Category Archives: Fun & Games

Fun & Games, Music, Special Events, The Features, WTF?!
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To Air is Human

Photo courtesy of
Air guitar pants’ courtesy of ‘rabid_c’

The crowd screamed and the LED bars fluttered and held at the upper border of the E-Q shirt. “I think you all broke the t-shirt! Again, 1-2-3!” More screaming, more lights, the same result. This was how the regional US Air Guitar championships were being decided: the read out from a sound tech’s geeky, light-up shirt. I hardly batted an eyelash. It just fit into the natural course of things. After several hours of flamboyance and machismo, the honor of DC’s air guitar reputation resting on the fluctuations of a light-up t-shirt seemed like nothing to me. And that’s what the US Air Guitar Regionals, held last Friday at the 9:30 Club, was all about. Blowing your mind.

I approached competitive air guitar with a measure of incredulity. I assumed that I’d be treated to fleshy denizens of “mom’s basement”, out to strut their stuff and generally make fools of themselves, and that after two or three performances I’d grow bored and b-line for bar. I was so self-assured that I grabbed a few drinks before the competition, just to give the evening a fighting chance. Journalistic integrity (if bloggers are actually beholden to that) kept me to two beers, after which I girded my loins and headed for the 9:30.

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Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Boozy Bus = No.

Photo courtesy of
‘Hell yes. Hell yes.’
courtesy of ‘normalityrelief’

In college, I lived at this fancy apartment complex that ran a shuttle to campus during the day, and then on Thurs-Sat they also a ran night shuttle to the main bar drag on campus. We dubbed it the drunk bus. It was brilliant, and some residents even made a song on GarageBand about the bus. It was well loved.

So when I read this Examiner article about the boozy bus, a shuttle direct from the hill to Gin & Tonic, free for anyone with an intern badge, I had instant flashbacks of my drunk bus years. They were good years, but seriously? You guys? The hill? IS NOT COLLEGE, despite what you may think. (And apparently what Gin & Tonic tells you.) Continue reading →

Essential DC, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Sports Fix, The District
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The New King of the Kastles

Murphy Jensen by Max

The inaugural season of the Washington Kastles, DC’s very own World TeamTennis team, was wildly successful, selling 94% of their seats and all of their boxes, an amazing feat by any standards.  In response to this great demand, their second season proves to be even bigger and better.  The Kastles Stadium (currently under construction) will again be located in the heart of downtown on the corner of 11th & H Streets NW, will be expanded to nearly 3,000 seats, and will also host an additional “marquee player game” as well as the WTT Championship Finals.  The icing on the cake however is the addition of their new head coach, ex pro and TV personality, Murphy Jensen.

I had a chance to sit down with Jensen to discuss what he hopes to bring to the team this season.  If you know anything about Murphy and his exuberant, gung ho personality, it may come as no surprise that interviewing him was like herding cats.  Cats on a Red Bull diet.  What I’d imagined to be a well executed, fifteen minute set of questions and answers, turned into an hour long chat with one of the most high energy individuals I’ve ever met.  During our conversation we covered topics ranging from his excitement to be a part of the Kastles, his comedy travel show Murphy’s Guide,  his advice on shaving your head, the first time he drove a Porsche, playing tennis with “41”, and of course what he loves about DC.  Many of his responses were as if they came from a politician in that they were long-winded and never really answered my question, but in the end I left the Kastles office thinking to myself, “That is one awesome dude.”

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Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Shopping With A Side of Brunch

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Spodie Odie’

New York-based handbag designer Jennifer Baum Lagdameo of Ananas Collection returns to her native Washington, DC with fellow clothing designer Anya Ponorovskaya. Fashion-forward Washingtonians can stop by Firefly Restaurant on June 13th, where Ananas and Anya Ponorovskaya are holding a lovely sample sale, offering 50-75% off past season styles.

But that’s not all, with your handbag, you’ll also get food, of course! Ananas (pineapple) mimosas will be available and shoppers can nosh on the latest additions to Chef Danny Bortnick’s spring brunch menu, including favorites like snake eyes – 2 soft-cooked eggs baked in a bread basket, country sausage, red eye gravy and potatoes and green eggs and ham – spinach, gruyère and Virginia ham quiche.

