Club life in Charlottesville is exceptionally lively. Known these days as the home of the Dave
Matthews Band, Charlottesville has a lot more to offer music fans than the table scraps of its one big
nationally-known, multi-platinum band. There's literally something for every music fan here, if you
know where to look.
In addition to once-in-a-while big name rock 'n' roll offerings (like Son Volt, Wilco and Jon Spencer
Blues Explosion), and steady diet of local and regionals, from the TRAX club (122 11th St. SW.
http//WWW3.redlt.com/trax), there's the smallish TOKYO ROSE (13 University Shopping Center),
a sushi bar by day-club by night that has been booking an adventurous blend of up-and-coming
independent rock and established CMJ vets-- everything from Juliana Hatfield to Cibo Matto to David
Thomas of Pere Ubu to Catpower to a solo Mark Robinson (of Air Miami), as well as up-and-coming
groups like Bedhead, New Radiant Storm King and locals True Love Always. It's worth a road trip to
check out the Rose, in the Ivy Road Shopping Center, on a weekend night. 804-296-3366. It's truly
one of the region's great rock clubs-- establishing Charlottesville as Virginia's place to appreciate
cutting-edge, adventurous national music.
Also a treat a night at MILLERS on the Downtown Mall. This jazz club features a smoky ambience, a
locals hubbub and fine jazz, folk and blues from acclaimed locals like DMB sideman / arranger /
guitarist Tim Reynolds (most Mondays), John D'Earth (Thursdays) and The Rosensky-Decker Quartet
(Wednesdays). And, yes, it's true that Dave Matthews WAS a bartender at Millers during his salad
days. . . but don't tip yourself off as a tourist and dare mention it. Please. MICHAEL'S BISTRO, on
the UVa corner at West Main Street (1427 University Ave.), also features free live music from local
jazz, folk, funk and blues acts most Sundays-Wednesdays. Elsewhere, the OUTBACK LODGE (in
Preston Plaza, 979-7211) hosts a year-around series of regional and national artists, mostly on the
bluesy end.
Longtime regional treasure, The PRISM COFFEEHOUSE (214 Rugby Rd.) is the home of
some of the finest folk, bluegrass and international acts passing through the area. Everyone from (in
the last few years alone), Ralph Stanley, Gillian Welch, John Hartford, Tony Rice, Norman Blake and
numerous classical and international acts. The small and cozy Prism club, promoted and booked by
able musicologist Fred Boyce and his Piping Hot Productions, also promotes great shows at the nearby
Jefferson Theatre. In the past, they've brought acts like Hot Rize and Altan to the Downtown mall
theater. Alas, the small club at 214 Rugby Rd. is closed during the summer months.
Fridays After Five at the DOWNTOWN AMPITHEATRE is a free event every Friday evening
that's worth checking out-- live appearances from local blues, funk and country performers. The
venue, which is next to the Downtown Mall, also hosts other multi-band shows and tickets for those
events are usually available at local vendors.
Fueling all of this live activity is, not one but TWO, cool college radio-affiliated stations. Both highly
recommended. Although the competing parties don't always see eye to eye, Charlottesville is an
exceptionally rich radio town because of their differing slants on what makes for eclectic
contemporary and oldies programming. (Charlottesville's commercial radio stations, like those in the
rest of the Commonwealth, are not much to talk about. So we won't.)
The first station-- WTJU-- is a rich and varied frequency that has been up and going for forty years,
with a rock department that's been around for over half that time playing the best and weirdest in
obscure oldies and rockin' cutting-edge stuff. This regional wonder, at 91.1 FM, features everything
from folk to classical to blues to current rock programming (www.virginia.edu/-wtju). The late night
rock staff is particularly strong (check out Monday mornings at 1 a.m. for Grip Monthly's own Don
and Chuck doing their long-suffering "Radio Wowsville" show. Also Chris Hlad's "Black Dog
Kool" show on Friday mornings at 1 a.m.). Good stuff during drivetime too "Your Mystery Date"
on Fridays at 1230 p.m., "Grip"'s Tyler "Danzig" Magill's "FM Radio" on Tuesdays at 2 p.m., and
Details columnist Rob Sheffield's splendid "Description Without Place" on Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
The other station in town-- WNRN-- is a newly-launched 24-hour a day formatted modern rock,
alternative folk and late night hip hop resource (WNRN@cstone.net). Make sure you tune in
weeknights at 10 p.m. for the excellent "Boom Box" program, hosted by the 92 Crew-- a mighty
fine, mighty hard-hitting hip-hop and rap show that goes all night long on Saturdays starting at 10.
