About seven years ago, Guion Pratt was living in County Meath, Ireland, working on a farm and writing poetry. He and a friend played songs —some of Pratt’s originals plus a few Bruce Springsteen tunes—as a guitar and saxophone duo in some area pubs. They called themselves Nettles, for the leafy, stinging plants they had […]
About seven years ago, Guion Pratt was living in County Meath, Ireland, working on a farm and writing poetry. He and a friend played songs —some of Pratt’s originals plus a few Bruce Springsteen tunes—as a guitar and saxophone duo in some area pubs. They called themselves Nettles, for the leafy, stinging plants they had […]
Art is food for the soul, as they say. So whether you and a date are carving a bit of indulgence into your weekday or celebrating Restaurant Week, take a break between mouthfuls to admire what’s on the walls. At The Local, glossy brick props up the hallucinogenic work of Dave Moore, a Virginia artist […]
With the lively surnames Tune, Matisse and Flo, the electronic fusion act Keys N Krates lays out its artistic agenda by playing instruments live and pulling in beats from all directions. Fans have deemed the group to be the world’s first trap band because of the power trio’s performances on drums, keys and turntable. Tuesday […]
When news first broke that Michael Bay would be making the inevitable Benghazi movie, the (non-tinfoil-hat-wearing) world was of two minds. The most prominent reaction was groaning at two of today’s most tiresome utterances: Michael Bay and Benghazi. Those two references in the same sentence was reason enough to dismiss 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers […]
It’s rare to catch musician Robert Earl Keen’s name in print unaccompanied by the word iconic. As with the archaic bestowal of knighthood’s Sir, the ubiquitous presence of the adjective testifies to supreme achievements. And while, in most cases, such an affixation is worth little more than its ability to inspire an ironic chuckle, in […]
Nashville trio Those Darlins tops off a rock ‘n’ roll groove with alt-country flair on its final tour before a permanent hiatus. The group started out covering Carter Family tunes on traditional mountain music instruments such as the washboard, and became known for its saucy songwriting and versatility within the rock genre. Its 2011 album, […]
According to the Virginia Historical Society, “The most violent episode of the civil rights movement in Virginia occurred in Danville during the summer of 1963.” Demonstrators were beaten back by police in the streets, and legal battles for equal rights simmered. In July of the same year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was motivated to […]
Having toured with several acclaimed jazz musicians, including Houston Person, Etta Jones and Lonnie Smith, Randy Johnston has garnered global recognition as both a guitarist and a vocalist. He is joined by his trio and organist Jonah Kane-West to perform a varied set of jazz and blues classics as well as originals. Saturday 1/16. 21-plus. Free, […]
Cage the Elephant Tell Me I’m Pretty/RCA Continuing the exodus from the brash alternative rock that typified Cage the Elephant’s first few releases, Tell Me I’m Pretty continues the artistic evolution that started on its last release, Melophobia. Classic rock fills every nook and cranny of this record from the thrumming bass and massive drums […]
Using education and a mix of traditional and modern dance, Washington, D.C.’s Lesole’s Dance Project has been presenting high-quality performances for more than 10 years. With “Dancing Through South Africa,” the touring troupe focuses on the historic preservation of South African dance and drumming by showcasing Indlamu, Gumboot and Pantsula styles, while giving equal consideration […]