Club 66 Rubs Shoulders with The Second City Comedy Empire

Today's post is written by Yuctan Hodge, founding member of Wolf Trap's Club 66.

There are certain signs that spring is here in Washington, D.C. with the most notable being the Cherry Blossoms on the Tidal Basin. But with these beautiful trees comes the pain and tears associated with allergies. More spring time tears were shed on Friday, March 23rd but these were happy tears of joy and laughter from another sign of spring, a hilarious performance by The Second City at The Barns at Wolf Trap.

Like in years past, Club 66 at Wolf Trap hosted a networking and social pre-show reception at Wolf Trap's Center for Education. An exciting addition for this year was an exclusive opportunity to meet two Second City cast members, Chelsea Devantez and John Hartman (a native of Fairfax, VA), during the reception. Chelsea and John not only gave attendees a quick Second City history lesson, they also drew parallels between the lives of traveling comedians and traveling rock stars. The key takeaway, both have super-fans that can over-expose themselves to the performers as well as ask them to sign strange body parts.

As noted by John, one of the most remarkable things about improv and The Second City is how each show is completely different. Unlike last year's performance, this year's was light on political humor except for one great moment depicting a child in the throes of a tantrum repeating “I don't want any girls in my club” – that little boy turned out to be Rick Santorum. Another big difference was the role music played in many of the skits. Two musical performances, “Absti-dance” and “Sweatpants”, were the highlights of the show with lyrics and choreography that kept the audience laughing well after they were finished.

To close out their performance, a Club 66 attendee joined the cast to relive an early '90s high school prom. She was lucky enough to share this moment with John Hartman who played her band geek date. This '90s flashback left the audience with their eyes watering and wondering if their allergy medicine stopped working or if they were really laughing that hard.

Club 66 at Wolf Trap would like to thank their sponsors, The Capital Grille and E. & J. Gallo Winery for the great food and wine. Please be sure to take a look at Club 66’s upcoming events. We’ll be announcing our summer schedule very soon, so make sure to join our email list or “like” us on Facebook to stay in the loop.

So, You're a Clueless Intern... (Yes, You Are.)

Today's post is from Rachael King, who describes herself as a "Gen Y digital media native - and addict - who gets paid to do what she loves." She was recently named one of D.C.'s Top Ten Influencers in Social Media by inthecapital.com, is President of the DC Social Media Club and writes at Professionally Social. As we at Wolf Trap wrap up our intern hiring, we asked her to expand on what every intern (and employee) needs to keep in mind about the world wide web.



So, You're a Clueless Intern... (Yes, You Are.)

All interns are clueless. It's not your fault, at least not ALL of it - even if you're smart, and humble, and eager, which are all great qualities - you're still a clueless intern. Cause you're green, yo, and there's just nothing you can do about it except spend time in the real world, listening, watching, and learning.

We were all there once, it's true. But your generation of noobs has a specifically unique challenge: you not only have to worry about how you present yourself in the interview, or even the job (assuming you get it). You actually need to consider how you're coming across ONLINE, when someone punches your name into The Goog.


And you're not doing it.

Those of us who are savvy enough to do a simple background search on applicants - and trust me, these days, that's almost everyone - are appalled more often than not at the crap we dig up on you, almost without even trying.

You're not even attempting to hide the Edward 40-hands-ing, the nights of clubbing with your lady bits thisclose to being on display, your blog about your womanizing or scandalous dating escapades... we see it all. And trust me, kiddos - from a professional standpoint, this is not a good look for you.

Look, we - the people potentially hiring you - are human. An F bomb here and there, a beer in your hand at a happy hour - these are by no means deal breakers. If anything, they show us you're human.

At what point did America's youth forget that the Internet is PUBLIC? And listen, I don't care how "locked down" you think your accounts are - if you hit that publish button, there is always the chance that the wrong person will see it, and it happens a lot more easily than you might think. There are screenshots, and fake accounts, and hacks, and human error, and about a zillion other ways your update or photo or post can be sent out to someone you'd never, ever want to lay eyes on it.

