Schoolyard Slams

Local DC kids doing slam poetry? Heck yes. You can volunteer too! DC Scores is hosting two events (eastside, westside) this week on Wednesday in Columbia Heights and Thursday in Northeast.

Anything that gives kids a voice and a poetic outlet, rocks, in my opinion.

See ya there!

Sunsets, Monuments, and Swimmers

Enjoy masterpieces of district's best chefs and photographers.

It's Foto Week in DC. Oh and Restaurant Stimulous week. These are great date ideas: Get on it!

This week...

Time to break out the stage combat skills. The Source Theater is debuting their new space at 1835 14th St NW with an all weekend celebration (Nov 22-23). Saturday evening's performance costs $20-25, but the workshops and classes on Sunday are all free. Personally, I think I need to add belly dancing, stage combat, and light saber skills to my repertoire.

To get your culture on mid-week, check out the Beaujolais Nouveau release party at Bistrot du Coin this Wednesday (Nov 19th, 11PM). Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine made from young grapes and only aged 3 weeks. French law dictates it can't be opened until the third Thursday of November, hence there are often big parties the night before. I'm sure other places in DC are also staging events, but this one seems to be the biggest. Sadly, this probably means it'll be super crowded, so go early.

Mustaches, Accordians, and such

I met a member of this fabulous band on a canoe trip when he capsized upon launching his canoe. I pointed and laughed and then proceeded to capsize my canoe with 3 passengers. Oops. Great guy, great mustache.

Ice Cream and November just go together

...I didn't really mean that to rhyme, oh well.

Ben and Jerry's is giving away free ice cream to anyone who votes on November 4th (from 5-8PM). They accept an "I Voted" sticker as proof, but I'd really like to see what they think the "I Voted Dance" looks like.

As if you didn't need more motivation to vote, Qi Spa is also running a special promotion. Send them an email as a "vote", and you can win various discounts.

UPDATE: More free stuff on election day for voters -

Krispy Kreme - get a free donut for showing you voted.

Starbucks - get a free tall cup of coffee.

DRAG RACE TIME!!

YES! I finally get to use a picture from ProjRunway in a blog post!

It's time for the one and only Dupont High Heel Race (also known as the Drag Race, which is a much better name). The Tuesday before Halloween (it happens every year; might as well make it a recurring event in Outlook now) come to 17th street (between P and Q mostly) to watch the "ladies" race two blocks in heels. The race usually starts at 9 (and lasts about 45 seconds so don't be late), but the real fun is the parade before hand. The street will be blocked off and everyone will just be showing off their costumes. You can't call yourself a Washingtonian until you get your picture with Condi in drag.

"History is just one bloody thing after another"

The Overbeck lecture series has started up again for the fall. About once a month, they host speakers at the Naval Lodge at 4th and Penn to discuss various Capitol Hill or DC history topics. The upcoming lecture is about a guy who did a 3D rendering of DC before the 1812 British invasion. It'll be November 11th at 8PM.

Admission is free, but to RSVP and reserve a seat, email OverbeckLecture@aol.com. Space is limited though they almost never sell out.

These lectures are a great opportunity to learn about DC, like the fact that the Safeway at 14th and Kentucky SE is on the site of an old brewery. Or the gnarled tree on the Washington Monument grounds used to be the boundary of the Potomac River,

All the Green that fits in the Convention Center

A mere 4 days after free ice cream, the Green Festival is taking over the Convention Center (a.k.a my neighbor). Films, yoga classes, exhibitors, speakers, green building, and everything else green you want to know or celebrate (including organic beer!).

(It isn't free, but there are discounts for seniors, college students, bikers, public transit users, and union members. Who wants to compete to see who can fit the most categories?)

Nice Shoes!

Ever have the urge to be overwhelmingly nice to strangers? A group called Cruel 2 B Kind is organizing just the event you need. On October 18th from 2-4PM, they're getting a group of folks together on the National Mall for an Assassins-style game. But, instead of water guns, the only weapons you can use are predesignated acts of kindness (complimenting someone's shoes for example). And since you don't know who is playing, half the time, you might just be complimenting a stranger (and hopefully making them smile). It's all free, but you do have to preregister.

