This is my list of upcoming shows that interest me, with the caveat that my taste in music is, well, eclectic. In addition, while some of this music interests me because I have seen it before and know that I want to see it again, other things may have been recommended by friends or simply caught my fancy given my mood at the time. I try to update this frequently enough that it is actually useful and I try to include whatever info I have. I also try to get it from reliable sources, but no source is perfect. And, I myself am capable of mistakes. Therefore, it may be worth a check with the venue before planning your life around what you see here. Also check back here closer to the show, as I do go back and correct entries if I learn that they are wrong. Got comments or reactions? Shows I should add? Write to me.(After deleting the spaces and spare mark).

Interested in what I actually see?

March 11 Thursday: The Old Ceremony plays the Club Stage at Sonar. The Old Ceremony plays pop noir. Show is at 8. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 on the day of the show.

March 11 Thursday: The Radiators play the 8X10. The Radiators play New Orleans influenced rock.

March 11 Thursday: Asleep at the Wheel plays the Birchmere. Asleep at the Wheel plays Texas swing.

March 12 Friday: Balkan Beat Box plays the 9:30 Club with Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew. Balkan Beat Box plays world music with strong Israeli influences. Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew are from Sierra Leone and combine Afro-pop with dancehall, hip-hop and roots reggae. Tickets are $20.

March 13 Saturday: Alison Brown plays the Terrace Gallery at the Kennedy Center as part of the Kennedy Center jazz series. Alison Brown plays banjo, in a variety of genres. Shows are at 7:30 and 9:30. Tickets are $25.

March 15 Monday: Megadeth at the 9:30 Club is sold out.

March 16 Tuesday: Megadeth plays Rams Head Live with Testament and Exodus. Megadeth plays heavy metal. TEstament plays thrash metal. Exodus plays death metal and thrash. Doors open at 6. Tickets are $40.

March 17 Wednesday: Pietasters play Rams Head Live with Lionize. Pietasters play ska. Lionize mixes reggae and rock. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show.

March 17 Wednesday: Lafayette Gilchrist plays Joe Squared. Lafayette Gilchrist plays jazz and funk. Joe Squared is located at 133 West North Avenue in Baltimore.

March 18 Thursday: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band plays the 8X10 with The Herd of Main Street. Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band plays country blues. The Herd of Main Street plays Americana.

March 20 Saturday: Zevious plays Orion with Seabrook Power Plant. Zevious mixes jazz and prog. Seabrook Power Plant is a jazz trio blending Eurasian folk music, punk, metal and the avant-garde.

March 21 Sunday: Man Man play the Club Stage at Sonar. Man Man is an experimental band with an "exuberant" live show. Show is at 8. Tickets are $12.

March 23 Tuesday: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays Rams Head On Stage. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a swing revival band. Show is at 8. Tickets are $49.50.

March 24 Wednesday: Seven Mary Three plays Jaxx with three other bands. Seven Mary Three plays rock, sometimes almost folky, sometimes harder. Doors open at 7, show is at 7:30. Tickets are $20 in advance. Jaxx is located at 6355 Rolling Road in Springfield, Virginia.

March 24 Wednesday: Jim Weider's Project Percolator plays Jammin' Java. Jim Weider plays blues rock guitar.

March 26 Friday: All Mighty Senators play the Recher Theatre with Black Friday and Jon Bailey Band. All Mighty Senators play rock and soul music. Black Friday plays rock. Jon Bailey Band plays roots rock. Doors open at 7. Admission is $10.

March 26 Friday: Imperial China plays Velvet Lounge with Cephalopods, Miracles and Busses. All play rock of some form or another.

March 26 Friday: Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles play Jammin' Java. Sarah Borges and the Broken Single play alt-country. Show is at 10.

March 27 Saturday: Lo Moda plays Metro Gallery with Nathan Bell and M. Takara 3 not necessarily in that order. Lo Moda is nothing like the Talking Heads, but reminds me of them. Nathan Bell plays bass, banjo and other stringed instruments. M. Takara 3 is Mauricio Takara solo on samplers, synthesizers and drums. Metro Gallery is located at 1700 North Charles Street in Baltimore.

March 27 Saturday: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays the Alden Theatre. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a swing revival band. Alden Theatre is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue in McLean, Virginia.

March 27 Saturday: Shemekia Copeland at the Rams Head On Stage is cancelled.

March 28 Sunday: Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine plays the Ottobar with Witch Hunt. Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine play hardcore punk. Witch Hunt plays punk. Doors open at 8, show is at 9.

March 28 Sunday: Double Dagger plays the Hexagon with Sick Weapons, Hollywood and Dope Body. All four are punk in one way or another, but they do not sound alike. Show is at 7. Admission is $6.

March 28 Sunday: Shemekia Copeland plays the Barns at Wolf Trap. Shemekia Copeland sings the blues. Show is at 8. Tickets are $22.

March 30 Tuesday: Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine plays the Black Cat. Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine play hardcore punk. Show is at 8. Tickets are $12.

March 30 Tuesday: Inti-Illimani with Francesca Gagnon play the Barns at Wolf Trap. Inti-Illimani play Chilean folk music. Show is at 8. Tickets are $25.

