Where to Hear Reggae Riddims

Yesterday in Got Plans?, a Washington reader put forth a simple query: "Hot places in D.C. to hear reggae -- band or DJ. Go!" OK, not so much a question as a command, but you get the idea. We didn't have time to tackle that one during the chat, so we'll offer some options now.

Crossroads in Bladensburg is the biggest hotspot in the area for sounds of the Caribbean. The club has hosted performers such as Elephant Man, Beenie Man and other top reggae and dancehall performers who don't have "Man" in their name. When the big names aren't performing you can hear local acts, and when the local acts aren't performing you can expect DJs to be spinning.

There are a handful of recurring reggae evenings in the area. Rockas International is free every Wednesday at Eighteenth Street Lounge and it features a live performance by See-I, the reggae group consisting of frequent Thievery Corporation collaborators Rootz and Zeebo.

Oh Snap!, with DJs Dave Nada and Meistro, features plenty of reggae cuts mixed in with hip-hop, soul and funk the second Saturday of every month at Wonderland Bar and Grill.

The last Friday of every month, Marx Cafe hosts Soundclash, which is the night for rocksteady, traditional reggae, first wave ska and other classic Jamaican sounds. Expect to hear prime cuts from the likes of Desmond Dekker, Prince Buster and the Skatalites.

Bukom Cafe hosts live reggae bands most nights; other West African sounds are also represented at the Adams Morgan restaurant.

And finally, you'll want to check out West Indian Record Mart in Hyattsville. A local institution, the store is often the best place to find information about local reggae/Caribbean music performances.

Have any other favorite places to hear reggae? Let us know.

-- David