Hungry For Music Benefit This Friday Night

This Friday, July 1, Iota Club and Cafe will host a benefit, featuring several local musicians, to raise money for Hungry For Music, a D.C. based organization dedicated to inspiring disadvantaged children (and others) by bringing positive musical and creative experiences into their lives.

Performers will include Timothy Bracken Band, The Blackout (acoustic), and A Month of Sundays. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. and the cover charge is $10.

Supreme Court Ruling: MGM v. Grokster

On Monday, June 27, 2005, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that file-sharing networks can be sued if they intend for their customers to use the software illegally. The case will return to a lower court where MGM and the other plaintiffs will try to prove their case anew.

In recent years, the major movie studios, music labels and software companies say they have lost billions of dollars in sales to illegal swappers using software distributed by Grokster, Kazaa, Morpheus, LimeWire and others.

While the entertainment industry successfully sued thousands of individual file-traders, it largely failed in efforts to punish file-sharing providers for the actions of their users. Lower courts had ruled that under a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1984, distributors of technologies could not be held liable for illegal acts by customers if the technology has "substantial" legal uses. That case involved Sony Corp.'s Betamax video recording machine.

The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for the entertainment companies; and even before the court agreed to hear this particular case, copyright owners were considering other options. The Recording Industry Association of America and Motion Picture Association of America last year threw their weight behind a bill intended to drive file-swapping networks out of business. The bill died at the end of 2004, but could be introduced again this year.

The following links provide additional information regarding this issue:

Washington Post articles:
At a Glance: MGM v. Grokster
File-Sharing Firms Can Be Held Liable

Future of Music Coalition:
Statement on MGM v. Grokster and Brand X
Other Organizations' Statements on MGM v Grokster

U.S. Copyright Office: Supreme Court Rules in MGM v. Grokster

The Progress and Freedom Foundation's Congressional Seminar:
July 8, 2005, 12-2pm
Longworth House Office Building, Room 1537, Washington, DC
MGM v. Grokster: What's Next?

Live 8 Concerts - July 2nd

In 1985, Bob Geldorf created Live Aid, the groundbreaking rock-concert series that raised $200 Million for African Famine Relief. Now Bono (of U2) and Richard Curtis (screenwriter: Four Weddings & a Funeral & Notting Hill) have joined him in organizing Live 8, a series of free international concerts to be held on July 2, 2005 with a star studded line up including a reunited Pink Floyd, U2, Cold Play, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and Will Smith, to name a few.

The goal of the concert series is to put pressure on the leaders of the world's richest countries during the upcoming G-8 Summit to initiate complete debt cancellation, more and better aid and trade justice for the world’s poorest people. Confirmed concert locations so far include London, Berlin, Eden, Paris, Philadelphia, Rome, Barrie, and Scotland.

For further details, including the latest updates, concert line ups, a chance to win a trip to four to a Live 8 concert, a link to the Live 8 global petition, Live 8 radio, and a full coverage live video stream from the concerts, visit AOL Music's Live 8 web site.

MTV and VH1 will telecast eight hours of the Live 8 concerts from noon to 8 p.m. that day, rotating among the different sites and also presenting packaged reports, such as a look back at Live Aid.

XM Satellite Radio will carry the concerts live from Philadelphia, London, Paris, Berlin and Rome.

Strathmore Regional Newsong Contest Results

On Sunday, June 19, Daniel Lee was chosen as the winner of the Strathmore Regional Round of the NewSong Contest presented by Performing Songwriter Magazine during a competition at Strathmore in N. Bethesda, Maryland. He now moves on to the finals of the national NewSong Contest, which take place during the 2005 Mountain Stage NewSong Festival, Aug. 24 to 28 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 90 minutes from Washington, D.C.

To listen to songs from the Strathmore Regional Newsong Finalists, click here.

Lee is one of 12 finalists to be chosen for the final round of the NewSong Contest. The grand-prize winner of the national contest will perform on a festival-closing performance of the Mountain Show program which will later be broadcast internationally.

The Mountain Stage Newsong Festival contest focuses on emerging and up-and-coming singer-songwriters in all genres, from folk, blues, country and traditional, to world beat, hip-hop, jazz and beyond. Check out the Newsong Blog for the latest contest updates.