The level of detail the organizers have put into the rules really makes the nerd in me cheer. So, if anything, I might go down just to watch.

Duke Ellington Jazz Fest!

I haven't spent too much time looking at the events since I'll be out of town this weekend, but we're in the midst of the Jazz Festival. There are free events down on the Mall this weekend and some ticketed events going until October 7th.

Hard Knock Life, For Reals

As part of the All Roads Film Festival at National Geographic (love those guys and their pretty pictures) there's a sweet free outdoor hip hop concert. Check it:

9:30 pm—K'NAAN in Concert
As a child growing up in war-torn Somalia, hip-hop artist K’NAAN saw more violence and tougher streets than any gangster rapper could imagine. Now, in North America, he has established himself as a voice for change, a peacemaker, and a cultural bridge between the developing world and the West. His debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, left an indelible mark on the hip-hop world and earned him a Juno award for Best Rap Recording. This performance will feature the Washington, DC, premiere of new material from his upcoming album, Troubadour. This concert will take place in the National Geographic Courtyard.

Free Language Classes!

Ever wonder how much fun it would be to tell your boss to "shove it" in a foreign language?!

The Global Language Network is here to help! A student org that started at GWU, they host language immersion and language survival classes in over 20 languages...for FREE! Anyone is welcome to join; they just require a $100 deposit to make sure the instructors/organizers don't waste their time setting up a class no one goes too. Registration is open now for the Fall season until October 6th.

Feel free to comment here with fun new phrases you've learned!

Mountains of Femininity

Pop Quiz: What do Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keefe have in common?

Answer: Same thing they have in common with me - A love of the picturesque Southwest landscape.



Both of these artists lived and worked in the American Southwest and were, in fact, pals. They kicked it at Georgia's ranch in New Mexico and stared at the same red rocks together. The current exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum compares their photos and paintings. It runs through Jan '09. And of course, it's a Smithsonian so it's free.

So get to the gallery and stand in get inspired...and maybe a little aroused.

Peter, are you sure it was a book?

For the bibliophiles out there, the National Book Festival is this weekend. I normally try to avoid anything Laura Bush is involved in, but hey, Tiki Barber will be there too, so it can't be all bad. Schedules for the author pavilions and book signings are on the website.

And for those who enjoy imbibing responsibly to make McCain more palatable, here are just two of the Presidential Debate Drinking Games I've found on that crazy thing we call the Internet.

Green Hump Day

So Bethesda is out of the District technically, but it's still on the Metro. So ride over to the launch of Bethesda Green, a new environmental non-profit.

Check out this swanky little networking opp at the Hyatt Regency Wed September 24th! There's going to be sweet jams from 94.7 the Globe (the self-proclaimed green radio station of DC) who plays some kickin' classic rock. There will also be some free nibbles from Organic to Go and a cash bar (come on that doesn't need a link!).

Make your humps green and get to Bethesda.

If you missed Restaurant Week...

...Ceiba is celebrating its fifth anniversary this week by offering $5 mojitos/margaritas and lunch/dinner food specials until Sept 20th. Sounds delicious!

U-Street Shenanigans

According to random sources and fliers, every third Thursday selected U-street neighborhood shops hold a "Shopper Social". Now, while I don't encourage shopping or generally buying things you don't need, I do encourage socializing.

So go meet some vendors, check out their wares and eat their free hors d'ouerves this Thursday, September 18th. Or any other third Thursday for that matter!

Walking/Bike Tours

Cultural Tourism DC is hosting 80 free walking/biking tours around DC this weekend (Sept 20-21). Check the schedule out here.

A Kick in the Arts

You thought summer festivals were over? No way.

The Arts on Foot is having an outdoor festival in Chinatown and it's sponsored by Wines of Argentina. How exciting is that? So there will be wine and restaurant sampling, music, arts, and crafts. If you have kids, I guess you could bring them, but keep them away from the "World Market Wine Area", k?

All over Penn Quarter there will be all kinds of exhibits from film screenings to museum open houses.

So while this freevoliter is on crutches, will some of you PLEASE take advantage fleeting late summer weather?

