Happy Funtime Friend Service

It does seem to be a weekend of Festivals, and if you don’t want to drive to Baltimore (but alas, no sour cream), you can join me at the Rosslyn Jazz Festival at Gateway Park (the corner of North Lynn and Lee Highway - a mere two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro).  It starts at 1 p.m. and runs til about 7.  The headliner is Regina Carter and there’s a mystery piano guest (I have my theories) and the whole shebang is hosted by WAMU host Kojo Nnamdi.  It’s free and fun, and it’s a great lead off for a week of great jazz all around the city for the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.  We’ll be at the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday night for the big concert but if you can’t make that, there are plenty of other opporunities to see both local and national artists. 

I can’t believe I totally missed the start of Jazz in the Garden. But after the lingering cold and lack of spring like weather (other than the raging pollen count), it just escaped me that it could be that time already. But here we are, so it’s time to skip Friday happy hour, grab a blanket, and head over to the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden to listen to some great local jazz artists. If you’re not a bring a picnic and sit on a blanket kind of person, the cafe stays open until 8:30 on jazz nights. Tonight is Frank LoCrasto Group and coming up soon is one of my favorites - Thad Wilson.

I’ll be out of town, but make reservations now at my favorite small movie theatre for Ladies and Gentleman, the Fabulous Stains at the Library of Congress Pickford Theatre for next Tuesday, May 8 at 7 p.m.

 A movie nearly lost to studio mishandling and deemed “too repellent for release” it’s the early 80s story of an all-girls punk band.  Diane Lane stars with appearances from Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast, Mr. French in the Departed and soon to be Beowolf) along with members of the Clash and the Sex Pistols.  As often happens with such things, it’s now a hard to find classic.

Call 202.707.5677 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday to make a reservation up to one week in advance of the screening.  Check out the rest of the Jazz Series while you’re there.

One of the many things I love about the Kennedy Center (and hey, it’s one of the unique things about living in Washington, so take advantage of it), is that they provide a chance to go behind the scenes and see how works are created, refined and brought to the stage. I’ve attended rehearsals of the ballet and the National Symphony Orchestra. On 5 October, you have the chance to see a Jazz Master Class with Geri Allen. Tickets go on sale today and are $15.

On Saturday, 16 September from noon to 7:00 p.m. the Kennedy Center is hosting an Open House. the list of what they have planned looks amazing including a tour of the arts along the Gulf Coast Highway. The National Symphony Orchestra will perform as will the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Airmen of Note. Local talent Suzanne Farrell Ballet will perform Balanchine and one tent will feature local arts organizations where you can learn about more fun things to do and participate in.

Speaking of participate, they are still looking for volunteers, so if you need a reason to go and want to help make it a terrific day, call 202.416.8301 to request a volunteer application.

I love jazz and I live in Arlington, but a combination of events (usually business travel) has kept me from attending the Rosslyn Jazz Festival - that streak ends this Saturday. Find me at Gateway Park (at Lee Highway and North Lynn Street - a mere 2 blocks from the Rosslyn Metro). From 1:00 - 7:00 p.m., a line-up of solid jazz musicians will be playing for free (and people I’ve paid good money to see at the Kennedy Center) including Hiromi. If you’re not sure if you like jazz and want to check out a good mix of piano, trumpet, jazz vocals, and fusion, this is a great place to try it on without a cover or a two drink minimum. More details available at the Arlington Cultural Affairs office.