‘Rainbow Trio’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Paulo: Gonna head down to the Sackler Gallery to check the Falnama exhibit, a fascinating historical overview of Islamic mysticism and divination among Medieval Persian and Turkish Muslims. Then, across the Garden (or under it) to the African Art Museum for a look at the sculptural work of Yinka
Shonibare MBE.

Jenn: It’s shocking for a former New England girl to admit this, but I’ve never gone skiing. Well, never say never. This weekend I’m off to Wisp Resort, some three hours away, to start slow. I envisioned Sexy Snowbunny but my outfit looks more like a Stay-Puft-Marshmallow. If I weren’t risking my limbs I’d be at the DC Tribal Student Showcase Sunday night to cheer on fellow students studying bellydance. Since this weekend may be my last, I’ll hit Marvin sometime before leaving – they’re tapping their last keg of Leffe Brun tonight… Continue reading →

‘Hot Tea, Cold Day’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

John: Friday night I’ll be heading up to the Honor by August show at the 9:30 club to cheer on my old band mates as they rock the house. Saturday I’m in the wilds of Virginia at Jammin Java in Vienna to see the D.R.A.M.A. Kings (former members of the band The Speaks) play their first headlining show. A big rock weekend, hopefully not to be quashed by the snow.

Shannon: When it is as cold as it has been recently, it takes a lot to actually get me to leave the warmth of my house.  But Friday night’s Spelling Buzz at the Rock and Roll Hotel sounds like the perfect combination of nerdy fun and alcohol– it’s a spelling bee for adults, and all participants must drink a beer and a shot between rounds! Saturday I’m going to spend wrapped up in blankets catching up with my DVR, so I’ll finally be able to participate in the next RWDC live blogging event (while drinking heavily).  And on Sunday afternoon I’m going to make a point to ride the Metro, just to catch all the no-pants riders. Continue reading →

”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

Happy New Year, everyone. We hope you have plans for a fantastic start to 2010. If you need some ideas, here’s what we’re up to this weekend.

Max: I’m headed to NYC this weekend for the first time in over two years.  I seriously can’t wait to experience the chaos that is the Big Apple.  If I were staying in DC though, I’d go check out the Yinka Shonibare exhibit at the National Museum of African Art.  I’ve heard it’s amazing.  I’d also think about going to see Avatar 3D again because it was that freakin’ awesome.  Given that it’s supposed to be cold as (fill in the blank) this weekend, I’d spend the rest of my weekend indoors with a nice mug of Irish coffee and a good book. Continue reading →

‘The Warm Glow of Electric Sex’
courtesy of ‘Rukasu1’

Happy Holidays, everyone. Here’s how we’re spending the holiday weekend. Let us know what you’re up to in the comments.

Tiff: Like many of you, I’ll be spending a good chunk of the weekend out of town visiting family, but there are two things I’m looking forward to doing here in DC with the rest of my off-time. I’ll be catching Matt Kazam at the DC Improv on Sunday, and since my office is closed Monday, I might go check out ICE with the ticket I got as a gift from the company.

Rachel: This is my first holiday season not being spent in Chicago. Since I can’t be around my family, I’m spending my time in Alexandria with a close one’s family and his two pets. I — like many of the fellow Jews I know — enjoy seeing movies on Christmas Day. This year, I’m hoping to go see that new Sherlock Holmes flick because what could be better than Jude Law … right? I’m also planning on recording a few new songs I’ve written to close out the new year and just sitting by the fire.   Continue reading →

‘Elf Fun’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

Hooray, weekend! For most of us it’s kind of a mad rush getting ready for the holidays. How about you?

Max: The weather is going to be perfect this weekend.  Perfect for staying indoors that is.  The highlight of my weekend will probably be the opening show at Irvine Contemporary for one of my favorite photographers, Kerry Skarbakka.  He uses his stuntman skills to stage some eye catching photos of himself defying death.  And winter is movie season for me, so I might go check out Invictus or maybe catch part of the Irish Film Festival.  In summary, “Brrrrrrrrrr.” Continue reading →

‘(338/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Corinne: This weekend I am SUPER excited to reunite with some folks in the windy city for the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival. (Check out these two awesome bands I’ll be hearing—that of my dear friend Todd, The Giving Tree Band, as well as DC-based Junior League Band.) But if I planned to stick around here, I’d kick off the weekend by hearing A Sunny Day in Glasgow at The Red and the Black tonight, watching the Andean Film Project at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre later in the weekend and taking one final peek at Edward Burtynsky’s Oil exhibit at the Corcoran (it closes Sunday). I’d also be very tempted to check out what all this Santarchy buzz is about!

