Art in the “Middle East”

Good monday morning to all of you!  I get facebook messages and tweets at 6:30pm everyday asking what events are going on in the Washington DC, and the beltway surrounding it.  (Sorry, but I can’t call it the DMV.  Nobody wants to go to the DMV, it’s boring and aggravating, no matter where you go.  So I’ll call it the Middle East.) I decided to get a jump on it this week and post all the places you should be in advance.  This week I’m really just focusing on open mics, but as I post this every week look for all genre’s of art including music and gallery showings.  This should be fun!

First and foremost, if you are looking for an open mic poetry spot, Busboy & Poets has you taken care of!  Monday night at the Shirlington location, Tuesday night at the 14th & V location with Simon Jacobson as the feature, Wednesday at the 5th & K location yours truly (Bomani Armah) will be the feature, and Thursday it’s poppin’ at the new Hyattsville Location.  Click the Busboys and Poets logo to get more info.

If you are really looking for a exciting and diverse open mic, you need to check out Bloombars on Monday hosted by the lovely Gowri Koneswaran.   TED K is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, who grew up on the New Jersey shore in a small town called Rumson.  If he’s featuring at Bloombars I’m sure he’s going to be good.  I’m also guest hosting that night so come buy and join us.  Bloombars is a family-friendly community space located at 3222 11th Street NW in Washington, DC’s historic Columbia Heights neighborhood.  A suggested $5-$10 donation is appreciated.

Tuesday, the brothers from Up’n’Up have been holding it down for a while now. The show is hosted by Brother Victorious & Black Boo of Mambo Sauce and features a live painting by Demont Peekaso which will be raffled off at shows closing. The show features UAU’s House Band DC’s own Mambo Sauce Band. The show begins at 9 p.m. and is preceded by an game night/happy hour featuring Dj Jav with food and premium drink specials. Admission is free before 8p.m. and $10.00 after.  Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th Street NWFree before 8p| $10 After|Hosted by| www.theuauopenmic.com

On Wednesday, DC open mic poetry host emeritus Ra Brown hosts her open mic at Sweet & Natural, one of the best vegan restaurants in the city.  This week, legend of the poetry game Talaam Acey is the feature.  The show starts at 8:30 and there is NO COVER, but once you get there I’m sure you’re going to want to try out some of the great food.  Tell Velvet that Bomani sent you! (4009 34th St, Mt Rainier, MD 20712, 301-277-9338)

Thursday night features my favorite open mic in the city, Spit Dat.  Hosted by Drew “Droopy the Brokeballer” Anderson and Dwayne B, this is the perfect place to go feel the warmth of the crowd and honesty from the stage! Located in the ECAC building at 733 Euclid St NW, DC, this open mic is a great place to start.  There is only a $1 cover, and I gaurantee if Droopy booked them, the feature is HOT!

Of course this Friday there is only one place to be!  Check me out performing with my band Immaletchufinish, with special guest Karega Bailey performing spoken word and poetry, and DJ D’Salaam spinning on the 1’s and 2’s!  This is going to be an exciting event, with vegan food and a healthy atmosphere!

There are a gazzillion other things happening this week in the Middle East, ranging from poetry to rock, from free to $50 and everything in between.  Make sure to get out from in front of this computer screen and experience some of it this week!

Peace

Bomani