Monthly Archives: May 2010

The Daily Feed
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Win Two Tickets to Sound Bites this Sunday!

soundbites.jpg

This Sunday night at the 9:30 Club, DC Central Kitchen is hosting a fundraiser to help raise their operating budget for 2010. The organization’s mission is to use food to strengthen bodies, empower minds and build communities, something that everyone here in town can get along with. More than just a shelter, DC Central Kitchen runs a culinary job training program where less fortunate residents can get the job training they need to work in the city’s amazing kitchens.

DC Central Kitchen has teamed up with the 9:30 club to showcase some of the city’s best food and its best DJs to combine into a must-go event to help the community. 9:30 club will be open both inside and out, for the first time in its history as part of the event, with food sponsors like BGR, Church Key, CommonWealth Gastropub, Cork, EatBar, Masa 14 and Sâuçá.

Tickets are just $30 and include all you can taste, and all you can dance. Will Eastman, Fatback, U.S. Royalty, Bluebrain, Midnight Kids and Beautiful Swimmers will all be performing as part of the benefit, as well.

Better yet, we’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away right here on the blog. Tell us what you’re excited to eat, and why you want to help DC Central Kitchen below and you’ll be in the running for one of the pairs of tickets. We’ll close this all up Wednesday at noon and give out the tickets.

News, The Daily Feed
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Goodbye Chlorine, Hello Chloramine!

Photo courtesy of
‘Drinkist’
courtesy of ‘andertho’

If your water at home tastes a bit better tonight, you have the annual switch back to chloramine from chlorine will bring less flavor to your tap. The chlorine treatment is an annual thing, and for ten weeks, DC WASA uses chlorine to do cleaning of the mains, and then switch back to chloramine which has fewer byproducts. It may take up to a week for the change to be completed throughout the area, and those water-imbibers who have special needs should be aware of the change. You can also go to this website for your plumbing needs and they can help you with your water treatment.

The DC 100
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DC Omni 100: #88 Flowers

Photo courtesy of
‘Naturally Wild’
courtesy of ‘Sandy Austin’

This week’s installment of the Omnivore 100, a list of foods all omnivores should try at least once.

The Omnivore 100 list entry #88 is kind of cryptic. “Flowers.” Which gave me pause- some flowers are quite toxic. And I don’t know about you, but rose-infused anything just tastes like a grandmother’s perfume to me. (Imagine my disappointment when I tried Turkish Delight, the thing Edmund sold out the other Pevensie children for, only to discover that it tasted like an old lady. Bleh.) So this week, I’m going to talk Nasturtiums.

I first tried Nasturtium flowers at home from flower delivery dublin, when one of the many vegetable/tomato purveyors was selling small bags of them and offering samples. I was hesitant, remembering my horrible experience with Turkish Delight, but to my very great surprise, the petals tasted peppery, like a strong arugula. And they’re prettier than arugula, so if you’re trying to impress someone with a nice meal, Nasturtium blossoms in the salad are a good place to start.   Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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I coulda bought her something but now she gets to pay

YouTube Preview Image

Signature Theater is pimping [title of show] by offering some discounts for multiple ticket buys. The above video explains how their “9 people’s favorite thing” club works, but I would be astonished if you couldn’t simply get this deal when purchasing tickets. Folks like myself who saw the show before the promotion was created are told they can simply drop buy the box office to pick up their discount card, so if they give you some lip just send in your innocent looking 9-year-old niece to ask for one.

Once you have it you get an increased discount on every purchase but don’t get cocky – you’re not going to get 20% off ticket 1 then 30% off ticket 2 – a call to the box office confirmed that it’s per-bundle you buy.

It’s a nice deal and a fun show.

The Daily Feed
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Will You Get WaPo’s iPhone App?

Photo courtesy of
‘the washington post’
courtesy of ‘nevermindtheend’

Got an extra $1.99 hanging around and a hankering to have faster access to the Washington Post than you could from your iPhone’s Safari browser? The previously announced WaPo iPhone app, which has been hanging around the iTunes App Store for almost exactly a month now, was the subject of a nice blast e-mail coming from the Post’s Web team earlier today. So, if you haven’t downloaded it yet, just a friendly reminder that, well, you can.

Is this a neat foray into apps or just a “look we can go mobile” idea from the respected daily? As a non-iPhone user, I’m the wrong person to ask about its potential utility (although I did like that WaPo’s e-mail asked for feedback for those of us on other devices). Are there any readers using the app already or planning to get it? Should it be free instead? Interested to hear some thoughts on this one.

