The Redwalls, Johnathan Rice, The Whigs at R&R Hotel

recommended beverage:
Head down the street first for a yummy Belgian at Granville Moore's
or just a couple of doors down to Sova for an excellent cup of coffee

The Redwalls: This Chicago-based rock band is simply outstanding. I am completely hooked!Check 'em out!

Johnathan Rice: This 20-something grew up shuttling between America and Scotland. He came out for this short set dressed like an 80s rocker and belted out an impressive set. Simple lyrics , bit of a young Tom Petty sound to his voice. Rumor is he's having (had?) some kind of interlude with the lead singer of Rilo Kiley.

The Whigs: This Georgia-based band has a harder edge. A bit Pearl Jam-sounding on the vocals, and good luck understanding them. Check out their new song, "Like a Vibration" from their new album, Mission Control, due out January 22. (Thanks, Will!)

The Gospel of Gumbo

"The Sauce Boss" @ Madam's Organ
December 1

Recommended beverage: a mug of Sierra Nevada

Bluesman Bill Wharton came through town on Saturday night to serve up a spicy mix of blues, but that's not all he served. He's nicknamed the Sauce Boss because, at every show, he cooks up a big pot of gumbo on stage and dishes it out to the hungry crowd at the end of the night. And, it's delicious.

The crowd takes turns stirring the gumbo as Wharton intermittently adds ingredients throughout the night. The okra and zucchini goes in early on, then the chicken, then the shrimp and crawfish last. He also markets his own hot sauce and sells it, along with cds, at the show. All the more heartwarming is that he travels to homeless shelters to perform and to feed the hungry. The biggest one he's entertained and cooked gumbo for is right here in DC, where some 1,200 people reside.

Stirrin' up the gumbo and rockin' out to the guitar-driven blues of the Sauce Boss is a truly fun experience. If you can hold out until he serves the gumbo, at about 2:30 a.m., it's worth it.