Tour the Memorials for Memorial Day

Posted by Matt Basheda / Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. is a big deal.

After all, the city houses many of the country’s famous memorials. So as part of your celebratory plans, why not take a day this weekend, brave the traffic and tour the memorials?

The Air Force Memorial. Photo: Shutterstock.com/Jason and Bonnie Grower

Three of the four branches of the U.S. military have major memorials in or near D.C. These broad memorials are good places to start honoring those who serve.

Since you’ll be starting in NoVA, begin your trip at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. The monument is outside Arlington National Cemetery.

The spectacular Air Force Memorial is also in Virginia, on the other side of Arlington National Cemetery from the Marine memorial. Its eye-catching design is a part of the metropolitan skyline, and can be seen from many spots on both sides of the Potomac.

Of course Arlington cemetery itself cannot be–and should not be–overlooked. Arlington is one of Memorial Day’s national centerpoints.

Inside the district, the magnificent Navy Memorial pays honor to all seafaring servicemen and women. The Navy Memorial, featuring “The Lone Sailor,” stands on Pennsylvania Avenue.

But the more specific war memorials also deserve attention. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a tremendously popular destination for D.C. visitors, and this weekend should be no different. The famous wall sits along two blocks of Constitution Avenue, between 21st Street and 23rd Street.

The relatively recent World War II Memorial, located directly on the National Mall, honors all who contributed to the war effort with a regal monument.

If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path–especially since those major attractions will be jam-packed–D.C. has a few less-known, but no less poignant memorials.

The D.C. War Memorial. Photo: Shutterstock.com/Caitlin Mirra

The Korean War Memorial and D.C. War Memorial both sit in quiet corners of the Mall, adjacent to the biggest draws in the city. However, their slightly secluded location provides a comforting respite from the occasionally frantic downtown bustle.

And the African American Civil War Memorial, commemorating all African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War, sits apart from the hectic mall on U Street. Its welcoming, circular design is well worth a visit.

The Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial is one of the city’s oldest; dedicated in 1934, this extraordinary structure honors Merchant Marines who died in World War I. The unique design–seagulls on a cresting wave–combined with the aquatic location on Columbia Island makes this monument one of D.C.’s hidden memorial treasures.

The Peace Monument is highly visible, but not a frequent destination, probably owing to its location in the middle of a roundabout. But the magnificent Greco-Roman memorial should be visited by all. The huge memorial honors naval soldiers in the Civil War. It is a few hundred feet in front of the U.S. Capitol.

This is not a comprehensive list. D.C. offers even more opportunities to remember our heroes from all eras of American history. And this weekend is the perfect time to go out and pay respects.

Our Vintage Film Comes to Jammin Java

Posted by Hunter Woodall / Monday, May 21st, 2012

Indie pop rock group Our Vintage Film will take the stage at Jammin Java this Tuesday, May 22. The band released The Midnight Sun EP in July of 2011.

According to their website, the EP represents the journey the band members faced during their college years. The band’s goal is to release music with themes that tie into “meaningful everyday concepts.”

The group originally started out as an acoustic band, but over time has grown to become a seven piece band. The current lineup features a cello, violin and piano. On the bands website, the group refers to their sound as both “power pop” and “indie-pop progression.”

The band is working to increase fans exposure to their msuic through online marketing, as well as a kickstarter campaign to help fund their 2012 Summer tour.

Our Vintage Film will take the Jammin Java stage Tuesday along with openers Bonaventure, The Offset and Money Can’t Be Eaten. Tickets are $10 prior to the show and $13 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.

From the Green Room with William Beckett

Posted by Hunter Woodall / Friday, May 18th, 2012

Beckett released his first solo effort, Walk the Talk, in April. (Photo Courstey of William Beckett and Fresh Clean Media)

In the span of a year, William Beckett, 27, lost his band and his record contract.  The changes allowed him to seek a new start as a solo artist, with a new sound and label.