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Spectrum @ Velvet Lounge 5/13/10

spectrum at velvet lounge
courtesy of Spectrum.

It was a psychedelic throw-down at the Velvet Lounge on Thursday night when Spectrum dropped in to kick-off their current U.S. tour. In what is easily the best live set I have personally seen performed at the Velvet Lounge, the equipment heavy 4-man unit turned the tiny stage into their own personal sound laboratory and dazzled the small but dedicated crowd with an explosive evening of controlled feedback and groovy repetition.

For the uninitiated Spectrum is the most traditional of the many music projects led by Peter Kember aka Sonic Boom. Sonic Boom was one of the members of the hypnotically brilliant Spacemen 3, a legendary UK guitar band from the 80’s underground. Since Spacemen 3’s demise in the early 90’s, Sonic Boom has been pushing the envelope with experimental projects like Experimental Audio Research and Spectrum. The material Sonic Boom records as Spectrum began with a sound very similar to his former band but quickly evolved away from guitars and for many years became based around vintage keyboards and organs. His music has always maintained a ‘head’ music atmosphere even with the move away from guitars and feedback into tone drones and synth symphonies. On Spectrum’s latest EP, “War Sucks“, the band’s sound seems to be cycling back into guitar freak-out territory. I first saw Spectum at All Tomorrow’s Parties NY in 2008. The set was an equal mix of keyboard and guitar manipulations that also featured a nice dose of Spacemen 3 songs. The whole 2008 set was a laid-back fuzz-fest. So it was with the new EP and the 2008 show in mind that I went into Thursday night figuring the concert could go either way. In other words I didn’t really know what to expect.
Continue reading →

Adventures, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors
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Beach Bumming Bus

Photo courtesy of
‘Day 229: Lavallette, NJ’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

The amazing weather this weekend reminded me of the local summer fun to be had at local area beaches.  The Good: Sandy waterfronts. Cooling, salty waves. Luscious, vitamin D rays. Fun with family and friends. Dogfish beer. Crab.  The Bad: Hours of battling through weekend traffic congestion.

However, bus company DC2NY has come to beachgoers’ rescue with a summer bus service to both Rehoboth and Dewey Beach starting Memorial Day weekend. Riders will enjoy wi-fi, electrical outlets at every seat, a frequent riders reward program and a bottle of water for the journey. There’s not a less stressful way to start your beach weekend then by letting the bus driver tackle the traffic while you facebook with your friends or catch up on your Hulu watching.

The Daily Feed
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Help Stop Sex Trafficking in DC


Logo from YWTF-DC

Did you know that sex trafficking is a problem right here in DC? The answer to that question is most likely “no”. And that’s one big reason to save next Tuesday on your calendar. YWTF, Young Women’s Task Force of DC, is holding their annual fundraiser, Cheers to Choice, Tuesday, May 25th in NE DC. This year’s program focuses on the sex trafficking problem in DC and around the country. Funds raised at the event will go to support YWTF’s work throughout the year, as well as benefit Courtney’s House – a non-profit that provides safe housing for sex trafficked teenage girls in the DC area, an undeniably worthy cause. All in-kind donations will also go to Courtney’s House.

They’ve put together an interesting list of speakers on the topic to really raise awareness and socialize around the issue. Speakers include DC Council Member Phil Mendelson (invited), who will be talking about his own anti-human trafficking work in DC, Executive Directors of Courtney’s House and the Bridge to Freedom Foundation, as well as a Senior Policy Specialist at Polaris Project. You have to admire when a fundraiser is not just a chance to look pretty and feel good about yourself, it’s actually a chance to learn about an important and underexposed problem while helping to solve it at the same time.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Be a Fiesta Asia Street Fair Performer – Join the Flash Mob

Photo courtesy of
‘Asia Heritage Festival – The Fan – 5-16-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

The Fiesta Asia Street Fair, part of the Asia Heritage Festival is this Saturday, May 22nd, featuring a parade, vendors, food, music, martial arts demonstrations on Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd and 6th Streets. The fun starts at 10:00 AM and goes until 7PM, but the part I am most looking forward to, of course, is the flash mob at 1PM.

Anyone can participate- details, practice music, and choreography are available online. But if you’d like to learn from a real live person, Dhoonya Dance is teaching the dance during their beginner-level class times this week. You can drop in tonight at 6:30 to Saffron Dance at 3260 Wilson Blvd, or on Wednesday at 7PM at the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange. Since it’s a regular class slot, the $20 drop-in fee applies.

