Category Archives: Special Events

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Local Hottie Husbands

Photo courtesy of
‘House O’ Weenies’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

Two local hotties made Redbook’s “America’s Hottest Husbands” contest finals, but unfortunately did not secure the top honor. Michael Kennedy of Frederick, MD and John McGaha of New Market, MD were selected to the 20 finalists and although they didn’t win the coveted title, they did make the top 5 runners up.

More than 15,000 people voted in the online contest with Ray Sorensen of Greenfield, Iowa winning the title of “America’s Hottest Husband.”

I’m not gonna lie, I definitely spent some time ogling the finalists this AM. Personally speaking, McGaha’s picture is smoking. He’s my winner. I know hands off, hands off.

Essential DC, Fun & Games, History, Special Events, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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BREAKING: Strasburg may Start June 4

Photo courtesy of
‘4TH’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

The rumor mill has it that the second comi…. I mean Steven Strasburgs’ major league debut will be on the June 4 game against the Cincinnati Reds. For those of you living in caves, Steven Strasburg is one of the hottest prospects in the history of major league baseball, and certainly the top for 2010.  The Nats picked him up with their first round draft pick last year and sent him to the minors for some conditioning. In the minors he’s pitched just over a 1 ERA with around 1 strike out per inning.  That’s scary.  His start promises to be one of the biggest events in Nats history. The game will sell out, so buy those tickets quick.  At this point, the cheap seats are already sold.

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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It’s About To Be A Cupcake Catfight

Photo courtesy of
‘WHAM!’
courtesy of ‘Cats in trees’

If there’s one thing this town knows, it’s cupcakes. In vain of that, a couple of DC’s top cupcakeries are teaming up for a Cupcake Catfight in anticipation of the Sex and the City 2.

Red Velvet and Buzz Bakery are going head-to-head in this SATC themed challenge of who can create the best movie-themed window display. You can check out the photos and place your vote on Metromix Washington or in person at their respective stores.

The winner will be announced at the film’s screening on Tuesday.

You  can check out the window displays after the page jump. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Front Row Fashion

Courtesy of Fingerprint

Bethesda Row is throwing three days of “fashion, food and fabulosity” starting Thursday, May 20 – just in time for this dreary rain to lift and our desire for pretty summer frocks to rise! Participating stores include Bluemercury, Urban Chic, Sassanova, Lou Lou, Ginger Boutique…

It all kicks off Thursday morning at 11am with beauty consultations, designer denim-fittings, jewelry trunk shows and wine tastings (um, I feel a “mental health day” coming on…). That evening sees the launch party of Jill Kargman’s new book Arm Candy at Ginger Boutique, featuring sweets from Georgetown Cupcake and cocktails, natch.

Friday is chock-full of more fashionable frivolities like designer appearances and trunk shows. But the big event is sure to be Friday evening, featuring a fashion show with Project Runway alum Laura Bennett (she of the perfectly impeccable style and impossibly red hair), also reading from her new book and signing copies afterwards.

If you can’t take any fashionista mental health days, Saturday is also full of special store events all day (I recommend stopping into Cork & Fork for a wine tasting, the family really knows their wine and are adorable too).  Check out full details and rsvp requirements, and have fun!

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.

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Duffy’s is Four Years Old!

Photo courtesy of
‘Inaugural stroll’
courtesy of ‘IntangibleArts’

Celebrate the little pub that could! Duffy’s Anniversary party is tomorrow night – Tuesday, May 11 – and to mark the birthday of a local watering hole that’s no pretension and all good vibes, head over between 5pm and 10pm for free Buffalo wings (while they last, you gluttons!) and lots of free swag including t-shirts to the first 100 patrons.

You may think I’m all craft cocktails and champagne but darlings, I love a good honest pub and Duffy’s is my neighborhood favorite, with a likeable staff and lively regulars. So throw some darts, play some pool, have many Guinness, and be sure to congratulate owner Andy Duffy on making it happen for four years running! You may even be able to convince someone to do a whiskey shot. That someone may or may not be me.

Entertainment, Food and Drink, Special Events, The Features, We Love Drinks
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Drinks Smackdown! Beer vs. Wine 2

Photo courtesy of
‘Glorious Cheese’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

When last we met for an epic drinks smackdown back in March, fellow WLDC author Kirk and I had our preconceived notions of which paired better with food – wine or beer – challenged and in some cases totally overthrown. I left with a heightened appreciation for beer and a fascination with the subject of food pairings. So when I was invited to attend National Geographic Live’s A Come to Cheeses Moment: Wine vs. Beer event, where beer and wine would duke it out over best pairing with cheese, it took little to convince me.

