i95, i must respectfully disagree with you regarding THE place for live music in the Washington, DC area.

While i have seen Paul Brady, Fred Eaglesmith, James McMurtry, Kim Richey, Amy Rigby, Darden Smith and others at IOTA CAFE, i have seen hundreds more at the legendary Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria VA.

What other place could (or would) have Rosanne Cash, Nanici Griffith and Solomon Burke in the next two weeks??? Check out the Birchmere’s website at http://www.birchmere.com

The best thing about the Birchmere is that it is first come, first served on seating. So if you really love a performer, you can get there early and have great seats. Of course, all the seats are great, as it is a 500 seat listening room. The food there is fair at best-try the pulled pork or a salad, but you are there to listen to the music.

Two blocks away on Mt. Vernon Avenue is RT’s Seafood. Great seafood, with a New Orleans emphasis. Heck, Bill Clinton ate there when he was president, and they put his plate on the wall after he left!!!