January 20th, 2026. The SPARK w Bachelor and the Bad Actress.

January 20, 2026

January 20th, 2026. The SPARK w Bachelor and the Bad Actress.

Rowan recording in the Lair.

On top of everything - I broke a glass without noticing!

Last night I couldn't sleep. I had angry thoughts that I couldn't let go of. "Should've saids" that squirreled around in my brain and wouldn't let me go. I was incredibly mentally unprepared for LEAPING into action with this morning's recording session with Rowan, and then came the phone calls, and then a last-minute addition to Institute of Musical Traditions' calendar and then a last-minute question from FocusMusic.

Recording was wonderful, but had some stumbles. Heather arrived just as we were getting going and then lunch came on too fast and then a meeting with a local venue owner... finally it was time to leave for Takoma Park and that time came and went leaving me leaving far too late. One of the worst drives in recent memory, stop and go leaving me clutching my clutch leg in crampy pain.

And so the next sentence comes as a Lovely surprise: Tonight at the SPARK was a beautifully chill evening. Great new talent, plenty of familiar faces. I felt like me and Juels had our hosting rhythm beautifully balanced. Sound was solid, emotions were balanced, and I was in a GOOD MOOD. I know. I'm never in a good mood anymore. What is WRONG with me? I think it's this whole "open mic dad" moniker.

Featured artist the Bachelor and the Bad Actress - they were incredibly ON - a master-class in stagecraft. Even in the dark.

We do this every Tuesday. I start at 7pm. Signup in person prior to when I start! List’s randomized as we go. 7112 Willow Avenue in Takoma Park, MD.

rob
Phil
James
2/3 Blackout
Jim Barry
Josh, Gavin and Justin
Dave DuGoff (w/ DPD)
David Potts-Dupre
The Bachelor and the Bad Actress
Bev
Patrick Smith
Greg
&Maddie
Clif
Rebecca
Juels Bland

Re: The Bachelor and the Bad Actress: A folk duo in the highly-competitive Washington DC scene HAS to have solid songwriting and tight harmonies - so that almost goes without saying of husband / wife act The Bachelor and the Bad Actress - but one thing that truly makes them stand out amongst all the acoustic guitar-slingers in the area is their mastery of the stage. The banter and storytelling isn't just filler, it's part of the whole performance - and their comedic timing isn't the distraction that it is for so many other performers, it highlights the poignancy of their message. Whether it's one of broken romance or broken political systems - being able to deliver their stories with a wink and a smile means they pull no punches when it's time to say something REAL.