Backstage With Thievery

If you do a quick Google search on Thievery Corporation at the 930 Club, you're sure to find plenty of reviews from professional publications and local blogs. I threw my hat into that ring two weeks ago when I posted a quick summary of the Thursday night performance at the venerable DC music venue. I didn't go into the bloody details about the show because everyone and their brother would. But I did want to take you back to that 5-night stop in the District because I had a rare experience with Thievery that I'd like to share.

As a nightlife photographer, I'm used to being close to some of the world's best DJs. Getting a shot right next to the artist is the basis of my art-form. Throughout the process, you learn to operate like a ghost-sneaking in for your shots and then moving the heck outta the way. So after shooting photos of Thievery's Thursday night show from the press pit at the front of the stage, I contacted their publicist about going back for something better. I showed them some photos from past nightlife shoots and asked if I could be granted access to shoot both Rob Garza and Eric Hilton in the DJ booth. Access was granted.

You see, the problem with shooting a concert like this is you can't use a flash. I'm sure you could try, but you'd be moved out of the photo pit quicker than it takes to snap your shutter. That makes it pretty tough trying to capture quality shots of the two stars of the Thievery show, who are perched up behind a wall of lights manning the turn tables. You can capture some sweet silhouette shots, but the range of light and lens are limited. I knew shooting from backstage would provide me with a better angle to capture Rob and Eric and allow me to bring the fans even closer to the names behind the band.

I wish I could say my problems were solved that easily. Shooting backstage was amazing. But damn if I didn't need that flash. I spent the first few songs at the front of the stage capturing shots I remembered would be good from the first show I attended. I should add that the photo pit had been expanded because Thievery was shooting their tour DVD that night. This required a very tall man with a very large HD camera to move himself from one end of the stage to the next. The pit was wide, but we had to keep one eye in the view-finder and the other looking out for the film crew. That was interesting!

It was around the 3rd or 4th song I moved backstage to capture some shots I rarely see of Thievery. I'm told I was like a Whac-A-Mole in the DJ booth, popping up for a shot and disappearing just like that. I spent a bit more time near Eric because he was in front of the tradition DJ gear I'm used to shooting. Rob however moved from turn tables to a keyboard, which did offer me something different from my typical nightlife perspective. I probably spent a grand total of 2.5 songs in the booth with Eric and Rob because I never want to seem like I'm taking advantage of my position.

The rest of the time I simply looked for shots that were unique to the Thievery show. The bassist sitting on the floor having a spiritual experience was one. Guitarist Rob Myers expressing all of his emotions through his pick was another. These things along with the experience of being on stage with artists of this level made for an unbelievable experience. I'm honored to have been granted that access and delighted to be able to share those sights with you through this blog and the complete photo gallery on Dougvansant.com.






Photos by Doug Van Sant

Labels: Clubs, concerts, DC, DJs, Entertainment, Lounge, Music, Nocturnal, Photography, The District

posted by DVS @ 4:21 PM 0 comments links to this post

Thievery Corporation Does DC

If you live in DC, you probably have a pretty good idea who Thievery Corporation is. Even if you're not really into their version of dub, acid jazz, reggae, world meets lounge aesthetic style, you've probably had a friend mention them at some point. If you go out in DC, there is a good chance you've paid a visit to any number of clubs (18th St. Lounge, Local 16, Marvin, etc.) connected to the duo. That's because this widely popular band/DJ group was founded by Rob Garza and Eric Hilton right here in our great city at the lounge that shares the name of their record label. And like most bands on tour, Thievery spends an extra few days of their tour in their hometown performing for their most beloved fans.

I was lucky enough to get a chance to attend their second night of performing at the famous 930 Club in the U Street neighborhood of the District. I had never seen Thievery in person. I've known about them and their music for at least 7 years because good friend Matt C. introduced me to one of their CDs back in the days of North Carolina. But after all this time of living in DC, I still had never taken the time to see them live.

The show was incredible. If you're like me and simply enjoy all types of music, Thievery is for you. The stars of the show are obviously Eric and Rob behind the decks of the metallic DJ booth. But from start to finish, different lead singers take the audience on a musical journey. We go from Middle Eastern inspired sounds driven by the strings from a sitar to Reggae Dancehall. You're literally taken from one corner of the world to the other while Rob and Eric blend it all together.

From a photography perspective, the show was interesting to say the least. Of course there are great colors to work with and the differing music and singers make for colorful characters to focus on. But what struck me was how small the actual photography pit is at 930. Honestly, there is less than a foot between the stage and the steel wall separating the audience from the band. And somehow we're supposed to squeeze in there and capture the vibe of the concert. Oh, and if you can get in there and get some good shots, you still have to figure out how to let other photographers get past you. Yeah... a small waistline is a prerequisite. The other issue is because of the nature of the show, your stars are in a DJ booth. From directly in front of the stage, you get half of their face in clear view.