March 30 Tuesday: Pink Jams Breast Cancer Benefit at Jammin' Java with Dreamscapes Project. Dreamscapes Project plays acoustic folk rock. show is at 7:30.

March 31 Wednesday: Pierre Bensusan plays Jammin' Java. Show is at 7:30. Jammin' Java is located at 227 Maple Avenue in East Vienna, Virginia.

March 31 Wednesday: Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk plays the 8X10. Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk plays funk.

March 31 Wednesday: Rebirth Brass Band plays the State Theatre. Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans brass band. Doors open at 6, music starts at 8. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 on the day of the show.

March 31 Wednesday: Vattel Cherry's Soulstation plays Joe Squared. Vattel Cherry's Soulstation plays improvisational jazz. Joe Squared is located at 133 West North Avenue in Baltimore.

April 1 Thursday: SOJA plays Recher Theatre with Mambo Sauce. SOJA plays reggae. Mambo Sauce plays go go. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the show.

April 2 Friday: The Fiery Furnaces play the Ottobar with Drug Rug and Young Sir Jim. Fiery Furnaces play art rock. Drug Rug plays blues rock. Young Sir Jim plays alt rock. This is the show that would have been February 6, had such a thing been possible and tickets from that night will work.

April 2 Friday: Duke Robillard with Johnny A play Rams Head On Stage. Duke Robillard plays guitar. Johnny A plays guitar. Show is at 8. Tickets are $22.50.

April 2 Friday: Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun play Jammin' Java. Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun play honky tonk and rockabilly. Show is at 8.

April 2 Friday: An evening with Keller Williams the Birchmere. Keller Williams plays guitar, other instruments and loops. First set is solo, second set with the Added Bonus - KW with Claude Arthur on bass, Jay Starling on keys, dobro, lap steel and guitar, and Toby Fairchild on Drums. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $29.50.

April 3 Saturday: Popa Chubby plays Jammin' Java. Popa Chubby plays electric blues guitar. Show is at 10.

April 3 Saturday: The Don and Bunk Show featuring Don Preston and Bunk Gardner comes to Orion Sound. The Don and Bunk Show features a full range of Zappa's music.

April 3 Saturday: Red Stick Ramblers play a swing dance at the Spanish Ballroom. Red Stick Ramblers play a mixture of Cajun fiddle tunes, Western Swing and traditional jazz of the 1920's and 1930's There is a dance lesson at 8, show starts at 9. Admission is $15.

April 3 Saturday: Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue. plays the State Theatre. Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue features Tommy Castro Band, Deanna Bogart, Joe Louis Walker and Debbie Davies. Tickets are $25.

April 4 Sunday: Easy Star All Stars play the State Theatre. Easy Star All Stars play reggae versions of Dark Side of the Moon, Radiohead and Beatles songs. Doors open at 6, show is at 8. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door.

April 6 Tuesday: Keith Emerson and Greg Lake play the Birchmere. This is billed as "An Intimate Evening of Nice, King Crimson and ELP, Music and Story Telling."

April 8 Thursday: Acid Mothers Temple play DC Nine with Over-Gain Optimal Death (OGOD). Acid Mothers Temple play loud psychedelic rock. OGOD plays psychedelic thrash. Doors open at 8:30, show is at 9. Tickets are $12.

April 9 Friday: Rasputina plays the Ottobar. Rasputina plays chamber rock. Doors open at 8, show is at 9.

April 10 Saturday: Acid Mothers Temple play the Ottobar with Over-Gain Optimal Death with Over-Gain Optimal Death (OGOD). Acid Mothers Temple play loud psychedelic rock. OGOD plays psychedelic thrash.

April 10 Saturday: Tea Leaf Green plays Recher Theatre. Tea Leaf Green is a rock based jam band. Tickets are $15.

April 11 Sunday: High on Fire plays the Black Cat with Priestess, Black Cobra and Bison B.C.. High on Fire plays heavy metal. Priestess plays hard rock. Black Cobra plays sludge and doom metal. Bison B.C. plays heavy metal. Show is at 8. Tickets are $15.

April 12 Monday: George Clinton and P Funk play the 9:30 Club. George Clinton and P Funk play funk, and lots of it.

April 13 Tuesday: Legendary Shack Shakers play the Rock and Roll Hotel with Danny Barnes. Legendary Shack Shakers play fast wild, country rock. Danny Barnes plays banjo and sings, and has computer beats and loops as well. Doors open at 8, show is at 8:30. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door.

April 14 Wednesday: Drive-By Truckers play the Recher Theatre with Langhorne Slim. Drive-By Truckers play Southern rock. Langhorne Slim plays folk. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $25.

April 14 Wednesday: Todd Rundgren plays Rams Head On Stage. He will be playing his own music and songs from his album of covers of Robert Johnson songs: Todd Rundgren's Johnson. Show is at 8. Tickets are $56.50.

April 14 Wednesday: Liars play the Rock and Roll Hotel with Fol Chen. Liars play experimental rock. Fol Chen plays electro-pop. Doors open at 8, show is at 8:30. Tickets are $15.

