2011 Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series Rocks

Major kudos to The Fairfax County Park Authority for scheduling the best free summer concert series we've seen in a while. There's a amalgamated stew of excellent music from different genres delivered by national, regional, and local acts. Some of the highlights - how about Anders Osborne. Or Tom Principato, Bill Kirchen, Andrew McKnight, Sierra Hull, Claire Lynch, or Tom Paxton. These artists are usually seen at the Birchmere, Wolf Trap, or the Rams Head - not at local amphitheaters. Add in rising artists like The Damwells, Scythian, Ted Garber, or Melodime and great local acts like Bruce Ewan, Ruthie and the Wranglers, Last Train Home, Little Red and The Renegades,Cathy Ponton King, the Janine Wilson Band and we might as well list everyone. This is a great series. And free. And family friendly. And possible dog friendly. And convenient. What else do you need? Here are the highlights from three venues, but there are plenty more so check the park authority website.

Newton W. Edwards Amphitheater at Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale VA 22003
7:30-8:30 p.m.

June
1 - Bruce Ewan (blues)
3 - Anders Osborne (blues/rock/soul/classic rhythm and blues)
5 - City of Fairfax Concert Band (big band)
8 - Ruthie and the Wranglers (roots/rock)
10 - Sierra Hull and Highway 111 (country)
12 - BG Y The Mojo Hands (swing/rockabilly)
15 - Veronneau (soft jazz)
17 - Celtibillies (Celtic)
19 - Washington Balalaika Orchestra (Russian)
22 - Carolyn Malachi (jazz/pop/rhythm and blues)
24 - Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer (music for families)
26 - National Concert Band (big band)
29 - Squeeze Bayou (Cajun)

July
1 - Last Train Home (country)
3 - Kings Park Band (big band)
6 - Robbin Thompson (blues)
8 - Claire Lynch (bluegrass)
10 - The NOVA Annandale Symphony Orchestra (pops)
13 - Thrillbillies (rockbilly)
15 - John Eaton (jazz/blues/Broadway)
17 - The United States Army Band - Downrange (rock)
20 - The United States Navy Band - Sea Chanters (chorale)
22 - Alexandria Kleztet (jazz)
24 - The Capitol Steps (satirical revue)
27 - L’Tanya Mari (jazz)
29 - Little Red and The Renegades (zydeco)
31 - Falls Church Concert Band (big band)

August
3 - Tom Principato (blues)
5 - Tom Paxton (folk)
7 - Radio King Orchestra (big band)
10 - Hot Society Orchestra of Washington (jazz)
12 - Orquesta Tropikimba (Afro-Cuban orchestra)
14 - Cartoon Johnny (a cappella)
17 - The Joe Rathbone Band (indie rock)
19 - The Atomic Swing Club (swing)
20 - The United States Army Band - Blues Jazz Ensemble
24 - Ted Garber (blues/Americana/rock)
26 - The Aloha Boys (Hawaiian folk music and dance)
28 - Melodime (country rock)

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Braddock Nights

ROYAL LAKE PARK
5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax 22032
Friday Evenings • 7:30-8:30 p.m.

June
3 - Natty Beaux (Jump Blues)
10 - Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders (Folk)
17 - Elvis Tribute Band, Jed Deuvall (Rock&Roll)
24 - Mariachi Los Amigos (Mariachi)

July
1 - Billy Woodward & The Senders (Rockabilly/Vintage R&B)
8 - The Damnwells (Roots/Blues)
15 - Janine Wilson Band (Roots/Rock)
22 - Cathy Ponton King (Blues)
29 - Washington Toho Koto Society (Japanese)

August
5 - Trio Caliente (Latin Gypsy Rhumba)
12 - 7: The Capital Focus Jazz Band (Jazz)
19 - Andrew Acosta String Band (Folk/Bluegrass)
26 - No Second Troy (Indie/Pop/Rock)

LAKE ACCOTINK PARK
7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield 22152
Friday Evenings • 7:30-8:30 p.m.