Here's the good news. I was able to capture some good shots, as you see in the two included in this blog post. The better news is I get to go back tonight for more photos. The incredible news is not only will I get to shoot photos from the small-ass pit in front of the stage, I'll be taken backstage to shoot Eric and Rob inside the DJ booth. This is an honor I can't even describe in this blog. Shooting photos in the booth with Thievery is something you rarely see. In every search of Google I did, I never found a photo actually in the booth. So hopefully tonight I'll capture even better images and bring you as close to the action as you could possibly get without being there. This is gonna be good...

Photos by Doug Van Sant

Labels: concerts, DC, Entertainment, Lounge, Music, Nightlife, Washington

posted by DVS @ 6:20 PM 2 comments links to this post

What's Your Point of View?

Have you ever gone into a bar or club and had just a horrible night, only to return a few months later and have a completely different experience? Or what if your original experience wasn't terrible, but it wasn't worth another visit for...oh, a few months. Well this is what happened to me this past week in DC.

If you recall from early last summer, I checked out the newly opened W Hotel and POV Lounge. My experience wasn't horrible. But there were some bumps and bruises from that visit and I frankly haven't had any real reason to return. Granted, Dan K. and I have made stops in the W Hotel lobby for a drink or two. But it wasn't until last Thursday that we returned to the rooftop terrace and lounge of this swanky DC hotel. My impressions have changed.

The first notable element of change is that the obnoxious lines trying to gain entry to the elevator upstairs are gone. This was a Thursday night, so it's possible you could find a line on Friday or Saturday night. But remember, it was a Wednesday night when I encountered close to 50 people dressed to impress waiting for their chance to experience the ultimate DC point of view. The next element of improvement was a staff prepared for anything. We were escorted upstairs, taken to the terrace, offered a place to sit and even offered drinks before I could take off my coat. This was a major change from the first week where POV couldn't decide if they wanted to be a velvet rope club or a tapas restaurant. Clearly, POV has accepted its role as a smooth character on the DC lounge circuit and the composed attitude reflects that.

Another stand-out element from last Thursday was one of the best Bailey's and coffee I've ever had. Dan K. asked me, "how could they mess that up?" I replied..."simple, bad coffee." This particular drink is made with a very smooth bean and brewed at what had to be the perfect temperature. I know it was late, but I ordered two.

POV has also added great music. DJ 2-Tone was spinning a groovy down-tempo hip hop that fit perfectly with the lounge mood. Honestly folks, sitting there sipping my coffee with soulful hip-hop feeding my ears while the Washington Monument stood brightly out the window next to me was a nocturnal dream come true. It was like taking a vacation from the usual high-energy K Street rat race and finding yourself at a rooftop oasis surrounded by history. Is there a better setting for this stuff or what?

The two photos in this post reflect what I saw that night. They reflect what POV has become since opening and what POV was destined to be. They reflect a beautiful rooftop lounge in a beautiful hotel with the best point of view in our city.

Photos by Doug Van Sant

Labels: Clubs, DC, Entertainment, House, Lounge, Music, Nightlife, Urban, Washington

posted by DVS @ 9:59 PM 0 comments links to this post

A Sample of Restaurant Week

Twice a year here in DC, we're treated to an event known as Restaurant Week. Assorted restaurants all over the region open their dining rooms to guests to enjoy a three-course prix-fixe menu at a set price. The obvious advantage is it gives folks a chance to enjoy some pricey restaurants at a fraction of what it might cost. Plus you get a pretty good sample of each menu and what should be the chef's signature dishes.

But there are also a lot of complaints to go along with restaurant week. I've heard restaurants limit what they place on their prix-fixe menu and leave off some of their best dishes. I've heard the staff at many of these restaurants slack-off because they feel the clientele isn't their normal customer base and probably won't return for the full-price menu. I've also heard some of the chef's use this particular week for when they take vacations...leaving their menu in the hands of sous chefs and kitchen apprentices. I've also noticed more and more of the big-name restaurants staying off this list all-together, making bargain dining hard to find.

For the first 3 years of living in DC, I embraced this concept. The moment restaurant week is announced, diners jump on Open Table and grab up reservations. I always look at the price listing and try to grab one or two reservations from the most expensive on the list. This year I snatched up a spot at Vidalia. After another sub-par experiences, it's probably one of the last Restaurant Week's I'll take part in.

