We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: Jul 12-14

Rebecca: SOOOOO much going on this weekend. For starters on Friday I’m hitting up a birthday happy hour at Stoney’s after which I’m catching the Bosnian Rainbows concert at the U Street Music Hall. Post concert a drink on the newly opened rooftop of 1905 sounds like the perfect way to end a Friday night. Saturday it’s a sports filled day with pick up footie on the Stoddert Field at 10am and a sloshball match at our secret location in my hood. Sunday you’ll find me playing softball in Glover Park potentially against this week’s He Loves DC. Go Beach Bums!

Rachel: With the Nats out of town this weekend, that gives me plenty of time to spend with my softball team the Near Misses. We play in the Glover Park Coed Softball League on the corner of 39th and Calvert NW each Sunday between April and August. Our season comes to a close during the final week of July and in anticipation of the two-day tournament, our team is celebrating our season thus far with a lil’ party Saturday night. So I’m mostly looking forward to hanging with the team away from the diamond and then heading to the sandlot on Sunday.

Patrick: Crabs. We all love them. Perhaps you order them at a place like The Quarterdeck or buy them at the Maine Avenue Fish Market. Regardless of how you get them, you have your own special way of cracking them open and eating them. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit I’ve not experienced a good ol’ Crab Boil in all my years here. That will change on Saturday, I’m heading up to Bethesda and enjoying Crabs. Lots of Crabs. Sunday I will be taking in a lot of Fringe shows, I’m looking forward to “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs: The Musical.” Make sure you follow me on Twitter for all of my #CapFringe13 tweets!

Mosley: Fun packed weekend…again!  Friday I’m planning on spending the evening taking photos of the Washington Monument’s new lighting scheme.  Judging from the pictures in our Flickr group, it looks impressive and I want to check it out for myself (PS: check back next week for a roundup of photos).  Saturday is for Star Wars, specifically Return of the Jedi at the AFI in Silver Spring.  This is my favorite one of the Original Trilogy (don’t judge me) and, even though it’s the dreaded Special Edition, I haven’t seen it in a theater for quite some time, so I’m looking forward to it.  And Sunday I’m thinking of checking out the lotus blossoms at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens; with the summer heat soon to be hitting “UGH” levels, they won’t be around for much longer.

Joanna: This morning I found three pieces of glitter in my hair, left over from the Fringe Festival preview a week and a half ago. It made me realize two things: 1) I’m a walking dreamcatcher. 2) I’m really excited about Fringe opening this weekend! Along with the rest of the theater team, I’m seeing a bunch of shows starting Saturday. Follow me on Twitter @jocastlemiller for very (very) short reviews. Oh, and when I’m not seeing shows, I’ll probably try to get through some of the arts events on my wish list from last weekend.

YouTube Preview Image

[editor’s note – I don’t hate you all so I refuse to embed videos from the worst band ever to pollute your ears with their sound while their fans pollute your nostrils. Enjoy some Lamb instead]

Tom: What’s that sound? Could it be the biggest jam band since the Grateful Dead? Yeah, Phish is doing two massive shows at Merriweather Post on Saturday and Sunday, and though I still don’t quite understand the pull, I’ll be there with bells on, because how can you miss something like that? I’m dying for some rest and relaxation, but it seems elusive. I may try to take myself back a bit with a malted from Buffalo & Bergen, which I’ve been craving since an NPR spot they did last weekend. Count me in for one DC’s great sandwiches this weekend also.

Don: As much as I’d like to be a part of the Fringe coverage this weekend, I’m going to plead infant with a sick wife chaser. So I’ll be sticking close to home, watching some Nats on the tv playing my hometown’s Marlins, wondering why they have a retractable roof stadium and we don’t. Oh right – because we went with a design to maximize the beautiful view of the capitol building. *cough*

Essential DC, The District, We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: July 4th and beyond!

Happy Independence Day!

From all of us at We Love DC, we wish you a fantastic Fourth of July, and very special thanks for reading us. Our own humble founding was on July 4, 2008, and after five years we still love this city and strive to share our experiences of DC life with you. Here’s what some of us are up to this weekend, as we all celebrate the birthday of our country, and what it means to be free.