June
3 - The Roustabouts (Blues/Fiddle Band)
10 - City of Fairfax “Concert Band” (Big Band)
17 - The United States Army Band “Blues Jazz Ensemble” (Jazz)
24 - MAHALA (Township Jive)

July
1 - Hangover Royale (Rockabilly/Western Swing)
8 - The Taters (Country/Pop)
15 - Night Music (Vintage Rock)
22 - Celtic Marc (Irish/Scottish)
29 - Billy Coulter (Roots/Rock)

August
5 - The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet (Classic)
12 - The United States Navy Band “Commodores” (Jazz)
19 - Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (Bluegrass)
26 - City of Fairfax Band “Alte Kameraden German Band” (German)
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Hunter Mill Melodies Concert Series
FRYING PAN FARM PARK • 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171

June
2 - The Company Store (Old-time Fiddling & Country Humor)
9 - The Annandale Brass Ensemble (Light Classical & Popular Songs)
16 - Cravin’ Dogs (Rock)
23 - The United States Navy Band “Country Current” (Country)
30 - Scythian (Irish)

July
7 - The United States Army Band “Blues Jazz Ensemble” (Jazz)
14 - Slightly Something (Acoustic/Pop)
21 - Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie (Traditional Bluegrass)
28 - Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun (Rockabilly)

August
4 - CAISO Steel Band (Steel Drum Band)
11 - King Teddy (Swing)
18 - The Winstons (Motown)
25 - Mystic Warriors (Andean)

This Week at MyJoog

There's a strong Americana presence in the nation's capital this week starting tonight with John Mellencamp at DAR Constitution Hall. On Wednesday night, Slightly Stoopid comes to the Nightclub 9:30 and then Thursday we head west to WolfTrap in order to watch Paul Thorn. The following evening we either head back to DAR Constitution Hall to catch The Avett Brothers or head to Alexandria and The Birchmere to watch Tom Principato Band 'CD Release Show' which also includes Bill Kirchen. We finish the week back at Nightclub 9:30 for the second night of The Drive-By Truckers - who also play at the venue Friday night.  Or we stay close to home and watch four entertaining local bands at The State Theatre: The Dreamscapes Project, Melodime, Crooked Crow, and Cobra Collective. And speaking of The State Theatre; the 25th annual Wammies show is scheduled for this Sunday the 20th with the after party at Bangkok Blues.

Bill Kirchen @ Jammin Java

On Monday March 3rd, I headed to an early show at Jammin Java - to see three guitar wizards on the same stage: Eddie Angel from Los Straitjackets, Mark Gamsjager of the Lustre Kings, and Bill Kirchen. As expected a large crowd greeted me; people were grateful to hear true rock n' roll - or as now known - Rockabilly - the music of Sun Records. There were more people on this Monday night than the previous two Saturday night shows I had attended. Eddie Angel and Mark Gamsjager took the stage first, accompanied by Todd Wulfmeyer on bass cello and Jason Smay on drums. I have been following the Lustre Kings since Shoot the Messenger, but this is the first time I heard Eddie Angel. What a treat. Eddie and Mark alternated songs - from a fast dance tune to a slow lady's choice, with lots of Tex Rubinowitz. But always the guitar playing was outstanding. The music reminded me of old Danny Gatton shows and I was starting to get nostalgic to the old Washington music scene when Eddie started playing "University Boulevard". That did it - I started reminiscing about the days when you could see Tom Principato on Wednesday, Bill Kirchen on Thursdays, Whop Frazier whenever, and Danny Gatton on the weekends. My neighboring listener, Ed, declared that those days are long gone, although he did know a few choice spots where you could still hear great music. My new Washington D.C. historian and planner. Remember when....

After a short intermission, Bill Kirchen took stage with Jack O'Dell on drums and Claude Arthur on the electric upright. What an interesting instrument. He started with Rocks into Sand and included Working Man, Womb to the Tomb, and a little Nick Lowe and Bob Dylan later in the set. You could tell the ease in which Mr. Kirchen plays; as fans yelled requests he'd say okay, and the trio would start in immediately. That's how we heard Prison Band. It seemed like old times - several faces looked familiar from nights out long ago. And his trademark interpretation of the Commander Cody's Hot Rod Lincoln was classic. For fifteen minutes he played signature rifts from historic groups - although he still couldn't mimic Angel's behind the back, point, and play rift. The closest I had gotten to that kind of fun was XM12 XCountry - who play Kirchen fairly regularly. Thanks Jessie Scott.

After another brief intermission Mr. Kirchen brought everyone back on stage for another 45 minutes of rocking music. Everyone took center stage - sometimes dueling, sometimes playing together - but by the end everyone was dancing, clapping, or yelling for more. The show ended uniquely with a dueling drums. One after another each person left the stage until the two drummers were left. They played together for about 5 minutes as Kirchen, Angel, and Gamsjager walked to greet friends and fans.

What a night. The music of Sun Records is slowing dying away - so thanks to these artists for keeping it alive. If you want to help their effort Mark Gamsjager has a relatively new CD out, Way out There and Bill Kirchen released Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods last year. But if you want a feel for Monday night, try Hot Rod Lincoln Live!