WED., MAR. 3
Ha Ha Tonka at DC9
Named after a state park in their home state of Missouri, Ha Ha Tonka is a four-piece rock outfit with a little bluegrass twang that reflects their Midwest roots. Their unpretentious lyrics and middle America sound make them instantly likeable. Catch them at intimate
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Each month On Tap profiles four local artists that should be on your radar, calendar and/or iPod. This month: Courtlyn Carr, Patty Reese, GroundScore and Alex Gordon Hi-Fi.

Break out the pomade and get your cat clothes on because one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets is heading stateside…and her name is Imelda May.

When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, Boston’s native sons, the Dropkick Murphy’s, own the show. They bring their act to DC for a warm up gig before the Beantown blow out. On Tap caught up with frontman Al Barr.

By Mary Ishimoto Morris
Photo by Andrew Kinback

Few people can claim as many contributions to local DJ culture as DC legend Chris Stiles, aka DJ Stylus Chris, though he’s modest about tooting his own horn.
Fellow legend Chuck Koch, aka DJ Dirty Hands, however, is quick to say, “Chris’s importance to this
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Gaelic Storm, an Irish folk rock band, has been the source of rumpus in Celtic music circles since shortly after it stormed Hollywood with an appearance in the film “Titanic.” On Tap caught up with the group in advance of their upcoming DC appearance.

By Joel Sparks
The developers of the Fillmore music hall project released a draft of new information at a community meeting late last month. It looks like Live Nation’s new venue, across from the AFI Silver Theatre in downtown Silver Spring, may start hosting major shows in 18 months.
Bruce Lee, president
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By Mary Ishimoto Morris
DC’s DJ Enferno hit the big time as tour DJ for Madonna’s 2008-2009 Sticky & Sweet Tour. Now he’s making news again mixing Ultra Records’ new double-CD, Ultra Dance 11. The result is “a mainstream dance mix” he said, equally suited to “pop in your CD player,
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TUES., FEB. 2
The Shields Brothers Band at Jammin Java
It’s a family-filled night at Jammin Java with The Shields Brothers Band, Ivy Rose and MadBrenda, beginning at 8 p.m. The Shields Brothers take the stage first; expect the trio to perform hits like “Shark Attack,” “Be My Girlfriend” and “The Walk.”
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Don’t call them a family band — unless you plan on incorporating their fans into the equation, that is. Alternately reflective and raucous, sweet and sardonic, Calgary-born twin sisters, Tegan and Sara Quin — better to known to rockdom at large as Tegan and Sara — have spent the past decade cultivating an outrageously dedicated following that knows every lyric the duo has ever penned, blogs about their stage banter and even reads up on their dream diaries. But to hear Tegan tell it, it’s all been one big happy accident.