WE ALL NEED a place to watch the debates. Sure, your living room will do, but you live in the beating heart of the political world and don't you want to be surrounded by like-minded, smart Washingtonians who can laugh at the little jokes you make? Of course you do. That's why debate-watching parties exist at places like Busboys and Poets.
Here's the problem, though: last Thursday, I went to Busboys and Poets around 7:30 to watch the 9 p.m. vice presidential debate. They'd scheduled a concert that let out around 9 for the same room in which they were holding the debate party, and telling people that to get a good seat for the debate they'd have to buy a ticket to the concert. Some would call it clever marketing. I call it bull ... puckey. It was also, at 7:30, impossible to get a table before 9 p.m., according to the hostess.
In conclusion, get there early or stick to your living room couch.
» Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW; Tue., Oct. 7, 9 p.m., free; 202-387-7638. (U St.-Cardozo)
Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images
AS FAR AS anyone knows, the Residents all have giant, brilliantly colored eyeballs for heads. As you can see, that's how they represent themselves — after four decades and 60 albums, the group has remained completely anonymous.
This major quirk is our first clue that their music probably doesn't sound much like the Jonas Brothers. Rather, their brand of experimental-psych is full of eerie whispering and otherworldly instrumentals.
Whether or not its your thing, their live shows are a spectacle to behold. If there's a fan of such avant garde trippiness in your life, head to the 9:30 Club with them for a Twilight Zone-esque experience.
» 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW; Tue., Oct. 7, 7 p.m., $35; 202-265-0930. (U St.-Cardozo)
Photo by Ken Friedman
THE AMERICAN ART form known as jazz has been a global sensation for decades and has found a home in musical fusions all over the world. One of the more dazzling among them is found in the music of Na'Rimbo, a marimba group from the Mexican state of Chiapas.
Blending the music of the marimba (that large, xylophone-like contraption with wooden keys) with folk elements and traditional jazz instruments, Na'Rimbo's sound is of the never-before-heard variety.
You can see them rock the marimba tonight on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage.
» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; Tue., Oct. 7, 6 p.m., free; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom)
Photo courtesy of Na'Rimbo
MATT NATHANSON IS the guy-and-his-guitar stereotype embodied: Nice acoustics, a gentle, melodic voice and lyrics about the one who got away.
Having said that, if you're a fan of Dave Matthews' acoustic version of "Crash Into Me" or any of John Mayer's tracks, this is the show for you.
Although Nathanson fits a mold, that doesn't mean he's not talented. His upbeat music is catchy and his slower stuff will make you contemplate your romantic life more than you'd care to. He's at Sixth and I tonight with Jessie Baylin.
» Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW; Tue., Oct. 7, 8 p.m., $20-$22;
Photo by Chapman Baehler
AS PART OF the always-illustrious Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, D.C.-based trumpet maestro Thad Wilson and his Orchestra will perform at their home venue, Bohemian Caverns.
Although Wilson is not a native of our fine city, he has quickly become a staple of its jazz scene by pulling together an eclectic variety of musicians who will follow him anywhere. His Orchestra, for example, is a 16-piece strong, grandiose affair with a larger than life sound that typifies but modernizes the genre. In short: Sweet tunes, sweet venue, sweet reason to step out on a Monday.
» Bohemian Caverns, 2003 11th St. NW; 8 p.m., $5; 202-232-3611. (U St.-Cardozo)
Photo by Dudley M. Brooks
MY DEFINITION OF a good happy hour has as much to do with the food and the atmosphere as it does the drinks. So my advice is as follows: if you have a case of the Mondays (or Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or the TGIFS), head slightly off the beaten bath to the Mt. Pleasant bar they call Tonic.
In this relatively chill space, you can satiate yourself with cheap rail drinks, cheap pints (of good stuff, like Magic Hat and Red Hook, cheap, juicy burgers served with every big kid's favorite tater: the Tot. Crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside — the perfect after-work snack.
»Tonic, 3155 Mt. Pleasant St. NW; weeknights from 5-7 p.m.; 202-986-7661. (Columbia Heights)
SOME BROADWAY SHOWS are legendary for their success (Take "Cats," for example. How did a musical with no plot run for 18 years?) and some for their failure.
Stephen Sondheim's "Anyone Can Whistle" ran for nine performances in 1964 before closing. Depending on who you ask, it was either ahead of its time or massively incoherent. Either way, it's become a cult favorite with people who have cult favorite Broadway musicals, and the Signature Theatre is producing a one-night-only concert version starring Signature regulars Will Gartshore and Tracy Lynn Olivera.
Oh, the plot? It's about a tiny town that manufactures a miracle to bring in tourism and what happens when the members of a mental institution come to see the miracle and escape.
» Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 North Beauregard St., Alexandria; Mon., Oct. 6, 8 p.m., $40-$150; 703-573-7328.
Photo by Scott Suchman
PEGGY NOONAN began her political life as a Reagan speechwriter and now makes her living as a columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Her work is always imbued with a classical femininity and gentleness — which is rare and not necessarily desirable in a political columnist.
Noonan's new book, "Patriotic Grace," decries the current political climate and encourages everyone to come together in a mannered way. She was a foot solider in the Reagan revolution once upon a time (maybe she stood next to John McCain!), so if that's your thing, you should go. Bring any friends of yours who need lessons on how to play nice in politics.
» Borders,1801 K Street NW; Mon., Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m., free; 202-466-4999. (Farragut West)
Photo courtesy NBC
TOM TOMORROW (born Dan Perkins) is best known for his weekly offering, "This Modern World," which appears in numerous papers as well as on Salon.com, but he also is the author of several cartoon anthologies. His latest, titled "The Future's So Bright I Can't Bear to Look," takes shots at Bush's second term and also looks forward to the post-Dubya era. You can join him at Politics & Prose for a low-key Friday evening to hear him talk about the book and get excited that the end of said administration is drawing near.
Express contributor Glenn Dixon spoke with Tomorrow; read it here.
» Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW; Fri., Oct. 3, 9 p.m., free; 202-364-1919. (Van Ness)
Photo courtesy of WNYC
I WOULD SUGGEST being wary of anyone who can't get down with a little Chromeo.
If you're not familiar, you're in the clear — but if you've ruled this dance-fueling electronics-loving duo (P-Thugg and Dave 1) out, you probably are generally against partying. And more generally, fun.
For the rest of our readers — there is something so infectious about this group's songs. They are a bizarre, delightful blend of '80s and hip-hop, with an occasional Latin influence thrown in for good measure.
They also manage to mix things up: listen to "Bonafide Lovin'," "Momma's Boy," and my personal favorite, "Needy Girl," you need to see for yourself.
If you're down to dance this Saturday night, check them out at the 9:30 Club with Treasure Fingers.
» 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW; Sat., Oct. 4, 8 p.m., $20; 202-265-0930. (U St.-Cardozo)
Photo by Tim Barber
Addison Road