2020 kicks off with goodbyes unexpectedly. On New Year’s Day I just said bye to the Newseum, and today it was a cool live music venue in Georgetown. I had heard about Gypsy Sally’s for a long time and was shocked to learn about its closure on my first visit – the building was sold by the landlord and will be converted to condominium. So, this is another tribute to DC’s bright spots gone.
Gypsy Sally’s on the Georgetown waterfront. I don’t think its location at the intersection of the busy Key Bridge and elevated Whitehurst Freeway is even good for condo development.
Several guest performers took the stage making fantastic instrumental jams in Gypsy Sally’s Vinyl Lounge on January 04. Pictures of the Grateful Dead on the wall were on sale, and there was a great gathering of deadheads. Everybody was warm and friendly; the lounge was permeated with an air of nostalgia.
John Kadlecik (who played with the original members of the Grateful Dead) & the DC Mystery Cats on January 05. It was a farewell party too. The owner of the venue was a musician himself and sat in on a session playing his drum. It was hard for fans to say bye, and the whole place got emotional.