Beckett spent the first eight years of his musical career as the lead singer of “The Academy Is…“ the band he helped form while still attending high school.  The band broke up in October, leaving Beckett at a crossroads in his musical career.

Roughly six months after the breakup of the band he led for almost a decade, Beckett released his first solo EP Walk the Talk. The EP, and the corresponding tour, shows Beckett moving in a new direction musically with material that he says is the best he’s ever written.

In support of his EP, Beckett is touring the U.S. and will stop in Virginia to play Jammin Java this Sunday.

How would you describe fans response to your latest release?

“It was great. I didn’t really know what to expect. A part of you always expects the worst and hopes for the best (to) prepare yourself mentally. But it was awesome, It was a really good response and people are still checking it, listening to it for the first time. It’s a growing process and I’m happy that my instincts aren’t completely off. It’s good to know that my taste is comparable to what people like as well.”

What changes did you make to your writing process as you transitioned into being a solo artist?

“A lot of it has to do with the kind of environment that I’m writing in. For a while towards the end of the band, the writing environment was really hostile and that just wasn’t fun. When you think about it, it wasn’t an ideal creating environment. Since then, I’ve collaborated with really great producers and it really sparked something new in me, or something old that I hadn’t felt in a while. It was like wow, this is what writing is supposed to be like. This is what the creation process is supposed to be.”

 Why did “The Academy Is…” decide to break up?

“It was kind of a long time coming. A lot of the reason why is because of it not being a positive environment. The last thing that we wanted to do was to forfeit and pretend that everything was all right within the band and then make another record and hate it and then hate each other even more. I felt like it was the right move as far as taking responsibility for ourselves and also (to) our fans as well to put out the best music possible. I felt like the only way that I could do that most efficiently was on my own.”

 After releasing the EP are you planning to release a solo album any point soon?

“I’ve got a full plan. Now that Walk the Talk is out, every three months I’m going to release an EP throughout the year, so at the end of the year you’ll have twelve songs, if you collect all the EP’s, to be enjoyed as one piece.”

 Will each of the EP’s have a different theme?

“It’s sort of an evolution of the same story for each of them. The first is to introduce you to where I’m at now and what I’ve been going through and that (will) evolve with each of the EP’s and by the end you’ll have the full story up to now.”

 How will the solo tour be different from touring with your former band?

“Well for me, I can really focus on exactly what my vision is for each tour, for each song written for each decision made before it was kind of a trial by committee, it was kind of a communal decision system that in my opinion… that kind of team decision making doesn’t work when it comes to art. Once you start compromising, there’s no end to where you’ll end up. At that point your vision is so clouded and deluded that it’s nothing like you intended. So for me… it’s purely my vision which is very gratifying and I feel like in the end it will make more sense than having a bunch of cooks in the kitchen.”

From the Green Room with Alleghany St.

Posted by Matt Basheda / Friday, May 18th, 2012

More musical ammo for NoVA’s ever-expanding scene: Alleghany St., a powerful country-rock duo.

Alleghany St. Photo: Maddy Turley.

I was fortunate enough to catch them downtown at SOVA on May 11, and they blew the roof off. This brother-sister pair–Joshua and Stefanie–seals airtight harmonies with friendly, but raucous energy.

They know how to party and aren’t afraid to show it. Joshua strums acoustic guitar, while Stefanie pounds handheld drums with reckless abandon. But their back-and-forth vocals make the group. They’ll switch in and out of harmony and melody on a moment’s notice; there is no lead singer.

A lifetime spent together has helped their seamless sound. Even the group’s name is a direct reference to their childhood–Alleghany St. is the street on which they grew up in Warrenton.

They just released their debut album, Young Heart, and celebrated with a Jammin Java release party on May 13.

I interviewed them via email about their lively, fun-loving sound, and where they’ll take it next.

