After Dark: Three options for Mexican, Spanish or Caribbean dishes

While some waterfront towns slow down once summer ends, here in Annapolis we just keep moving right along, finding new and fun things to fill up each weekend.

This weekend, likely to be one of the busiest of the year for Annapolis, is filled with the Power Boat show taking place at City Dock as well as Navy's Homecoming, featuring a football matchup against No. 23 Pittsburgh.

There are a number of smaller events taking place this weekend as well - offering something for any and every one looking for something fun to do.

Whether you're local or a visitor, one thing you have to do is eat and Annapolis offers no shortage of places to do so.

While many people think of seafood and seafood only when it comes to Annapolis, there are a host of other restaurant types here, some which are well worth seeking out. Scattered around Annapolis and Edgewater is a small family of restaurants, which aim to provide something different from the typical Annapolis restaurant.

Whether you're at Jalapenos (85 Forest Drive), Restaurante Serrano (2129 Forest Drive) or Mojito's (1246 Central Ave. East, Edgewater), you know that you will be whisked away to another place by the food and the ambience.

Jalapenos has long been known in the area for the mix of classic Spanish and authentic Mexican cuisine - from great tapas and paellas to delicious enchiladas and moles.

While many think of it only for dinner, Jalapenos offers a great lunch menu as well, with a large selection of appetizers and entrees from $6.95 to $13.50.

This lunch menu is offered Monday through Saturday, so those looking for a respite from the craziness downtown this weekend should make their way to the calm, cool and delicious Jalapenos.

Their freshly made Sangria will take away any lingering traffic related anxieties and make your weekend a perfect one.

The evenings at Jalapenos are just as fantastic, with something for everyone, in every mood.

Looking for a light meal and drinks with a few friends? The aforementioned Sangria, or a cold margarita, as well as a selection of tapas perfect for sharing makes for a fun and affordable night out.

Romance on the menu? Share paella and bask in the romantic dining room. Partying with friends? Reserve the back room for a night of great food and great fun.

Whatever you are looking for, this unassuming restaurant located in a strip mall across from the new Parole Plaza has what you need.

Tonight, they'll have Tom Lagana playing classical guitar beginning at 7:30 for the much appreciative diners. For more information on Jalapenos, visit www.jalapenosonline.com.

Just down the street from Jalapenos, in an even less noticeable strip mall, is Restaurante Serrano, which serves up some of the area's most authentic, and delicious, Mexican food.

They also serve up delicious drinks from the full bar and show all the latest sporting events, especially the harder to find soccer games.

Monday through Friday, Serrano's offers a great happy hour, with beers priced at $2.50, margaritas at $3.50 and appetizers at $5. This is true Mexican fare - not TexMex or CaliMex, so make sure you go hungry, you will leave happy!

Out in Edgewater, Mojito's is making quite a name for itself because of both the delicious Caribbean food and the great specials they offer.

Tonight, enjoy happy hour from 4 - 7, followed by the live sounds of Beech Hill Road. Happy hour at Mojito's is something you won't want to miss. Offered Monday through Friday from 4 - 7, it features $3 Mojitos ($15 for a pitcher), $3.50 Margaritas ($14/pitcher), $2 domestic drafts and $3 imported drafts.

These aren't mix and match Mojitos either - they are the real thing, with homemade sugar syrup, fresh mint, fresh lime and lots of muddling.

Summer may be over, but these drinks will keep the memories, and good times, flowing!

During happy hour, there are some great snacks on discount as well, including $5 crab dip and chicken nachos, $4 queso fundido, $3.50 chicken wings and much more.

Mojito's is all about providing great value no matter what day you choose to visit.

They serve brunch on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., with a large a la carte menu that features American, Caribbean and Mexican specialties, like Eggs Benedict, chilaquiles, machaca de pollo and more.

They'll be opening on Mondays soon and will be serving up a 20-ounce prime rib and $2 drafts from 4 - 9. On Tuesdays, they offer whole lobsters for $15.99.

