34th Annual Giant Barbecue Battle Photo Recap - Day One

Buzz Lightyear & friend at the 34th annual Giant BBQ Battle

Summer officially began a week ago today, but DC Outlook doesn't recognize summer until the return of the Giant Barbecue Battle. That was yesterday, and even Mother Nature agreed to lend a helping hand, defying local projections of rain and (shudder) thunderstorms. She even managed to keep the Sun under wraps clouds, which for those of us who love to attend, makes a big, BIG difference. With the weather in check, the kind folks at Giant Food took care of everything else, delighting a huge crowd with great food, giveaways and music. If you're keeping score at home, those are probably the three best things in the world. Here's our annual recap of happy faces and memories; and in case you missed Saturday's non-stop fun, the BBQ Battle returns today along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd & 7th Streets. Tickets cost only $21.20 (including tax) and can be purchased online or in person. Gates open at 11 AM and don't close until 7 PM tonight.

Giant Barbecue Battle Marks Memorial Day and America 250 by Honoring Veterans

From our friends at Giant Food...

Giant Barbecue Battle Marks Memorial Day and America 250 by Honoring Veterans

As the nation gathers over Memorial Day weekend and prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle, America’s Food & Music Festival, will honor service members and spotlight veteran initiatives and businesses during its 34th annual edition on June 27-28 on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC.

33rd Annual Giant Barbecue Battle Photo Recap

Heatstroke sizzles on the Pepsi Summer Grilling Stage

Is there such a thing as too hot? Yesterday's official temperature topped out at (just) 88* but it felt much hotter. I admit, it slowed me down a bit, but the Giant Barbecue Battle (celebrating its 33rd edition) is the type of event that draws really big crowds, no matter what the thermostat says. This year was/is no exception. I go to all sorts of events throughout the year, but the Barbecue Battle holds a special place in my heart. Great food, giveaways and music? Sold! Just in case you missed Saturday's non-stop fun, the BBQ Battle returns today along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd & 7th Streets. Tickets cost only $20 and can be purchased online or in person. Gates open at 11 AM and don't close until 7 PM tonight.

Strathmore Hosts The Righteous Brothers Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour, August 15th

From our friends at Strathmore...

Strathmore Hosts The Righteous Brothers Lovin' Feelin' Farewell Tour, August 15th

For four decades, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley, known as The Righteous Brothers, enchanted audiences with soulful hits like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and “Unchained Melody.” Following Hatfield's passing in 2003, Medley pursued a solo career before teaming up with acclaimed vocalist Bucky Heard to revive The Righteous Brothers' iconic repertoire. Their Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour offers a nostalgic journey through six decades of timeless hits, spanning the early days of rock ‘n’ roll, the Blue-Eyed Soul era, and the group’s movie soundtrack successes.

Strathmore Says Goodbye to Its' Pike & Rose Venue, AMP

Hamilton Leithauser performs at AMP (Photo: Strathmore)

From our friends at Strathmore...

Strathmore Says Goodbye to Its Pike & Rose Venue, AMP

Unique programming and support for rising artists will continue across Strathmore's campus and throughout Montgomery County

After nine dynamic years, Strathmore will dim the lights on AMP, its popular Pike & Rose performance venue, when the lease ends on June 30. Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) recently notified the non-profit arts institution that the space is now needed for a commercial tenant relocating its headquarters to Pike & Rose.

Simply the Best: The Ultimate Tina Turner Tribute Stops in Bethesda This Sunday

Vivian Ross is the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll

Tina Turner passed away just three months ago, but she's surely not forgotten. True greats live on in a number of ways... even live, as in this coming Sunday (August 27th) at the Bethesda Theater (formerly known as Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club.) Vivian Ross stars in Simply the Best: The Ultimate Tina Turner Tribute, with doors opening at 5:30 PM (click here to see the dinner & drinks menu.) The show starts at 7:30 PM, and yours truly will be there with his Bey, ready to rock hard to "Private Dancer," "Proud Mary" and a myriad of other amazing hit songs. Tickets are still available (click here) and can literally be had for for a mere "song" (only $30 per.)

Styx (The Live and UnZoomed Tour) Concert Review

Lawrence Gowan and Styx rocked Jiffy Lube Live

Are You Ready for a Rock Show?

Few things (truly) improve with age. Blue jeans, fine leather and whisky leap to mind, but legendary music acts? Usually not, with one noticeable exception... Styx. The Chicago-based rock band turns 50 this year, but showed no signs of slowing down as The Live and UnZoomed Tour (with Loverboy and REO Speedwagon) stopped at Jiffy Lube Live last night. 24 hours later, and I'm still tapping my feet.

Styx Returns to Jiffy Lube Live Friday

Styx (Photo: Red Light Management)

These are the dog days of summer, but with great heat comes even hotter music. The Live & UnZoomed Tour with Styx, REO Speedwagon & Loverboy makes a stop at Jiffy Lube Live this Friday. Tickets (starting at $29.50) are still available (click here to purchase) and the show starts early at 6:45 PM. The three bands share a whopping total of 39 Top 40 hits (16, 13 and 10 respectively) so make sure to arrive early for what's destined to be an epic night of rock and roll.

Capital Fringe Festival Starts This Week July 14-17 & 21-24 in Georgetown DC

From our friends at Capital Fringe...

