Potluck

I had a good time last night. Tim, Jonathan, and I went out to our friend Andy’s newly relocated monthly DJ nite, Potluck, at Wonderland in Columbia Heights (DC). I’d never been there before, so I didn’t really know what to expect.

We arrived shortly before 10 to find a bustling crowd hanging out downstairs, near the main bar, with hip hop playing on the jukebox. Upstairs, Andy and friends were DJing to a smaller group lounging at tables and on a couple of low-slung couches. The space was nice and clean, but pretty laid-back. [Just like me!] Low-key lighting, hardwood floors, brick red walls with various LP jackets hanging on them, and lots of windows overlooking 11th St made for a more than decent atmosphere. At one end of the long room was a small, full-service bar with about six beers on tap and a cute bartender. At the other was the DJ/stage area. Although no one was making any use of it last night (it’s DC, remember), there was also plenty of room for dancing in between the DJ and the sitting area.

The music was great. Andy played a good mix (hence the name “Potluck”) of upbeat rock: Velvet Underground, the Fall, and the Feelies, to name a few. My personal fav was Love’s “Can’t Explain” followed by “Throw Aggi Off the Bridge” by Black Tambourine (who covered the previous song)—smart!

It was good to just hang out, have a couple beers, and listen to some cool tunes, without being cramped and having to scream over the music like I would at my usual DJ night.

A regular date has not yet been announced, but Andy says look for the next Potluck one Thursday in February.

January 14, 2005 | Filed Under Personal | Leave a Comment 

Back to Bidness

Though I’ll spare you the details, let’s just say that one sick day became three, which ultimately became a five-day weekend. So here I am, back at werk and heading into a full werk week. Hooray.

I really didn’t do much, other than the usual relaxing at home (music, reading, video games). I did however have a surprisingly good time at the 611 Florida show on Saturday. I was surprised because I normally don’t have much fun when I go to a show alone. Jonathan decided not to go, so not only would I have to go alone, but also ride the Metro (whose Greenbelt-bound L’Enfant platform I would soon find out smells much like a Porta-Potty), which is something I hate doing when not absolutely necessary. Then, I heard that a friend I was sure would be there wasn’t coming. Damn. It looked as if I might be standing around by myself.

Well, I was taking some pics of Derek——practicing my low-light, flash-less photo skills——when, lo and behold, I spotted John H and Marc (of the Plums). Excellent. A few minutes later, I heard a familiar voice coming from the hallway. It was Les (no less)! She was with her friend Theresa(?). I don’t know Theresa(?) but she was apparently friends with my ex-girlfriend, Sara, who used to live in DC but who currently resides in Seattle. Weird. I wouldn’t have known had she not asked me out of the blue, “Do you know Sara C____?” Small world. Anyway, things were looking up.

The show itself was pretty good, though I didn’t stay for the headlining act, Birchville Cat Motel. I went in support of Derek’s band, the Mikroknytes, who were great. Donna Summer and Howard Stelzer were both a bit underwhelming, though. Donna did feedback stuff with two delay pedals for her set, and Howard was manipulating a bunch of tape decks. Both performances are interesting in theory but came off a little tedious, I thought. I don’t know, I guess noise just isn’t my thing. It was cool, though. And I found it pretty funny that people were smoking pot all out in the open. House shows are interesting like that.

As I mentioned, I did take some photos. I’ve posted some of them to my flickr account, in fact. You may notice that I’ve added a flickr “badge” to the sidebar on the photos page. I figure I’ll make greater use of that site by actually posting to it——specifically, by posting photos that might not be too great technically but that I feel are worth sharing anyway. Check it out and let me know if you’re on flickr too so we can link up.

January 10, 2005 | Filed Under Live Shows, Music, Personal | Leave a Comment 

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