As the Hot Ticket turns into the pleasantly, autumnally cool ticket, there are certain hot items that will go without saying from now on, so don’t ask why we haven’t mentioned them. These are:
1) You should all be ashamed for not going to Nats games while there are a few left in this inaugural season, but we’re not going to mention this anymore.
2) There is, apparently, a professional football team in the area, whose season will begin presently.
3) Caps, Wizards, etc. Support the troops.
4) The usual holiday extravaganza, including any and all versions of the Nutcracker.
5) Stupid Coldplay.
Now, here’s the stuff we will mention.
Salman Rushdie’s publisher has just taken to printing Booker Prize nominee on the cover of all his novels, even though he’s had a tough time making the shortlist ever since he came out of hiding and became a Manhattan playboy. And while we’re all embarrassed about Fury, this is still the guy who wrote two of the greatest novels of the 20th century, and he has killer eyebrows. The enemy of the state of Iran will be signing copies of Shalimar the Clown on September 13 at Temple Sinai. $10.
Ever since we saw PCU, we dreamed about the day George Clinton’s bus would break down outside our party and he and the Parliament would come over and shower our guests with funk. Sadly this never happened, our efforts to slit his tires notwithstanding. For all the trouble we’ve caused him, we’re more than willing to shell out the 75 clams to see him rock a benefit for the Lincoln Theater on October 2.
They may have ripped off the Rolling Stones more consistently and effectively than any band in history, but the Black Crowes’ powerful southern rock swagger is not to be missed. Last time they came through town — as openers for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Merriweather Post Pavilion — they put on a show that many deemed better than Petty’s. Now they are back for a two-night stint at the 9:30 Club, an enviably small place to see a band this good. The tickets may cost $40 a pop, but the October 3 and 4 shows are sure to be worth it.
Here’s the part of the Hot Ticket where we include an item and describe it in such a way that you can’t tell if we’re being ironic or if we’re actually completely stoked about it. So come on, we all remember our Hysteria days fondly, no? We were all singing that song about pouring sugar, am I right? We all secretly want to check these guys out, especially since it’s at the Nissan Pavilion, where we’ll be sure to relive our ancient memories trundling about a rock show lawn, trying to look as cool as possible. Right? Right? If that’s not reason enough, consider this — Where else will you see a band with a one-armed drummer? Def Leppard. October 14. $16.50-$46.
I don’t know that Minneapolis is known for its hip-hop, and it concerns me that the Post compared rapper Slug to DCist arch-nemesis Chris Carrabba, but we’ll be unable to check out the Roots at American, and sometimes you just need to satisfy the urge for some live beats. Join us in seeing Atmosphere on October 18 at 9:30. $17.
So you know: Hanson is playing 9:30 on October 30th. If you get near 9th and V, you can’t blame DCist. $25.
And last but certainly not least, polarizing indie figure and angst-ridden Omahan Bright Eyes returns to the DC on November 18 to play D.A.R. Constitution Hall. Oberst needs no introduction; you’ll either see him or you won’t. $25.
