/kisseyasplund

Shantell Martin Profile:

With Jamaican roots, Shantell Martin based herself in Tokyo a few years ago, where she found her art and illustration transcended the luminous light from a projector, the energy of live music, and what appears to be an interpretation of a musician’s aura on a screen serving as the stage backdrop. The result pushes the boundaries of live art as the audience is treated to not only the performance onstage, but the creation of performance art like nothing you’ve ever experienced.

shantellmartin.com”