Rock out at the KC

The Kennedy Center's Open House Arts Festival is this Saturday, September 13. From noon and 11PM, there will be free performances in the various performances spaces. Artists range from a step group, "junk jams," clowning, and storytellers to a marching band, a beatbox flutist, and ballet troupes. If you want a real DC experience, stay late for the go-go groups and dance lessons (especially if you think go-go means exotic dancing).

More Festival Fun

Only two days left till the DC Shorts film festival! There are nine showcases scheduled throughout the week from September 11-18, playing mostly at the E street theater. Each viewing costs about the same as a regular movie, but there are 4 free events at noon next week (hour long viewings of family, animated, arab/israeli, or latin shorts) and a few screenplay readings also.

More transportation fun!

Now that you've enjoyed your solar cab ride, be prepared to ditch your car completely. September 22nd is Car Free Day. The goal is to give everyone a glimpse of what our neighborhoods would be like with less cars moving around. Even if you don't own a car, take the pledge and show your support...

...then five days later, break out the old cruiser and take a ride with WABA for Bike DC (on September 27th for the math deficient). It's a meandering 17 mile ride (not race), touching on a number of interesting places in the city and will be car free. Sure it's $35, but is a great way to support local biking and sweat off the Friday night hangover.

Not a Kareoke Cab, But Pretty Cool!

So the energy crisis is a little disheartening. I know some of you would prefer I didn't call it a crisis, but let's just put that aside and put a little sunshine in our lives.

The Swiss are ingenious (think Ikea and hot cocoa). One of theirs (or should I say ours - yes- I'm part Swiss!) is cruising across the world for the last year giving people rides in his Solar Taxi.

You can find him, and Carmen Sandiego in these spots this week:

George Washington University
Wed. Sep. 3: 11 am - 2 pm, 21st & H St NW

Woodrow Wilson Building
Wed. Sep. 3: 3-4 pm , 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Capitol Hill
Thur. Sep. 4: 11 am -1 pm, Maryland and 1st St SW
(Garfield Circle, betw. U.S. Botanic Garden & Capitol Reflecting Pool)

Ride On!

Ben's Chili Bowl Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

The 930 Club is hosting a FREE concert this Sunday to honor the tastiest place to grab 3am grub in DC. Check it out!

Ben’s Chili Bowl 50th Anniversary Come One Come All Love Concert!
EU featuring Sugar Bear • Trouble Funk • Wes Felton & Friends • Mambo Sauce • Lady Pcoq & Poem-Cees • V. Rich • Pancake Mountain and special guests!
This Sunday!
August 24
1pm Doors
FREE

click here for more info

I'm sure there are other events going on this week at Ben's, so comment if you hear of anything.

It's a Foot Stompin' Hand Clappin' Wednesday

Tonight at Madame's Organ!
So there's a little local flavor going on this week. First of all, tonight a new bluegrass band (you might recognize some of your friends from other events around Mt. Pleasant and the 7th Street Garden.) 8-9pm. Free before 8pm. $4 after.

Tomorrow at Marx Cafe!
Neighborhood night in Mt. Pleasant. Nothing but some funk music, neighbors and a goodtime. What else? I think it gets going around 8 or 9pm.

Acquired Tastes

Well, I'm glad to see you all enjoyed Screen on the Green with lots of Cheese and Wine. The Thao show was rockin' though not as much as usual. Someone want to tell me why DCists don't dance? It's a sickness I think.

It's time to move on to something more refined than wine and cheese in the grass and indie bluegrass. I know a lot of you are foodies, so I thought I'd start throwing in some free tasty tidbits from around DC. These are not your typical Pentagon City Costco samples!

Coffee Cupping in Adams Morgan
Counter Culture puts on these steamy trainings and tastings weekly. If you ask nicely they will tell you about their policies on fair trade and organic too!

Farmer's Markets all over DC
Mmmm, just go there and nibble on juicy samples of this season's peaches and tomatoes. I hear that the 14th and U street market has Argentine gelato these days. The Dupont one's always hopping, and last week in Mt. P they were cooking up Indian food on the stage.

Bon Apetit and let me know when there are free French lessons!

Relive the Good'Ol Days

If you're like me and miss Mickey Mouse pancakes, climbing trees, naptime, and Kermit the Frog it's time to stop drinking away your nostalgia and get into the Smithsonian exhibit: Jim Henson's Fantastic World .

