Here’s an interesting item that’s come my way. The US Air Guitar National Finals (which have been held in LA, NY and SF over the last 7 years), will be held in Washington DC for the first time ever THIS FRIDAY, August 7, at the 9:30 Club. Read the full press release here>>
The Golden Triangle’s popular Sounds in the Square summer concert series kicks off on Thursday, June 4th with the band Rebelicious in Farragut Square Park from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Check out the full 2009 lineup and details on prizes and giveaways at each concert here.
NPR had a great story this morning on Broadway orchestrations and how significant the work of the largely unknown people responsible for this work is.
Orchestrators are the ones that unify a musical and create the overtures. They write music to the onstage talents strengths and weaknesses, and along the way, have revolutionized what we’ve come to expect when we go to a show.
Since a lot of Broadway shows come to Washington sooner or later, this was particularly interesting to me.
I recommend reading or listening to the full story if you are a fan of musical theater. The story can be found here>>
According to the Cinema Treasures site, the Howard Theater opened on August 22, 1910, in a primarily African-American area of Washington, near Howard University which lead to the theater’s name. It sat around 1,200 and was designed by architect J. Edward Storck and built for the National Amusement Company. During the mid-1920’s, it was sold to Abe Lichtman, a white theater owner of theaters that catered to African-Americans. As you can see from the vintage photograph above, it was billed as the “largest colored theater in the World.”
Its facade was a blend of several theater styles popular in the era, including Beaux-Arts, Neo Classical, and Italian Renaissance. At the top of the facade, overlooking T Street, was an over life-size statue of Apollo playing his lyre. The interior was even more extravagant, with a large balcony, eight boxes, a number of dressing rooms, and three entrances. Continue reading
May 8, 1923: Mildred Harris, motion picture actress, formerly the wife of Charlie Chaplin, was discharged from bankruptcy in Federal court in Washington, D.C. Miss Harris had filed for bankruptcy on October 2, 1922, claiming she had $30,000 in debt and $1,500 in assets in wearing apparel which were exempt.
Opened on November 4, 1918, the Loew’s Palace Theater was Washington’s first movie palace and the site of numerous early premieres. Loew’s was designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb as a 2423 seat single screen theater and was located at 1306 F Street, NW.
In addition to motion pictures, stage shows began in 1926 and continued until 1932. 
The Loew’s Palace Theater was also reportedly the first DC movie house with air conditioning which was installed in 1926.
As the theater began to decline, Loew’s spent $225,000 to renovate the theater in 1964 which changed the paint, walls, and carpeting at which time orchestra and balcony wall boxes were also removed.
In 1968, a robbery occurred in which two people were shot and wounded and a year later Loew’s put the old movie palace up for sale.
The Loew’s Palace was finally closed for good in 1978, and was torn down in late-1979. (Source of history, Cinema Treasures)
WOW. Can you imagine getting free digital TV broadcasts on mobile devices like cell phones, laptop computers and in-car entertainment systems? Well, it looks like residents of DC won’t have to use their imaginations for long.
According to an Associated Press story yesterday, broadcasts using new “mobile DTV” technology are expected to begin in late summer from five stations: local affiliates of CBS, NBC, PBS and Ion and one independent station owned by Fox. The initial broadcasts will be identical to those beamed to TV sets, including the advertising.
While Washington will be the first city to get this service, cities where expansion will occur quickly are New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston and Atlanta.
Overall, this is a great development. My only concerns are increased noise on Metro buses and trains. I know that rules are in place that insist on the use of headphones. I also know that even when they are currently used, I’m often treated to someone else’s musical selection on the ride home.
The Dunbar Theater is located on 7th Street at T Street. The Dunbar opened in 1921 as a 346 seat theater. It was designed by Isaiah T. Hatton in the earlier Southern Aid Society Building. From the time it opened, until it closed in 1960, it was a popular venue for live entertainment, including many legendary jazz and blues artists, such as Duke Ellington, who appeared on the Dunbar’s stage during the 1930s. The theater also showed movies on its single screen.
Though there have been several plans to restore and reuse the landmark Dunbar (which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986), none of them came to fruition. Currently there is a Wachovia operating out of the building.
To participate in this year’s White House Easter egg roll, you will need to get your tickets online this year. There will be no ticket distribution on the Ellipse the weekend before the event as has previously been the practice.
Starting tomorrow, tickets will be available at the White House website, and the event is scheduled for April 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The photo below is of the participants from the 1922 event (Library of Congress, #cph 3c31890).
The following is interesting. From the D.C. Office of Motion Picture and TV Development:
A special effects scene will be staged on Wednesday morning, March 25, 2009 between 9:30 a.m. and noon, on the Potomac River, as part of a film production in the District. The controlled special effect, which will last for approximately 2 seconds (not 2 minutes as has been reported elsewhere) is being staged as part of the CBS Paramount television pilot titled ‘Washington Field’ which will be filming at various locations across the city.
Contrary to reports, there will not be an “explosion,” and no boat or any other object will actually “blow up.” The contained-pyrotechnic effect will involve a brief flash and plume of smoke that will last for only a few seconds. The scene will be filmed out on the open water, at a safe distance from any roadway, bridge, or other structure.
Please direct any questions to the Office of Motion Picture and Television Development at 202-727-6608.
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