Wouldn’t you know that earlier in the day I was advised to kick the dairy habit for two weeks thanks to suspected lactose intolerance (my reaction? censored!). So my second drinks smackdown fittingly became farewell to my beloved cheese. Forgive me then if this reads more as an ode to cheese than to drinks! Sigh. I inhaled deeply as I entered the Grosvenor Auditorium at the National Geographic headquarters, redolent with the stinky glorious aroma, ready to say good-bye.

It was a packed house, and we were incredibly lucky in our three distinguished (and humorous) presenters – Steven Jenkins, Joshua Wesson and Nick Funnell. Both Jenkins and Wesson are regular on NPR’s The Splendid Table – Jenkins is the first American to win the prestigious title Chevalier du Taste Fromage and Wesson is the author of Red Wine With Fish and a top sommelier, having opened Best Cellars in 1996. Funnell is the brewmaster for the Great American Restaurants chain and a winner at the Great American Beer Festival. They had an amazing depth of knowledge that I can’t hope to replicate, but I’ll try to give you a taste.

All of the cheese served was from raw milk, and Jenkins did point out that he had chosen obscure cheeses which might be difficult for us to get ourselves (you’ve just been challenged!). The price point of the wine was very reasonable, Wesson indicated, around $15 a bottle. Funnell had picked all local beers at roughly $7 a pint.

So let’s dive in! Continue reading →

Downtown, Interviews, People, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
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He Loves DC: Dan Treado

Dan Treado

For the next four weeks, the Addison/Ripley Fine Art gallery is showing the work of local artist Dan Treado. Though Requesting Quiet is his first public showing in a few years, his art retains his signature imagery with layers of color and airy associations on top of a depth that pulls the viewer into the piece. “In some of the paintings, appropriated samples from selected illustrations and texts provide tense contrast. In others, a crazy quilt of disparate organic images is woven together by this talented painter,” states the gallery’s exhibition description.  “At once cryptic and mesmerizing, the paintings demonstrate a rich complexity and accomplished maturity.  They may ‘request quiet’ but they shout and crackle with energy.”

When I got the invitation to Dan’s show, I was intrigued by the description of his work, not to mention the interesting titles on some of his pieces such as “Shoulda Traveled More,” “In the Key of Shut Your Mouth,” and “Ow, My Leg.” I’ve known Dan more for his incredible exhibition work at the Spy Museum; the opportunity to see a different side of his creative mind was too good to pass up. So this past weekend, I attended the show’s opening night and was quietly amazed at the sheer emotional tapestry on display.

Dan was gracious enough to sit down with WeLoveDC for an interview on his work and his love for the city.  Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, Crime & Punishment, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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HOV Violators Beware

Photo courtesy of
‘Wanna go for a ride?’
courtesy of ‘warrenski’

Today, local area police are cracking down on High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane violators, aka: you lousy, stinking cheaters, as part of Capitol Region HOV Awareness Day.

So if you’re traveling in an HOV lane during rush hour either by yourself or with a dummy or your imaginary friend Buster, or with a blow up doll as your “other passenger,” you could a face a $90 fine and one point on your Maryland driving record or fines reaching as high as $1,000 and three points on your Virginia record.

Don’t mess with the law. Cheaters.

All Politics is Local, Life in the Capital, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Teacher Appreciation Week: Hooray Teachers!

As part of Teacher Appreciation Week and tomorrow’s Teacher Appreciation Day, the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is offering a variety ways to honor and recognize our local teachers for the lasting contributions they’ve made and continue to make in our lives.

Chancellor Michelle Rhee wrote a personal letter and created the above video highlighting the efforts made by DC teachers during the last year and encouraging the public to extend their own personal thank yous to teachers.

Visit the DCPS site to read outstanding district teachers profiles, publicly thank your own DCPS teacher, or generate your own special 140 character DCPS teacher message and tweet it to @dcpublicschools.

All of the above are fantastic ways to participate in this worldwide teacher celebration week and they only require a few moments of time to show our appreciation to teachers for all the effort they put in each day to teach and for the education that we and our youth receive thanks to them.