Let me make something real clear. It is possible to have a great dining experience during this week. Last winter I had a great dinner at Art and Soul and Cafe Atlantico. During the summertime restaurant week, I enjoyed one of the best meals at Oval Room. Many restaurants get behind the concept and see it as a chance to show off and capture the attention of potential customers. I just seem to have lost interest in the idea.

So this time we hit up the subterranean power spot of Vidalia. Chef Jeffrey Buben describes Vidalia's cuisine as original American with a subtle Southern influence. The dining room is convivial yet elegant and exudes sophistication and confidence. We were greeted at the door where the hostess took our coats and quickly whisked us off to our table in a small room off the bar. I liked the intimacy of the small dining room until our neighbors decided to belt out laughter that could probably be heard on the other side of DC. We're talking serious decibel levels here. We thought we were safe when they left, only to hear the table next to theirs pick up where they left off. I mean seriously? Was it improv night at Vidalia.

Back to business. Our server was nice but a little aloof. He took a bit of time to make his way to our table but quickly retrieved our wine selection. He then proceeded to spill drips of the wine all over our table and our glasses. Not a big deal, but not what you'd expect in this fine dining establishment. But with wine in hand, we proceeded to eat.

I enjoyed a mushroom risotto with smoked gouda fondue, elf mushrooms and a broccoli rabe. The dish was smooth, well cooked and hearty for a cold night, but lacked the punch you might expect from a James Beard winning chef. My second course was a maple leaf farm duck breast with emmer wheat, dry cranberries, pecans, leg confit, duck egg and a bourbon barbecue. The duck was perfectly cooked and presented atop the cranberry confection. Mixing the sweet flavors of the bourbon bbq with the cranberry was a total delight. And the duck literally melted in my mouth. This was my favorite course of the night. We also added Vidalia’s baked macaroni with Amish cheddar, goat cheese and smoked ham for an additional cost, which was well worth it. Not only was it a creamy/cheesy plate of goodness, it helped us make up for a rather small second course which was nothing more than our proteins and some garnish. They were all good, but not quite a hearty amount of food.

I wrapped up my meal with a whoppers dessert, which was malted meringues, malted-milk chocolate mousse and chocolate sauce. This little creation was light, airy and a perfect sweet ending to the meal. The flavors together really did match what you'd taste when enjoying a box of malted milk balls at the movies. As my dad would say... how'd they do that?

Overall the food at Vidalia was great. The service was spotty but it was a busy Friday night and our waiter was very nice. The overall mood of the restaurant was simple, elegant and well done and the entire staff made us feel accommodated. In most cities on any given night, this restaurant would easily be one of the best. But this is DC. And on this night, Vidalia was just...eh. We're not New York or SF, but we're getting there. And we have access to some of the best chefs in the world now. If a restaurant doesn't put their best effort forward, you can definitely tell. I'd be very curious to see if Vidalia was any different when it's not restaurant week. Because to be perfectly honest, I got the impression we didn't get the best of this supposedly great DC restaurant. If I go back, I'll be sure to update you with what we find.

Photo courtesy of Vidaliadc.com

Labels: DC, Dining Out, Food, Restaurant Review, Washington

posted by DVS @ 4:59 PM 1 comments links to this post

A Grand Opening at Recess

Since we're in the process of catching up after the holidays, I figured it was time I update you all on a new nightlife venue opening in downtown DC. Just prior to Christmas, I had the pleasure of attending the soft-opening of Recess Lounge on December 16th.

Recess occupies the space that was once Geisha Lounge just one block from the White House. The location couldn't be more perfect for this type of club because of the recent arrival of the W Hotel and it's nocturnal contributor, POV. Each of these venues cater to a well-heeled DC crowd and offer patrons a little bit of everything along the 15th Street corridor. And with the addition of Recess, we now have several nightlife establishments all within walking distance of the K Street clubs like Lima, Tattoo, Lotus and Park at Fourteenth. Downtown DC has never looked so good! Or vibrant for that matter.

I've been to my fair share of opening parties. They usually dress up the clubs to look extra special and bring in "VIP" guests. The problem is most of us have no idea who the "VIP" guests actually are. And the night following the opening is usually a letdown; a true taste of how the club will operate. But Recess was different. They did bring in cocktail tables for guests to mingle near and converse over drinks. But the club operated and looked pretty much like you'd expect a finely tuned venue. Had I not known this was the first few nights of operation, I would never have been able to tell. An awful lot of thought was put into making this operation run smoothly...and it showed.

