Mike Spain

‘One Night with Janis Joplin’ at Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater by Mike Spain

It was fitting to watch One Night with Janis Joplin last night at The Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage, because 42 years ago to the day the legendary blues rocker died of an overdose at the age of 27. I...

Pat McGee Band with Special Guest Ari Hest at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

The Washington area music scene was well represented at the Pat McGee Band concert at the The Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, September 29, 2012. Members from Edie from Ohio and The Potato...

‘Big Apple Circus’ Legendarium’ at Dulles Town Center by Mike Spain

Big Apple Circus is not a huge arena hopping spectacular and not a multiple ring show. It is a simple, one-ring circus with a focused program. They create an intimate circus experiencing claiming no...

‘Rikki Tikki Tavi’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Fun Company once again produces a fun, entertaining show suitable for all ages with their production of Rikki Tikki Tavi. Sarah Shulman adapts Rudyard Kipling’s classic...

Joe Jackson at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

Joe Jackson performed a seamless mix of Duke Ellington classics and Jackson’s own songs at Strathmore on Sunday night. He began his set solo walking out to his electric piano and playing a Duke...

Sinbad, Israel Houghton, & New Breed at The Patriot Center by Mike Spain

Grace Covenant Church showed Fairfax they know how to throw a celebration: have the Pastor emcee, invite the congregation, and open the doors to the public. Start the night off with a set of music...

‘The Wizard of Oz’ at KAT 2nd Stage by Mike Spain

This past Saturday afternoon’s performance of KAT 2nd Stage’s production of The Wizard of Oz at The Arts Barn in Gaithersburg was sold out. It was a family production and the Arts Barn was a welcoming...

‘The Fresh Beat Band’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

The Fresh Beat Band attracted a large crowd for a Tuesday afternoon show at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. The weather was perfect with plenty of blue sky, seasonal temperatures, and no rain. The band...

Alan Jackson With Special Guest Craig Campbell at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Alan Jackson had Wolf Trap sold out due to his 34 number one songs, a couple of GRAMMY Awards, and 17 Academy of Country Music Awards. Alan crammed 22 songs into a 100 minute set in an effort to...

Joe Walsh at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Joe Walsh did not need an opening act on August 13th. The guitarist is well known for his work in the James Gang, The Eagles and his solo work. The weather was wonderful at Wolf Trap and the audience...

‘Iron Cross’ at University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center by Mike Spain

Great music transcends language barriers. Saturday night I wished I understood Burmese when I went to University of Maryland to see Iron Cross. I know I would have enjoyed the show even more. Iron...

‘Robin Hood: Occupy Sherwood’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) by Mike Spain

The ’99 Percenters’ of Sherwood Forest had already taken over FrederickCommunity College’s JBK Theatre well before the 7 PM World Premiere of Robin Hood: Occupy Sherwood. They carried signs and...

‘The Dukes of September’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

On a beautiful August night at Wolf Trap an opening act is not needed when the featured act includes Steely Dan founder Donald Fagen, former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, and Boz Scaggs who was...

Jerry Seinfeld at The Kennedy Center by Mike Spain

Jerry Seinfeld packed the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall last night. Seinfeld has been doing stand-up comedy routines for 37 years and along the way appeared on late-night television shows and finally...

Jackson Browne With Sara Watkins at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

It is rare to see the headliner introduce the opening act; however that is exactly what Jackson Browne did Monday night at Wolf Trap when he introduced Sara Watkins. Jackson Browne also sat in for her...

John Tesh at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

John Tesh looks so natural fronting a band even if it is a 12-piece big band orchestra. His speaking voice and stage presence has been honed by many years of television and radio work. Fifty plus...

Capital Fringe Review: ‘Me and the Devil Blues’ by Mike Spain

The steamy heat of a Washington summer night added to the ambiance of the World Premiere of Me and the Devil Blues by Seamus Sullivan, after all the play is set in Hell. The band played smooth jams as...

Wilco at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

The Lee Ranaldo Band opened for Wilco on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. Ranaldo is best known for his time spent with Sonic Youth – a band he founded and spent three decades as the band’s lead guitarist. I...

Capital Fringe Review: ‘Airswimming’ (Abridged) by Mike Spain

Airswimming (Abridged) is a play written by Charlotte Jones about two ladies in a London asylum. It stars Charlotte Jones (Dora/Dorph) and Julia Smith (Persephone/Porph) who also presented this drama....

Capital Fringe Review: ‘The Comedy of Mirrors’ by Mike Spain

The Pallas Theatre Collective production of William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Mirrors does exactly what a comedy is supposed to do, make you laugh. The laughs come often from the talented casts’...

‘I Am (Not) My Mother’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

A local playwright Suzanne Beal is having a World Premiere run of I Am (Not) My Mother at Maryland Ensemble Theatre. Proceeds go to help The Woman’s Giving Circle. It is a great story of putting...

‘Buddy Guy With Special Guest John Mayall’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

It is not often you get to see two living legends on one night. However, that is what happened on July 12, 2012 at Wolf Trap. British blues legend John Mayall opening up for blues legend Buddy Guy....