I'm not telling you to be boring. I'm not saying never have a drink, never express an opinion, never use a little colorful language - Lord knows I do all of those things myself, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Keep the personality. Be quirky, be weird, be funny, be smart, be interesting, be yourself. But be a version of yourself - at least online - that you'd be cool with a potential boss seeing.

Because we do... and we judge.

HAPA - Hawaii Comes to The Barns

Twenty-four years ago today I took my first breath of life. It was far from here, in a hospital in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the island of Oahu. My mother Karen, a Caucasian woman born and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and my father Raymond, a first generation Japanese American island boy born and raised in Hawaii. Chance was pulling at the tides the day these two people found each other. But such is the story of Hawaii.

I am what people in Hawaii call hapa. Hapa is the Hawaiian slang term for mixed ethnicity. I am half Caucasian and half Japanese. Hawaii has been the home now to many generations of different cultures subsequently creating a whole population of Hawaiian hapas. Ancient Hawaii was an era in which only Native Hawaiians lived and worked the land, but today hapa is the face of Hawaii.



Now let’s talk about HAPA the band. Cue Barry Flanagan and Ron Kuala‘au! Flanagan, born in New York and raised in New Jersey, moved to Maui in the ’80s to study and practice Kiho Alu or slack-key guitar. (Slack-key is a style of guitar playing that is unique to Hawaii trademarked for its finger playing style and open tuning.) Co-member Ron Kuala‘au grew up in Hawaii and joined HAPA when founding member Keli‘i Kaneali‘i left to pursue his solo career. Kuala‘au was one of Flanagan’s first slack-key teachers in Hawaii which made this new HAPA combination a meaningful one.

The name HAPA as you may already have gathered is a representation of the duo’s mixed ethnic background, Irish and Hawaiian. But the name penetrates the ethnic surfaces of this pair to reflect the rich blending of their music. Just as Hawaii has become more diverse culturally so has its music thanks to people like Flanagan and Kuala‘au. HAPA remains loyal to the art of slack-key guitar but they’ve challenged the genre of Hawaiian music by weaving in threads of folk, rock, and jazz.

If you haven’t already noticed, HAPA is a group that I hold very dear to my heart. You don’t need to understand the Hawaiian language or be familiar with Hawaiian music to be swept away by the warmth of HAPA’s heavenly sound. If you’ve never heard them play now is your chance! HAPA will be performing this Wednesday and Thursday at The Barns. It’s the second best thing to visiting the Hawaiian Islands themselves.

Box Office Opening - Get NEW and On Sale Tickets Tomorrow!

The Wolf Trap Box Office opens tomorrow morning at 10 am. Do you know what this means? It means that you will be able to purchase tickets to 35 just announced performances, in addition to 39 previously announced shows, for Summer 2012. It also means that for a dozen performances you have the chance to be in the audience when these artists make their Wolf Trap debut. A few of my favorites who will be taking our stage for the first time. Drum roll, please.....


Steve Winwood - Tuesday, May 29

Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, Go. "Roll With It," "Higher Love," "Back in the High Life Again." He's a multi-instrumentalist, frequent collaborator of Eric Clapton, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has been named one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. He is exactly the kind of Artist you think you've seen at Wolf Trap before, but you haven't.... until now.


Barenaked Ladies & Cracker - Wednesday, July 11

Fire up the soundtrack to my college years! I've seen Barenaked Ladies live more times than I can count and yet never at my own venue. Barenaked Ladies' concerts are a blend of the hits, all the songs you want to hear and sing along with, mixed with elements of stand-up comedy. I've seen these guys do inpromptu raps and hand their guitars over to security guys for them to play. I guarantee you will leave this concert with a smile on your face. These two bands will also be joined by Wolf Trap favorite Big Head Todd & The Monsters.


Summerland - Wednesday, July 25

Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit, Marcy Playground. One night, 5 bands, 5 Wolf Trap debuts. This show will be hit after hit. Imagine "Sex and Candy" opening the show. "My Own Worst Enemy" followed by "Hey Jealousy" leading into "Fly" and finishing off with "Wonderful." Whew. This is a greatest hits of '90s West Coast alternative rockers.


