930 Forums

=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: you be betty on February 17, 2006, 07:36:00 am

Title: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: you be betty on February 17, 2006, 07:36:00 am
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.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: set1914 on February 17, 2006, 09:51:00 am
It is easy to get to. My only suggestion is to not eat the food there, it is not very good.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: J'Mal on February 17, 2006, 10:03:00 am
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.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on February 17, 2006, 10:05:00 am
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.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: edbert on February 17, 2006, 10:54:00 am
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.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: amnesiac on February 17, 2006, 11:27:00 am
Quote
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...
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: eltee on February 17, 2006, 12:24:00 pm
Quote
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...
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: you be betty on February 17, 2006, 03:51:00 pm
i meant, like, how long does it take to get there...hours/minutes; anything?
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: chaz on February 17, 2006, 03:59:00 pm
www.mapquest.com (http://www.mapquest.com)
 
 C'mon people...this isn't rocket science.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: manimtired on February 17, 2006, 04:03:00 pm
arlington is not an hour away from DC...id say 15-30 minutes depending on traffic
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: Bags on February 17, 2006, 04:04:00 pm
Quote
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.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: you be betty on February 17, 2006, 04:06:00 pm
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...
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on February 17, 2006, 04:08:00 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: chaz on February 17, 2006, 04:22:00 pm
To be safe you should probably just pack a cooler and leave a day or two early.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: eltee on February 17, 2006, 07:02:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
  www.mapquest.com (http://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.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: chaz on February 17, 2006, 08:29:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by El Sugartastic:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
  www.mapquest.com (http://www.mapquest.com)
 
 C'mon people...this isn't rocket science.
I've seen stranger questions answered here in a friendly manner.   :(
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: Crunchbird on February 17, 2006, 09:28:00 pm
Quote
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 . . .
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: you be betty on February 18, 2006, 12:29:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Crunchbird:
   
Quote
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 . . . [/b]
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...
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: Crunchbird on February 18, 2006, 10:42:00 pm
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.
Title: Re: The Birchmere - Q's
Post by: lily1 on February 19, 2006, 02:41:00 am
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.