Nightlife Agenda

Thursday, March 9
Lately, it seems as if there's no more punk rock -- everything is split off into some subgenre of emo, hardcore, thrashcore, etc. That's why Philadelphia trio the Loved Ones is a welcome throwback: The band goes back to basics, taking cues from the Clash, Stiff Little Fingers and Social Distortion to create catchy, straightforward, anthemic punk rock. There's even a hint of The Boss (check the lyric "I got this guitar but I can barely play" on "Jane"), which takes guts in a scene that often questions anything "establishment." But the band members, who honed their chops in such seminal groups as Kid Dynamite and Paint It Black, don't have any credibility issues to worry about, leaving them free to bash out one three-minute, three-chord anthem after another. Sing along on the Black Cat's backstage.

We've written about the free-drinks-on-Thursdays special at Tapatini's before, but it's worth reminding you when something really good comes along. Here's a recap: Every week, some liquor company "sponsors" the event, donating a couple of bottles of product for sampling. Beginning at 9, you order a drink made with that night's spirit and you pay nothing -- except for a tip for your bartender, of course. This week, the free cocktails come from 10 Cane Rum, the new "pure sugar cane" rum produced by everyone's favorite designer liquor brand, LVMH -- better known as Moët Hennessy. It's really as good as you'd think: not too sweet and with a nice vanilla flavor. Try it in a daiquiri, or you may even want to order it straight for sipping. Just keep it far, far away from that glass of Coke.

Friday, March 10
Whether you think Fado is the coolest Irish pub in Washington or you despise its overly corporate aesthetic, you can't deny that it kicks into overdrive the week before St. Patrick's Day. Everything gets started tonight with a raffle for tickets to the sold-out Pogues show at the 9:30 club. Show up before the 8 p.m. raffle, have a pint, put your name in the hat, and you could be off to see that night's concert.

If you don't win, we suggest heading over to the grand opening of the new multi-level Ri-Ra Irish Pub in Clarendon, which is celebrating with a performance by the local Irish band Scythian (whom you may have heard Fritz endorse in our most recent podcast). The show gets underway at 10.

Local indie darlings Exit Clov make an interesting pairing with hip-hop band RPM at Iota tonight. There is definitely an unfortunate deficit of such cross genre bills in this town. Poll attendees at a hip-hop show and they probably couldn't name one local rock band, while rock fans are often not aware of the strides that homegrown hip-hop acts have made in recent years. This show, though, wisely appeals to both groups: Exit Clov fans should have no problem taking in RPM, who meld rap lyrics with a free-wheeling jam band sound, while the hip-hop heads will be immediately struck by the interwoven harmonies of Exit Clov's twin lead vocalists.

Saturday, March 11
While the real March Madness doesn't begin until next Thursday, most major conferences are hosting their title games today. The best place to root for bubble-busters and odds-on favorites is the annual March Madness party at the Crystal City Sports Pub, which attracts alumni from dozens of schools for an all-day orgy of basketball. Kicking off at noon, the pub has more than 60 televisions that will be showing college hoops until midnight. Donate $5 at the door (half goes to a college scholarship fund of your choice, the rest goes to Hoop Dreams) and you'll get half-price burgers and wings, $2.75 domestic bottle beer and Miller Lite drafts, and discounted pitchers. Wearing something with your school's logo is de rigeur, as is joining in the good-natured razzing.

Washington's looking forward to a weekend with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, which makes it the perfect time to participate in a competition modeled after Alaska's famed Iditarod dogsled race. Thankfully, you don't need a loyal team of huskies who love snow -- just a group of friends who can pull a shopping cart around town. The Idiotarod race got its start in San Francisco a decade ago, and it's making its Washington debut today to benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Sound like fun? First, you have to "acquire" a shopping cart. (The organizers suggest you ask to borrow one.) Then you find five people who want to put on a harness and lug this cart through the streets of Washington, racing to three checkpoints -- all, coincidentally, bars -- before learning the location of the finish line (coincidentally, another bar). The team with the best time wins. Racing begins at 2 at the Front Page in Dupont, and organizers prefer that you register in advance. All the details you need -- how to build a cart, why you need insurance -- are available on smashed.geekpad.com/idiotarod/

Speaking of the weather, man, the ShamrockFest promoters lucked out this year, didn't they? It looks like the perfect Saturday to throw an outdoor party, and this is one of the biggest in the area: 20 bands, a carnival-style midway, beer trucks and food vendors in a six-block area around Ballston Common Mall. (If you've been to the annual Oktoberfest there, you get the general idea.) There are indoor areas, of course, but the appeal of the event is wandering between four stages and seeing bands like the Soliders of Jah Army, LRS or the Flying Cows of Ventry, not holing up at Bailey's or the Front Page. Arrive early to beat the crowds and, for the love of God, stay away from the green beer. Tickets are $20 at the gate, which opens at noon, and proceeds benefit the charity Stop Child Abuse Now.