Adventures, All Politics is Local, Essential DC, Fun & Games, History, Life in the Capital, Technology, The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors, We Green DC
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“Smart” Buoy Deployed

Photo courtesy of
‘Buoy Red ‘6’ took a pounding’
courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) deployed a “smart” buoy just south of the Wilson Bridge on Friday, May 4.  The new device will provide scientists and local area boaters/educators with real-time information about the Chesapeake Bay.

The buoy is part of the the CBIBS (Chesapeake Bay Interpretative Buoy System) program and will collect weather, oceanographic and water-quality observations along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.  The program hopes to not only provide relevant data for restoration efforts, but also provide insights about the waterways’ history and encourage stewardship and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

All of the eight buoys’ measurements, along with historical information, can be accessed at www.buoybay.org (www.buoybay.org/m for mobile devices) and by phone at 877-BUOY-BAY (877-286-9229).

The Daily Feed
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Thomas O’Brien at the Corcoran Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Corcoran Gallery of Art’
courtesy of ‘dcjasmine’

Tonight at 7 PM, interior designer Thomas O’Brien will be giving a talk at the Corcoran, discussing his new book American Modern (Abrams, 2010), a survey of seven of his most influential projects.  O’Brien is the founder and President of Aero Studios, one of America’s most influential design firms, and Aero, it’s home goods boutique in NYC.  Furthermore, he has created a line of home furnishings and bedding called “Vintage Modern” for Target, designed a fittings collection for Waterworks, and has been featured in numerous publications such as Elle Decor, House Beautiful and Architectural Digest.

I hope to see you there!

A book signing will follow the talk.

The Features
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United Fall to Colorado, Continue Skid


Photo by Max Cook 

If you’ve read any of my, or anyone’s, postgame reports for D.C. United, you can see that the team comes out strong, plays hard, runs a solid defense, but then falls apart sometime after the 60 minute mark and loses the game.  In every game after the opener against Kansas City, United got hit with late goals and deflated in the face of deficit.  Against New England, it was the 80th minute; Against Chicago, it was the 80th minute; Against New York, it was the 51st minute; Against Dallas, it was the 68th minute; and last night against Colorado, it was the 67th that saw Ballouchy fake out Bill Hamid and screen himself with defender Peña to sweep a goal into the near corner.

United had numerous chances in the first half to make their mark, but just couldn’t commit that final shot, or follow the bead on a cross, or make a set piece into a goal. Defense was strong in the first half, as Peña made Casey Clark his personal mission, and Hamid was able shut down the Rapids. The second half, however, was a different story. As United began to feel the strain and the frustration, they just stopped hustling. I saw both forwards, Allsopp and Cristman, dial back in frustration as they didn’t get calls, or just missed plays. Watching them yell out in frustration at the officiating was difficult for many, as you can’t ever control the officiation in a game, all you can do is make the plays to the best of your ability. Continue reading →

Essential DC, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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Get Your Seersucker On


DC Tweed Ride 7 by maxedaperture

I say, old chap, have you heard about the Seersucker Social?  That’s right, it turns out that last fall’s Tweed Ride was such a huge success, Dandies and Quaintrelles has decided to organize another ride this spring that will be even bigger and better.  While the time and route haven’t been determined, the date has been set, so oil up your chain and mark your calendars:

“The Seersucker Social, scheduled for Saturday June 12, is set to offer the same delightful kind of unique and alternative entertainment experience by encouraging folks once again to mount their bicycles in high style. While the fall event called for tweed, seersucker has been selected as the ideal vintage fabric of choice to keep cool for the spring ride. Our event partner Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens will provide a fabulous dreamlike setting for the post-ride social.”

While the ride itself will be free, the post-ride festivities at Hillwood will set you back $20.  Check back on the Dandies and Quaintrelles website as well as Facebook for more details.

The Daily Feed
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Someone has misplaced his copy of The Federalist Papers

Photo courtesy of
‘Memorial Bridge’
courtesy of ‘dullshick’

Doug Sloan, a candidate for DC’s non-voting representative in the House of Representatives, is calling for DC to shut down bridges and commuter routes into the city for a day to bring Congress’ attention to the issue of DC Statehood.

Oh yeah, because as if the spectre of “Senator Marion Barry” isn’t enough reason for the rest of the country to not want to give DC a vote, shutting commuters out of the city is certainly not going to make anyone feel better about giving DC state-level sovereignty.