First, here’s an example of their music:

Who and what inspires you?
“Our close family bond of music. We grew up listening to our mom and dad jamming with their friends every weekend with full volume on the speakers. So it was a gleam in our eyes at a very young age to do the exact same thing. … We’re also really fascinated by the inspiration you get from REAL life specific situations and how they make you feel certain emotions that make you bond with people on this very down to earth level.”

How did your particular style develop? Where does your sound come from?
“Well when we came together as this singer/songwriter duo, a lot of people were classifying us as country or folky country even though there is no real presence of “twang” or accent. … We credit our unique sound to what it was like to grow up [in Warrenton]. It’s not exactly country, but not suburban or rural either–it’s kind of a blend and we think it shows in our music because we take a lot of what music we were exposed to around the area as inspiration.”

Your live shows are really tight. How did you perfect that?
“Thank you! We really think it’s because of the sibling thing – nothing more! … But really, we also understand each others [sic] musical sense because were [sic] on a very similar page so we have common ideas. With a little bit of eye contact on stage we are able to tell where each other are planning to go or if we need to change something up a bit, it’s really helpful.”

What’s coming up for you?
“We have shows, shows, and shows! We’re working hard to book the summer up with some fun outside events, festivals, intimate settings, and soon some collaboration work with artists from completely different genres to keep things interesting, so it’s definitely something to look out for!”

Where can people buy your music?
“Our official website has links to all our social media, including our bandcamp page where you can purchase the full album online!”

Grammy-Nominated Kids’ Group Milkshake Rocks Jammin Java

Posted by Matt Basheda / Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Grammy-nominated kids’ band Milkshake comes to Jammin Java this Saturday, May 19.

Milkshake is different than most kids’ groups. They’re a real rock band who just happen to play kid- and family-friendly music.

Hailing from Baltimore, they formed from the remnants of a ’90s grown-up rock act called Love Riot. But with the band’s demise and arrival of kids, the singer and guitarist from Love Riot decided to partner once more, this time with a group to fit their new lives as parents.

Thus, Milkshake has something most children’s music lacks–coolness. Although the lyrics feature themes like pirates, Halloween and aquariums, true pop sensibility hovers in the background. Part Monkees, part Cheap Trick, all fun.

Their 2009 release, “Great Day,” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Musical Album for Children category.

Saturday’s show provides a sneak preview of songs off Milkshake’s upcoming album, “Got a Minute?” as well as their favorite tunes from the past few years.

Milkshake is a six-piece band, but the Jammin Java performance is a special, intimate event with the Milkshake Trio–Mikel, Lisa and Sheppy.

Tickets are $12, and are on sale now. The show begins at 11 a.m.

Our Favorite TV and Movie Moms

Posted by Matt Basheda / Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Mother’s Day should of course celebrate our own mothers and moms we know. But there’s no denying the impact of imaginary moms from our favorite shows and movies.

So to accompany this important celebration, here are some of the most memorable on-screen moms.

Who can forget Marty McFly’s mom, Lorraine? Hilarity and Oedipal references flew across the screen in “Back to the Future.” Here she is, as played by Lea Thompson, in one of “Back to the Future’s” pivotal scenes.

Nothing tops sheer parental hilarity like the parents of Seinfeld–Frank and Estelle Costanza, Morty and Helen Seinfeld, and even Susan’s parents. Each offers pure neurotic bliss. Sure, you might not want them in your house, or anywhere near you, but they spread plenty of joy nonetheless.

Sometimes on-screen moms inspire us. And perhaps a mom with superpowers, a la Helen/Elastigirl from “The Incredibles,” is not so far-fetched compared to your own superhero mom.

Elastigirl’s tough, but no mom–besides your own of course–is tougher than Sarah Connor. Battling indestructible robots is pretty insane. And even though Linda Hamilton created the role, Lena Headey stepped up to the plate and delivered a home run in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”

These are just my favorite. But feel free to point out my glaring omissions!

Mother’s Day Garden Tours

Posted by Matt Basheda / Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Mother’s Day and May flowers are a match made in heaven.

