Rising temperatures and high humidity created oppressive conditions during yesterday's match between D.C. United and the L.A. Galaxy. The Galaxy ended up taking the worst of it, with United's attack providing the most unbearable heat. Day games are normally held in the mid-to-late afternoon in order to avoid playing directly under the sun. To maximize exposure, the game was scheduled before the afternoon's European Championship and broadcast nationally on ABC. The game promised two assets......

We're frankly mostly of the mind that New Year's Eve is best spent at a house party with good friends -- going out to a club is almost always overpriced and often a big letdown. But in the event you don't have a party to attend, are new in town, or for any other reason are facing tonight without a firm plan, here's a few of our suggestions on how to have a fun and......

MONDAY >> It wasn't too far from here -- just a couple hours south in Midlothian, VA, where Aimee Mann got her start. Now the guitar playing song weaver is a bonafide modern music legend. She's treating The Birchmere to her 2nd Annual Christmas Show, and it's not something you should miss. $45.50, 7:30 p.m. >> Roofwalkers (pictured), the band formerly known as Pagoda, are treating the Galaxy Hut crowd to an evening of......

>> Detroit garage rockers Gore Gore Girls are at DC9 with two local acts: the Highballers and the Droptops. 9 p.m., $10. >> Don't miss our full preview of the Stones Throw concert tonight at Black Cat. 8 p.m., $20. >> Looking to crash one of those well-monied D.C. holiday parties for free food and drinks? Via BrightestYoungThings, a handy list. >> Thievery Corporation's Rob Garza's latest side-project, Dust Galaxy, will be at the musician's......

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of The Fake Accents is their ability to make their inherent contradictions seamlessly coexist. One might not expect that the same band who records and listens to their own practice sessions would also write a disclaimer on their first album that most of the songs that they'd written were actually just ripped off of other songs. Their songs are identifiable by both their catchy hooks and their noisy guitar riffs.......

The name may be unfamiliar, but the players behind Club Tiger Promotions are highly recognizable to any one who follows the D.C. music scene. Local artists Carol Bui and Jay Smith of Middle Distance Runner have started an all-ages venue, The Lab in Alexandria, which will both give under-age bands a place to play with their more seasoned peers and serve as an environment where, as Bui puts it, "kids feel totally comfortable and safe......

FRIDAY: >> It’s been over six years since he last had a properly released album, but crooner Bilal (left) has still managed to catch people’s attention with some of his latest material. Too bad it was illegally leaked and now his label is threatening never to let the refined product see the light of day. Regardless, his Black Cat performance should be noteworthy. 9 p.m., $22. >> We’ve told you about Deleted Scenes many times......

Everybody's favorite Portland-based literary music makers, The Decemberists, have had to cancel their Long And Short Of It tour, just two dates in. One of the band members has been ill, and as it turns out, hadn't gotten as well as they'd hoped in time to tour. That includes the expansive four-night residency they'd scheduled at the 9:30 Club for this weekend. If you'd already bought tickets, you can get a refund at your......

>> Tonight is the annual 17th Street High Heel Race. The classic D.C. drag event kicks off officially at 9 p.m., but you'll want to take your position on 17th St. NW between Church and R well before that (we'd recommend 7 at the latest). If you're looking to make a queer night of it, don't forget about the Hug-In planned at the U Street Rite Aid at 7 p.m., and the pre-Hug-In Happy Hour......

MONDAY >> Do you like screamo? How about metalcore? Us neither, but if you do, get yourself to the 9:30 Club, for Underoath and similarly sinisterly-named Every Time I Die, Poison the Well, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, and Belle and Sebastian. Just kidding about the last one. 6 p.m., $18. TUESDAY >> Stevie Wonder needs no introduction. He's coming to the Verizon Center today. Tickets start at $68, so get your wallet ready.......

This was not exactly the weekend that D.C. United was hoping for. A 3-2 loss to the non-playoff bound Columbus Crew closed out United's MLS regular season and snapped United's unbeaten streak (dating back to July). Worse yet, United lost their two star strikers, Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno, to foot injuries. With last night's Fire victory over the Galaxy, United were assigned the Thursday night time-slot against a Fire team that might be......

Clarendon watering hole Galaxy Hut has long been much beloved by fans of good music, cheap, delicious beer and food and wild mid-week karaoke sessions. We spotted this rather odd but fun video of Bill, the Galaxy Hut bartender, put together by The Cassettes Chronicle, "The Official Periodical of The Cassettes Musical Explorer Society," otherwise known as local band The Cassettes. Thankfully, contrary to what's depicted in the video, which features Bill providing the......

FRIDAY: >> We will be hard pressed to find a better drinking buddy this Friday night than Freddy Noe, son of Booker Noe and great-grandson of Col. James B. Beam. For those not in the "Noe," this is the family that gave us Jim Beam. Whiskey fans can pay homage to Freddy, Master Distiller Emeritus and Jim Beam brand ambassador (uh, where can we apply for that job?), from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on......

D.C. United takes on Red Bull New York tonight in a match crucial to league standings and regional pride. United has taken advantage of a torrid August (3-0-0 in league play) to move into second place in the eastern conference. In NYRB they face an opponent that is fresh off of a high octane 5-4 victory over David Beckham and the LA Galaxy. The winner will retain sole possession of second place and assert themselves......

D.C. United fans have gotten their share of David Beckham firsts, and after last night’s exit from the SuperLiga – almost single-handedly due to Beckham’s right foot – we’ve had our fill. After playing his first MLS game in a 1-0 D.C. win last Thursday at a sold-out RFK, he started his first match for the Galaxy last night in the SuperLiga semifinals against visiting D.C. Then he proceeded to register his first goal and......