Firefly is located at 1310 New Hampshire Avenue, NW. The sample sale will take place in the restaurant’s lounge. Cash is preferred but credit cards will be accepted. Oh, and would you like some charity with your shopping and food? Of course. For every bag and clothing item sold, 5% of the proceeds will be contributed to ‘Team Firefly’ for their fundraising efforts for the Breast Cancer 3-Day held in October.  And for every ananas mimosa sold, $1 will also be donated to the cause.

Essential DC, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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Bobby Lew’s, Bossa Lounge, Now Without Liquor

Photo courtesy of
‘The Argonaut Bar’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

The Going Out Gurus reported that Bobby Lew’s Saloon and Bossa Lounge had their liquor licenses revoked yesterday for low food sales. Sad for those of you in Adams Morgan who pretty much just drink there, surprise, surprise.

Molly Gannon from the WaPo shared with us that Adams Morgan ANC Commissioner Bryan Weaver says there are 16 other establishments that aren’t complying with the food sale levels, and four others may also have their licenses revoked by the board in coming weeks.

Which begs the question, would Adams Morgan even exist if there were no liquor there?

Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors
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Help Kids by Enjoying a Day on the Links

Golf
(4/365) :: Golf Thursdays by chispita_666
I just got an email about a golf tournament to support the Kena Shrine Transportation Fund, which provides free transportation for kids to get to the Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The wife/husband doesn’t like you playing golf? Just say it’s for the kids. How can they say no to the kids?

Read on:

The 15th Annual Kena Shrine Club Golf Tournament will be conducted next Tuesday, May 19th at Penderbrook Golf Course in Fairfax. This annual fund raiser golf outing will be a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., with a four man/ woman format playing Captain’s Choice/Best Ball. Plan to arrive not later than 8:00 a.m., pay fee in snack bar, get cart assignments and hole numbers.

After a continental breakfast in the club house and 18 holes of golf, we will enjoy a buffet lunch, award single and group prizes and a 50/50. The outing is all inclusive for a $50.00 fee per golfer. If you wish to play in the tournament at Penderbrook, let me know as soon as possible.

And, no, you don’t have to be a Mason or Shriner to play, although I am sure lots of folks will be happy to answer your questions about these organizations.

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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A Treasure Map, For Beer

Photo courtesy of
‘Maryland Game’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

BE STILL MY BEATING HEART, while I introduce to you the best thing I’ve seen in a long while: The DC Beer Map. I just spotted this glorious thing on Young & Hungry and could not contain myself.

Let’s review: It is a map. Of beer. With color coding, and ratings. Ah! It is beer-loving type-A heaven.

The incredibly useful map notes area brewery’s, bars, beer stores, and even homebrew stores all marked on a google map of our fine city. Click on a marker, and the map will tell you what it is, the address, the phone number, show you a picture, and let you read reviews. Oh mai gawd, I just can’t handle the happiness this is causing me. It also works in reverse, click the name of the bar you want to know more about, and the map will zoom to show you the location and profile. It’s like Yelp, but drunk. And I’m in love.

Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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DC United Ladies Night Tix Winner

Photo courtesy of
‘Three points taken’
courtesy of ‘BehindTheBadge.com’

What are all those cute boys cheering about in that picture? Well, they’re all cheering for the winner of our contest, Maggie who has won two tickets to Ladies Night this Saturday to watch DC United take on Toronto FC.

We asked readers to come up with a good Barra Brava cheer to use on Saturday in exchange for the tickets, and our staff voted to determine the winner. Congrats, Maggie, I’ll be emailing you with details soon.

Maggie’s winning cheer? Glad you asked. In appropriate fashion for Ladies Night (where they are offering manicures, amongst other fun things):

Who’s your manicurist?
Who’s your manicurist?
Who’s your manicurist, referee?

Never had one, never got one,
ragged cuticled referee!


Fun & Games, Getaways, Special Events
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Getaways: Virginia Beach (Part I)

Live the Life

This is a special edition of Getaways, which will be broken into two parts. Since Jasmine and I were both lucky enough to head to Virginia Beach, we’re tag teaming the trip for your reading pleasure.