Rachel: Another weekend? Thank god! I still haven’t completely unpacked from my move but that’s of no consequence — there’s life to be lived after all! What’s on the plate for this 2-day break from work? A pit stop at Don & Susan’s holiday party in Virginia and some Balvenie scotch tasting at Chevy Chase Liquors (5544 Connecticut Ave, NW) from 2-5 pm on Saturday (come one, come all?!?!). Other than that, I’m hoping to catch some cozy time by a friends fireplace in NoVa and try to start figuring out where the heck all my stuff is after my move. All I can say is … cheers!

Jenn: Well, it’s finally here. My first bellydance performance (cue shameless self-promotion music!) is this Saturday as part of Saffron Dance’s Spice of Life winter gala. The longest 3 minutes 53 seconds of my life. Kidding, I think I’ll be ok. That does mean my entire Friday and Saturday are sucked up in tech rehearsals, so there won’t be much time for fun until after the performance. Sunday I’ll definitely need a huge brunch (maybe it’s time to check out 1905’s revamped menu and rehauled wait staff?), and that night perhaps curl up in front of the fireplace at Tabard Inn for a hot toddy and listen to Victor Dvoskin play amazing bass.

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‘Sidewalk Chalk Abstract’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Another week, another weekend. Thank goodness it works out that way. [Insert your winter holiday of choice here] is closing in, so this might be the last weekend you get to yourself, free of obligations or shopping or drunk uncle Charlie sharing family history you’d have been happier not knowing. I refuse to believe aunt Jane would do such a thing, brown acid or not, Chuck.

Here’s what we few, we happy few, we band of brothers and sisters, will be up to this weekend.

Max: Friday night I’ll be headed over to Reyes + Davis gallery to see Fine Lines, a drawing exhibition featuring one of my favorite local artists, Kate McGraw.  Afterward I’ll be strolling over to Flashpoint to check out Disco Pigs, a play about “two inseparable violent creatures, who have developed their own language from birth”.  Well that should be interesting, hmmmm?  On Saturday I might head up to the closing party for Portrait 2.0 to hang out with some of my photography buddies, that is if I can get motivated to trek up to Pyramid Atlantic in Silver Spring.  Sunday I am determined to see a movie, relax, and get ready for another fun filled week at work.

Continue reading →

‘flea_circus’
courtesy of ‘easement’

It’s a holiday weekend, and you may very well be heading out of town (I’m in Hawaii, myself). But if you’re around, here’s what we’re finding to occupy ourselves over the long weekend while everyone else is away.

Max: I’ll be heading out to West Virginia to practice my banjo and to have Thanksgiving dinner with a small group of friends.  I’ll be eager to get back to DC though as it will no doubt be a ghost town like it always is around the holidays.  Parking is abundant and tourists are at home instead of clogging up our escalators.  My plan is to go to some museums, take in a concert, get caught up on some reading, and see as many movies as possible.

Rebecca: I’ll be up in Charm City (aka Baltimore) for the holiday feast and hope to taste some pulled beers at the Wharf Rat. The weekend will find me back in DC and hoping to take advantage of a less populated Capital for a viewing of the Terra Cota Warriors exhibit and a jaunt around the Mall.  Should you be a football fan, like me, there are plenty of quality professional and college games to be had and watching them at the ESPN Zone would be an interesting venue for you and any visiting family. Sunday, I think I’ll recover from the 4 day festivities by drinking a nice glass of Le Beaujolais Noveau that just arrived at Whole Foods. Continue reading →

‘Reflections in the water’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

This is a tough weekend. Either you’re on the treadmill running a mini-marathon trying to offset the impending turkey day feeding frenzy or you’re trying to figure out what to pack for the trip. Some of us oh-so-fortunate folks are hosting out families.

What’s the appropriate font to use for excessive sarcasm?

