Darna Labor Day Block Party

Darna, the Lebanese/Persian dance club at the western corner of Clarendon, is throwing an End Of Summer Block Party this Labor Day weekend. Darna has been open for two years and is known for its lively outdoor block parties, and this one will be no exception with an outdoor mechanical bull ride, BBQ and drink specials. On Friday DJ Heat starts the weekend party, followed by DJ Pouria on Saturday night. The event cumulates on Sunday, August 31 with the block party including DJs Khaleel, Vicious and Brad Piff joining DJs Heat and Pouria. There is no cover charge on Sunday and the party starts at 11am.

The Handsome Family at Iota

Husband and wife duo The Handsome Family is playing at Iota this Thursday, August 28. Known for the opening credits for HBO's "True Detective", this Americana/country/bluegrass band is sure to sell out this small Clarendon venue. The Handsome Family has been "blending murder ballads with hidden histories" since 1995 that draws on Gothic fiction and American folk music. Richard Buckner opens up for them at 8:30pm. $15 cover. Before that, Iota is playing the Redskins vs. Tampa football game starting 7:30pm.

Jimmy Fund cancer benefit at Bracket Room

Bracket Room is hosting a fundraiser to benefit cancer research this Wednesday August 27. From 4-9pm, 100% of all donations and 10% of sales will go to the The Jimmy Fund, which solely supports Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer research. This night is a memorial fundraiser for Robyn Else Abrams, who passed at the age of 9. More info on the Facebook event page, and you can donate directly here.

Air Traffic Controller at Iota

This Friday, August 22 a great indie pop band Air Traffic Controller will be lighting up Iota's stage with catchy songs like "Hurry Hurry" and "You Know Me". The six piece Boston based band was placed on NPR's Hot 100 list for SXSW and named "Band of the Day" by the Guardian UK. The band gets their name from singer Dave Munro's previous profession as an air traffic controller for the US Navy. Music starts at 9pm with The Tragic Thrills. Cover is $12 for both bands.

LGBTuesday at Iota

Iota is starting a new weekly event called LGBTuesdays. This Tuesday, August 19 and every Tuesday following promotes a friendly environment for people of all orientations and in association with Northern VA Pride. This no cover event will have happy hour drink specials and half price appetizers from 7 to 9pm. From 7pm until close Mikey Torres will be projecting music videos on the wall. This week the videos will be of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which is one of Neil Patrick Harris's characters and he is performed as Hedwig live for the last time this past weekend.

Bar Crawl for LLS Saturday

This Saturday, August 16 a fun bar crawl for a good cause is hitting Clarendon called Light The Bar Crawl. This super hero themed event is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help fight blood cancers. From 1-5pm four local bars will participate with drink and food specials. Volunteers will be selling apparel and pint glasses with proceeds going to LLS. Whitlows has also stepped forward to pledge 15% of group sales will be donated back to LLS. Last year they raised $8,000 and plan to double that goal this weekend.

For a $20 ticket that helps fund LLS you get drink specials for one hour at each of these four locations:

1 - 2pm Sobe
2 - 3pm American Tap Room
3 - 4pm Bracket Room $3 cans, $5 tater tots
4 - 5pm Whitlows $3 rails, $2 Miller Lite bottles

 

Invisible Witches at Galaxy Hut

Invisible Witches perform at Iota

My favorite local band Invisible Witches is set to have their second show in Clarendon on Monday, August 11 at Galaxy Hut. The three piece band made their debut show at Iota last month with David Barker on guitar, Simon Ley on drums and great vocals and bass by Josh Padgett. The music starts at 9pm with Arlington based  Koshari opening up for them. $5 cover includes both bands.

Social Bites Clarendon Food Crawl

This Saturday August 9, The Social Group and RUNINOut will be launching Clarendon’s first-ever Food Crawl over four restaurants in four hours. The event will start at 12:30pm at Ri Ra, then at 1:30pm they will split off into two different groups and visit two other restaurants for 45 minutes each and will rejoin for an a final tasting around 4pm. Each location will have drinks specials and will be featuring signature items that best represent their establishment. Tickets are $43 here.

Practically Einstein at Iota

This Friday, August 8 check out local band Practically Einstein on stage at Iota. The Better Than Eza-like rock band has been touring recently showcasing their hit Soldier Girl. Their great rock sound has lead this Arlington based rock band with four albums performed by Brad "Radish" Pugh, Smilin' Rob Kuczynski, Jersey Phil Saraceno and Mark "the General" Kuczysnki. Music starts at 8:30 with Joseph And The Beasts. The $12 cover is well worth seeing Practically Einstein live as they rocked RìRà for their pre-Thanksgiving party last year.

Rock the Roof Wine Night at Eventide

The highlight of summertime in Clarendon are the rooftops, and the rooftop party the night of on Wednesday August 6 is not to be missed if you are into wine. Rock The Roof DC and the Young Winos convinced Eventide to extend their rooftop happy hour to 4-8pm. Specials will include half priced wines by the glass, additional wine selections and regular happy hour prices. In case it rains the party moves to Eventide's first floor Odd Bar.