Entertainment, Essential DC, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
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National Geographic Live: May 2010

Adventures Among Ants, by Mark Moffett

©Mark Moffett, courtesy National Geographic

The 2010 National Geographic Live series continues in May with a mix of lectures, authors, and food. The National Geographic Museum is offering up another two pairs of tickets for WeLoveDC readers, unless otherwise noted. Simply comment below (PLEASE use a legit email address and your first name) with what two events – in preferred order – you’d like to attend. We’ll do a random drawing on Monday, May 3 at 2 pm and get the winners set up with their first (or second, if your first choice is full) selection. Keep in mind that tickets are for single events only; both food events are unfortunately not eligible for the free tickets.

In the Empire of Ice ($18)
May 4, 7:30 pm

For a National Geographic-supported expedition, writer Gretel Ehrlich circumnavigated the Arctic Circle to document the indigenous cultures inhabiting its starkly beautiful landscapes, as advancing climate change threatens traditional ways of life. In her new book, Empire of Ice: Encounters in a Changing Landscape, and in this presentation, she tells the story of her journey to explore the “ecology of culture.”

Continue reading →

Adventures, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Cochon 555: Get Your Pig On

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

This little piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. And this little went “wee. wee. wee” all the way home. And by home, I mean The Ritz-Carlton for Cochon 555 on Sunday, May 2.

This yearly competition travels the US in search of  the “Prince / Princess of Porc” and has 5 local Chefs go head-to-head in a pig preparation throw down. Last year’s Prince, R.J. Cooper of Vidalia returns to defend his title and chefs from Bourbon Steak, Bibiana, Eola and Westend Bistro will try to usurp him. Lots of Pre-cooking, braising, grilling, pressing, pickling, rubbing, smoking, searing, saucing, spicing, injecting, marinating, etc. is involved and top-chefs have been known to use the entire animal.

Tickets for the event go for $125, and guests not only get to enjoy some tasty pork, but will witness a whole pig butcher demonstration, taste great wines, brews and enjoy a plethora of pig perfect desserts. There will also be an after party at a location to be determined.

Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Panda on Preggers Watch

Photo courtesy of
‘Panda sign’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Starting at 4pm, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s female giant panda, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), will be a 24-hour pregnancy watch.  FONZ volunteers and animal care staff will closely monitor the panda for maternal behaviors (nest building and cradling of small objects) through keeper interactions and a series of 38 cameras set up throughout the giant panda habitat.

You can check on Mei Xiang through the National Zoo’s pandacam and view a birth should it occur. FYI: Because of increased traffic levels, pandacam visits will be limited to five minutes per session. You can refresh the page to continue viewing, unless there’s just way too much site traffic.

Zoo scientists instated the 24 hour watch as tests of Mei Xiang’s hormone levels approached baseline and indicated that the end of either her pseudo or real pregnancy is near.  If the pregnancy was legit, we should see a new cub within 24 hours.

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Georgetown’s French Market Kicks Off Today

image courtesy of www.georgetowndc.com

image courtesy of www.georgetowndc.com

Today and tomorrow, the Book Hill neighborhood of Georgetown (Wisconsin Avenue: P Street to Reservoir Road) is hosting the 7th Annual French Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

This quaint section of Wisconsin Avenue offers fantastic window shopping and perusing opportunities for the art galleries, boutiques, antique shops and cafes. Additionally, there will be discounts of up to 70% at over 30 Georgetown merchants, and features live entertainment, French food, and children’s activities.

Should you work/live in the area, the French Market is the perfect lunch/coffee break activity and should you live further away the market is the perfect reason to check out these cute, locally owned shops.

Entertainment, Music, People, Special Events, We Love Music
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We Love Music: The Rock Bottom Remainders @ 9:30 Club 4/21/10

The Rock Bottom Remainders at 9:30 Club 4/21/10
courtesy of The Rock Bottom Remainders.

On Wednesday night, at the 9:30 Club, I went one of the weirdest concerts I have ever attended. The Rock Bottom Remainders have to be one of the most unique and unlikely cover bands of all time. The band is composed of best-selling authors turned amateur musicians, who live out their collective rock-star fantasy by performing less-than-perfect versions of rock-n-roll classics while occasionally wearing wigs, costumes, and silly hats. We are talking about book industry heavy hitters like Scott Turow, Amy Tan, Dave Barry, and Mitch Albom. As MC Roy Blount Jr. joked they are the only band that has sold more books that The Beatles.