The venue itself can be described in one word. Beautiful! It's dressed in dark woods salvaged from centuries old walnut trees. There's a bar the entire width of the lounge near the front and a DJ booth dead center toward the rear. The entire room features an abstract lighting feature that can change based on the mood, music or whatever else your heart desires. There are tables and couches that run along one side and split the DJ booth, but most of this lounge is a dance floor. After spending several nights inside this venue, I can best describe it as a very large recording studio. The sound and acoustics are pretty much what every studio is designed to be and from what I can tell, there are zero flaws in the Recess system. I've only been in one other lounge that can match that type of sound quality and it's the venerable Cielo in NYC.

Owners Fisayo Esconsay and Brandon Howard, former DC club promoters, tell me Recess was designed around the music. I like to hear this! They also tell me they'll have at least one night that features house, one that features hip hop/top 40 and another that will cater to the smooth R&B and jazz fans. One thing is certain, you'll have a hard time standing still in this joint.

But above all of the promotional sounding verbage, high-end sound and fancy cocktails created by a bevy of mixologists, Recess comes with class and soul. Most of the nightlife venues I spend my evenings in are dressed up nice and have the latest and greatest gadgets in sound. But very few are able to touch each individual personally. From the moment I walked into Recess to the moment I closed my tab at the bar, they made me feel like they really cared to have my business. Both Brandon and Fisayo mingled with their patrons like everyone walking through the door was a friend. It's this attention to their customers happiness that will make this lounge one of the better in our vast District of a nocturnal abyss. I hope each of you will take the time to visit Recess because the people behind this lounge are dedicated to their concept and it shows.

The top photo and those below are part of a larger photo gallery I created from the soft-opening party. As you'll see, the design and colors in Recess make it very easy to shoot photos and very easy to capture the vibe of this beautiful club. If you'd like to see more, check out the complete gallery, otherwise enjoy your Recess...

Labels: Bars, Clubs, DC, Downtown, Entertainment, Lounge, Music, Nightlife, Nocturnal, Urban, Washington

posted by DVS @ 12:28 PM 3 comments links to this post

75 Bars DC: Passenger

There comes a point in your daily schedule when you realize you've got some unfinished business. You could continue to charge forward and ignore the unfinished business. But it will stick there in the back of your head like that annoying beeping sound construction vehicles make when they back up. You have no choice, you need to address it. Such is the case of The Passenger, the newly opened bar at the northern tip of Chinatown/Penn Quarter.

I'm about 4 weeks behind on posting this 75 Bars review of The Passenger. I probably could have posted it a few weeks ago, but we got socked by Snowpocalypse 2009 and then the holidays. And even after I got back to DC from vacation, I tried to find ways to ignore the impending crush of an otherwise good bar. In other words, I really, really wish I could say good things about The Passenger, but I can't. I've avoided the unavoidable up until this point. But I'm now faced with the fact that I went to a bar I wanted to like and walked away pretty damn disappointed. And as Dan and I had promised, we'd report on what we found on our visit. Seriously, I thought about going back to give them a second chance. But this particular column isn't about second chances. It's about what we find on our one visit to a particular watering hole. That being said, here goes.

When I heard about the opening of The Passenger, I was hopefully optimistic. The 7th Street location just north of New York Ave. really turned me on because I used to live 3 blocks away. I used to walk by what was then the bar at the Warehouse Theater on a daily basis and always felt this particular block was ripe for development. And I liked the idea of pushing the Chinatown/Penn Quarter development north into Shaw where the neighborhoods seamlessly connect. It all made sense. Upon arrival to The Passenger, I was greeted by a warm exterior and a rush of patrons coming and going. It was nice seeing so much foot traffic in my former hood. The interior was simple but comfortable. Even slightly stoic if you wanna go there. Soft, well placed lighting with ivory archways trimmed with dark woods made for a soothing introduction to the new Mt. Vernon haunt. There is a room off the back that's supposed to resemble a re-created dining car, but I never made it that far. The smooth and warm interior was pretty much the only thing I can say was good. Okay, there are other things, but we'll get to that.

I met up with good friends Dan K., Eric D., Ryan H. and Robert F. We grabbed a table just past the bar near the rear of the front room. The actual bar in the venue was quite small. Trying to make your way past the happy hour crowd at the bar seemed almost as crazy as tackling rush hour on 495. I stood behind the throng of people for - oh - just about 5 minutes before I realized I'd never get a drink. Thankfully they had servers wandering around and Dan and Rob had flagged one down. Here is where things get tricky. The Passenger is owned by two of DC's top mixologists, Derek Brown and his older brother Tom. The two can make literally any cocktail you want. And so they designed the Passenger that way. There are no drinks on the menu. You tell them what you like and they make something creative. Sounds like a neat gimmick, but it leaves a lot to be desired.