April 15 Thursday: Greg Ginn and the Texas Corrugators play Floristree with CSC Funkband and Crazy Dreams Band. In Greg Ginn and the Texas Corrugators Greg Ginn of Black Flag takes on Texas Swing, jazz, country and blues, among other things. CSC Funkband plays funk. Crazy Dreams Band plays "guitar free 'thug pop' of dirge rather than drone with creeping crooning and brassless horn blasts." Floristree is located on the 6th floor of the H&H Building, 405 West Franklin Street in Baltimore.

April 15 Thursday: Cherry Poppin Daddies play the State Theatre. Cherry Poppin Daddies combine punk, swing, funk and ska. Doors open at 7, show is at 8:30. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door.

April 15 Thursday: Backyard Tire Fire plays the Black Cat. Backyard Tire Fire is an alt-country band.

April 15 Thursday: Trans Am plays Rock and Roll Hotel. Trans Am mixes synth pop and rock. Doors open at 8, show is at 8:30. Tickets are $15.

April 16 Friday: The Thermals play the Ottobar with Past Lives and guests. The Thermals are an indie pop punk band. Past lives are a post punk band.

April 16 Friday: CD release for Shortstack at the Black Cat with Birds of Avalon and Sons of Guns. Shortstack combines punk rock and country. Birds of Avalon fuses elements of progressive and psychedelic rock. Show is at 9. Admission is $12.

April 16 Friday: Sonny Landreth plays Rams Head On Stage. Sonny Landreth plays slide guitar. Show is at 8. Tickets are $33.50.

April 17 Saturday: Sonny Landreth plays Weinberg Center with The Campbell Brothers. Sonny Landreth plays slide guitar. The Campbell Brothers play sacred steel. Show is at 8. Tickets are from $20 to $3o. The Weinberg Center is located at 20 West Patrick Street in Frederick, Maryland.

April 17 Saturday: Anoushka Shankar plays 6th & I. Anoushka Shankar plays sitar. Show is at 8. Tickets are $30. 6th & I is located at the intersection of 6th and I streets in Northwest DC.

April 18 Sunday: Greg Ginn and the Texas Corrugators play a matinee at the Velvet Lounge with CSC Funkband. In Greg Ginn and the Texas Corrugators Greg Ginn of Black Flag takes on Texas Swing, jazz, country and blues, among other things. CSC Funkband plays funk. Doors open at 5, show is at 6. Admission is $10.

April 18 Sunday: Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers play a benefit for Jimmy Cole at the State Theatre with The Nighthawks, Rosslyn Mountain Boys, Randy Waller and the Country Gentlemen, Tommy Lepson Band, Cathy Ponton King with Dave Chappell, and more. Doors are at 5, show is 5:30. Tickets are $15.

April 18 Sunday: Radio Massacre International plays Orion Sound. Radio Massacre International plays improvisational experimental electronic music.

April 20 Tuesday: Mastodon plays Rams Head Live with Between the Buried and Me, Baroness and Valient Thorr. Mastodon plays progressive metal. Between the Buried and Me plays heavy metal. Baroness plays sludge metal. Valient Thorr is a rock band from Venus. Doors open at 6. Tickets are $25.

April 20-21 Tuesday and Wednesday: Widespread Panic plays the Warner Theatre. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7:30. Tickets are $44.50.

April 22 Thursday: Lionize plays Rock and Roll Hotel. Lionize mixes reggae and rock. Doors open at 8, show is at 8:30. Admission is $10.

April 24 Saturday: Ergo plays Orion Sound with Algernon. Ergo plays jazz rock fusion. Algernon plays jazz.

April 24 Saturday: All Mighty Senators play the 8X10. All Mighty Senators play rock and soul music.

April 26 Monday: Ozomatli plays the 9:30 Club. Ozomatli combines hip hop, Latin music, funk and lots of percussion. Tickets are $25.

April 27 Tuesday: Ozomatli plays Rams Head Live. Ozomatli combines hip hop, Latin music, funk and lots of percussion. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $25.

April 29 Thursday: Baaba Maal plays Lisner Auditorium. Baaba Maal is a singer and guitarist from Senagal who plays afrobeat and other music. Show is at 8. Tickets are $25, $30 and $35.

April 29-30 Thursday and Friday: Gogol Bordello plays Rams Head Live with Devotchka and Jesse Malin and St Mark's Social. Gogol Bordello plays gypsy pubk. Devotchka mixes Romani, Greek, Slavic, Bolero and Mariachi music with American punk and folk roots. Jesse Malin and the St. Marks Social play rock. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $29.

April 30 Friday: Chopteeth plays two shows at Jammin' Java. Chopteeth is a large Afrobeat band. Shows are at 7 and 10.

April 30 Saturday: Ron Holloway Quartet plays Montpelier Arts Center. Ron Holloway plays tenor sax. The Quartet plays jazz and blues. Single tickets are $20. Call 301-377-7800. Montpelier Arts Center is located at 9652 Muirkirk Road in Laurel, Maryland.

April 30 Friday: Double Dagger plays Floristree with Future Islands, Lower Dens and Dustin Wong. Double Dagger is a three piece punk band. Future Islands plays synth pop. Lower Dens is Jana Hunter's band. Floristree is located on the 6th floor of the H&H Building, 405 West Franklin Street in Baltimore.

