-->

Monday, April 29, 2013

Boston benefit concert Thursday at Iota

Iota is hosting a great group of local talent this Thursday, May 2 to raise money for victims of the Boston terrorist attacks. There is a $10 minimum donation of which all proceeds will be donated to The One Fund Boston. The show starts at 8pm and the lineup includes:

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Clarendon Cinco de Mayo block party

Next Sunday May 5, several local bars are participating in the a Cinco de Mayo block party. The party includes food and drink specials, 8 various DJs, a Mariachi marching band, and prize raffles for a $12 ticket.

The festivities start at Mad Rose and Darna between noon and 3pm for registration. Other bars like Clarendon Grill, Mister Days, and Sobe keep the party going until 8pm.

Click here to buy tickets from Eventbrite.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

DJ Yezmin Soliz tonight at Mad Rose

Yezmin Soliz is DJing tonight April 27 at Mad Rose. She and DJ Audrey are spinning for the Girls Night Out themed night at the Clarendon venue from 9pm to cloe. The Bolivian DJ Yez has previously performed at Mad Rose, but also frequents the stage at many DC bars including Cafe Citron, Balletto, and Dirty Bar.

Oh, Arlington

I'm at a loss of words on how silly this photo makes Clarendon look. Fireworks Pizza uploaded this photo yesterday to their Facebook page, which shows four ACPD officers on segways talking to the driver of a Trolley Pub foot powered bar. This is the first time I've seen Arlington police on segways surprisingly. All we need is someone in the background in a popped collar eating cupcakes and doing Crossfit to complete every Arlington stereotype!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Balcony fire at Lyon Place apartments

Photo via @bmichele15
A large ACFD response to an apartment fire shut down the intersection of Clarendon Blvd and Garfield street Friday night. Luckily no one was injured and the local nightlife was only temporarily interrupted as numerous firetrucks surrounded Circa and La Tagliatella. The fire was started by a lit cigaretted dropped into a balcony planter at Lyon Place apartments according to nicknow.


Thanks to Brittany Michele for the tweet heads up and photo.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Rally Against Rape at Gateway Park tonight


Tonight, Thursday April 25 there is rally, candlelight vigil, music and speakers to support the Rally Against Rape movement. The event lasts from 7 to 9pm in Gateway Park in Rossyln. Rally Against Rape and Sexual Assault is a grassroots, community-action project dedicated to combating sexual violence and raising awareness about the prevalence of rape and sexual assault in Northern Virginia.


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Canceled: Pussycat Doll Kaya Jones at Mad Rose

UPDATE: This show was canceled. Mad Rose really needs to get more mature with their communication. Instead of announcing it was canceled, they just deleted any mention of Kaya Jones' event from their Facebook and Twitter feed. Hope no one bought the $10 tickets from Eventbrite!

This Thursday April 25 another celebrity is visiting Mad Rose as Kaya Jones from the Pussycat Dolls takes the stage. Kaya Jones has several solo hits herself and started her own record label HueMan Race Records. DJ Biks starts the night off at 9pm for this free event, but you can pay $10 for a cut in line pass before 10pm.

AAC Art Bash fundraiser May 4


On Saturday May 4, the Arlington Arts Center (AAC) is throwing an Art Bash fundraiser. Proceeds from this annual event will fund exhibition programs, education programs for all ages, and studio residency programs. This year will mark the fifteenth installment of the biennial survey of metro-area emerging artists and will be the first time the show has been mounted outside of the distric. A silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar will complement the improvisational art competition. General admission tickets are $75 and doors open at 8pm, and 7pm for those with VIP tickets.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

scratchDC coming to Arlington

This blog focuses more on dining out in restaurants and bars in the area, but it never hurts to mix things up by cooking a meal for two at home. Did you ever want to cook dinner for a date, but you have no clue what to make or have little experience cooking?

