On Sept. 6, the fun folk foursome known as Scythian will be achieving one of the main goals they set for themselves shortly after becoming street musicians and working the crowds in front of the Torpedo Factory four years ago playing the Birchmere Concert Hall. That night, Joe, Leks, Mike, and Dan will host a performance party to celebrate the release of their latest CD entitled Immigrant Road Show and would appreciate it if all of their Alexandrian fans would come and support them in their hour of triumph.

According to a message posted on the bands website, this show is a huge deal for us   Help us make a statement and pack the place.

Bittersweet kisses will most likely stain the Superstars of Jazz Fusion concert planned for Friday, Sept. 7 at the Birchmeres main stage. Vocalist Miki Howard is being called in to substitute for Jon Lucien, who died suddenly from respiratory complications after surgery on Aug. 17 at his home in Flordia. According to promoter Michael Jaworek, Jon was a major underrated voice in the quiet storm format who was much loved in the D.C. area; he will be great missed.  While there is no way to replace his remarkable baritone, the remaining superstars, including such soul legends as Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith, plan on dedicating the evening to Jons memory.

Starlet Mandy Moore would like you to know that shes all grown up and ready to shed her squeaky clean, tween queen image with a decidedly adult-themed new CD Wild Hope.  Shed like to show you this change in person, and if you were fortunate enough to snag tickets to her sold-out Tuesday, Sept. 11 appearance at the Birchmere, youll get to do just that. The rest of us will have to rely on a handy download from iTunes or a run to Best Buy.

Finally, Sept. 11 also marks the most anticipated release date for the music industry this year, as three major acts will battle for spin supremacy. With Kayne West (Graduation), 50 Cent (Curtis), and Kenny Chesney (Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates) going head-to-head-to-head, area retailers are expecting nothing less than a Green Day with overflowing cash registers.