Jam

Umphrey's McGee The jam band Umphrey's McGee is known for its original songs, as well as its crazy covers. The sextet heads to Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, for an all-ages show Monday. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Call 410-244-1131 or visit ramsheadlive.com.

The Band: Black-Eyed Susan Hometown: Baltimore Current Members: Aaron Levy, keyboards and vocals; Adam Chase, drums; Matt Chase, guitar and vocals; David Markowitz, bass and vocals. Founded in: 1997 Style: Jam-rock Influenced by: Steely Dan, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Santana Notable: This local quartet broke into the East Coast's jam band circuit two years ago and never looked back. Since then, they've toured extensively and even shared bills with major influences, including Santana.

Whatever preconceived notions you have about spoken word or performance poetry, please check them at the door. Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam, which plays the Hippodrome Theatre Friday and Saturday , features seven poets performing urgent, revelatory pieces that delve into politics, sex, religion and personal histories. No elaborate, complicated props adorn the stage, and cast members sport regular street gear. Each poet -- a Palestinian, a Nigerian, a Chinese-American, three African-Americans -- offers kaleidoscopic views unflinchingly, humorously, sometimes movingly.

Inaugural festivities Today 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children's event Howard Community College, Columbia Tomorrow 10:30 a.m. Mass and reception St. Mary's Catholic Church, 7207 Annapolis Road, Landover Hills. 2 p.m. Parade, Arbutus Monday 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. Inaugural jam -- $20 Hammerjacks, 300 E. Saratoga St., Baltimore Tuesday 8:30 a.m. Prayer breakfast Bowie State University 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Inaugural concert University of Maryland Performing Arts Center, College Park Wednesday Noon Inauguration ceremony State House, Annapolis 7:30 p.m. Inaugural galas -- $100 Baltimore Convention Center and Camden Yards

Few bands are lucky enough to have a name as self-descriptive as Everything. Listen closely to the band's debut, "Super Natural," and you'll hear all sorts of influences swirling through the band's music, from swamp rock to be-bop, Afro-Cuban to country and western.But rather than try to be everything to every listener, what the band ultimately aims for is a sort of sonic stew, one that boils those elements down into something flavorful and new.Maybe that's why singer and guitarist Craig Honeycutt compares the band's creative process to kitchen work.

"Bittersweet Motel" is a documentary about the cult jam-band Phish, which has grown into one of the most popular touring acts in the country thanks to a grass-roots following that started when they were still in college. Where they went to college is never revealed in Todd Phillips' scant film, although we know it was somewhere in Vermont. Similarly, the lives and personalities of the individuals in the four-member band are never revealed; "Bittersweet Motel" turns out to be mostly about the group's front-man, Trey Anastasio, and his philosophy of music, art and virtuosity.

Trips Northwest Washington is home to Hillwood, the estate of Marjorie Merri-weather Post. The estate has an immense collection of French and Russian art and painstakingly land-scaped grounds. page 26 PICK OF THE WEEK What: Election Night Viewing Party, presented by 99.1 WHFS and Rock the Vote When: Tuesday night at 6:30 Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. N.W., Washington Why: Because there's nothing like seeing election results on the big screen. Plus, the event promises unnamed "very special guests," and who can pass up an offer like that?

Wizards @Heat Tonight, 6 TV: Comcast SportsNet The first time Washington Wizards rookie Bradley Beal attempted to embarrass an opponent with a thunderous jam, he got a painful lesson on the need to think before dunking. Beal picked the wrong target when he elevated for a throw-down on Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, one of the NBA's best leapers and shot blockers, and crashed on his backside after Smith stuffed the ball. Forced to sit out the next two games last month with a sore left back, Beal was a little more cautious about when to showcase his surprising hops.

Just because a band jams doesn't make it a jam band. What Americans tend to think of as "jam bands" have a loose, boogie-spiked improvisational style somewhere between the sound of Blues Traveler and the Grateful Dead. Which is almost nothing like the sound of Britain's Ozric Tentacles.Even though the quintet is every bit as prone to jamming as Phish, the Ozrics are synth-drenched with a strong Eastern element to the melodies. In fact, Ozric Tentacles' sound has much more in common with space rock combos like Camel or jazz fusion acts like Weather Report than with the amiable meanderings of the Dead and its disciples.

Whether you want to hear a good cover band in the crowded downstairs bar or chill in the comfortable upstairs lounge, the Waterfront Hotel has long been a place to have a night on the town. The food was better than average, but nothing to write home about. In February, new management — and a new executive chef — revamped the Waterfront's menu, along with the interior of the downstairs bar. So far, the move is paying off: The food borders on phenomenal, and the bare-bones look fits the space.