Ballston Entertainment Zone
Saint Patrick's Day Festival. Saturday, March 12 from noon-9 p.m. in the area of Wilson Boulevard and Quincy Street, by Ballston Common Mall in Arlington. This is a massive festival on six city blocks, including indoor and outdoor activities: a multitude of beer trucks, plus food, beverage and awareness booths; six indoor bars/restaurants; three outdoor stages; 15 hugely popular bands playing rock, Irish, blues, retro and folk; a carnival midway with games, rides and activities; an expanded Kids' Zone (Kids' activities end at 5 p.m.); and more.
Bistro Bistro, 4021 S. 28th St., Arlington. 703-379-0300. Live jazz and dance music by LaMont Mitchell & Friends, every Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. No cover. No minimum.
Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 703-549-7500. All shows in the music hall start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Tickets available at Ticketmaster outlets or phone charge at 703-573-7328. Visit www.birchmere.com.
Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-469-2244. www.clarendonballroom.com.
Lindy Workshops. Tom Koerner and Debra Sternberg present a day of workshops with champion dancers Dorry Segev and Sommer Gentry, who dance and teach Smooth-Style Lindy, Collegiate Shag and Balboa. They'll offer a class in flash moves, spins and spinning theory; dancing to fast music; and an aerials class. Saturday, March 12. See http://www.gottaswing.com/page01b.htm#d&s for class descriptions and registration. Class size is limited.
Clarendon Grill, 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington, 703-524-7455. Party D.C. Events every Wednesday. Live dance music from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., plus micro brews, specials and more. No cover charge. www.cgrill.com.
Cowboy Cafe North, 4792 Lee Highway, Arlington, 703-243-8010.
Cowboy Cafe South, 2421 Columbia Pike, Arlington, 703-486-7455.
Dr. Dremo’s Taphouse, 2001 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, 703-528-4660. Sunday-Wednesday, 5 p.m.-midnight. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. www.drdremo.com. Open mike comedy, every Wednesday 8-10 p.m.
Evening Star Café, 2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, 703-549-5051. Live music every Thursday, and wine and jazz every Wednesday in the No. 9 Upstairs Lounge. Free wine tasting in the Daily Planet Wine Shop, Friday, 5-7 p.m., and Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, 555 S. 23rd St., 703-685-0555. Comedy show on Monday nights starting at 8 p.m. Karaoke on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 9. Sunday champagne brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Drag shows on Sunday nights, starting at 9.
Galaxy Hut, 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-525-8646. Live music Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. No cover charge. Shows begin at 9:45 p.m. www.galaxyhut.com.
IOTA Club & Café, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-522-8340. www.iotaclubandcafe.com. Open mike nights every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., free.
Ireland’s Four Courts, 2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-525-3600. www.irelandsfourcourts.com. Live music Tuesday through Saturday, 9 p.m.
Joseph’s Restaurant, 2403 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-524-2722.
Luna Park Grille, 5866 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington, 703-237-5862. Live bands Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. www.lunaparkgrille.com.
Matsutake Steak & Sushi, 4121 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-351-8787. Live jazz and dance music Fridays, 8-11 p.m. by La Mont Mitchell & Friends. No cover. No minimum.
Pica Deli Gourmet & Wines, 471 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington. 703-524-5656. Live music Thursdays, 5:30-9 p.m. www.picadeligourmet.com.
Rhodeside Grill, 1836 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-243-0145. Open mike night every Thursday. Shows start 9:30 p.m. All shows 21 and over. Usually $5 cover. www.rhodesidegrill.com.
Sala Thai, 2900 N. 10th St., Arlington, 703-465-2900. Live bands Friday and Saturday, from 8-11 p.m.
St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, 703-739-9268. Performances are from 8-10 p.m., unless otherwise specified; Sunday performances are from 3-5 p.m. www.stelmoscoffeepub.com.
State Theater, 220 Lee Highway, Falls Church, 703-237-0300. Visit www.thestatetheater.com.
Dickey Betts and Great Southern. Allman Brothers co-founder Dickey Betts brings his Southern rock style to the State on Thursday, March 3. Doors open 7p.m.; show begins 9 p.m. Tickets: $25.
The Fabulous Mary Ann Redmond Band. Blues rock. Friday, March 4. Doors open 7 p.m.; show begins 9 p.m. Tickets: $13.
Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Contemporary blues/piano. Saturday, March 5. Doors open 7 p.m.; show begins 9 p.m. Tickets: $15.
Col. Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers, plus the DC premiere of the String Cheese Incident 's "Waiting for the Snow to Fall." Hampton is alleged to be the Godfather of alternative Southern music. Sunday, March 6. Doors open 7 p.m.; show begins 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $10.
Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers, with King Wilkie. Bluegrass. Thursday, March 24. Doors open 7 p.m.; show begins 8:30 p.m. Ticket price to be announced. Call 703-237-0300 or visit www.thestatetheatre.com.
Tutto Bene Italian Restaurant, hosts occasional opera nights, 501 N. Randolph St., Arlington, 703-522-1005.
Whitlow’s on Wilson, 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-276-9693. $4 or $5 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Performances, from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m., unless otherwise specified. www.whitlows.com.
Bagpipes and a special Irish menu from March 9-17.
St. Patrick’s Day Thursday, with Irish music by Johnny Jump Up. March 17 from 5 p.m.-midnight.