Local Lix Live Debut

DC101's Local Lix Live will debut at Lulu's in Washington, DC this Sunday, June 26th. The show begins at 7pm, and features: Lionize, Agents of the Sun, and Welbilt. These live music showcases will take place monthly and will feature the area's hottest local bands. Doors open at 6pm, and the shows are 18+.

If you are in a band, and wish to have your song considered for airplay on Local Lix, bring your press kit/CD to one of the Local Lix Live events. It is now the exclusive way to submit your material to the station. Also, stay tuned for more details coming soon about a big Local Lix Live show being planned for September. One of the bands featured that night may get the chance to follow in Welbilt's footsteps and become the next Budweiser True Music band from our area.

National Capital BBQ Battle

If you love variety and wandering from stage to stage, you'll see and hear rock performers, blues legends & regional blues favorites, reggae, and cool jazz artists at this year's National Capital BBQ Battle. Thirty bands on 3 stages on Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. between 19th & 14th streets will perform on Saturday and Sunday, June 26th & 27th from 11:15 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Tickets are available at the gates on each show day and are $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and kids 5 & under are free. Admission includes a donation to the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Clubs. Take Metro to Federal Triangle, Metro Center or Navy-Mem'l Archives.

Z104 Hard Times Music Festival

Benefiting Bread and the City, Z104 and Hard Times Cafe host the Z104 Hard Times Music Festival this Saturday, June 25th from 12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. in Alexandria, VA. The festival will be held on King Street between Peyton Street and Payne Street and admission is free. Take blue line Metro to King Street Station and walk 3 blocks east. Parking will be extremely limited.

Headlined by the Pat McGee Band, the music festival showcases a variety of local and national bands.

Local Bands
1PM: Adam Day
2PM: Ben's Bones
3PM: Bicycle Thieves

National Bands
4PM: Low Millions

Headliner
5:30-7PM: Pat McGee Band

Strathmore Kicks Off Free Summer Concert Series Tonight

Strathmore offers local music lovers another chance to check out free outdoor performances this summer with its concert series which kicks off tonight with Last Train Home at 7 p.m.

The series continues on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. throughout the summer. Take Metro to the Grosvenor-Strathmore station on the Red Line. Parking is available for a fee at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro garage and along Tuckerman Lane. A SmarTrip card is required for the Metro garage.

Save the Dates: Future of Music Policy Summit

Moving into its fifth year in 2005, the Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit is a forum for musicians, lawyers, academics, policymakers and music industry executives to come together to discuss and debate some of the most contentious issues surrounding digital technology, artists’ rights and the current state of the music industry.

This year's Policy Summit will take place from September 11-13th at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium in Washington D.C. Artist scholarships will be offered. Additional details for this event will be provided as soon as they become available.

Sign up here to get the latest updates in the FMC Newsletter or check out an archived blog summary of the 2004 Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit here.

Strathmore Local Performer Audition Applications Due Today

Packages should be postmarked no later than today Monday, June 20th. Artists selected from this application will be contacted for live auditions at the Music Center at Strathmore, Room 402 on Monday, July 11, Tuesday, July 12 and Friday, July 15. The auditions are open to residents of Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia who are selected from the initial application period. Musicians of all ages and musical interests are invited to submit materials. There is no charge to apply.

Interested musicians should send a package, including a CD, biography, and performance history of the last 18 months, to the attention of the Strathmore Local Performer Auditions, Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Celebrate cultural traditions around the world at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC June 23-27 and June 30-July 4, 2005 from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

This year's Folklife Festival features musicians, dancers, craftspeople and chefs from the Oman region of the Middle East. The event will also showcase the USDA Forest Service with educational activities, crafts, demonstrations, woodcarvers and basket makers, musicians and poets. Nuestra Música will highlight the music of the Latino culture.

This event is free and can be accessed via the Smithsonian Metro stop (Mall exit) on the orange and blue lines.

Local Festivals Featuring Live Music This Weekend

The 24th Annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival : June 18th-19th
The Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross sponsors the Alexandria Waterfront Festival each June at Oronoco Bay State Park in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The event includes historic tall ship tours, live entertainment, arts & crafts exhibits and a children’s sea hunt adventure. The hours are Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult, $5 for children 2-12 years old and children under 2 are free. Oronoco Bay Park is located at the northern end of Union Street along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. Since parking is limited, free shuttles will run between the Eisenhower Avenue and King Street Metro stations.

