Hello,
Our next Open Piano will take place on Wednesday, August 5th, from 7:00 to MIDNIGHT, upstairs at The Saloon, 1207 U Street NW. You are invited to come by, take a turn on the piano, or just hang around and appreciate. We play no recorded “Background” music and charge no cover. Ever.
Open Piano
Open Piano, well into its eighth year–we started in 2018, at The Purple Patch–is the only musical presentation of its kind in the DMV, and is a non-profit, all-volunteer event. An acoustic piano is the only instrument, and any pianist can stroll in and give it a try. We think of it as a public clubhouse for pianists and their friends.
All styles of music are welcome, from opera to jazz to honky-tonk. If you sing, or if you play an acoustic instrument—we welcome anything EXCEPT percussion or guitars—we will try to find an accompanist. Several working duets and trios met and began on our stage. A recent first-time guest, sitting blissfully through something like five top-notch pianists in a row, asked me, “Shouldn’t I be paying for this??”
Non-Profit
The Saloon has a full menu and an outstanding drink selection. In addition, it’s a non-profit pub that donates its proceeds to the Kamal Foundation, which builds schools and clinics all over the world. So, every time you buy a drink, you’re helping somebody.
The Saloon, 1207 U Street NW, is right across from the Green Line U Street Metro stop, 13th Street exit.
More Ink
An enterprising young journalist, Kelly Doyle, wrote about us in a recent—well, not all that recent, but it’s all still true–edition of The WASH. Here is the link:
https://thewash.org/2025/11/04/open-piano-hits-all-the-right-notes-on-u-street/
Film Shoot, Part 3
Jelina has hopefully recovered from her soccer injury, and she will be back. I think it will be the last time, filming, interviewing and maybe even singing, so you have the option to dress as you would like to be remembered…
Website
Our website, www.openpianodc.org is back up, safe and secure, thanks to the kindness and digital brilliance of Jim Congdon, Hunter’s dad. One can even communicate with us, by clicking on the “Questions? Comments? Bookings?” tab. NOTE: This will not reach the Saloon itself. If you want to reach The Saloon about the Saloon itself, the Kamal Foundation or holding an event upstairs, please call: 301 775 3652
Hope to see you soon,
Kevin