May 1 Saturday: Red Elvises play Iota with Bi lly Woodward and the Senders. Red Elvises play surf with a Russian accent. Billy Woodward and the Senders play rockabilly. Show is at 9. Admission is $15.

May 1 Saturday: My Morning Jacket plays Merriweather Post Pavilion with Preservation Hall Jazz Band. My Morning Jacket plays country rock. Preservation Hall Jazz Band plays New Orleans jazz. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $45 in the pavilion, $36 on the lawn.

May 1 Saturday: Johnny Winter plays the Rams Head On Stage with Damon Fowler. Both play blues rock guitar. Show is at 8. Tickets are $49.50.

May 1 Saturday: Taj Mahal Trio plays the State Theatre. Taj Mahal Trio blends folk, jazz, zydeco, gospel, rock, pop, blues and soul to form their own sound. Doors open at 7. Show is at 8:30. Tickets are $42.

May 1 Saturday: Oblivion Sun play Orion Sound. Oblivion Sun plays prog.

May 7 Friday: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings play Rams Head On Stage. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings play soul and funk. Show is at 8. Tickets are $39.50.

May 7 Friday: Imperial China plays Rock and Roll Hotel Imperial China plays interesting rock. Doors open at 8:30, show is at 9:30.

May 7 Friday: Phil Wiggins plays Montpelier Arts Center. Phil Wiggins plays blues harmonica. Single tickets are $20. Call 301-377-7800. Montpelier Arts Center is located at 9652 Muirkirk Road in Laurel, Maryland.

May 14 Friday: Donna the Buffalo plays the State Theatre. Donna the Buffalo mixes zydeco and bluegrass, among other things. Doors open at 7, music starts at 8:30. Tickets are $17 in advance, $19 day of show.

May 17 Monday: King Sunny Ade plays the 9:30 Club. King Sunny Ade plays Nigerian Jùjú music. Tickets are $25. This show was originally scheduled for April 7.

May 20 Thursday: Marco Benevento Trio plays the 8X10. Marco Benevento Trio is a jazz based jam band with Marco Benevento on piano.

May 21 Friday: Tony Levin with Stick Men plays Rams Head On Stage. Stick Men are Levin on bass and Chapman stick, Pat Mastelotto on drums and Michael Bernier on stick.

May 22 Saturday: Southern Culture on the Skids plays two shows at Rams Head On Stage. Southern Culture on the Skids play country rock with humor. Shows are at 6:30 and 9:30. Tickets are $35.

May 22-23 Saturday and Sunday: Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival at Sandy Point State Park. On Saturday: South Philly String Band (10:40), The Patty Reese Band (11:15); Moreland and Arbuckle (12:15); Cedric Burnside and Lightning Malcolm (1:25), Tinsley Ellis (2:40); The Yardbirds (4), Shemekia Copeland (5:30) and Buddy Guy (7). On Sunday: Polish American String Band (10:30), Bobby Parker (11), Big Bill Morganfield (12:10), Anders Osbourne (1:20), Bonerama (2:45), Joe Lewis Walker (4:15), Jimmy Vaughn (5:20) and Chuck Berry (7). Tickets are $40 for one day $70 for two until March 15, $50 for one day, $90 for 2 until May 20, and $65 for one day, $115 for two at the gate.

May 27 Thursday: Tab Benoit plays Rams Head On Stage. Tab Benoit plays swamp blues. This show was rescheduled from February 10 - it was sold out then, and is probably close to it now, since the only tickets available are those that are returned.

May 27 Thursday: Michael Franti and Spearhead play Wolf Trap with The Wailers. Michael Franti and Spearhead combine rock, hip hop, jam and energy. The Wailers play reggae. Show is at 8. Tickets are $40 in the pavilion and $25 on the lawn.

May 28 Friday: Carolina Chocolate Drops play Montpelier Arts Center. Carolina Chocolate Drops are a great string band, featuring African American String music. Single tickets are $20. Call 301-377-7800. Montpelier Arts Center is located at 9652 Muirkirk Road in Laurel, Maryland.

May 29 Saturday: Michael Franti and Spearhead play Pier 6 with The Wailers. Michael Franti and Spearhead combine rock, hip hop, jam and energy. The Wailers play reggae. Gates open at 5. Tickets are $35.

May 29 Saturday: Reverend Horton Heat plays the 9:30 Club with Cracker and Miss Derringer. Reverend Horton Heat plays psychobilly. Cracker is an alt-rock band, Miss Derringer is influenced by outlaw country and girl group pop.

May 29 Saturday: Sonny Landreth and Tom Principato play the Birchmere Sonny Landreth plays slide guitar. Tom Principato plays blues guitar. This show was rescheduled from February 5, all tickets honored.

June 2 Wedesday: The Iguanas play Rams Head On Stage with Big Sam's Funky Nation. The Iguanas are a New Orleans based roots rock band. Big Sam's Funky Nation is a New Orleans brass band. Show is at 8. Tickets are $22.50.

June 4 Friday: Howard Levy plays Montpelier Arts Center. Howard Levy is a master of the diatonic harmonica. Single tickets are $20. Call 301-377-7800. Montpelier Arts Center is located at 9652 Muirkirk Road in Laurel, Maryland.

