You might remember banished? from 2010 here in the neighborhood… Big Bear was the site for a fantastic remounting of their 2009 Capital Fringe Festival hit production, Tactile Dinner.

banished? productions is an avant-pop performance company that generates immersive interdisciplinary art experiences for all, to re-create wonder and re-awaken the senses. It is committed to producing quality work that cull from multiple artistic expressions, particularly in performative or theatrical experiments that play with text and form. banished? strives to inspire and collaborate with other artists in order to fuel its own artistic process: re-discovering and re-inventing the art of narration.

Check them out here on Facebook and at www.banishedproductions.org !

See you there,

Westy

Join us Friday, May 4 at 8pm.  See you soon!

Check out more on the web and on Facebook.

 

 

ABOUT RENE MOFFATT

Few DC area musicians fully embody the phrase “homegrown talent” in the same manner as singer-songwriter René Moffatt, a Texas native turned Washington, DC transplant. With only six years of District living and five years of musical pursuit under his belt, René has quickly established himself not only as a premier solo artist but a passionate advocate for local music.

In 2011, Rene released his EP and he co-founded a local music initiative called Listen Local First. Listen Local First, a partnership with Think Local First, seeks to increase exposure and opportunities for local musicians. Spearheading this initiative in the same year as the release of Here and Now is Home cements René’s commitment to nurturing the artistic community that gave him the inspiration and opportunity to pursue his non-traditional path to becoming a working musician.

René’s tireless dedication to his craft has begun to pay off, both with critics and fans, in DC and the surrounding area. René has established himself as a force to be reckoned with among DC folk musicians, and his introspective lyrics, soulful voice, and elegant instrumentation have gained accolades. His song “Demons On Your Sleeve” received an Honorable Mention from the Songwriter’s Association of Washington (SAW) in 2011, along with a Wammie nomination for Folk/Contempory Album of the Year. Recently. René has taken his show on the road with short tours along the east coast and in the south, and he was a featured artist on WDVX’s “Blue Plate Special,” a long-running radio showcase in Knoxville, TN.

In five short years, René truly transformed himself as an artist. He has achieved a level of musical expression that only a few years prior seemed to be out of reach, and his maturation as an artist is only just beginning. With lyrics that pack an emotional punch, a voice that resonates, and memorable melodies to boot, René’s sound will continue to impress upon the DC music scene and beyond.

ABOUT NATIONAL UNITE WOMEN

Help defend women’s rights and pursuit of equality. Join Americans all across the United States on April 28th, 2012, as we come together as one to tell members of Congress in Washington DC and legislators in all 50 states, “Enough is enough!”

Everyone is invited to join, plan, and rally as we unite to demand that every person be granted equal opportunities, equal rights, and equal representation.

National Unite Women
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UniteWomen
Web page www.UniteWomen.org

” we’re a bluegrassy, folkin’ honky tonk combo from up in them thar mountain hills of washington dc “

See you Sunday!

Beet Street Gardens purpose is to cultivate community gardens at social service organizations working with marginalized adults, teens and their families with a two fold purpose: to address economic and social divisions associated with limited access to nutritious food, safe outdoor space, and recreational and skill building opportunities; and to reduce the barriers of marginalized people to participate in community gardening, the local and organic food movements, and the green economy. All of Beet Streets activities will be non-judgmental, non-coercive, and client driven–guided by the principles of harm reduction.

Two sets performed with acoustic guitar, voice and harmonic. NO TREACHERY.

Also performing will be the dynamic ARTHUR SANZO.

Join us on Friday, March 16 around 8pm. There’s no cover!

This will be Annie’s second performance at Big Bear, and Catherine’s first in DC. We’re so excited to welcome them on April 20! There’s no cover but there are delicious drinks… join us for Catherine’s set at 8pm and then Annie’s.  Check out our Facebook event here.

ABOUT CATHERINE KASTLEMAN
Catherine is slowly returning to the world of music after a long hiatus. A talented singer and multi-instrumentalist, her main musical influences are Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and the music of Slavic countries. She sang with a full jazz band as well as a small combo in Chapel Hill, NC, and her first live acoustic performance with a guitar featured a song about unrequited love (the audience included the subject of aforementioned song). Later, she went on to perform live on television with her Balkan choir on a Bulgarian variety show called Slavi’s Show, hosted by Slavi Trifanov, who is called the “Jay Leno” of Bulgarian TV.

