She & Him Throw a Christmas Party
The first time Zooey Deschanel sang a Christmas song for huge audiences was 16 years ago in the movie “Elf,” crooning “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in the shower, eventually dueting with…
A Soulful ‘Motown Christmas’ at Signature
Because Christmas is mandatory on entertainment stages all month, it’s no surprise that a cabaret at Signature Theatre is again devoted to the Yuletide songbook. But in a clever and…
Marshall Crenshaw’s Timeless Tunefulness
Marshall Crenshaw tours these days take different forms. Sometimes he goes solo, other times he shares the stage with the Bottle Rockets. He was the lead voice for a Smithereens…
Mark Morris’ Non-Spicy ‘Pepperland’
“Pepperland” is the name of a suite that longtime Beatles producer George Martin wrote for their animated “Yellow Submarine” in 1968. Martin, who had devised the stirring string arrangements behind…
Kinky Friedman: A Resurrection at 75
He’s been a popular detective novelist, a singer, a columnist, Peace Corps volunteer, animal rescuer, and a politician. He played at the Grand Ole Opry, “Saturday Night Live” and the…
The New Pornographers Rise to Challenge
From the big sound that comes from The New Pornographers you’d almost expect more people on stage. But just seven were there Wednesday at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington D.C.,…
Robert Gordon Brings It On Home
Rockabilly had its heyday and faded 20 years before Robert Gordon picked up the mantle in the late 70s. By then, he had already been frontman for CBGB’s mainstay Tuff…
Another New Flamin’ Groovies Lineup
The reunion this decade of the Flamin’ Groovies, the San Francisco band formed in the 60s’ that made its biggest mark in the 70s, hasn’t been easy. Earlier tours were…
Milk Carton Kids Go 2% in Crowd Size
The Milk Carton Kids started making a splash soon after their 2011 debut, such that the California duo were on big tours, supporting top stars, before playing their own headlining…
Digging with Shovels and Rope
Like the White Stripes before them, Shovels & Rope bring the two person, man and woman, guitar and drums lineup to life. The exception is that they dwell more in…