you be betty
Joined: February 28, 2005 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1920
The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 11:36 AM UTC
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I've never been…how far/annoying is the drive from DC? Are there any traffic issues?
I'm trying to figure out what the hell I'm going to do on March 23rd…actually, that whole week. Beginning on the 18th. Every band in existance, ever, is coming to DC that week.
set1914
Joined: October 06, 2003 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 165
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 01:51 PM UTC
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It is easy to get to. My only suggestion is to not eat the food there, it is not very good.
J'Mal
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 02:03 PM UTC
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get there early so you get a good table, but yeah, the food ain't the greatest. it's "ok."
it's a very easy drive. c'mon, this is alexandria/arlington border, not richmond.
Rhett Miller
Joined: November 15, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 17762
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 02:05 PM UTC
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If you're going to a show in the BANDSTAND, don't worry about getting there early. There is tabled seating, as well as standing in front of the stage. So in order to see, you have to get up from your table and go stand anyway.
edbert
Joined: October 08, 2002 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 586
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 02:54 PM UTC
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You can do it and only hit about 3 traffic lights total in VA by taking the Ridge Rd flyover from 395 to Mt Vernon Ave.
buddha
Joined: May 13, 2004 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1203
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 03:27 PM UTC
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Originally posted by you be betty:
Beginning on the 18th. Every band in existance, ever, is coming to DC that week.
Yeah, that week is out of control. And March Madness starts around then too. Guess I won't be getting much work done that week…
El Tee
Joined: October 09, 2003 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3809
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 04:24 PM UTC
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Originally posted by you be betty:
I've never been…how far/annoying is the drive from DC? Are there any traffic issues?
Weird.,I was going to pose a similar question. How do you guys recommend getting to Birchmere from North/west VA? Basically, I have two options…66 or 28 to toll road to 495 to 395.
It's much easier (I think) to take the toll road off to 395. It's just longgg. Just curious though, if anyone has any shorter methods. Fx Cty Pkwy cuts off…
I rarely go to Birchmere b/c it's ridiculous that it takes 45 min to an hour (a little over in rush hours) just to get there.
betty - The only issue I've found is the loop off the exit to the venue from 395 N. Plus, the construction and many people walking in the middle of the road. Other than that…it's not horrific. Parking there always pisses me off - the cop boxes everyone in…
you be betty
Joined: February 28, 2005 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1920
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 07:51 PM UTC
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i meant, like, how long does it take to get there…hours/minutes; anything?
chaz
Joined: December 09, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5111
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 07:59 PM UTC
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www.mapquest.com C'mon people…this isn't rocket science.
manimtired
Joined: June 05, 2003 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1432
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 08:03 PM UTC
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arlington is not an hour away from DC…id say 15-30 minutes depending on traffic
bags
Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 8545
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 08:04 PM UTC
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Originally posted by you be betty:
i meant, like, how long does it take to get there…hours/minutes; anything?
From where? …It takes me 15 minutes from D.C. I live in Logan, so very close to the 14th Street Bridge and I get on US1 and I'm almost there. [Commuter times will be longer, maybe 20 minutes, but could be half an hour right at 6:00ish.]
From my old place in Woodley Park, it would've taken 20-25 minutes.
you be betty
Joined: February 28, 2005 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1920
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 08:06 PM UTC
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okay. i live in Bethesda, so i'm probably looking at about 30-45 minutes. i'm going to have to see whether i want to go see Jenny Lewis, or whether i'm going to see The Elected and The Magic Numbers. i also need to find out how the hell both shows can proceed, simultaneously…
HoyaSaxa03
Joined: March 22, 2004 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 7053
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 08:08 PM UTC
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Originally posted by Bags:
From my old place in Woodley Park, it would've taken 20-25 minutes.
about 15 minutes from woodley park too, just hop on the rock creek parkway and you're at the bridge in 5 minutes
chaz
Joined: December 09, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5111
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 08:22 PM UTC
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To be safe you should probably just pack a cooler and leave a day or two early.
El Tee
Joined: October 09, 2003 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 3809
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 17, 2006 at 11:02 PM UTC
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Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
www.mapquest.com
C'mon people…this isn't rocket science.
I've seen stranger questions answered here in a friendly manner. ;)
Oh, and it is rocket science.
chaz
Joined: December 09, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5111
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 18, 2006 at 12:29 AM UTC
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Originally posted by El Sugartastic:
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
www.mapquest.com
C'mon people…this isn't rocket science.
I've seen stranger questions answered here in a friendly manner. :(
Crunchbird
Joined: October 27, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 12
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 18, 2006 at 01:28 AM UTC
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i also need to find out how the hell both shows can proceed, simultaneously
The Birchmere includes two different performances spaces. Their main space has a fairly large stage along one of the long walls, and the audience all sit at tables separated from the stage by a decent distance. Probably holds a few hundred people. The other space, "the Bandstand" is straight ahead when you enter the Birchmere doors. The room feels larger, but due to the layout the actual "floor" in front of the stage is much smaller. As mentioned above, people always fill the floor at Bandstand shows, so if you're sitting at one of the perimeter tables you won't be able to see much of anything once the performance starts.
All that said, I don't think I've ever been to the Birchmere when there were performances going on in both spaces simultaneously. It could still be some sort of glitch in the listings . . .
you be betty
Joined: February 28, 2005 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1920
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 18, 2006 at 04:29 AM UTC
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Originally posted by Crunchbird:
i also need to find out how the hell both shows can proceed, simultaneously
The Birchmere includes two different performances spaces. Their main space has a fairly large stage along one of the long walls, and the audience all sit at tables separated from the stage by a decent distance. Probably holds a few hundred people. The other space, "the Bandstand" is straight ahead when you enter the Birchmere doors. The room feels larger, but due to the layout the actual "floor" in front of the stage is much smaller. As mentioned above, people always fill the floor at Bandstand shows, so if you're sitting at one of the perimeter tables you won't be able to see much of anything once the performance starts.
All that said, I don't think I've ever been to the Birchmere when there were performances going on in both spaces simultaneously. It could still be some sort of glitch in the listings . . .
No, no. I meant…the Elected are playing at 9:30, but 90% of the Elected are playing as well in Jenny Lewis's backup band…
Crunchbird
Joined: October 27, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 12
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 19, 2006 at 02:42 AM UTC
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Birchmere shows start early. The Jenny Lewis show has a 6:00 door and a 7:30 start time. Shows at the 9:30 club start later, and 9:30 may well be the time the doors open.
One night I saw Lhasa play at the Birchmere, then bolted across town to catch My Morning Jacket at the 9:30, and I didn't miss any of either show. Of course, MMJ was the headliner and The Elected are openers, but I'm guessing that even if they end up cutting it close they'll make it there in time. Either that, or Jenny has made other arrangements for the night/tour.
lily1
Joined: September 30, 2002 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 2138
Re: The Birchmere - Q's
February 19, 2006 at 06:41 AM UTC
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birchmere shows start on time. doors are almost always 6pm for seated shows, with first act right at 7.30pm, ocassionally 8pm. there is a rare bandstand show that doesn't start until 10pm, but definitely rare.
stay away from most of the food. the chicken tenders are safe though.