By Fritz Hahn, Rhome Anderson and David Malitz
washingtonpost.com Staff Writers
Thursday, February 7, 2008 12:00 AM

Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday (Feb. 14)

Thursday, February 7
Chinese New Year begins today, and we're looking forward to welcoming the Year of the Rat in Chinatown on Sunday -- more for the promised five-story-high firecracker than those been-there, done-that dragon dances. For a different and more modern take on the holiday, head for the posh Eye Street lounge Eyebar, where DC Nites Asia is throwing a Chinese New Year celebration with DJ Chizzau spinning hip-hop and old-school tunes in the main bar, while DJ Neekola brings progressive house and trance upstairs. Because this is a special occasion, admission is free -- if you arrive by midnight with a pass from dcnites.com.

Speaking of parties with free admission, Ibiza is kicking off yet another Thursday night affair. This one's called Escape, and everyone 18 and over is invited to the vast club to see how it's different from the other Thursday night parties Ibiza has tried. (DJ Geometrix is on the main floor, spinning his satisfying party mix of hip-hop, mashups, reggae and house. That sounds good to us.) Those 21 and older get free admission between 10 and 11 with a pass from dcclubhost.com. Women make out even better with an open bar until 11. (Don't worry, guys -- everyone gets $5 rail drinks all night.

We've written about DJs and drink specials at Metropolitain a few times -- half-price champagne cocktails are treats that need to be shared -- and, to date, every party has been free. Until tonight. There's a $5 cover at the door to hear DJ Camea (listen) spin minimalist house and techno. The explanation? She's from Berlin, where she can be found playing her signature sound -- spare, but with some really deep grooves -- at underground clubs like the legendary Tresor. Camea is only in the States for a few gigs, and the (admittedly low) cost of admission helps cover her expenses. Fair enough, considering the high cost of transatlantic air travel. Check out her hypnotic remixes on the Myspace page above, then make it to Metropolitain by 10.

Dope kicks and skillful DJs go together like fat laces and shelltoe Adidas. You can never really have too many of either, which is why Major, Kickballers and Commonwealth can all do brisk business serving area shoe fiends, and you'll often find DJ booths in the stores themselves. Commonwealth is dropping a special edition model in DC Shoes' Gatsby line with a celebration at the store tonight and later with an afterparty at Saki featuring DJ Roli Rho. When turntablism was just becoming a huge phenomenon in the early '90s, New York's 5th Platoon were preparing to receive the baton from the X-Men, which was the dominant crew in the Big Apple at that time. Along with Vinroc, Daddy Dog and Do Boy, Roli Rho helped earn the young squad an extended run of battle victories and credit for the development of new styles. Although known for his beat-juggling routines, Roli is a skilled club jock who knows how to keep the flow but pepper his sets with technical flair. Hit the reception at the store that starts at 8 p.m., and you'll get free admission to the after party.

Friday, February 8
If you've listened to our newest podcast, you heard a short clip of "Paris, Texas," the new single by New York-based electrofunk outfit 33Hz. The group makes sexy, slinky, dance floor-friendly disco for the 21st century, similar to Chromeo or DJs on France's Ed Banger Records. It's down for yet another big bands-meet-DJs Blisspop night at the 9:30 club, with three of our favorite local DJs: Jetsetting hip-hop, electro remix and mashup king Dave Nada, whose turntable skills make him one of D.C.'s best; Will Eastman, who runs the monthly Bliss party at the Black Cat; and DJ Meistro, who mixes hip-hop and reggae bangers at Wonderland Ballroom and Napoleon.

It's a garage rock extravaganza tonight at the Black Cat, highlighted by a rare appearance by the always experimental and prolific Dan Melchior (listen). Melchior is a minor legend in garage rock circles, since he collaborated with Billy Childish and Holly Golightly and also toured with the White Stripes and the Fall. Most bands are considered hard workers if they release an album every other year; if Melchior goes a few months without a new 7" single, EP or full-length, his fans start to get worried. Melchior goes beyond the usual "three-chords + distortion + some swagger" formula that many garage bands adhere to, keeping listeners off balance with his bizarro takes on country, blues and folk. Openers the Hall Monitors (listen) basically stick to that previously mentioned "three-chords + distortion + some swagger" routine, but we're hard pressed to find any area bands that do it better. Go to a Hall Monitors show and you'll be baffled as to why D.C. audiences have a reputation for standing still and looking bored. This is a band that gets the crowd moving. The Breakups (listen) and Nunchucks (listen) also play.