You can see all that paraphernalia that made childhood silly and fun at the International Gallery at the S. Dillon Ripley Center. (Uhhh, rigghhht...I didn't know where the heck that was either. FYI: It's here.)

Tax Free Week!

In other "week of" news, it's tax free shopping week. Until midnight Sunday the 10th, all clothing and related items under $100 each are tax free. Time to splurge!

Restaurant Week!

Twice a year, the dining community gets together to celebrate friends and abuse the great chefs of DC. That's right, it's time for Restaurant Week! Between August 11-17, certain restaurants will offer three-course prix fixe meals. It's a great excuse to check out that expensive place you've been dying to try but can't afford.


Follow the link for participating restaurants and menus. They unfortunately increased the cost of dinner to $35.08, but lunch is still $20.08. The more popular places will fill up quick so definitely make reservations if you can.

Bon appetit!

Free Slurpees Tomorrow!

TGIFFS! Thank Goodness for Friday and Free Slurpees at 7-11! It's July 11 (7-11) tomorrow so go sugar yourself up, sugar.

Thank You, Jessica for this invaluable piece of information that will keep us all much happier on this hot DC summer day! See you all at Jazz in the Garden with your Slurpees in hand.

(If you're Dumb or Dumber and buy a Big Gulp instead tomorrow...Welp, see ya later).

Hip-Hopapotami Loose in DC!

DC has been named the Chocolate City, and that's not because of any confectioners in town. We've got some uniquely American vibes here in our Nation's Capital, even disregarding all the forefathers and whatnot. Historic U Street Corridor has hosted some of the finest jazz legends (just walk down 13th Street to see Duke Ellington's old house). They were America's musical forefathers...

So it's not a surprise that the city is hosting the Hip-Hop Theater Festival which includes the Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Slams. These guys are probably legends in the making. What DC 'hood is going to be theirs in 20 years?

The programs run through Saturday, July 12 and are followed up by after parties at various bars around town. The music will be dance-able, fo'sho'.

Rock on! I mean...uh...

Chocolate Jesus and 3 Murdered Clowns

Looking for more fringe than a rip roarin' speakeasy? The Capital Fringe Festival from July 10-27 includes shows with titles like "Chocolate Jesus" and "3 Murdered Clowns." This is edgy performance art, so expect to feel uncomfortable in your seat and prepare to have your intellectual and emotional sensitivities challenged.

Speaking of uncomfortable, I think you better buy a ticket to this show immediately: Dorks On The Loose. You never know if a freevoliter will be making a cameo...

Backyard Gourmet

Summer in the City is all about the food, the shirtless runners, and the sundresses for me. The extensive network of farms in this region does nothing short of rock my socks. I've met some farmers here: they are innovative, progressive, fun-loving and very attractive. Now it seems like the farming frenzy has hit the city and everyone wants a piece of the action.

Check out Liz and Susan's 7th Street Garden down in the Shaw neighborhood.
They are always having workshops, volunteer days, and events all over the city. Everyone has a right to delicious, nutritious, and locally grown food, right? Yeah, I thought so. and have you seen their sexy Metro-Tees?

Tomorrow night you might want to wash the dirt off your hands and put on your seer-sucker for the Garden Party at Poste Moderne Brasserie courtyard. The event will feature food grown on-site and prepared by Executive Chef Robert Weland. The coolest part about this is that the $10 cover gets you two cocktails, nibbles, and benefits the Trust for Public Land .

Do you guys love DC? I do and I'm hungry.

When in the course of human events...

you want to celebrate Independence Day and somehow ended up without plans...just check Freevolity!

Wednesday July 2
Xtreme 4 Victory Party
6-8pm Capitol Hill Bikes
Welcome back the Julie's brother and the other crazies who biked and carpooled from San Diego to Annapolis to raise awareness for global climate change! There will be refreshments and "munchies". Why do they need munchies?! Hippies...

