jazz in d.c. for teens
 

We will be visiting d.c. in mid June and our family really loves jazz and although my husband and I get to enjoy an evening of it once in a while, our children (who are bigger fans than us!) don't because of their ages (13 & 15). Is there anywhere we can take the kids in d.c. to enjoy good jazz.
One more question... would we look like total losers schleping our luggage from metro station to our hotel (2 blocks)? Metro is so much cheaper than taxi 8^)

The latter q is from my teen son. Heaven forbid that he look like a loser.lol
Thanks

Check what's at the Kennedy Center.

I just visited their website and it looks like they have "jazz club" performances often, although the posted schedule only went through the end of May.

Also, they have free performances at 6:00 pm every day at the Millennium Stage. Offerings vary, again the current website schedule only has through the end of May, but today was Univ. of NC Greensboro Jazz Ensemble, so you might get lucky and have a free jazz show while your in town.

You won't be in NYC May 19 by any chance? If so, check out this web site http://www.jazzatlincolncenter.org/prod/elli/
There will be an amazing concert that night featuring the top 3 high school bands with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. Your teens will LOVE it.

<<One more question... would we look like total losers schleping our luggage from metro station to our hotel>>
you will not be alone in schelpping your luggage two blocks from the metro. many people schelp a lot and much further. some even require help getting on and off the metro with all their suitcases, strollers, groceries, shopping trolleys, etc.

You may also want to check the military band schedules. They frequently offer free concerts and I know that there are some jazz ensembles. I've done internet searches to find this info, but, sorry, I didn't keep the websites. There is also a famous jazz club in DC that has early Sunday evening shows and serves food so I suspect that they allow under 21 yr olds in. I researched because my son is a big sax fan, but the timing of a show didn't work out for us. I think the name is Blues Alley. Also check the Washington post entertainment section on line and you can check schedules for jazz clubs and concerts. As far as luggage, goes, no you will not look like losers, everyone does it and if you are there during commute hours, you will see lots of business people with their luggage, too. It is much faster (and cheaper!) than a taxi.

Check out this website for a list of jazz clubs...some of the places have websites, and all of the places have numbers you can call to see if your kids can get in.

You might also want to consider a jazz brunch if you'll be here over a weekend. Chef Geoff's near American University has jazz brunch, but is not really metro accessible.

Also check out www.washingtonpost.com and click on their entertainment section. A search for jazz brunch yielded a Sunday evening jazz performance at Tabard Inn (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...2&typeId=5).

ooh - i love the Tabard Inn. they serve great food too.

Three possibilities for an authentic jazz club and the best in jazz music in D.C. : Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, and Twins Jazz. All 3 have addresses and phone numbers on www.dcjazz.com
BTW, you'll fit right in schlepping luggage from metro station to motel. Tip- find the ELEVATOR at the metro (you may have to ask where it is).

There is a small jazz/blues club on 14th St. NW called HR57... I don't believe they have a liquor license (BYOB) so they may let kids in.

Check out the Wednesday jazz series at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Something different and not touristy.

http://www.corcoran.org/campaign/campaign_programs.htm

I saw advertisement for Jazz in a Metro Station & even went back & read it ... unfortunately I cannot remember where the free jazz was to be presented - none of the above items sounds like it.

If any DC readers see this, I think the poster (a legal one) was at the Judiciary Sq station, Nat'l Bldg Museum exit.

When you get to DC, pick up The City Paper. It is free and comes out on Thursday and lists absolutely everything going on. I call it the entertainment bible here.

If you cannot find The City Paper, The Washington Post has a Weekend Section that comes out on Friday's that lists a lot of goings on. It is not as complete as The City Paper, but you still should find some jazz in there.