‘W Is for Werth’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Tom: My weekend starts today, with the matinee of the Nationals and Mariners, followed by Neil Gaiman’s book signing at the Press Club for the tenth anniversary of American Gods. Saturday morning we’re headed out to the Farm before we head up to Baltimore to celebrate a good friend’s birthday at Camden Yards. Don’t worry, we’re scalping the tickets, so Angelos won’t get a cent of my money directly. Sunday should be a day of recovery, and I’m betting we’ll be in a movie theatre for Cars 2, either in Chinatown or Alexandria, followed by dinner at Jaleo or Ted’s Montana.

Rebecca J: Friday fun starts off with hoping on the Acela to head back to DC. Luckily, the bar car serves Dogfish so that should get me through the journey. Once off the train, I’m going to DC dive bar extraordinaire Bobby Lew’s Saloon to celebrate a friend’s birthday. I imagine a late night stop at the Amsterdam Falafel Shop on 18th will be in order. Saturday, I’ve got some gardening to attend to but after that it’s off to the Safeway Barbecue Battle, where scores of BBQ Masters will compete to win the hearts of BBQ lovers, $40,000 in cash/prizes and the coveted title of National Pork Barbecue Champion; the contest benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Sunday after all that pork goodness, I should probably do some sort of physical activity. With the weekend weather primed for heat and sun, I’ll combine my need for exercise with my need to stay cool by finally trying out Potomac Paddlessports’ Stand Up Paddling. I did it when I went to Hawaii, so I think I can handle the treacherous waters of the Potomac.

‘Carnivore BBQ’
courtesy of ‘yostinator’

Rachel: I’ll be out of town for the weekend but I have to say I’m quite sad about missing the Safeway 19th Annual National Capital Barbeque Battle. It sounds delicious and all I want to do is bask in the delicious glory of the well-cooked grub.Tickets are still available. And, if I were going to be in town, I likely would’ve dragged my best friend and her adorable cavapoo pup to the four-legged friend happy hour benefiting Lucky Dog Animal Rescue at Lou’s City Bar in Columbia Heights on Saturday. They’ll have all-day deals including $3 Leinenkugel Summer Shandys and $4 Flying Dog Old Scratch Ale. 10 percent of all patio sales will be donated to the charity.

‘Caribbean Carnival Parade’
courtesy of ‘dullshick’

Marissa: With some friends in town for the weekend, I’m hoping to make it out to the 5th Annual Del Ray Music Festival. Food and good jams makes me a happy camper. Otherwise, if I were you, I’d check out the DC Caribbean Festival’s parade down Georgia Ave. at 11 AM. Sunday night I’ll be attending the RAMMY awards, honoring some of the best in the city’s restaurant biz. I’ll be live tweeting, so you can follow my coverage of it over at @bonappetitfoodi.

Fedward: Friday night I have out of town guests so I’ll be showing them around. Maybe we’ll stick around the neighborhood and visit Room 11, maybe I’ll be true to form and take them to the Passenger, or maybe we’ll close the bar down at Fiola. Saturday if my guests don’t hit the road immediately (as they currently plan) I’ll take them to breakfast at W Domku, and that afternoon I’m finally getting around to seeing BOBRAUSCHENBERGAMERICA. I wasn’t able to see it opening weekend as originally planned, and now it’s closing so it’s my last chance — and yours! Saturday night I’ll be dining at Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper and then meeting friends for
cocktails in Alexandria, likely at PX, the Majestic, or Columbia Firehouse (to name three options). After that whirlwind the only thing on Sunday’s calendar is a restorative hangover brunch at (wait for it) the Passenger.