Jasmine: Like many of you, after reading Katie’s post last month on Virginia Tourism Corporation’s mystery vacation giveaway, I put my name on the list. The temptation of an all-expenses-paid trip plus the mystery of not knowing where I would be going was just too much to handle. And a few weeks ago, after a particularly terrible day, I got the call: I had won! After extensive squealing and jumping up and down in the street, I immediately called diligent informer of awesome vacations and excellent travel companion Katie to invite her along with me. VA Tourism packed so much into our two days, we’re going to have to split this one up, with each of us taking a day. And so, without further adieu, here’s Katie to tell you all about that first crazy day. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The District
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Cafe [This Is Not That]

Photo courtesy of
‘Café Stühle’
courtesy of ‘mueritz’

The Phillips Collection is opening a new cafe tomorrow. This would be rather blase news, except this cafe is not that. Almost too-deep and meta for me to grasp (I’m having to reach back to my time at art school, here) Cafe sounds badass. Pairing actual art, with a literal eat-place, bound by the concepts in and around art, (see, told you this was deep) Cafe challenges the typical. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Cinco de Margarita!

Photo courtesy of
‘Yummy frozen margarita’
courtesy of ‘Pianoman75’

I don’t drink liquor. Okay, I just lied. I do drink liquor, sometimes, when it’s high quality. But I’ve basically sworn off liquor and become a beer girl, at least 98% if the time. This way, I don’t wind up reliving my glory days of study abroad in Australia, and have horrible stomach pains as a result. Now I’m more mature, or something like that. I’ve always gotten along with tequila (I’m an anomaly, no one can explain it, I’m like a medical miracle) and so my 2% of liquor drinking is usually reserved for times when I can indulge in my very favorite drink: a frozen marg. And with my favorite marg holiday upon us, where will one go to snag my favorite liquor drink? Continue reading →

Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The District
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Scootergate 4

Scootergate 4 by Spoffy

I recently became the father of a 1979 Vespa P200E, a toy I’ve had my eye on for a long time now.  But to some it’s more than a toy and a mode of transportation, it’s a way of life.  These scooter people make their way across the country for rallies all year long, and in June they’re coming to DC for Scootergate 4.

The festivities kick off Friday evening at the Pug which includes registration and basically a “Hey!  Good to see you, mutherf#*@$r!” type of gathering, complete with a DJ, Stupid Human Tricks, and a late night ride.  Assuming you survive that night, Saturday brings you breakfast, rally rides, Scooter Jackassery awards, dinner, and a concert at the Rock and Roll Hotel.  Still alive?  Then ride to brunch on Sunday at Airborne’s and say your tearful goodbyes until next year.  For a full itinerary that is subject to change, click here.

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Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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National Childrens’ Museum Opens Demo Space This Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘Gaylord at Night’
courtesy of ‘rgb48’
The National Childrens’ Museum (due to open at National Harbor in 2013) is opening up a 2,700 square-foot Launch Zone at National Harbor this weekend. They’re doing some big events this weekend, running from 11 to 4 both days this weekend. Saturday will feature a recycling-related theme, with performances of Willy the Water Bottle, and Sunday will feature the Washington Revels in a special performance of Sea Revels. All events are free and open to the public!

Entertainment, Fun & Games, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Meet The Belle Behind The Blog

Photo courtesy of
‘mannequins’
courtesy of ‘doyoubleedlikeme’

Are you a fashionista looking for something to do tonight? DC’s own Capitol Hill Style has partnered with London-chic brand Karen Millen to have a champagne and shopping night with a 15-percent-off discount at the Georgetown location.  Along with the discount, and drinks, you’ll also be able to get some coveted live fashion advice from Belle. I love it when the real world and the blogosphere intersect and you can meet and see the people behind the blog. (Just wait until WLDC throws an event. We’ve got some hotties on staff, that’s for sure.) If I weren’t already booked tonight, I’d be there in a heartbeat.

Fun & Games, Special Events, The Features
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DC Rollergirls: Kick-ass Fun

Photo courtesy of
‘Grand Slam. Washington, DC. April 2009.’
courtesy of ‘stuzehner’

The fans crowded closer to the action, whooping and applauding as the seconds ticked off. Three guys wearing backwards hats pumped their fists with their non-beer-holding hands. These two teams were competing for a shot at the championship and the crowd–raucous as almost any sports-loving group–was jacked up for the occasion. It wasn’t a Wizards game, nor was I among DC United Screaming Eagles. No, it was a bout of the much less widely followed but incredibly fun DC Roller Girls Roller Derby league. 

