Justin Trawick and The Common Good at Iota

This Friday, February 28, local favorite Justin Trawick will be performing in Clarendon with his band The Common Good. The show at Iota features Justin, the Washington Area Music Awards' Song of the Year 2014 winner, on vocals and acoustic guitar along with Pete Daniels on fiddle, Jean Finstad on upright bass, and Josh Himmelsbach on mandolin and banjo. Following them is The Matt Hutchison Band, lead by the former lead singer of well known band "Fools and Horses." The music starts around 9pm and cover is $12. Check out the Facebook invite page for more details.

White Ford Bronco at Clarendon Grill

One of the best local cover band White Ford Bronco is rocking Clarendon Grill this Thursday, Feb 27. This no cover live happy hour is promoted by HiBall Events, and starts out at 5:30pm with DJ Pat Premier. Following him will be the best 90's songs at 9:30 to close led WHB's singer Gretchen's intoxicating vocals.

Heavy Seas open in Rosslyn

Tonight, February 27, Heavy Seas Alehouse opens the doors on its second location in Rosslyn. Originally from Baltimore, Heavy Seas promises fine craft bear and good food. I'm expecting tasty beers like Loose Cannon, Peg Leg Imperial Stout, Gold Ale, Powder Monkey Pale Ale and Cutlass Amber Lager and will be very disappointed if I'm not smacked in the face with tons of other pirate themes as well. The restaurant opens at 11am daily on 1501 Wilson Blvd, hopefully with plenty of Old Bay.

Mustaches for MS at Whitlows Tues

This is the text This Tuesday, Feb 25 is the seventh Mustaches 4 MS party fundraiser from 6-9pm at Whitlows. Mustaches 4 MS is an annual fundraiser that raises money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Every February the men or Greenwich Village and Arlington grow mustaches to raise awareness. It then culminates in a fundraiser happy hour at 3 Sheets Saloon NYC and Whitlows. One person will be named "El Hefe" with the best facial hair.

Jason Letscher, longtime Whitlow's employee, founded Mustaches4MS in February 2008 after losing his mother to complications from the disease in October 2007, and turned it into a fundraiser to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis and money for research for the disease.

O'Sullivans Derby fundraiser for Doorways for Women

This Sunday, Feb 23, O'Sullivan's is drink and food specials, prizes and nail-biting horse races—all to benefit a great local charity! Starting 3pm the Clarendon Irish Pub will transform its bar and restaurant into an indoor derby on Sunday, where participants can join the derby fun for free and compete for titles like “Best Dressed,” or they can donate/bet on exciting horse races to win unique prizes. Attendees can buy in to serve as an owner, trainer or jockey for any one of the 70 horses in any race. There is no cover charge and all proceeds to benefit local charity Doorways for Women and Families.

Mardi Gras Jambalaya at Mussel Bar

Newcomer to Arlington Mussel Bar & Grille is kicking off Mardi Gras week with a party Saturday, Feb 22 from noon to 4pm. The day includes live music, $4 Port City brews, and $25 all you can eat jambalaya, cornbread, and pickled okra.

Friday night Clarendon pics

Some Instagram pics around Clarendon from this past Friday, Feb 21.

Wounded Warrior HH at Arlington Rooftop

This Friday, Feb 21, government contracting company Deloitte is having a happy hour fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project, which is a veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs for wounded veterans since Sept 11. Hosted at Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill in Courthouse, the extended happy hour lasts until 9pm and includes:

• $3 drafts beers
• $4 bottled beers
• $3 Bud Light bottles
•  $4 house wine
• $5 house liquor
• ½ off appetizers
• $12 cider pitchers
• $4 signature cocktail

NextGenNow HH at Lyon Hall

Tonight, Wednesday Feb 19, local young philanthropist group NextGenNow is holding a happy hour to raise money for Doorways for Women and Families. With no cover at the door, this event is at Lyon Hall from 5:30 to 8:30pm. There will be a raffle for two nice 8th row Capitals tickets, gift cards, food and drink specials, including the group's own concoction the NextGinNow Tea. Even though there is no cost to come, space is limited so you should sign up for a free ticket on Eventbright.

Making Strides for MS at Wilson Tavern

This Wednesday, Feb 19 is full of after work activities, and one you should not miss is Making Strides for MS happy hour. This fundraiser benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at Wilson Tavern from 5-10pm. For a $10 donation at the door, you get specials like raffle tickets, $3 domestic beers, $4 wine glasses, and $5 16oz cocktails. In addition, Wilson Tavern will be donating another 10% of their bar profits to the MS Society.

These Future Saints at Galaxy Hut

This Monday, Feb 17, local band These Future Saints will be celebrating their one year together as a band at Galaxy Hut. I'm starting to get addicted to their catchy, light and just-the-right-amount-of-energetic indie rock. The show starts at 9pm and the $5 cover also includes a performance by local talent Derek Evry. More info on their Facebook invite page.

Mud Rey at Iota Saturday

Local blues rock band Mud Rey is showcasing their new album at Iota this Saturday, Feb 15. The three piece band is celebrating the release of their new EP Lusi along with Westmain and the Lauren Calve Band. Mud Rey features the very talented drummer and NoVA native Ben Tufts, along with Tony Moreno and Arlingtonian gutiarist Bobby Thompson. The show starts at 9pm and is a $12 cover.

Mittenfields and Positive No at Galaxy Hut

Electric guitar fans should come out on Sunday, Feb 16, to see local DC band Mittenfields play at Clarendon's Galaxy Hut. Mittenfields is a five piece band with three guitarist producing solid indie rock. They are sure to fill the small space with energetic tunes, especially since they will be joined by Richmond's Positive No as well. Positive No has been touring in Virginia for over a decade with their 90's indie/alternative inspired sound. The music starts at 9pm and there is a $5 cover. More info on their Facebook invite page.

Condoms and Candy Necklaces at Wilson Tavern

Wilson Tavern is continuing it's habit of originally themed parties with a Condoms & Candy Necklace night this Friday, Feb 14. This tongue-in-cheek event starts at 8pm and has no cover. This isn't the place to bring that special someone for a romantic Valentine's Day. Instead, Wilson wants you to meet someone new that night by giving out condoms and candy necklaces at the door as conversation topics, as well as featuring  special fireball shot dubbed "One Night Stand." Don't overthink the connection between condoms and candy necklaces, as there is none, but you won't be doing much thinking after a few of those fireballs that are popular there.

Happy 4th Birthday to Bakeshop

Clarendon's non-chain bakery Bakeshop is getting ready to turn four years old this Saturday, February 15. Four years ago this month was the Snowpocalypse, but Bakeshop survived its first week during that snowstorm that shut everything down and still makes great deserts. Locally owned by Justin, this small cupcakery on Fillmore street competes against bigger chains up the street like Crumbs. Their menu includes fresh, light cupcakes that change daily, cakes, pies and homemade chipwiches. Drop by the store on Saturday to take advantage of their birthday themed samples and creations.

Classic Albums of 1994

Tonight, Saturday February 1, Iota is throwing a Classic Albums of 1994 party. Local musician Derek Evry headlines the night channeling Green Day's Dookie, then more than six other acts play covers of famous 90s bands. The night starts out at 8pm and cover is $12, which gets you:

Jason Mendelson and Robert Higgs as They Might Be Giants
Carolyn Crysdale as Jewel
Alex Parez as Tom Petty
Andrew Gaddy of These Future Saints as Jeff Buckley
Taylor Carson as Soul Coughing
The Beanstalk Library as Pearl Jam
Derek Evry and His Band of Misanthropes as Green Day