I first heard about The Rock Bottom Remainders in the 1990’s while working at Reprint Bookshop, a wonderful and now sadly closed independent bookshop. The band had a kind of mythical status as stories of their rare sightings were told by my co-workers as if they were akin to the Loch Ness Monster or Big Foot. I have always been curious about this literary rock band with a rotating line-up of best-selling authors (at one point even Stephen King was a member!), but I never thought that I would have the opportunity to see The Rock Bottom Remainders perform.

Continue reading →

Special Events, The Features
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Eco Chic: Night of Stars and Rising Stars

Photo courtesy of
‘Eco Chic Star Award’
courtesy of ‘oparrish’

Last night at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the stars aligned.  Bringing together pioneers of the environmental movement in fashion, art, beauty, architecture, and interior design to celebrate the event, “Eco Chic: Night of Stars and Rising Stars”. The occasion, held on the eve of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day was the first of its kind; promoting awareness of Eco and Ethical Design, while recognizing the exemplary efforts of a few, key professionals on their pursuit of excellence.

Continue reading →

Special Events, The Features
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Let Teddy Win! Highlights from WeLoveDC’s Night at the Ballpark

Photo courtesy of
‘Teddy #191’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Thank you so much to every one who trekked out in the rain last night. Our small group certainly made a large dent in what turned out to be the least attended game in the National’s Park’s history… But the sparsely populated ballpark also made for a great playground for the Let Teddy Win group. After a great tour of the stadium, including a trip up to the press box and views of private suites and the Diamond Club, we headed back to our seats for presidential race trivia and prizes. And we were there at the finish line when Teddy’s umbrella slowed him down to a near halt, letting Abe pull into the lead.

Click below for highlights of the evening:

Continue reading →

Adventures, Entertainment, Fun & Games, People, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Robot Fest This Saturday

Photo courtesy of
‘Gort Robot Model’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Do you have a strong, nerdy passion for technology? Did you cry when the little runt in Batteries Not Included came out non-functional?  Does the thought of gears, cogs, WD 40 and miniscule wrenches really light up your motherboard?

Well then Robot Fest and Mid-Atlantic Mini-Maker Faire in Linthicum, MD and you have a date with destiny this Saturday, April 24. This one day event will satisfy your urge to create new, previously unseen forms from lifeless electronics and mechanical parts of metal and plastic.

For the 10th anniversary of this festival, the tech-geek offerings have expanded  into realms where technology is used in any creative fashion. There will be a Wearable Tech Fashion Show featuring electronic embedded smart fabrics, regional student teams will present their robots built to compete in state and national competitions, the LEGO store will give Flight Simulator demonstrations, visitors can experiment with RoboDog and Gregor the Gorilla, full-size R2D2s will wander the halls, the University of Baltimore Game Design will showcase its experimental games and
controllers, and the Art Institute of Washington is bringing their Dead Animatronics and Beatbots to demonstrate Keepon, a socially interactive robotic character for entertainment, research, and therapy.

Starting this year the suggested admission donation is $6 for
adults, and $3 for middle and high-school students. Children elementary
school and younger are free!

Media, Music, Special Events, The Features
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Apollo Theater Exhibit to Open at Smithsonian

Photo courtesy of
‘Vinyl’
courtesy of ‘tiffany bridge’

When I was a kid, I listened to my parents’ music almost exclusively until I was about 12 years old. Which meant that while my friends were listening to Pet Shop Boys and Material Girl-era Madonna, I was singing along (into my hairbrush, of course) with the Supremes, the Drifters, and Chuck Berry.

While it was an excellent musical education, the local oldies station and my dad’s cassette tapes didn’t do a lot to put that music in the social context in which it belonged. I had learned about the civil rights movement in history class, and the general experience of African-Americans in the United States, but somehow had never connected the dots between the dates in my textbooks with the dates on those album covers until adulthood.

Which is why I so thoroughly enjoyed checking out the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (not yet built and currently existing as a gallery in the National Museum of American History) exhibit “Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment.”   Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, History, News, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism

Photo courtesy of
‘blue skies shining on him’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and President Obama called on Americans to “pause to remember victims of terrorism both at home and abroad, we honor the heroes who have supported them, and we redouble our efforts to build the kind of world that is worthy of their legacy.”

Flags across the nation will be flying at half-staff and in his proclamation, the President reminds us to “observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and acts of community service in memory of the victims and survivors of terrorism worldwide.”