IL DIVO - Thursday, August 9

Say what you want about the uber-critical Simon Cowell, but this multiplatinum group hand-selected by The X Factor judge ranks an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10 in beauty. The only element that outshines this gorgeous quartet is their passionate voices.

Alan Jackson - Sunday, August 19

The last time I saw Alan Jackson, he was playing a sold-out performance at the MCI Center (now the Verizon Center) and his Special Guest was none other than Martina McBride. I think his career is best summed up with this factoid: his greatest hits album, 34 Number Ones has 34 #1 hits on it. THIRTY FOUR. This show will sell out, probably shortly after tickets go onsale.


Straight No Chaser - Sunday, August 26

Unmixed alcohol served with no ice, not followed by something to dull the taste packs a punch. And that is exactly what the new takes on pop hits and traditional standards offered up by this innovative a capella group will do. I love their version of Coldplay's "Fix You." My mom loves "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." Everyone who loves Glee will love everything they do.


Dead Can Dance - Monday, August 27

When this group disbanded in 1998, it looked as though they would never make it into the Wolf Trap archives. Fortunately for us, they reunited in 2005 and will make their debut in 2012. They are called a neoclassical duo and they meld musical influences from all over the world. Their music isn't easy to describe with words but their songs are incredible to listen to. If you want a sneak listen to their show, they have a new live EP that was just released in January.


Ben Harper - Tuesday, September 4

An early September evening, the sun has just begun to set. It's you, me, and Ben Harper with a slide guitar on his lap, his voice floating with the breeze. Oh, and there will be 7,000 other fans here. I last saw Ben Harper in New Orleans at the Palace Theater. It was smoky and loud and awesome. This will be all acoustic, intimate and phenomenal. I can't wait.

So, just a few of my favorites. Remember, tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 am!

TV Shows Made Better Through Music

In my opinion, throughout the past few years, movie quality has waned, and TV shows have gotten exponentially better (please post your comments if you think I'm off base with this statement). I'm just a little tired of homogenous super hero films, adaptations of old TV shows, and disastrous remakes of old classics. On the other hand, the quality of recent TV shows seems to have exploded across a variety of stations, whereas before consumption was pretty much confined to the major networks.

This cultural trend is a very positive thing for the continued success of recorded music, especially for more indie oriented artists that don't have the luxury of a major label engine. How many commercial radio excluded artists were exposed to the masses via shows like Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill? I still contend that Death Cab for Cutie would still be relatively unknown was it not for the Grey's feature of "Soul Meets Body" and "I Will Follow You into the Dark," prompting early 20-somethings around the world to ask "Who sings that song?" while their fingers instinctively clicked over to iTunes. Bottom line, TV shows are a great source to discover new music, and in many cases enhance the mood and quality of the show in a very impactful way. I've taken a Wolf Trap staff and also Facebook/Twitter poll on the best old and new shows that feature exceptionally strong soundtracks. The list is as follows.

Justified, FX
Grey's Anatomy, ABC
Parenthood, NBC -- here's a great scene on Parenthood with Dawes
The Wonder Years, ABC
Friends, NBC
Saturday Night Live, NBC
Chuck, NBC
One Tree Hill, The CW
Daria, MTV
Cold Case, CBS
Entourage, HBO
Dawson's Creek, WB
Scrubs, NBC

Please chime in with additional suggestions of your own!

10 Minutes with the Artist: GrooveLily

Wolf Trap's upcoming presentation of GrooveLily, Sleeping Beauty Wakes: In Concert is surrounded by a certain mystique. Is it a musical? A movie? A performance by a band? I've received all three inquires by members of the media and also the general public. Final answer: it's a live concert experience, which features the rock trio of GrooveLily performing the score from the musical Sleeping Beauty Wakes.

I was able to pull founding member Valerie Vagoda of Vienna, Virginia out of a New York cab and into a quiet coffee shop for a 10 minute chat on what to expect from GrooveLily's one-of-a-kind performance this Friday at The Barns. How could you miss one of the greatest fairytales ever told interpreted through rock music? It's just too innovative to pass up.

You can stream my interview with Valerie plus audio samples below via SoundCloud.