Let me bust out a little James Madison for Sloan: The entire reason a federal district was created in the first place was so that the government could provide for its own security without being dependent on (and therefore at the mercy of) a state governor or other local authority. If the Congress met within the borders of a state, a state governor/local council could decline to deploy the local militia/police to defend Congress from attack (which actually happened and directly led to Congress leaving Philadelphia). Or, in theory, a state governor could deploy the National Guard to interfere in congressional affairs (think Arkansas deploying the National Guard to prevent school desegregation). In DC, the National Guard can only be deployed by the President of the United States for exactly this reason.

Using city government resources to blockade the seat of the federal government in order to influence Congress’ decision-making would pretty much demonstrate the exact reason DC isn’t a state.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, We Love Drinks
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Friday Happy Hour: Cool Hand Cuke

Photo courtesy of
‘Cucumber Cocktail’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’ 

Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.

Last month Samer and I were treated to a sneak peek of the incredibly refreshing cocktail Owen Thomson would mix up to inaugurate the “Farm to Glass” program in his new role at Cafe Atlantico. Beginning tonight, you can try it too. Called the Cool Hand Cuke, it has a beautiful green hue quirkily topped by a baby cucumber blossom. Perfectly balanced between vegetal and spice flavors, it features SubRosa Tarragon Infused Vodka, Black Rock Farms Baby Persian Cucumber Juice, black pepper and thyme juice and “Dr. Thomson’s” spiced liquor #2.

The “Farm to Glass” program is part of Cafe Atlantico’s Farmers’ Market Dinners, a three-course menu (priced at $45) sourced from the Penn Quarter FRESHFARM market by newly appointed head chef Richard Brandenburg and served every Friday evening during market season. The “Farm to Glass” cocktail program will complement the dinners and their seasonal ingredients.

A green cocktail for a green program. Sip up what Samer called “summer in a glass,” and don’t forget to eat the baby cucumber garnish too – it’s part of the fun!

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Public Image Ltd. @ 9:30 Club 5/12/10

Public Image Ltd. at 9:30 Club 5/12/10
courtesy of PiL.

“Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.” – rumored FDR quote about Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza García.*

I couldn’t help but think of this quote as John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten aka “Uncle John” took the stage at the 9:30 Club on Wednesday night. Lydon is one of the ultimate love/hate figures in music history. For every brilliant stroke like the Sex Pistol’s ‘Bodies’ or PiL’s ‘Rise’ there is an equally hypocritical public statement or ticket price outrage to offend anew. So I was not very surprised when a lot of professed fans of Public Image Ltd balked at attending Wednesday night’s concert. After all it was over-priced and the quality of a reformed (not reunited) PiL was a huge question mark. Lydon has a lot of audacity expecting sold-out crowds 18 years after the band’s last performance or album, especially after the radically mixed reviews received for the Sex Pistols reunion tours of the late-90’s and mid-00’s. And yet there I stood with a club full of people anxiously waiting for Lydon to challenge us with his noisy, confrontational, anti-pop onslaught. As I stared at the giant PiL banner behind the stage and the growing crowd I thought, John Lydon is a son of a bitch, but (if you love his music) he’s our son of a bitch.

For me, with regard to bands, front-men, legends, and their egos, it boils down to music first, personality second. I worship the Sex Pistols and think that Public Image Ltd. was one of the most inspired and brilliant career/style shifts in music history. Lydon’s ego aside, I was on-board for this show from the get-go. My two-song preview of PiL at the Coachella Music Festival left me confident that Public Image Ltd.’s 9:30 Club show was going to be something special. I had no clue just how special this show would turn out to be.

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Night Life, The Features, The Great Outdoors, The Hill, The Mall
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Katie’s Guide to Summer

Photo courtesy of
‘Every Food Fits: Don’t Bother Us, We’re Crabby!’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Summer is my favorite season, I’ve made no secret of that on this here blog over the years. DC comes alive in the summer, with events galore. And if you’re new to DC, or new to We Love DC, or even an old faithful reader (and we love you for that, truly) I just wanted to take some time to point out that we’ve got you covered for summer.

So here is my short list of things I love about summer in DC and links to articles that we’ve written in the past to help you get the most out of it. (We call this unabashedly re-purposing content.)

So without futher ado:   Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Saturdays Free at the Corcoran


Lonely Lady by Hoffman

The Corcoran Gallery of Art will be free of admission from Memorial Day weekend (May 29) through Labor Day weekend (September 4).  This even includes access to their  (highly recommended) temporary exhibitions Helios: Eadweard Muybridge in a Time of Change and Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration.  Visitors to the Corcoran will also be able to enjoy unique programming such as community art projects, sketching workshops, tours, concerts, and more.  What do I love about DC?  Art that is easily accessible and free!