8pm • $15 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Karen Jonas • Bobby Thompson

Karen - On her latest single “arson games” (Aug 1,2025), singer-songwriter Karen Jonas slips beneath the surface of a romantic encounter that feels less like a date and more like a supernova. With poetic precision and cinematic heat, Jonas crafts a fever dream of cosmic flirtation and chaotic intimacy — set somewhere between a dimly lit restaurant and the edge of the known universe

“You light a match and toss it in a can of gasoline…” she sings, breathless and deliberate, drawing listeners into a world where desire is volatile, words dissolve, and the body becomes both fuel and flame. It’s sultry, strange, and unapologetically smart — a love song that’s also a chemical reaction.

Produced with whiskey-soaked, reverb-drenched minimalism, blending Americana roots with indie noir, “arson games” is unmistakably Jonas: raw, curious, and unflinching. The focus on lyric serves as a fitting bridge to the accompanying book to poetry, Poetic Evidence.

Poetic Evidence (Aug 1) is Jonas’s sophomore literary offering—a hard-hitting, romantic and fiercely funny collection of poetry chronicling modern love in all its beautiful dysfunction. From moonlit obsessions to feminine awakenings, swooning daydreams to hungover heartbreaks, she loves hard and risks harder. Poetic Evidence is for anyone who’s ever cried in the bathtub, chased a feeling, or flirted with fate.

Jonas brings her musical voice to the page in a style that Rolling Stone Germany called “a bit wicked and a bit dangerous.” Her poems are sexy, self-aware, and soaked in whiskey and stardust. Each verse is a confession and a celebration of what it means to feel deeply in a world that often asks us not to.

Bobby - is a mesmerizing guitarist and captivating vocalist who has carved out a place as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most dynamic blues and rock artists. Cutting his teeth in Washington, D.C.’s legendary blues clubs, he absorbed the lessons of mentors like Bobby Parker and Tom Principato, forging a style that blends fiery guitar work with soulful storytelling. Transitioning from an in-demand supporting player to a solo artist, Thompson has released a steady catalog of acclaimed albums since 2011, establishing himself as a creative force with both songwriting depth and stage presence.

Renowned for his courage and creativity, Thompson uses music as a window into self-expression, prioritizing authenticity over imitation. Whether performing alone with an acoustic guitar or leading a full electric band, his professionalism and emotional honesty captivate audiences. Over time, his artistry has expanded beyond guitar-centric beginnings into a holistic vision of songwriting, lyrical narrative, and communal connection, earning him a devoted following and a reputation for transformative live shows.

Deeply rooted in blues and folk traditions, Thompson draws inspiration from icons like Taj Mahal, John Hammond Jr., Mississippi John Hurt, and innovators such as John Fahey. His songwriting carries echoes of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, and Bob Dylan, weaving together the shared ground between folk and blues. His commitment to preserving and reinterpreting these traditions ensures they remain vital and relevant, even as his own voice continues to push them into new directions.