Capital Fringe Festival Starts This Week July 14-17 & 21-24 in Georgetown DC

The Fringe Festival is back! Fringe has partnered with the Georgetown BID, Jamestown LP, and Citizen M to host a culturally valued event in the Georgetown neighborhood that is accessible, fun, and delivers attainable space and unjuried earning opportunities for performing artists. Tickets for the Capital Fringe Festival are on sale and are $15 for each performance!

Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle 2022 Photo Recap

DC Mayoral candidate Red Grant performs on Sunday

After two years of virtual celebration, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle returned to its familiar setting along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to commemorate its 30th anniversary in person. Mother Nature supplied beautiful weather. and Giant Food took care of the rest, welcoming crowds of barbecue lovers with great giveaways, music and succulent food. What more could you ask for (besides a whole week of activities?) Cue our countdown to next year already!

Capital Fringe Festival Returns July 14-17 & 21-24 in Georgetown DC

From our friends at Capital Fringe...

Capital Fringe Festival Returns July 14-17 & 21-24 in Georgetown DC

Eight Days of Performances, 30 Theatre Productions and 140 Individual performances

The Capital Fringe Festival is returning to one of DC's most historic neighborhoods after two years. You will find Fringe performances at Georgetown Park, a dynamic retail environment in the heart of Georgetown. Georgetown Park underwent an $80 million redevelopment from an inward-facing enclosed mall into an outward-facing collection of premier retailers and home to the largest parking garage in Georgetown with 668 spaces.

DC-Based Pianist Lionel Yu Makes Debut at Kennedy Center

Lionel Yu

From our friends at MusicalBasics...

Lionel Yu, the DC-based pianist behind the hit YouTube channel MusicalBasics (1,000,000+ Subscribers), makes his debut at the Kennedy Center, performing MUSICALBASICS, A Transcendental Experience at the Terrace Theater on Sunday, March 13 at 2:00 PM. An ambitious program of his most popular piano pieces, the concert will feature Yu’s remixes of pieces by Beethoven and his biggest hits “Fires of a Revolution” and “Rolling Thunder”. Yu, whose YouTube performance videos regularly go viral, takes the Terrace Theater stage after a memorable few months. In October, Yu performed to a sold-out crowd at the Europäische Musikstage Festival in Heidelberg, Germany.  In January 2022, he released the second volume of his 2021 album, MusicalStories Volume II, which has been streamed over 900,000 times on Spotify. Yu subsequently reached 1 million YouTube subscribers.

Nate Smith to Visit City Winery, November 11th

Nate Smith visits City Winery, November 11th (Photo: Cory Dewald)

From our friend Nate Smith...

Nate Smith to Visit City Winery, November 11th

2x GRAMMY® Award-nominated drummer/composer/producer Nate Smith will be performing at City Winery on 11/11 as part of a limited East Coast run of tour dates in support of his latest album, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds. One of the foremost artists of the current progressive jazz movement, Smith will spend much of the next year on the road, both as drummer and music director for Brittany Howard as well as with his own incredible combo.

Contest: Win a Pair of Passes to Bandstand

We're giving away a pair of tickets to see Bandstand at the National Theatre on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:30 PM. All you have to do (to win) is fill out the form below before Friday, February 28th at 11:59 PM, and we'll select one lucky winner to attend the show. Said winner will be notified by e-mail, and can collect their tickets at Will Call. Good luck!

Dru Hill & Ma$e Take Over Capital One Arena for Friday Concert Series

Click above to enlarge

From our friends at the Washington Wizards...

Dru Hill & Ma$e Take Over Capital One Arena for Friday Concert Series

A1 Chops and Tylan to Also Perform

The Wizards Postgame Concert Series is taking it back to the 90s when R&B group Dru Hill and rapper Ma$e will perform following the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 7.

Celebrate the Holidays at City Tap DC Locations

From our friends at City Tap House...

Join both City Tap DC locations for the holidays starting with City Tap Penn Quarter’s Holiday-Themed Trivia Brunch on Saturday, December 14, with Port City Brewing Company and Santa making an appearance from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Gingerbread pancakes, egg nog French toast, and a hot cocoa bar will be available. The winning team will receive tickets to Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City & Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment to Co-Present Fan-Favorite Broadway Shows in 2020

From our friends at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City & Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment...

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment announced today a 2020 partnership to co-present three fan-favorite Broadway shows that will take place at the Sound Waves Theatre inside the resort destination.

Contest: Win a Pair of Passes to Jersey Boys at the National Theatre

We're giving away a pair of tickets to see Jersey Boys at the National Theatre on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:30 PM. All you have to do (to win) is fill out the form below before Sunday, December 15th at 11:59 PM, and we'll select one lucky winner to attend the show. Said winner will be notified by e-mail, and can collect their tickets at Will Call. Good luck!

Contest: Win a Pair of Passes to Fiddler on the Roof at the National Theatre

We're giving away a pair of tickets to see Fiddler on the Roof at the National Theatre on Tuesday, December 10th at 7:30 PM. All you have to do (to win) is fill out the form below before Sunday, December 8th at 11:59 PM, and we'll select one lucky winner to attend the show. Said winner will be notified by e-mail, and can collect their tickets at Will Call. Good luck!

Jersey Boys Returns to DC's National Theatre, December 17

From our friends at the National Theatre...

Jersey Boys Returns to DC's National Theatre by Popular Demand Beginning December 17

Tony®, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, which tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will return to DC’s National Theatre by popular demand from Tuesday, December 17, 2019 through Sunday, January 5, 2020. The show marks the ninth installment in the venue’s 2019-2020 Broadway at the National series, which is set to include an unprecedented 17 productions.