That aside, some of us are finding time to squeeze some fun in. Here’s what we’ve got going on this weekend. Share your plans with us in the comments.

Cathy: This Saturday, while the weather’s still great, I’m going to tear up some trails in VA. I’ll do double duty in Luray by checking out the Luray Caverns as well as hiking in the Shenandoah National Park. I’m aiming for the Big Devils Stairs. Hope they live up the hype (well, just that they actually resemble large satanic-looking rock-formed steps). Sunday will be spent watching football through my eyelids, cooking Kirk’s almost-famous chili, and going on a long run around the Mall to stave off what I can already tell is going to be a jolly (and artery-clogging) holiday season.

‘Rehoboth Beach = Outlet Heaven’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Katie: This weekend I’m going on a staycation. Heck yeah I am, because I, Katie Food Blogger, deserve a vacation yet cannot afford it or get the time off work for it. So I’m going to staycation my tookus off by doing what I do best – going out 66. A friend and I are going to the outlets in Leesburg on a shopapalooza since my obsession with Ann Taylor has reached a new high, and who doesn’t need more J.Crew? Everyone needs more J. Crew. We’ll also probably stop by a few wineries, because you guys know that’s basically all I do on the weekends. Sunday I’m hosting a pre-thanksgiving thanksgiving for my friends and cooking the hell out of a Smith Meadows Farm turkey. I’ve been giving it evil looks daily just so it knows who’s boss.

Continue reading →

‘let’s get the party started’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Kirk: I’ll be starting this weekend off with drinks at Gibson. It’s time to bust out the winter cocktails, which generally means some form of whiskey drink that contains no ice. I like drinks like that. On Saturday, I’m going to try to rediscover some of the Smithsonian Museums. It’s been a good while since I’ve been inside any of them, and, considering how great they are, that’s a real shame. Other than that, I’ll just be spending time with friends and bumming around the house.

Katie: You know what has been missing in my life? Brunch, that’s what. So I’m going to brunch it out this weekend. I’ll be heading to both Co Co Sala and Et Voila! for brunch. Co Co Sala has french toast s’mores (what?!) and Et Voila! has divine to-die-for quiche. In addition to brunching my face off, Cathy and I are going to be cooking up a storm with chef Victor Albisu at BLT Steak for a new Capital Chefs feature. Keep an eye out for it! Maybe I’ll even take a break from eating to go see the second half of Angels in America in Silver Spring. I loved the first half so much that I’ve been anxiously awaiting Perestroika at the Forum Theater. The cast is brilliant and that play is absolutely breathtaking. Continue reading →

‘Hard at Work’
courtesy of ‘knascar’

Does anyone else feel like this is the longest week ever? I’m so relieved the weekend is almost here. Here’s what we’ve got going on this weekend. Share your plans with us in the comments.

Tiff: My birthday is next week, so I’m kicking off the celebration a little early. On Friday, I’ll be catching dj lil’e and Super Diamond at the 9:30. On Saturday, I think sleeping off the exhaustion of the last couple of weeks is in order, followed by Dhoonya Dance’s Bollyb!end. Sunday is still up in the air, though it’s possible I may get out the camera since I had to miss last night’s photowalk.

Corinne: I’m excited to delve into FotoWeek this weekend with its many activities scattered around the city. Saturday, if I can find any takers-with-vehicle, I’d love to head out of the city to soak in autumn in all its glory, perhaps at some vineyards or on a nearby hiking trail. Sunday I hope to pick up some much needed tips at The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show at the Convention Center. Sunday night I’ll be cheering on those Globetrotters, hoping they do some more Dutch dancing…or at least arrive first at the Amazing Race Pit Stop.   Continue reading →

‘Chicken Canine: Petworth Dog Walk Halloween 2009’
courtesy of ‘Wayan Vota’

Jenn: One thing’s for sure – whatever I end up doing for Halloween will be a last-minute choice. It’s crept up on my like a mummy’s cold dead fingers and caught me unawares. Ok, maybe not, maybe I’m just lazy this year. Will I relive my undead goth years at Spooky’s crazy dance party at Town Thursday night? Will I go twisted Bollywood-style at Black Cat’s Bhangraween Saturday? Will I scare myself silly at Little Miss Whiskey’s Night of the Living Dead Friday? Or maybe join the bloodsuckers at Synetic’s Vampire Ball? Or… or… or… are too many choices making me go as mad as Dr. Frankenstein?