Also worthwhile Andy Dean's "Subculture Shock" show, on Sundays at 8 p.m., which spotlights the
best in Gothic music. . . specialty shows on everything from the omnipresent Grateful Dead (9 a.m.
Saturdays) to corporate /alternative-type fare (weekdays, starting at 10 a.m) are also to be found at the
91.9 dial placement.
*****CLUBS*****
ALMOST PARADISE 804-974-9456. 155 Seminole Ct. in Seminole Shopping Center off of Rt. 29. Occasional local
bands play at this fine Caribbean-styled restaurant. Door admission.
BAJA BEAN 804-293-4507. 1327 W. Main st. next door to Plan 9. This Mexican restaurant's Monday open mike nights
are a Charlottesville tradition. No cover.
BERLIN & CO 804-979-5211. 532 Pantops Shopping Center. Restaurant features blues, jazz and folk performers on
Wednesdays and weeknights. No cover usually.
BISTRO 151 804-361-1463. Valley Green Shopping Center on Rt. 151 in Nellysford, Va. Country and blues rock on
weekends. Door admission.
BLACKSTONE'S COFFEE CO 973-1332. Albemarle Square Shopping Center. Features occasional folk and classical
performers. No cover.
BLUE RIDGE BREWERY (709 W. Main; 804-977-0017) Popular student hangout that occasionally features acoustic
music ("Grip"'s own Al Hinton plays here with his Blues Undergrass. Tip generously), blues and string bands. Some
events free, some door admission.
DURTY NELLY'S 804-295-1278. 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. Local and regional acts weekends and Tuesdays. Blues,
folk, country. Some open mics and jams too. Occasionally a local alternative group. Door admission.
ESCAFE (on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall, under Eastern Standard restaurant;804-296-4789) Raves, disco and
dancin' late night Thurdays and some weekends. Late night.
EXPRESSO CORNER 804-293-6833. 100 14th St. on the UVa corner. This coffeehouse features acoustic performers
regularly. No cover.
KATIE'S COUNTRY CLUB 804-974-6969. In Shoppers World Center on Charlottesville's Rt. 29. Regional country
acts most weeknights and weekends. Door admission.
MICHAEL'S BISTRO 804-977-3697. 1427 University Ave. On the UVA corner at West Main and University. Most
shows free. (www.skylinemall.com/bistro/)
MILLERS 804-971-8511. 109 W. Main Street on the Downtown Mall across from Woolworths. Door admission.
MONTEREYS 804-977-0166. Barracks Road Shopping Center North Wing. Off of Emmet St./ Rt. 29. Blues, jazz and
country performers most nights. Door admission.
ORBIT BILLIARDS & CAFE 804-984-5707. University Ave. and 14th Street on the Uva Corner above Pita Inn /
Espresso Corner. This cool pool hall features the odd Irish, folk or blues jam. A fine place to hang (if you can secure a
table).
OUTBACK LODGE 804-979-7211. 917 B/C Preston Ave. in Preston Plaza. Tickets available at the door. Specific
advance tickets available thru local outlets like Plan 9 (804-979-9999 / 804-974-9999).
PRISM COFFEEHOUSE 804-977--7476. 214 Rugby Rd. Advance tickets are available at the venue or thru local outlets
like Plan 9, Williams Corner Bookstore and Spencers 206. (www.theprism.org)
TOKYO ROSE 804-296-3366. 13 University Shopping Center, on Ivy Rd. in Ivy Rd. Shopping Center. Tickets
available at the door, or through Plan 9.