Talib Kweli's (listen) career is proof that a slow burn is the best burn. The erudite lyricist emerged from the '90s indie hip-hop scene and clawed his way into mainstream consciousness with relentless touring, consistent releases and a dedicated approach to tending his fanbase. The great thing about his trajectory is that new listeners who just came aboard with his recent club hit "Hot Thing" could easily grow to love his earliest work with Hi-Tek. You can catch Kweli rocking at Love tonight for free if you get there before 11 p.m. Check lovetheclub.com for more details.

Saturday, February 9
Like so many of the reggae artists finding success in Jamaica these days, Tarrus Riley (listen) has deep roots in the music. His father, Jimmy Riley, had hits in the '60s with the vocal group the Uniques before joining Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare's Taxi label, where he recorded the certified classic "Love and Devotion." Tarrus got his start in the music business as a DJ, and his warm, rich voice is perfectly suited to switching between deep roots music and smooth lover's rock; hits like "She's Royal" display hints of both. Riley is appearing at the Crossroads tonight along with Duane Stephenson and Dean Frasier. It's ostensibly a tribute to "King of Reggae" Bob Marley, but we're more interested in hearing songs from Riley's own catalog.

The Turntables on the Hudson party has been a New York mainstay for 10 years now. Similar to Giant Step, this institution led by DJs Nickodemus and Mariano and percussionist Nappy G has helped blend the funk, jazz, electronic and progressive soul worlds into a landmark event that has been played by everyone who has made or spun a sexy beat in the last decade, from Quantic to Rich Medina to Karsh Kale. The compilations that were born out of this party are also great capsules of this scene. When Nickodemus and Mariano touch down in D.C., Eighteenth Street Lounge is their venue of choice. Be there tonight for this major Manhattan groove experience.

New Orleans? Founded in 1718. Cologne, Germany? Founded in 38 B.C. Germans have been celebrating the Lenten Karneval since the 13th century, and today it's one of Europe's biggest street festivals, with parades, huge floats, elaborate costumes, live music -- hmm, does this all sound strangely familiar? Get a taste of Karneval tonight at the German Embassy, where a black-tie event includes dancing to a 20-member German band, a performance by a traditional German folk group, a full buffet dinner, open bar with German beer and wine, karaoke, a DJ and more. Tickets are $120 from ThingsToDoDC.com. Remember to dress up; Masks and costumes are encouraged.

"American Idol" is back on the air, and with it, we hear from people who think "I can do better than that" and want to know where they can get their karaoke fix. Here's an idea for you: Head to Peyote Cafe in Adams Morgan tonight. While Peyote has karaoke Thursday through Saturday, we usually don't recommend it on Saturdays because it can get far too crowded, which means long waits at the bar and longer waits between songs for the "performers." Tonight, though, is different. The TNT Karaoke Bash is a fundraiser for a pair of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team-in-Training participants, who are competing in a triathalon later this year. The $10 (or more) you contribute at the door is going to charity, and you even receive drink specials in exchange for your generosity.

Stuck on Salsa events bring out some of the friendliest dancers around, so novices and veterans alike will enjoy tonight's Stuck on Salsa Social at the D.C. Dance collective. It's a chance to go out, hit the dance floor and practice your moves without the social pressure and dress codes you'd find at most nightspots. Beginners and intermediate dancers can learn new steps from instructors Earl Rush and Mr. Mambo between 8:15 and 10, then get down to DJ Neo until 1:30 a.m. The $10 cover includes both snacks and lessons.

Monday, February 11
Cool Cee Brown (listen) is the smartest, righteously belligerent, mature, underground hood emcee that you don't yet have in your music collection. As one half of Dirty Water, he's crafted a handful of releases that feature his humorous outlook on life along with battle-ready verses dipped in a hint of anger and tons of swagger. Whether it's faux-emo crooning to an annoying love interest or a brutal dismantling of a lyrical foe, Cool Cee Brown is a rapper's rapper who can't be penned in by the tired backpacker/thug binary analysis. Brown's pedigree on the local hip-hop scene goes back more than a decade, but his mixtapes have traveled much further courtesy of the Internet. You can get familiar with him at Bar Nun tonight as he headlines the legendary weekly open mike with Asheru's band The ELs.

