Performers to Be Jazzed About

By Lavanya Ramanathan
Friday, October 3, 2008

If you can drag your children away from their Wiis tomorrow -- because is virtual tennis really exercise? -- they might just find inspiration in the acts at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival's new family showcase on the Mall, a day outdoors with young and gifted performers from across the country.

The Jazz 'n Family Fun Day offers a stage for some of the youngest virtuosos in jazz. Last year, acts such as Washington's own Nasar Abadey performed with his 16-year-old son, also a drummer, as his opening act; and pint-size pianist Tony Madruga performed with backing players who had barely reached adolescence themselves. But the groups played in venues in different corners of the city, so you could catch one act, but not likely two.

This year, the show brings its seven acts together at a free outdoor show at the Washington Monument, so you can see the teeny-tiny percussionists of the Louisville Leopard Percussionists in the same place as Berklee College of Music's La Timbistica salsa/Latin jazz outfit and Mexico's Na'Rimbo. (The new showcase doesn't replace the festival's free annual Jazz on the Mall day with adult performers; that returns Sunday.)

The Leopard Percussionists, 60 children between age 7 and 12 hailing from Louisville, will be the youngest performers of the day. But, says founder and Artistic Director Diane Downs, "just because they're little people doesn't mean they're not capable of accomplishing amazing things." Indeed, to hear these kids play "Take 5" entirely on percussion is pretty stunning. (HBO Family has made a special about the group, founded in 1993, and the percussionists once even opened for alt-country band My Morning Jacket.) Did we mention they've learned songs by Santana and Duke Ellington by ear ?

The kids learn jazz because "that's what I like," admits Downs, a music teacher. But she says that because so much of jazz is improvisational, it also lends itself to young performers: "Part of it is written down, but most of it isn't. You have a few rules, and you only have to keep the groove. It's the perfect thing to start teaching kids when they're little."

The Jazz 'n Family Fun Day, featuring performers Miss Lucy Lion, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, Alona Lee and U.S. Army Blues in addition to face painting, an instrument petting zoo and portrait opportunities, is tomorrow. Free. Noon-6 p.m. (The Leopard Percussionists perform at noon; La Timbistica at 4:40 p.m.) Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument grounds, 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW. For rain cancellation info, call 202-232-3611.

The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival continues through Tuesday with free and ticketed performances across the city. For a full schedule, visit http://www.dejazzfest.org.

SAVE THE DATE

ON STAGE "Beakman's World" for the Adult Set? Paul Zaloom may be the host of the long-running kid-friendly TV science show, but he is also a satirist and puppeteer. It's the latter that brings him to Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center next week for three nights of his adult-themed show "From the Jolly and Insane Mind of Zaloom," a night of "toy theater" featuring "The Abecedarium" (with Zaloom and nightclub puppeteer Lynn Jeffries) and "The Punch and Jimmy Show," Zaloom's spoof on puppet theater. Leave the kids at home (the show isn't recommended for those younger than 18) and stick around afterward for the nightly talks with the artists. $35; students, $7. Oct. 8-10 at 8 p.m. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Route 193 and Stadium Drive, College Park. 301-405-2787 or http://www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

CONCERT Smashing Pumpkins Who exactly are the Pumpkins these days? Only Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin continue; gone are James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky, replaced by performers whose faces haven't been on the cover of Rolling Stone. And gone, too, are some of the great anti-commercial notions of 1990s rock: The upcoming Pumpkins single will be released via . . . Guitar Hero. Here is what's new and interesting: Corgan, Chamberlin and Co. are on the road to mark 20 years of the Pumpkins this fall, and they're planning two-night shows in many of the cities they're visiting, including Washington. Night 1 will be themed "Black Sunshine," Night 2 is "White Crosses," and no songs will be played both nights. In other words, the shows will be different experiences, to encourage fans to attend both nights. The tour lands at DAR Constitution Hall at 8 p.m. Nov. 11-12. $58.50 each night. 18th and C streets NW. 202-397-7328.

THE DISTRICT

Today

THE SCENE Pink Line's Latest: The Space Invaders Closing Party Tonight at Dissident Display gallery on H Street NE, the Pink Line Project (a local foundation boosting the arts and artists) hosts a party to mark the closing of the exhibition exploring "futurism and the African art legacy": You can catch dancer Holly Bass performing her work "Pay Purview," see art by Ayo Ngozi and the gallery's Eric Brewer, imbibe, listen to DJ Adrian Loving (also a Dissident member) and generally get your Friday night on in a creative environment. Free. 7 p.m.-midnight. 416 H St. NE. 202-332-3346.

