Washington, D.C.

2.20.09 I drove to Woodbridge, VA last night. Woodbridge is the site of tonight’s show. I’m excited to have the day to explore Washington, D.C. My congressman arranged for me to tour the Capitol Building. It is a great treat. After a tour and a visit to my congressman’s office, I go to the National Portrait Gallery/The Smithsonian Museum of American Art. It is freezing cold with a powerful, biting wind blowing. Fortunately, I’m prepared for it.

In the rotunda of the Capitol:


Andrew Jackson keeping watch against a painting in the rotunda:


The National Statuary Hall Collection. Each state provided two statues of notable people from their state to be displayed in the Capitol:

Congressman Jim Cooper has a nice view from his desk:

I normally seek out historical things to see when in D.C., but today I want to see art. The art is historical as well, of course, but I want to see and experience it in a different way. More than just for its historical significance, I want to experience the art purely for the experience it brings to my senses.

I’m shocked at what is here at the National Portrait Gallery. The paintings and sculpture here are of amazing beauty. Some images are so well-known that probably every American has seen one at least of them in some form or another. It is absolutely worth a visit.

The courtyard that joins the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Museum of American Art:

I come back to the Capitol to sit in the gallery and view the House of Representatives. I’m so glad I’m seeing this. I look at the main podium and imagine the moment when FDR stood there and gave his “Day of Infamy” address; Truman addressing Congress; and every President since and many before standing at that spot. President Obama will address Congress and the nation here just two nights from now.

I head out into the cold and make the walk down the mall one and a half miles to the World War II memorial. I walk past the Washington monument and arrive at the memorial. It’s winter, so the fountains are not running. It is still quite impressive.

The Washington Monument from the World War II Memorial:

My cousin Larry picks me up for a driving tour and dinner at The Chart House in Alexandria. It’s a great night. It’s wonderful to catch up with him and see the sights of Alexandria, Georgetown, the Air Force Memorial, the Pentagon and more.

Frederick, Maryland

2.9.09 This is the first date of the Join The Tribe tour. It’s in the Weinberg Center for the Arts here in Frederick, Maryland, a restored 1926 movie palace. There is a beauty unique to these old theaters that I always enjoy.

Setting up for the first show:

I found the old theater organ in the back of the balcony. Bright red, this was probably in a prominent spot back in its day, accompanying the silent films:

Frederick is a nice town. Market Street contains several blocks filled with interesting shops and restaurants in historic buildings. Frederick was an important crossroads during the Civil War. It was also known for being religiously tolerant to multiple denominations in the 1800’s, thus all of the old churches in the area. The café across from the theater is the FSK Café, named for Francis Scott Key. Key, the composer of the Star Spangled Banner, is buried in Frederick.

Los Angeles: After the Grammys

I’m working in LA all of this week. Adam from my office and I are staying in Eagle Rock in Glendale. I like it here. It’s hilly and green. The weather is cool and breezy, very pleasant. We eat at some good restaurants this week – Ole Tapas Restaurant in Studio City, Houston’s in Manhattan Beach, Sushi Mon in Santa Monica, and more. Twice we eat at the Santa Monica airport, once at Typhoon, serving a mixture of different Asian cuisines, and once at the Spitfire Grill. Both are excellent.

My favorite night of the week is spent at Amoeba Record Store in Hollywood. This is easily one of the biggest, best record stores anywhere. They have tons of used and hard to find music. When I walk in tonight, a band called the Binges is playing live in the store. A free concert to go with the shopping! There’s just a great vibe to hanging out here tonight. I find several Hank Jones CD’s, an Oscar Peterson DVD, and some out of print film scores. As I’m making my purchase, it takes a while for the credit card company to approve my purchase. I talk music with the girl behind the counter, exchanging recommendations for listening. She’s kind enough to give me an Amoeba t-shirt free for being patient while waiting. I head to Poquito Mas for some good Mexican food, followed by a chocolate milkshake from Mel’s Diner. It’s been a good day!

It’s been a very good week here. Time to head home.