Last Show at Iota

Some of the big names that have graced Iota's stage

Saturday Sept 30 is the last day Iota will be open for live music and they are going out with a day long celebration of live music forever with more than a dozen acts. Starting at  noon, a $10 cover will get you in to see all these musicians and more:

Justin Jones
El Quatro
Alex Parez
Two Ton Twig
No Second Troy
Mike Ferrio
Lauren Calve
Jumpin Jupiter
The Cowards Choir
Mary Battiata and Little Pink
Delarcos
Gist
Metrosongs
Fuzz Queen
Margot MacDonald
Jose Miguel Contreras

Then on Sunday from noon to 8pm, a final closing and sale will happen on premises with beer and wine sales. Your last chance to take home a piece of Iota!

Last Train Home at Iota

Iota is playing its last song this Saturday Sept 30, and Last Train Home is returning to the stage to help say goodbye to the loved Clarendon venue with back to back shows. They are playing tonight Thursday Sept 28 as well as Friday with Karl Staub and The Graverobbers. Cover is $15 and music starts at 7:30pm

Clarendon Day this Saturday

The annual neighborhood party Clarendon Day returns this Saturday Sept 23. This huge festival shuts down the streets around Clarendon Metro for pedestrian only traffic to access dozens of tents for food and drink vendors, arts and crafts, and local businesses. A large number of live performances will occur over two stages:

Main Stage
10:30am 1519
11:00am Christie Lenee Solo
11:30am Giants and Thieves
12:00pm Crooked Angel
12:30pm Pleasure Train
1:15pm Flashback
2:00pm Hayley Fahey Band
2:45pm Fellowcraft
3:30pm FUZZQUEEN
4:40pm Harry J Smith and the Bling
5:50pm GJ4P Peace Anthem

Performers Stage
10:30am Wandering Lies
11:15am  Caroline Ferrante and the Whole Magilla
12:00pm  SASA Beautiful Day Song Circle - MC Caroline Ferrante, Erin Frisby, Crys Matthews, Jacqueline Pie Francis
3:00pm  Saffron Dance
3:30pm  Addagio Ballet
4:00pm  O'Neill-James Irish Dance

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.

Red Cross Hurricane Irma Benefit at Iota

This Friday and Saturday night Iota is hosting a concert to benefit the Red Cross Hurricane Relief effort. The $10 suggested donations goes towards people affected by the recent Hurricane Irma. If you can't make the show, you can donate online directly. Since Iota will be closing for good at the end of the month, this may be one of their last charity benefit shows. On the playlist tonight starting 8pm will be:
Plantface
David Kitchen
Wowee
PBC Vocal Band
Geff King
Chris Aaron
Jeff Smith

Wilson Hardware officially opens

Wilson Hardware officially opens to the public tonight, Friday September 8. Taking over the space RìRà previously sat in, the owners have completely revamped the interior so it is totally unrecognizable from its pervious dark Irish sports bar. Happy hour is from 5 to 7pm and reservations are on Yelp. Thanks to Arlnow.com for this great drink list:

"Many of the drinks will reference the Virginia Hardware store, which occupied the space from the early 1960s until 2005. The cocktail menu will feature signature drinks such as the Blueprint, a mix of rosé, vodka, cantaloupe, lemon, ancho chile and mint; the Adjustable Wrench made with bourbon, rum, vanilla and chocolate bitters and the Bright Idea, a shareable cocktail for two."