GrooveLily: The Wolf Trap Interview by Wolf_Trap

Some Lesser Known Facts on Ladysmith Black Mambazo

In honor of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's returnn to The Barns tonight - and also since I'm endlessly excited about Paul Simon's recent announcement of a 2012 25th anniversary Graceland tour featuring all of the musicians who initially played on Simon's seminal 1987 album - here's a brief retrospective on this historic band.

Endurance
They were formed in the early 1960s, making this their 6th decade of live performance.

The Name
Ever wondered what their name means? I sure have. "Ladysmith" derives from founder Joseph Shabalala's rural South African hometown, "Black" is a reference to oxen, which are widely accepted as the strongest of all farm animals, and "Mambazo" is the Zulu word for axe. Why axe? Because it symbolizes the group's vocal ability to chop down all other competition. Throughout the '60s, the ensemble was literally banned from South African vocal competitions because no other entrants could rival their talent.

Dispelling Myths
While the band does perform Gospel music, the collective message of its body of work is not specific to any one religion. Shabalala remains clear on this point, that the music is designed to "evoke enthusiasm and excitement, regardless of what you follow spiritually."

Origin of Music
Ladysmith delivers a traditional style of music called Isicathamiya which was developed in the mines of South Africa many years ago. Similar to former slave culture here in the United States, South African mine workers were plucked from their homes and families to work in poor conditions with minimal pay. After a grueling six-day work week, workers would rejuvenate by singing Isicathamiya songs well into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Graceland
If you're one of the lucky ones, you'll catch Ladysmith returning to the stage alongside Paul Simon for a tour in support of the 25th anniversary of Graceland. Graceland is Simon's career-defining recording that won the 1986 GRAMMY Award for Best Album, featuring Ladysmith's vocal backing on several tracks.

They've Performed for Who??
Ladysmith has performed for the Queen of England and the Royal Family, Pope John Paul II, multiple South African Presidents, and at two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies.

After all this juicy knowledge, I'm sorry to report that this show is sold-out, but they'll surely be back at The Barns in years to come. Keep an eye out for those Graceland tour tickets.

Summer 2012 at Wolf Trap: Symphony

Summer is hot on our heels and there is a lot to look forward to! We've added some great shows to our National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at Wolf Trap series and I am here to tell you a little bit about them. If you've never had the experience of hearing the NSO play at the Filene Center, you really ought to give it a try. There is something indescribably beautiful about hearing a full orchestra play outside. Plus there is an NSO discount! If you buy tickets to three or more NSO shows you receive a 20% discount on your in-house seats. It really is a steal.


The Legend of
ZELDA
Live in Concert
Symphony of the Goddesses– July 26, 2012 @ 8:30pm
Like many Nintendo games The Legend of Zelda is widely praised for its emotionally dynamic soundtracks. With the first version of this game released in 1986 the beloved protagonist Link has been leading people on fantastic adventures for nearly 26 years. This is really a show for everyone, gamers and non alike. Avid fans, we encourage you to come dressed as your favorite Zelda character. If you ever thought, “when will I ever wear these green tights in public?” Well, here’s your chance! And for the rest of you, no pressure—sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy the show. It’ll be a good one.


The Planets – An HD Odyssey - July 27, 2012 @ 8:30pm
Okay, so this is a show that some of you may not know what to make of but hear me out. Imagine sitting on the lawn, the sun is setting and pockets of night are growing quickly around you. Close your eyes. The NSO is on stage, reverberating music through the park. You listen ominously as horns begin to blow—quietly at first, then louder and louder as if you're careening toward them. Trumpets blare in a blazing crescendo, your eyes snap open and you see the magnificent red Bringer of War –it’s the planet Mars. But not as you’ve ever seen it before, it’s closer, brighter, it’s anything but stagnant—in fact it seems very much alive. It's the new HD planet footage from NASA brought to life by Gustav Holst's majestic score. Wolf Trap is a one-of-a-kind venue in many ways but it’s shows like this that really maximize its potential. As the music takes you journeying through the open air there are no boundaries between you and The Planets.


