#8: Local Live Music

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At shows, always the more, the merrier -
better for the fans, the bands, and the venues.

Week of Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Thursday (5/15)

• ARLINGTON

  • Bronson Bierhall: Nate Finn (6-9pm; Solo Acoustic)

  • O-Sullivan’s: David Thong (8:30pm; Singer/songwriter, Classic/Alternative/Pop covers)

  • Samuel Beckett’s: Lenny Burridge (9:30—11:30pm; Blues/folk/country)

  • Big Buns Ballston: David Sparrow (5-7pm; Singer/Songwriter)

  • Big Buns Shirlington: Alex Applebaum (5-7pm)

  • Clarendon Music by the Metro: Kiki Gartner and the Drifting Valentines (6pm; western swing, rockabilly, old country and some jump blues)

• FALLS CHURCH

  • The State Theater: Miguel Mateos ($70-$100; 8:30pm; Argentine singer/songwriter playing Latin Rock)

  • Clare and Don’s Beach Shack: Adam K Music (5:30pm)

  • JV’s Live Music Room: Just Doug Walls (5pm; Variety); and Dave Chappell & Guests (8pm; award winning guitarist)

Friday (5/16)

• ARLINGTON

  • The Renegade: Collective ($5; 9:30pm-1:30; High-energy Rock/Pop/Punk/Alt/Country covers)

  • Ballston Local: Manther (8pm-11; 6-member Arlington Dad band playing 80/90s hits)

  • Westover Beer Garden: Hollertown (6-9pm; Bluegrass and Old-time originals and covers)

  • Big Buns Ballston: Chris & Kerry (5-7pm)

  • O-Sullivan’s: David Thong Trio (9:30; Classic/Alternative/Pop covers)

  • Three Whistles: Alma Dogma (8pm-11)

  • Rhodeside Grill: James Stevens (8:30pm-11:30; Eclectic covers)

  • William Jeffreys: Steve Bray (9:30pm; Originals and covers)

  • Ragtime: MaryJo Mattea (9:30pm; Pop/Rock songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist)

  • Bronson Bierhall: Shake Rattle and Roll (9pm-12am; Piano bar show)

  • Samuel Beckett’s: Matt Burridge (9:30-11:30pm; Eclectic covers)

• FALLS CHURCH

  • Solace Outpost: No One You Know (8pm; 70/80s covers)

  • Clare and Don’s Beach Shack: Dan and Chuck (6pm)

  • JV’s Live Music Room: Shartel & Hume Duo (4pm; Acoustic Male Duo; Classic Rock/Americana Covers) and Mike Tash and Bad Influence (8:30pm; Blues Deluxe)

Saturday (5/17)

• ARLINGTON

  • The Renegade: Leroy Burks Band (9:30pm-1:30; High-energy Country)

  • Westover Beer Garden: Mildewdz (5-9pm)

  • O-Sullivan’s: 20 Dollar Prophet (9:30pm; energetic rock cover band)

  • Three Whistles: Open Mic (8pm-10)

  • Rhodeside Grill: Scott Erickson (8:30pm-11:30; Multi-instrumentalist; eclectic covers, all by request)

  • William Jeffreys: Chris Brunn Daily (9:30pm; covers and originals)

  • Ragtime: Jason Rusty Clark (9:30pm; Singer/songwriter)

  • Bronson Bierhall: Anthony Hurley (8pm-12; Singer/songwriter)

  • Samuel Beckett’s: Rocky Guttman (9:30-11:30pm; 40-90’s covers)

  • Lubber Run Community Center: Arlington Palooza

    • Bridgette Johnson (11am), Jack Doll (11:30am), Bendalia (12pm), Wicked Game (12:45pm), Friday Night Flicks (1:40pm); Dupont Brass (2:45pm)

• FALLS CHURCH

  • The State Theater: The Legwarmers ($25; 9:30pm; 80’s Tribute Band)

  • Solace Outpost: Vico Cycle (8pm; Rock/Funk/Blues/Soul/Hip-hop band)

  • Dogwood Tavern: Steve Bray (9:30pm; Originals and covers)

  • Clare and Don’s Beach Shack: Big Tow (6pm; Rock/Blues Cover band)

  • JV’s Live Music Room: Pickin’ Grinnin and A-Sinnin’ (4pm; Comedy and Classic country and Rock) and Wicked Jezabel (8:30pm; 70/80/90s dance)

Sunday (5/18)

• ARLINGTON

  • Galaxy Hut: LT Headtrip | Wise Da God | Northern Draw | Johnny Ciggs ($15; 8pm; Live-Hip Hop, followed by open mic freestyle)

  • Bronson Bierhall: Tom Starr (8pm-12; Singer/songwriter)

• FALLS CHURCH

  • Clare and Don’s Beach Shack: Champagne Velvet (5pm; 80/90/00s Rock Covers)

  • JV’s Live Music Room: Flower Power Happy Hour Band (4pm; covering radio hits from 1965-72) and Wolf’s Open Blues Jam (8:30pm)

Monday (5/19)

• ARLINGTON

  • The Renegade: Latin Night ($10; Lessons at 7:30pm; Live Band 8:30pm-1am)

  • Bronson Bierhall: Lew Calico (3-7pm; solo; originals and eclectic covers/R&B/Soul)

• FALLS CHURCH

  • JV’s Live Music Room: Tom Saputo (7:30; Pianist; Sit and sing)

Tuesday (5/20)

• ARLINGTON

  • The Renegade: Latin Night ($10; Lessons at 7:30pm; Live Band 8:30pm-1am)

  • Ballston Local: Open Mic and Singo aka Musical Bingo (7:30-11:30pm)

  • Bronson Bierhall: Mackenzie Ryan (6pm-9pm; solo; Pop/Rock/Country covers)

• FALLS CHURCH

  • JV’s Live Music Room: Josh Allen Open Mic (7pm)

  • Ireland’s Four Provinces: Traditional Irish Music (8-9:30pm)

Wednesday (5/21)

• ARLINGTON

  • Westover Beer Garden: Reliable Trio (6-8pm; Jazz/soul/latin/funk)

  • The Renegade: weekly country music line dancing and DJ

  • Bronson Bierhall: Justin Suede (6pm-9pm; solo; Originals, and Southern Rock covers)

• FALLS CHURCH

  • JV’s Live Music Room: The Cahoots Duo, w/ David Kitchen (7:30)

Featured Shows

Friday (5/16)

My wife and I will be catching these guys again, for the 5th time. Always a blast, and they only play a couple of times a year, so now is your chance. All Arlington Dads, and at least 4 of them will lead a song. They even have a couple of originals, including the hilarious “Harris Teeter Wife.” For most shows, their college age kids are usually in town and at the show with their friends, so there is added youthful energy. And it continues to amaze me when a bunch of Gen-Zers know every word to most of the 80/90’s covers being played (I guess we can thank Tik-Tok for that). You can read about them more in this Arlington Magazine 2022 article.

Saturday (5/17)

Arlington Palooza at Lubber Run Community Center

I don’t know any of the acts, but the event looks like it is worth checking out, especially for families.

The Mildewdz at Westover Beer Garden

Haven’t yet caught these guys live, but local live music aficionado, Dee, highly recommends them. And she even has videos of all their recent shows at the WBG on this Youtube Playlist, along with video of many other local bands playing there.

Sunday (5/18)

Champagne Velvet at Clare and Don’s

Playing for the second weekend in a row, but this time, outdoors! Catch this high energy cover band playing rock and alt hits for the past 5 decades at Clare and Don’s new outdoor layout. And this time, CV is debuting a guest saxophonist!