It’s been a while since Thievery Corporation played a full blown Thievery show in DC (sure Virgin fest maybe counts, but solo shows wise, it’s been over a year and a half) and on August 20th they’ll bring their merry circus of entertainers and leisure magic to the brand new Kastles Stadium @ The Wharf (Funk Ark and The Arkives are opening) for probably the summer concert of the season. (and all in support of their new “CULTURE OF FEAR” album). If you’ve ever seen them live, you know you should not miss it.
TICKETS GO ON SALE RIGHT NOW (10AM) and you should grab them but we also have a pair of ticket to give away to the show. To enter to win, please let us know in the comments who you think the greatest DC local hero of recent time is and why. Arts, culture, politics, food, media, general good people skills-it is all fair game.
(we’ll notify the winners by Monday)
COOL? COOL.
The homeless man who tried swatting me while i was running–keeps zombie fear alive and reasonable.
Greatest DC hero of recent time– Ben Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl. When I think of the soul of the city I think of him.
More thoughts on Ben Ali (why he is the greatest DC hero of recent time)– how many people can open a, let’s face it, pretty simple restaurant and not only survive race riots of 1968, but also continue to draw some of the most famous political minds and talented artists of our time? Can’t imagine a DC without Ben’s Chili Bowl– after all these years it’s still the place to beat the heat, stress, and (occasional) turmoil of everyday life in our fair city.
Obama if we get this debt worked out.
It’s gotta be Duke Ellington- one of the influential figures in Jazz history. His prolific career and huge impact on the history of music makes him an easy choice as DC local hero!
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/articles/ticket-giveaway-thievery-corporation-kastles-stadium.htm
The current greatest hero in DC is an employee of my office building’s HVAC company. He dropped everything to come fix our air conditioning in record time this week during the heatpocalypse. Thank you air conditioning man.
For recent time, I’ll give hero to Michelle Obama….I’ve been in couple of Presidents now, and she has not only really become a First Lady for the city in terms of active campaigning and aiding the city, but has become a power force all her own (fashion, stature, confidence). Many First Ladies wish to achieve what she has for being a modern woman, successful and influential in her own regard.
That and she loves a good Shake Shack burger even if it means the media criticizes her.
For recent time, I’ll give hero to Michelle Obama….I’ve been in DC *edit* for a couple of Presidents now, and she has not only really become a First Lady for the city in terms of active campaigning and aiding the city, but has become a power force all her own (fashion, stature, confidence). Many First Ladies wish to achieve what she has for being a modern woman, successful and influential in her own regard.
That and she loves a good Shake Shack burger even if it means the media criticizes her.
Ann Beattie – out of all the writing, literature or journalism, people can’t help but get sucked into the cliche that DC is only a political town. Beattie is one of the few giants of literary fiction that wrote about the pedestrian, quotidian aspects of life in DC. Her writing represents the lives of (ab)normal people that aren’t interested in subcommittees or lobbying, but rather the plagues of the age of anxiety: infidelity, alcoholism, urban alienation, and increasing cultural narcissism – all rendered with wit, emotional intelligence, and sly ironies. An unsung hero of DC, imo.
Local DC hero = Brandon and his crew over at DC Brau Brewery (Bladensburg Rd. NE). For bringing DC its own production-line brewery, the DC Brau. And the best part, its damn good beer!..
that guy in logan circle who wears a loincloth and carries a spear
Oh, how about Pelicanos?
Josh from 9:30! Known that guy since I was a naive little 17 year old, and he’s one of the coolest and influential dudes in DC today in all categories. He’s always there for me if I need him, thus he = my DC hero !
Chuck Brown cuz he gets that ass MOVIN’
Holy crap, this is easy: the booking managers in this town. The 9:30 Club, obviously (to Billboard, too). Also the Red Palace, Rock & Roll Hotel, and DC9 for booking acts that blow up before they blow up. I saw Foster the People at the 200-capacity Red Palace just a few months ago, and they’ve now sold out the 9:30 Club three times (both upcoming shows are OUT). And then there’s new(ish) places like Sub A booking acts like Pictureplane. YES!!
Wale because now even white kids in Idaho know what gogo is…
Marion Barry! For providing and passing on the highest example of integrity that DC elected officials continue to uphold.
Check it: Tod Keller…Who was attacked on his bike, fought back, and has now organized the community around safety patrols and taking back the parks and public spaces that so many are willing to abandon at the first sign of crime. Tod AND his/everyone’s new bff’s the Guardian Angels, who are dedicated to protecting the trails. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/after-a-spate-of-attacks-on-the-metropolitan-branch-trail-a-community-mobilizes/2011/06/29/gIQAbpxb0H_story.html
Why stray far from the topic at hand…I nominate Thievery’s own Eric Hilton, music-tralblazer-turned-entrepreneur who has brought another layer of cool to an already-revitalized U Street. From Marvin, to Patty Boom Boom, to Dickson, to BlackByrd…he’s given DC nightlife a blend of flavaz for a variety of tastes, yet limited to none. And I haven’t even mentioned that DC institution otherwise known as Eighteenth Street Lounge, which is recognized all over the map. WIth an ‘outernational’ sound that was light years ahead of their time — and still uniquely their own after all these years — we now have more bangin’ spots to go enjoy the Thievery touch. Keep leavin’ your stamp in more ways than one, EH…you make DC proud, and jammin’.
I would have to say the greatest local hero currently is a friend of mine Geoff Millard. He is an Iraq war vet and works with the Iraq War Vets Against The War, and he helps homeless veterans in the DC area. He travels all over the world sharing his story to raise awareness of what soldiers deal with after they come home. He took a negative situation and turned it into positive energy to help people. It takes a lot of courage to do what he is doing. Its impressive and inspiring.