Wolf Trap's Jazz and Blues Festival: June 16th-19th
Wolf Trap is holding its 2005 Jazz and Blues Festival this June 16-19 with performances by notables Stanley Clark, Al Jarreau, Tony Bennet, and many more. This is one of Wolf Trap's favorite events of the summer, so kick back and relax in the great outdoors in Vienna. For tickets or more information, call their box office at 703-255-1868 or visit them on the web at www.wolftrap.org.

LatinoFest: June 18th-19th
The 25th Annual LatinoFest offers a lively weekend of Hispanic arts and culture in Baltimore's Patterson Park featuring live Latin music including salsa, merengue, bachata, latin, jazz and mariachi, dancers in colorful costumes, Hispanic cuisine and more.

Mountain Stage NewSong Festival at Strathmore: June 19th
The Music Center at Strathmore will host a day of song critiques, panel discussions, workshops,performance showcases and the finals of the Strathmore Regional Round of the NewSong Contest on Sunday, June 19th before the 7 p.m. performance of Mountain Stage at Strathmore with Larry Groce. Mountain Stage records its 600th show in the new Music Center at Strathmore on Father's Day featuring Guy Clark, Loudon Wainwright III, Michael Penn, Raul Midon, and Last Train Home.For additional details including a schedule, ticket information, and registration form, see this post to the ArlingtonMusicScene.com Yahoo! Group.

Some Places to Check Out Free Concerts This Summer

Fort Reno Summer Concert Series
Sponsored by the The Northwest Youth Alliance at Fort Reno, concerts are held every Monday and Thursday. They begin promptly at 7:15pm and end at 9:30pm. Occasionally, shows get delayed or canceled due to weather conditions. The shows are free, all ages are welcome and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Take the Metro Red Line to Tenleytown and follow these walking directions.

National Gallery of Art's Jazz in the Garden
Enjoy summer evenings of jazz in the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden from June 3 through September 16. Every Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., rain or shine, experience an eclectic mix of top Washington-area jazz artists. Concerts take place in front of the Pavilion Café next to the grand reflecting pool and fountain. The café also offers a seasonal light fare menu and cold beverages during the Friday evening series. Sculpture Garden hours are extended to 9:00 p.m. on these nights.

Carter Barron Amphitheatre
Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Rock Creek Park hosts several free concerts throughout the summer including the 17th Annual DC Blues Festival and performances by the National Symphony Orchestra.

The Millennium Stage
The Kennedy Center stages free daily performances on its Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer. Featured on the Millennium Stage are a range of art forms, including performing artists and groups from all 50 states and an Artist-in-Residence program featuring artists performing several evenings in a month. Performances begin at 6 p.m.

3rd Annual Rock at the Row Summer Concert Series
Pentagon Row and Z104 present the 3rd Annual Rock at the Row Summer Concert Series on Thursday nights, June 2 - August 4 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Pentagon Row Plaza. In the event of rain, concerts will not be rescheduled. Call 703-413-6692 for more information.

Other Free Concerts by Area
Alexandria, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
Bethesda, Maryland
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Thank you to DCist for this information.

Networking Happy Hour

Please join us this Wednesday, June 15th for our monthly ArlingtonMusicScene.com happy hour at Iota Club and Cafe in Arlington, VA. The event runs from 6pm to 8pm and is free.

Held the third Wednesday of every month at IOTA, these happy hours are designed to give musicians, music industry professionals, music fans and anyone else who would like to attend, the opportunity to network outside of the typical show scene. Basically, the happy hours are meant to be an opportunity for people to get together once a month, have a couple drinks and talk music or whatever you'd like. If you get there and don't recognize anyone, look for the people with the masking tape nametags.

9:30 Club Documentary

The 9:30 Club is known for many things including being one of the first music venues to welcome underage patrons, thus spurring the straight edge movement - no drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes. The AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD will be screening the feature length documentary 930 F STREET by Tarik Dahir and Jeff Gaul on Sunday, June 19th at 8:00 p.m.