Mosley: Ah, the Fourth of July weekend that’s nearly as long as a week!  If I had a job I’d be in heaven. Anyways, I’m planning on spending the morning of the Fourth either going to the parade on Independence Ave or to the 11am Nats game. And then the fun begins with the fireworks! I’m setting up next to the Reflecting Pool on the Lincoln side of the Mall; if you see me, say hi. Friday I’m planning on continuing the patriotism by seeing Gettysburg at the AFI in Silver Spring; it’s going to be an all day event.  Saturday and Sunday will be interchangeable; one will be going back down to the Mall for the Folk Life Festival and the other will be a pool day. Which will hopefully be the hardest decision I make for the week.

Alexia: Friday night is a long-anticipated night for me – The Torches are finally releasing our first full-length album, “The Authority Of,” and we’re throwing a big ol’ album release party at Iota! Joining us for this celebratory occasion are The Green Boys (RVA), The Nighttime Adventure Society (NY), and locals Two Ton Twig will be providing foot-stomping musical interludes between bands! Show starts at 9pm, admission is $10. Saturday The Torches play a free show at noon at the DC Meet Market, on 15th & P as part of the summer kid-friendly rock show series Rock-n-Romp! Saturday night I’m thinking of heading to Old Town Alexandria for a chill evening. Sunday I’ll be celebrating the birthday of my favorite 2-year-old in a park in Arlington. Hoping the weather isn’t too swampy for that!

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: June 28-30

Joanna: I’m starting out this weekend with the Fringe Festival preview. That’s right, folks: Fringe is back! And so is manic coverage from your committed (and soon-to-be-institutionally-committed) theater team. The festival starts July 11, and buttons/tickets/passes are on sale now. On Saturday I’m catching Lake Untersee at the Source Festival – a new play set in Antarctica and developed by DC new works incubator The Inkwell. Somewhere in the middle I’ve also got to recycle my old toner at the MOMs E-Cycle Celebration. I have 3 reminders set, because that empty toner cartridge has been waiting to get recycled for nearly three years while I keep forgetting. At this point, I think it might have a better memory than I do.

Tom: Summer in DC means life’s little pleasures to avoid the heat. Despite all the “controversy“, I’ll be at Turkey Thicket pool to get some swimming in this weekend, followed by a trip up to Rita’s for some italian ice and to support our local spots. While I’m not ready to take my hand at golf, like Max suggested, I might be up for disc golf in college park.

Fedward: More packing!  Saturday we’ll take a break and celebrate the Niecelets’ seventh (hello seven) birthday at Upshur Pool (no controversy there!).  Sunday we have to miss the opening of Wakka Wakka Productions’ Baby Universe at Studio Theatre, but we look forward to seeing it once we’re settled into our new house. Being in crunch mode, we might even miss our usual brunch at the Passenger. And at some point we need to get to Ace Beverage and Calvert Woodley, both to restock our own depleted whiskey supply (buying a house is hard) and to pick up thank you gifts for people who have helped (ditto).  What Champagne goes with New House?

Mosley: For me, this weekend is all about the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival.  I’ve enjoyed it so much over the last few years, and I really looking forward to exploring the Hungarian culture part of it this year.  And I’m always looking forward to seeing what kind of food they are serving down there too.  Beyond that, I think it’s just conserving my energy for next week; the 4th of July is always packed full of things to do and not enough energy to do them all.

Jenn: I’m off to NYC this weekend to see Sleep No More again (what? you haven’t seen it yet? get on up there, they can’t keep extending it forever!) but if I weren’t I would definitely be at Tropicalia this Friday night to dance like mad to some bubu music as Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang take the stage at 10pm. Also that night the Hirshhorn Museum is open for a special summer preview from 7pm-10pm for sneak peeks at new exhibitions and gallery talks. You could also enjoy the marriage of science fiction and puppet theater as Baby Universe opens at Studio Theatre, featuring puppets and animation for what’s bound to be an intriguing ride. Plus the Hong Kong Film Festival at the Freer begins! Don’t forget to eat. Maybe a tower of seafood at Le Diplomate, or a burger on the deck at Red Derby. And of course, you know I’m going to say sherry and ham at Mockingbird Hill. Lots of choices to kickstart summer fun.

