National Museum of American History is Reopened!

I'm so glad this museum reopened. Those Smithsonian dudes totally know what's up.

There is something here for everyone:

• Cars trains and automobiles (exhibit sponsored by GM before the bailout, presumably.)
• First Ladies and their gowns (Michelle O is in there already!)
• Oscar the Grouch and Kermit the Frog (the real green guys!)
• An inventions exhibit where you can read about cool design (I know I know nerd alert)
• And for all you foodies: JULIA CHILD'S KITCHEN! For real.
  

Nowruz Madness! Persian New Year Celebration is Here Again

I know, it seems like we just had the New Year's Eve celebration. We did, then we had the lunar celebration with the Chinese, and now it's time for the Persian New Year: Nowruz.

The Freer and Sackler Galleries is hosting a full day of Persian New Year exhibits, music, storytelling, crafts, and food! My friend's aunt is cooking this Saturday and we get to jump over the fire (or at least some fire if we show up between 10am-12pm). You can go to my favorite DC garden after the festivities!

So get your flame-retardant shoes on and get ready to ring in the New Year...again...this Saturday from 10:30am-6pm.

Red Carpet on the Yellow Line: Oscar Nominated Documentaries at the Archives

This is just cool! I know a lot of you are going out of town, but this is awesome.

National Archives is showing this year's Oscar nominated documentaries every night at 7pm for free this weekend!

So Sorry! I'm back to give you the best of DC's Free Social Scene!

I'm so sorry! I've been neglecting my fans. (Okay, so about three of you read this, but at least two thirds of you complained that I was not keeping up my end of the bargain.)

So I'm back, to bring you the best of what's free and fun in the DC area. In fact, it will include films, exhibits, foodie events, openings, parks, gardens, and general "beers for a cause" events!

Hope you'll tune in and check back!

Cheers,
First Freevoliter in Charge

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!

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?)

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.

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?

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!

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.)