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!

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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