First off, I'm not a bartender. I never have been. I know I like Crown and Cokes. I know I like gin. Otherwise, I'm at the mercy of the individual behind the bar making beverages. So it's nice having suggestions on drink ideas. Asking me to name a cocktail or tell them what I like is as bad as asking me to name my favorite Chemist. You tell me what's good. You're the bartender. The problem is, unless you have Derek standing in front of you making your drink personally, it leaves you a bit lost. Not to mention, there aren't any prices for drinks listed anywhere. I figured I'd go safe and order my usual Crown Royal and Coke. Dan ordered his usual Seven and Seven. 20 minutes later the waitress returns to tell me she doesn't have Crown. No Crown at a bar? Fair enough, I bite on the creative drink idea. I tell her I like gin and off she goes. I'm still unaware of how much I'll be paying for my beverage. I just know something will come back based on my enjoyment of gin. At least, I think a drink will return.

20 minutes after I corrected my drink order, the waitress returns to tell Dan they don't have Seven. Mind you, this is 40 minutes after Dan first ordered his drink. I take the opportunity while we have the waitress nearby and order one of their Slaw Dogs (hot dog). My cocktail creation arrives about 10 minutes later. "What is it?", I ask. "Dunno" says the waitress. Um, seriously? I bought into your crafty bastard drink idea, the least you can do is tell me what I'm drinking. "There's gin in it" she says. Well now, that makes me happy. At least I know there is gin in my drink... (rolling my eyes).

10 minutes later, my slaw dog arrives. One hour after placing his order, Dan is still standing there without a drink. He's trying to ask the waitress, but she seems to be space cadeting off somewhere other than The Passenger, or even DC for that matter. Lord knows where her head was at that point. Approximately one hour and 30 minutes after ordering his drink, Dan is finally presented with a cocktail. Don't ask what it was... the waitress didn't know. It didn't matter at that point. It had alcohol in it, so Dan was drinking it.

Clearly the drink issue, the waitress and the timeliness of the bar was a problem. I can accept certain things when a business is just opening. I realize this is a new bar and it's quite popular. But the waitstaff should know what they are serving their patrons. And any wait over 20 minutes for a drink is unacceptable. An hour and 30 minutes is cause to be panned, which is what I'm doing.

With all due respect to Derek and Tom, my drink was very good. And the slaw dog was one of the best hot dogs I've had in DC since moving here. Imagine a perfectly cooked dog with just the right amount of char and a slight hint of honey BBQ. Seriously, the quality of the food and drink could easily make this one of the better bars in the District. But the wacky name your own beverage idea, lack of prices anywhere and horrible service simply wasn't enough to overcome. I'd be willing to go back, but any bar that puts out such a poor first impression really needs to iron out these kinks before it's worth my time. As I've said before, there are just too many places in DC that offer me a valuable nightlife experience to accept anything less.

I'm hoping The Passenger can improve. I really, really want it to do well. Better yet, I want my old hood to do well. Fingers crossed DC!

Dan K. points to his watch after receiving his beverage one hour and 30 minutes after ordering.

1st Photo by Jim Webb
2nd and 3rd Photo by DVS

Labels: 75 Bars, Bars, Clubs, DC, Drinking, Entertainment, Music, Nightlife, The District, Washington

posted by DVS @ 10:00 AM 2 comments links to this post

Snowpocalypse 2009

The weekend before Christmas is usually a time of last-minute shopping, packing for travel and holiday parties. But plans were changed in 2009 as a winter storm dumped roughly 16 inches of snow on the District. Some areas of Virginia saw as much as 26 inches. Instead of buying last-minute gifts, people were in a mad rush buying toilet paper and milk. It was a little crazy.

Since I'm lacking in the snow apparel department, I didn't wander too far away from my house during the height of the storm. But I was able to capture some neat shots in the Capitol Hill and Navy Yard neighborhoods of DC. Enjoy...

Labels: capitol hill, DC, navy yard, Photography, Urban, weather

posted by DVS @ 5:25 PM 0 comments links to this post

Go Home Already

Okay, okay, so I know I'm terribly slow in my updates as of late. I guess I've been telling everyone that I would post photos of my new apartment and never actually did it. And sure enough, I was called on it this past weekend. So last night I busted out my camera and shot a few photos of the new apartment. Without further adieu, Casa de Doug...













Folks have been asking for me to throw a house warming party, but I'm not so sure I'm going to do that just yet. I'm thinking I may host something in my clubhouse or rooftop, but I still need to learn more about the building and any rules they might have in place. So stay tuned...

