Jason Isbell – Baltimore Magazine

Weekend Lineup: June 30-July 2

Lydia Woolever — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

EAT

June 30: Sac and Pizza

Paulie Gee’s, 3535 Chestnut Ave. 9 p.m. Free.

When you think of New Orleans, you don’t necessarily think of pizza, but this Friday, head to the back bar of Paulie Gee’s in Hampden for slices of pie alongside the Big Easy sound of Sac Au Lait. The quirky six-piece is known around Charm City for their energy and humor, and has performed everywhere from bars and restaurants to parades and Mardi Gras festivals for more than 10 years. Just don’t miss the “Stinger Bell,” named after Idris Elba’s infamous character from The Wire, and covered with mozzarella, lemon slices, and fresh basil.

DRINK

July 1-2: Hysteria Brewing Company Grand Opening

Hysteria Brewing Company, 9570 Berger Road, Columbia. Sat. 12-11 p.m., Sun. 8-11 p.m. Free.

Just as Maryland’s beer scene seems like its about to burst, along comes Hysteria Brewing Company, ready to join the ranks in Columbia. During their grand opening weekend, test their new brews in a pop-up beer garden, with local food trucks, lawn games, and live music. Check out the new digs with group tours and come back a week later when they open for full service. The weekend’s festivities are family friendly—just leave your four-legged friends at home.

SEE

July 1 through 2018: Reverend Albert Lee Wagner’s Miracle at Midnight

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Tue.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$15.95.

One small moment in time was all it took for Albert Lee Wagner to have an epiphany that would completely alter the course of his life. On the eve of his 50th birthday, the Cleveland moving-company owner was struck by the inspiration to start marking art. His hobby progressed into a movement, and Wagner (who went onto become a reverend) became one of America’s most prominent visionary artists with his plethora of bold and colorful paintings and sculptures. Commemorating that pivotal eureka moment and the man himself, this new exhibit will include more than 50 of his recently donated masterpieces, including the featured Red Sea.

HEAR

June 30: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.7:30 p.m. $40-55.

Okay, so we’re suggesting you go to Columbia a lot this weekend, but with summer concert season officially upon us, it’s time to shake out that old camping blanket and head over to Merriweather for some quality lawn time. This Friday, hear the acclaimed musical sounds of former Drive-By Truckers frontman Jason Isbell and his four-piece band. Since his departure from the group in 2007, the singer-songwriter has pursued a successful solo career, and his blues-riddled Southern sound is perfect for a warm summer night beneath the stars.

DO

June 30: Baltimore Bike Party: 2000s

Ride starts at St. Mary’s Park, 600 N. Paca St. Party starts at Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St. 6:30 p.m. Free.

Throw it back to the days of Avril Lavigne, MySpace, and trucker hats with this month’s Baltimore Bike Party. In a celebration of the early aughts, the monthly bike ride will end with an outdoor party at Lexington market, complete with DJs, food vendors, and Heavy Seas beers. After avoiding potholes and obeying traffic signals, flaunt your best “Hey Ya” dance moves in your low-rise, boot-cut jeans.

Source

My Morning Jacket Rocks Merriweather Post Pavilion

Jess Mayhugh — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:39:00 +0000

Earlier in the spring, we let you know that Merriweather Post Pavilion was undergoing some major renovations to update its nearly 50-year-old facade. Last night we got to see it first-hand as psychedelic rockers My Morning Jacket and Southern singer-songwriter Jason Isbell took the stage.

What was apparent right away were the more convenient west plaza renovations (to the right of the stage) that included a larger merchandise area and additional concession stands. There were barely any lines for food or drink, which now includes a variety of options like Hoffman’s pulled pork sandwiches, flavored frozen margaritas, and beer from Union Craft Brewing. Having those stands to the right of the stage was ideal proximity for those seated in the pavilion.

In regards to the show itself, Jason Isbell—former guitarist of the Drive-By Truckers who went solo in 2007—was a poignant and emotional opening act. A particular highlight was love song “Cover Me Up” off his critically acclaimed album Southeastern. His poetic songwriting shined through, both in the quiet moments of just him and his acoustic and the more forceful vocals backed by a talented band.

As the sun fell, the lights came on for headliner My Morning Jacket who, believe it or not, has been around for nearly 20 years. The Louisville natives create genre-defying music that dabbles in country, roots, jam, and rock. Frontman Jim James is a thrill to watch live, from his glowstick-lined blazer to all of his dizzying guitar solos. He even made mention that drummer Patrick Hallahan has spent a lot of time in Baltimore and loves the city.

The two-hour set included tracks off MMJ’s latest album The Waterfall and also crowd favorites “Off The Record,” “I’m Amazed,” “Gideon,” and the concluding crescendo of the ever-popular “One Big Holiday.” The tour is taking the band around the world but they’ll return to the East Coast in the fall.

Source

Cumberland’s DelFest: Bluegrass Meets Bicycling

Ron Cassie — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:58:00 +0000

Go for the music.

Started by the Grammy-winning, York, PA-born Del McCoury eight years ago, DelFest offers some of the best bluegrass in the country each year, including Old Crow Medicine Show, Trampled by Turtles, Railroad Earth, and Jason Isbell this Memorial Day weekend. (Jason Isbell and his wife Amanda Shires’ recent performance on The Late Show was one of the highlights of David Letterman’s closing run of musical guests.)

But spread over four days and nights—and late nights—music starts Thursday afternoon and goes to 3:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the 8th annual DelFest in Cumberland also offers a rare chance to mix Western Maryland camping, hiking and biking with music.

Sitting along the Potomac River at the base of the Appalachian Mountains, Cumberland was once an important railroad and canal junction and western gateway. Today, at the nexus of two of the top bicycling trails in the eastern U.S.—the C&O Canal, which begins in D.C., and the Great Allegheny Passage, which runs to Pittsburgh—downtown Cumberland has experienced a rebirth of sorts as a bicycling and recreational sports hub.

Stringing the two trails together, bicyclists literally come through Cumberland from all over the world today to ride from the Nation’s Capital to the Steel City (or vice versa) on 330 connected, car-free miles, either camping or staying in small town lodging and B&B’s along the way.

At DelFest, hosted at Cumberland’s Allegany County Fairgrounds, all multi-day passes include on-site, walk-in camping with RV hookups also available. The family friendly environment includes activities for kids, including, of course, biking or hiking on either one of the two trails.

There are a ton of bike shops situated on or near the two trails, including the Cumberland Trail Connection, which is seated right where the two trails come together downtown. Most shops rent bikes and provide shuttle service, if necessary. Many of the lodging facilities, including Cumberland’s The Inn on Decatur and Frostburg’s Trail Inn, offer bike and hike-friendly services as well.

We’re going to be doing some biking and camping ourselves this weekend in Cumberland, looking forward not just to the scenic mountain air—the weather looks great, by the way—but DelFest’s great music, too.

We should probably note that the local legends and festival namesake, the Del McCoury Band, won a “Best Bluegrass Album” Grammy in 2014 for their work, The Streets of Baltimore.

Source