Brightest Young Things

all photos: Dakota Fine and Shauna Alexander

May saw us and Family Hemerlein move into its new home, The Gibson Guitar showroom, in Chinatown. And, let me just say this straight away: it was so goddamn M.A.G.I.C.A.L.

After warming up over the last couple of months the show hit its full, high-quality stride. Seaton was out of town so we had to turn to the next best thing: Matt Hemerlein's Dad-Dan, Stella (the dog) in lap, channeling equal parts Hugh Hefner and The Dude presided over the events, comfortably seated in am armchair.

Will Hessler and Brooke Van Poppelen (who was TRULY HILARIOUS and deserves to be a star as soon as, well, yesterday) provided the comic relief (with a special guest pop in by Bryson Turner) and the music truly shined this time around:

In addition to Lex Paulsen stroking the ivies, Matt brought in Jeremy from Shapiro, one of his students Nikki (a whole of 11 years old) to do a song with him (which she wrote herself) and Christylez Bacon proved to be the biggest star you've never heard of ever before, with his beatbox/call'n'response/soulful set.

The show ended with a group rendition of TLC's "Waterfalls" proving, once again, that a sense of humor makes everything in life, including music better.

THE NEXT FAMILY HEMERLEIN IS ON JUNE 24TH, SAME PLACE, NEW GUESTS, AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE, OK?

Now, let's look at some photos

followed by Dakota's

Once again, many thanks to The Gibson Showroom for giving us a home to call our own and SMIRNOFF,  Jeremiah Weed and Flying Dog for providing the beverages

Previously in Live DC:

• 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
• 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
• 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
• 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
• 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
• 5/22: LiveDC: Penguin Prison & Class Actress @ RNR Hotel
• 5/21: LiveDC: James Morrison @ 930 Club
• 5/21: Photos: Que Sera L'Anniversaire @ Napoleon
• 5/21: LiveDC: La Sera/ Beach Week @ Red Palace
• 5/21: LiveDC: The Black Keys & Arctic Monkeys @ Merriweather Post Pavilion