A new food delivery service called scratchDC is expanding soon just opened in Arlington and Alexandria. They currently deliver ready to cook ingredients and instructions to certain parts of DC. When you order their service, they will hand deliver that box's meal (they offer one different meal each day) to your home or work.

scratchDC graciously let me the be the first in Clarendon to try their service, and set up a promo code of "clarendonnights" for 15% off first orders for my readers. I thought this would be a fun exercise since I have zero cooking talent and experience. The closest thing I get to being a chef is putting a frozen meal from Trader Joes into the oven.

I chose to make the creamy garlic parm fettucini with lemon grilled chicken meal. The ingredients arrived right on time (they have great communication with their customers) in a fun little twine tied box:



All incredients are included, cut and measured for you. The photo below shows all the contents for this dish, including raw chicken cutlets, mushrooms, sauce, garlic, butter, flour and everything else needed. There also two chocalate chip cookie dough balls for desert.


Since everything is already measured and chopped for you, cooking it is much easier for a novice like me. They estimated it would take 30 minutes to complete this meal, but it took me 45. This receipe required 3 different sized pots/pans, a pasta strainer and a range:


The marinated chicken pasta turned out great, with the mushrooms adding some great flavor. The meal got great reviews, and the cookies were a nice little bonus.


This meal would have cost $26 and made about 3 servings, enough for dinner for 2 plus leftovers. This is great if you want to cook an impressive meal but have no time to get ingredients from the store. Remember to use my promo code of clarendonnights to get 15% off your first order!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Everyone's birthday is in April

 
Whitlows Tiki bar opening party in 2011
So many celebrations in Clarendon this month! Here is a quick listing of anniversaries:

 - Fellow local blog Boobs Bacon Bourbon celebrated its first year in town.

 - Mad Rose has been here 2 years now.

 - Whitlows has been in Clarendon forever, but its Tiki rooftop bar turned 2 this month.

 - Clarendon Fitness has been helping us burn off happy hour calories for 3 years.

 - Lyon Hall and Northside Social are also both turning 3 in April.

 - Sister restaurant Liberty Tavern is 6 years old.

 - Rhodeside Grill just finished their renovations in time to turn 17 on tax day.

 - And this month is also my birthday, coming just after Clarendon Nights turned 5 years old!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Comedy with Dave Coulier this weekend in Arlington

For those old enough to recognize his catch phrase "Cut. It. Out!", be sure to catch one of Dave Coulier's shows this weekend. The comedian who played Uncle Joey on the family friendly sitcom Full House in the 80s is in town for several comedy and magic shows Thursday through Saturday.

Thursday 7:30pm
"Comedy, Improv, & Illusion Variety Show" at
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
$25

Friday 7:30pm
"Clean Comedy Show" at
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
$30

Saturday 7:30pm
"An Arlington Drafthouse Event" at
Artisphere Spectrum Theatre
$30

Monday, April 15, 2013

Lauren Fulbright and 9 Songwriter Series at Iota Tues

Local talent Lauren Fulbright is playing at Iota Tuesday April 16 along with eight other musicians. Lauren's pop/country tunes will be one of the acts featured at the monthly 9 Songwriter Series organized by Justin Trawick. For just one cover charge of $10 you get to hear nine local musicians each play a few songs! Also playing Tuesday:
Bradley Rhodes
Justin Trawick
Lauren Fulbright
Brent Peterson
Shanna Hoar
Luciano Lima
Brandon Walker
Matthew Scott
Gordon Daniels

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Yuri's night space party at Artisphere tonight

Dance for the Dying
52 years ago last night was the anniversary of the first manned space flight by Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. To celebrate, there are countless space themed parties and events all over the world every year.

Tonight, Saturday April 13, Artisphere in Rosslyn is holding a Yuri's Night party. The night includes live music by Dance for the Dying, a two part "The Search for Drinkbot" burlesque show and a costume contest.

The night lasts from 8pm with a moonbounce, art on display and bar and goes until 2am. Tickets are $30. I might go just for the "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot" tournament!

