Entertainment

Artist Profile: Tim Fite

By Broadside Staff Writer Marian McLaughlin

Each time Tim Fite performs, his audiences are in for a unique treat.
Fite has been called a chameleon, changing from genre to genre and blending different musical sounds together with his distinct crooning voice. In between songs at his shows, Fite will sometimes share home movies, short animations and bedtime stories.

His imagination has led him to be a genuine, intimate songwriter, a fervent performer and a wholesome entertainer.

Parsons Dance Coming to Mason

By Broadside Style Editor Emily Sharrer

Connect2Mason

    This Saturday at 8 p.m. Parsons Dance, a New York City company featuring George Mason University alumnus Billy Smith, will perform contemporary dance at the Center for the Arts.

    Described by The New York Times as “snazzy, sly and sexy,” the group, which has been featured on PBS, Bravo, the A&E Network and the Discovery Channel, is composed of 10 full-time dancers who perform a repertory of more than 70 pieces choreographed by artistic director David Parsons.

    Parsons, whose work has been performed by many reputable dance companies, including Hubbard Street Dance and the Paris Opera Ballet, has been called “One of the great movers of modern dance” by The New York Times

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Every Freakin' Friday Band: Melodime

By Broadside Staff Writer Dylan Hares

Photo by Elizabeth Biondi

    Seeing Melodime, a local alternative rock band, gave me the feeling of being in a smoky bar in the south, like the kind from The Blues Brothers movies.

    This four-piece ensemble from the Washington, D.C. area is a funk, soul, folk, blues, pop-rock tidal wave that rocks as hard as any seasoned club-band, but comes off as a casual garage band.

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra Performs

By Broadside Staff Writer Ijeoma Nwatu

Photo by Randy Urick

    A one-two, a one two three four.

    A little dim lighting, a touch of coffeehouse vibe, a towering bass in the back and a count by enthusiastic Artistic Director James Carroll kicked off a night with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. The acclaimed area band played a variety of tunes for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike at the Center for the Arts last Saturday night.

Parents Ignite Over Britney Spears' Controversial Lyrics

By Broadside Contributor Kerry Robinson

What has been happening in the lives of celebrities lately? There have been three celebrities who have stood out in the media spotlight more than others.

Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Geri Halliwell have all gotten a considerable amount of attention these last few weeks for scandalous song lyrics, remarkable weight loss and a quickie engagement.

For the Love of Local Bands

By Broadside Staff Writer Marian McLaughlin

The Velvet Lounge highlighted the best of local metal acts on last Sunday. This two-story club located on U Street is just right around the corner from the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

The first floor is a bar and lounge area, and the stage is upstairs. It generally hosts local bands and traveling, small acts that are on independent record deals.

Songwriter Gets Intimate

By Broadside Correspondent Patrick Wall

Honest music in an intimate setting was on display Friday night as Pat McGee took the stage at the Johnson Center Bistro.

Program Board was responsible for organizing the concert, something the group enjoys putting together, according to Concert Chair Kristen Byrne.

There were no fancy lights or equipment to be found, just quality songwriting in an open and warm setting. This is fitting for the performer, since for McGee, playing live is about being true to the music.

Jared Padalecki Discusses Latest Film

By Broadside Correspondent Kerry Robinson

Some know him as Dean from Gilmore Girls, but now Jared Padalecki’s name is becoming associated with a whole new genre. Padalecki stars in the recently released Friday the 13th remake and took time out to answer some questions about the his newest work.

Q: What makes this movie different from the original films?
A: Jason was cheesy toward number 12 of the series. It started off scary, but got campy. This movie is made for this generation.

Q: What did you do to get prepared?
A: I memorize the script and try to figure what story I am a part of. I make the character as real and believable as possible.

Friday the 13th Has an Identity Crisis

By Broadside Staff Writer Joshua Hylton. Photo by John P. Johnson.

Fun fact: the fear of the day Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia. I wonder what fear of men in hockey masks running around murdering people is called.

Since reliable old Wikipedia could not come up with anything, it is probably safe to say that such a fear does not exist.

Could it be because not a single film in the Friday the 13th franchise has managed to be remotely frightening in even the most basic sense?

The Sick Soundtrack

By Broadside Style Columnist Andy Minor

For about the past six days I've been fighting yet another cold. This is my second cold in about six or so weeks, following up on a mini-cold last weekend, which turned out to be a hangover. The close proximity of both illnesses, however, didn't really give me enough time to adjust to the healthy life.