TRAX 804-295-TRAX. or http//redlt.com.trax. 122 11th St. Advance tickets for most shows available at Plan 9, Record
Exchange, Town & Campus, Mincers Books, Night Owl and Spencers 206.
Selected disc stores/ instrument shops / retail establishments / studios
CHARLOTTESVILLE MUSIC (Rt. 29 & Rio Rd., 804-973-5859) Instrument shop with mucho music equipment and
accessories. Recording equipment too. Full-line.
HEINZ MUSICTRONICS (2171-8 Ivy Rd.; 804-977-2797) Full-line of stuff, PA rentals and repairs. The owner is a
bit snooty but the people here certainly know their stuff.
PARAGON STUDIOS (110 A-3 Goodman St., 804-923-0967) New Belmont-area studio. Call for rates and info.
PLAN 9 RECORDS (1325 W. Main St., 804-979-9999 / Albemarle Square, 974-9999) The two Charlottesville locations
of this Richmond-based chain. The W. Main location, on the Corner, has a bunch of used vinyl and an indie-friendly
atmosphere, the Albemarle store has more used CDs and a healthy stock of country and R&B. Plan 9 is still the place to get
local and regional relases and receive knowledgable customer service.
SPENCER'S 206 (206 W. Market St., 804-295-3080) The city's only real locally-owned music store, owned and
operated by the man who introduced Grip's own Dave Harrison to the complete works of Roxy Music. Yes, I'm talking
about Spencer Lathrop! His homey store deals in a relaxed atmosphere, used CDs and vinyl, and coffee and expresso.
Spencers also features the work of local artists on its walls, as well as the occasional local in-store. Spencers is on the
outskirts of the Downtown Mall near Vinegar Hill Theatre (look for the Steve Keene-painted sign).
STUART'S MUSIC (2780 Hydraulic Rd.; 804-973-2805) Woodwind and brass instruments a specialty. Also the place
in Charlottesville to get sheet music. Rentals and repairs too. This store is highly recommended.
STACY'S MUSIC (1766 Rio Hill Center; 804-974-1555) This full-line instrument shop has a neat selection of vintage
guitars and features a full line of new stuff too. Also PA rentals.
TIM SPEARS MUSIC CITY (216 W. Main St. in Waynesboro. 540-949-7034) Stocked instrument shop a bit West of
Charlottesville. If you need supplies or strings as you are heading up the mountains, this is the place.
VIRGINIA ARTS STUDIOS (512 Stewart St., 971-1411) One of the region's biggest, and busiest, studios. Call for
rates and info.
Hampton Roads Clubs and Music***
It took us many years but we finally figured it out The vast Hampton Roads area has an
inferiority complex because it thinks its in North Carolina.
Naw. That was a cheap one. Everything is so spread out in the Hampton Roads area-- a
place that is really 4 or 5 separate towns-- that it's always been impossible for a
cohesive music "scene" to stabilize. At times, Norfolk's Old Dominion University area
and the Beach strip have had memorable live music happenings-- The Bayou club,
housed in the Pavillion Towers Hotel, is the latest in a series of disparate clubs (it
closes in Mid-May as the hotel goes upscale) to open big, shine bright, live fast and die
young (anyone remember Virginia Beach's Outer Limits?). If you know where to look
most weekends, and have access to transportation, you'll find plenty of music all over
this sprawling series of cities, towns and burgs.
The most exciting club developments in recent months the return of music-loving
promoter Joe Castellanos (speaking of the Outer Limits. . .). Joe is currently turning
Norfolk's RIVERVIEW THEATRE (3912 Granby Street; 757-625-SHOW) into a place
for both light alternative music and harder-edged national sounds. More good news for
Norfolk-- the CAMP ZAMA music store near ODU is featuring more notable in-store
appearances from local and national indie groups (3812 Hampton Blvd. )-- the folks at
Zama are filling the void left by the late, lamented KINGS HEAD INN.
