Open Mic Second Anniversary at Rhodeside Grill

This Wednesday October 16 Alex The Red Parez is celebrating two years of hosting open mic nights in the Rhodeside Grill basement stage! Alex will be performing at 10pm at this free, no cover event. Two open mic signups at 7:30pm and 10pm. All ages until 10pm then 21+ after.

"Alex The Red Parez aka El Rojo has been bringing acoustic rock and old-time country to the Washington DC Metro Area since 2006. Whether performing original music or classic material, Alex’s voice is “reminiscent of Johnny Cash, though often sung with Jello Biafra’s inflection” (Matthew Stabley, NBCWashington.com)

“Sounds like Nick Cave reinterpreting the early songbook of Bill Callahan” (The Big Easy - MetroMusicScence.com).

“El Rojo” to his friends, Parez takes inspiration from epic troubadours Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and local balladeer John Bustine amongst various other artists. In trio mode, Alex is flanked by accomplished harmonica sideman Terry Boes and prolific bassist Derek Evry who is also a fantastic songwriter, singer, guitarist and band leader. Alex has also performed with several other local musicians for various tribute shows.

Open Mic Anniversary at Rhodeside Grill

Rhodeside Grill downstairs open mic nights are hosted by Alex The Red Parez every Wednesday, with this August 28th being a special five year anniversary! Alex has been hosting open mic night every Wednesday nights back when IOTA Club and Café was around. There are two signup times at 8:30pm and 10pm, with Alex playing at 10pm. This even is always free and there is no cover!

Alex The Red Parez aka El Rojo has been bringing acoustic rock and old-time country to the Washington DC Metro Area since 2006.  “El Rojo” to his friends, Parez takes inspiration from epic troubadours Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and local balladeer John Bustine amongst various other artists.

Open Mic night at Rhodeside Grill

Just because Clarendon has lost Iota doesn't mean saying goodbye to our open mic nights on Wednesdays. Alex Parez is continuing the traditional at Rhodeside Grill basement starting October 18th at 7:30pm.

Alex said he is "happy and excited to announce that I'll be hosting a brand new open mic night Wednesday night's at Rhodeside Grill, not too far from our old "home" at IOTA Club & Cafe, starting October 18th. We'll be in their lower level downstairs and I'm sticking with the same format, 2 signups at 7:30pm and 10:00pm and a featured artist/act at 10:00pm to play a 30 minute set. Our new "home" holds a very special memory for me and is therefore very near and dear to my heart as many years ago I was asked to play a cover song in my friends' band for their album release show. That friends' band was Amateur Hour, their album is AWESOME as our all of the band members and the song I chose to sing with them was none other than "Running Down a Dream" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was a wonderful time, several other friends came up to play songs and I tell you it was just a magical bit of music, friends, family, community and fellowship. "

Open Mic Nights at Sehkraft Brewery

This Monday April 18 local favorite Derek Evry will kick off the first in a new series of Open Mic Nights at Sehkraft Brewery!

This open mic will occur every second and forth Monday of the month starting at 8pm, with sign ups at 7pm.

A featured artist of the night will perform at 9pm.

Follow them on Twitter at @shekraftopenmic

Emily Henry featured at IOTA Open Mic

IOTA's open mic show every Wednesday is my favorite free event in Clarendon. It's always exciting not knowing who will perform or what genre of music they will bring to the stage. Everyone gets to play two songs, and those range from acoustic guitar covers, original songs with mandalins and violins, to singers and rappers.

This past Wednesday IOTA also added a featured musician in the middle of the open mic slots: the very talented Emily Henry. The  Fredericksburg native acoustic/folk singer caught everyone's attention and played about six songs for the crowd, including her hit "Las Vegas". She was a tough act to follow for people scheduled after her! I am very much looking forward to seeing her perform again at IOTA sometime.

Local Dives: LA Bar & Grill

LA Bar & Grill is hidden away behind Columbia Pike and claims to be the "least douchiest bar in Arlington." Although I hesitate to use the word "dive bar" around this area, LA Bar & Grill is refreshingly unpretentious. This is one of those places that makes you want to become a regular and have the staff know you by name Cheers-style.

I visited it on a Sunday, which due to the NFL games being shown is probably a different experience than the weekdays there. There are specials and events just about every day at LA Bar, including half price burgers on Wednesday. I enjoyed their Applewood Smoked Bacon burger, with nice steak cut fries that disappeared too quickly. A mountain of onion rings can also be substituted for fries.

Looking forward to going back for Acoustic Open Mic Night on Thursdays 9pm!

Open Mic Night @ Iota

Every Wednesday is Open Mic night at Iota, where anyone can sign up and play two songs on stage from 8pm to midnight. Weeknights aren't as packed as the weekends, so its much more laid back and easy to have a conversation. Plus its a great way to see a wide variety of local artists and genres.

Tonight had a very diverse mix of musicians, from a white female rapper to a flute playing experimental to acoustic guitar. Local two-guitar band Citizen also played and gave out their sample CD. Derek also rocked out solo with two of his original songs.

Weeknights are actually my favorite time in Clarendon, with a lot of different activities available such as:

• Monday - Live music at Galaxy Hut and Salsa Dancing at Clarendon Grill
  
• Tuesday - Texas Hold'em Poker at Clarendon Grill
  
• Wednesday - Free Open Mic Music at Iota and Free Open Mic Comedy at RiRa
  
• Thursday - Open Mic Comedy at Arlington Cinema Drafthouse
  

Open Mic Comedy @ Eleventh Street Lounge tonight

Eleventh Street Lounge is one of my favorite venues in Clarendon, as it is a little more classy and tasteful than the typical bars and clubs packed with the identical post-college drunkards.