June 4 Friday: The Iguanas play the with Chopteeth and Jeff Beck plays Wolf Trap with Imelda May. Jeff Beck is an amazing guitar player who plays rock, jazz and fusion. Joining him are Jason Rebello on keys, Narada Michael Walden on drums and Rhonda Smith on bass. Imelda May plays rockabilly and blues. Show is at 8. Tickets go on sale March 13 at 10 am and are $42 in the pavilion and $25 on the lawn.

June 9 Wednesday: Leo Kottke plays the Birchmere. Leo Kottke plays acoustic guitar. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $35.

June 13 Sunday: Swamp Romp at Wolf Trap with Marcia Ball, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet and Rosie Ledet. Show starts at 2 pm. Tickets are $25.

June 19 Saturday: Uriah Heep plays Rams Head On Stage. Uriah Heep is a progressive rock band from the 70's. Shows are at 6:30 and 9:30. Tickets are $39.50.

June 22 Tuesday: Chick Corea Freedom Band plays Wolf Trap with a trio made up of Béla Fleck on banjo, Zakir Hussain on tabla and Edgar Meyer on double bass. The Chick Corea Freedom Band features Christian McBride on bass, Kenny Garrett and Roy Haines. Show is at 8. Tickets are $42 in the pavilion and $25 on the lawn and go on sale March 13 at 10 am.

July 14 Wednesday: B-52s play Wolf Trap. B-52s are a pop band. Show is at 8. Tickets are $40 in the pavilion, $25 on the lawn and go on sale March 13 at 10 am.

July 19 Monday: The Go Go's play Wolf Trap. The Go Go's are a new wave band from the 70's. This is their farewell tour. Show is at 8. Tickets are $42 in the pavilion, $25 on the lawn and go on sale March 13 at 10 am.

The Birchmere is the latest and largest incarnation of the same club that has been with us for years. Most shows are in the concert hall, but some are in the bandstand, which has a dance floor, but less seating. The Club has strict rules about being seated and quiet during concert hall shows and enforces them. The rules are slacker in the bandstand, which is also available if you need to talk or smoke during a show in the concert hall. If you arrive before the concert hall doors open they hand out numbers for a place in line if they like you or ignore you if they don't, but I assume they'll give you one if you demand it. It is adviseable to get there before the concert hall doors open in order to get the best seats, especially if you have a group that wants to sit together. The Birchmere opens at 5, the doors to the concert hall open at 6 and most shows start at 7:30. Food is passable bar food, but steep, and the beer selection is good. Tickets are available through Ticket Master, or with a $3 service charge from the box office, which is open from 5 to 9 on show nights. The Birchmere is located at 3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria. 703-549-7500.

The Black Cat gets rated the place in DC that the bands most like to play and the good vibes hang over for the audience. A very easy venue to get along with. Be warned that shows tend to start late, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when they do not close until 3. The new location has a concert hall upstairs, and a smaller performance space and a cafe with decent food downstairs. The Black Cat is located at 1811 14th Street NW. 202-667-7960. Tickets available from Ticket Alternative or without service charge from the box office, which is open from 8 to midnight. The Black Cat says that it is an all ages venue, but it actually requires parental permission for anyone under 18.

Blues Alley is a small jazz club in Georgetown. Capacity is about 125. Georgetown rent is covered with two to three shows a night (8 and 10, or 8, 10 and 12), a random $2.50 per person surcharge, and a requirement that each person spend at least $10 on their overpriced food and drinks. On the other hand, the view of the stage is great. Hours are daily, 6 to 12:30. Full dinner menu available at the 8 pm show, light fare for the later shows. Food really has not impressed me. Blues Alley is located behind 1073 Wisconsin Avenue in Northwest DC. 202-337-4141.

Carter Barron Amphitheater is a U.S. Park Service facility in Rock Creek Park. It is an outdoor facility that has seating for about 4,200 and some picnic areas inside. Despite the picnic areas they do not allow cans, bottles, hard coolers or picnic baskets. The box office is open from noon to 9pm on event days only. The address is 4850 Colorado Avenue (near 16th). The concert line is 202-426-0486. For park information call 202-895-6000.

Surf Club Live is a long-established venue in Prince George's County, now under new ownership. It is fairly large, has table seating, bar seating, a dance floor, and an area with pool tables. The general decor is "dive." Beer is fairly reasonable, but appears to cost more during shows than other times. Food is virtually non-existent, though you can get a basket of chips or a bag of nuts in moments of desperation. It is located at 4711 Kenilworth Avenue in Bladensburg Maryland. 301-927-6310.

DAR Constitution Hall is a concert hall owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is a rather large hall and some of the seats up on the sides are really bad. There are usually bars in the lobby, but you cannot take a drink to your seat, with the result that the lobby is incredibly crowded before the show and during intermission. The web site claims that light fare is served at all events, but they must have hidden it well. Tickets are available only through Ticketmaster unless the promoter has made other arrangements. There is no box office. Constitution Hall is located at 1776 D Street in Northwest DC.