Of course, since Cellar Door Promotions rules the roost in the area, big name acts like
No Doubt, Tina Turner, Jimmy Buffett, Phish and The Who (!) are all slated for the
new, and quite spiffy, GTE VA. BEACH AMPITHEATER (Tickets available through
TicketMaster and selected outlets) this summer, and a mess of blues, rock, folk and jazz
performers are scheduled for shows and special festivals at TOWN POINT PARK in
Norfolk this summer. Can't forget that Tidewater institution, the BOATHOUSE Home
to a lot of touring national acts like Dinosaur Jr., Collective Soul and Offsping. The
beer garden!! Yeah.
Also good for the occasional great show THE ABYSS (1065 19th St., 804-422-0748) at
the Beach and the BAIT SHACK (333 Waterside, 804-622-3654) in Norfolk. The
beautiful mountain of garbage (literally) known as MOUNT TRASHMORE in Virginia
Beach will also host some rock 'n' roll shows during the summer months.
For all its irregularity, this area is filled with rock 'n' roll history, and seems to have
played a significant role in the development of early rock 'n' roll and (even earlier)
country blues due to its long-playing role as a regional port and shipping town. Robert
Johnson sang of the distance between Norfolk and Memphis ("It's a 16 hour drive") in
his classic "From Four Til' Late," while early rockers as influential as Gene Vincent
and Link Wray grew up and learned their crafts here (in Norfolk and Portsmouth
respectively). Gary "U.S." Bonds' early classics, like "Quarter to Three," were
recorded in 1959 at Frank Guida's shoebox studio in Norfolk, (most of these classic
cuts are captured on The Norfolk Rock 'n' Roll Sound, an excellent and recommended
Guida compilation available on Ace Records)
Don't forget to check out the structurally-interesting NORFOLK SCOPE, the site of
thousands of pop, classical and R&B concerts throughout the years. Housed inside the
Scope is the more intimate CHRYSLER HALL, which is more active as a concert site
than the big concrete ball of string is. Also the impressive HAMPTON COLISEUM,
which has hosted everyone from the Rolling Stones to Elvis Presley to (recently)
Metallica. Not many know that there is a special door at the arena called "The Elvis
Door." It was specially cut out of the Coliseum during one of the King's '70's
appearances so Elvis could go directly from his dressing room to his limo.
Fun facts! Cool place! Bad acoustics!
********************************Clubs***************
ABYSS (1065 19th St.; 757-422-0748) National alternative and locals. Sunday is
Gothic / Industrial night.
BAIT SHACK (Inside Norfolk's Waterside complex; 757-630-9878) Everthing from
alternative to bar band sounds.
BAYOU (at the Omni Pavillion in Virginia Beach; 757-422-8900) Due to remodel in
May, this Beach club features alternative and cover bands most nights of the week.
BAKER STREET 757-479-4480. 1920 Centerville Turnpike in Va. Beach.
www.dazone.come/bakerstreet. Restaurant hosts regular "songwriters nights".
BAYSIDE INN 757-460-1593. 2104A Pleasure House Rd. in Va. Beach. Club hosts
alternative and pop acts on weekends. Door admission.
BEACH GRILL (57-496-2755. 3152 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach) Entertainment
most nights with open mics, bar bands, and well-known local alternative groups (like
Sea of Souls). No cover.
COGANS (1901 Colonial Ave. in Ghent, a few doors down from Hardees;
757-627-6428) A Norfolk local rock mainstay, supportive of bands just starting out.
There's usually something happening at this homey dive-- including Cogans' vaunted
local mic night.
4400 CLUB (next to Friar Tucks on Hampton Blvd. See below.) Dance parties plus
the occasional live band at this longtime local watering hole / pick-up spot / frat
hangout.
FRIAR TUCKS (4408 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk; 757-440-9464) This ODU staple has
been around since the Eisenhower administration, and serves up classic rock as well as
alternative and bluegrass.
HOUSE OF JAZZ (314 Constitution Ave. in Va. Beach; 757-456-0884) The name
says it all, with live music most weekend nights.
