Middle Distance Runner reviews

Beautiful Sunday afternoon in Arlington today! Should have gone to see the cherry blossoms, since the wet weather earlier in the day drove off most of the tourists.

I'm impressed that the unsigned Middle Distance Runner who played in Clarendon last night have been featured on altsounds, indieblips, and finefinemusic! Washington Post also reviewed previously.

Middle Distance Runner @ Iota

Middle Distance Runner headlined at Iota tonight and performed an awesome show. The band played a great set of new songs, the best being my favorite "The Unbeliever".

Lead singer Stephen Kilroy's vocals were invigorating. Guitarist extraordinaire Allan Chappelear's energy level was so high it was almost dangerous, with him jumping around with the guitar cable snaked around his leg. Contrasting to him, bassist Tony Acampora looked cool and collected in his suit and tie.

I was very impressed with the band's musical creativity. Allan Chappelear at one point was rubbing his guitar against the wall to create distortions. Keyboardist Jay Smith joined in the guitar play by strumming his Fender with a bow like a violin.

Erik Dean kept the beat strong on drums despite his fatigue. He was obviously ill but still managed to stick it out for the duration. This is one tough band, as two years almost the entire troop came down with food poisoning and that did not stop them from touring!

Middle Distance Runner and Eulogies tonight!

Looks like a fun lineup at Iota tonight with indie tunes by Middle Distance Runner and rock melodies via Eulogies.

I really like the bass riffs in MDR's "The Unbeliever". There is a great claymation music video for this song too!

Happy Hour Specials @ Jay's

Jay's Saloon is a tucked away local secret that is off Clarendon's main strip at 10th and Hudson Street. Its a great little dive bar with a very friendly staff and low priced offerings. I usually go for the crab cake sandwich, which is decent.

I was able to take advantage of their happy hour beer specials today, which last from to 4 to 7pm weekdays.
$2.50 domestic bottles
$2 mugs
$7 for a full pitcher
$2.50 for house wines

It doesn't look like they offer the $1 domestics anymore =(

Check out Arlington Happy Hours for more after work specials!

Also, the Cookography blog has a great article listing the best restaurants in the DC area.

Washington Field pilot being taped in Arlington

The pilot episode for the upcoming series Washington Field is being shot tomorrow nearby. Via Arlington Alert:

Tomorrow March 25 between 9:30 and noon, CBS Paramount pictures will be filming a TV scene on the Potomac River near the Key Bridge in which special effects (loud noise and fire) will simulate a small water vessel being blown up. This will be a heavily monitored and controlled event lasting only a few seconds. There is no cause for alarm.

First Day of Spring!

Today is the first day of spring and also the Persian New Year. Hope everyone was able to enjoy the pleasant clear skies today.

Also, President Obama issued a video statement regarding Nowruz this week. His Farsi sounded perfect!

Green beer specials

vArlingtonLocal reports these March Madness specials tomorrow:

Clarendon Grill-1.50 drafts 7-9pm
Rhodeside Grill- $10 ML Pitchers 4-9pm
Carpool-2.50 nattys all day1/2 off apps&2.50 beers 4-7pm
Mister Days 2.50drafts 4-9pm

Also, local blogger Miles Grant gives us ways to find Real Green Beer, as in brew that is organic and not dyed with green food coloring. Another reason to frequent Lost Dog!

O'Tasty's @ Iota

Warm-ish weather and clear skies brought droves of party goers out to Clarendon on this Tuesday night.

Both mainstay Irish bars in Clarendon, RiRa and O'Sullivans, had lines of people waiting to get in.

Irish themed Mister Days ran out of green beer (Miller Lite + food coloring) around 8pm.

Liberty didn't have a wait to get in, but the downstairs bar was packed and loud.

Iota featured a lively celtic/folk/rock/punk band called O'Tasty's.

Edit: Photo gallery of the party at RiRa online.

8k St Patrick's Day Race

Street Closures and Parking Restrictions from Alert DC

For St. Patrick’s Day Parade & 8K Race
Events Scheduled for Sunday, March 15

(Washington, D.C.) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has provided the following information regarding street closures and parking restrictions for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the St. Patrick’s Day 8K Race. Both events are scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 15, 2009.

St. Patrick’s Day 8K Race street closures:
Street closures in some areas will begin as early as 5:30 a.m. and end at approximately noon.

· Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd and 14th Streets

· Constitution Avenue, NW between 3rd Street and Louisiana Avenue

· Louisiana Avenue, NW between Constitution Avenue and D Street

· D Street between Louisiana Avenue, NW and 1st Street, NE

· 1st Street, NE between C Street and Columbus Circle

· 3rd Street between E Street, SW and Constitution Avenue, NW

· 2nd Street, SW between Independence Avenue and E Street

· 200 block of E Street, SW

· Independence Avenue, SW between 3rd and 7th Streets

Clarendon Center update

Construction continues on the Clarendon's twin chasms on Highland and Clarendon Blvd. Two cranes hover over what will be Clarendon Center in a few years.

The underground parking garage is being built on the south side of the project, while serious work hasn't really begun behind Hard Times yet.