930 F STREET is a thorough look at many aspects of the venue and the music performed there and includes interviews with patrons, original staff, indie record producers and musicians who played there in the early days, including REM, Minor Threat, The Rollins Band, Clutch, Bad Brains and many others.

22nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest

The Songwriters Association of Washington presents the 22nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, one of the longest-running contests in the U.S. The competition is designed to afford rising and upcoming original songwriters and composers from around the world, and in a wide variety of genres, the opportunity to receive awards and exposure in an environment of peer competition. Amateur status is required.

The contest categories are: Gospel/Inspirational; R&B/Rap/Hiphop/Dance/Urban/Go Go; Adult Contemporary/Soft Rock; Rock/Alternative; Pop; Country/Bluegrass; Jazz/Blues/Instrumental; Children's; and Open
(Novelty/Seasonal/Theater/World/Latin/Reggae and all others not listed above).

All submissions are due by August 15, 2005.

Strathmore Announces Local Performer Auditions To Be Held This Summer

Strathmore seeks talented local performers in the Washington D.C. area (including Maryland and Virginia) to apply for auditions. These auditions will identify performers for concerts and festivals presented by Strathmore throughout the 2005-2006 season. Interested musicians should send a package, including a CD, biography, and performance history of the last 18 months, to the attention of the Strathmore Local Performer Auditions, Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852. Packages should be postmarked no later than Monday, June 20.

Artists selected from this application will be contacted for live auditions at the Music Center at Strathmore, Room 402 on Monday, July 11, Tuesday, July 12 and Friday, July 15. The auditions are open to residents of Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia who are selected from the initial application period. Musicians of all ages and musical interests are invited to submit materials. There is no charge to apply.

St. Thomas Music Festival

A summer chock full of live local music performances continues with the St. Thomas Music Festival in McLean, VA on Saturday, June 18th from Noon -5:00 p.m. Local acts, in order of appearance, will include The Mary Shaver Band, Anthony Fiacco, The Tom Principato Band, Isabella , and The Brindley Brothers.

Mountain Stage NewSong Festival at Strathmore

The Music Center at Strathmore will host a day of song critiques, panel discussions, workshops,performance showcases and the finals of the Strathmore Regional Round of the NewSong Contest on Sunday, June 19th before the 7 p.m. performance of Mountain Stage at Strathmore with Larry Groce. Mountain Stage records its 600th show in the new Music Center at Strathmore on Father's Day featuring Guy Clark, Loudon Wainwright III, Michael Penn, Raul Midon, and Last Train Home.

For additional details including a schedule, ticket information, and registration form, see this post to the ArlingtonMusicScene.com Yahoo! Group.

Celebrate Fairfax Festival

This weekend is the Celebrate Fairfax Festival - Celebrate Fairfax! takes place from June 10-12 at the Fairfax County Government Center, and it showcases live concerts, performing arts, science and technology activities, culinary delights, and interactive exhibits. Featured national music acts include Better Than Ezra, Rick Springfield and Blue Oyster Cult, along with local acts such as Welbilt, Getaway Car and more.

Herndon Festival 2005

This weekend, The Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department will play host to the 25th Annual Herndon Festival in historic downtown Herndon, Virginia from Thursday, June 2nd - Sunday, June 5th. This is a town-wide event and attracts over 90,000 people from the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.

There is a large array of activities to keep festival patrons entertained. Featured events include live entertainment (including various local bands & acts) on three stages, international foods, carnival rides and games, children's entertainment, children's hands on art activities, business exposition, 10K and 5K races, model railway exhibit, and an arts & crafts show including a fine arts division.

Music Business Radio Needs a Jingle

David Hooper, author of the Music Business blog, is currently seeking creative submissions for a jingle for the new and soon to be nationally syndicated "Music Business Radio Show".

Submission criteria and additional details can be found on indiemusician.com.

On Tap Magazine's Summer Concert Bus Trip Series

Catch Joss Stone, The Killers, Keane, Velvet Revolver, Jack Johnson and more as On Tap Magazine hosts its Summer Concert Bus Trip series. Every trip includes a pre-boarding happy hour, luxury bus transportation to and from the show with refreshments on board, and lawn tickets.

Visit On Tap's web site for the complete summer concert schedule and to purchase tickets.