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.

Wilson Hardware officially opens

Wilson Hardware officially opens to the public tonight, Friday September 8. Taking over the space RìRà previously sat in, the owners have completely revamped the interior so it is totally unrecognizable from its pervious dark Irish sports bar. Happy hour is from 5 to 7pm and reservations are on Yelp. Thanks to Arlnow.com for this great drink list:

"Many of the drinks will reference the Virginia Hardware store, which occupied the space from the early 1960s until 2005. The cocktail menu will feature signature drinks such as the Blueprint, a mix of rosé, vodka, cantaloupe, lemon, ancho chile and mint; the Adjustable Wrench made with bourbon, rum, vanilla and chocolate bitters and the Bright Idea, a shareable cocktail for two."

Rhodeside Grill's 20th Anniversary

Rhodeside Grill is celebrating their 20th anniversary in Arlington on Friday, April 15. For two decadeson Wilson and Rhodes street this has been an institution in the Courthouse bar scene, featuring good food, great staff and live music in the basement.

From 4-7pm, they will have original happy hour prices on draft beer and wine along with their own cocktail "The Roosevelt".

Live music featuring:
Jeff Lefler 6:00pm – 9:00pm (upstairs)
“That’s All She Wrote” 7:15pm – 7:45pm
Claire Cho 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Party Now! 9:45pm – 10:45pm
Thing 3 11:00pm – 1:30am

ARLive Network with Newsmakers party

ARLnow is a great Arlington news blog that turns four years old today. The website started out small in 2010 and now has grown to hundreds of thousands of readers and lots of timely links to local events content. It's an excellent local news source that I use frequently to keep pace with upcoming events.

On Tuesday February 11, ARLnow is throwing a party to bring together Arlington residents, businesses and officials to "meet the people behind the headlines." This ARLive party goes from 5:30 to 8pm in Crystal City on the 10th floor of 2011 Crystal Drive.Tickets are $25 available here and the event includes a DJ, hors d’oeuvres by Jaleo, wine by the Crystal City Wine Shop.

Thursday events not to miss

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria just opened in Clarendon! The Mexican restaurant replaces Market Tavern (which replaced Harry's Tap Room) and looks promising with its larger downstairs bar. Their happy hour today runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. ArlNow.com has the details.

Tonight Frontpage is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Thursday is also their rock and country night, with 2 for $1 tacos from 5-8pm. Music starts at 8pm featuring DJ Smoky.

Grateful Red wine shop is having a free Kosher wine tasting tonight from 4 to 7:30pm.

Fellow Clarendon bloggers Boobs Bacon Bourbon are having their second Thirsty Thursday party at Policy in DC. Details here.

Drunk driving late night accident in Clarendon

Photo via @SmackBoii_G

Late Friday night, a pedestrian was struck by a fast moving car near the intersection of Highland and Clarendon Blvd. I did not witness the accident which happened around 12:30am, but I heard all of the commotion as police and ACFD shut down the street.

The great weather brought out a good sized crowd to Clarendon last night, and there is always alot of foot traffic right around the time bars close, but accidents like this are thankfully not that common.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the victim, who is in critical condition. The driver, according to ArlNow.com, was charged with DUI. This serves as yet another sober warning about the dangers of drinking and driving. There are so many other options of getting home safe after a night out in Clarendon, including my favorites of calling Uber Cab or Red Top taxi.

Mechanical Bull at Whitlow's Wed

Thanks to ARLNow.com for the heads up on Whitlow's benefit for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) on Wednesday. The fundraiser features a mechanical bull riding contest at $10 per try and starts 6 p.m. with food and drink specials all night. It's a great cause, and not only can you support our veterans but also watch people being thrown from the bull!