Category Archives: The Daily Feed

The Daily Feed
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Hot Ticket: Puscifer @ Lisner Auditorium, 11/26/11

Puscifer - Conditions of My Parole

Puscifer never would’ve been on my radar if it weren’t for Maynard James Keenan, the mysterious frontman of Tool and A Perfect Circle. Like all Tool fans, I’ve learned to expect long waits between albums (it’s been 5 1/2 years since the last one, by the way). I imagine Maynard has an infinite supply of creative energy, as he’s always working on something – he just keeps focusing it on the wrong things, like his vineyard in Arizona. Or Puscifer’s 2007 album, “V is for Vagina”, which struck me as a collection of half-baked songs serving up unfunny innuendo.

Can we just ignore that one? Puscifer’s latest album “Conditions of My Parole” shows that they can actually write songs. The tracks sound more like an alt-country version of Maynard’s other bands – the same ominous tone, with the intenity turned down. But the live show is what makes the band. Puscifer shows are part comedy, part cabaret, and unlike anything else out there. Check them out on Saturday to get a taste of the ideas Maynard can’t quite fit into his usual projects.

Puscifer
Saturday, November 26, 2011 @ Lisner Auditorium
w/ Carina Round
Doors 7pm
$45

The Daily Feed
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Walmart, DC reach accord over community benefits

Photo courtesy of
‘WALMART’
courtesy of ‘KOMUnews’

When Walmart and the Mayor announced this past week that they’d reached an agreement (PDF available) over the retailing giant’s commitment to retail positions throughout the city, many recoiled, citing a lack of a Community Benefits Agreement in place as part of the deal.

This afternoon, Walmart and the city came to an agreement that features $21M in charitable community work, a commitment to using at least 35% of local CBE vendors as part of construction, Capital Bikeshare stations at its stores, SmarTrip kiosks, electric car charging stations, bus shelters, a workforce development program, and a commitment not to sell guns or ammunition.

In addition, Walmart has agreed to “comply with the terms of any and all applicable laws” in DC. That strikes me as one of those “wait, were they planning not to?” moments. But, there we are.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Proof’s Movember Fundraiser

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

If you’ve been growing out your mustache for Movember (or happen to know a fellow who is), then you’ll be in good company with the staff of Proof. The restaurant in Chinatown is hosting a Movember fundraiser on November 27th to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer and other men’s health issues.

You can attend the cocktail party from 9 PM until 12 AM and get your fill of hors d’oeuvres, craft beer, wine and cocktails for $50 per person. All the male waitstaff, managers and even the executive chef Haidar Karoum will be sporting mustaches curated with the best beard conditioner they could find for Sunday’s event. You can purchase tickets at either Proof or its sister restaurant, Estadio, or by calling events director, Kim Burke 202-737-7663.

So take yourself and your mustache or mustachioed friends to Proof. All of the proceeds from the evening go to Movember.

The Daily Feed
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The Muppets in Georgetown just got Real.

Jason Segel!

I’m not going to lie to you: I am a fan of the Muppets. I think they’re pretty rad. And it’s fairly exciting that Jason Segel has announced he’s introducing a midnight screening of the new Muppet Movie at the Georgetown Loews.  So, don your Rainbow Connection apparel, and get on down to Georgetown, Muppet Fans.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Friday Happy Hour: Hot Drinks at POV

P.O.V. at the W Hotel is rightly famous for the sweeping views off the rooftop terrace – but that may not bring it immediately to mind for a wintertime tipple. It should though because – as was on display at this week’s “apres-ski” themed party presented in conjunction with Gilt City DC – the terrace is heated and so are the tasty cold-weather drinks. There are even cozy W-branded blankets if needed to help you keep the nip of cold off as you sip on your cocktail.

Prior to the opening of the party, media guests were invited to sample the seasonal menu: Hot Apple Buttered Rum, Pumpkin Cider, Sheridan’s Coffee, and the Whiskey Skin. A chocolate soda and Blood Orange Old Fashioned are also available for the holidays, but we were there to focus strictly on steamy things served in mugs.
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Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Free Beer Tastings at Acqua al 2

Courtesy of ThreeLockharts Public Relations

So many things, all wonderful and joyous, come to mind when I think of beer. So what better way to ease back into your week after Thanksgiving with some complimentary beer tastings?

Acqua Al 2 in Eastern Market is kicking off their new beer program with a week of free Italian craft beer tastings at the bar from 5:30 PM til 7 PM on November 28th til December 1st. Acqua Al 2 has more than 13 Italian microbrews available by bottle or on draft, including Moretti, Torbatta, Strada San Felice and more.

If one week isn’t enough, you can make a reservation for their Italian Craft Beer Dinner on December 5th at 7 PM. To secure a spot at the dinner, call the restaurant at 202-525-4375 or email Ralph at ralph@acquaal2dc.com.

Cheers, everyone.

News, The Daily Feed
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United’s Dwayne De Rosario named MVP

This morning, midfielder Dwayne De Rosario became D.C. United’s fourth league-wide MVP in franchise history, and their third in six years. “De Ro” as he’s known to United’s fans, was a shot in the arm for the struggling club when he was acquired from the New York Red Bulls in June, and in 18 games, scored 13 goals and had seven assists. Across three clubs, De Rosario had 16 goals and 12 assists on the season and became the first MVP in North American sports to score with three separate teams in a season.