Want to spend the whole day in Arlington? The after-party is at Clarendon Ballroom with rock bands Alan Has Radar and LRS, plus DJ Pat Premier spinning dance tunes. Admission is $10 early (or $15 later) and doors open at 7.

When former D.C. residents Measles Mumps Rubella relocated to New York, the city probably reacted with a collective, "Oh, good! Another dance-punk band, just what we need!" (It's a sarcastic city, you know.) But this quartet can certainly hold its own. In a genre where every singer does his best to sound like Johnny Lydon around the time of the second Public Image Ltd. album, vocalist Chuck Bettis (ex-All Scars) might take the cake. And MMR doesn't continuously pound you over the head with propulsive rhythms -- there are actual nuances to the songs and definite nods to D.C.'s punk past. MMR celebrates the release of its new album, "Doubling Cube," at DC9.

Every month, DJ Meistro and Dave Nada do their best to transform the comfortable and popular Wonderland Ballroom into a sweaty, grinding mass of twentysomethings partying like the rapture is about to arrive. We have photographic evidence. Their salacious mix of Baltimore club, dancehall and hip-hop will be given an additional chest-thumping boost tonight by the installation of a new sound system -- just in time for the one year anniversary party of Oh Snap!. Every inch of the space becomes part of the dancefloor, and you'll probably make a new friend or two, because you've got no choice other than getting up close and personal. Might as well get low.

Buoyed by the success of the last Crosstown Jam Katrina relief fundraiser at Capital City Records, the Washington Area Music Association is reprising the hip-hop and soul showcase for another afternoon. Storm the Unpredictable, arguably the hardest working man on the scene, will drop a few cuts and host the whole affair. Other names that you might not know but should check for include cheeky and adorable singer Ne'a Posey; Seez Mics, a winner of countless MC battles, who forms the group Educated Consumers with his beat conductor T.E.C.K.; and Michael Aaron & Funkglove, who will add some live funk band action to the record store's small performance space.

So maybe we're not going to the Toni Braxton concert, even if "Take This Ring" is a banger. So maybe we're not the biggest Mint Condition fans in Washington. The "Official Concert After-Party" at Republic Gardens is something we can get behind: From 9 to 11, the specials include half-price martinis, two-for-one rail drinks, $3 imported beers and free drinks for the first 30 college students with ID. DJ Quicksilver of WPGC is on the decks, and those all-important free passes are at www.hypnotikentertainment.com/theremedy/.

Sunday, March 12
Winterpills is a band that obviously put some thought into its name/ The achingly sad -- but equally beautiful -- music the Massachusetts quartet creates is the perfect soundtrack to a cold, dark winter day spent under the influence of some sort of pharmaceutical. Winterpills self-titled album takes its cues from Nick Drake, Elliott Smith and even a little Yo La Tengo, and it's off to a good start, even if the band won't be threatening the legacies of any of those acts quite yet. Sunday's forecast calls for the warmest temperatures in months, but Winterpills' songs should still be able to cool down Jammin' Java.

Costumes are optional at JDate's annual Purim Ball, but we have a feeling that the revelers at Club Daedalus are going to put a little effort into their appearance. (Call it a hunch.) Arrive early for an open bar from 7 to 8, followed by drink specials, hamentaschen, a DJ and more festivity. Bring canned goods to donate to Ezra's Pantry. Tickets are $10 in advance from Ticketweb or $20 at the door, so plan ahead.

Tuesday, March 14
Brooklyn quartet Gutbucket is ostensibly a jazz band, but there's no chance you'll see them on the schedule for Blues Alley anytime soon. Ken Thomson's free-wheeling saxophone is the band's signature sound, but he plays over anything from oddly-timed prog freakouts to punk raveups supplied by guitarist Ty Citerman, bassist Eric Rockwin and drummer Paul Choffo. The very adept musicians are clearly in control of the chaotic sound they create. A classic case of a band that defies categorization, Gutbucket is at DC9 tonight.

Go back to Fado tonight for its annual Irish Whiskey Tasting. Between 7 and 9, you can sample a variety of Irish blends, but we suggest you arrive close to 7 -- it can get mobbed.