School opens in many school districts today. Labor Day is just two weeks away. Summer is winding down, but that means the August restaurant lull is about to end. We’re still awaiting word on just when Momofuku and Milk Bar will open in CityCenterDC, but here is a list of 12 other anticipated fall restaurant openings in the DMV – many are which are headed to the Shaw neighborhood of northwest D.C., which is the current hot neighborhood.

Daikaya Partners Katsuya Fukushima (l to r), Yama Jewayna and Daisuke Utagawa in front of the future home of Bantam King in Chiintown. (Photo: Farrah Seiky)

Bantam King

Daisuke Utagawa, Yama Jewayni and chef Katsuya Fuushima, the trio behind Daikaya ramen bar and izakaya, will open Bantam King around the corner in the former Burger King at 700 Fifth St. NW in Chinatown. The new restaurant will specialize in chicken ramen and Japanese fried chicken. A more recent phenomenon, chicken ramen is made with a lighter chicken broth instead of the mix of pork, chicken and beef used at Daikaya. The name is a small homage to the previous tenant and the small bantam chicken that have a reputation for particularly good soup. The inside will still have Burger King’s bones – think fast-food-style booth and trays. The trio is also planning a second Daikaya location in Shaw in late 2015 or early 2016.

Convivial

Saied Azaili and chef Cedric Maupillier of Mintwood Place plan to open Convivial in Shaw’s City Market at O, 801 O St. NW, early this fall. The 150-seat upscale, casual American café will feature a garden patio. It will meld American and French cuisines often in the form of small plates and operate at a slightly lower price point then Mintwood.

Andrew Zink (left) and Jeremiah Langhorn will open The Dabney in Blagdon Alley. (Photo: The Dabney/Facebook)

The Dabney

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne, formerly of McCrady’s in Charleston, S.C., and business partner Alex Zink will open their much-anticipated restaurant, The Dabney at 122 Blagden Alley NW. The 70 seat restaurant will have a giant wood-burning hearth and a semi-enclosed courtyard. The restaurant bears and old family sur name. The food with be farm-to-table with as many of the ingredients as possible from the Mid-Atlantic. Some may even be foraged by the partners themselves.

Fare Well

Doron Petersan, who owns Sticky Fingers vegan bakery in Columbia Heights and is a two-time winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, will open Fare Well at 406 H St. NE. The bakery, bistro and bar will feature an expanded bread program, a grab-and-go lunch counter, bakery case, full bar program and classic diner-style service and seating. It will serve a wide array of baked savories, vegan American comfort classic and Mediterranean fare. There will also be some of Sticky Fingers’ favorites along with scones, Danishes, croissants and pies.

Chef Rob Rubba will lead Hazel at the Atlantic Plumbing development near the 9:30 Club. (Photo: Hazel/Faceebook)

Hazel

Neighborhood Restaurant Group — the folks behind Birch & Barley, Bluejacket, ChurchKey, Red Apron and others — will open Hazel at 808 V St. NW in the Atlantic Plumbing development, 2112 8th St. NW near the 9:30 Club. The 38-seat restaurant will serve a progressive American menu from executive chef Rob Rubba, formerly of Tallula. There will also be a 38-seat patio and a 16-seat bar connected to the patio. NRG will also The Sovereign, a Belgian bar and bistro in Georgetown at 1206 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana

Former Oval Room chef Tony Conte will open his first solo venture, Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana at 12207 Darnestown Rd., Gaithersburg near his home sometime around Labor Day. Conte’s father emigrated from a town near Naples. The casual 40-seat pizzeria will have a 900-degree wood-burning oven and feature seasonal, locally sourced dishes, wood-roasted fish and meat dishes, shaved vegetable salads, oven-baked polentas and Italian wines. Since leaving the Oval Room, Conte has spent time in California earing the Verace Pizza Napoletana certification, a degree of authenticity awarded by the Italian organization established to protect Naples’ signature dish. Inferno will be the only VPN-certified pizzeria in Maryland.

L’Hommage Bistro Francais will open in September in Mount Vernon Triange. (Photo: Rebecca Cooper/WBJ)

L’Hommage Bistro Francais

Restaurateur Hakan Ilhan, owner of Alba Osteria, is set to open L’Hommage Bistro Francaisat 450 K St. NW in Mount Vernon Triangle in early September. The 176-seat French bistro and boulangerie will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Executive chef Joshua Laban Perkins, formerly of the Globe and Eric Ripert’s Brasserie Le Coze, both in Atlanta, will prepare classic French dishes from steak frites to mussels. The boulangerie will prepare fresh breads and pastries in-house daily. It will offer more than 200 French wines.

The Shaw Bijou

Chef Kwame Onwuachi of New York, colleague Greg Vakiner, building owner Kelly Gorsuch and business consultant Glenn Paik will open The Shaw Bijou in a row house at 1544 Ninth St. NW sometime about the end of November. The 25-year-old chef formerly worked at New York restaurants Eleven Madison Park and Per Se. The 32-seat fine-dining restaurant will serve a 15-18 course tasting menu with dishes including a Japanese Wagyu beef program house-made charcuterie, some table-side preparations and dishes inspired by his Nigerian heritage and childhood in the Bronx. There will also be a second-floor, 50-seat, members-only bar that serves rare liquors. It will be open Tuesday through Saturday.

San Francisco-based Tadich Grill will open a restaurant along Pennslvania Avenue. (Rendering: Tadich Grill)

Tadich Grill

Tadich Grill, the San Francisco-based restaurant that claims to be the third oldest continuously operating restaurant in the county, will open a D.C. outpost at 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 102. Expected to open Sept. 18, it will feature prime seafood and meats grilled over mesquite. Unlike the original, the D.C. location will take reservations.

Texas Jacks Barbecue

Partners Steve Roberts and Paul Capetanakis plan to open Texas Jacks Barbecue at 2761 Washington Bldv., Arlington, in the former Tallula/EatBar space sometime next month. The 145-seat restaurant and bar will serve dishes such as brisket, beef short ribs, pulled pork and sausages as well as weekly specials such as jerked goat and beef cheeks. Executive chef Matt Lang, who won Food Networks 2011 Best in Smoke show, formerly worked at Fette Sau in New York and Hill Country in D.C. (Note: The website is not active yet.)

Tim Ma will open his first D.C. restaurant. (Photo: Water & Wall)

Tim Ma’s New Restaurant

Formerly reported to be named Freehand, Chef Tim Ma of Maple Ave and Water & Wall in Virginia will open his first D.C. restaurant. He dropped the name after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the Sydell Group which owns a chain of hotels called Freehand in Miami, Chicago and soon, Los Angeles. The as-of-yet unnamed French-Asian bistro will be located in The Shay, 1924 Eighth St. NW in Shaw. Ma is teaming with chef Nyi Nyi Myint of the Tim Ma Restaurant Group with a tentative opening date in November. Ma will also open Chase the Submarine, a sandwich and butcher shop named for his son, at 132 Church St., Vienna, in October.

Yona

Chef Jonah Kim, formerly of Pabu in Baltimore, and Mike Isabella will open Yona, a Japanese noodle bar at 4000 Wilson Blvd. in Ballston – in the same building as Isabella’s Kapnos Taverna and Pepita. In addition to ramen, thre will also be Asian small plates such as steamed duck buns, crispy Brussels sprouts with Kewpie mayo, kimchi and Korean-style fried chicken wings.

2014 is one month old already and the days are getting longer. The big event of the weekend, of course, is Super Bowl XLVIII when the Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks. But if you aren’t into football (or the two teams vying for #1) or the commercials, it’s not the only thing going on this weekend.

Metro continues its work this weekend. Green Line trains will operate a regular weekend schedule. Trains on the Blue, Orange and Yellow lines will operate every 24 minutes and Red Line trains will run every 24 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains providing service from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. between Farragut North and Silver Spring.

The Super Bowl XLVIII footballs in MetLife Stadium. (Photo: NFL)

Super Bowl XLVIII

Quarterback Peyton Manning, 37, leads the Denver Broncos against quarterback Russell Wilson, 25, and the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. The winner takes home the Vince Lombardi Trophy. But the Super Bowl isn’t all about the game, it’s about the entertainment too. Singer Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will star in the halftime show. Opera singer Renée Fleming will sing the national anthem. Before that, Queen Latifah and the New Jersey Youth Chorus will sing America the Beautiful. And you can’t forget the commercials (which cost $4 million for 30 seconds) — many people watch for them alone. This year promises not to disappoint with a Full House reunion from Dannon Oikos Greek yogurt reuniting , released a teaser trailer promoting a Super Bowl ad featuring Danny Tanner (Bob Saget), Jesse Katsopolis (Jon Stamos) and Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier). Also, the movie studios will movie debut previews their upcoming blockbuster releases including Transformers: Age of Extinction and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 along with others from Disney and Lionsgate, which haven’t been announced. Rumor has it Disney will preview either Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians of the Galaxy and Lionsgate will hype the Expendables 3. Many bars and restaurants in the DMV will be showing the game on big screens and offer food and drink specials.

Feb. 2 with kickoff at 6:25 p.m. Fox will broadcast the game live from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. with its pregame show beginning at 2 p.m. Locally, it can be seen on Fox 5.

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby (Photo: Wenn)

Bill Cosby, the lovable Heathcliff Huxtable from The Cosby Show and frequent visitor to Ben’s Chili Bowl, is one of the most influential stars in America today. Whether it be through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, he has the ability to touch people’s lives. His humor often centers on the basic cornerstones of our existence, seeking to provide an insight into our roles as parents, children, family members, and men and women. Don’t miss his premiere engagement at the Music Center at Strathmore, with his hilarious, dead-pan humor.

Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Admission is $49.50-$89.50 and available here. Only 10 seats remained at presstime.

Kenneth Whalum III

Kenneth Whalum III (Photo: Kennedy Center)

Bandleader, composer, arranger and tenor saxophonist, New York City based jazz musician Kenneth Whalum III has set a new direction in music that can be described as creatively engaging, intense and artistically real, to push the conventional boundaries of contemporary emerging artists. Whalum fuses together straight-ahead jazz,pop, soul, gospel, R&B, blues, and country. Whalum has performed and recorded along side this generation’s most renowned entertainers, singers, and musicians; including R&B crooner Maxwell, rap star Jay Z and jazz stars Robert Glasper, Chris Dave, and his own uncle, Grammy-award winning musician Kirk Whalum. In this performance, he brings band and bold, creative artistry to D.C.

Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Admission is FREE!

Dollars for Dainty Burlesque Show

Dollars for Dainty burlesque show benefits the George Washington University’s LGBT Health Program. (Photo: Black Cat)

The most talented performers in the DMV have gathered for this fundraiser benefiting the George Washington University’s LGBT Health Program. The program showcases two of local burlesque performer Dainty Dandridge’s favorite things: burlesque and drag. Dandridge has charmed her way into our hearts with her sensational burlesque and extraordinary singing talents. When she’s not prancing in all things glittery, campy and queer, she has her head in the books! Now, she needs your help. Dollars for Dainty is a special show to raise funds to keep the GW LGBT Health Program going strong. The program trains current and future healthcare leaders to develop strategies addressing health issues and reducing health disparities for the LGBT population. Students like Dandridge will graduate with a general knowledge of the psychological, medical and policy-based issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LGBT) individuals. This is a one of kind program in the country, but it has lost its funding. By coming to the show you are supporting the LGBT Health Program.

Feb. 1 at 8:30 and 11:45 p.m. at the Black Cat’s Backstage Concert Room, 1811 14th St. NW. Admission is $15 here or at the door (cash only at the door).

Weird, Wild Stuff

“The President’s Own” Marine Corps Band presents Weird, Wild Stuff: Music That Thinks Outside the Box (Graphic by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust)

“The President’s Own” Marine Corps Band presents Weird, Wild Stuff: Music That Thinks Outside the Box. Over the past few centuries, composers have become ever bolder and more creative in how they use music to represent the world around them. It has often been the composers who dared to try something new in their works that are best remembered. In the process, a mash-up of artistic ideals from seemingly disparate worlds has ensued, and this program highlights a few composers who have not always chosen the road well-traveled. The performance includes Leonard Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue and Riffs and David Rakowski’s Ten of a Kind. The concert will also feature selections by Charles Ives, Jonathan Newman, and Ottorino Respighi.

Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College’s Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts center, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Admission is FREE! Parking is $6.

Mandrágora Circus

Juan Cruz Bracamonte (left) and Mariana Silva. (Photo: Kennedy Center)

In this performance, Mariana Silva and Juan Cruz Bracamonte use a combination of circus skills, music and aerial acrobatics to tell their story in as wordless theatrical performance. Mandrágora Circus started its activity as a theater company in 2002 in Trelew, Patagonia Argentina. In 2003, the company premiered the play Mandrágora Circus that combines different kind of artistic expression shaping this theatrical play. Using techniques of circus as a part of the plot in a story that goes beyond the skills.

Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Admission is FREE!

2014 Washington Auto Show

The new 6.2-liter engine, 455 horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Stringray is on display at the 2014 Washington Auto Show. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

If you haven’t gotten a chance to check out the 2014 vehicles, you still have a few more days to visit the 2014 Washington Auto Show with more than 700 new cars and trucks from 42 automakers on two floors. The second floor is where Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Fiat, Toyota, Scion and Ford are located with the big, revolving displays. Hurry, this is your last chance until the 2015s come out.

Through Feb. 2 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW from noon-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are available here online or at the convention center box office. Military, veterans and seniors 65 and older receive $4 off weekdays and $2 off weekends. Discount tickets are only available at the box office.

Bill Murray in 2011 (Photo: Georges Biard)

Bill Murrary Appreciation Day

Every day should be Bill Murrary Appreciation Day, but then we’d be reliving Groundhog Day, wouldn’t we? To cap off Superbowl Sunday, Satellite Room honors the beloved actor with an evening of his films. Fans who attend the celebration, which falls on Groundhog Day, can enjoy Murray-inspired food such as meatballs and drink specials, like the boozy Stay Puff Marshmallow Man milkshake or Froze Gopher.

Feb. 2 at 2047 Ninth St. NW directly behind the 9:30 Club starting at 10 p.m. Admission is FREE.
 
 

It is supposed to be cold in the D.C. area this weekend, so it is a good weekend to find some indoor events to entertain you and your family. The annual auto show is in town if you’re looking for a new vehicle or, if you’re a vinyl collector, there is a record show on Sunday. It is also a good weekend to visit the Smithsonian’s dinosaur exhibit before it closes in April for five year. And, if you just can’t get enough of baby panda Bao Bao, she’s now on display to the public, but dress warmly because there are long lines and long waits outside to see her.

Metro continues its work. The Yellow Line will end at Mount Vernon Square this weekend instead of Fort Totten. Orange, Blue and Yellow lines will operate every 20 minutes. Green Line trains will operate every 16 minutes and Red Line trains will run every 24 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains providing service from 9 a.m. -9 p.m. between Farragut North and NoMa.

The new 6.2-liter engine, 455 horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Stringray is on display at the 2014 Washington Auto Show. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

2014 Washington Auto Show

The 2014 Washington Auto Show opened Thursday with more than 700 new cars and trucks from 42 automakers on two floors. The second floor is where Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Fiat, Toyota, Scion and Ford are located with the big, revolving displays. Among the celebrities slated to appear are National’s Bryce Harper, Friday 6-8 p.m. at the Toyota displays; National’s Jayson Werth, Sunday 1:30-3 p.m. at the State Farm booth; Redskins’ Pierre Andre Garçon, Monday 6:30-8:30 p.m.; WWE Superstar “The Miz”, Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.; Dancing with the Stars winner Karina Smirnoff, Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Mazda display; and WWE Superstar “Sheamus”, Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.

