Clarendon Day

Despite a battering of rain earlier in the day, the outdoor festivities of Clarendon Day took place. Three stages for live music with dozens of musicians filled the crisp air while vendors set up stands selling crafts, jewelry, posters, and baked goods. Many of the local restaurants including Hard Times, Eleventh, and Liberty Tavern sold mobile versions of their meals. Entertainment for the kids included a moon bounce, bungee trampoline, and a skate park.

Everyone But Pete @ Iota

I got into Clarendon too late to catch Rome In A Day open at Iota tonight. Pretty disappointed about that as they are quickly becoming one of my favorite local bands. Everyone But Pete played afterward to a packed and energetic house.

And now I have a serious problem - both Minus The Bear and Broken Social Scene are playing in the DC area on the same night! That is one tough decision to make.

Charlie Maddox @ Big Meadows Lodge

I had the chance to escape the urban cityscape this weekend and camped out in the Shenandoah Park. It was beautiful weather at Big Meadows campground, which is a park ideal for a city goer like me because they offer full facilities like showers, bathrooms, fire pits, and a lodge with a restaurant and bar.

While taking advantage of the latter I caught some live folk music by veteran Shenandoah musician Charlie Maddox. Charlie specialized in pre-1920s mountain folk music played on guitar, banjo, and the ancient mandrake pictured here.

I'm not big on folk tunes, but I really enjoyed his talent and appreciation for the origins of the music. His piano-like melodies of the mandrake created some beautiful British isle songs.

Minus The Bear coming to 9:30 Club

Can't wait until Oct 22nd when inspiring tunes of Minus The Bear makes its way to DC again! This time they are coming to the 9:30 club.

While browsing for some of their awesome music videos, I stumbled upon this compilation of a fan playing guitar taps of some of their best songs. Now I really want to learn how to tap like this:

True Womanhood at Black Cat

There's alot going on this week at Black Cat, but I'll probably will miss it all due to bronchitis. Immune system fail =(

True Womanhood is playing on Wednesday! Been meaning to check out bassist Melissa Beattie's beats live.

Friday the entertaining Jupiter One is attacking the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC. I feel bad missing the Rasputina show on Monday.





Thanks to DCist for keeping me up to date.

New Fitness Center Coming on Highland Street

Nobody should be surprised that the attorney's office that used to occupy the space next to Eleventh is gone. I can't imagine they got any business, plus the place looks horrible.

Now Potomac Cross Fitness is taking the space left vacant after the Post Office moved across the street. It should do well there, and will give Gold's Gym down the street on Fillmore some more competition.

Although most of the condo and apartment buildings in Clarendon are new enough to have gyms as one of their amenities. So I wonder who are they targeting as their customers?

Strathmore Outdoor Film Festival

Arrived just in time to catch the latest Harry Potter movie (actually the only one I've watched all the way through) at the Comcast Outdoor Film Festival in Bethesda. Conveniently located off the Strathmore-Grosvenor Metro exit on the red line, it hosts outdoor movies during August.

Too bad the summer is almost over, I would have liked to take advantage of this great venue again as its a nice alternative to the traditional movie theater night.

Standup Comedy @ Arlington Cinema Drafthouse

Finally caught a stand up comedy show at Arlington Cinema Drafthouse tonight featuring three local comics.

The setting was very casual, with the comedians performing right in the grill area. With about 20 people in the crowd, it made for a cozy and light hearted show.

The food is decent, mostly typical American fare. I like the creative menu descriptions (with movie themes, so 'Deserts' were labeled 'Credits', etc).

Cinema 'n' Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA 22204
(703) 486-2345

Exit Clov and The Toothaches @ Iota

The Toothaches opened at Iota on Saturday, and I was very enthusiastic about lead singer Rose's xylophone playing. Seriously, a xylophone! That automatically makes them cool.

The progressive and politically charged tunes of Exit Clov started at 11pm. I was impressed by their diversity of instruments. Their band consisted of a guitarist who played so fast his hand was a blur who also beat a propane tank with a drum stick; a drummer that really got into the beat; and a bassist with the smallest full size bass I've seen who used a pick ala punk style.

Susan and Emily are the stars of the show and were very multi-talented. Excellent vocals, keyboard, dual violins and two cowbells were expertly played by the petite ladies. Yes, actual cowbells! What more could you ask for with only a $10 cover?

Clarendon Center Under Construction

I've been wondering exactly what is going to eventually rise out of the ground from the hole between Highland and Garfield street across from the Metro for a while. A helpful neighbor pointed me to this page depicting what the massive Clarendon Center will be like.

The huge 12 story multi-building project will be comprised of two office complexes, an apartment building and street level retail. When completed in 2010 it will have cost a whooping $118 million.

I'm starting to get a little worried about the possibility of over-building Clarendon. I'm all for urban development, but this project looks like it will force out Hard Times and Delhi Club, so I'm concerned.