The 46,686 spectators that packed into RFK stadium got their money's worth last night. The United faithful saw a dominating performance that vaulted their team into second place in the Eastern Conference of MLS. Those hoping to see soccer star and global icon David Beckham also left pleased: LA's five million dollar man played the final 20 minutes, making his Major League Soccer debut. Though United's finishing was spotty, they enjoyed the great majority......

David Beckham made his long-awaited MLS debut last night at RFK stadium, entering the game in the 72nd minute but unable to help his Los Angeles Galaxy overcome a 1-0 defeat to D.C. United. We will have a full post on the game later this morning, but in the meantime, how was your evening commute affected by the 46,686 soccer match attendees crowding into Metro? Police Move Not Really Canceled?: So says the Washington......

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Beckham Circus has arrived. Forty five thousand spectators will pack into RFK this evening to witness the production. All eyes will be on English mega-star David Beckham, but his performance will likely be relegated to a side show, as an ankle injury will limit him to sub minutes (if any). Even so, the main event of the night is sure to be exciting enough to keep the third-biggest......

>> Having drawn comparisons to Neutral Milk Hotel since recording their debut album in D.C. last summer, Donny Hue and the Colors, featuring members of the Carlsonics, Nethers, Washington Social Club and Meredith Bragg and the Terminals, will play for free at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. If you can't make it there in time, the performance will also be broadcast live on the web. >> Check out our review of......

MONDAY: Oliver August will be at Politics and Prose to discuss his latest book Inside the Red Mansion, which chronicles the hunt for China's most-wanted fugitive, Lai Changxing. For more information, check out this short film on the making of the book. 7 p.m. TUESDAY: Writer Dominic Cicere will be holding a book release party at Galaxy Hut for Near Wild Heaven, which contains a collection of poems, a short story and a screenplay on......

>> Three Stars alumni Greenland take the Black Cat's backstage tonight, with Mikal Evans Band and A Northern Chorus. $8, 9 p.m. >> Best Cellars co-founder Joshua Wesson hosts The European Tour of Wine tonight at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Wesson promises to illuminate the art of pairing wine with cheese, with eight wines and cheeses served throughout the evening as examples. 7 p.m., $60 ($50 for Corcoran members). >> D.C. United opens SuperLiga!......

>> Fort Reno soldiers on tonight, with Mess Up the Mess, Julie Ocean, and the final ever performance from Three Stars alums The Sentiment, who are calling it quits as a group after tonight. 7:15 p.m. >> Debuting tonight is "Bomb Shelter," a weekly stand-up showcase featuring five local improv personalities. Why the militaristic name? Because there is no "bombing" here. The comedians promise to stun weapons of mass hilarity, which means no random drunk......

>> Ben's Chili Bowl is set to expand. [Examiner] >> Tickets to see David Beckham play with the L.A. Galaxy versus D.C. United go on sale Monday. [SoccerInsider] >> Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso was robbed of his briefcase, cellphone and wallet at gunpoint last night in Takoma. Reinoso was uninjured and his briefcase was later recovered, but he had a hard time gaining access to the Wilson Building this morning without ID.......

MONDAY >> The wait is over! We've been anxiously awaiting the start of Fort Reno's season, and the day has finally arrived. Head up to the park and hear one of DCist's favorite local outfits, Deleted Scenes, along with Mass Movement of the Moth and The Boom Orangutangs. >> It's movie night at Galaxy Hut, and tonight the theme is 80s Surf Films. Get your Point Break on and drink an Alagash or twelve. It......

Two weeks ago, D.C. United traveled to Los Angeles to play a depleted Galaxy team and were lucky to come away with a disappointing 0-0 tie after Nate Jaqua missed two easy opportunities in front of the United goal. Determined not to fall into the trap of playing down to their competition again, United scored early in their 3-1 victory over the visiting Chicago Fire and never looked back. Fire goalie Matt Pickens bobbled......

FRIDAY: >> DCist favorites The French Kicks are at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight with The Childballads (the Bon Savants cancelled). $13, 9:30 p.m. >> Exotic Fever Records is keeping the spirit of the D.C. underground scene alive almost singlehandedly, and this weekend they'll celebrate their seven year anniversary with an ecclectic festival to showcase their artists. Tonight it's Mass Movement of the Moth, New Idea Society, Den of Thieves, Kathy Cashel, Worn In......

>> Tragedy strikes the best little bar in Arlington! According to a MySpace bulletin, some miscreant has run off with Galaxy Hut's kareoke equipment, effectively squashing DCist Amanda's favorite way to spend a Thursday night. Why would someone do such a thing? Especially since wherever they take it is sure to have an inferior beer selection to the equipment's original home. Do your part and go spend some money at G Hut so they can......

Steadfast friendships, a taste for whiskey, and a penchant for Iron Maiden and Fugazi. These are the driving forces behind New Rock Church of Fire. The band is made up of bassist Mitchell West – who works with political advertising by day and brews his own beer (Mitchale) by night, guitarist and lead vocalist Floyd York – who pays the bills with a slew of odd jobs from catering to real estate photography, and drummer......

FRIDAY: >> Post-punk concept albums make us all weak in the knees, so you can bet we'll be out for The Thermals at the Black Cat tonight. With The Big Sleep and Statehood. $12, 9 p.m. >> It's the last weekend to check out Forum Theater and Dance's production Kid-Simple, a "live-action radio play" about a young prodigy who invents a machine that hears things humans never could discern, and when it is stolen, takes......

If you're sitting at your desk thinking, "I'd really like to spend tonight watching a handful of the most talented people to ever produce music in D.C. or anywhere come together on one stage," then you're in luck. The 9:30 Club is hosting some of the most talented products of our fair city tonight. Headlining the night is Dust Galaxy, the Theivery Corporation side project that's been making blog waves since the fall. Rob......