Thursday July 3
The Grog and Tankard in Glover Park 2408 Wisconsin NW
Xico Manarolla opens at 9:00
BITs headline at 9:30
The BITs blend elements of rock, punk, and folk into topical tunes that express the sentiments of 21st century somebodies. Hopefully they'll be singing about the 4 day work week and global warming. No. I'm not kidding.
Friday July 4th
This Friday is the Capitol Hill Community Parade and Family Festival featuring floats, games, food, music and more.

Join the Freemasons of Capitol Hill's Naval Lodge #4 to raise funds for the Capitol Hill Cluster School. A "Free Lobster Buffet" is featured, but I think it's a band...bummer.

PARADE
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
8th and I Streets, SE to Eastern Market

FESTIVAL
12:00 to 4:00
Hine Junior High School
(Across from Eastern Market – the lot where they do the weekend flea market)

What Do Bhutan, Texas, and NASA Have In Common?

Nothing really, except that they are all at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival this summer. There are festivities until June 29th and then July 2-9.

Check out some of the related concerts happening on Millenium Stage in Kennedy Center too: Who knew there were so many NASA garage bands!

I haven't been to this yet, so will you guys please post comments and tell me which tents have the best Bhutanese samples?

MONDAY: Population, Nature, and What Women Want

Well this sounds sexy! Maybe that's just the green in me talkin'.

Speaking of talking...Meet me at Busboys and Poets on Monday night for a book talk and live music. We'll hold hands and sing songs like a bunch of hippies.

Bob Engelman will be discussing and signing his new book, More: Population, Nature, and What Women Want, and performing songs inspired by the book, at Busboys and Poets in U Street, June 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Peace...love...and guitar.

Big Hunt TONIGHT!

Be there or be a square. Okay, well maybe that's not quite the phrase.

Anyway, we all know the traditional Wednesday night Big Hunt gathering. Tonight is a special celebration of a not so celibate friend's return to D.C. (short for Drinking Capital).

Welcome back our fearless RV-steering buddy to all bikers...the one...the only...the most frivolous of freevoliters...Miss Julie Serfass.

We missed you. We'll see you tonight.

Drinkin' for Good, Part Deux (THIS WED!)

Please party responsibly! (read: give your beer bucks to charity.)

Live Green Launch Party
Black and Tan Fantasy Band (Talent from Thievery Corp!), free refreshments from Honest Tea and off the grill
7pm on the deck at Local 16, $10 if you mention New Dream

AYUDA (American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad) Happy Hour
Unspecified festivities, chance to win $$ and help adorable children in Latin America.
5-8pm, Mezzanine of Madame's...I know you guys know a bartender there...

Happy Houring!

Lunchtime Distractions

For those of us who are nine-to-fivers (or eight-to-sixers), it can be hard to do anything after work. Sometimes, the middle of the day is when you need the most distraction, when that Chipotle burrito is making you sink into a vegetative food coma.

I'm jealous of you downtown types in your business casual who can stimulate your intellect on your lunch hour and stay lookin' and thinkin' sharp all day.

Tuesday at Noon
National Geographic Explorers Hall
Beautiful films and documentaries from all over the world.

Capitol Riverfront Concerts, 12-1:30pm
New Jersey and Tingey St Plaza behind the DOT
Latin, Bluegrass, R&B...and I think they give you free snacks!!

Jazz on Wednesdays, 12:30pm
Corcoran Gallery of Art
Rub 'bows with the high brow

Art + Coffee
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Meet in the F Street Lobby for a free tour and tea, dahling.

Jazz Duets
Courtyard between 20th, 21st, L and M Streets NW
Don't ask me, I heard it from Res. I also think there's lunchtime Ultimate pick up around there somewhere.

Happy lunching!

Fun. Free. Friday. TGIF!

1) Start your day with frozen yogurt at Tangy Sweet's grand opening.
-->2029 P st in Dupont, 11am-2am = free froyo

2) End your day with your toes in the fountain at Jazz in the Sculpture garden
-->near the Archives Metro, starts at 5:30pm

3) Start your night with more frozen yogurt and an accordion concert
-->Natural History Museum (10th and Constitution), starts at 7:30pm

DC's Secret Gardens

I love all things green and I'm secretly a die-hard romantic. I believe people should stroll around these places holding hands, marvelling at the natural world, and stop only to smell the waterlilies and kiss in the shade...And yes, I'm single.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Quarles and Douglas Sts., on Anacostia Ave
Believe it or not, some parts of the Anacostia river are beautiful. If you show up when they open at 7am, you can watch the lilies unfold.

