Aloha, Welcome to Del Ray

Tonight was the 2nd of the monthly "First Thursday" events in Del Ray. Each month on the first thursday, businesses along Mount Vernon Avenue stay open late, musicians and other performers appear, and various booths and stands are set up for food, charities, etc. It's very much like band concert nights on the green back in Bristol. Each month has a different theme; tonight it was "Luau on the Avenue." I threw on my one hawaiian shirt and headed over.

Nothing says "Luau" like a 3 piece jazz combo

Dancers from an "Hawaiian cultural school" in Arlington

The picture of the hawaiian dancers does not do them justice. The music is quite lively, and the motion is incredibly fluid. Plus, the three dancers here wore huge grins the entire time (except when I took photos, apparently). They were quite gifted, and I'm sorry but I didn't catch the name of the institution they hail from.


Rockin' the $10 "Kids Kuts"

Many businesses offer various free or discounted goods and services on First Thursdays. They include haircuts, balloons, bubbles, massages, chiropractic adjustments, and cheese.


A trolley is borrowed from Old Town to run up and down the Avenue for First Thursdays

The crew from the Potomac Fire Station shows off their hardware

The original lineup of Carbon Copy, shredding a cover of "All Along the Watchtower"

The main entertainment was a local band called Carbon Copy. Apparently they were founded as a Dave Matthews Band cover group, and they certainly had that sound. However, the original lead singer left for college, and it sounds like the band has become more funk-influenced. The new lead singer has a voice reminiscent of Stevie Wonder or Jamiroquai's Jay Kay. They were actually pretty good, though it seems like their set list is a little short, now that they are performing their own material. They did do one cover while I was there, but I think that was because the original lead singer was sitting in.


Groupies

Even the sheriff's deputies got into the island spirit of the evening

The addition that I've previously featured "in progress"

Filed in: Del_Ray Music Alexandria