Add to favorites Examiner Bio

Date night at the Warner Theatre

What better way to enhance a new relationship than to share an intimate part of yourself to your new love. By that I mean music. Music has always been an integral part of my life, while I personally have no musical talent myself, I am in awe of those who do. In fact, I credit my IPod for getting me through some of the toughest times of my life. 

What better way to celebrate your favorite artist then at a venue like the the Warner Theatre?  A theater steeped in Washington DC’s vibrant history.  Located at 513 13^th Street, the Warner Theatre took its place among the majestic theaters of the 1920’s. Created for the entertainment of the time, vaudeville and silent movies, it had its grand opening in 1924 under the name The Earle. Over the years it evolved and adapted to accommodate the changing style of the entertainment industry. In 1947 it underwent a name change to the Warner Theater in honor of its owner Harry Warner, one of the Hollywood Warner Brothers.

In the 1970s the Warner Theatre played host to concerts from all genres ranging from soul to heavy metal. In the late 1980s the theater closed for three years for a much needed face lift. It reopened in 1992 to its current glory. On November 9, it hosted one of my favorite artists, David Byrne.

For those of you not familiar with David Byrne, his career started with the band The Talking Heads. After the dissolution of the band he went on to a solo career. He has always been in search of new and different ways of expression through music. His studies have taken him all over the world where he has infused the essence of different cultures into his own music. His music is intellectual and thought provoking and speaks to all of us. His artistry and genius are unrivaled, I know, I’m gushing, I can’t help it.

When I got the news that David Byrne was going to be touring with Brian Eno, I was beyond thrilled. Brian Eno is an incredibly talented composer, producer and singer. His collaborative efforts with David Byrne in the past have been explosive. This was the perfect time to introduce my new love to one of my other loves. It was a bit intimidating, I believe that our taste in music is often indicative of who we are as people. If he didn’t like something I was so passionate about, what would that mean? I forged ahead anyway and scored a pair of tickets.

On Sunday, we hopped on the Metro and headed downtown.  After a short walk from Metro Center we found ourselves in front of the Warner Marquee. We retrieved our tickets from will call and went back outside to look for my brother. He is a rabid fan and is the one responsible for introducing me to the phenomenon that is David Byrne. We spied him among the diverse crowd that had gathered in front of the theater.   It is amazing to me the wide and varied range of people that Byrne appeals to.

Upon entering the lobby of the Warner Theatre, one can’t help but notice the beautiful architecture and ornate embellishment that speaks of a bygone era. The beautiful gold paint on the intricate scrolling woodwork and the deep rich red of the curtains lends an air of sophistication dating back to the heyday of the Grand Theatres. The theatre itself is beautifully lavish boasting curved archways and a soaring ceiling. The seating, orchestra and balcony, is true to the era in which it was originally built. The theater has the advantage of being a smaller venue creating a more intimate atmosphere between the artist and the audience. Looking around, I really didn’t see one bad seat in the house.

After the friendly usher showed us to our seats, we settled in with a glass of wine while people filed in. The air was electric with excitement. The lights dimmed and David came out adorned head to toe in all white, as did all the members of his band. The crowd erupted into applause and calls of adoration. He smiled modestly, counted down and the music began, his voice ethereal and lilting at times, grounded and sharp at others. He was accompanied by superior musicians who were able to take the journey of each song with him winding around the curves, pounding the straight- aways. It was staged to perfection with the addition of three dancers, who looked as if they had just stepped off one of the local campuses. The show was so big in song and choreography, the small stage could hardly contain it. 

We, as the fans could hardly contain ourselves. We were on our feet, dancing, singing and clapping almost the entire concert. My guy was right there with us, as mesmerized and energized. After returning to the stage for three encores, David Byrne et al took their final bows and exited the stage. We walked to the metro, snuggled up together on the seat and enjoyed the afterglow of a wonderful evening.

If you’re looking for a great place to go on a date in downtown DC, the Warner Theatre is it! Just a short walk from the Metro, it offers a diverse menu of entertainment. It is large enough to house a good sized crowd, yet, small enough to create a synergy between the artist and the audience rarely found in larger venues.  Click on Warner Theater in this article or go to www.warnertheatre.com to check out their website and upcoming events.

As for my new love, he may never like salt and vinegar chips (another one of my passions) but, he is officially a David Byrne convert, and I had an evening I will not soon forget.