Last weekend marked the debut of Midian, an all-ages club at 4632 S. Maryland Parkway. Owners of the space, originally a Morrocan restaurant, are giving the new joint a month trial--if the shows are successful enough, the place will remain open.

So far, so good. Last Friday's gig with Vegas punk band 7 Foot Midget and others brought in more than 300 people. Saturday's local emo show took in 150, a good showing despite competing with a punk show at the 18-and-over Sanctuary. The venue thus far is strictly a DIY venture, from its flier-only promotion tactics to its milk carton-and-plywood stage.

"We got the place up with punk rock kids working for free," Midian manager/booker/promoter John Robinson says. "Our idea is cool because you can only get a certain style of music from places like Sound Barrier."

Besides booking local rock/punk/hardcore acts regularly, Midian also features eclectic dance music after the bands finish, till 3 a.m. Friday nights feature trance, house and breakbeat. Saturday nights include Goth. Weeknights (starting at 10 p.m.) include a Monday night industrial promotion, and Thursdays will be '80s nights.

Robinson is also hoping to book underground national acts, a la Sound Barrier. Already he says he's received calls from bands looking to play the venue. Right now, Sound Barrier, Cafe Espresso Roma and Cafe Copioh--now owned by Jean Sylvia--are the only all-ages venues in town.

This week's shows include a ska-punk revival on Friday with Fat Like Brad, Spyhunter, Goldfish Don't Bounce and others. 7 Foot Midget will return on Saturday, along with No Ride Home and Third Man In. Sunday will feature emocore/hardcore bands 17th Angel, Faded Gray and Curl Up and Die. Shows start after 7 p.m., and patrons bringing fliers will receive a discount off the normal admission, which ranges from $3-$6.

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