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Nightwatch -- Live
Hosted by Eric Brace
Washington Post Nightwatch columnist
Friday, May 10, 2002; 1 p.m. EST
Where's the best karaoke joint? What's the best brewpub around? Who was that band that rocked at the Black Cat last week? For the answer to any going-out-in-Washington question, just ask Eric Brace -- our resident nightwatchman.
This week, Eric is joined by Alice Despard, the owner of Arlington's popular Galaxy Hut bar and nightclub, and leader of the Alice Despard Group. She can answer questions about running a club, booking live music, or being a local artist.
From backstage at the annual Wammies (Washington's own Grammy Awards) to karaoke at Renzo's to salsa dancing at Cecilia's, every week Post staff writer Eric Brace throws himself on the front lines of the bar-n'-music beat in the Washington area. A Washington resident for nearly 30 years, Brace started with the Style section in 1990, where he wrote live music reviews and filed longer feature stories on the likes of Fugazi, Jawbox, Pearl Jam, Stephane Grappelli and many others. Then he created the Nightwatch column, which appears every week in The Post's Weekend section and on washingtonpost.com's Bars and Clubs page. He also sings and plays guitar for the country-rock band Last Train Home.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Hey there folks,
Thanks for checking in today on this fine sunny friday.
Any big plans for the weekend? Where you going? Who you gonna see? VIP opens on Saturday.... anyone going?
Today I've got my friend Alice Despard as my guest. Alice owns the cool Arlington club Galaxy Hut and makes swell music of her own. So she'll answer any questions you have about all that and anything else...
let's hit it!
e
West Clarendon, Va.:
Alice, what do we have to do to get karaoke back? Promise to best your best friends, er, customers? Drink lots? We do that already! It was the coolest karaoke night in town, and I'm sure lots of people miss it.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: hey, there, west clarendon,
i never forbade karaoke at the hut...i think it's been a great feature NOW AND THEN. it's really up to the staff
(not to put undue pressure on Ben...Ben?)...tuesdays would be great for karaoke and i know Ben still has the machine stashed somewhere.. i think we could host it more often if it were limited to a strict two-hour or so window. so i'll talk to Ben again..and you are welcome to approach him also, gently please!
DC:
For Alice: I love that the concerts at the Hut are free. How do you manage that?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: due purely to the love and goodwill of the wonderful musicians who come through the Hut and are willing to play for a percentage of the bar's gross receipts, which is never, i assure you, big clams. they love what they do and are willing to put themselves out there for practically nothing...all i can say is they truly deserve your support, especially since it costs you nothing to show up! thanks for that question..it's an important point that musicians playing original music play for love, not money, for the most part. the great thing about not having a cover is that folks are left with more money in their pockets to support the bands through buying their swag...cds, t-shirts, etc. put money in their gas tanks and finance their recording projects (if they do better than just break even. we're talking major sacrifices.
Washington, D.C.:
Hey Eric, I just read that the Black Cat is seeking a license to expand the club from a 400 capacity to a 1,000 person capacity. Know anything about this? We need a club that capacity (400), not that it wouldn't be nice to see seth get some competition if Dante goes to a capacity of a 1,000!
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Hi, Eric here.
I hadn't heard about a request for an increase in the fire code numbers at Black Cat.
I know the upstairs concert room can certainly hold more than 400 people, And I wouldn't blame Dante for wanting to increase the legal capacity to closer to what the room can actually hold. When the club was the Cage, capacity was legally less then 400...which is insane. The equation for determining capacity is very bizarre.. it includes number of bathrooms.. number of parking places, number of exits... it's NOT just square footage. The local fire marshalls have been really giving clubs a heard time about capacity issues lately, in D.C., I hear, so if what you say is true, I thik Dante jsut wants to stay on the right side of the law.
Both Seth and Dante swear they are no longer competing with each other... that they are complementary in their bookings. They maybe bid on the same touring act once or twice a month...
Washington, D.C.:
Eric: How did dc come up with the D.C. sessions idea for this summer, or was it corporate giant Coke that came to D.C.? Ecletic line up, don't you think?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Wednesday, the Atlanta-based Mad Booking announced DC SEssions, free outdoor concerts taking place every friday this summer beginning June 1. They'll be in Front of the Museum of American Art, at 8th and G sts NW. three or four bands a night.. including folks like Cake and Better than Ezra.. that kind of thing.
The woman behind Mad Booking used to work in Washington with the Cellar Door Company... she does a similar outdoor concert series in Atlanta and Nashville every summer, and because of her DC connection, she thought that would be her next venue.
Coke paid the big corporate dollars to be the "title" sponsors...
Washington Post is one of the "media sponsors"...
HELP!:
Hi Eric-- I hope we can ask you general questions today-- perhaps your guest can help with this as well.