DC Nine is where Asylum used to be. Music is upstairs, in an area that has somehow gotten smaller. The stage is tiny, and about six inches high, and some of the places in front of it are at the top of a long stairway. There is a bar, and some places to sit. DC Nine opens at 7 Thursday though Saturday and at 8 the rest of the week. Shows start at 9:30. There are no advance tickets. All shows are 21+. DC Nine is located at 1940 9th Street in Northwest DC. 202.483.5000.

The 8X10 has resumed its former name and apparently has new ownership and booking staff. The renovation from the original Eight by Ten eliminated the middle wall, moved the stage to the middle and made it larger, added a balcony that goes down both sides and across the back and added new, vastly better, bathrooms. Not clear what the new ownership means for beer and food. The dance floor is spring-loaded: serious structral paranoids will stand directly in the center. All shows are 18+. Those under 21 pay $3 extra at the door. Tickets available from the box office for reasonable fees from 11 am to 11 pm, and for unreasonable fees from Ticketmaster. The address is 8 and 10 East Cross Street in Federal Hill across from the Cross Street Market. 410-625-2000.

Fletchers is tiny, (capacity 325), but it has good spirit. Doors open at 9 and the shows start at ten (at least when IMP does them). Fletcher's is located at 701 S.Bond Street in Fells Point. 410-558-1889. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and from Soundgarden.

Fort Reno Park is, for all intents and purposes, a big field on Chesapeake Street between Nebraska and Wisconsin Avenues near the Tenleytown Metro. Shows are from 7 to 9:30 and are free though donations are always welcome. No glass, alcohol, or drugs are allowed.

The Galaxy Hut is an incredibly tiny place (the capacity sign says 48) located at 2711 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington near the Clarendon Metro. They have a good beer selection. Most shows are $5. They also serve food of some sort. 202-333-3114.

The Hexagon is a volunteer run art gallery and performance space. The music space is narrow but fairly long, and has some chairs. They do not serve alcohol, but somewhere nearby apparently sells it. The Hexagon is located at 1825 North Charles Street in Baltimore, Maryland.

Iota Club and Cafe is a relatively small but comfortable venue. They have a good beer selection, a constantly changing and relatively reasonable menu and a full bar. The Cafe opens at 5 and live shows usually start after 9. All shows at Iota are 21+. It is located at 2832 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington near the Clarendon Metro. 703-522-8340.

Jammin' Java is a coffeehouse and bar located in Vienna, Virginia. It seats maybe 100 for seated shows, and holds up to 200 for shows with less seating. For the latter, early arrival is advised if you want seating and can get through traffic to Vienna "early." They have a fair and reasonably priced selection of beer, and serve food in baskets. They are all ages all the time. Jammin' Java closes at midnight during the week, and at 2 am on Friday and Saturday. The address is 227 Maple Ave East, in Vienna, Virginia. 703-255-1566.

Lisner Auditorium is a concert hall on the campus of George Washington University. It is theater seating, and it is small enough that none of the seats are really bad. There is usually a small bar, and they sell very limited snacks, candy bars mostly. Tickets are available from the box office and from Ticketmaster. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday 11 through 5. It does not accept credit cards. It is also open starting approximately 60 to 90 minutes before each performance. There is a $1 per ticket service charge at the box office. Lisner Auditorium is located at 730 21st Street in Northwest DC. 202-994-6800.

Madam's Organ is a cozy little venue located at 2461 18th Street NW, in Adam's Morgan. Go see the mural that has the neighborhood up in arms. She doesn't look topless to me, but what do I know? 202-667-5370.

Merriweather Post Pavilion is a classic pavilion-- 5,200 reserved seats in front, lawn for 10,000 in back, that is definitely showing its age. The lawn is so steep that at times it is dangerous, and yet so badly designed that when everyone on the lawn stands up none of the short people can see. They sell lousy beer and worse wine inside, but have added an actual bar. No outside food or drink other than sealed bottles of water is allowed. After years of being run by Clear Channel, the Pavilion is now run by IMP, which appears to be an improvement. Doors open 1 and 1/2 hours before show time. In Columbia, just drive up 95 or over on 175 and get in the traffic jam. The parking lots open at 5 for most shows. The price of parking is included in the ticket. Tickets are available through Ticket Master and from the box office on show days. 410-715-5550.

New Deal Cafe is a cafe located in Old Greenbelt at 113 Centerway. It has a comfortable coffee room in front, and a larger, but still relatively small, concert space in back. Food is Lebanese, the beer and wine selection is good. 301-474-5642.

The 9:30 used to be a too cool for its own good club over on F Street with the singular claim to having a stage located in a place where almost no-one in the club could see it. The move to the old WUST hall at 815 V Street NW is an improvement both in livability and in attitude, but don't expect down home friendliness. All shows are all ages. An IMP venue. Doors open at 7:30 during the week, 9 on Fridays and 7 on Saturdays. Show times vary depending on the number of bands and can be found on their web site. The food is actually quite edible. Capacity is about 1,200. Tickets are available from Ticketfly.com, or from the box office, which is open from noon to 7 on week nights, but until 11 if there is a show, and 6-11 on saturday and sunday. The 9:30 number is 202-393-0930

Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge is a relatively new pavilion out near Manassas run by Cellar Door. Pavilion seating is plentiful and the lawn seating is pleasant and actually allows you to see and hear the show. They serve outrageously expensive beer and equally expensive food, and limit carry ins to one sealed water bottle. Remember to bring that bottle, because their water is literally not potable. They allow you to bring in a blanket, and will rent you an "appropriate" chair. Shows start at 8 unless otherwise specified. The box office is open from noon to intermission on show days. Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster. Parking is included in the price of the ticket, and there are not really any other options. Be warned that it can sometimes take hours to get out of the lot. And, honestly, they are not so good at getting you into it either. Take I-66 to exit 43B or 44 and follow the signs from there. 703-754-6400.

