Please join Clare and Dons as they welcome Bobby Thomson and Karen Jonas for an intimate evening of songs and story telling.
Doors 6pm
Showtime 7pm
Tickets $15
Food and drinks available for purchase
Bobby Thompson is a mesmerizing guitarist and captivating vocalist who has carved out a place as one of the mid-Atlantic’s most dynamic blues and rock artists. Cutting his teeth in Washington, D.C.’s legendary blues clubs, he absorbed the lessons of mentors like Bobby Parker and Tom Principato, forging a style that blends fiery guitar work with soulful storytelling. Transitioning from an in-demand supporting player to a solo artist, Thompson has released a steady catalog of acclaimed albums since 2011, establishing himself as a creative force with both songwriting depth and stage presence.
Deeply rooted in blues and folk traditions, Thompson prioritizes authentic interpretation and original composition over imitation. He draws inspiration from blues icons like Taj Mahal, John Hammond Jr., and Mississippi John Hurt, as well as folk innovators such as John Fahey. The influence of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, and Bob Dylan runs deep in his songwriting, which often explores the shared ground between folk and blues. His commitment to preserving and reinterpreting these traditions ensures that they remain vital in the present day, while pushing them into new directions.
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On her latest single “arson games” (Aug 1), singer-songwriter Karen Jonas slips beneath the surface of a romantic encounter that feels less like a date and more like a supernova. With poetic precision and cinematic heat, Jonas crafts a fever dream of cosmic flirtation and chaotic intimacy — set somewhere between a dimly lit restaurant and the edge of the known universe.
“You light a match and toss it in a can of gasoline…” she sings, breathless and deliberate, drawing listeners into a world where desire is volatile, words dissolve, and the body becomes both fuel and flame. It’s sultry, strange, and unapologetically smart — a love song that’s also a chemical reaction.
Produced with whiskey-soaked, reverb-drenched minimalism, blending Americana roots with indie noir, “arson games” is unmistakably Jonas: raw, curious, and unflinching. The focus on lyric serves as a fitting bridge to the accompanying book to poetry, Poetic Evidence.
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