Don: My weekend is mercifully unencumbered, though I suspect I will be shamed into some prepwork around the house in anticipation of my parents’ visit next week. Personally I think That Darned Baby should be a free pass to live as slovenly a life as we choose but my wife disagrees. With Capital Weather Gang saying we’ve got an unpredictable storm/sun situation coming I may just sit on my butt and try to build a Spotify playlist of all the bands represented there that are mentioned in this neat City Paper article on DC-area ska bands. The only thing really calling my name – other than the usual Passenger brunch with Fedward and his Social Chair – is Taffety Punk’s “The Rape of Lucrece” that they’re putting on Friday night at the Black Cat.

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: Jun 21-23



Joanna:
 On Friday night I have a surprise date planned for someone who just might read this post – so… let’s just say it will be epic and skip forward to Saturday. I’m walking a solid few miles on the Mt. Vernon Trail in the morning and hope to finish on a quiet  back street in Georgetown (quiet? wish me luck on that one). Then I’m using a gift card to Farmers Fishers Bakers and probably splurging for a cupcake at Baked and Wired – all before heading to an advance screening of White House Down. You know the formula: massive explosions + cute little kid + president in danger = Roland Emmerich. Sunday? I have actually written the word “NOTHING” into my to-do list. Judge not, lest you be cursed with my kind of tired.

Max: Despite keeping close track of the team, I’ve still not made it to a Nationals game this season. Part of it has been bad timing; part of it has been disappointment at watching the tribulations of team I can only describe as a teenager with mood swings (kind of like…Bryce Harper). Anyway, I’ll be going to two games in a row this week, Thursday and Friday, to make up for the lapse and help push us back to .500. On Saturday, I’m going to watch a movie that I spent over a year working on play at the AFI Docs Fest (formerly SilverDocs). The film is called Life According to Sam and tickets are available to screenings on Saturday and Sunday. After that, I’m going to play in my flag football league before heading out with some friends for dinner and bar hopping in Chinatown. On Sunday, I’m going to check off another item from my summer list by heading to Harper’s Ferry for my first river float of the season. I’ll be the guy in a cowboy hat cruising down the river on an air mattress.

Tom: The weekend! Those days when we’re not supposed to work, but chances are, we do anyway! With the Nationals in town, you will catch me out at Nationals Park testing out my new Eephus League Scorebook and hoping the Nationals get their shit together in some reasonable time scale. I’ll also be trying out the delicious new Ethiopian fare at Askale Cafe in Brookland as part of their soft opening, as well as Arcuri over in Glover Park (their mozzarella sticks are homemade and entirely amazing).

Rebecca:  Friday after a LONG ass week and the presentation of a BIG work deliverable, I’ll be enjoying a long over due happy hour with WeLoveDC’s Katie Test. I’m letting her pick the place as I’ll be brain dead at that point, so be sure to check in with her on our Friday whereabouts. Saturday, it’s some beach volleyball on The Mall courts and then dinner and margaritas at Cactus Cantina. Post dinner the crew and I will likely the somewhat newly opened Black Whiskey on 14th. Sunday, brunch at Pulpo is on order followed by some much needed maintenance and planting at my Victory Garden. If I feel up to it, I’ll grab some crab cakes at Wagshal’s market for dinner; they’re seriously the best in town.

Mosley: An uncharacteristically eventful weekend for me.  On Friday I’m heading down to the Sculpture Garden for their weekly Jazz in the Garden.  It’s always a great experience, with a huge crowd, good music, and beautiful scenery.  Saturday is the lazy day of the weekend where I’m probably just going to hang out at my neighborhood pool, soaking up some rays.  And Sunday is the big event: family get-together at the Nationals game against the Rockies.  It’s Bryce Harper bobblehead day, so my inner child will be super happy!