Labels: Citylife, DC, Random, Urban

posted by DVS @ 9:05 AM 4 comments links to this post

Movers and Shakers

So as most of you who typically follow my blog know, I've recently moved into a new apartment near the Nationals baseball stadium. Well after one full week of being in the new pad, I think I'm finally settling in. I've still got my own photography to hang on the walls, but otherwise everything is unpacked and in place.

So with the new pad comes a new neighborhood. And thankfully the Navy Yard/Ballpark District is turning into a pretty neat place to live in DC. One local attraction is the Capitol Skyline Hotel and their weekend pool parties. I've blogged about this before but finally had a chance to attend Spike Mendelsohn's weekly "Spiked Sunday's" weekly pool party and cookout. After spending over 5 hours in the sun and enjoying a great burger, all I can say is... I'm hooked! It was honestly one of the best Sunday afternoon's in the city one could ask for.

I arrived closer to 1 p.m. with friend Michelle S. We quickly learned it's better to arrive early as all the tables and lounge chairs were now spoken for. So we grabbed some deck space, threw our towels down and wandered over to the bar. The whole pool area is quite large and can accommodate a pretty decent crowd. There are two bar areas set up, so you really don't wait long for drinks. And the price of mixed beverages is a very affordable $5. We got hooked on the mojitos and orange crush.

The other great thing about Spiked Sunday's is with your $10 admission, you get a burger served to you by Spike. We're not talking a smashed up quarter-sized wafer of meat hiding between a crusty bun. No, these are sizable mounds of ground beef with delicious cheddar cheese, fresh potato roll buns and a side of chips and a pickle. I'm talking good eats here my friends!

The party was relatively quiet for the first hour or so. But at some point Michelle and I were hanging in the shallow end of the pool and started a small game of volleyball with one of the inflatable balls. Before you could finish a drink, the game had grown to almost 30 people. It went from 5 of us volleying the ball between us to everyone around the pool joining in. When someone missed the volley, anyone close to them would shower them with splashes of water while the entire pool boo'd. Spike walks over to Michelle and I and says... "you guys started this eh?" After some conversation and introductions, Spike joined in.

Closer to 4 p.m. I turn to see a large boom mic and cameras rolling in. Oh lord, there goes the neighborhood! Real World DC had arrived. Frankly I could care less where these kids go or what they do, but it was interesting to see the flock of groupies and the production process that goes with it. After about 20 minutes the Real World kids were forgotten and it was back to our party-wide game of volleyball.

Here's the thing I take away from Sunday.

1. The Capitol Skyline has it going on. They have a great pool, a great deck and some great people with creative minds throwing some fun events in an up-and-coming neighborhood. I've yet to visit another pool party in DC that combines just the right mix of food, drinks, music, relaxation and chaos. The age range is just about perfect. The prices rock. And it's only a block from my new pad.

2. Spike Mendelsohn is pretty neat guy. I've watched him on Top Chef and seen him on various Food Network shows. His TV persona comes off as arrogant and crass, and yet in person he's totally down to earth, warm and friendly. My first impressions of him at the Skyline was seeing him along side hotel workers carrying furniture. You don't expect to see celebrity chefs engage in manual labor. Getting a chance to actually talk to him further proved he's a great chef who simply enjoys a good time and meeting good people. So go support this guy at his Capitol Hill restaurant Good Stuff Eatery.

3. The Real World DC is lame. To be fair, some of these kids might be good people. They were simply selected by MTV to be lavished with a fancy house in Dupont Circle, get free drinks everywhere they go and pretty much party for 6 months. You can't blame them for getting on the show. What I do think is lame is the celebrity status some attach to these kids. Seriously, within 2 minutes of arrival there was an entourage of people surrounding these kids. Why? Because there is a camera near? C'mon DC, we have cameras and TV crews in every corner of this city. Do you really need to "get on the show"? It's pretty easy to forget the camera crew and cast is there, provided the wannabe's and stalkers leave them alone.

So there it is, my first review of the Capitol Skyline Hotel and Spiked Sundays. You can bet I'll be back there next week provided it stays insanely hot. Here's hoping the event organizers and the hotel let these parties continue after labor day.

Labels: DC, Entertainment, Music, Urban

posted by DVS @ 10:07 AM 6 comments links to this post

President Obama Visits My Office

President Obama just arrived at my office to take part in an AARP Telephone Town Hall to answer questions about his health care plan. Regardless of what you think of the plan, it's pretty darn exciting to see our President drop by the AARP national headquarters.

When I walked to lunch, I had determined where he would pull into the building. So I camped out next to the window and snapped these photos. Equally impressive to having the Prez visit your office is the Secret Service detail that's camping out front. As I said on Facebook... I love DC!

