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.