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 Friday at Bourbon in Adam’s Morgan. He’ll be on location to answer questions about his family’s 80-proof gift to the world from Clermont, Kentucky. The folks at Bourbon say they anticipate a laid-back affair to herald the near arrival of the first ever National Bourbon Heritage Month with free appetizers, samples to sip and plenty of time to get tasting tips from the man whose family tree is where the Beam, Booker’s and Knob Creek meet the branchwater.
SATURDAY:
>> It’s hard to believe it’s been a full year since Rock and Roll Hotel first opened its doors on H Street NE. Their calendar may occasionally be filled with too much radio fare, but they’ve also hosted some of the city’s most inventive dance nights and a range of bands that were too big for DC9 but too small for the Black Cat’s main stage — a niche that D.C. sorely needed filled. Tonight’s First Anniversary Party seems pretty weird: We’re not exactly sure for what kinds of D.C. scenesters Andrew WK is a big draw as party host, and loud soul band Earl Greyhound, loud classic rock worshippers the Whips, and loud punk throwbacks the Points all add up to a concert with nothing in common with itself except being well, loud. But we’re still glad Rock and Roll Hotel is here to stay — it’s their party, and they can wail if they want to. 8 p.m., $20, plus $3 rail drinks until 11 and $2 PBR all night.
>> Can anyone who lives in Mt. Pleasant start emailing us with the set times from the posters advertising the concerts in Lamont Park? We know The Caribbean are playing there on Saturday, but we’ll be damned if we can figure out what time they’re starting by searching the web. Thanks!
SUNDAY:
>> If you’re able to shell out some serious dough, you could do no better than world renowned jazz pianist Herbie Hancock‘s concert at The Birchmere. Accompanying him will be veteran drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and Eric Clapton’s bassist, Nathan East. 7:30 p.m., $75 + Ticketmaster fees.
>> Sunday night gigs are hard, but Baltimore’s Private Eleanor deserves your attention even if you’re sleepy. The band mixes the sounds of pretty mid-1990s slowcore like Red House Painters or Bedhead with an occasional hint of twang — like if These United States were to sit down after a long night and quietly sing you some lullabies. They’re at Galaxy Hut at 9 p.m. for $5.
Gayle Putrich contributed.