Ben: Friday’s our usual celebration of all things hockey, not the least of which is the visiting Islanders versus the Capitals at 7 p.m.  Not a big Halloween celebrator here; during the day we’ll be roaming Potomac Mills down in Woodbridge while at night we’ll be ignoring the door in favor of Penguins hockey. Sunday’s our designated “photography” day, so we’ll be heading down to Prince William Forest Park to catch the last vestiges of brilliant fall foliage and probably do some hiking, if the rain lets up. Continue reading →

‘Please do not poop’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

I have been waiting to use this photo in an entry since the day it showed up in the Flickr pool, guys.  It’s nearly time for another weekend. Here’s what we’re up to- let us know what you’re doing in the comments.

Carl: I am going to take my lovely wife to the Philadelphia Art Museum on Saturday and will return on Sunday afternoon but if I were staying in town I would be putting together the best Halloween costume ever, which is made from traffic cones removed from their bases, slit up the side and stitched together. You’d have to see it. It’s wicked awesome. Also, this weekend I will continue my fundraising work for cancer research at the Children’s National Medical Center. Yes, since you asked, part of this includes shaving my head. It’s going to be completely bald-a-riffic.

Tom: This weekend, I have friends coming from pretty much all over the country to help celebrate our friends Jason and Bethany’s wedding.  Friday night we’ll be celebrating at Rosemary’s Thyme in Dupont and then Saturday we’re off to Nixon’s Farm for the actual event.  I’m excited to go see the fall colors out in West Friendship, and to watch as two friends I care deeply about tie the knot.  Sunday will be spent in pursuit of great brunch, very possibly at the Boulevard Woodgrill, or if it’s too busy, perhaps Overwood in Alexandria.  I need me some French Toast this weekend! Continue reading →

‘(270/365)’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Ben: This weekend looks to be on the chilly side but that won’t stop our usual Friday hockey viewing. Saturday we’re entertaining a friend from New York who just recently became a U.S. citizen, so we’ll be visiting the National Archives and checking out the nation’s founding documents with her, followed by an early dinner at Matchbox and finishing off with a visit to the Verizon Center, where the Caps take on the Nashville Predators. Sunday looks to be a day of recovery but may involve a trip out to Foxfire Grill, our new foodie addiction in Springfield.

Shannon: We’re right in the thick of fall, and I’m gearing up for Halloween this weekend!  Friday night I’d like to check out a lantern-lit ghost tour at the National Building Museum, and Saturday I hope to finally head out to Poolesville for Markoff’s Haunted Forest, which I’ve been wanting to check out for ages.  Saturday is also Bike DC Day, so in between these two spooky, scary nights I’ll be biking around the city on car-free streets.  And on Sunday, I’m going to head to the pool, because I just signed up for next year’s Alcatraz Swim and I need to train to outswim any sharks.  How’s that for scary? Continue reading →

‘Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Despite the still-warm temperatures, the leaves are changing and it seems that fall is actually here. Which means that our weekend plans involve a lot less hanging out poolside with tasty beverages and a lot more cozying up in warm places with tasty beverages. What can we say? We’re creatures of the seasons.

Kirk: This weekend features one of the highlights of the year for me: the Purcellville Tag Sale.  This town wide yard sale features an awesome selection of antiques, books, oddities and assorted junk. I’m getting there early (like 7:30am) to make sure I can get my hands on the best of the selection.  Other than that, I’ll probably go to a HR-57 on Friday for some sweet, sweet jazz and possibly to Magnolias at the Mill on Saturday for some sweet, sweet beer (seeing as I’ll be in Purcellville, anyways).  All that aside, my main goal this weekend is not to be pulled over by the huge, and overly zealous Loudoun County PD.

