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.

Juniper Lane at Iota

I fell in love with the band Juniper Lane in 2008, and now the Washington DC based group is returning to Iota this Saturday July 26. Juniper Lane is one of my favorite local bands ever since I learned about them from when they opened for Coldplay. Front woman Vivion Smith will mesmerize Iota's audience Saturday with her vocals, keyboard skills and stage presence. Opening up for them will be Against Grace and Stella Mira. Shows start at 9pm with a $12 cover for all three bands.

Events this weekend - Taste of Arlington, Truckeroo and cover bands

With the expected amazing weather this weekend, there are plenty of events to enjoy in Arlington and DC. Here is a short list of my recommendations:

Friday May 17
11am - 11pm Truckeroo in DC
A free monthly festival held April thru October at the corner of Half St.and M St., SE showcasing tons of food trucks and live music
10pm The Nameless Few at RiRa
Covers of the best from the 70’s, 80's, 90's and today - $5 cover for me, ladies are free 

Saturday May 18
8pm - 2am Rooftop of Clarendon Ballroom
Only the rooftop of Ballroom is open Sat night, with no cover charge
8:30pm - 12am Juniper Lane at Iota
A great local band playing original music, lead vocals by Vivion Smith will amaze you. A perfect alternative to the many cover bands playing other places - $12 cover
9:30pm - 12am Flow in the Dark at Whitlows
A fun and entertaining cover band that works in talk boxes, v-drums, looping station and four talented singers - $5 cover



Sunday May 19
12pm - 5pm Taste of Arlington in Ballston
This annual outdoor event is sure to draw a large crowd. It is family friendly and features a huge selection of local restaurants offering samples of their menu for one "tasting" ticket each. For $30 you get 10 tasting tickets. Live music includes Down Wilson, The Reflex, Junkfood and Silent Critics

Juniper Lane at Iota this Saturday

The always awesome Juniper Lane is playing again in Clarendon this Saturday, May 18. The 9pm show takes place at Iota, which has hosted the 5 piece talented band many times before. The $12 cover also includes other local acts Ditched By Kate, a DC based alternative rock band, and Zero Mercury, an Arlington based progressive space rock power trio. Ditched by Kate will also be celebrating their CD release that night of their new album Nostalgia.

Juniper Lane at Iota Friday

One of my favorite bands Juniper Lane is playing in Clarendon this Friday night. I've seen the five member band perform many times over the years and have always been excited about their performance. Their addictive rock beats mixed with lead singer Vivion Smith's mesmerizing vocals will rock Iota Friday starting at 9pm. The $12 cover also includes two other performances sharing the stage: Against Grace and Stella Mira.

Juniper Lane at Iota Friday night

Vivion Smith leads the vocals of Juniper Lane

Tonight not only will we have great autumn weather, but great live music too as one of my favorite local bands is back at IOTA. The five member rock band Juniper Lane is playing tonight, along with The District Lights and the Tommy Gann Band. You get to see all three acts tonight for one cover charge of $12 starting at 9pm.

Juniper Lane has been playing together for many years, and got a popularity boost in 2008 when they opened up for Coldplay. Last time they played in Clarendon, it was the last show before Vivion Smith gave birth and the pregnancy didn't interfere with her great vocals in the least. Looking forward to tonight's show!

Juniper Lane, Margot MacDonald, Against Grace at Iota

Last Friday a triple header of great local indie music took over at Iota in Clarendon. Nothing could stop Margot MacDonald's amazing singing and keyboarding, as she was able to maintain composure and the beat even when the power cord popped out of her keyboard. Juniper Lane played next and reminded me why they are one of my favorite local bands of all time. Singer Vivion Smith led the band flawlessly despite being extremely pregnant. Newcomer Against Grace rounded out the night with an impressive performance.

Margot's performance is always mesmerizing

Vivion Smith's vocals and keyboards lead Juniper Lane

Against Grace finished out the night strong

Juniper Lane at IOTA

Photo via Meg Linehan

The always magnificent Juniper Lane played at Iota again last Saturday, Oct 8. The talented five piece band led by vocalist Vivion Smith, who mezmerizes the audience with her strong voice and beauty. Tonight was their CD release show for their latest album Standing On The White Line, of which they played some of their new matterial from. I personally love their older songs like "Take Me Home." I also really enjoyed their cover of a Modest Mouse soung!

Here is a nice Flickr gallery cateloging their performance. Thanks to Meg Linehan for taking these, as my camera is out of commission now.