Known for its techno music DJ's, warm red interior, and a speak-easy like basement section, Eleventh has added another feature to make it even more attractive. Every first and third Mondays of each month the lounge hosts an open mic comedy standup, with comedians ranging from beginners to veterans.

The open mic that starts at 8pm. More info at their site or their Facebook event page.

Iota Open Mic - New Format

One of the best kept secrets of the local music scene is open mic night at Iota on Wednesdays. Previously, anyone could sign up to perform two songs, most of which where acoustic guitar solos. The night usually features a variety of talent and styles, and there is always at least one amateur musician who will impress you.

As new hosts take the reign of managing the open night, Iota changed the format tonight. Todd, Rich and James now run two separate open mic times on Wednesday - 7:30pm and 10pm. There was not a two song restriction on the performers.

It seemed like a rough start for their open mic, along with numerous audio problems. The talent of those who entertained us ranged from incredible to you-really-shouldn't-be-up-there bad.

Standing out amongst all the open mic-ers was the fantastically gifted Laura (pictured here in red). She played acoustic guitar and completely dazzled the crowd with her gorgeous voice.

Open Mic Comedy @ RiRa

Another great night of standup comedy at RiRa bought to us by StandupComdeyToGo. The night featured more than a dozen comics from amateurs to veterans like Seaton Smith, Hampton and Mike Way. And half price burgers!

As always, the irreplacable John Quirk was there to warm up the crowd and MC the audience joke contest at the end. Even if you get stuck in the front table right next to the loud speaker, its still a worthwhile night.

Open Mic Night @ Iota

This is the second Wednesday in a row that has featured rain and lightning, but I was determined not to let the storm keep me from missing Iota's open mic night this week.

Despite the weather, more people than I expected made it out for the Clarendon nightlife. Iota featured a good and diverse mixture of acoustic musicians, including a Spanish signing artist pictured on the right.

Iota also features another well kept secret: its intimate and casual back patio. Luckily there was enough of a pause in the storm tonight for a handful of Iotians to enjoy the outdoor seating.

Open Mic Comedy @ RiRa

Another full house at RiRa's weekly free comedy night presented by StandupComedyToGo. There seemed to be a sorority or high school reunion attending, as half the crowd was somewhat inebriated late twenty something females. One of them even tried her first attempt at stand up that ended in what would become an infamous joke about "bleached assholes."

Like most of RiRa's stand up nights, it featured a mixture of newcomers and comedy veterans like Hampton performing. The night concluded with the hilarious Tony Woods improvising most of his ten minute stand up routine.

Open Mic @ Iota

Got to the open mic night a little late, and I missed Arlington Public TV filming some of the early acoustic sets for a local segment. Despite this I got to see a few talented regulars, including the famous Eric Summers. You know someone is a serious performer when they bring six guitars and their own custom mic on stage with them.

Eric's extreme talent with the guitar was evident even if the P.A. system wasn't co-operating. You can't go wrong with a guitarist who tapes individual picks to each finger of their right hand.

Open Mic Comedy @ RiRa

Made my second appearance at RiRa's open mic standup show named "HaHa." The comedy seemed a little darker and dirtier than last time, which wasn't the best of luck for me since I brought my Dad this time =P Although veterans like Lisa Fine and Roger Mursick made solid performances.

Wednesday nights 8 to 10 pm
2915 Wilson Blvd
Arlington,VA 22201
703-248-9888
http://www.rira.com/arlington/home.html
www.StandupComedyToGo.com

Open Mic Comedy @ RiRa

Very happy I made it out to RiRa's open mic stand up comedy tonight. They feature professional and amateur comedians every Wednesday night in the upstairs party room. The small room was packed, but that didn't deter the diligent waitress Sarah from coming by frequently to check on everyone.

I wasn't expecting much since it was a free event, so I was very surprised at the quality of comedians that took the stage. Tonight featured Lisa Fine, Roger Mursick, Jared, James Ryan, and Dan Nainan (sorry I can't remember all their names). Definitely worth checking out next week.

At the end of the show someone and said I was really funny on stage. I took the compliment even though he mistook me for Roger (all us Irish guys do look alike).

FREE Live standup comedy show by local standup comics $25 cash prize joke contest for non-com audience members after the show Wednesday nights 8 to 10 pm Ha-Ha at Ri-Ra Ri-Ra Irish Pub FREE SHOW 2915 Wilson Blvd Arlington,VA 22201 703-248-9888 http://www.rira.com/arlington/home.html www.StandupComedyToGo.com

Open Mic @ IOTA

Wednesday night is here again and that means no cover at IOTA for open mic night. Can't wait until Friday when Boxcar Collision makes another appearance there. BTW they are now scheduled to go on stage at 9:45pm.

Lucky Day is debuting their new album and also performing with Boxcar. With mega-hottie Victoria Patchen on stage there is no excuse to miss this Friday's lineup.

Open Mic Night @ IOTA

IOTA has open mic nights every Wednesday. Its usually the only night that there is no cover charge. The venue attracts a range of acoustic guitar talent, each playing about three or four songs. It has a nice atmosphere to hang out and catch a few free live performances.