Transformer Explosion at Ballston Hilton

On Decemeber 22 there was a sizable explosion in Ballston near the Hilton hotel. Police had Stuart and Stafford streets closed when I drove past around 5pm.

It turns out the electrical transformer, a large green box that steps down high voltage current before it goes into a building, faulted and exploded. Not sure if there where any injuries, but a witness did say they saw rescue workers with stretchers present.

Here is a picture of the new transformer being installed after the damaged one was removed.

Exit Clov at Iota this Saturday

I first saw the progressive and politically charged tunes of Exit Clov more than a year ago at Iota. I really enjoyed the show and the diversity of instruments. Susan and Emily pictured here were very talented, with excellent vocals, keyboard, dual violins and two cowbells!

They will be making another appearance this Saturday night at Iota along with Poor But Sexy. Highly recommended!

Boxcar Collision and Haiti Concert @ Iota

To no one's surprise the the Haiti benefit concert tonight at Iota was packed to capacity. With more than a dozen local bands participating in this charity event to raise money for the Red Cross, Iota was definately the best place in Clarendon to spend this chilly Friday night in.

I was ablepush myself into the crowd to see my local favorite band Boxcar Collision on stage. Ashlee Wilcox was keeping the standing-room-only entertained with her talented guitar playing and vox.

A great night for a great cause! Thanks to all the other bands that came out to put on this memorable show.

On Tap Magazine at Clarendon Grill this Saturday

This Saturday at Clarendon Grill the local magazine On Tap is having a CD Release Party to celebrate On the Verge-Volume IV, an annual CD featuring local bands. The evening will toast to another year and another CD full of talented area artists who are "on the verge."

11 artists are in the lineup including The Cheaters, Crash Boom Bang, Hotspur, and one of my favorites Rome In A Day! No cover before 10 p.m.

Now if I could only convince On Tap to add an RSS feed to their site...

Happy Hour for Haiti @ Current Sushi

Another DC area venue is helping raise funds for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Current on Connecticut Avenue,known for its cool atmosphere and great sushi, is hosting a happy hour for Haiti Tuesday night from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. 100% of all proceeds benefit the Oxfam American Haitian Earthquake Response Fund.

Iota Haiti relief charity concert this Friday

Iota is hosting a great benefit concert this Friday to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief. An incredible amount of local talent is scheduled to play, including one of my local favorites Boxcar Collision. The charity concert starts at 8pm and all proceeds go to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief effort.

Click here to donate online to the Haiti Relief fund.

Other bands set to perform for this charity event include:

• Iota natives Brother Shamus
• Helo
• Tom McBride
• Taylor Carson
• THE WALKAWAYS
• Derek Evry from Idea Track
• Rene Moffatt
• Zelos
• Boxcar Collision
• Sean Gaiser and Jarrett Nicolay of Vaco
• Bobby and Tiffany Thompson
• Danni Rosner
• No Second Troy

Restaurant Week in Clarendon

Several local venues are participating in Restaurant Week:

• Restaurant 3
• Liberty Tavern
• Harry's Tap Room
• La Tasca
• Willow Bar
• Tallula

Harry’s Tap Room is also donating $5 to the DC Central Kitchen charity for every Restaurant Week dinner menu selected.

Winter 2010 Restaurant Week - January 11-17, 2010
Lunch: - $20.10 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Dinner: - $35.10 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Beverages, gratuity and tax are not included.

Click here for more participating local Washington DC and NoVA restaurants.

New Year's Eve @ Mie N Yu

I can't attest to the New Year's scene in Clarendon because I was at Mie N Yu in Georgetown. The upscale Middle East / Far East fusion restaurant was very impressive and wrapped us in a rich and classy mood to bring in the new year. Entertainment came by way of belly dancers and a terra cotta warrior performer.

Mie N Yu offered a special NYE's menu for the night to simpify orders: either a Middle East or Far East selection in 3 or 5 course. Both were excellent in presentation and delicious, although of course portions are small and expensive (the soup was served in shot glass size for instance). I really enjoyed the Afghan style lamb from the Middle East dinner.

Street parking is limited of course and the metro is a long walk, so either grab a cab or park in the Colonial lot one block east for $18.

Highly recommended for a fun and classy night out!

Ballston bars packed day before NYE

I was not expecting Rock Bottom in Ballston was going to be packed beyond capacity one day before New Year's Eve. The venue offers its own custom beer menu (I recommend the Ballston Brown) , and attracts a similar crowd to its neighbors Union Jack's and Bailey's. At around midnight, there was actually a long line just to get into Union Jack's!

Our waitress confirmed that this is one of the busiest nights of the year for the bar, which surprised me a little.

If Ballston was this crowded, I'm curious about how packed the venues in Clarendon were at the same time.

Merry Metro Christmas

Thanks to Unsuck DC Metro for providing interesting local Christmas photos and movies like this one:


Video credit to Stacey Viera (StaceyViera.com)

Also, if you feel you need to escape your family today and listen to some local music, IOTA is open from 7pm to 2am with no cover charge.

Merry Christmas Clarendon!