Jasmine: I’m super excited about the Solar Decathlon houses being open to the public this weekend. If you haven’t been, it’s a little village of solar-powered houses designed and built by college students on the National Mall. They can be really creative and showcase some awesome technology, but it’s only through Monday so you have to get down there this weekend. Other than that, I’m thinking of taking advantage of the long weekend with one of the guilt-free getaways in Virginia. Loudon County? Shenandoah Valley? Maybe I’ll just close my eyes and point, they all sound just lovely. Continue reading →

‘Fall is here’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Paulo: We’re still unpacking from our recent move to NoVA, but all Saturday I’m going to be at First Baptist DC’s Fall Book and Bake Sale, giving out free cupcakes — and later donating blood. Hopefully I won’t keel over right then and there because we’ll be visiting Old Town that evening for a friend’s housewarming, and en route I want to check out the Washington Masonic Memorial.

Kirk:  This will be my first weekend in the city for the past few weeks, so I’ve got to pack in all the DCness that I can.  On Friday I’ll be catching up with an old buddy from Texas at the Vienna Inn, in VA.  The Vienna Inn is one of the last, true sports dives in the DC area and is a quintessential part of life in Vienna.  On Saturday I’ll be having a guys’ night out with some old roommates.  To facilitate responsible drinking (probably taking place at the likes of Gibson and Wisdom) a friend has used some expiring hotel points to book us a room at the Willard, something I’m terribly excited about. Sunday will be spent recovering from said guys’ night.

Katie: A good chunk of my weekend will be spent at the Ritz on M street getting to know Westend Bistro’s Chef de Cuisine Joe Palma. Cathy and I will be researching another one of our Capital Chef features by heading to the Alexandria farmers market with Chef Palma and cooking up a storm in Westend’s kitchen. I also plan to visit the Russian Bazaar at some point and maybe spend more time in Old Town hanging out at Art on the Avenue street festival. I can’t turn down a good pie baking contest. Continue reading →

‘Richard Peck’
courtesy of ‘ellen.w’

Carl: This weekend will be busy for me, as I need to spend some time shopping for cars, since my old one was wrecked in an accident a few weeks ago. What? You didn’t see my after-accident photo? I also plan to catch up on editing my book and editing a collection of photos I plan to show soon. I’m not one of the younger writers here so I don’t have plans to hit anything up, which to me sounds remarkably like knocking something up. I don’t have plans to do that either.

Jasmine: The single thing I am most excited about this weekend is the National Book Festival. For serious. If you’ve never been, it’s tent after tent of books for sale, free stuff (the posters are always gorgeous, so make sure to pick one up), and authors signing their books and giving talks. One NBF I went to, I stopped by this tent that seemed to have an unusual number of 12 year old girls with home made tshirts, and I eavesdropped on a then-obscure Stephenie Meyer talking about why she is drawn to vampires. So I’m pretty excited for what this year will bring. After that, I plan on dancing my cares away at the Bliss Dance Party at Black Cat and then recovering all day Sunday before another long week at work. Continue reading →

‘Nation’s Triathlon’
courtesy of ‘noahdevereaux’

Shannon: It’s a big weekend for me.  I’m competing in the Nation’s Triathlon on Sunday, which will have me swimming in the Potomac River, biking in Rock Creek Park and out to Glen Echo, and running around Hains Point in my first Olympic-distance triathlon.  The Nation’s Tri has grown to be one of the largest triathlons in the country, with an expected 6,000 competitors this year.  So come on down to the Mall on Sunday morning and root for the home team (the DC Tri Club, easily identifiable in our jerseys).  Afterwards, I can’t imagine a better post-race treat than a margarita at Cantina Marina to celebrate the fact that I swam in the Potomac and lived to tell about it.

Max: After a long summer drought, the local art scene kicks into full gear this weekend.  New nightmarish paintings by local artist, Bradley Chriss will be on display Friday night at Flashpoint’s opening of Visions from the End of the World.  I’ll also be heading over to Civilian Arts Project to see their opening of Cara Ober: Love Letters and Nikki Painter: Debriscapes.  Saturday night you’ll find me checking out the new exhibit at Curator’s Office called Slow Food, featuring abstract paintings by L.A. based artist, Patrick Wilson.  Just down the street, Irvine Contemporary will be opening their New Realisms (PDF) show featuring five New York based artists who will be showing off their realist style of painting.  On Sunday I’ll be ready for some football, heading over to Buffalo Billiards to watch the Broncos beat the crap out of the Bengals. Continue reading →