Fedward: Last time the Social Chair and I moved, we took a few months to throw out accumulated stuff and pack at our leisure, but this time we’ve got three weeks.  So, from now until the day the movers come, most of our free time is going to be spent packing.  If we didn’t have that going on, the first stop of the weekend on Friday night would be Dupont Circle Park, for the Golden Triangle BID’s Golden Cinema Series’ presentation of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Saturday I’d grab my camera for the Through the Lens photographers’ tour of the National Building Museum. And Sunday we can’t miss brunch at the Passenger, because it’s the only thing keeping us going right now.

Jenn: Continuing my art saturation this weekend. Friday night will see me at Morton Fine Art for the opening of local artist Rosemary Feit Covey’s incredible installation piece, Red Handed. Saturday is Dana Ellyn’s open studio in advance of her Bar Crawl series opening next weekend, and the kickoff for the exciting LUMEN8ANACOSTIA festival. It’s also closing weekend for the absolutely fantastic Woolly Mammoth production of Stupid Fucking Bird, so if you haven’t seen this Chekhov mash-up yet, get on it. I’ll need cocktails, of course, so perhaps a jaunt over to Red Hen where Sebastian Zutant is bringing back Galliano, or Proof for Adam Bernbach’s gin masterpieces, or Mockingbird Hill to sip Chantal Tseng’s sherry and tea concoction. No matter what I end up doing, I’m determined to spread some happiness.

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: June 14 – 16

Don: It’s my birthday and I’ll go tubing if I want to. Down Gunpowder Falls, in fact. And now that it’s our 3rd year of doing this for my birthday we find that you tube free on your birthday. This would have been useful information in the past, but hey, I’ll take it now. After that it’s all “relaxation” of the home prep type to get ready for our annual Flag Day party. Protip: if you really really hate when people bring you presents, name your shindig after a national holiday (even if it’s one that most people are unaware of) – it works better than “no gifts” on the invite. After all that “relaxation” I’m going to need some time to lay on the couch and do nothing, which is my firm plan for my first Father’s day as a father.

Max: A lot of consumption on tap for this weekend, beginning with dinner and beer on Friday night at the recently opened B Too in Logan Circle. The extremely Belgian sounding menu is curated by the apparently (Top-Chef) famous Bart Vandalae, who makes me laugh because I think of Art Vandelay. On Saturday, I’ll be playing the part of escort to a friend’s surprise birthday brunch at Crios. The $13 all you can drink component should make things interesting, and we’ll see where I wind up after the festivities continue outdoors with cornhole and such. Sunday, I’m going to hop on a boat in Annapolis and make my way to the perfect deck at Waterman’s Crab House for some shellfish smashing. Phew, a lot on tap.

Rachel: For the first time in while I have absolutely no plans for my Friday night and this excites me very much. After I catch up on sleep and get other things out of the way, that makes room for Saturday when I’m going to try my absolute hardest to make it to Jammin’ Java to see the 3MTs. Then, a few of my favorite people and I are going to go to our favorite old haunt — the Clyde’s Race Bar in Friendship Heights. And, as always, Sunday is softball day for the GPCSL so that’s where I’ll be. Quality weekend for sure.

Tom: If it’s June, it’s CSA farm season, so catch me out in the country on Saturday. I’ll start with breakfast in Leesburg at South Street Under for their Ciabatta sandwiches, and then it’s out to Great Country Farms to get our box. Lunch will be at Market Salamander in Middleburg, where we’ll pretend we live in small town America for an afternoon. Sunday we’ve got work to do at the house, but we’ll likely hit up the usual spots. Of course Sunday night without Game of Thrones is going to be a bit much to take. For our weekly dose of crazy, though, we might just hit up Rock n Roll Hotel’s Air Sex championship. Yes. You read that right.

Fedward:  Keeping with the “under contract and in escrow” theme of the past couple weekends, the Social Chair and I don’t have much of anything going on.  Friday we’ll check out the lawn games and frozen cocktails of Suburbia. Saturday we’re helping Don celebrate Flag Day. Sunday we’ll binge on Before movies, um, ‘before’ going to the AFI Silver for Before Midnight. We’ll then finish off the weekend in our usual brunch-at-Passenger style, because some things never change. Aside from all that, we’ll be packing.  Anybody have any spare moving boxes?

