The best young jazz drummer in the UK played DC’s historic Howard Theater, and this was the perfect occasion for 13-year old Charlie’s first concert. Charlie is Audrey’s nephew and an aspiring drummer. After fortifying ourselves at Ben’s Chili Bowl with Half Smokes, we join a young and diverse crowd waiting through a DJ’s set to get to the main show. We positioned our selves in the standing-room-only crowd with some space by the sound board. ...

A night at the opera! Audrey and I took Mom and Paul a double first: their first time at the Kennedy Center and our first time at the opera. The night was warm and beautiful, so we enjoyed people watching outdoors before the show. We also really enjoyed the opera. It was unexpectedly funny, and of course, romantic and tragic. The sets and costumes were not overdone, but still made for a spectacle. Audrey was ready to go again. ...

David Sanchez came on to the stage and immediately turned on the rhythm and intensity, and continued to play powerfully throughout his set at Blues Alley. At times, he joined on percussion for Latin rhythms jams. The other musicians, mostly from Puerto Rico, also were excellent. Great set! I also enjoyed some tasty shrimp and grits. Details Location: Blues Alley Date: May 23. 2023 Attending: Kirk Walters, Jeremy

At 88 years, Abdullah Ibrahim drew a huge crowd, filling the concert hall at the Kennedy Center on a Sunday evening. He began on solo piano, with floating melodies over hymn-like harmonies. Later, he was joined by a band of four horn players, a bass and a sax. The pattern throughout the evening was that Ibrahim rarely played with the band; rather, he played to set the mood for a tune or to bridge between tunes. ...

Porchfest brings music to the streets, as people stroll the local Petworth neighborhood and bands perform from the porches of houses. This year our friends Pilar and Darlene joined us, and we ran into Carolyn and Octavio. The music ranged from immigrant folk to psychadelic jam to random accordion and beyond. It was a nice cool day and we had fun people watching the crowds, checking out lots of bands, and catching up with friends. ...