There’s no need to give a pre-made bouquet, though. Surround mom with swaths of flowers, and take her to one of this area’s bevy of Mom’s Day garden tours.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna is perfect for any time of year, but Mother’s Day is a special focus. They’ll even have a casual buffet in their atrium. The garden holds a guided tour from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is Meadowlark’s peak season. The grounds are exploding with color and life–butterflies flash through the air, and choral birds put on a show. Admission for this event is $30 for adults, $15 for kids.

A slice of the Virginia State Arboretum's massive garden fair. Photo by Tim Farmer/State Arboretum of Virginia.

The massive Virginia State Arboretum, off Route 50 west in Boyce, is definitely worth the drive. In fact, this springtime road trip is the focus of our current issue’s May Getaway column. Mother’s Day adds yet another reason to make the hour drive to this profuse, manicured wilderness, with VSA’s enormous Garden Fair.

This year’s Garden Fair offers tours of the magnificent grounds, birding walks and kids events. But it also turns VSA into one of the biggest plant nurseries in the area, for two days only. Hundreds of plants–of every shape, size and variety–will be on sale, plus a sizable selection of gardening tools, supplies and even artwork.

The rain-or-shine extravaganza runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13. Admission is a bargain, at just $10 per car.

If city life suits your mom better, that’s no problem. In fact, luxurious downtown homes and picture-perfect gardens go hand in hand. Thus, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society holds a Mother’s Day home and garden tour of its own.

The tour features two flawless front gardens and 13 stunning homes, each an architectural marvel. This is the tour’s 55th year. Hours run Saturday, May 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 13 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $30.

The journey is short–only about a mile, so it’s definitely walkable, and a refreshing opportunity to walk off that heavy brunch. Additionally, tea will be served in association with the house tour at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Street.

If you’re looking for Mom’s Day destinations a little further from home, we’ve got a guide for that. But if you’re looking for a combination of everything in this blog, head to Richmond.

The Museum District Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour features eight beautiful southern homes and their gardens. Most of the houses are nearly 100 years old. Each has at least one incredible story, but the Floyd Avenue structure is the stuff of movies: the owners bought the house without knowing that it was built by ancestors.

Richmond is a balanced blend of country life and urban society. The houses sit on sizable plots brushed with greenery and all manner of flora, but cosmopolitan downtown Richmond is just a couple blocks away.

Tickets are $25. The tour’s hours run 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 13 only.

Stay tuned for even more exclusive coverage on the many moods of Mother’s Day. If my list was too specific for you, check out fellow Game Planner Lorin’s loaded brainstorm of activities. And don’t neglect our food and drink guides–after all, eating is the second most important aspect of the day. As if that wasn’t enough, we have Mother’s Day shopping guides, too.

Northern Virginia Weekend Events

Posted by Matt Basheda / Friday, May 4th, 2012

We’ve got a few weekend events heading down the pipeline for you.

First up, local ballet. We have exceptional talent out here in the ‘burbs. The Cuppett Performing Arts Center in Vienna is throwing a “Golden Gala” this Saturday, May 5.

Shutterstock.com/Andrew Williams

The Cuppett Center’s founder, Alzine Cuppett, was a former Rockette and even received tutelage from Gene Kelly. She started the dance school in 1962, and it’s become one of the premier schools in the area.

The “Golden Gala” features pieces from several classic ballets, including “The Nutcracker” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Saturday holds two exclusive performances: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $16 at the door. The venue is Kenmore Middle School’s theater at 200 S. Carlin Springs Road in Arlington.

If that doesn’t strike your fancy, try a heartstopping airshow. The Flying Circus’ first show of the 2012 season takes off this Sunday, May 6. The show begins promptly at 2:30 p.m.

Airshows are something of a lost art. They used to be a classic, popular form of entertainment. But The Flying Circus is a throwback, and is now 42 years old.

The show features stunts galore, including formation patterns, aerobatics and wing-walkers. Anyone can sign up for a calm sight-seeing trip aboard one of the planes, too.