Wednesdays are ladies nights, with half-price drinks for women all night long. Thursday night is Crabs and Kids nights, with $12.99 crabcake dinners and kids under seven eat free!

To check out all the menus and find out more about Mojito's, visit www.deliciouscaribbean.com.

Friday

Downtown is sure to be packed tonight, with all of the Boat Show and Navy visitors in town, which means lots of fun or lots of headaches, depending on your mindset.

If you're of the fun mindset, you like the hustle and bustle that all this brings to town, head to O'Brien's from 5 - 8 p.m. to catch Dana B on stage playing acoustic rock.

Over at Pusser's (80 Compromise Street), right alongside the Boat Show, Orlando Phillips will be playing Caribbean rock on the upper deck.

At Middleton Tavern (2 Market Space), Larry Lay takes to the piano upstairs at 9 p.m., with classic rockers Dirty City playing downstairs at 10.

Armadillo's (132 Dock St.) might be hidden behind the fencing of the boat show, but the country rock sound of the Cheaters is not something you will want to miss. They start playing at 10.

Up Main Street, check out Waking at Seven playing acoustic rock and Irish folk at Castlebay (193 Main St.). Stan and Joe's (37 West St.) will have the progressive rock and funk sounds of the Guthrie Matthews Method beginning at 10.

Outside of the downtown area, catch the jazz sounds of Jenn Reichwein and Dick Rausch at Sam's on the Waterfront (2020 Chesapeake Harbor Drive East) beginning at 8 p.m.

Kathy Stansbury will perform at Domenica's (2444 Solomons Island Road), while The Whiskey (1803 West St.) takes you back to the '80s with the sounds of The Real Geniuses at 8 p.m.

Over on the Eastern Shore, far away from the maddening crowds, dance to the high-energy rock sounds of ICU at the Jetty (Wells Cove Road, Kent Narrows).

The Ram's Head Shore House (800 Main St.) will have the Joe Martone Trio on stage while Luke's Grille (388 Thompson Creek Road) features the acoustic rock sounds of Slow Jim.

Saturday

There is so much happening on Saturday that I hardly know where to start. Of course, the Boat Show is occurring downtown. Additionally, it's Navy Homecoming, so there will be a boatload of tailgating taking place at the stadium.

At Wine Cellars of Annapolis (1410 Forest Drive), they are offering, from noon until 4 p.m., tastings of Spanish reds and whites.

Over at Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits (111 Hillsmere Dr.), Saturday and Sunday are Beerfest days! From noon until 8 p.m. each day, they will be offering samples of more than 100 beers in the tents in the parking lot.

Experts will be on hand to answer any beer questions you might have. Entrance fee is $5, with all proceeds going to the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation. It's a great way to expand your beer horizons and have some fun at the same time!

At 5 p.m., head to D.C. with the Social Pro Network for a night of hockey and happiness! The party starts at Fado (1 Park Place) with drink specials, followed by a bus ride to D.C. and a whole lot of fun, including admission to the Dewar's Club.

Tickets are $50 and expected to sell out, so get in touch now. Visit www.socialpronetwork.com for more information.

Also at 5 p.m. at Fado (1 Park Place), or really in the grassy area next to the Westin, there will be a Hospice Fundraiser and Post Navy Tailgate Party. With live music by the Wild Rovers, live college football on TVs placed all over the party and 50/50 drawings, this is going to be a party you won't want to miss.

Dress warmly - it is fall out there, and this is an outside event - and come ready to have a great time.

Fado will provide all the food while Moveable Mixtures provides the full bar. Tickets are on two levels - $30 gets you all you can drink beer and wine, and all you can eat lite fare, and $10 gets you a pay as you go admission. All proceeds benefit Hospice of the Chesapeake.

The Saturday Sundown Coffee House (1419 Odenton Rd.) returns this Saturday to the Epiphany Chapel & Church House, the only known WWI Chapel in the U.S.

This week's free coffeehouse show feature Jim Ballard, Chris Haley, Jackie Clarys and other guest performers following the community Super Fair( 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.).

