The Birchmere
.jpg) The Birchmere marquee, advertising Thomas Dolby in 2006 | |
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| Address | 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. |
|---|---|
| Location | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°50′25″N 77°3′41″W / 38.84028°N 77.06139°W |
| Owner | Gary Oelze |
| Type | concert hall |
| Capacity | 500 |
| Opened | April 4, 1966 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Birchmere is a concert hall in Alexandria, Virginia which opened its door on April 4, 1966 and is known for presenting performers in the rock, blues, bluegrass, country, folk, and jazz genres. The main stage has table seating with dinner service. The room seats 500 people and the tables in front are about two feet from the stage. The bandstand includes a dance area.
The Johnson Mountain Boys recorded their Live at the Birchmere album on April 5, 1983. The Four Bitchin' Babes recorded two of their live albums, Buy Me, Bring Me, Take Me, Don't Mess My Hair in 1990 and Gabby Road in 1997, at the Birchmere. Riders in the Sky also recorded their live album there. Dave Matthews Band recorded songs from their album Recently at the Birchmere on February 21, 1994.
Plans for expansion
Silver Spring, MD
During the redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, a plan was proposed to build a second Birchmere site, slated to be an $8 million, 800-seat venue.[1] After years of negotiations, the deal was rejected on July 25, 2007. At the time, Birchmere management claimed that Montgomery County officials breached a contractual agreement with the music venue,[2] but these claims were disputed by the developers and government officials who denied any contractual obligation for development.[1]
References
- ^ a b Killian, Erin (July 25, 2007). "Birchmere cancels plans in Silver Spring". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ McKenna, Dave (July 25, 2007). "Birchmere Deal Falls Through". Washington City Paper. Retrieved October 29, 2010.