JENROS (757-464-3349. 4648 East Honey Rd.) First of all, there's "Jello-wrestling"
every Wednesday, so you KNOW what you'll be doing next Wednesday. This place also
features regional rock groups, bluesy performers and roots rock most nights. Door
admission.
JEWISH MOTHER (757-422-5430. 3108 Pacific Ave. in Virginia Beach.) Good
area restaurant that also features blues, jazz and folk performers most nights. Advance
tickets are available from Ticketmaster or Birdland Records or through the club.
J.M. RANDALLS (4854-16 Longhill Rd. in Williamsburg; 757-259-0406) Blues
and acoustic rock is featured at this popular eatery / nightspot.
KOKOAMOS (Great Neck and Shore Drive, Norfolk. 757-48-3781) Everyone from
acoustic bands to beach music to more "alternative" sounds.
LEGENDS (Inside Norfolk's Waterside complex; 757-627-8800) In recent months,
this venue has brought national rap and reggae, jazz and R&B.
LIBRARY TAVERN (1330 Richmond Rd. in Williamsburg; 757-229-1012) A
popular band venue for the William and Mary students.
MAHI MAH'S (6th Street and the Oceanfront in Va. Beach) Folk, reggae and blues
performs play seven nights at week at this Beach restaurant.
MITTYS (in the Omni Complex, Newport News. 757-873-1063) "No alternative but
to party" goes the slogan.
PEABODY'S (21st & Pacific Ave. in Va. Beach.) Alternative groups, bar bands,
dance nights and glittery good timin'. Door admission.
RIVERVIEW THEATRE (3912 Granby St. in Norfolk. 757-625-SHOW) This Old
Towne theatre has been turned into a venue for alternative and indie acts, booked by
the Tidewater area's best promoter, Joe Castallanos. YOW!
SMACKWATER JACKS (757-340-6638. 3333 Va. Beach Blvd. in Va. Beach).
Acoustic performers, blues-rock and singer-songwriters at this comfortable club, which
also has Karaoke every Sunday night starting at 9 p.m. No cover.
WIPEOUT EDDYS (11712 Jefferson Ave. in Oyster Point Shopping Center,
Newport News; 804-873-EDDY) This Peninsula club features lots of reggae, alternative
and acoustic sounds.
Selected disc stores and instrument shops:
ALPHA MUSIC 757-486-2001. 3234 Va. Beach Blvd. in Viginia Beach. Guitars,
drums, accessories and a full line of sound gear and gear.
AUDIO LIGHT AND MUSICAL 757-853-2424. 3301 N. Military Hwy in
Norfolk. Instruments, sound gear, accessories, recording tape, the works.
BIRDLAND 957 Providence Square Shopping Center in Va. Beach. 757-495-0961.
Run by the Friedman family for decades, Birdland is the place to get the goods on jazz
and blues, as well as melodic power-pop and the latest new releases. This is the kind of
knowledgable and personable service you just won't get from the impersonal chain
stores in the area-- plus they've been around a long time and know what they're talking
about.
CAMP ZAMA 3812 Hampton Blvd. in Norfolk 23508. Near ODU, this store
specializes in indie label, goth and collectible CDs. 12-8 p.m. everyday but Sunday
(12-5). This store, run by our main man Bill Bradshaw, also features live, in-store
performances.
ECHOING SOUND 757-498-1205. 3780 Va. Beach Blvd in Va. Beach. Formerly
Electric Smiles, this store specializes in vinyl, collectible CDs, rock memorabillia and
Beatles artifacts.( http//www.paracom.com/~echo)
FANTASY 757-595-1259 (Fax) 596-2720. 9823 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, just
minutes off of 1-64. www.fantasyva.com. A super-cool music store with posters,
stickers, paraphenalia, CDs and oddball arcana. Mitch the owner hates "Grip" because
of something we may or may not have said to him five years ago in jest, so it might not
be a good idea to namedrop us. . . but check out Fantasy anyway. A one of a kind
shoppe.
JAM LOCKER MUSIC 4402 Princess Anne Rd. 757-467-7171. Combination
recording studio and instrument shop. Also rents out rehearsal space and equipment.
