All this week–and perhaps longer, though I only noticed on Monday–Dupont South Metro exit has been the bandstand for an impressive duo of street musicians. Two men, one on violin and the other on 5-string electric bass, set up music stands, speakers, and a money jar and let fly with surprisingly inspired takes on the favorites. On three mornings I’ve heard rock hits, jazz standards (”Summertime” was this morning’s treat), and the odd blues number.

Joshua Bell it ain’t, but these guys are worth a five-minute stop on your way to that 9 a.m. meeting.

Last evening’s concert at the Kennedy Center turned out to be two separate acts, the Dave Brubeck Quartet followed by the Ramsey Lewis Trio, rather than the monumental duet concert I was expecting, but there was nothing disappointing about it. Each delivered a phenomenal set–Brubeck a program of standards and surprisingly contemporary sounds, Lewis one of his own gospel roots and gospel-tinged originals, capped off by their respective hits, “Take Five” and “The In Crowd.”

During both, I was sitting in a side tier with a charming lady, perhaps in her late sixties, who told me stories between sets of seeing Brubeck, Stan Getz, and others on the West Coast Jazz scene of the 1950s. When I told her that I was a freelance music critic, she got a funny smile on her face.

“Do you know a fellow named Ian MacKaye?” she asked.

“Of course,” I replied.

“My daughter lived with him for about 20 years,” she said. “He’s an amazing man, and he really encouraged her in her own art.”

I was sitting with the mother of Cynthia Connolly–longtime Dischord promotions director, D.C. scenester, and author of Banned in DC: Photos and Anecdotes From the DC Punk Underground (79–85).

Between that and the two divergent pianists on the stage, I can only conclude that the Kennedy Center has a unique ability to bring people together.

A friend of mine was reviewing the show. I came along! And thought:

1) Far too many people in the Washington area have gone through the first two-thirds of their lives without any meaningful feedback about their wardrobe choices.
Long-sleeved black T-shirt tucked in and belted to tapered jeans plus white Reeboks? Suit jacket (not sportscoat) over white oxford and jeans? Any number of other tucking-in-and-belting offenses? Look, I know what this town is. But can we not do even a little better? Oh, and what’s with the semi-Celtic dancing?

2) Winning the “My Grammy Moment” contest is no guarantee of future results.
There she was, an emolliated beacon in the darkness of desiccation (though to be fair, Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman still looked excellent; must be those “Time After Time” royalties): Ann Marie Calhoun. You know, the lady who won the Grammy contest and got to perform with the Foo Fighters as a result. Jason Bateman said her name! And now…she’s onstage at the Birchmere with the Hooters. I mean, it could be worse: She could be appearing on Larry King with Ringo Starr or guesting at Disco Biscuits shows…oh wait.

3) God help me if I ever get divorced.
A potentially all-consuming terror of dating at my age took root when I saw people even older than me doing it. Though it was pretty sweet to not be the geeziest person in the room for a change.

4) Fear a band with a short drive ahead of them.
You know they’re gonna break out the Elvis Costello covers.

5) The word “Hooters”? Still funny.
Did not see any, though. I think I’ll stick to covering country.