The 2nd year of the District's Awake! Music Festival is making it's grand sophomore entrance tomorrow night in clubs across town. News about the festival is traveling far and wide, with a sponsorship and podcast from everybody's favorite online radio station, WOXY, an interview on the local news, and more. A few last minute changes have been made to the festival — namely the unfortunate cancellation of Cloud Cult's set, and of the Rock &... more ›

MONDAY: Democratic presidential candidate and Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd will make an appearance at Politics and Prose to talk about his book Letters from Nuremberg, which has nothing do with 2008 and everything to do with 1948 (or thereabouts). Dodd's father, Thomas, was an attorney during the famous Nuremberg trials, in which members of the Nazi Party in Germany were prosecuted for their crimes, and the book consists of letters written by Thomas to his... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Stop by Velvet Lounge to lend your support to John Stabb, singer of the legendary D.C. hardcore act Government Issue, who's struggling to pay medical bills after being attacked near his home in Burtonsville, Maryland. $8, doors at 9 p.m. >> The Quarry House in Silver Spring hosts recent Three Stars alums The Hall Monitors along with New York's The Brides. Cover merely advertised as "real cheap," show starts at 9 p.m. >>... more ›

>> Both the Examiner and the WaPo have stories today about the dreary work ahead for D.C.'s deputy mayor for education, Victor Reinoso. A recent report released by the Children’s Advocacy Roundtable which shows that 32 percent of children in the District of Columbia are living below the poverty line -- twice the national average. The report also highlights the high number of youth victims of violent crime and the high obesity rate among... more ›

There's a certain charm that comes with stripping music down to its simplest form, but pulling it off can be difficult. For many bands, their music is their cover — something to hide mediocre lyrics and vocals behind. But if you take away that cover, the general consensus is that you better be an amazing songwriter. MTV executives take note: This is why something like Korn Unplugged simply doesn't work. On the album Reflector, Washington,... more ›

We are, of course, still pulling for any ban on all ages shows at bars to fail miserably. But we always support the idea of alternative, non-bar venues putting on shows as well. So we were happy to learn this week that Murky Coffee, the independent coffee shop in Clarendon that many area residents claim boasts one of the best cups of coffee in town, is going to start hosting bands. The schedule is... more ›

Joe Lally should need no introduction. As one half of one of the most rock-solid and inventive rhythm sections in rock and roll, he spent the better part of two decades playing the part of unshakeable anchor for Fugazi's storms of dueling guitars. His fluid, rolling bass lines have been often imitated, and, in one case, appropriated for the unlikely purpose of rallying fans at sporting events. With his former band in the midst... more ›

Monday >> NY jazz pianist Marc Cary returns home to D.C. for back to back Blues Alley shows. Cary has built a strong following on a willingness to explore other genres, and has released records infused with electronic and latin rhythms, in addition to more straightforward post-bop jazz. 8 and 10 p.m., $20. >> Metal Church was lighting up Seattle's dreary nights with thunderous guitars a decade before everyone started paying much attention to the... more ›

This week's announcement by D.C. Council Representative Jim Graham that he would seek emergency legislation banning minors from bars and nightclubs has met with some fierce debate. In fact, it's being debated as we speak. But beyond the impact on places of business, much of the fallout will come down on the city's cultural community: musicians, theatre companies and artists who often use these establishments for concerts, benefits, plays, and shows of all kinds.... more ›

Watch carefully in the coming weeks and you may see them. People roaming the streets of Chinatown, Adams Morgan, Mt. Pleasant. They'll stop to check their cell phone, punch the keys, wait, check again, then move walk down the street looking with strange interest at empty buildings, houses and random Starbucks. Yellow Arrow's Capitol of Punk tour, which we previewed in May, kicked off this week, turning D.C. streets into an impromptu museum for a... more ›

Written by DCist contributor Genevieve Smith. In a city better known for press conferences than literary readings, Take That Hill is a refreshing addition to the D.C. local arts scene. Friday night's program at the Warehouse Theater merged short films from local filmmakers with a selection of readings from D.C.-based literary magazine, Barrelhouse. Works ranged in content from a comparative analysis of Godzilla versus samurai movies to a short film about competing lemonade stands. Though... more ›

Written by DCist Music Contributor Jim Smalley. With all the eating and drinking these past few weeks, we were looking to burn off some of the extra holiday flub. Which is why we were excited to check out D.C. electronic dancepunkers Supersystem on Saturday night at the Black Cat. Following up openers Ris-Paul-Ric and French Toast , supersystem – formerly on Dischord Records as El Guapo - took their home stage before a full house... more ›

Nike says "oops," according to Pitchfork Media. The shoe giant has apologized for blatantly ripping off imagery from the cover of hardcore band Minor Threat’s 1981 self-titled album. Last week, it was reported that Nike Skateboarding was using a design eerily similar to the Minor Threat album to promote its "Major Threat" 2005 East Coast skateboarding tour. D.C.'s own Dischord Records was pissed and said as much, but it wasn’t until yesterday that Nike expressed... more ›

There’s no getting around it. Shoe giant Nike is ripping off the iconic bald head from Minor Threat’s seminal self-titled album to publicize its "Major Threat" 2005 East Coast skateboarding tour. Make it red instead of blue and swap out those skate shoes for some combat boots, and you’ve got the 1981 record featuring Ian MacKaye, Lyle Preslar, Brian Baker, and Jeff Nelson. Dischord Records, the hardcore band's label based right in Arlington, is a... more ›

For 38 summers, the Northwest Youth Alliance has been rocking D.C. residents with free all-ages outdoor shows at the District's highest point, Fort Reno Park. Performers have ranged from local high school bands to up-and-coming local acts to nationally known bands like Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, who played last year. And as usual, DCist has been waiting anxiously for the release of the Fort Reno's 2005 schedule so we could plan our summer. Would... more ›