Not that it's a surprise that an event in D.C. was well attended this week, but the folks over at Slate had to be pretty thrilled at the turnout for their first ever live recording of one of its podcasts. More than 650 people braved the crowds in the District to get to the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue for the taping on Monday—no easy task given the traffic conditions in the surrounding Chinatown neighborhood. (D.C. Metro police had just begun the massive amount of street closures for the inauguration when the taping was getting started.) more ›

By DCist Contributor Vince Wadhwani of BuyIndie.net Location, location, location. Last year Sticky Fingers occupied the small, cramped space across the street and down the stairs from Lauriol Plaza. While there's no denying the quality of the vegan cookies, the shop itself didn't quite have the required room to operate comfortably. The new occupants, Biagio Fine Chocolate, have done a remarkable job taking what was an unattractive space and turning it into an inviting, seemingly... more ›

Written by Buy Indie's Vince Wadhwani It's easy to justify going to an independent clothing boutique to find a unique outfit. After all, who wants to walk into a bar wearing the same thing as everyone else? But when it comes to our housewares and hardware, the equation often becomes a lot less complicated. Though you may not find a pink toolbelt over at the Home Depot, you also won't find too many people fretting... more ›

Written by Vince Wadhwani When Vegetate and Queen of Sheba applied for liquor licenses in September 2005, Shiloh Baptist Church unexpectedly protested, causing both restaurants a lengthy delay which, in the case of Queen of Sheba, is still ongoing almost two years later. For Vegetate, however, the news is brighter, with legislation being passed earlier this year allowing them to serve wine, beer, and cocktails. Many restaurants may have folded up under the pressure of... more ›

If your parents have a record collection, or you've ever read a countdown list, or if you've seen Almost Famous, or if you've generally got a sense of rock history, you know that The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds is one of the most important, critically acclaimed, and talked about albums in music history. The album's landmark 40th anniversary recently rolled around. In commemoration, the album has been re-released, featuring original and remastered versions of the songs and has a DVD telling the album's story. more ›

Despite the general holiday slowdown, this week has some choice offerings for those of you caught up enough on shopping to relax with a beer and some bands. Monday: The Warehouse has an eclectic lineup of singer-songwriters, five performers in all, that features the very talented Paul Michel (pictured). Perfect for those looking to step back from the holiday rush. Tuesday: Iota has the local show of the week, as they bring together the tight,... more ›

If there is one thing you can rely on the internet for (other than DCist and abundant pornography) it is a near infinite stream of trends and buzzwords. As the internet grows beyond its humble roots as a military communications network and porn depository, it not only expands, but matures, which inevitably leads to a blizzard of hype. So as media and data shed their traditional forms and continue to evolve online, it is important... more ›

New York City. Home to more bands (and more bloggers) per capita than probably any other city in the US. With so many bands and so many words being devoted to them, it's hard to believe a band as good as We Are Scientists has flown under the radar for so long. But we're not here to examine why this is the case, we're here to see what we can do about it. more ›