Open Mic Second Anniversary at Rhodeside Grill

This Wednesday October 16 Alex The Red Parez is celebrating two years of hosting open mic nights in the Rhodeside Grill basement stage! Alex will be performing at 10pm at this free, no cover event. Two open mic signups at 7:30pm and 10pm. All ages until 10pm then 21+ after.

"Alex The Red Parez aka El Rojo has been bringing acoustic rock and old-time country to the Washington DC Metro Area since 2006. Whether performing original music or classic material, Alex’s voice is “reminiscent of Johnny Cash, though often sung with Jello Biafra’s inflection” (Matthew Stabley, NBCWashington.com)

“Sounds like Nick Cave reinterpreting the early songbook of Bill Callahan” (The Big Easy - MetroMusicScence.com).

“El Rojo” to his friends, Parez takes inspiration from epic troubadours Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and local balladeer John Bustine amongst various other artists. In trio mode, Alex is flanked by accomplished harmonica sideman Terry Boes and prolific bassist Derek Evry who is also a fantastic songwriter, singer, guitarist and band leader. Alex has also performed with several other local musicians for various tribute shows.

Open Mic Anniversary at Rhodeside Grill

Rhodeside Grill downstairs open mic nights are hosted by Alex The Red Parez every Wednesday, with this August 28th being a special five year anniversary! Alex has been hosting open mic night every Wednesday nights back when IOTA Club and Café was around. There are two signup times at 8:30pm and 10pm, with Alex playing at 10pm. This even is always free and there is no cover!

Alex The Red Parez aka El Rojo has been bringing acoustic rock and old-time country to the Washington DC Metro Area since 2006.  “El Rojo” to his friends, Parez takes inspiration from epic troubadours Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and local balladeer John Bustine amongst various other artists.

Alex Parez at Galaxy Hut

Local favorite Alex Parez is playing this Sunday, Sept 30 night at Galaxy Hut. Music starts at 8:30pm, $5, 21+. Come help us celebrate the first year of his band Alex The Read Parez And The Hell Rojos album's existence! Guest performance by Derek Evry.

Open Mic night at Rhodeside Grill

Just because Clarendon has lost Iota doesn't mean saying goodbye to our open mic nights on Wednesdays. Alex Parez is continuing the traditional at Rhodeside Grill basement starting October 18th at 7:30pm.

Alex said he is "happy and excited to announce that I'll be hosting a brand new open mic night Wednesday night's at Rhodeside Grill, not too far from our old "home" at IOTA Club & Cafe, starting October 18th. We'll be in their lower level downstairs and I'm sticking with the same format, 2 signups at 7:30pm and 10:00pm and a featured artist/act at 10:00pm to play a 30 minute set. Our new "home" holds a very special memory for me and is therefore very near and dear to my heart as many years ago I was asked to play a cover song in my friends' band for their album release show. That friends' band was Amateur Hour, their album is AWESOME as our all of the band members and the song I chose to sing with them was none other than "Running Down a Dream" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was a wonderful time, several other friends came up to play songs and I tell you it was just a magical bit of music, friends, family, community and fellowship. "

Last Show at Iota

Some of the big names that have graced Iota's stage

Saturday Sept 30 is the last day Iota will be open for live music and they are going out with a day long celebration of live music forever with more than a dozen acts. Starting at  noon, a $10 cover will get you in to see all these musicians and more:

Justin Jones
El Quatro
Alex Parez
Two Ton Twig
No Second Troy
Mike Ferrio
Lauren Calve
Jumpin Jupiter
The Cowards Choir
Mary Battiata and Little Pink
Delarcos
Gist
Metrosongs
Fuzz Queen
Margot MacDonald
Jose Miguel Contreras

Then on Sunday from noon to 8pm, a final closing and sale will happen on premises with beer and wine sales. Your last chance to take home a piece of Iota!

Goodbye Iota

Such a sad day to acknowledge that my favorite live music venue of all time Iota Club and Café will be closing for good on Sept 30 2017. As reported in detail by ArlNow, the owners have decided to pack it up after their lease ends as the building is being remodeled and ending Iota's unique place in Arlington culture for 23 years. Their final lineup so far is Last Train Home on the 28th and 29th.

While nothing can replace Iota, similar spots like Galaxy Hut down the street and Gypsy Sally's in Georgetown will continue to host bands that would have played here.

I have such fond memories of this place and all the wonderful people I've met there, like Justin Trawick, Derek Evry, Alex Parez, Margot MacDonald and Rae Williamson just to name a few. ArlNow has an extensive list of performances that have graced Iota's small stage. Here is a quick list of my favorite shows at the quirky place that kept Clarendon strange:

My first recorded Iota night almost 10 years ago with the fun local band Boxcar Collision.

Matthew Good's oddly quiet show in 2008

The super catchy pop punk Exit Clov bursting with style and cow bells







My first show with Juniper Lane and witnessing Vivion Smith's killer vocals

Ending 2008 on an amazing festive night with Ten Out of Tenn. Might have been the best concert experience ever.

That time Tristan Prettyman sold out her show and the first time I saw a line down the block for Iota. Luckily she came back in 2011.

Reni Lane!!!

Katie Herzig's Hologram song live along with Butterfly Boucher in the same night.

Juniper Lane and Margot MacDonald on the same night in 2012!

The week everything was free at Iota in 2014

Luckily for us the Nine Songwriter Series frequently visited Iota

Derek Evry is awesome. Middle Distance Runner is awesome. And both in the same night!

The unforgettable night with Invisible Witches debuting in summer of 2014.

When Boston based Air Traffic Controller dropped by and forever got their song Hurry Hurry stuck in my head.

Justin Trawick's birthday show in 2015. This is the most musically talented and active guy here.

Crooked Angels at Iota

Iota has a full night of Americana music planned for Thursday August 10 with three great acts. Local rock legend Alex Parez, who is frequent at Iota, will play with his band The Hell Rojos bringing acoustic rock and old-time country. Joining them are the alt-country and Americana band from DC area The Walkways. Headlining the night is the "bourbon infused Americana" sounds from the husband and wife band The Crooked Angels. Cover is $10 and doors open at 7:30pm with music usually starting around 9pm.

Alex Parez at Galaxy Hut

On Monday April 17 you can catch Alex The Red Parez and The Hell Rojos will be headlining at Galaxy Hut for their 4th Annual Earth Day Show. Alex Parez is one of the most active players in the local Clarendon music scene, with Alex hosting Iota's open mic night every Wed, manning the door at Iota, and playing frequently in the area. Also playing that night will be Sunchild. Music starts at 8:30pm with the usual $5 cover.

Alex The Red Parez at Iota

Every Wednesday night my favorite local live music venue Iota hosts an open mic night at no cover charge. This Wed November 16 the free open mic night is hosted by Alex Parez and features Brian Dolzani as the guest artist at 10pm. Two signups at 7:30pm and 10pm if you want to play onstage.

Classic Albums at Iota

This Thursday January 28 the Classic Albums series is returning to Iota! This long standing series at my favorite Clarendon live music venue features a night full of local musicians paying tribute to music legends. This month's show includes:

• Green Day by Brain Stew
• The Beatles by Dr. Robert and Penny Lane
• Elvis Costello by Jason Menelson
• Stevie Wonder by The Lucky So and Sos
• The Eagles by Alex Parez and the Hell Rojos
• The Cranberries by Right Handed Lefties

The show starts at 8:30pm with only a $10 cover!