Two rad 26-yr-old girls, SICK of our usual beloved haunts (Pharmacy, Big Hunt, Bedrock) and very cash poor, are desperately looking for something new and fun to do tonight. Reef is a possibility but we've been there a couple times and wouldn't mind branching out. Drinks, good cheap food, and a the presence of hip boys are all considerations. Also, we're DC snobs (though we love Galazy Hut!) and would prefer to stay within the district. Please assist!
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Eric here:
Have you tried Toka on 19th st? I like that.. rad food, drink, boys and girls. It's a little sleek, perhaps for your tastes, judging by the places you've listed...
How about Aroma?... Or tonight, go to Medaterra on Conn ave and dance some salsa to the band Sin Miedo.. great tapas there too.
Fire Fish:
First, Let me extend props to you for carrying that Allegash Bottled Ale. I had it last week and dammmmmm is it yummy.
Second, How much does running a business cramp your style? I am just beginning to look into ways to get out of the 9-5 noose. I look at the club model and it seems to kill some owners, while others thrive. What is the secret personality trait one needs?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: running the bar cramps my style only a little teensy bit.
i love it but the secreat is to stay small and flexible and trust your staff to hold the fort. no room for micromanagement
Arlington, VA:
Alice, how do you decide what art goes on the walls? I love the current display of your children's. Does one talk to the bartender about showing?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Stuart Chandler, my husband, is the "curator" of the Hut's art. he is open to everything.
contact him at stuchandler@hotmail.com
we need art!!!
DC:
So Alice, I've noticed that on the wall by the bar there are a bunch of pictures of people in G-Hut t-shirts on a beach with a big Galaxy Hut flag? What is the origin of that and is that the official bar flag? Awesome. Where can I get one of those?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: the bar flag does not exist, but the t-shirts do.
wave your freak flag over a ghut t-shirt!
those fotos are of the offical galaxy hut ultimate frisbee team!!
Arlington, VA:
Hey Alice -
Love the Hut - thanks for keeping indie music alive in Arlington.
Do you think you'll play Fort Reno this year? I love to see shows there - I'm looking forward to catching Fugazi, D-Plan, Metropolitan, Canyon, etc.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: i think i am slated to play on july 22nd with jenny toomey
washingtonpost.com:
BTW, you can hear Alice's music here on our MP3 site.
Washington, DC:
Alice, I'm going to be honest here. I haven't heard of most of the bands that play at Galaxy Hut. Thus, I don't always go. Is there a way you can put more about them on the website or in your ads? Saying they're from NY doesn't really help.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: this is definitely a problem i've tried to slove with the webmaster, jimmy askew, who has requested that i give more infor for the site on the bands. unfortunately, i cannot kkeep up witht teh booking and promotion end of things as i should. i need an intern...any volunteers?!
Alexandria, Virginia:
Alice, I like coming to Galaxy Hut because of the eclectic beer selection. Are these your favorite beers? What is your favorite beer?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: i have learned over the years what the qualities are which make a fine brew. i am a taster only, as i don't drink alcohol at all!
so my palate is exquisitely sensitive due to the fact that i don't dull it with budweisers
but my curreent faves are allagash white and brooklyn ipa
NVA:
i know what i've always wanted to ask you ...the tables at the Hut! who designed them? who pianted them? and is that Jesus surfing on one of them?
thanks for running such a great place.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: the tables at the hut were designed by the very talented Paul Geary, our beloved ex-bartender who helped build the hut and who still comes in frequently. the table near the bar with all the stuff imbedded in it is a collaboration between Paul and myself
WDC:
yes! bring back karaoke! is it possible that now that lary's back...that he'd be willing to do it? but i heard that the TV somehow got broken, and hence no more karaoke.
also, with that huge shopping plaza springing up in arlington, property values must be going through the roof! are you worried that with the upper class/yuppie trend the neighborhood seems to be heading in, there might not be a place for galaxy hut? not that your loyal customers would ever abonden you....
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: hmmm....i'll have to ask about the tv set up. you may be right.
i'll ask lary and ben.
i'm not worried about the 'hood right now...
they may shove me out eventually but they'd have to change the zoning laws first. there is somehing called "tapering" of building heights from the metro, which requires a two-story building buffer from the abutting neighborhoods.
our two-story crumbling structure serves that purpose and is within the current limits of the law. unless a developer comes in to tear it down and rebuild a two-story commercial building, (which doesn't seem like a money-maker),
i think we're safe. i pray we're safe!!
Dosifey:
Alice,
I got one of my stuffy NE prepster, owns-house-in-Georgetown to the Hut and now have him addicted. I released his inner indie child and he now recommends me to his friends as the guy who knows "the really cool bars with real people."
Amen!
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Amen!
and Alleluia!