Bealeton, Va., the show’s location, is to the slight south but easily accessible. Simply take Route 28 south and you’re there in an hour. Tickets are just $10, but don’t worry if you miss this show–there’ll be another airshow every Sunday until October.

Shutterstock.com/Tony Gates

If you’re looking for something a little more down to earth, Prince William’s “Arts Alive!” celebration springs to life this Sunday afternoon in Manassas.

“Arts Alive!” is a massive celebration featuring dozens of performances, demonstrations and readings by local authors, all happening simultaneously in various sections of the Hylton Performing Arts Center. If you don’t want to watch, you can interact. Authors will provide writing exercises and kids can take part in art projects.

The food is as unique as the performers. Options include Cajun and crepes.

Best of all, there is no charge for general attendance. That’s right–it’s free. “Arts Alive!” happens from noon to 6 p.m.

–Matt Basheda

Action Against Hunger Charity Concert at Jammin Java

Posted by Matt Basheda / Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

A new movement is brewing at Jammin Java.

Courtesy Matt Colwell

The Concert for Action Against Hunger goes down this Saturday, May 5. All proceeds benefit the charity group, an organization that supplies starved communities around the world with nutritious food, clean water and the ability to sustain itself.

The bold call to action is the brainchild of Matt Colwell, a 15-year-old sophomore at George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church.

“I feel like I have grown up in a very privileged family,” said Colwell via email. “I’ve never had to worry about not having a meal on my plate, or not having a place to sleep at night, but unfortunately that’s not something that can be said for everyone on this planet. … I knew that [AAH] was the perfect fit for what I was trying to go for.”

Such initiative is rare in 15-year-olds, but Colwell has it in spades. He’s also the owner of a company–a website called The Fresh Selection that features a new musical artist each day. Colwell’s work with The Fresh Selection helped him find local musicians who would lend their talents to the AAH show.

The show’s co-sponsor is Alexandria clothing company Remember Your Roots. Remember Your Roots weaves organic clothing and teams with The Surfrider Foundation to scrub area waterways free of pollution.

For each Remember Your Roots item sold at the concert, Remember Your Roots will pledge to scoop one pound of trash from a local waterway.

Tickets for the show run $10 in advance or $13 the day of.  All proceeds go directly to Action Against Hunger. The show begins at 12:30 p.m. this Saturday.

Vienna Kids Hit the Big Time

Posted by Matt Basheda / Friday, April 27th, 2012

Local kids living the rock star dream.

The Boxer Racers. Photo: Daniel Glass Photography

Pat Sommers’ Rock Shop in Vienna–a “school of rock” type outfit–headed to New York last weekend for a show at The Delancey, a nightclub.

Founder Pat Sommers reunited with his former band Sticky, but the kids stole the show this past Saturday, April 21.

“The club was super super nice to them,” said Sommers. “The club was packed. … [The kids] did an awesome job. … The whole night couldn’t have gone better.”

Seven rock shop bands each played four-song sets.

The rock shop prides itself in the quality of youth bands it puts out. Unlike most “schools of rock,” Sommers has a selection process for admittance to his academy. Regular rehearsal is required, and eventually, the bands get a live show of their own. Not a recital for parents and friends, mind you–a real gig at a real venue.

Back in January, the Rock Shop hit Jammin Java for a headlining show. But live in NYC? That’s a different story altogether, and for these kids, it happened. The event included a tour bus all their own, plus staying up all night and hangin’ with some real rock ‘n’ roll veterans.

Since they’ve clearly grown out of our suburban scene, you won’t want to miss these kids play on the Vienna town green twice next month. They’ll be on Wednesday, May 2 at 4:30 p.m., and again as part of the Viva Vienna celebration on Saturday, May 26 at 2 p.m.

These kids are the real deal–so don’t wait until you have to pay $100 to see them at some stadium five years from now.

Here’s Pat Sommers himself and his old band Sticky in full-on reunion mode: