Ballston Entertainment Zone
Saint Patrick's Day Festival. Saturday, March 12 from noon-9 p.m. in the area of Wilson Boulevard and Quincy Street, by Ballston Common Mall in Arlington. This is a massive festival on six city blocks, including indoor and outdoor activities: a multitude of beer trucks, plus food, beverage and awareness booths; six indoor bars/restaurants; three outdoor stages; 15 hugely popular bands playing rock, Irish, blues, retro and folk; a carnival midway with games, rides and activities; an expanded Kids' Zone (Kids' activities end at 5 p.m.); and more.
Bistro Bistro, 4021 S. 28th St., Arlington. 703-379-0300. Live jazz and dance music by LaMont Mitchell & Friends, every Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. No cover. No minimum.
Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 703-549-7500. All shows in the music hall start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Tickets available at Ticketmaster outlets or phone charge at 703-573-7328. Visit www.birchmere.com.
Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-469-2244. www.clarendonballroom.com.
Upcoming events include:
Lindy Workshops. Tom Koerner and Debra Sternberg present a day of workshops with champion dancers Dorry Segev and Sommer Gentry, who dance and teach Smooth-Style Lindy, Collegiate Shag and Balboa. They'll offer a class in flash moves, spins and spinning theory; dancing to fast music; and an aerials class. Saturday, March 12. See http://www.gottaswing.com/page01b.htm#d&s for class descriptions and registration. Class size is limited.
Tom Koerner and Debra Sternberg offer swing dancing with The Joker's Wild Tuesday, March 15 from 9-11 p.m. Cost is $10. Call 703-359-9882.
Clarendon Grill, 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington, 703-524-7455. www.cgrill.com. Party D.C. events every Wednesday. Live dance music from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., plus micro brews, specials and more. No cover charge. Mondays are Salsa night, with free dance lessons and salsa music.Tuesdays are Poker Night, with free Texas Hold-'Em tourneys.
Upcoming events:
March 2: Jeff Lefler, acoustic.
March 3: Welbilt, local favorite original modern rock band.
March 4: Vs. The Earth, modern rock cover band.
March 5: Gonzo's Nose, local favorite cover band.
March 9: High Maintenance, acoustic rock cover band.
March 10: DJ Pat Premier, hip-hop/techno music.
March 11: LRS, rock & roll cover band.
March 12: DJ 2 Nutz, hip-hop/dance music.
March 16: Practically Einstein, acoustic.
March 17: St. Patty's Day party with Burnt Sienna, modern rock cover band.
March 18: Laura Lea & Tripp Fabulous, modern rock cover band.
March 19: DJ 2 Nutz, hip-hop/dance music.
March 23: High Maintenance, acoustic rock cover band.
March 24: Rude Buddah, local favorite original music band.
March 25: The Reflex, 80's cover band.
March 26: DJ Shock, hip-hop/techno music.
March 30: Practically Einstein, acoustic.
March 31: 8 Track Jones, modern rock cover band.
Cowboy Cafe North, 4792 Lee Highway, Arlington, 703-243-8010.
Cowboy Cafe South, 2421 Columbia Pike, Arlington, 703-486-7455.
Dr. Dremo’s Taphouse, 2001 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, 703-528-4660. Sunday-Wednesday, 5 p.m.-midnight. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. www.drdremo.com. Open mike comedy, every Wednesday 8-10 p.m.
Evening Star Café, 2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, 703-549-5051. Live music every Thursday, and wine and jazz every Wednesday in the No. 9 Upstairs Lounge. Free wine tasting in the Daily Planet Wine Shop, Friday, 5-7 p.m., and Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, 555 S. 23rd St., 703-685-0555. Comedy show on Monday nights starting at 8 p.m. Karaoke on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 9. Sunday champagne brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Drag shows on Sunday nights, starting at 9.
Galaxy Hut, 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-525-8646. Live music Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. No cover charge. Shows begin at 9:45 p.m. www.galaxyhut.com.
IOTA Club & Café, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-522-8340. www.iotaclubandcafe.com. Open mike nights every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., free.
Upcoming events include:
Indie performer Kat Parson's "No Will Power" tour comes to IOTA for her CD release party on March 25.
Ireland’s Four Courts, 2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-525-3600. www.irelandsfourcourts.com. Live music Tuesday through Saturday, 9 p.m.
Joseph’s Restaurant, 2403 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-524-2722.
Luna Park Grille, 5866 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington, 703-237-5862. Live bands Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. www.lunaparkgrille.com.
Matsutake Steak & Sushi, 4121 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-351-8787. Live jazz and dance music Fridays, 8-11 p.m. by La Mont Mitchell & Friends. No cover. No minimum.
Pica Deli Gourmet & Wines, 471 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington. 703-524-5656. Live music Thursdays, 5:30-9 p.m. www.picadeligourmet.com.
Rhodeside Grill, 1836 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-243-0145. Open mike night every Thursday. Shows start 9:30 p.m. All shows 21 and over. Usually $5 cover. www.rhodesidegrill.com.
Sala Thai, 2900 N. 10th St., Arlington, 703-465-2900. Live bands Friday and Saturday, from 8-11 p.m.
St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, 703-739-9268. Performances are from 8-10 p.m., unless otherwise specified; Sunday performances are from 3-5 p.m. www.stelmoscoffeepub.com.
State Theater, 220 Lee Highway, Falls Church, 703-237-0300. Visit www.thestatetheater.com.
Upcoming events include:
Jimmy Cliff, internationally reknowned reggae superstar of the 70s, with Jah Works. Wednesday, March 9. Doors open 7 p.m.; show starts 9 p.m. Tickets: $25.
Wave Aid Tsunami Victim's Benefit Concert, with a varied list of concert performers. Proceeds go to UNICEF, CRS and the Washington Buddhist Vahara. Thursday, March 10. Doors open 7 p.m.; show starts 9 p.m. Tickets: $20.
Tab Benoit plays Cajun-influenced electric blues. Friday, March 11. Doors open 7 p.m.; show starts 9 p.m. Tickets: $13.
Doors tribute band, Soft Parade. Saturday, March 12. Doors open 7 p.m.; show starts 9 p.m. Tickets: $13.
Ozric Tentacles, legends of the UK underground, bring rave grooves and psychedelic progressive rock to the Theatre on Sunday, March 20, as part of the world tour that celebrates their 20th anniversary. 7 p.m. Tickets are $23 at all TicketMaster outlets, or charge by phone at 202-432-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT, 410-481-SEAT, 800-551-SEAT and at www.ticketmaster.com; and through Walthertix, 800-594-TIXX and www.walthertix.musictoday.com
Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers, with King Wilkie. Bluegrass. Thursday, March 24. Doors open 7 p.m.; show begins 8:30 p.m. Ticket price to be announced. Call 703-237-0300 or visit www.thestatetheatre.com.
Tutto Bene Italian Restaurant, hosts occasional opera nights, 501 N. Randolph St., Arlington, 703-522-1005.
Whitlow’s on Wilson, 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-276-9693. $4 or $5 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Performances, from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m., unless otherwise specified. www.whitlows.com.
Bagpipes and a special Irish menu from March 9-17.
St. Patrick’s Day Thursday, with Irish music by Johnny Jump Up. March 17 from 5 p.m.-midnight.