Record Store Day at various locations, Saturday
Five years ago, a handful of folks in the music industry grew tired of all the bad press surrounding the supposed demise of record stores. With everything now online, record stores were destined for a spot next to typewriter repair shops and haberdasheries in the great shopping center in the sky. Heck, just look at the fate of Tower Records, which faded out in 2006.
“We knew it wasn’t the case, actually,” said Record Store Day co-founder Carrie Colliton.
To counter the negative publicity, Colliton and her cohorts created Record Store Day. The day is marked with in-store performances and special, limited releases. Hundreds of independent record stores around the country participate.
“People are recognizing how special record stores are to them,” Colliton said, whose day job is director of marketing for the Music Monitor Network.
Colliton cites the ritual and intimacy of visiting a record store: digging through the stacks, selecting a piece of vinyl, taking it home, removing the black circle from the sleeve, putting the album on the turntable and listening to a side.
It’s a far cry from MP3s and earbuds.
“There’s something about it,” Colliton said. “You concentrate a little bit more.”
When: All day
Info: For participating record stores near you, visit recordstoreday.com
“The Big Lebowski” at E Street Cinema, Friday and Saturday
You know it, you love it. The Coen brothers’ classic, about a Creedence-loving, bowling slacker who goes by the name of the Dude and seeks restitution for a damaged rug, screens for two consecutive midnights at E Street Cinema. The Dude abides.
When: Midnight
Info: $11; landmarktheatres.com
That ’80s Prom at BlackFinn, Saturday
Looking back, it seems like people either loved their high school prom, or hated it. With the fifth annual That ’80s Prom at Black Finn on Saturday, the opinion will clearly be that of the former. Enjoy an open bar from 8 to 10 p.m., drink specials after that, an ’80s costume contest and entertainment from hair metal cover band Hair Raid and Retro DJ Johnny Arcade.
When: 8 p.m. to close
Info: $35; that80sprom.com
Bad Brains at the Howard Theatre, Saturday
The legendary D.C. hard-core band sold out Friday’s show at the Howard Theatre, so the group added a second date, Saturday. With GZA.
When: 8 p.m.
Info: $29; thehowardtheatre.com
Earth Day OysterStock at Poste, Sunday
Lots and lots of oysters highlight this event, which also includes local beer and wine, cocktails, an oyster-eating contest, and live music from Wes Tucker & the Skillets, the WeatherVanes, and the Joe Chiocca Band. The fest benefits the Oyster Recovery Program.
When: 2 p.m. to sunset
Info: $75; postebrasserie.com