Tuesday, February 12
This one just seems ... wrong. Well, maybe not wrong, but certainly weird. If you've seen the Jack Black comedy "School of Rock," you have at least a basic idea of what Paul Green's School of Rock is all about. The best of the batch are the School of Rock All-Stars, high-school aged (sometimes younger) musical virtuosos in training, who can shred, groove and bash away with the best of them. They've played with musical luminaries such as Jon Anderson (Yes), Adrian Belew (King Crimson) and Peter Frampton (inflatable pig dude). But none of those could prepare us for their latest collaborator -- Gibby Haynes. Yes, the frontman of abrasive, experimental, vulgar punk rock weirdos the Butthole Surfers. The same Gibby Haynes who was known to run around nightclubs naked, while tripping on acid, setting instruments on fire back in the band's '80s heyday. The same Gibby Haynes who named his band's first three albums "Psychic ... Powerless ... Another Man's Sac," "Rembrandt Pussyhorse" and "Locust Abortion Technician." That's who will be leading this band of minors tonight on the Rock and Roll Hotel stage, and they will be playing Butthole Surfers songs, to boot. We have no idea what to expect; we just hope the kids' parents are on hand to make sure things don't get too out of control.

Wednesday, February 13
Don't ever think that we aren't suave, romantic types. (We may not be, but we don't want you to think it.) Of course, we have nothing on the French. Tonight's Soiree Carte Blanche happy hour at the Alliance Francaise, could have just been a Valentine-themed affair, but no, the French have to get all philosophical about it. Guests are invited to attend "dressed in the color you think best represents this thing called amour," watch romantic short films, read and write poems for their special someone -- which can be delivered by a slam poet if you don't want to share it in public -- and bring an iPod to spin love songs for the crowd. (Oh, and they're giving away really nice Belgian chocolates from Leonidas.) Admission is $8 in advance; R?pondez s'il vous plait to 202-234-7911, ext. 16 or 31.

Thursday, February 14
Now, onto the big night itself.

Two of our favorite D.C. Valentine's Day traditions go head-to-head tonight, as they have for the last five years. First up is the delightfully wicked Voodoo Valentine's Day party at Leftbank, which hands out voodoo dolls and pins at the door and invites you to, uh, imagine that you're extracting revenge on your favorite ex. (Don't stab too hard or you might accidentally stick yourself -- not that any of us would know.) It's a good chance to meet other bitter and/or fun-loving singles, though some couples do show up, too. Admission is free when you RSVP to voodoovalentines.com and show up by 11. Need incentive to arrive early? How about free champagne between 9 and 10?

Meanwhile Chad America's Rock & Roll Dance Party is in its ninth year at the Black Cat. Couples and singles alike turn out to listen to Glenn, Max and Handsome B. Wonderful spin old rockabilly, jump blues and '50s R&B songs, have a beer and chat with one of the Black Cat's coolest bartenders. There's no cover, no pressure -- just show up to the Red Room and hang out.

Fritz has raved about Birreria Paradiso's amazing beer selection before, and tonight, there's magic in the air at the Georgetown beer bar: The Un-Valentine's Day Special includes a personal pizza and any beer on draft for $14. (We recommend Bells' amazing Hopslam, the refreshing Blanche de Bruxelles or Fuller's classic London Pride.) Quite a wonderful way to drown your sorrows or celebrate being single. (We should note that this special is also in effect at both Pizzeria Paradiso locations, but we have a soft spot for the Birreria.)

H Street Martini Lounge seems to be in two minds about this whole Valentine's Day thing. Tonight's happy hour and party is called "Valentines 'For Singles Only,'" but the invitation points out that "couples are welcome also." Hmmm. No matter your status, though, the party features a "meet and greet" happy hour from 5 to 7 with half-price martinis and $5 margaritas, plus romantic tunes and dance music spun by DJ Andy "Hynotik" Yorke. If you arrive after happy hour, there's a $10 cover.