ABOUT ANNIE CRANE
Annie Crane calls to mind folk legends Joni Mitchell, Gillian Welch and Sandy Denny and is, according to Nashville documentarian and music writer Craig Havighurst, “refashioning folk music in a modernist and urbane guise.” She has toured the US, Canada and Europe and has shared the stage with folk icon Emmylou Harris. In addition to hearing her on the road, you can hear Annie at Starbucks locations worldwide and on top radio networks such as WXPN in Philadelphia and WFUV in NYC. In October 2011, Annie released her sophomore album, Jump With a Child’s Heart, the followup to her 2009 debut release, Through the Farmlands and the Cities. Jump With a Child’s Heart placed multiple times in the top 50 on the Folk DJ charts at the end of 2011 and is described by Canada’s Exclaim! magazine as “…an album that will undoubtedly serve as a great beacon of her potential.”

Visit her website at www.anniecranemusic.com.

Sunday Supper at Big Bear Cafe

Table is set! courtesy of Big Bear Cafe DC

Big Bear Cafe is everything I could ever want and more. A coffee shop that takes its coffee culture seriously in a space that is simple and inviting; a restaurant that serves breakfast until noon, uses good-for-you, farm fresh ingredients, and offers daily, seasonal items; a neighborhood gathering place that brings together musicians and comedians for weekly events. What more could you ask for? Killer craft cocktails? They’ve got them. A patio for the unexpected spring winter? Done. Supper to beat the Sunday blues? They have that too. Get over here Big Bear and give me a hug.

Big Bear’s story is as charming as the place itself. Formerly a Jewish Italian market/deli, it went through some hard times in the 80’s and 90’s. The space was boarded up with bulletproof glass inside and out, evidence of a different, more turbulent time in Bloomingdale. But in 2006, Stuart Davenport, a general contractor who lived in the area, saw a need for a decent cup of coffee and grub, so he gave up his day job and in a little over a year built a neighborhood gem. Struggling times just live in memories now, as Big Bear has become a sought-after destination, and is surrounded by equally great places and spaces.

Big Bear Cafe Signage, #2 courtesy of [F]oxymoron

On Sunday evenings, a night usually spent in melancholic reflection of the weekend’s end and week ahead, a seat at Big Bear’s Farmer’s Market dinner is just the place you want to be. A big communal table is placed at the back of the cafe and filled with candles, wine and unfamiliar faces. Chef Clementina Russo, who hails from Italy, creates a 5 course meal prepared with ingredients she finds at the local markets. The dishes are then served family style, encouraging stories and personal exchanges over deliciously prepared food. The whole affair becomes a family gathering, of complete strangers. And whether you are Italian, American, or Latin like me, we all agree that there is no better way to get people together than over a shared meal.

The night we went dinner started with a comforting bowl of spaghetti cooked perfectly al dente, served with mushrooms, mint and lemon, an ode to the upcoming spring. We then had a roasted chicken seasoned with rosemary and garlic, served with a frisee salad of belgian endive, fennel, and escarole and a spinach and ricotta frittatta. Then, we were given a cheese plate of taleggio, manchego and gorgonzola with spiced pecans and jams. I am a sucker for cheese plates but this one was particularly balanced, creamy and rich, and a perfect interlude before dessert. A hazelnut cake and cup of coffee was a perfect way to end the meal, lingering over crumbs and good company. Suppers are priced at $50 per person, or $65 with wine a wine pairing. Go for the pairing, we had an unbelievable Verdicchio with our meal that night.

courtesy of Big Bear Cafe DC

The people behind the bar are true baristas by day and mixologists by night. The cascara sour with whiskey, lime, cascara tea and cane sugar is a good companion, or for a warmer drink, the dutch hot chocolate, a mix of genever, cointreau, cynar and hot cocoa, is a boozed up original that changes with every sip. A place that can make lattee art and mix bitters right? Two bear sized thumbs up.

I was impressed not only by the food and by the drinks, but by the incredibly friendly service. I spoke with Kristina extensively, who is the host of the Sunday dinners but also a sous-chef. Stuart was equally as friendly and sat to chat with us about his plans. These people love food, good company, and creating a comforting environment for a good time; defining neighborhood gem.

To join the reservation-only Sunday supper, join Big Bear’s mailing list where you will receive a weekly email with the upcoming menu. Each dinner seats up to 15 people and reservations go fast.

The Caffeine Genie
courtesy of [F]oxymoron