SKINNIES RECORDS 814 W. 21st Street in Norfolk, in Ghent just blocks from
the Naro Cinema. 757-622-2241. A long-time Ghent-region music fixture, this stores
specializes in vinyl, hard-to-find imports plus T-shirts, box sets and posters. Definitely
hit this place if you are music shopping in the area, and say "hey" to Jeff and Steve for
us. (http//pages.prodigy.com/skinnies/home.htm.)
UNICORN RECORDS 757-483-0774. 3220 Academy Ave. in Portsmouth.
Hard-to-find discs, plus vinyl, tapes and collectibles. Imports too.
There are so many isolated areas of interest in Virginia that deserve and merit attention. The following is a list of music-oriented businesses and resources in towns and communities that we hope to update into full and complete "tourist" files in future revisions of this web page. For information on your finer radio options in these areas, kindly click to the Virginia Alternative Radio file. We will be expanding these sections soon and your suggestions are always welcome. Fredericksburg THE UNDERGROUND (106 George St.) Acoustic performers and alternative rock programmed here most nights. One of the best places to hang near the Mary Washington campus. Mr. B's (3.5 miles south of Fredricksburg; 540-898-3873) Blues, jazz and light rock are featured at this spot. PICKER'S SUPPLY (902 Caroline St.) Acoustic guitars and more acoustic guitars. Also accessories, music books and lessons on premises. PIERCE MUSIC (120 Falcon St.) Fredericksburg's full line music shop, with rentals and repairs. Harrisonburg (In additon to club life, the James Madison University campus also hosts shows in its PC BALLROOM, as well as travelling nationals in its campus auditoriums). J & M's BAR & GRILL (1007 S. Main St.; 540-433-8537) Live music most nights-- alternative, bar bands and the like. PLAN 9 RECORDS (in Kroger Shopping Center at 1790-96 E. Market St.; 540-434-9999) The latest, western-most addition to the 9's Virginia-based empire. Used CD's, alt-rock, etc. TOWN AND CAMPUS (20 W. Water Street; 540-433-5550) JMU's long-running independent disc and vinyl store, specializing in used CDs, posters, indie-issues and 45's. One of our all-time favorite Virginia record stores-- even if the stock has thinned out a bit in the wake of corporate usurpation. Less than a mile from 1-81, and near the campus. Blacksburg BOOKS-STRINGS-&THINGS (214 Draper Rd.; 540-552-8633) One location of the longtime Western Virginia staple. Used books, new and used vinyl. . . MAINSTREAM MUSIC (620 N. Main; 540-552-7748) Instrument shop that stocks everything except keyboards and keyboard-accessories. MUSIC TECH CO. (2890 N. Franklin #G, Christianburg, Va.; 540-382-5096) No rentals, but this interesting instrument shop does have a 24-track digital studio on the premises. They do instrument and electronic repairs to boot. RECORD EXCHANGE (302-A Main St.;540-961-2500) Arguably the headquarters of the Blacksburg scene, this Record Exchange location features indie rock and vinyl. Give a shout out to the Squealer label's Butch Lazorchak, who works here! TOP OF THE STAIRS (217 W. College St.; 540-953-2837) This long-running venue features mostly alternative sounds, and gives the Blacksburg scene a jump start. Roanoke BOOKS-STRINGS-& THINGS (202 Market Square; 540-342-5590) Roanoke's long-running BS&T location. Used and new, for young and old. . . COFFEE POT (2902 Brambleton Ave.; 540-774-8256) Presents a variety of sounds most nights a week. IROQUOIS (324 Salem Ave.; 540-982-8979) Heavy metal, hard-rock and bluesy bar bands are the standard at this long-running club. LEED'S MUSIC CENTER (4600 Brambleton; 703-774-5365) Full-line music store, with rentals and repairs offered. LOWELL'S (2328 Melrose NW; 540-344-4884) Weekends hop with R & B, lite Jazz and blues offerings. STAGE SOUND (103 8th St. SE; 703-342-2040) Billed as the region's biggest audio rental outlet, they also do tons of repairs. D.C. and Northern Virginia clubs & Venues AFTERWORDS (D.C.) 