A Couple of Nights at the Opera
After a couple of initial, lesser attempts, Giacomo Puccini first found his footing in opera with "Manon Lescault," an adaptation of a popular 19th century novel that had already been…
Rockin’ at the Journopalooza
There's a reason journalists went into the reporting business and didn't become rock stars. It may have something to do with where one's perceived talents lie. But there are still…
‘The Simpsons’ Do the ‘Harlem Shake’
It usually takes months if not years to turn around an episode of "The Simpsons," but sometimes they can turn around a prevailing meme if they put their mind to…
Jonathan Richman at the 9:30 Club
Jonathan Richman shows are kind of wistful serenades, instructional advisories, mini-Flamenco workouts with spontaneous dance breaks and eventually, welcoming multilingual pleas to join in the party. In fact, Richman may be…
Friday TV: Rockin’ with Sister Rosetta Tharpe
The biggest wedding ever held in Washington D.C. -- bigger than those for any official or cult leader -- was likely one fifty years ago in old Griffith Stadium. There,…
Buddy & Jim at the Birchmere
Buddy Miller is featured prominently on TV these days, but you have to look hard to find him. He produced or co-produced much of the musical songs on "Nashville," and…
Beyonce’s Bio Indulgences
For the third weekend in a row, one entertainer is getting big attention. First was the Super Bowl halftime show, then the Grammys and now the self-obsessed feature posing as…
Grammy Gotye Blande
One of the most bland and thin lists of nominees in years led to the most shrug-inspiring group of Grammy winners Sunday as well. This would explain why Mumford &…
Remembering Patti Page, 1927-2013
She gets a bad rap in the history of rock 'n' roll. Her "How Much is that Doggie in the Window" is often cited as the kind of music in…
Considering ‘Women Who Rock’
The “Women Who Rock” exhibit is in its final week at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. The exhibit, organized by the Rock and Roll…