Oregon Ridge is a State Park located north of Baltimore off of I-83 at 13401 Beaver Dam Road. Is basically a stage at the bottom of a long hill with woods on each side of the slope. Food and beer depend on who is producing. The park does not allow you to bring in either bottles or cans, but does allow coolers. The box office is open only on the day of events. To get there take I-695 to I-83 North and take exit 20B to the Park, or take exit 20A to free parking and a shuttle at Hunt Valley Mall. Their web site says that you need to pay for parking in advance in order to park at the Park but this depends on the promoter, as does the availability of the shuttle. For information call 410-539-5474.

Orion Sound Studios are located at 2903 Whittington Avenue in Baltimore. The sound is excellent, but the venue is small and lacks some of the amenities that one ordinarily finds - like chairs. They also do not sell food or drink, but apparently do not mind if you bring your own. (Or your own chair, for that matter, if the show is not crowded). All shows are all ages.

Ottobar is now in the old Club Midnite at 2549 North Howard Street in Baltimore. It is much roomier than the old one, has a real stage, and it is easy to get to the bathrooms. Other than that, the same spirit is in effect, and there is still no food. Most shows are 18 and over. The doors open at 9 and the show starts at 10 unless other times apply. Tickets are often available through Mission Tix and also from the upstairs bar. 410-662-0069.

Pier Six Concert Pavilion is a concert pavilion operated by Clear Channel. It is located on the Inner Harbor off of President Street, which is on the right after you pass Harborplace and the National Aquarium. The pavilion is relatively small, and the lawn is even smaller. (If you think of your own lawn you may not be far off). They really don't seem to fuss much about the difference between the pavilion and the lawn - or at least they did not the night that I was there. They do not allow glass containers or alcohol. Gates open one hour before the shows. Tickets are available from the box office, which is open from noon until 9 on concert nights and from ticketmaster. Having gotten myself into their parking once, my advice is don't. It is outrageously expensive, and despite the fact that the lots are tiny, it takes forever to get out. 410-659-7100.

The Ramshead Tavern has long been known as a bar and restaurant but only recently added the concert hall. Seating is at tables and tickets are sold by seat, so have your group organized when you go to buy the tickets. Also, a lot of Ramshead shows sell out, so it is worth buying early. The Ramshead has recently gotten approval for an expansion that will add to the stage and add 100 seats. Only time will tell whether they will be added in front of the stage. Food in the concert hall is bar food and the prices are not low but not outrageous. A more varied menu is available in the restaurant, but they do a heavy business, so there is no guarantee that you can get seated and eat before the show. The most annoying thing about the Ram's Head is that they only serve their own beer in the concert hall, and they won't let you go out and buy real beer in the bar. (Well, okay, they said I could buy one. Thanks a lot!) Also annoying is the fact that they will not let anyone dance. All shows are 21+. Tickets are available from the Ramshead, in person, by phone, or from their website. You should be aware that the Ramshead's posted prices do not include an additional 10% tax that they say is imposed by the State and the City of Annapolis. Have never run into that elsewhere. The box office number is 410-268-5111. The Ramshead is located at 33 West Street in Annapolis. 301-261-1118/410-268-4545

The Ramshead Live is an offshoot of Rams Head Tavern, but a much larger venue. It holds about 1500 people in three levels and has screens thoughout the venue for areas without a full view of the stage. Lots of food, including three kiosks and the full Rams Head menu available from the bar, at least until whatever time the restaurant closes. It is the world of hidden charges, though. Tickets listed as $18 at the door cost me $21.40, the coat check was $3, and beer, while not outrageous, was a bit high for Baltimore. There is also the fact that the $3 for the coat check doesn't even buy you a couple extra people at the end of the show to help you get your coat. Wouldn't hurt them to tell the garage in the building what time the show will end either. A couple more years, and maybe they will learn how to run a venue.

Recher Theatre is located at 512 York Road in Towson. It was once a movie theater, and except for taking the seats out, leveling the floor and adding a bar, not a lot of changes have been made. The beer selection is not great, and the prices have risen with the redecoration. Food is available, but I haven't tested it. They also charge for water. You must be 18 to go to shows here and admission is $5 extra for people who are not at least 21. Tickets are available at the club, at Record and Tape Trader locations in Maryland, and at Ticketmaster. 410-337-7178.

Red and Black Bar is a venue in the Atlas district. It has a cozy bar downstairs and a small, but well-proprtioned, music area upstairs. The Red and Black Bar is located at 1212 H Street NE, between 12th and 13th streets. Union Station is the closest Metro and about 15 blocks from the venue. They suggest that you do not walk that, but take a cab. In general, walking around the area is best done with friends. 202-399-3831.

