Halloween in Clarendon

Tonight was much more alive than last year in Clarendon. The excellent weather combined with Halloween falling on a Friday night brought droves of costumed party goers. It really was a fun and energetic night!

Clarendon Ballroom was the place to be, as the line seemed endless (about three blocks).
Even though it was impossible for everyone waiting to get in, the Ballroom's line transformed Wilson Blvd into the place to show off your costume or ogle other people's get ups. Both Clarendon Grill and Mister Day's also were packed and popular, as to be expected.

There were plenty of creative costumes, such as rubik cubes, human tetris players, and even a guy dressed as "the shocker". If you don't know what that is, please don't google it at work.

Broken Social Scene @ State Theatre

Broken Social Scene received a warm welcome on a cold night to the State Theatre in Falls Church. The sold out show had fans waiting in line around the block for seats in the art deco venue.

Land Of Talk woke the crowd up with some energetic, if unrefined, indie rock lead by frontwoman Liz Powell. Liz also provided the female vocals for BSS tonight as Amy Millan from Stars fame was not present.

The indie supergroup Broken Social Scene did not disappoint anyone, playing some of their popular songs as well as a hour long encore. And they brought cake for the audience! Well only a small cake enough for a few in the first row to dig their hands into, but still a cool gesture.

I have to mention Andrew Whiteman's and Charles Spearin's performance skit of impersonating his neighbor lady's voice with a sax, simply incredible and hilarioius.

Sonya Kitchell @ Iota

Sonya Kitchell's soothing indie folk melodies came to Iota on Saturday night. I missed The Slip, who is on tour with her across the country, opening up for her band.

I like Sonya's vocals on "For Every Drop", which has a little alternative flair to the melody. I like that song much more than her most popular beat "Let Me Go". Her other songs are more folkish, and lead to a relatively quiet night in the venue.

The 80's tribute band The Reflex was also back at Clarendon Grill tonight for some retro fun.

Clarendon Day

Despite a battering of rain earlier in the day, the outdoor festivities of Clarendon Day took place. Three stages for live music with dozens of musicians filled the crisp air while vendors set up stands selling crafts, jewelry, posters, and baked goods. Many of the local restaurants including Hard Times, Eleventh, and Liberty Tavern sold mobile versions of their meals. Entertainment for the kids included a moon bounce, bungee trampoline, and a skate park.

Everyone But Pete @ Iota

I got into Clarendon too late to catch Rome In A Day open at Iota tonight. Pretty disappointed about that as they are quickly becoming one of my favorite local bands. Everyone But Pete played afterward to a packed and energetic house.

And now I have a serious problem - both Minus The Bear and Broken Social Scene are playing in the DC area on the same night! That is one tough decision to make.

Charlie Maddox @ Big Meadows Lodge

I had the chance to escape the urban cityscape this weekend and camped out in the Shenandoah Park. It was beautiful weather at Big Meadows campground, which is a park ideal for a city goer like me because they offer full facilities like showers, bathrooms, fire pits, and a lodge with a restaurant and bar.

While taking advantage of the latter I caught some live folk music by veteran Shenandoah musician Charlie Maddox. Charlie specialized in pre-1920s mountain folk music played on guitar, banjo, and the ancient mandrake pictured here.

I'm not big on folk tunes, but I really enjoyed his talent and appreciation for the origins of the music. His piano-like melodies of the mandrake created some beautiful British isle songs.

Minus The Bear coming to 9:30 Club

Can't wait until Oct 22nd when inspiring tunes of Minus The Bear makes its way to DC again! This time they are coming to the 9:30 club.

While browsing for some of their awesome music videos, I stumbled upon this compilation of a fan playing guitar taps of some of their best songs. Now I really want to learn how to tap like this:

True Womanhood at Black Cat

There's alot going on this week at Black Cat, but I'll probably will miss it all due to bronchitis. Immune system fail =(

True Womanhood is playing on Wednesday! Been meaning to check out bassist Melissa Beattie's beats live.

Friday the entertaining Jupiter One is attacking the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC. I feel bad missing the Rasputina show on Monday.





Thanks to DCist for keeping me up to date.

New Fitness Center Coming on Highland Street

Nobody should be surprised that the attorney's office that used to occupy the space next to Eleventh is gone. I can't imagine they got any business, plus the place looks horrible.

Now Potomac Cross Fitness is taking the space left vacant after the Post Office moved across the street. It should do well there, and will give Gold's Gym down the street on Fillmore some more competition.

Although most of the condo and apartment buildings in Clarendon are new enough to have gyms as one of their amenities. So I wonder who are they targeting as their customers?

Strathmore Outdoor Film Festival

Arrived just in time to catch the latest Harry Potter movie (actually the only one I've watched all the way through) at the Comcast Outdoor Film Festival in Bethesda. Conveniently located off the Strathmore-Grosvenor Metro exit on the red line, it hosts outdoor movies during August.

Too bad the summer is almost over, I would have liked to take advantage of this great venue again as its a nice alternative to the traditional movie theater night.