Must See Music this Weekend in Clarendon

Bobbie Allen

Vivion Smith from Juniper Lane

Iota is rocking Clarendon this weekend with back to back must see lineups. On Friday June 17, the very talented and heart stopping Bobbie Allen returns to Iota for a show at 9pm. She mixes folk and pop with her hypnotic vocals and acoustic guitar .

One of my favorite local acts Juniper Lane is showcasing at Iota Saturday night, June 18. I really can't say enough about this veteran band (they have been rocking for over 10 years), as I've seem them perform several times over the past 3 years in Clarendon and have always been impressed. Vivion Smith consistently mesmerizes me with her vocals and the band's tunes are always energetic and catchy. It's no wonder why Coldplay asked Juniper Lane to open for them in 2008. Don't miss out on them this weekend!

Juniper Lane this Friday at Iota

One of my favorite bands to see live is returning to Iota in Clarendon this Friday night! The always entertaining Juniper Lane will go on stage after Emily Greene and No Second Troy open up the club.

The $12 cover is a good investment it too see all three bands that night, in fact Juniper Lane is talented and inspiring enough to make the trip out to Wilson Blvd worthwhile.

Vivion Smith consistently mesmerizes me with her vocals, the band's tunes are always energetic and catch,  and our own Arlington Connection raves that they are "following the trends set by British bands like U2 and Coldplay."

Juniper Lane tonight at Iota

A show that should not be missed is Juniper Lane tonight at Iota. The very talented and energetic rock/indie/pop band is returning again to Clarendon after their last show here in February.

Every time I've seen Juniper Lane play I've been seduced by lead singer Vivion Smith's amazing vocals and impressed with the band's their catchy and solid tunes. They put on a great show with lots of crowd interaction.

Music begins at 9pm with The Silent Critics opening for them.

Juniper Lane rocking Iota Friday

The very talented band Juniper Lane is returning to Iota this Friday night, and I'm very excited to be blown away again by lead singer Vivion Smith's amazing vocals.

Last time I saw them perform at Iota, I was so impressed that Juniper Lane instantly shot up near the top of my list of favorite local bands. They have excellent audience engagement, poise, energy, and enthusiasm for their music that it almost guarantees a fun night out. Melodime will be opening for them at 9pm, who I have have never seen before but curious to see how they incorporate a violin into their five piece rock/blues/folk/country band.

Upcoming Can't Miss Bands

I'm upset at not being able to make it to the Ten Out of Tenn show at Iota last Saturday. Here are some other must see bands playing soon:

• Middle Distance Runner
  Iota
  Saturday October 3 9pm
  
  
• The Bravery
  9:30 Club
  Sunday October 11 7pm
  
  
• True Womanhood
  Black Cat
  Monday October 19 8pm
  
  
• Juniper Lane
  Iota
  Saturday October 24 9pm
  
  
• Breast Cancer Benefit Concert with Memphis 29
  Clarendon Ballroom
  Wednesday November 18 7pm
  

New pics of Juniper Lane @ Iota

Some great photos are just went up of the very talented Juniper Lane.

Here are the pics when they played Iota last Friday night.

Juniper Lane @ Iota

Once again, I was blown away by Juniper Lane's talent, execution, energy and stage presence. They have such a positive energy and rapport with each other it is always enjoyable to witness them perform live. The very colorful Reni Lane (no relation haha) opened for them to a full house, as Iota was packed tonight due to the band's popularity with both the indie crowd and more mainstream alternative/rock audiences.

Lead singer Vivion Smith plays the role of siren with her mesmerizing voice and hypnotizing eye contact with the audience. Her beauty and talent have the entire crowd wrapped around her keyboard playing fingers. Drummer Eddie Pasa showed us that he is equally talented on vocals as he is keeping the beat.

Juniper Lane this Friday at Iota

The very talented and catchy Juniper Lane is coming to Iota this Friday night.

The last time they visited Clarendon I was very glad I made it out and was mesmerized by Vivion Smith's striking vocals and smooth keyboarding. Looking forward to this show!

Juniper Lane "plays polished, radio-ready rock with all the right nods to U2 and Coldplay... this is definitely music to hear on the radio... the total package." - WashingtonPost.com

Juniper Lane @ Iota

Vivion Smith, the gorgeous vocalist and keyboardist of Juniper Lane, was stunning tonight at Iota with great stage presence and sense of humor. It surprised no one that Juniper Lane drew a crowd tonight, as the DC native band has been featured on The Hills as well as opened for Coldplay recently.

Plus the band has been featured in Washington Post's Picks as well giving them a positive album review.