The show includes pop, blues, jazz and show tunes. Enjoy a Souper Supper and visit the WWI Social History Museum in this beautifully restored historic site.

Raffles and a Silent Auction will continue through the evening. All donations are designated for The Children's Center Fund. Visit www.epiphany-md.org for more information.

While you may have read about Joe Byrd's retirement in the paper last weekend, but the jazz goes on this month and will continue into 2009.

This Saturday, catch Joe and his friends at Intimate Jazz at 49 West. Featuring Bob Johnson and Bill McHenry, this intimate show promises to be one you won't forget. Tickets cast $20; call 410-626-9796 for reservations.

If you've been looking for an evening of traditional American Contra and Square Dancing, this Saturday is the night for you, as Dick Bearman is traveling from Cambridge to call dances to the lively music of Strings on Wings at the Annapolis Friends Meeting Hall (351 Dubois Rd.).

The evening includes a free introductory session at 6:30; with the dance from 7 - 10 p.m.

Admission for dance is $10, with discounts for seniors, students, families and members of Annapolis Traditional Dance Society (ATDS).

All ages are welcome and all dances are taught and walked through. No experience or partner is required. If you have any questions, call Jan Scopel at 443- 540 0867 or visit www.contradancers.com/atds.

Annapolis is well-known for its live music scene and tonight is no exception. Out at Sam's on the Waterfront (2020 Chesapeake Harbor Dr. East), the Dick Rausch and Larry Griffin Trio will perform blues like you read about from 8 p.m. on.

Downtown, enjoy the rock sounds of Higher Hands at Armadillo's (132 Dock St.), the rock and soul sound of The Mike McHenry Tribe and Dana B at Middleton Tavern (2 Market Space), and across the bridge in Eastport progressive/original rock and roll of Sammie and the Pirates.

Club/dance fans should head to Federal House (22 Market Space), O'Brien's (113 Main St.) or Acme (163 Main St.).

Damien Einstein is known for his ability to scout new bands that have a chance at making it big and he did quite a lot of that when he was DJing on WHFS and WRNR.

Now that he's out of the DJ business, he is helping promote homegrown music in a new way, and you have a chance to see what it is all about on Saturday night at The Whiskey (1803 West St.), when the Whiskey and Mike Numera, with Bootleg Records, present Damien Einstein's Live Homegrown Music (Episode 1).

The fun begins at 7 p.m. and features The Rhythm Handlers, Native Sons, Eileen Korn and Keegan Corbey. Admission is only $10.

Sunday

Herrington on the Bay (7151 Lake Shore Dr., Rose Haven) is hosting Herring Bay Eco Day from 1 - 5 p.m. on Sunday.

This free, all ages event aims to share the importance of taking care of the environment and ourselves in a fun-filled way, with live entertainment, seasonal concessions and lots of fun activities.

Ground, a band from Southern High School, will kick off the entertainment, with local boat music band Coastal Flats taking the stage later in the event.

Wellness seminars and demonstrations, a learn to compost area, rain barrel painting, waterman demonstrations, a birds of prey demonstration and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Herring Bay Eco Trail are just some of the things on the agenda for this great day. There will be a large kids are as well.

For more information, call 410-741-501 or visit www.herringtononthebay.com

It's the last day of the season at Proud Mary's Dock Bar at Sam's on the Waterfront (2020 Chesapeake Harbor Dr. East). They'll have live music this afternoon and a thank you party for a great summer. So come on down and sit at the bar for the last time of the season.

After watching football all day, you are sure to be in need of some good music, so head to (or stay at if that's where you've been watching the games) Stan and Joe's (37 West St.), where the Sunday Night Blues Jam is still one of the best places to find hot blues in town.

Monday

Brown Shoe, indie rockers from California, recently released their third record "Jackalope" and embarked on a 20+ date tour of the United States, which includes a stop right here in Annapolis at The Whiskey (1803 West St.) on Monday night.