Rock and Roll Hotel is a new venue in the Atlas district with a capacity of about 400 downstairs with the music and a bar upstairs. They now serve food. Apparently it used to be a funeral home, which may explain all the black paint. Rock and Roll Hotel is located at 1353 H Street NE, between 12th and 13th streets. Union Station is the closest Metro and about 15 blocks from the venue. They suggest that you do not walk that, but take a cab. In general, walking around the area is best done with friends. 202-388-7625.

The Sidebar is a tiny little bar right near the old Ottobar at the corner of Lexington and Guilford. All shows are 18+ unless they are not. If there are three or four bands, doors will generally open at 9, and the show will start at 9:30, except when they don't. Drink prices are extremely reasonable but the beer selection is not great. I wouldn't expect to find any food there. 410-659-4130.

Sonar is a newly expanded Baltimore bar with two venues and a lounge. The Main Stage looks like a huge basement, doesn't quite have enough bars, and really needs an air cleaning system. It holds about 1,000 people. The Club holds 300. And the lounge, which is available during concerts, holds 150. Tickets are available without charge from the box office, and also from Record and Tape Traders and TicketMaster. The box office is open from 9 to 1 any night that the club is open. Sonar is located at 407 East Saratoga Street in Baltimore. 410-327-8333. Parking is plentiful

The Spanish Ballroom is architecturally not unlike a high school cafeteria, but with more interesting trim and a much better floor. It is all about dance floor and music there is virtually always for a dance. It is alcohol and smoke free, and any food and drink that are available are not permitted on the dance floor - which is most of the venue (7,500 square feet). For information on what is happening at the ballroom, see Dancing in the Park. The Spanish Ballroom is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. 301-492-6282.

The State Theatre is a venue in an old movie theater in Falls Church. It is by far the best of the renovated theater venues I have seen. The downstairs goes up in four levels with seating on the back three (though that may vary) and the balcony retains the theater seating, with room for 215 in the balcony, for a total capacity of 800. The combination means that the stage is actually visible from almost anywhere, even if you are as short as I am. And the sound is excellent. They have a somewhat limited menu, but serve real food, not just snacks. Most, if not all shows are 18+ and there is a $3 tax if you are under 21. Tickets are available from the box office and online from the State Theatre's web site. Box office hours are 12 to 5 Monday through Friday and 6:30 to 11:30 on show nights. The State Theatre is located at 220 N. Washington Street in Falls Church. 703-237-0300.

The Talking Head has moved and is now in what used to be the Lounge to Sonar. Doors to the club open at 9:30, shows start around 10 for four or more bands, and around 10:30 for fewer. They are located at 407 East Saratoga Street in Baltimore. 410-962-5598.

The Thirteenth Floor is in the Belvedere Hotel at 1 E. Chase Street, which is at the corner of Chase and Charles. Shows are at 9:30. View is spectacular, Decor hotel bar with a twist of the bizarre. I.e. leopard spot carpeting. Beer selection sucks and is expensive. Full bar. Crowd very mixed, not necessarily quite what you would expect from the bands, but not quite what you would expect from a hotel bar either. Dance floor size varies with the size of the band, and is limited by an extremely ill placed stairway. 410-783-1332.

The Velvet Lounge is a tiny club one block from the 9:30 Club at 915 U Street. Music is upstairs, and the cover is not usually more than $10. The lounge opens at 8pm or so and closes at 2am during the week, 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. Music starts when it starts, which will probably not be before 9, but is usually by 10, at least during the week. Shows are 21+ unless they are not. 202-462-3213. Ownership of the Velvet Lounge has changed/is changing at the beginning of 2008, but it is hoped that it will not cause much of a change.

The Warner Theatre is a grand old theatre located at 513 13th Street in Northwest DC. It seats 1847, slightly over half on the floor, the rest in balconies and boxes. Lately they are apparently starting to look for renovation money, as they are having a lot of comedy and music. They serve alcohol, and let you bring it to your seat, but the prices are steep and the lines are long. Don't show up hungry. Tickets are available at the box office or through TicketMaster. The phone number is 202-783-4000.

Wolf Trap is the ultimate outdoor venue in this area, but don't expect to see anything rowdy there. Acoustics in the pavilion are great, sound and view from the lawn are good if you show up early to get a good spot. Wolf Trap allows food on the lawn in any kind of container, and beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, in glass or in plastic. So relax and drink champagne in glasses while you watch the show, it doesn't bother them. There are rules though: this is a federal facility and they still follow the rule of zero tolerance for drugs. Oh yeah, and you can't get married on the grounds. There are no age limits, but you need a ticket for every human being, no matter how young. During colder parts of the year Wolf Trap shows are at the Barns, which are nearby. You can't bring your own there, but they do have a fair selection, and the surroundings are pleasant. Tickets are available from Tickets.com, on-line, or without charge from the box office which is open from 10 to 6 during the week, from noon to 5 on the weekend, and until 9 on show nights. Wolf trap is located in Virginia right off of the Dulles toll road. 703-938-2404

Home Rage