Joanna: Family’s in town this weekend, so we’ll be making our usual stop at Shelly’s Backroom. Plus it’s Father’s Day, which we’ll celebrate with a nice brunch outside – heck, maybe even a manly airplane picnic at Gravelly Point. Dad also likes farmer’s markets, so I’d like to take him to Arlington’s. I’m ending the weekend at Taqueria el Poblano, with some of the best fish tacos around.

Katie: Friday we’re getting outside (is it safe?) and hitting up Cantina Marina for some waterfront taco love. One of my favorite things about summer is watching the sunset over the harbor, drink in hand. Saturday, my beloved Tash is starting brunch service, and I’ll be the first one in line. Saturday night I’m headed to the Hirshorn and then we’ll hit up 14th street for dinner. Masa? El Centro? I’m in a Richard Sandoval mood. Who knows. Sunday, I want to relax at a pool, so we’re heading over to Georgetown to relax country club style at Volta Park Pool.

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: June 7-9

Rebecca: Tons of crazy, amazing, fun stuff going on this weekend. Friday I’m off to the Cut Copy concert at the 930 club where I’m gonna dance myself crazy to their electro-pop, 80s beats. Saturday I’ll be running and getting covered in dye at the Run or Dye 5K taking place at RFK. Will likely need a shower and a cold beer after that saga. Saturday evening, it’s a friend’s birthday party at Jack Rose which will likely end up with crazy group dancing somewhere on U Street or AdMo. Sunday morning footie will detox me from my weekend debauchery and I’ll finish things out by ordering pho from Sprig & Sprout and watching Hemlock Grove.

Rachel: I’ll be spending most of this weekend at Nats Park which I’m looking forward to since I’ve been on vacation for most of the past two weeks and missed hanging out down by the Navy Yard. Then, Sunday will be the usual afternoon of softball with the GPCSL before heading to The Dunes for the Metro Music Source‘s Four Year Anniversary Celebration. We’ll be saying farewell to MMS co-founder Jem Bahaijoub of ImaginePR who is moving on to new opportunities in the coming weeks. It’s an event not to be missed by those looking to network within the greater DC music community, that’s for sure.

Don: Our weekend will be a little low-key, and not just because it looks like the sky is going to spend both days dumping on us. We’re going to a post-wedding celebration and a bon voyage party, confusingly for a Carl and a Karl. We’ve resorted to just calling them Big Daddy and Curls. Beyond that we don’t have much on deck except perhaps seeing if we can buy Ed and Kate a celebratory drink on Sunday, if only they can pick a bar they like.

Maya:  I’m excited to write my first weekend update; however, I apologize for not introducing myself with a more exciting weekend.  On Friday, I will be dining at Brasserie Beck with hopes for oysters and Belgian IPA’s galore.  Saturday, I’ll adhere to my bi-weekly tradition of catching up on some reading at Blind Dog Cafe with one (or three) of their mouth watering chocolate chip cookies.  The evening will remain simple and sweet with some grilling and good friends.  I shamefully admit that Sunday will be my first venture to Union Market, which is hosting the event Israel@65.  It will be a great excuse to catch up with my parents, who live in Tenleytown, and satiate our Mediterranean palates while jamming to some tunes strummed by popular Israeli musicians.

Joanna: This weekend depends – as it always seems these days – on the weather. I’d really like to take the dog to Rock Creek Park, but since it will likely rain I might wind up at the National Portrait Gallery to see this and this, then to the Mall to check out the One Million Bones project, raising awareness for genocide. Approaching Ali is happening Sat/Sun – the first hourlong opera created through the American Opera InitiativeNew opera at a decent ticket price, but just for two days. On Sunday I’m cheering on a friend at the Air Force Challenge Ride, then going to a guacamole-themed party (recipes welcome) before planting myself in one spot for the Tony Awards.

