WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Spring Real Estate Market

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The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and folks shopping for new homes in the DC region are developing ulcers. Yes, spring is traditionally the peak time for home buying and selling, and the white-hot real estate market that took flight in the late 1990's is still not showing any signs of falling back to earth. With astronomical prices, housing shortages and bidding wars still going strong, it might be a nice time to be selling a house, but only if you don't plan on buying another one in the region. We wanted to get a level-headed handle on the market this spring - we're joined by Gregory Leisch, Chief Executive of Delta Associates, a real estate research and consulting business based in Alexandria.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - the Club

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From the regional real estate market we jump now to one of the reasons why we might need to move to a bigger house. WAMU Senior Commentator Fred Fiske says we need more space to store the larger quantities of STUFF we keep buying....

Birds in Flight

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Early May is an exciting time for bird enthusiasts. It's when thousands of migratory birds fly through the Washington area, and help usher in the warm weather with their unique calls and songs. WAMU's Sarah Hughes accompanied the Audubon Naturalist Society's Stephanie Mason on a walk through Rock Creek Park, to seek out some of these newly arrived visitors.

The Naturalist Society conducts a free walk for beginning birders every Saturday morning. For more information, visit audubonnaturalist.org.

Maryland's Vanishing Tobacco Barns

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These days, "tobacco" has practically become a dirty word - connected only with smoking bans and lawsuits. But an artist in southern Maryland is trying to PRESERVE tobacco culture. Mimi Little started preserving - and then painting - the tobacco barns that were vanishing from local farmlands due to new development. During May (which happens to be National Preservation Month) and into June, Little's abstract paintings of tobacco barns are on display at the Art League studios in Alexandria's Torpedo Factory. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye spoke with Mimi Little about what inspired her to preserve the history of tobacco in paintings.

Mimi Little is an artist living in Port Republic, Maryland. You can catch her exhibit at the Art League studios in Alexandria. There will be a talk with the artist on May 14th.

Helen Hayes Awards

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On Monday, Washingtonians will have the opportunity to celebrate the fruits of the area's theater community with a black tie ceremony that had its origins twenty-one years ago. WAMU's Jacquie Gales Webb went behind the scenes of the Helen Hayes Awards to recall the history of the annual awards show and its namesake.

The 21st Annual Helen Hayes Awards hits the stage of the Warner Theatre on Monday, May 9th, at 8pm. For more information call 202-337-4572.

Arts "Best Bets" with Peter Fay

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The Helen Hayes Awards will honor the best in DC theatre for shows that opened in 2004 on Monday, but there's a whole NEW year of theatre going on out there. Here to help guide us through the best in theatre, music and dance in the region is Metro Connection Arts Editor, Peter Fay - he's back with another edition of his "best bets."

Music Review by Mark Jenkins - Gena & Edie

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It's sometimes said that it takes THREE of something to constitute a trend. But it's still a remarkable coincidence when two Washington musicians name themselves after cult actresses and release albums of songs about the movies. Critic Mark Jenkins says for the Gena Rowlands Band and Edie Sedgwick, the scripts are different but the basic concepts are quite similar.

Once again, they go by the names "The Gena Rowlands Band" and "Edie Sedgwick." Mark Jenkins also reviews music for Blender and The Washington Post.