While some would say that no player that didn’t lead his team to (and perhaps through) the playoffs would deserve that honor, anyone who saw United before De Ro and after, would disagree. De Ro was the field captain that United needed to make a playoff push, and push they did, right up until the end. De Rosario is under contract through the end of next season, though it’s expected they’re rework the deal to keep De Ro well past that mark.

Congratulations, De Ro!

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Caps Continue Slide in Loss to Jets

Photo courtesy of
‘Boudreau Does Not Like the Call’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

Winnipeg Jets winger Evander Kane scored twice against Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth and shut down captain Alexander Ovechkin en route to a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in Manitoba, Canada.

The good:

  • Alexander Semin scored the lone Caps tally early in the first period.

…and that’s about it.

The bad:

  • The Caps blew a 59 second 5-on-3 power play in the second period that could have turned things around after the Jets’ scoring spurt that saw three goals in just under five minutes.
  • Ovechkin had five shots on the night but remained scoreless for the third consecutive game. His current season tally of 7 goals, 14 points is a career low after 17 total games.
  • The third period was insipid.

The quote:
“The best way to slow it down is to score a goal,” said coach Bruce Boudreau. “The best way to stop a crowd from cheering is to not making stupid mistakes in your own zone and giving them opportunities to score.”

News, The Daily Feed
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Key Bridge Occupied without incident

Photo courtesy of
‘Occupy McPhearson Square’
courtesy of ‘MrStinkhead’

While hundreds were arrested in New York and Philadelphia today, and other cities also saw arrests, DC was a bright spot for the Occupy movement, with a significant march from McPherson Square to the Key Bridge through Georgetown. MPD escorted the protestors through the streets without incident, and ensured that the marchers stayed on the sidewalk as they arrived at the bridge.

DCist’s Martin Austermuhle was in attendance, as was local political pundit Chuck Thies, each have their take on the effectiveness of the group as a whole, and the protest, but one group earned high marks for their work today, and that was MPD, who escorted the protest without incident.

Downtown, Entertainment, The Daily Feed
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Gaia Returns to the Corcoran on Saturday

Photo courtesy of
‘Turntables’
courtesy of ‘oparrish’

On November 19th, Gaia will make a triumphant return to the Corcoran after a sold-out party held there over the summer. This evening of music, visual and performance art – even a bit of magic – is sure to please anybody looking for an arty alternative to the usual nightclub experience.

For one night, the D.C.-based Gaia collective of DJs, musicians, artists, dancers, and more will take over the Corcoran space to create an interactive, multimedia experience which actively engages with the visual art on display in the gallery and the architecture of the building itself.
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Dupont Circle, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Capital City Ball

Photo courtesy of
‘Focus’
courtesy of ‘theqspeaks’

Since moving to DC, I’ve been wanting to play a socialite a la Real Housewives, but every time the opportunity arises my limo’s in the shop and my bank account is empty. Sigh.

If you face the same problem, why not check out the Capital City Ball this Saturday night? For $150 you get an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a dance floor for the evening at The Washington Club. Not a bad deal.

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Downtown, Penn Quarter, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Stalin’s Spies: an ISM Event

Photo courtesy of
‘The Secret’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

This Friday at 4:30 pm, the International Spy Museum, in cooperation with the Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, is hosting an event on Stalin-era espionage. The free event includes the opportunity to view unique artifacts from the life of one of the Soviet Union’s most famous spies, Dmitri Bystrolyotov, as well as a chance to interact with the Museum’s historians and several panel experts.

Dmitri was the Soviet Union’s real life James Bond, earning a reputation as one of the greatest Soviet Spies of all time. He was a sailor, doctor, lawyer and artist recruited by Stalin for his dashing good looks and ease with languages to seduce secrets from willing targets during the 1920s and 30s. However, after falling out of Stalin’s favor, Dmitri was sentenced to the Gulag for 16 years.

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capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Caps Stumble, Lose to Predators

Photo courtesy of
‘Russia vs. Czech Republic’
courtesy of ‘s.yume’

A beat-up Capitals squad hit Nashville last night and stumbled out with a 3-1 loss to the Predators. Don’t let the score fool you; the game remained scoreless for over 55 minutes. Early in the third, Troy Brouwer wristed a perfectly-placed cross-ice pass from Marcus Johansson past Preds goalie Pekka Rinne and the game looked like it would finally break open in the Caps favor. Thirty seconds later, Martin Erat solved Tomas Vokun and it went downhill from there. Colin Wilson’s game-winning goal came with less than 30 seconds on the clock, and Shea Weber’s empty netter five seconds later was the nail sealing the coffin.

The good:

  • Tomas Vokoun was stellar for most of the evening. Stopping 28 of 30 shots, he was in top form with some specatular saves.
  • The Caps second line (Jason Chimera, Brooks Laich, Alexander Semin) accounted for 14 of the Caps 40 shots.
  • Marcus Johansson and Cody Eakin continue to shine on the third line.

The bad:

  • The power play went 0-for-3; the team has the 7th-best power play in the league.
  • The Caps are now 1-3-1 in their last 5 and 3-5-1 since their red-hot start.
  • The team dominated through two solid periods but once Brouwer’s goal tallied in, it seemed like there was a complete shift in tone. Erat’s tying goal came when the Caps thought there was an offsides but with no whistle, the Predators played on. As a result, Erat scored. The Caps never seemed to recover from that momentary lapse and the Preds made the most of it.

The quote:
“I think guys are as upset as I’ve seen,” said Mike Knuble. “That was frustrating. We really battled to get that lead. They tied it right away, but the least we should have done was force overtime.”