“Seal’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

The anticipation was high with Macy Gray opening for Seal at Wolf Trap. Unfortunately for those who were seated in the lawn – it rained most of the night. However, a large crowd weathered the storm...

The Contemporary American Theater Festival’s 5 Plays Reviewed by Mike Spain

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) is celebrating its 22nd season at Shepherd University, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Those seasons have created a history of 90 new plays produced...

‘California Guitar Trio’ at All Saints Episcopal Church by Mike Spain

The sanctuary at All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland was once again turned into a concert hall for the amazing California Guitar Trio. It is the 11th time in 21 years that the ensemble...

Crosby, Stills & Nash at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

The crowded parking lot, the sold out Filene Center, and the standing ovation Crosby, Stills & Nash received just for walking out on the stage speaks volumes. The fact the crowd on the lawn stayed and...

‘Norah Jones’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Norah Jones was returning to Wolf Trap for the first time in nine years and the Filene Center was sold out. Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Sasha Dobson had a generous 40-minute set. Sasha was a great...

‘Diana Krall’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

It was a hot, hazy, humid summer evening at Wolf Trap and Diana Krall and her special guest Denzal Sinclaire cooled the audience with their smooth jazz. Denzal is establishing himself as one of the...

‘Yoni Gras’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Yoni Gras shows the Maryland Ensemble Theatre likes their music like their theatre productions daring. The event consisted of six independent bands over two nights and about six hours of music. The...

‘Martina McBride’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

David Nail had the honor opening for Martina McBride Wednesday night at Wolf Trap. David is a gifted singer/songwriter who has two album releases under his belt, and he entertained the crowd with a...

‘Heidi’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Everything about going to a Fun Company production at Maryland Ensemble Theatre involves having a good time. The afternoon starts on a high note with free face painting before the show begins. Then...

‘The Wailers’ at Charles Town Races by Mike Spain

The Wailers performed Friday night at The H Lounge located in the middle of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Local reggae band Jah Works had the honor to open up for the legendary group. The...

‘The All New, Grand Ole Hee Haw Hootenany Hoe Down Jamboree!’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Director Tad Janes bills The All New, Grand Ole Hee Haw Hootenany Hoe Down Jamboree! as ‘a spoof country variety show.’ It’s really a collection of special guests, bluegrass bands, skits, crowd...

‘Lonely Planet’ at MetroStage by Mike Spain

Lonely Planet replaced another production at MetroStage which I was looking forward to seeing. As I entered the theatre I knew very little about this play, but I am so glad my editor convinced me to...

Capital Sound: Adalia Jimenez Knocks the National Anthem Out of the Ballpark by Mike Spain

The Washington Nationals are a baseball team full of young talent like the 19 year-old sensation Bryce Harper and pitching ace Stephen Strasburg. However, when you go to a baseball game not all of the...

Capital Sound: ‘We have Bluegrass Right Here’ by Mike Spain

On April 17th, the area was treated with a true bluegrass treat when Peter Rowan, Tony Rice and the Travelin’ McCourys shared the stage to celebrate Bill Monroe at The Music Center at Strathmore. Tony...

‘The Music of Bill Monroe with Rowan, Rice, McCourys’ at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, and The Travelin’ McCourys, who are some of the biggest names in Bluegrass came together to honor Bill Monroe at The Music Center at Strathmore in a program called The Music of...

‘Aida’ at The Lopez Conservatory Program by Mike Spain

The Lopez Conservatory Program production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical Aida demonstrated they can produce talented young actors who will have bright futures in theatre. After watching the show...

‘Sleeping Beauty’ at The Kennedy Center by Mike Spain

David Gonzalez presents a version of Sleeping Beauty the audience has not seen or heard before. Gonzalez follows in the footsteps of others – like Disney and The Grimm Brothers – who have added their...

Introducing ‘Capital Sound’ on DC Theater Arts by Mike Spain

Welcome to Capital Sound! My new column will focus on covering the music scene in the local area around Washington,, DC. Any night one can hear the rhythms and beats seeping out of the countless...

‘Young Olympians and the Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever!’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

The fun starts at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Fun Company’s production of The Young Olympians and the Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever! before we ever take our seats. The usher directs us...

‘Antigone’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s ( MET) presents a new world premiere adaptation of Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Antigone by MET ensemble member Reiner Prochaska. This sets Antigone against King Creon and the...

‘Side Man’ at The Providence Players of Fairfax by Mike Spain

When I take my seat at the James Lee Community Center to see the Providence Players of Fairfax’s production of Side Man – I feel like I am sitting at Charlie’s Melody Lounge – especially when I look...

‘Experience Hendrix 2012 Tribute Tour’ at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

The ground breaking, innovating, guitarist Jimi Hendrix became a legend of rock and blues music in his brief life. Forty years after his death his legacy lives on with the Experience Hendrix tour. The...

‘An Evening with Smokey Robinson’ at The Kennedy Center by Mike Spain

Saturday, March 3, 2012 was declared ‘Smokey Robinson Day’ in Washington, D.C. by Mayor Vincent C. Gray shortly before the legendary musician took the stage at the sold out Kennedy Center Concert...