The  afternoon opened with an exhibition match between the DC DemonCats and visiting Breaker Babes of the Coal City Rollers league in Wilkes-Barre, P.A. It wasn’t much of a match-up — the DemonCats easily rolled over the  Breaker Babes. The initial bout provided an excellent opportunity, however, for me and other newcomers to the sport to get a better sense of what we were witnessing. 

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Food and Drink, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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The Rise of the Mocktail

Photo courtesy of
‘Dive In’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

I’m not sure if ya’ll knew this or not, but WLDC author Jenn is so wise. Every trend that girl has predicted lately has come true, and she was certainly right on the uptick of the mocktail – the non-alcoholic cocktail. Because going to the bar and drinking soda is boring, and you certainly don’t have a fun glass to feel fabulous holding. Sometimes you just don’t want to drink liquor but you want something tasty and creative. Enter: Natalie Bovis-Nelsen Continue reading →

Adventures, Fun & Games, Thrifty District
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Thrifty District: Reduced-Price Relaxation

Photo courtesy of
‘you need time for you’
courtesy of ‘dMap Travel Guide’

You can go ahead an insert the obligatory comments about the horrible economy plus how stressful everyone’s jobs are at the moment, and therefore make the obvious case for the increased need for stress-reducing treatments. Duh. You know my intro already. But let’s be realistic in our cost benefit analysis – is $120 for a massage going to make you feel better or worse about your financial situation? Right, you’re rolling your eyes, that’s what I thought.

But just because you can’t afford it doesn’t mean you don’t still need it. So I’m here to help you, friend, find a cheaper ticket to stress-less-ville. I’ve got a few cost-saving tips if you want to go to a professional spa, and then a few quick ideas and links if you’re up for a do it yourself spa session. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
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Ice Cream > Taxes

Photo courtesy of
‘Maggie Moo’s’
courtesy of ‘Marusula

I’m not sure I’ve properly shared my obsession with ice cream on this blog. I adore ice cream. I worship at the house of Moorenko’s, specifically the salted praline. Boccato Gelato on Clarendon is a close second. In fact, I’m even a fan of ice cream on facebook. So free ice cream is even more exciting to me than other free food items. (Chop’t salad, I’m looking at you. You wilt in comparison.)

I’m happy to share with you that on Tax Day, you can be the recipeint of  one free single-scoop of ice cream at Maggie Moo’s. DC has more than our fair share of “treateries” so find one near you and head on over April 15. I’ll be right behind you.

Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Livestreaming the Egg Roll

Photo courtesy of
‘White House Easter Egg Roll’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

The White House is livestreaming everything from the Easter Egg Roll… including the chef’s cooking lessons from Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn, Art Smith of Art and Soul and Jose Andres of Zaytinya, et al. You can also catch other adorable things like DC United soccer players reading to kids (swoon) and Ziggy Marley on the music stage.

If you’ve got a specific star or act you’re following, you can check out the PDF schedule to see when you can catch the stream from your desk. It’ll be like you were really there. Except not.  Hello, Web 2.0 at the White House, we missed you…

Essential DC, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Features, Tourism
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Tourism: National Zoo

Pandamania!

Pandamania! by flickr user needlessspaces

The National Zoo was the second major DC tourism spot that I hit after I moved here. The first was the Washington Monument. Our Zoo is great – it’s my second favorite zoo I’ve ever been to (second only to the zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. No I’m not joking, that zoo is phenomenal.) so when my parents came into town to visit, we decided to make the journey.

It sort of feels wrong, you know? Just walking right in without paying. Put aside the guilt and it’s actually a fabulous feeling. It allows people to come back and back again, and it seems like there are people who truly take advantage. As we were walking in a runner in full workout garb jogged past – what a great run! Aside from dodging all the bumbling people and strollers, you’d have incredibly entertaining scenery and quite a steep hill workout. Envious.

As you enter the zoo you’re faced with starting your zoo tour by heading down towards the pandas on the the Asia walk, or going down the entire hill and doing everything on the way back up. I don’t have an opinion either way. But I do recommend that you print out a map before you go – available on the zoo web site, you can save yourself money by printing it out on your own. Otherwise they charge for a take-with-you map. Fair, I think, since entry is free. So off you go to meet and greet all the animals. Continue reading →