It seems Rare Essence is returning to U Street.
In the ‘90s and early ’00s, RE’s weekly gig at Club U, inside the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center, was one of the hottest events on the U Street corridor. The band’s run at the club ended in 2005, following the stabbing death of 31-year-old club patron Terrence Brown.
The District’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board decided Brown’s death was the last straw in in a string on incidents at the nightclub, and yanked the spot’s liquor license indefinitely, which led to its demise. As a result, the Wickedest Band Alive left U Street, becoming part of a huge nightlife flight that eventually made way for an Alero, a Quiznos, and a bunch of condos.
Essence’s return to 14th and U is being billed as the Club U reunion, but it’s actually happening at The Republic, which is pretty much right across the street from the Reeves Center. Close enough.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
9:00pm – 2:00am
The Republic
1355 U Street, NW
$25