Bliss Dance Party at the U Street Music Hall, Saturday Retro dance parties fill the D.C. dance scene. From garage rock and Prince to Madonna and the ’90s, everyone looks backward. Not so DJ Will Eastman, the brains behind Bliss, the long-running popular dance event featuring house, cosmic disco and electro/dubstep, among other beats.
“It’s a no-attitude dance party that focuses on fun,” Eastman says. “The music is forward-thinking with a few classics thrown in. It’s a good opportunity to dance to some new music and have a good time.”
Bliss celebrated 10 years of body-moving beats back in September, and continues to go strong. Eastman attributes keeping the music fresh for the party’s decade-long run.
“It’s definitely evolved over a 10-year span,” he says.
The U Street Music Hall is another Eastman creation. He is one of the two principal owners, along with popular DJ Jesse Tittsworth. The venue opened March 17 and features a 60-foot dance floor. Eastman stresses the laid-back, no-attitude vibe of the venue.
“We’re really happy with our first year,” he says.
Bliss, with Will Eastman, Bird Peterson and Chris Nitti: $10. 10 p.m. show. 18-plus. Visit ustreetmusichall.com for details.
Journopalooza III at the National Press Club, Friday
Seven bands made up of members of the media plan to rock out this Friday at the National Press Club as part of Journopalooza III. In addition to performing, the acts will battle it out for D.C.’s Best Media Band. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Committee to Protect Journalists/Journalist Assistance Program, the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library and Reporters Without Borders. General admission tickets run $25 at the door, and VIP tickets cost $40. 6:30 p.m. doors, show starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visitjournopalooza.com.
Beatlemania Now at Warner Theatre, Friday
It took the Beatles nearly a decade to transform from mop tops to Sgt. Pepper to the weary rock ‘n’ rollers of Abbey Road. For the members of Beatlemania Now, the Fab Four tribute show, they do six costume changes in the course of one performance. Enjoy everything from “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to “Get Back” at the Warner Theatre on Friday. Tickets range from $35 to $75. 8 p.m. For details, visit warnertheatre.com.
U.S. Royalty at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotel, Saturday
Local rock act U.S. Royalty has generated a lot of buzz the past two years. The band finally releases its first full-length album, “Mirrors,” on Jan. 25. Check out these guys at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotel before you’re paying three times the amount to catch them at the Patriot Center in a couple of years. With the Rassle, and Honey House. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 8:30 p.m. doors, 9:30 p.m. show. For more info, visit rockandrollhoteldc.com.
Restaurant Week, through Sunday
D.C.’s Restaurant Week continues through Sunday, so you still have time to get in on the amazing three-course deal of $20.11 for lunch and $35.11 for dinner. Plus, a lot of places extend their Restaurant Week specials into the following week, so call you your favorite spot to see what they have cooking. For more information and to make reservations, visit washington.org/restaurantwk.
