Dance for a Cause: Haitian Earthquake Relief in D.C.

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» RELATED: "Songs of Solace: The Music of Haiti" [Sound Bets, Express, Jan. 2010]

SINCE LAST WEEK'S enormous earthquake, the landscape in Haiti has been rendered nearly unrecognizable. Thousands are feared dead, with thousands more homeless and many in need of medical care.

The U.S. government and aid organizations around the world have stepped up to assist in relief efforts, and D.C.'s nightclubs and restaurants are doing the same. Here are a few places you can go where part of your bill or entrance fee will help Haitians in need:

Thursday, Jan. 21:
» Policy (1904 14th St. NW) might be unbearably hip, but it has its heart in the right place. On Thursday night, a $25 entrance fee gets you free cocktails from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (happy hour specials, beer and wine are available for cash), and from 9:30 to midnight the DJs come out and the dancing starts. You can also pay $500 for a table (for 10 people) and get two bottles of rum. RSVP here. A percentage of the proceeds goes to Partners in Health to send doctors and medical supplies to Haiti.
» Sticky Rice (1224 H St. NE) will have its usual Blingo night, but add a DJ spinning Haitian music (starting at 9 p.m.) and a raffle with prizes that include Haitian art and liquor, among other things. 100% of raffle ticket proceeds and 5% of all food and beverage sales will go to Partners in Health.

Friday, Jan. 22:
» The Kennedy Center's free Millennium Stage program (2700 F St. NW) will start at 5:30 p.m. (instead of the usual 6 p.m.) It's still free, but there will be dropboxes for donations to the Red Cross Haitian Relief and Development Fund during the performance by Haitian dance band Tabou Combo, Haitian singers Tatiana Pierre and John Pierremont and some others who want to show their support. Tickets purchased to the NSO's concert ($25-$85) that takes place immediately after the Millennium Stage show will benefit the Red Cross as well.
» This would be a noteworthy happy hour even if all the proceeds weren't going to charity. Fly Lounge (1802 Jefferson Place NW) will have beer and rail drinks for $2 from 6 p.m.-7p.m., $3 from 7 p.m.-8 p.m., $4 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and $5 from 9 p.m.-10 p.m. All the money goes to Hands Together, a small charity currently working in Haiti.
» Various local musicians will participate in a benefit concert for Haiti at Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) tonight. Go to their website for the full list. Admission is whatever you feel like donating to the Red Cross. Guilt, guilt.
» A $25 entrance fee (which goes to Oxfam America) gets you into Local 16 (1602 U St. NW) for free hors d'oeuvres and free beer from 6:30 until they run out of beer. Drink specials will also be available from 6:30-10:30, and 10 percent of the bar proceeds go to Oxfam as well. You can donate at the door or in advance here.
» The Warehouse Loft (411 New York Ave. NE) is hosting a concert featuring rapper Tabi Bonney. It goes from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. and your $5 admission fee goes to the Red Cross for Haitian relief.

Saturday, Jan. 23:
» The Cre8 Studio Gallery (1314 9th St. NW) is holding an evening of art and music starting at 9 p.m. The art auction will have works by Moe and Chanel Compton, among others. Bring either $5 and a non-perishable can of food, or $10 for your at-the-door donation. Proceeds go to Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Sunday, Jan. 24:
» We'd take any excuse to see DJ Will Eastman (or, truth be told, to go to a party called "Funkin' 4 Haiti"). The shindig is at Modern (3287 M St. NW), and Eastman will appear with Nadastrom and some other dance music mavens. The party goes from 9 p.m. till 2 a.m. and the minimum door donation is $10. All the proceeds go to the Red Cross. One caveat: this is 21+ only.

Wednesday: Jan. 27:
» Sign of the Whale (1825 M St. NW) is raising money for Partners in Health via a happy hour with a $10 suggested donation. You can get 25-cent wings, $3 Bud Lite and Miller Lite and $4 rail drinks between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 31:
» The Rock and Roll Hotel is getting together a benefit concert that thus far features Honor By August and Todd Wright. Check their Web site for updates.

Through Sun., Jan. 24:
» La Tasca (2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) not only has an unlimited tapas menu through Sunday for Restaurant Week prices ($20.10 for lunch, $35.10 for dinner, $10 sangria carafes), but 20 percent of your check will go to Doctors Without Borders' Haitian earthquake relief.

Photo by Jewel Samad/Getty Images