http://www.washingtonpost.comNews (www.washingtonpost.com)en-us14020http://www.washingtonpost.comhttp://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/hp/image/wp_web.gifhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36283-2003Nov13.htmlThu, 11 Dec 2003 19:41:05 GMTRespendent in a well-fitting tuxedo, tenor Michael Blaney leans on an upright piano, waving a tall half-liter glass of German beer and filling the dining room at Cafe Mozart with his rich, powerful voice. By Fritz Hahnhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8116-2003Nov6.htmlThu, 11 Dec 2003 19:41:05 GMTIT MAY BE late fall in Washington, but Izora Restaurant and Nite Club (1115 East West Hwy., Silver Spring; 301-495-2960) seems a world away from changing leaves and nippy night air. By Fritz Hahnhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6123-2003Oct23.htmlThu, 11 Dec 2003 19:41:05 GMTLast month, the public got its first look at De Lounge, an openly gay dance club and sports bar, and the venue is already attracting crowds. By Fritz Hahnhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35951-2003Oct16.htmlThu, 11 Dec 2003 19:41:05 GMTEvery Thursday and Friday night, the no-frills Chinatown sports bar MVP'sis transformed into a cozy neighborhood jazz club -- the kind you feel privileged to know about. By Fritz Hahnhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3599-2003Oct9.htmlThu, 11 Dec 2003 19:41:05 GMTR EPUBLIC GARDENS (1355 U St. NW; 202-232-2710) opened to the public for the first time in almost two years last weekend, and it was almost as if nothing had changed. A mostly African American crowd nibbled on complimentary appetizers. Bartenders poured apple martinis, mojitos and snifters of fine cognac, and bottles of champagne chilled on tables. Crisp linen suits, leather pants, tight dresses, chunky gold jewelry and Coogi sweaters were on show. Every square inch of the hardwood dance floor was filled as a DJ spun songs by Missy Elliott, R. Kelly and Michael Jackson. Members of the platinum-selling hip-hop group Nappy Roots hung out upstairs. By Fritz Hahn