Black Cat - Showcases the best of local, national and international independent and alternative music in its main concert space and more intimate Backstage. Online ticketing.

Blues Alley - A Georgetown institution modeled after the jazz supper clubs of the 1920s and '30s. Online ticketing.

Bohemian Caverns - "The Sole Home of Soul Jazz" is U Street's historical home of jazz and blues. Online ticketing.

Carter Barron Amphitheatre - Administered by the National Park Service, the summertime site of outdoor rock/pop, jazz and classical performances, many of them free of charge.

Chief Ike's Mambo Room - Offers happy hour, upstairs lounge and live music. Features entertainment schedule, links, directions and guestbook.

9:30 Club - State-of-the-art concert space presents top-name rock, punk, hip-hop and country acts nightly. Online ticketing.

DAR Constitution Hall - National Historic Landmark concert hall.

DC9 - Ninth Street club books an eclectic mix of local and national acts. Calendar, MP3s, forum, directions and contact information.

Dream - Dance club in Northeast Washington. Information on the club and schedule of performers and events.

Gate 54 - Art Deco inspired hangar lounge; musical genres include downtempo electronica, to classic jazz, bossa, French-flavored mod-lounge, Brit-pop and 70's soul-funk. Features directions, entertainment schedule and contact information. U Street/Cardozo.

Grog and Tankard - Hosts live music six nights a week. Includes schedule and booking information.

HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues - Homey live jazz club/archive features both professional and amateur musicians.

Lincoln Theatre - Historic U Street theater presents many community events, as well as orchestra, dance and theater productions. Online ticketing.

Lisner Auditorium - On the campus of the George Washington University in Foggy Bottom. Online ticketing.

Nation - Huge live music/club venue in Southeast. Upcoming events, online ticketing, mailing list, directions and contact info.

Staccato - Intimate music hall and lounge in Adams Morgan featuring acts from indie rock to cabaret, folk to punk. Calendar, menu, booking and contact info.

Takoma Station Tavern - Takoma Park club features live jazz. Menu, performance calendar.

Twins Jazz - Intimate U Street jazz supper club featuring top local and national talent. Online ticketing.

Velvet Lounge - Serves up a wide variety of music ranging from punk rock to alt-folk. Calendar, sound bites, booking, links and Free Beer Mailing List.

Warner Theatre - Historic downtown venue for national and international recording artists and popular theatrical, dance and television presentations. Online ticketing.

chamberofsound.com - Information about the area music scene, including local clubs.

DC Music Net - Searchable database of local rock, alternative, blues, and jazz groups.

DC Music News - Local music news from independent bands in the Washington metropolitan area. Also offers concert calendar, message board, mailing list, links and shopping.

DCMetalStation - Metal shows, photos, message board and band pages for the Washington/Baltimore area.

dcmusician - Community site for area musicians to find gear, gigs, service, dialogue and each other.

DCShows.net - Directory of local punk, metal and hardcore shows for Washington and the mid-Atlantic area. News, band and venue links, show calendar and photos.

DCSka.com - News, advice column, band and venue directories, show listings, MP3s, reviews, interviews, forum, mailing list and links.

F.D. Vision Entertainment - Information on the local music scene for new and established artists.

Here's a Hint on the DC Music Scene - Directory to local shows and blog. Includes music news and reviews, calendar, band and venue links, show feeds, iTunes links and personal accounts.

MetroMusicScene.com - Music news and resources for the Washington area.

MusicDC.com - Information on local record labels and radio stations, support for musicians, details on area clubs, a message board, reviews and mailing list.

pheer.com - Guide to local punk and hardcore shows and catalog of live-performance videos and MP3s.

Right on Rhythm - Guide to local blues, zydeco, country, and other events. Includes news, schedules, band links, clubs and online store.

Seanachie Street Cyber Cafe - Offers links to local bands, a message board, and calendar for bands to post performance information.

Washington Area Music eXchange - Searchable database of bands, classifieds, news, record labels and recording studios.

Washingtonpost.com: MP3 - Self-publishing by and for the metro region's music community. Site hosts news, reviews and band pages with background information and sound files for downloading.