Through Feb. 2 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW from noon-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on closing Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are available here online or at the convention center. Military, veterans and seniors 65 and older are $4 off weekdays and $2 off weekends. Students are $4 off on weekdays and $7 off on Jan. 27 with ID and military are free on Jan 28 with ID. Discount tickets are only available at the box office.

Tapas. Spanish Design for Food

elBulli Seed Plate. Designed by Ferran Adrià/elBulli. (Photo: Francesc Guillamet)

At the inaugural lecture of TAPAS. Spanish Design for Food, architect and designer Juli Capella, curator of the exhibit, and writer Linda Hales, former design critic of the Washington Post, will discuss the interaction between design and gastronomy, and how this discipline applies to cuisine across a variety of fields including food design, food preparation, interior design of restaurants and wine labeling among others. Organized by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), Tapas. Spanish Design for Food provides a rich panorama of the most recent Spanish design as applied to cuisine. It is like a creative taster menu of ‘tapas’ from all the fields in which design plays a role in the act of eating. The exhibition opens to the public on Jan. 24 in the former residence of the Ambassadors of Spain and will be on view through Mar. 23.

Jan. 25 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the former residence of the ambassador of Spain, 2801 16th St. NW. FREE tickets are available here.

Girls Rock! benefit concert

Girls Rock! benefit concert (Photo: 9:30 Club)

D.C. Music Download is hosting a benefit concert for Girls Rock!DC at the 9:30 Club. Girls Rock is an organization that brings girls the gift of music — instruments, instruction and confidence. For one night only, four of the District’s top bands will come together for a massive celebration: Drop Electric, Young Rapids, The Sea Life and The Raised By Wolves. D.C. comedian Jamel Johnson (You, Me, Them, Everybody talk show, Wonderland Ballroom) will be the MC. Live artwork presented by Lindsay “LA” Johnson.

Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. Tickets cost $16 here with $1 going to Girls Rock!DC. There will be a pre-party from 6-8 p.m. at Vera Cruz, that all are welcome to attend.

DC Record Fair (Photo: DC Record Fair)

D.C. Record Fair

The D.C. Record Fair, D.C.’s ONLY record fair returns to celebrate its fifth birthday with cocktails, food and DJs. Sponsored by Som Records, DC Soul Recordings and The Vinyl District.

Jan. 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Penn Social, 801 E St. NW. Admission is $5 from 11 a.m.-noon and $2 after noon.

Alexandria’s Destination Bridal Showcase

Destination Bridal Showcase (Photo: Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association)

Sponsored by the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association presents Alexandria’s Destination Bridal Showcase. This boutique event is dedicated to offering the modern bride the highest quality of products, services and creativity. Featuring a variety of local vendors from Alexandria and throughout the metropolitan area.

Jan. 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Carlyle Club, 411 John Carlyle St., Alexandria. Tickets are $10 at the door or free with promotion code BRIDE here.

Fifth Annual Meat Week

Meat Week (Graphic: Meat Week)

For the fifth year, Washington barbecue lovers will gather to enjoy slow-smoked meats across the Washington region during Meat Week. Simply show up at the host venue and look for the Meat Week flags. Participants order and pay for their own food and drinks and then join in the festivities with other Meat Week attendees. Most host venues will be offering Meat Week specials. The food truck face-off is on Friday at Living Social and features one PBR Tall Boy and 15 Tastings: one beef, one pork and one side dish sample from each of five trucks including BBQ Bus (last year’s grand prize winner), Carnivore BBQ, Curley’s Q Food Truck and Catering, Hardy’s BBQ, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co. There will also be demos of butchering, sauces, rubs, knife skills and fuel options.

