Fort Reno Marks 40 Years of Summer Concerts

Ft. Reno Park

After lookouts at Fort Reno saved the nation's capital from Confederate siege more than 150 years ago, it currently hosts the past, present and future of what really put D.C. on the map: music. The highest point in the city (taller than the Washington Monument) is home to the musical highlight of the summer - the Fort Reno Concert Series. Established in 1967, this summer marks the event's 40th year of celebrating local music and fostering community both on and off the stage.

"It started as a project through the city," said series co-organizer Amanda MacKaye, founder of Sammich Records and formerly of The Routineers. "Concerts [were held] all around the city in different locations until, as I understand it, a group of residents petitioned the city to have it in their neighborhood."

In the late '80s, the D.C. government passed the torch to the Northwest Youth Alliance, a non-profit organization that provides job opportunities to D.C. youth, which has been running it ever since.

"It's really a phenomenon because bands really want to play there and people can't wait for it to start, but we don't advertise," MacKaye said. "After it's over, we take down the Web site and turn off the phone number, don't answer e-mails. I hate to use the word 'legend' about it, but it's a very unique situation."

The series begins today with openers The Boom Orangutangs, Deleted Scenes and headliners Mass Movement of the Moth. Thereafter, shows begin every Monday and Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. until Edie Sedgwick and Sentai close the series Aug. 16. The month of music promises performances from The Evens, Beauty Pill and Georgie James, among others. The complete schedule, which locals, bloggers and The Washington Post have been anxiously awaiting, is available at the series' homepage, www.fortreno.com.
As if the prospect of seeing former Fugazi-mates Joe Lally and Ian MacKaye (July 2) under the stars isn't reason enough to start planning summer around the schedule, the price is hard to beat: the concerts are totally free.

"The bands all play for free, and it's run by volunteers. Even our web designer is a volunteer," Amanda MacKaye said. "The only person who gets paid is the sound man. He gets a little bit of money for putting up the gear, taking it down, making sure things run smoothly. The money we use to pay him is all from private donations."

That, coupled with the fact that it's within walking distance of AU, makes attendance practically compulsory, even for those who are not aware of the city's rich musical history.

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