The folks at DC9 like The Republic Tigers. The Kansas City quintet were at the 9th Street club in April, and the club liked them so much they brought them back for Friday's Liberation Dance Party. The band, which appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman the day before, plays atmospheric, sometimes epic indie rock with electronic flourishes. Their great single, "Buildings and Mountains", sounds a bit like Travis or Grandaddy, while "Feelin' the......

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......

FRIDAY: >> Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are at the 9:30 Club with Kristeen Young and Partyline, $15, 9 p.m. Also Saturday with Kristeen Young and Ris Paul Ric. >> DC9's Liberation Dance Party hosts Brooklyn's Jaguar Club. $6, 9 p.m. SATURDAY: >> The Historic Sixth and I Synagogue hosts The Eight, D.C.'s part of a "worldwide Hannukah party" featuring the LeeVees, DeLeon and D.C.'s own Black and White JohnsonsJacksons. $12/$18, all ages, 9 p.m.......

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......

TUESDAY >> The Black Cat's making good use of its Backstage this week. Before you go check out the Alphabetical Order tonight, read DCist's interview with the band and see where their heads were about a year ago. Any band that gives their site a dot-org domain is worth at least a cursory glance. With Omega Band, $5, 9 p.m. >> If you buy your music at Starbucks, you may be one of the many......

Remember all those times we've off-handedly mentioned that this winter would be slow for concerts? Well, the time is here. And comparisons to molasses or sloths or other slow moving things aren't far off. We all need some down time though, right? Those three concert weeks were starting to wear me down, and I want to be all fresh and shiny for the new year. There are a few things afoot, however, so take note......

Tuesday: Tonight, Iota hosts one prong of the WAMA Crosstown Jam for Flood Relief trident, a concert series taking place Tuesday and Wednesday to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. While Jammin' Java and Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg are featuring buckets of bands, your buck goes furthest at Iota, where Laura Burhenn (pictured) and Gist stand out in the noteworthy crowd. $10. For those less charitably inclined, dirty speed-punk act The Twats take......

FRIDAY >> Start the night off right at the DCist Happy Hour at 51st State. We'll all be there to celebrate our nation's veterans in the traditional manner: by drinking heavily. >> Who doesn't love a DJ who posts iPod playlists on the Internet so you can recreate a great night of dancing anytime, anywhere (especially when those playlists include choice selections like Kaiser Chiefs, The Rapture and James White and the Blacks)? Come celebrate......

Don't forget to check out DCist's Arts Agenda and Weekly Music Picks for additional entertainment events, including gallery crawls and gypsy punk band Gogol Bardello Saturday at the Black Cat. FRIDAY: >> Everyone is buzzing about The Music/Kasabian show at the 9:30 Club tonight, but if you miss it, you can head to DC9 afterwards for the official Kasabian afterparty -- just show your handstamp from the 9:30 Club and you can get in free......

FRIDAY: >> It's what all the cool kids are doing: Liberation Dance Party goes on tonight at DC9. If you're going to the Dogs Die in Hot Cars (pictured at right) show at the 9:30 Club, make sure to hit DC9 afterwards, because they'll be doing a spot of post-show spinning. SATURDAY: >> Get crafty: The Washington Craft Show takes place all weekend long, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center.......