Jan. 26-Feb. 1 as follows: Jan. 26 – Urban Bar-B-Que (Rockville), 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 27 – Hill Country Barbecue Market, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 28 – DCity Smokehouse (at Showtime Lounge), 7 p.m.; Jan. 29 – Pork Barrel BBQ, 7 p.m.; Jan. 30 – Smoke BBQ, 7 p.m.; Jan. 31 – Barbecue Food Truck Face-Off at Living Social, 6 p.m.; Feb. 1 – Mr. P’s Ribs & Fish, noon. Tickets for the food truck face-off cost $49 here for 15 samples from five truck and a PBR tall boy.

See the baby panda

Bao Bao (Photo: Associated Press)

Giant panda cub Bao Bao made her public debut to big crowds last weekend. If you didn’t feel like fighting the crowds at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and waiting in line, make the trip this weekend for the first time since she was born Aug. 23. For now, mother and daughter are only on display inside the panda house at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Visitors will be allowed into the house in small groups to avoid overcrowding on a first-come-first-served basis. Bao Bao and Mei Xiang will have access to the den during those times, and may choose to spend time in it instead of on exhibit. The amount of time the two will be on exhibit each day will depend on the bears’ behavior. As time passes, Bao Bao is expected to be more visible in her enclosure.

Daily at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (winter hours, grounds are open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.). Admission is FREE!!

Visit the dinosaurs

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History will close dinosaur hall for five years on Apr. 28 to remodel. (Photo: Chip Clark)

Take a trip to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History to see the dinosaurs before the extinct creatures disappear again. The museum announced Jan. 17 that the dinosaur hall will close on Apr. 28 for five years to get a $48 million facelift. When it reopens in 2019, a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton from Montana will be the centerpiece of the new 31,000-square-foot fossil hall. There are currently 46 dinosaur specimens in the museums collection.

Through Apr. 28 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily at the National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!

Alexandria Restaurant Week

Arlington Restaurant Week is Jan. 17-26. (Graphic: Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association)

Visit some of 50 participating restaurants during Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week and for $35 choose from a dinner for two or a three-course prix-fixe menu, depending upon each restaurant’s special offer. At a range of locales, from fine dining establishments to casual neighborhood favorites, guests savor the flavors of Alexandria’s distinctive collection of eateries.

Through Jan. 26 at 50 participating restaurnts in Alexandria. Price: $35 for dinner for two or a three-course prix-fixe dinner. Click here to see specific restaraurant’s offers and menus.

And while we love the bigger and more well-known venues like 9:30 Club and Black Cat, off-the-beaten path places also have a ton of great bands coming in (and usually for just a few dollars!).

Some of our favorite venues include:

IOTA Club & Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington): Don’t be fooled by the Arlington address — IOTA is far from your typical Clarendon bar. With live music almost every night of the week, covers at this intimate venue are rarely more than $15 (and a lot of shows are free) and you’ll be able to impress your friends that you heard a band there before they were big — or even after (we caught Sons of Bill there for free last spring). And they also host a weekly open mic night for all you aspiring musicians out there.

Hill Country Barbeque (410 7th St. NW):
Hosting live acts from Tuesday to Sunday nights every week, Hill Country is amazingly accessible by most metro lines (so close to both Metro Center and Chinatown) and specializes in Americana and folksy music. The vast majority of shows hosted in the downstairs Boot Bar are free, with bonus weekly Rock N Twang live band karaoke, if you’re so inclined to strut your stuff on stage.

DC9 (1940 9th St. NW):
Only two blocks away from the 9:30 Club, DC9 is a perfect alternative for catching up-and-coming artists in a more intimate location.  Not only do they host great concerts, but they also host the not-to-be-missedLiberation Dance Party (including an open bar for the first hour and a half!) every Friday night and a wonderful and often-overlooked rooftop bar.

See what concerts we have coming up and what we’ve been to (at these locations and all around the city!) at thisisourjamdc.com. Where else should we check out?