by Kate McFadden
Washingtonians often say the mall is our own backyard. It’s certainly true for folks on Capitol Hill. Attending the dress rehearsal for the Memorial Day and July 4th concerts on the west side of the Capitol is one the secret pleasures for living so close. Xk people attend each concerts each year, but the night before, the event is practically intimate. And, when PBS pans the crowd during the national broadcast, it’s the dress rehearsal attendees who are getting their 15 seconds (well, about 3) of fame.
The schedule for the Memorial Day concert at the Capitol has some new faces as well as performance veterans such as Gary Senise and Joe Mantegna, as well as performers such as Trace Atkins and American Idol winner Katharine McPhee.
Attending the dress rehearsal has become a tradition for many Hill residents. “You miss the fireworks, but you also miss the crowds,” says Kate McFadden. “There is room for kids to play, and it feels much more intimate. Most of the time the stars do show, you’ve just got to pay attention so you’re not clapping for Colin Powell’s stand in.”