Circa bartender for LSS Man of the Year

Circa's bartender James is running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year. The Society raises money to research and fight blood cancers, and canidates for their Man and Woman of the year compete to rasie money in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors. Join him today at Circa from 3 to 6pm to help support his campaign!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Live Music in Clarendon April 12

A summary of the live music offerings in the area tonight:

Iota local music night with Margot MacDonald, Star FK Radium, The Charm Offensive, James Ian, Yellowtieguy ,South Rail, and The Dreamscapes Project. $10 cover total.

Local band Crash Bang Boom playing at the Leukemia & Lymphoma fundraiser at Artisphere. Tickets are $85.

Free music at Arlington Cinema Drafthouse by Mike Mallick at 7:30pm followed by three stand up comedians (also free) at 10pm.

3AM (used to be call Full Effect) playing at Clarendon Grill. Cover of $5 or $10.

DJ Lil Fos at Clarendon Ballroom, $5 after 10pm.

Element K at RiRa, $5 for men and ladies are free.

The Monster Band plays at Whitlows, $5 cover after 10pm.

"Cap-City Bar Golf" DC bar hop this Saturday

 
2012 golf bar hop at John Mackey's
Time is running out to get tickets for this year's Cap-City golf themed bar hop in 11 DC bars with an actual putting green at 3 bars.

You can still use my promo-code CNIGHTS 25% off ticket price. Day of tickets are available from 2-6pm at Mackey's (1823 L St NW), but are $15 ($5 off if dressed in golf attire). 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Leukemia & Lymphoma Fundraising Gala at Artisphere Friday

Tomorrow the Artisphere in Rossyln is having a black tie fundraising Gala for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This April 12 from 7pm to 11pm, the LLS will celebrate those nominated for their Man and Woman Of the Year award who compete to raise money for blood cancer research in honor of local child survivors.

There will be d'oeuvres, cocktails, music, a silent auction, Miss DC 2009, music by Crash Boom Bang and an after-party. Tickets are still available for $85 here, along with a discount code of "nora2013" that may get you $30 off a ticket.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

All-Locals Music Lineup at Iota Friday

Yellowtieguy
This Friday April 12 Iota is hosting seven different acts all hailing from around the DC/MD/VA area. For a single $10 cover, this is a great deal to see many different types of musicians on a Friday night. The lineup includes:

Margot MacDonald
Star FK Radium
The Charm Offensive
James Ian
Yellowtieguy
South Rail
The Dreamscapes Project

Thanks to ArlNow for the heads up.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Margot MacDonald at Cherry Blossom Festival Sunday

Local favorite Margot MacDonald will be performing live this Sunday April 7 at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The talented vocalist and guitarist will be on the Cultural Performance Stage near the Jefferson Memorial on The Tidal Basin from 12-12:30pm. This free show is the perfect way to spend relaxing after the Cherry Blossum ten mile and 5k run/walk that morning.

Thanks to Denuine for the tip!

Clarendon Farmers Market every Wed

The weekly Clarendon Farmers Market starts tonight and will run through December. It used to be held directly in front of the Metro station on Highland Street, but now it will use the newly renovated Clarendon Park behind the station entrance. From 3 to 7pm every Wednesday you can find many vendors selling fresh fruits, breads, homemade pies and lot of other goodies. If you wish to become a vendor check out the application here.

On one hand I'm happy that the farmers market will have much more well-needed room in the new park area. But I'm also still unhappy with Arlington's expensive and unnecessary renovation of the Clarendon park, which resulted in many less trees and greenspace and an eyesore of empty brick pavilion.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

A-Town St Patrick's Day video


A-Town in Ballston just uploaded this video compilation of their St Patrick's day party a few weeks ago.

Monday, April 1, 2013

La Tagliatella opens today

Finally the new Italian restaurant is ready to open and take over Restaurant 3's previous space. La Tagliatella is officially open starting today, Monday April 1. It is located at 2950 Clarendon Boulevard and serves lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. I'm looking forward to trying out their Napoletano-style pizzas and seeing how they compare to local favorite Pupatella.