Labels: DC, Politics, Random, Urban

posted by DVS @ 1:44 PM 0 comments links to this post

Sounds of a City

This morning while walking into the office, I was reminded once again why I love DC. I had just turned the corner at 7th and F Streets NW, walking past the Verizon Center. It was closer to 10 a.m., so the streets were more quiet than usual as most of the foot-traffic had found their way to their respective offices for the day. That's when I noticed the slight hum of the city. It's a sound so exclusive to city life that sometimes we forget it's there. It's every large building for blocks running a/c or heating units on their rooftops, creating a buzz that never seems to go away. And it's a sound I can remember hearing whenever I would visit a city considerably larger than my hometown.



I was very lucky to grow up in Dover, Delaware. Dover is probably the perfect setting for a child to be raised. We had safe streets, good schools, a good mall and we were really close to the beach. But Dover has a population right around 30,000. It's not a large town at all. When sitting outside, it's very easy to relax and enjoy a peace and quiet not found in most major cities. I notice this every time I go home to visit. Last time home I literally fell asleep on my parents patio because the only sounds to be heard was the wind and the birds (okay, maybe an occasional car with an obnoxious sound system). But you get the point...it's quiet.

Living in DC we're surrounded by sounds all the time. We hear emergency vehicles, motorcades, car horns, and people just out and about walking. There is an energy of living in the city that makes walking out my front door in the morning so exciting and enjoyable. So when all of those ancillary sounds disappear, you're left with that hum of our buildings. I used to hear this when I'd visit Allentown, PA for drum corp performances. We'd walk out the front door of our hotel located in downtown Allentown and there it was...the hum of a city. I'd hear it while enjoying dinner on the rooftop of my office in downtown Tampa after most of the city had gone home. I'd hear it walking from the Tribune Building to my gym most evenings in downtown Oakland. Next time you're in a city, try to find some time to walk around when the rest of the population is either sleeping or hard at work. See if you can't notice this sound of the city.

Labels: DC, Random, Urban, Washington

posted by DVS @ 11:26 AM 0 comments links to this post

Crazy How Things Change So Quickly

I found myself reflecting the other day on a ton of things that have changed in my life over the past two-plus years I've lived here in DC. I moved across country, got separated, lived with rednecks, started dancing, moved into the city, got divorced, traveled a ton, moved again, and made more friends than I could have ever asked for. In a nutshell, the past two-plus years has been some of the best and worst in my life.

When I moved to DC, there was so much uncertainty in my life. My marriage was on the rocks and I didn't really know where it would go. I had just started dancing but still sucked and really didn't care to social dance while feeling like a swing dance reject. Even my job was on contract and wasn't going to last more than three months. The only thing consistent in my life was my photography and my friends...of which two of my closest (Dan and Matt) lived right here. I rented a room in a small townhouse in Annandale because it was close to my contract work and because I still had an apartment in Oakland. My first roommates were awesome and a joy to live with, but they moved out 3 months later and I was left with an empty townhouse and two other redneck roommates who had their friends get drunk and pass out on the empty living room floor. Life kinda sucked at that point and I missed the days of tearing up the town in Tampa with my crew at some of the hottest clubs in one of my favorite cities. That was when I had to make some hard choices and make a change...

Fast forward one year from that. I had moved into a one-bedroom apartment off Connecticut Ave. I had all brand-new furniture, a new LCD TV, new Macbook Pro, and a new car. I had fully immersed myself into Lindy Hop, started traveling to dance events in other cities and had even thrown myself into a competition. I was back with my soon-to-be-ex-wife, had really gotten into exploring and living in DC and even found some friends who enjoyed house and trance music as much as I did. Life was good.

Fast forward to today... The marriage didn't last. And I'm not sad about that. We both grew apart and had different priorities in life. We remained friends after the divorce and even still dance together on occasion. I certainly don't wish a divorce on anyone, but it was probably the best thing to happen to me since that move across country. I now live in a new apartment in downtown. I teach dance, travel extensively and compete on a regular basis. I shoot photos for some of the best clubs in the world and have a resume that includes photo shoots of 5 of the top 10 DJs in the world. I've shot photos in LA, Boston, Chicago, New York, Austin, SF and many other cities. I work for the AARP, the largest lobbying organization and one of the most powerful in Washington, DC. And later this summer I'm moving into a brand-new apartment right next to the ballpark. Dan and Matt still live in the city and even more of my friends are moving to town this summer.

It's crazy to think that in that short period of time I've changed so much. But it happens. When people come to a crossroad in their life, they can keep going down that one road or they can make a sharp turn. I made that sharp turn several months after I arrived in DC and I couldn't be happier with the journey.

