Tom: This weekend, we’ll be hanging out with two newly-married couples, as long as Blizzardcane Sandy doesn’t obliterate the coast. Much love and well-wishes for Jaime & Geoff and Eve & Dave, who are both entering wedded-bliss territory. Were we staying in, though, I’d likely be carving pumpkins with natitude for the Nationals’ Halloween Contest. I’m also sorely in need of a good zombie drink, so count me in for the Passenger’s Saturday Night Freaky Tiki event or BYT and the Temple of Doom. I haven’t been excited about costume parties since I was in college, but these are two that have me rethinking my weekend choices. Give ’em a go.
Natalia: In case you didn’t know, I am in love with fall, everything about it is just wonderful. Pumpkins, changing leaves, hues of orange and red, crisp weather, apple cider, bourbon (well that last one goes with any season). So to enjoy my favorite time of year, I get up and get outdoors. Saturday we are headed out to Homestead Farm to pick our own pumpkins. I tend to go on a cooking craze with all things gourd. From carving to roasting to mashing it into a perfect dessert, its versatility mixed with a desire for creativity, makes for a perfect afternoon of cooking, windows open and apple cider sipping. Saturday night, I’ll be headed to a friends birthday dinner at Ethiopic on H – because nothing says Happy Halloween like a bunch of people in costume sharing wat. (right?!). Sunday, a little overdue cultural exploration. I’ve been dying to check out Ai WeiWei’s exhibit at The Hirshhorn, and weather permitting, a picnic on the mall to follow.
Jenn: There are so many parties going on over the next few days – private and public – that I plan to release my inner vampire and sleep during the day. Thursday saw me channeling my other inner vamp – flapper, that is – judging the costume contest at the Woodrow Wilson House’s 1920s Speakeasy bash. With gin cocktails provided by DC’s own New Columbia Distillers and jazz by Laissez Foure, this party to benefit the District’s only presidential museum had to be fun. Friday’s top party is definitely BYT’s Temple of Doom at the kooky Sphinx Club, with so much mayhem packed in it’ll obliterate you. Saturday will be about private house party-hopping before heading to The Passenger’s always insane Halloween bash. This year the gang creates The Trail of Mahiki, the Hawaiian path to the land of the dead, and that means Tiki drinks, roast pig, human sacrifice, and zombies! After all that, I’ll need some art – seeing Folger Theatre perform an adaptation of the beautiful Sufi poem, The Conference of the Birds, on Sunday night. Maybe if my vampire strategy works, that will be followed by a visit to Tropicalia to dance to the Balkan beats of Raya Brass Band, with Gogol Bordello’s Thomas Gobena DJ-ing. What an endurance test!
Alexia: What I want to do this weekend: Friday: Omaha’s The Mynabirds (so good) open the night tonight at Black Cat, the headliner is AC Newman from The New Pornographers. (Check out my interview with Mynabirds front-woman Laura Burhenn, and with current guitarist J. Tom Hnatow!) Across town at Comet Ping Pong check out the indie-rock grooviness of Deathfix (featuring Brendan Canty of Fugazi and Richard Morel), as well as another Dischord band Soccer Team, and Berlin’s Fenster. Saturday: From noon til five there’s what sounds to be a kick-ass Punk Rock Flea Market at St. Stephen’s church on 16th & Newton, NW, hosted by Positive Force DC. In addition to cool vendors there are also bands playing from 3-5, including local favorites of mine weirdo-electro-rockers Heavy Breathing. Saturday night I’ve got invites to a couple awesome sounding Halloween house parties, one which features live bands. If you’re into the goth scene, or just feel like going there ’cause it’s Halloween, goth dance night Midnight will be hosting their 10th annual Halloween party at The Meeting Place, complete with costume contest, candy, cake…creepiness? 9pm, $5. What I’ll probably do this weekend: Practice every waking moment for my upcoming show with Black Hills at The Phillips Collection on November 1st, and my show with The Torches for the Dia de los Muertos party at The Torpedo Factory on November 2nd.
Don: With the uncertain weather it may be a call to do some indoor close-to-home drinking. Where that is may be up for grabs and I might be tempted out by the call of the Tiki Gods. After all, the birds sing and the flowers bloom in the Tiki (Tiki Tiki) Room. I was all set to hit up the Ai Weiwei exhibit that Natalia mentioned until I heard they wouldn’t be restaging the above video.
Well I used to say something in my profile about not quite being a “tinker, tailor, soldier, or spy” but Tom stole that for our about us page, so I guess I’ll have to find another way to express that I am a man of many interests.
Hmm, guess I just did.
My tastes run the gamut from sophomoric to Shakespeare and in my “professional” life I’ve sold things, served beer, written software, and carried heavy objects… sometimes at the same place. It’s that range of loves and activities that makes it so easy for me to love DC – we’ve got it all.