Tom: Jazzfest! The craziest weekend of the year at Merriweather Post starts Friday night and runs all weekend, so catch me up in Columbia for this year’s bill. Of course the Nats are home, too, so I’ll be out at Nats Park hoping the Nats can get it together and start to win series, even if I’m suspect that this year is their year, predictions all aside. I had been hoping to get some time to head out to Frager’s to pick up garden supply, but I may have to re-home that trip over to Brookland Hardware, which has started to hold occasional Sunday hours.

Katie: Friday night is all about relaxing, so if it’s not raining, we might picnic in Lincoln Park, or down by Yards Park. Saturday, I’m invited to a Great Gatsby Garden Party, which sounds delightful, then we’re going out on the town. I want to pre-apologize to U street or Columbia Heights for my behavior in advance. Sunday, I’ll keep it low key with a spin class at Biker Barre and dinner at Le Grenier on H Street.

Fedward: having gone from “just looking” to “under contract” in one fast, stressful week, the Social Chair and I now have the challenge of getting the house bought and closed on time.  Our social lives are thus curtailed somewhat until everything is, well, settled.  We’ve already dropped off our earnest money  had our inspection, and locked our rate, but we still need to finalize our loan.  Saturday we’ll stop and smell the flowers, literally, at a lavender farm and then follow that up with some Quaker fun (do Quakers even have fun?) in Sandy Spring (I think we’re mostly going to hang out with friends). And Sunday we’ll graciously allow Don and his Darling Wife to buy us drinks, probably at the Passenger, because of course that’s where.

Jenn: There’s so much to choose from this weekend! First off, festivals. CulturalDC’s 6th annual Source Festival starts Friday. Running for three weeks, it features three new full-length plays, eighteen new ten-minute plays, and three “artistic blind dates” which will give audiences a chance to see the creative process of new play development up close. The DC Jazz Festival is already underway, running until June 16 at multiple venues around town and there’s lots to great music to choose from. Plus, the Supernova Big Bang Dance Party is this Saturday at Artisphere. Or see Russian indie band Pompeya at Tropicalia. Speaking of Russia, I need to get to NGA to see the Ballet Russes exhibit, especially after attending that amazing Stravinsky party last week. But I know I’m not fooling anyone. I’ll probably spend the entire weekend daydreaming. Or at Mockingbird Hill. Yes, Derek Brown and Chantal Tseng’s new sherry and ham bar has its grand opening Friday. It’s already my new happy place.

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends – May 31 – June 2

Rebecca:  Friday I’m doing a little painting and sipping at LivingSocial to celebrate a friend’s birthday. After that we’re headed over to Eden nightclub to the Fall Out Boy after concert party where we’ll catch a DJ set by Pete Wentz and sip on Belvedere vodka cocktails. Saturday I’ve got to get some heavy gardening to do, before I head off to my last WAWSL match of the spring season. Sunday it’s off to RFK where the US Men’s Soccer Team will take on Germany in a friendly. USA! USA! USA!

Jenn: Friday late afternoon I’m going to get on a recent resolution to eat more veggies and hit the Petworth Farmers Market. I may also be shopping there for interesting ingredients to make shrubs for cocktails. Ok, forget the veggies, that may be my actual goal. Saturday is the opening of the Ward 8 Farmers Market at THEARC, with a tour of their Organic Teaching Garden’s brand new Hoop House. Plus, a Gospel Brunch at Union Market. With all that marketing, by the end of the weekend I should be surrounded by mason jars full of multi-colored sweet and tart syrupy goodness. Come on over. Or, wander among roses and peonies admiring how the diplomatic corps lives, as this weekend is also the 30th Annual Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk. Nine museums are open free of charge for family-friendly fun on Saturday and Sunday (with shuttle buses, if you don’t feel like hoofing it), a scavenger hunt, and a photo contest. Sweet. But not tart.