An Evening with
Idina Menzel – August 3, 2012 @ 8:15pm
“Oh my gosh it’s Elphaba!” is what the crazy person sitting next to you will exclaim as goose bumps creep up your arms and you secretly, silently, think the same. It’s okay to get excited. I am! It’s been two years since Idina Menzel first graced the Wolf Trap Filene Center stage and we are delighted to have her return. Menzel is a Tony award-winning powerhouse revered as one of the most stunning voices of our time. Her fame has sky rocketed since her performance as Maureen in Rent, Elphaba in Wicked, and her recurring role as Rachel Berry's birth mother on Glee. The one thing I want to emphasize about this performance is to get your tickets now! The last time she was here the show sold out. Seriously, Menzel’s killer vocals backed by D.C.’s NSO on a night under the stars is an experience you will kick yourself for passing up.


West Side Story – August 4, 2012 @ 8:30pm
Could it be? Yes, it could. Something’s comin’, something good! The Sharks and the Jets, Maria and Tony—West Side Story is a musical staple with a story that remains relevant despite the constructs of time. As a dancer and GRAMMY nominated shower-singer West Side Story is one of my all time favorite shows/movies. The film has been re-mastered so you will see the original choreography by Jerome Robins in high definition on giant screens with all the original vocals and dialogue intact. I hope to see you out on the lawn where the air will be hummin’ as something great will be comin’!

So that's a taste of what's new on our NSO agenda. But don't forget about the previously announced shows that are already on sale: Broadway ROCKS!, The Music of John Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, The Wizard of Oz, and Beethoven's 9th.

Tickets go on sale to Members before the general public so if you want to get your tickets first, sign up to become a Member. Also, don't forget about our student discount! If a show is not sold out, students can buy in-house tickets at half price 30 minutes before the performance begins.

Altan at The Barns: The Wolf Trap Review

The following post is written by Lauren Smith, Wolf Trap's Spring copy writing intern.

“Are you well?” lead singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh asked a slightly subdued audience in her enchanting accent (one that can only belong to someone whose first language is Gaelic) at Tuesday night’s Altan concert at The Barns. The pillar of traditional Irish music then began their opening number, also the first track from their new album Gleann Nimhe (The Poison Glen). The crowd was certainly more responsive to the second inquiry of “Are you well? We hope you’re well!” from the angel-voiced darling of Celtic fiddle, and their energy, as well as the band’s, continued to grow throughout the night.

Most of the material the group played was from their new record, a body of work rife with classic tunes from Celtic greats like O’Carolan, more modern legends like Mhaonaigh’s father, Proínsias, and Altan originals. The concert’s second number gave the audience their first live taste of the force of nature that is Mhaonaigh’s voice, and since “Caitlin Triall,” like much of the concert, was sung completely in Gaelic, the vocal beauty—at once dusky and inarguably powerful as well as high and clear as a bell—captivated their focus.

What is perhaps most intriguing about Irish music is that neither instruments nor voices hit a pitch and stay there, but rather frequently slide gracefully over a range of notes before allowing the word or phrase to find its home, creating intricate melodies in what would be a single note in most other genres. This technique was particularly evident in the sea chanty whose English translation is “White Sails,” the first song of the evening that included Ciarán Tourish’s and Dáithí Sproule’s vocal harmonizing with Mhaonaigh following a blissfully simple guitar intro. The group followed this tune with the first song in English, “The Blackest Crow,” a touchingly poetic American traditional love song. Closing the first set was “Dónal Agus Mórag,” showcasing Mhaonaigh’s true range, from deep and yearning to breezy and clear, and featured accordionist Dermot Byrne, who had been to this point rather quiet.

Following intermission, the group continued gathering steam, alternating between fast and furious jigs and reels and sweet, simple love songs, never ceasing to inspire awe in the unparalleled instrumentalism. It’s hard to pick a highlight of the concert, with so much variety and sheer talent to choose from, but the new album’s closing number, “The House on the Corner,” composed by Sproule, which presented the fullest showcase for the whole band’s ability to play as an infallible ensemble is certainly a contender. I have to say, however, that the encore really got me, a mournful ballad called “Ah Ghealog (The Bunting)” (that was the best example of the trademark lofty, otherworldly voice that has made Mhaonaigh and Altan as a whole one of the most successful traditional Irish bands) followed by a fast-paced, high-spirited dance number that brought two local musicians to the stage and a few audience members to dance in the aisles. The concert’s conclusion brought the entire audience to its feet in appreciation of stellar musicianship and the spirit of the Emerald Isle.

