Wale, seen here signing autographs while performing at last weekend’s Wizards FanFest, plays a free show with Chuck Brown at the 9:30 Club tonight. Photograph by Kyle Gustafson.
We’re kicking this off a day early this week in case anyone has a yen for live music before they run home for the holidays. It’s another pretty slow week in the music scene, but we expect things to ramp up early next year. Nevertheless, if you’re in town this weekend and need to escape from the in-laws for a night, here’s what’s going on.
Tonight, December 21
We mentioned this last week, but Wale and Chuck Brown, along with some special guests, will be at the 9:30 Club tonight for a Know Your Status HIV drive. The concert’s free, but you have to bring proof of an HIV test to get a ticket.
Wale, Chuck Brown, and guests, 6 PM doors at 9:30 Club, free with proof of HIV test.
Thursday, December 22
Check out Pinkline Project’s Modern Times Holiday Show at Rock and Roll Hotel. The event features 25 performers, including indie duo Echo Armada and members of the Wax Standard.
Modern Times Holiday Show, 7:30 PM at Rock and Roll Hotel, $10.
Friday, December 23
If the sugarplum fairies dancing in your head aren’t driving you crazy enough, the almost sickeningly infectious synth-pop songs the Dance Party spins will provide enough holiday sugar for the weekend.
Looking for more edge? Proving cash still rules everything around them all these years later, Wu-Tang Clan, complete with Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and RZA (and presumably without walkers), hit the State Theatre tonight.
The Dance Party with the Static, the Silver Liners, Blackbells, 8 PM at 9:30 Club, $15; Wu-Tang Clan, 8 PM at State Theatre, $55.
Saturday, December 24
Didn’t get your fill of local musicians doing holiday stuff Thursday night? U Street Music Hall’s “U Halliday Party” is Saturday. It figures to be a more raucous, dancey affair—plus there’ll be a pho dog eating contest, and it’s free for the 21-and-up crowd.
U Halliday Party, 10 PM at U Street Music Hall, $10 (free 21+).
Sunday, December 25
Christmas pretty much turns DC’s clubs quiet, but the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage will feature its annual All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam.
All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam, 6 PM at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, free.
Monday, December 26
They’re definitely not Minor Threat, but Supreme Commander deserve kudos for trying to keep DC’s hardcore tradition alive. Their vocals are a little easier on the ears than many hardcore bands, so if you’re into loud, breakneck-speed music, they’re worth checking out at Black Cat. Local rockers Death By Sexy are also worth showing up early for.
Supreme Commander with Death By Sexy and Musicband, 8 PM at Black Cat, $8.
Tuesday, December 27
They’re not our favorite early 2000s pop-punk band named after a day of the week, but if you’re looking to relive high school, Thursday, at 9:30 Club, will do in a pinch. Don’t miss openers Screaming Females, a three-member band—only one of whom is female—who screech over shredding guitars.
Thursday with Aficionado, Make Do and Mend, Screaming Females, and mewithoutYou, 6 PM at 9:30 Club, $18.