Although they've been compared to Sigur Ros, Doves, My Morning Jacket and even early REM, what's more interesting is that Brown Shoe is building a career and name for itself independent of any major label support.

They're playing the Whiskey along with Riddie Becker from the Grilled Lincolns and the Brass Uncle band.

Cover is a mere $5. Doors open at 8. I can't think of a better way to start your week. Visit www.brownshoemusic.com and www.myspace.com/brownshoe for more information.

Tuesday

Morton's The Steakhouse in Annapolis is hosting a One Year Anniversary celebration on Tuesday, from 6 - 8 p.m. The event will celebrate the first anniversary of Morton's in Annapolis along with the unveiling of an exclusive Morton's Annapolis cocktail, the "Annapolitan," in honor of the 300th anniversary of Annapolis.

Mayor Ellen Moyer will be a special guest at the event. Cost to attend is $100 per person with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. Call 410-568-8808 for reservations.

Next door, and a little easier on the wallet, Fado (1 Park Place) is hosting, with the Social Pro network, a singles mixer from 6:30 - 8:30. All singles over 21 are invited to meet, mix and mingle with other singles in a relaxed atmosphere.

Lite fare will be provided along with a cash bar. This looks like it is going to be a great party and good way to meet other people - none of the pretense of some singles events, just good food, good drinks and a good time.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Visit www.socialpronetwork.com to buy yours or find more information.

Over at b.b. Bistro (112A Annapolis St.), local musician Michael K will perform an acoustic preview of his upcoming CD, including some songs that have yet to be performed in public.

The acoustic showcase takes place at 6:30. Seating is limited; call 410-990-4646 to reserve a table. Delicious coffees and treats will be available.

Cover is $5. Visit bbBistroAnnapolis.com for more information.

Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits and Sam's on the Waterfront (2020 Chesapeake Harbor Dr. East) will host a Jolly Beggar's Scotch Society dinner featuring tastings from the cult Scotch Bowmore.

The five-course meal will feature five very rare heavy Islay brand of Scotch whiskies and a five course traditional Scottish dinner, all for only $85. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. Call (410)263-3600 for more information.

Wednesday

Green Drinks, the eco-friendly networking happy hour held once a month in Annapolis, is at the Annapolis Yacht Club on Wednesday beginning at 5:30. Visit www.annapolisgreen.com for more information.

The Whiskey (1803 West St.) has switched things up a bit, now offering different sounds on alternating Wednesdays. This week, it's the Dead Jam with Dave Tieff and Jon Gosnel.

Thursday

Each Thursday, Park Place hosts Thursdays in the Park from 5 - 7 - a great way to celebrate the almost-end of the week. Free appetizers from Fado and Carpaccio circulate, live music plays, stores offer discounts - it's a great evening all around.

Coming up

In one of the more exciting musical announcements for long time fans of the Annapolis scene, Bryan Ewald, Mickey Eckman and Dana B will be reuniting to play a show at Middleton Tavern (2 Market Space) on Friday, Oct. 24 at 10 p.m.

This extremely popular trio has not played together as such since they ended their Sunday Armadillo's gig in 2006, so this is going to be one special night of music. Make plans now!

The Young Advocates of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County will be holding their annual Halloween Happy Hour on Thursday Oct. 30 at Greystone Grill (200 Westgate Circle, across from the Westin).

A $20 donation at the door includes appetizers and one free drink, with all proceeds benefitting the programs of the Boys & Girls Club. Come dressed to impress - the costume contest includes a $250 cash prize! The fun starts at 7 p.m.

The UVaClub of Annapolis, in conjunction with the Virginia Athletic Foundation (VAF), will sponsor a cocktail reception in Annapolis with guest of honor, recent Hall of Fame inductee, men's head lacrosse coach Dom Starsia at The Rockfish (400 6th St.).

Admission is $35 and includes hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. For more information, please visit the UVa Club of Annapolis Web site at www.uvaclubs.virginia.edu/annapolis or contact Ted Staples (410-268-6600, ext. 3411) or Claire Louder (410-672-3422).