Bubala and Mumi have a great write-up of last Saturday's BLOWOFF. I had no idea the Wonkette folks were in the house as well. (The guys also have a very lovely and touching review of their trip to Philly, to see the Q&A / solo / DVD show.) We can't wait for Saturday, December 8 in NYC, as well as our holiday party on Saturday, December 15.

And, in case you were wondering about our humble home, you can check out the 2007 Billboard Touring Awards - see "Top Club". From the club's recent press release:

9:30 CLUB WINS 2007 BILLBOARD AWARD
D.C. FAVORITE NAMED TOP CLUB IN THE NATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. November 20, 2007 -- And the winner is…. The 9:30 Club.

The 2007 Billboard Touring Awards have just been handed out in New York, and the coveted Top Club prize went to the legendary D.C. favorite, the 9:30 Club, beating all other clubs in the world to secure the honor.

The award was based on top gross box office revenue. For nearly 10 years, the 9:30 Club has been the top attended club not just in the nation, but the world.

The Billboard Touring awards honor the industry’s top artists, venues and professionals for the year, based on the Billboard Boxscore chart and on actual box office performance from January 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007.

Located at 9th and V Streets in Washington, D.C., the 9:30 Club (www.930.com) is the inimitable place bands aspire to play and music fans love to attend – a destination for locals and people across the country. Gracing the stage have been legends Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Al Green, and James Brown; recently discovered acts like The Arctic Monkeys, Wolfmother and The Scissor Sisters, and arena acts looking for an intimate club play such as Justin Timberlake, the Smashing Pumpkins and Foo Fighters.

About I.M.P.
Formed in 1980, I.M.P. is a Bethesda, MD - based concert promoter and event production company.  In addition to launching the Virgin Festival in the U.S., the principals at I.M.P. own Washington D.C.'s legendary 9:30 Club, renowned as the premier place to see and hear cutting edge live music of all varieties.  I.M.P. also programs and operates Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.  Over the last 27 years, I.M.P. and the 9:30 Club have put on nearly 10,000 events, hosting millions of music fans.

The new web site is live. Check it out.

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A fun weekend in the 202. Friday, WOOF was hopping. Saturday, breakfast with the gang. Lots of last minute preparation, then a fun BLOWOFF. The town was buzzing, as there was a new gay bar opening a block away. Everyone was wondering how it would affect us; we had one of the best evenings in a long time! Good music, great crowd, all the usual suspects were in attendance. The feedback from our regulars was excellent. It's great to have more bars opening, and events happening, around BLOWOFF. Nellie's has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, especially as a pre-BLOWOFF food and drink hangout. The 'hood has been changing for years, and the arrival of more gay and gay-friendly clubs and events can only be a good thing for all of us.

The live DVD is available for viewing on cable systems nationwide. Check concert.tv for availability.

Coolfer takes a good look at the Radiohead experiment.

Stereogum readers dissect Blender's "100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums Ever" list. Argue amongst the others.

Saturday, a good show in New Hope. The bassist from one of my favorite bands stopped by to say hello; a humbling moment for me. Sunday, off to Philadelphia for a late brunch, then the Q&A / solo set / DVD screening at World Cafe Live. A great venue, and an appreciative crowd, made for a wonderful evening to close out the 2007 tour season. There was an unintentionally (I think) moment during the Q&A, regarding a certain Papa Bear. Too funny.

BLOWOFF this Saturday night. Another great poster by Pat.


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A nice mention of the upcoming album at USA Today.

An interview at Philadelphia Gay News.

A mention of a January 2008 appearance.

A comparison at Delaware Online.

Shows in New Hope (sold out) and Philly this weekend.

The launch of my new, improved, re-designed web site is right around the corner. If you've sent me an e-mail in the past few years, you will be notified directly.

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Free Rice. For each word you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice through the UN, to help end world hunger. And, you get to use your brain.

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“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.” - James A. Michener

A lot has happened in the past week. Last Wednesday, the trick or treaters descended on the 'hood. Grown women, sporting cold cream and smeared lipstick, tended to grab three times as much candy as their children. Sort of rude. Thursday, a quick stop at SMDF. Friday, the drive to NYC. A great show, one of the best solo sets I've played in a while. Wrapped up the evening with a nightcap at Rawhide, and a late dinner at the brand new Vynl Chelsea.

Saturday. brunch with a pal at Viceroy, followed by walking, shopping, and art. My old 'hoods (West Village and Chelsea) have changed; more on that in a separate and longer post. Ran into two of my best DC buds at Better Burger, and we all met up later at Furball! A great time was had by all, including Joe and Jeff. I didn't want to leave, but it was time to drive back to DC. Walked in the door at (new) 5:30 AM, which was old 6:30 AM. Sunday was nothing but recovery, laundry, and home cooking.

Monday's show in Boston was good fun. The rest of the week: Charlottesville VA, New Hope PA, Philadelphia PA. Check here for listings. I am trying my best to fight off the sneezing. Airplane air not so good for staying healthy.

A nice mention of an upcoming event at P4K.

Footage from the SF City Arts lecture event.

I am digging Reason 4. Easy install, lots of new features.