Arlington, VA:
Slightly off topic, but curious if you made it out to Arlington to see Hedwig & the Angry Inch. What did you think? It's here until Sunday & if anyone out there hasn't seen it, it's an amazing rock musical (don't be scared by the crazy plot). Definitely better than Mamma Mia...
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: ERic here:
Sadly, I haven't found the time to see this production of Hedwig, which I hear from reputable sources is dang good! Local musicians like my old pal Steve McWilliams are in the band and they are said to rock! It's on through Sunday only, I think..
Fire Fish:
Here's an ongoing debate I have going with with my housemate's band:
If you are going to write beautiful poetic lyrics, shouldn't they be annunciated and 'spoken' clearly when sung? The #1 thing that hooks me to a band is when I am still singing a song days after seeing a gig.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Eric here..
Sometimes those rockin' guitars drown out vocals in a club...
Rock isn't about enunciation.
Maybe folk is.
Court House:
Does Galaxy Hut ever really have Ace Pear Cider on tap?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Eric here: I have it on good authority that Pear Cider is currently on tap.
Glover Park, DC:
Hi there...is there any website associated with DC Sessions that lists the concerts? Or anything on washingtonpost.com? Did a quick search but couldn't find anything.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: I think if you were to go to www.madbooking.com or something like you'll find a link to dcsessions..
Woodley Park, DC:
So is the VIP Club the stupidest name for a club EVER? If not, what is?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Eric here:
well, I gotta say, it's misleading, since it mike keep away people who think they're not VIPs...
But hey! AREN'T WE ALL VIPS!
i AM someBODY!
VIP club is in the space that used to be DC Live.. Fritz and I took a tour last week and it's very very impressive... lots of money went into renovations. It's going for the Dream crowd.. and they'll get it.
Washington, DC:
I love Galaxy Hut. The combination of great beer and great music is hard to compete with in this area and I regularly cross the river to get it. Whatever prompted you to serve barley wine on tap? Dangerous, but I love it. Poi Dog Pondering tonight at the 9:30 Club. Happiest band in America.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: ERic here:
Hey! You're a BEER GEEK!
and I mean that in the nicest way.
I haven't found barleywine on tap at the hut for a while... The Sierra Bigfoot is pretty rocking but Alice doesn't have that now. (alice says it's too heavy for summer so doesn't have any right now at the Hut)
.. last week at Dogfish Head I tasted their Raison D'Extra, a 20% alcohol barley wine that knocked me on my backside
Washington, D.C.:
Is Galaxy Hut the kind of place a girl could go by herself and enjoy the music in (relative) peace? Thanks!!
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: absolutely THE place for a girl to hang, have a pint and chill with a book with nary a bother. i see single ladies scattered about regularly
@
Dosifey:
Who do you like as promising up-and-commers in the regional Indie scene?
It's always nice to see the coprs of emo legends, but do you see a next generation taking shape? It seems that the burgeoning new scene in the metro area is mostly along the alt-country/folk rock line.
Either way, I'm laways happy to see live talent throwing it down night after night.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: i have never been able to pigeone-hole the burgeoning, kaleidoscopic scene which IS the DC scene...and i enjoy so many different aspects of the indie scene that i just try to keep an open mind about each band i see and hear. there are types and genres, but they are constantly manifesting in new ways and it is fascinating, all the time.
i've been observing the scene here since about 1974, as an active musician and fan, and it is inexhaustible!!
Fire Fish:
Is 20% alcohol legal?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: no idea!?
Court House:
Pear cider, yeah, but as of about a month ago, not the Ace. It's so much better than the other (which I can't remember right now).
Also, have you thought about carrying something like Rogue Shakespeare Stout?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: we have carried Rogue Stout! a few years ago...maybe again!
the ACE PEAR is back on tap and has been since january....
alice
Tyson's Corner, VA:
Another unique aspect of G-HUT are the candles which creates a smooth tone to the place. Good stuff. Do you have any stories of people setting things on fire?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: i love candles. i love the mood they cast, the ATMOSPHERE, if you will...ahh, yes, atMOSPHERE!!
most importante...
yes, before we had the oil candles which are unspillable, we had many waxy messes, i can tell you.
and some musicians have been know to pour the wax down their pants in performance, but let's not go there.
Fire Fish:
Well, I know rock isn't about annunciation, and I don't even think folk is, (ex. Dylan)
but as a song writer, don't the words matter?
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: eric here: sure they do... I'm just razzin ya.
Alice Despard and Eric Brace: Eric:
Ok folks, that's all the time we have.. thanks for logging on, and thanks to Alice for being my guest today.
I'll be back on May 31.
Alice:
Thanks everybody, for all the questions and all the nice words about Galaxy Hut! come on down and say hi!
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