FILM All Roads Film Festival The festival -- which celebrates indigenous and vanishing cultures with art, film and music representing 20 cultures from 15 countries -- continues with tonight's free concert by Somalian hip-hop artist K'naan in the courtyard at National Geographic. Other highlights from the festival, which continues through Monday: Tomorrow at 4:30 p.m., see the "New Warriors" screening of three films, featuring "What Was Promised," a documentary about the women in Iraq's security forces. Sunday at noon, see the "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" screening, including "As We Forgive," the award-winning thesis film by AU grad student Laura Waters Hinson about the tense peace in Rwanda. Films are $9 per program; four-day festival pass, $56 (the photo exhibition is free). Tonight's free concert is at 9:30 p.m. Grosvenor Auditorium and the courtyard at the National Geographic Society, 1600 M St. NW. 202-857-7700 or for a full schedule and tickets, visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads.

Tomorrow

CONCERT Sonic Circuits Blowout, Featuring Matmos The renowned Baltimore-based experimental-music act, which has performed with Bjork and others, is among the headliners at the day-long noise-apalooza at the Velvet Lounge tomorrow. Also on the bill: Andrea Parkins (a New York-based musician who manipulates accordion and other instruments), Swedish droner Dead Letters Spell Dead Words and a dozen other musicians. The festival, which also includes shows at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in the District and Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Silver Spring, ends Sunday. $10. 2:30 p.m.-2 a.m. (Parkins will play at 9:30, Matmos at about 10:30 and Ekelund at 12:15 a.m.) For details, visit http://www.dc-soniccircuits.org.

MARYLAND

Today

CONCERT The Beatles, With a Classical Touch At Strathmore tonight, the Beatles homage act known as 1964 . . . the Tribute performs with members of the National Philharmonic as they re-create the golden days of the group. And that is what sets this fully costumed band apart: Members channel the songs, concerts and yes, haircuts of John, Paul, George and Ringo from 1964 (when the Fab Four first landed on these shores) to 1966 only. $40-$50. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100.

Tomorrow

THE SCENE Back for Blood: Markoff's Haunted Forest The MoCo institution, tucked in the forest of Dickerson, returns for its 16th season beginning tomorrow -- and not a moment too soon. Thousands have hiked these trails just to get the life very nearly scared out of them; after the 20-minute trek, stick around for the bonfire and try out the extras offered for a little additional cash ("Death Jump," anyone?). See the forest at a discount price of $10 on opening day tomorrow; the price then goes up to $25; $20 for children under four feet. Dusk-10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, to 9 p.m. weekdays. The Haunted Forest is open Fridays and Saturdays and some weekdays through Nov. 1. 19120 Martinsburg Rd., Dickerson. 301-216-1248 or visit http://www.calleva.org.

Sunday

FESTIVALS Takoma Park Street Festival For a small "street" festival in a small town, Takoma Park's fest features a lot of stages. Three stages, actually, with nearly 20 acts that have played some of Washington's bigger venues: Joe Uehlein and the U-Liners, Ruthie and the Wranglers, Justin Trawick, the very fun indie band Prabir and the Substitutes, and popular Afro-funk band Chopteeth, as well as many others. Catch them all Sunday in downtown Takoma Park, along with a kids' area; crafters selling pottery, glass, photography, woodworking, jewelry, fiber; and of course, local vendors dishing out all kinds of food. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Carroll Avenue at Laurel Avenue, Takoma Park. 240-253-4229 or http://www.takomafestival.com.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Today

ON STAGE "Host and Guest" Based on a Georgian poem, Roland Reed's play was created for Synetic Theater and first performed six years ago; with violence flaring in the Republic of Georgia this past summer, the company revived the work -- which follows two men, one Christian and one Muslim, under attack when the Muslim man takes the other in as his guest. $35-$40; seniors, $30-$35; students, $15-$20. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Through Nov. 9. Synetic Theater at the Rosslyn Spectrum, 1611 N. Kent St., Arlington. 800-494-8497 or visit http://www.synetictheater.org.

Tomorrow

THE SCENE Capitol City Brewing's Ninth Annual Oktoberfest At this popular street festival, held in the Village at Shirlington, you can celebrate (and yes, drink) like the Germans without having to put on lederhosen. Taste up to 60 beers (including the Oktoberfest lager), dance to music by Washington Saengerbund Choral Group and Orchestra, eat bratwurst and corn dogs (which, no, we don't believe are German) -- and did we mention beer? Admission is free; $25 to drink. Noon-7 p.m.; taps close at 6 p.m. Village at Shirlington, 2700 S. Quincy St., Arlington. 703-578-3888.

FOR FAMILIES The Fall for Fairfax Kids Festival The 16th annual festival caters to the "Gabba Gabba Hey" set; elementary-age and younger children will find the most to do at this family festival, which features pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, a "KidZone," midway rides and performances by Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band, Reptiles Alive! and Spinny Johnson. Admission is free; all day "super passports" for access to all rides are $10 in advance at http://www.fallforfairfax.com or $12 at the gate (other levels available; see Web site for details). 9 a.m-6 p.m. The Ellipse behind the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax. http://www.fallforfairfax.com or 703-324-3247.