US Botanic Garden
Just below the capitol building. It's big and glass, you can't miss it!
Visit habitats the world over and learn all about medicinal and perfumery plants...or just chill out by the fountain under the banana trees.



National Arboretum
Enter at 3501 New York Ave NE or 24th & R Streets NE
Stroll about the extensive grounds and check out the eerie old Capitol collonade or some equally creepy bonzai.

Tulip Library
Near the Tidal Basin where Maine and Independence Avenues meet
In the fall it's a physical catalog of tulips, but in the other seasons the National Park services puts in random plantings and provides a little pamphlet. Stop and smell the flowers on the way to pick-up or kick ball.

Enid A. Haupt Garden
Tucked behind the Smithsonian Castle
This is the loveliest place to sit in the shade, read a book, or people watch. Nooks abound.

The Summer House
Just to the left of the front lawn of the Capitol Building.
This anachronistic, hexagonal, hut of water fountains feels straight out of the Secret Garden. Stop by and bathe with the birds.

Booty Shakin' and Money Makin'

Thanks to Julia for this:

Dance4Life
Ibiza nightclub, 10pm-close
Get down with your bad self (and other like-minded individuals) and help raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness in DC high schools.

Music brought to you by: DJ 2rip, Dainbramage, and The Pseudo Society with special guests Hiphopapotamus and Rhymenocerous (okay just kidding, but that would be awesome, right?)

No cover before 11pm if you email GLOWLIST@DISTRICTIGNITION.COM to get on the guest list.

Save the Date!

Phew! Don't worry, guys: Screen on the Green does not start until July 14. So stretch your outdoor movie viewing muscle with James Bond until then.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on DC's secret gardens, bikin' and hikin' trails, ethnic markets and other summer hotspots.

Drinkin' for Good

DC is a drinkin' town: Home of the Happy Hour. Sometimes its just hard to network your way onto the hill without lubing up first. Other times you need to drown the misery of 9-5 in front of a computer screen. But most times, it's just fun.

To ensure your beer money goes to a good cause (read: feel less guilty about that guilty pleasure), check out these events:

Next Step Charter School Benefit
The Heights, Wed May 21 5-9pm, specials 'til 7:30
Battle gentrification by...wait what?

Coast to Coast for Vets send-off
James Hoban's in Dupont, Wed May 21, 6:30-9pm
BUIs are a serious issues, guys.

Live Green Launch
Local 16 on U Street, Wed June 18
Featuring live musical talent from likes of Thievery Corporation!
Mention New American Dream for a discount on cover

Happy Hour-ing!

Weekday Pleasures

Shitty day at your underpaid job? Do you just want to get out and enjoy your Wednesday evening? Try these free weekday pleasures:

Bond Film Festival
Outdoor James Bond Movies every week at sunset
New York and Florida NE on Thursdays
Crystal City on Mondays
Rosslyn on Fridays (see comment from Res below)

Art-o-matic
Wednesday thru Sunday until June 15th
11 floors of local artists

Sounds in the Square
Local bands you already love play in Farragut Square
Random Thursdays at 5pm through September
Think they'll give us anything for wearing our MetroTees?

Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
Friday evenings starting May 23
Bring a picnic and a concealed nalgene of wine

Portrait Gallery,
Open until 7pm everyday
Hip-hop and vintage poster exhibits

In the beginning...

there was fun, but then somehow the good times got lost in the bustle of the capital city where we are all scrounging to build our resumes and, just maybe, make some real change in the world.

Somehow, even our social lives seem overburdened. We get dozens of emails a week, just for "fun" stuff: happy hours, concerts, openings, films, parties, and the like. That doesn't even account for the gchat status messages that include flippant invites to spontaneous festivities.

It's hard to keep track of all the frivolity. This is where you'll find updates on interesting and enriching things to do in DC.

Think of it as a guide to freevolity and other fun.

Cheers,
Mary Jo

PS Please please feel free to post comments or send me emails with events.