Summer 2012 at Wolf Trap: A Little Bit of Country

Country music has taken a bit of a backseat in Wolf Trap's summer lineup during the past couple of seasons. No real rhyme or reason for it; mostly because a lot of the musicians that cater to our size venue (7k seats) weren't actively touring. The Filene Center has welcomed its fair share of country musicians throughout the years. Travis Tritt, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Toby Keith are just a few huge names that have passed through, and likely will again at some point during their careers. Country music has seen a massive resurgence in the past few years. Heck Taylor Swift is almost on the level of being the current face of American music. We've also heard and responded to our fans who, after noticing the hiatus, have politely inquired about the possibility of slotting more country into our summer schedule. So, with 74 shows booked thus far for summer 2012, country music is back on the docket.

Martina McBride w/ Special Guest: David Nail - June 13, 2012 @ 8pm

It must be a prerequisite for a country star to be gorgeous. Aside from the fact that she's a total knockout, Martina McBride is a born entertainer. If you've ever seen videos of her performing in front of her usual crowd of thousands or tens of thousands, she possesses the innate ability to whip people into a total frenzy. And when she's not dashing back and forth on-stage hollering "COME ON!" or leading a massive clap-along to hits like "Independence Day," she's got you in the palm of her hand with heartfelt ballads that showcase her bond to the common American woman. No chance this show doesn't sell out, so become a member now for advance ticket access or set your smart phone calendars to wake you up with a Martina McBride song on the morning of the March 24th on-sale.



Mary Chapin Carpenter with Special Guest: Loudon Wainwright III - August 18 at 8pm

Mary Chapin Carpenter is the perfect cocktail of part country, part folk-rock, and part pop. This blend of sound keeps her songs eternally interesting and engaging for an audience that likes country, but appreciates other influences in song-writing. MCC is a local gal who has made somewhat of a home away from home here at Wolf Trap. Her 2011 summer performance was cancelled as a concession to unfortunate weather circumstances, which split the difference on public opinion. We don't like cancelling shows and hardly ever do, but felt it was in the best interest of everyone's safety to have folks remain indoors. This year, I predict 85 degrees, no humidity, and a beautiful bed of stars. Even if not, she'll be back and fired up to satisfy her fans who had to wait an extra year to see her at Wolf Trap.



Alan Jackson - August 19 @ 8pm

Alan Jackson is a superstar among country superstars. He's been one of the stalwarts within what has become a pretty saturated country market over the last two decades. IMHO, his success stems from his unique hybrid sound of honky-tonk, mainstream country, and neo-traditional country. There are not many like him out there. He's sold over 50 million albums (WOW) and racked up 35 No. 1 hits. Like McBride, Jackson is an artist who has built his career largely on the strength of his voice and showmanship qualities, so the pristine sound and intimacy of the Filene Center will make it seem like he's performing in your backyard. This is one of the can't miss shows of the summer.

A Dozen Beers, Imported Cider, and Chili to Die for - The Barns Has So Much More Than Music!

This post is from T.J. Pluck, Director, Concessions, and Mark McElroy, Assistant Director, Concessions.

The Barns at Wolf Trap is known for its diverse musical offerings, the natural setting, and the way sounds reverberate throughout the building. The Barns also has a rich history and perhaps even a secret or two. One “secret” in particular is starting to spread…

The Barns has a full bar and an extensive food menu that's sure to complement any performance! The bar opens 90 minutes before each show and has many delicious options. Since it's located on-site, you have plenty of time to enjoy your meal and you won’t miss your show.

Whether you are looking for an appetizer, sandwich, dessert, or something to simply warm you up (or cool you down), The Barns’s menu has options to appease even the pickiest eater. My personal favorite is The Barns’s chili. Sorry, I’m not at liberty to divulge the recipe (another Barns “secret”) but it is FANTASTIC. If the thought of delicious chili doesn’t make your mouth water, here’s the full food menu.