The photo above of Lily and I was taken recently in NYC in the meatpacking district. We were trying different things to create an image to promote our teaching and weekly dance, Tempo at Muse Lounge.

Labels: Clubs, DC, Entertainment, House, Music, Nightlife, Photography, Random, Trance

posted by DVS @ 11:40 AM 1 comments links to this post

Preparing for the Inauguration

Update: So I ask the guy at the front desk of our building last night about the barricades and he hands me a paper. Turns out Obama is hosting one of the big "official" inauguration parties at the convention center. And since it's a block away, secret service is putting our entire neighborhood in lock down.

What does this mean? Well is simply means there will be no cars on the streets and no street parking. It also means we'll have limited access to drive in and out but we'll have to show ID that proves we live in the neighborhood. The same goes for pedestrians who wish to walk through. In other words, you can't just stroll through.

I'm not too worried about it. I have the proper DC ID and it's really only for one day. And just think, Obama and Michelle will be dancing just one block from my condo. Sweet!

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Good morning Washington! So the preparations for next week's inauguration are starting to show up in my neighborhood. On my morning walk to work, I noticed a ton of concrete barricades have been dropped off on the sidewalks. I'm not really sure what they are intended for since I don't believe our neighborhood is one going on lock-down. And I doubt they plan to close down the streets since our area is close enough to the mall for parking but not within security parameters. My only guess is they could be used for crowd control, but we'll have to see.

Either way, it's pretty exciting seeing all of the action around town. There's a buzz in the streets with activity and any time you see flashing lights, you start to wonder if you'll get a glimpse of our new president. Maybe I'll get lucky since his transition team is housed in a building right across the street from my office. Regardless of seeing Obama in person or not, DC is quite literally the place to be right now. Love it!

Labels: DC, Inauguration, Politics, Urban, Washington

posted by DVS @ 10:13 AM 3 comments links to this post

Nocturnal Vibe Lives Again

Well it's official folks, I'm back on the scene writing about nightlife. My column Nocturnal Vibe went live on TrenDCtv.com yesterday. I'm actually quite happy with the overall look and can't wait to blow this sucker up with some serious updates.

For those just learning about this, Nocturnal Vibe was a nightlife column I created while living in Tampa, Florida. With the help of Dan Kelly and other assorted characters, the column blew up and became one of the most visited pages on TBO.com. It went on a 3 year hiatus when I moved to San Francisco.

Because of Mr. Dan Kelly and his position with Tribune Corp., the column is now making a return as a blog on the popular WB entertainment page TrenDC. Mr. Dan has even gone out of his way to have business cards made so we can make this puppy look professional. And I couldn't be happier.

Nightclubs and dance music are a major passion of mine. I've been drawn to the scene for the better part of 8 years now and can't get enough of that pulse pounding sound one experiences when entering a mega-club in any city. Most publications and entertainment rags do an incredibly poor job of covering this scene, so it's become my mission to fill that void. Hopefully the residents of DC will agree and enjoy what I bring to the nightlife table.

If you get a chance, check out the blog at TrenDCtv.com/nocturnalvibe and please feel free to leave comments and suggestions. And now I'm off to visit the family. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Labels: Clubs, DC, DJs, Entertainment, Music, Nightlife, Trance, TrenDC

posted by DVS @ 11:58 AM 1 comments links to this post

No Walk in The Park

So yesterday I got together with a group of friends to spend an evening out on the town at The Park at Fourteenth. This was my first visit to this K Street District club and I can't say I was overly impressed. Have you ever built something up in your head to the point that you were totally excited about it and yet it somehow fell way short? Well that's the best way to describe my experience at The Park's holiday party. I felt like a disappointed kid on Christmas morning who didn't get the gift he really, really wanted!

All I really wanted was a decent night at a new club. What I got was a VIP table that we couldn't sit at until 10:30, only to find out it was occupied by 8 people when we were finally taken to the 4th floor. We got a guest list that only had my name on it and so my guests had to stand outside and hope the doorman would finally let them in. And we got a club that was more interested in being a sports bar, with flat screen TVs tuned to NBA games all throughout the venue.

Overall I had an absolutely great time despite my disappointment with the venue. But my enjoyment came strictly from the people I spent my evening with (Dan, Matt, Rob, Lindsay, Lily, Gayle and others). We played Blackjack at several tables, acted silly like usual and Lily and I even busted out some Lindy Hop. So the evening was a success as far as I'm concerned. The following are photos from the evening...

Labels: Clubs, DC, DJs, House, Music, Nightlife

posted by DVS @ 4:11 PM 1 comments links to this post