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The Musicians Driving Skadden, Arps Crazy Are Now Playing at the Kennedy Center

The Spread Love Band makes it big.

Outside Skadden, Arps last month. Photo by Harrison Smith.

Last month, the Spread Love Band was driving law firm Skadden, Arps bonkers, playing its mix of trombone-heavy jazz, go-go, and country just outside the firm’s downtown offices. The music was so loud, apparently, that Skadden offered the band a couple hundred bucks to play somewhere else—and, according to an internal memo published by Above the Law, considered hiring a string quartet to take its spot outside the Treasury Building.

But for at least one evening next month, Skadden’s Bartlebys will have a reprieve: The Spread Love Band is headed indoors for a performance at the Kennedy Center. The August 31 show, presented by DC nonprofit Listen Local First as part of the Kennedy’s free Millennium Stage program, is being billed as a performance by “one of the distinctive sounds of the city.”

According to Spread Love’s website, you can also catch DC’s most distinctive street musicians at the Dupont Circle Farmers Market on August 30. Till then, you’ll have to try and catch them at their 15th and New York Avenue, NW spot. Don’t worry about RSVPing with Skadden.

Harrison Smith

Harrison Smith (@harrisondsmith on Twitter) has contributed to the Washington Post and Chicago magazine. He can be reached at [email protected].