Rock the Lot IV at Tortoise & Hare Bar & Grill, Saturday The last few years, the folks at Tortoise & Hare in Crystal City have put on a concert in the bar’s parking lot. While the idea in previous iterations was strictly to have a good time and get the neighborhood out of their homes, this year the owners of the Hare are incorporating a fundraising aspect as well.
Rock the Lot IV features five bands, food and drink, and a cornhole tournament. Beneficiaries this year are the American Cancer Society, Rally for Ryan with the West Virginia University Alumni Association, and local fire and police departments.
According to Tortoise & Hare co-owner Brian Montgomery, the bar last year had Operation Homefront as a beneficiary, but this year is more organized.
“It was a last minute thing,” Montgomery said. “This year we’re more hopeful. The big goal is to raise as much money as we can.”
Performing this year are the New Relics, Modern Thieves, Flow in the Dark, Down Wilson and Rise and Fall.
In addition to the fundraising angle of Rock the Lot, Montgomery also stresses the neighborhood aspect of the event.
“It’s a community event,” he said. “We’re hoping the neighborhood comes out.”
Info: $20 in advance, $25 at the door; tortoiseandharebar.com
When: 2 p.m., Saturday
Jordin Sparks opening for NKOTBSB, Friday
Two boy bands collide on Friday at the Verizon Center, but Jordin Sparks offers a bit of girl power to balance things out. The “American Idol” winner opens the show.
Info: $32.50 – 92.50, verizoncenter.com
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Capital Jazz Fest, through Sunday
It’s certainly the season for music festivals, and this weekend is one of the area standard-bearers. The 19th annual Capital Jazz Fest takes place at Merriweather Post Pavilion for three days this weekend. Highlights include Herbie Hancock on Friday, Natalie Cole on Saturday, and War on Sunday.
Info: General admission $52.50 to $59.50; capitaljazz.com.
When: Friday through Sunday.
Louisiana Swamp Romp at Wolf Trap, Sunday
This is the 22nd annual installment of this rocking party at Wolf Trap. The Louisiana Swamp Romp this year features Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Sonny Landreth, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys.
Info: $25, wolftrap.org
When: Sunday, 2 p.m.
SAVOR Week at Rustico, through Sunday
The annual SAVOR, a celebration of American craft beer, is once again this weekend. The bad new is that it sold out very quickly. Good news is that popular beer joints in the area are getting in the SAVOR spirit with their own events. This includes SAVOR Week at the Rustico locations in Alexandria and Ballston.
Info: rusticorestaurant.com
When: Friday at 4 p.m. in Alexandria, Saturday at noon in Ballston.