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-387-1462. Local rock and folk. Door admission. BAD HABITS (Arlington) 5444 Columbia Pike. 703-998-5808. Door admission most events BARNS AT WOLF TRAP (Vienna) Located 1/4 mile from the Filene Center, 20 minutes from D.C. 703-218-6500 or http//www.wolf.trap.org/ BAYOU (D.C.) Wisconsin & K Street in Georgetown. 202-333-2897 or bayou@erols.com. Tickets available through the club or Ticketmaster. 202-432-SEAT. BIRCHMERE (Alexandria) 3901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5919. Tickets available at the club or thru Ticketmaster. 202-432-SEAT. BISTRO BISTRO (2 locations) 1811 Fairfax Dr. in Arlington. 703-522-1800. Also at 1811 Library St. in Reston. 703-522-9134. Door admission most events. BLACK CAT (D.C.) 1831 14th St. 202-667-7960 or http//www/avamedia.com/BlackCat/ Tickets available thru the club or Ticketmaster. 202-432-SEAT. BLUES ALLEY (D.C.) Wisconsin Ave. below M Street, Georgetown. Reservations taken at 202-337-4141. CAPITOL BALLROOM (D.C.) Half & K Streets, just off of 1-395. 202-554-1500 or www.capitolballroom.com. Tickets available thru Ticketmaster. 202-432-SEAT CROSSROADS (Fairfax) 3988 University Dr. 703-352-1547. Door admission. Some shows free. FAT TUESDAYS (Fairfax) 10673 Braddock Rd. 703-385-5717. Also a location in Stafford at 315 Garrisonville Rd. (703-720-5757) GALAXY HUT (Arlington) 2711 Wilson Blvd. 703-525-8646. Indie rock, blues rock and local bands-- a little of everything comes to this little No. Va. club. Door admission. GROG & TANKARD (D.C.) 2408 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-333-3114. Longtime venue for local bands, including rock and blues and folk acts. Door admission. Some shows free. IOTA (Arlington) 2832 Wilson Blvd. 703-522-8340. Popular spot for local bands, regional faves. Door admission most events. JAXX (Springfield) 6355 Rolling Rd. 703-569-5940. Tickets available at the club or thru TIcketmaster. 202-432-SEAT. LISNER AUDITORIUM (D.C.) Very fine venue housed in George Washington University. Tickets at the auditorium or through Ticketmaster at 202-432-SEAT. MADAM'S ORGAN (D.C.) 2003 18th St. NW. 202-667-5370. One of "Grip"'s favorite Adams Morgan landmarks. Sometimes even the relatives of ex-Presidents take over the piano too. Most acts free. Some door admission. MAIN STREET U.S.A. (Annandale) 7131 18th St. NW. 202-667-5370. Door admission most events. 930 CLUB (D.C.) 815 V St. NW. 202-3-930-930. Washington D.C. rock 'n' roll landmark. Still the place that where the best and brightest play. Tickets available through the club or thru Protix at 703-218-6500. THE NEST (D.C.) In the Williard Hotel at 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-637-7440. Jazz and light supper club soul at this club. Door admission. PHANTASMAGORIA (Wheaton, MD.) 11319 Elkin St. 301-949-8886. At night (and sometimes during the day) one of the region's best disc and record stores morphs into a club. Now expanded. Door admission most events. SUNSET GRILLE (Annandale). 7250 Columbia Pike. 703-658-0928. Popular spot for blues and light rock faves. Door admission. TIKI FALA (Dumfires) 18050 Triangle Plaza. 703-221-4146. Door admission. VIENNA GRILLE (Vienna) 146 E. Maple St. 703-255-0800. Soul, blues and Jazz. Door admission. WHITEY'S (Arlington) 2761 N. Washington Blvd. 703-525-9825. Blues and roadhouse fare most weeknights and weekends. Door admission. WHITLOW'S ON WILSON (Arlington) 2854 Wilson Blvd. 703-276-9693. More blues in the 'burbs. Door admission most events.