Need something to whet your whistle? We feature many beers – local, domestic and imported! On draft we have a Lagunitas IPA from California and a local Lost Rhino Pacific Pilsner from just down the road - Ashburn, Virginia. We also offer six domestic bottled beers, six imported bottled beers, and even an imported dry cider! For the wine connoisseur, we offer seven white wine and eight red wine options. And just when you think we can’t fit anything else behind the bar, we also offer a full liquor bar – and our talented bartenders would be happy to create one of their signature cocktails for you. Not drinking? We also have soft drinks, coffee, cappuccino, lattes and fruit smoothies! The full drink menu is located here.

When you’re planning your evening, keep in mind we have tables inside and outside for seating. If you’d like to finish your meal and drinks in the bar, not a problem! Music is piped into the bar once the performance begins, so you won’t be rushed to finish your meal. But don’t forget – food and beverages can be taken into The Barns, so you can enjoy them during the performance too.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in the bar at The Barns. Arrive early since seating is limited – and bring your appetite.

Songs o’ Gold: The Rich History of Irish Music

Today's post is written by Lauren Smith, Wolf Trap’s Spring Copywriting Intern

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Having a fascination with all things Irish—James Joyce, rainbows, and Colcannon potatoes for starters—my celebration begins early with a stack of Irish music CDs for my morning commute. In honor of the upcoming holiday, I bring you a brief history of Irish music.

The musical history of Celtic tribes who inhabited the Emerald Isle before modern civilization has unfortunately been lost amidst the area’s frequent political upheaval. The musicality of the Gaelic language, however, ensured music’s permanence within Irish society. The tunes women hummed during chores, the drinking songs that wafted from pubs late at night, and the rebel anthems that scored historic periods of the country’s unrest pass from generation to generation as oral tradition. Rebel songs constitute both musical culture and historic documentation. One traditional refrain “The Dying Rebel,” characteristic of many rebel hymns, tells of a soldier killed during 1916’s infamous Easter Rising (an attempt to rid Ireland of British rule). The song also appears in Martin McDonagh’s modern play The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

But how did Irish music find its way into American culture? Nearly two centuries after the first wave of Irish immigration, the traditional ceili band—usually composed of accordion, banjo, fiddle, tin whistle, and flute—cropped up in east coast pubs and dance halls during the Great Depression. It wasn’t until several decades later, however, that Celtic-inspired music gained mainstream recognition. The rise of folk music—which shares aesthetic and cultural elements with Irish bands—helped create a receptive national audience.

A wealth of Celtic performers have graced The Barns stage this winter, including rockers Carbon Leaf and Celtic genre pillars Cherish the Ladies. But if you missed them, have no fear: the luck o’ the Irish is on your side. You still have several opportunities to see Celtic performers at Wolf Trap!

ALTAN (March 6th at 8 pm) made history in 1996, becoming the first Irish band signed to a major US label. The group’s lead singer and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh grew up in Donegal, learning music from her father and neighbors. The group advocates the preservation of traditional Donegal fiddle music, and when you hear them, you’ll become an advocate, too: it’s impossible to resist being captivated by Mhaonaigh’s hauntingly beautiful voice and the adept bowing and clear flute melodies the band floats effortlessly through the air. To purchase tickets for Altan, click here.

CELTIC CROSSROADS (March 20th and 21st at 8 pm) hails from Ireland’s Galway City. Founded in 2005, this relatively new force in Celtic music masterfully blends traditional fiddle, flute, and step dancing with gypsy melodies, jazz, and bluegrass. Irish favorites like “Galway Girl,” rousing traditional jigs, and tender ballads (as well as the occasional American icon like “Cotton-Eyed Joe”) pave the way to the modern Celtic music pot of gold. To purchase tickets for Celtic Crossroads, click here.

Other upcoming Irish shows of interest:

Karl Scully on March 8 at 8pm
A wonderful young tenor who has appeared extensively across Europe and the U.S., performing in world-renowned venues both as a solo act and as part of the widely celebrated Irish Tenors.

The Irish Rovers on March 14 at 8pm
This show is sold-out, but it's worth getting familiar with this band of native Irish musicians who are known for their high-energy, infectious live performances.