Tom: How is it June already? How did I get here? This is not my beautiful house. Okay, well, it is a beautiful house in my neighborhood at least. This Sunday’s Brookland House & Garden Tour is one of my favorite events in my part of DC. $12 gets you into some of the most amazing houses in Brookland and a tour of their garden, as well as a nice party at the end of the walk. It’s also the start of proper farm season, so catch me out at Great Country Farms on Saturday for their incredible strawberries, as well as a drop down to Market Salamander in Middleburg to remind me that the country has great food, too.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: May 24 to 27 (probably)

I guess it depends on whether you get the day off, no? Most of us do and for the most part we’re going to enjoy the city while so many others flee. What have you got on tap? Whatever it is, pour me a tall one.

Fedward:  The Social Chair and I already have a three day reservation on a Zipcar so we can visit our friends outside Front Royal.  This means pretty much the same plans as our trips in September 2011 and February 2012.  We usually try to get to Chester Gap Cellars, although with the holiday weekend the visit might not be as peaceful as it normally is. On the other end of the scale we’ll definitely make time for burgers and custard at Spelunkers. We might also take our Zipcar down Skyline Drive.

Joanna: We’re getting out of Dodge for the weekend, and completely unplugging while we’re at it. Come rain or come shine, who cares? My books sure don’t, as long as we get some quality time together – and I’m starting Malone’s Jefferson and His Time series, so quality time is looking likely. If I were staying here I’d probably check out the first of Free Summer Saturdays at The Corcoran and make a bone (you read that right) through the One Million Bones workshop. The bones will be installed on the National Mall in June to raise awareness for genocide happening around the world. For Memorial Day I’d visit the Women in Military Service for America Memorial before a small(ish) town parade – perhaps Falls Church?

Mosley: Memorial Day Weekend!  I always consider this weekend to be the official start to summer.  And with summer comes trips to movie theaters!  The AFI in Silver Spring is showing the Mel Brooks classic History of World Part I this weekend; one of my favorite movies from one of my favorite comedians.  Other than that, I’m hoping to get to at least one Nationals game this weekend, as they are taking on the hated Phillies and the equally hated  (to me at least) Orioles.  Beyond that, I might head out to the Cheverly Pool at some point, as this is their big opening weekend.  In Cheverly, during the summer, this is the place to be.

Jenn: I’ve been having some trouble re-entering the swing of things after several weeks of travel. So Memorial Day Weekend has completely crept up on me, it seems. In years past, the city empties out and I wander around enjoying the lack of lines and the luxury of no reservations. We’ll see if this year is any different. While I was away I missed a ton of theater openings: Synetic’s Three Musketeers, Constellation’s Gilgamesh, and STC’s The Winter’s Tale are among others I need to catch up on. Saturday night I’ll want to dance to the Brazilian funk of Alma Tropicalia, at Tropicalia (the club’s been killing it lately and it’s still my favorite place to dance). Sunday sees a special event celebrating the music of Sierra Leone with the bubu king, Janka Nabay — always a fantastic performance. Other than that, I’m looking forward to all the things you can’t plan for: impromptu grill parties, backyard fireworks, and surprising encounters.

 

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: May 17-19

Mosley: One of my favorite days of the year is on Saturday: Cheverly Day! For those who don’t know me, Cheverly is my hometown in PG County Maryland. And the thing I love most about Cheverly Day is the awesome firework display that is put on every year; I feel it’s the best in the area, because you’re right under the fireworks as they go off and there is no delay between light and sound. It’s really magical. Before I get my fireworks grove on, I’ll be enjoying a cookout at a friends house. Beyond that, it’s looking like Sunday will be slow recovery day; though I may go for a walk along the Mount Vernon Trail.

Joanna: I need a quiet, restful weekend. It will probably include sitting around and reading, for the most part. There’s also a lot of free arts events this weekend. I’m hoping to spend some time at The Phillips Collection on Saturday as part of Art Museum Day, when museums across the country will open their doors at no charge. But the only real plan is Washington National Opera’s Opera in the Outfield on Saturday night. It’s free opera, guys. FREE! The production this year is Showboat, broadcast live from the Kennedy Center. I just hope the weather holds up.

Rachel: This weekend I’m catching up on some much needed sleep while still managing to do a few fun things. Really hoping to make it to IOTA to see We Love DC’s very own John Athayde play bass in his band Juniper Lane on Saturday night. Then Sunday is softball day in Glover Park with the GPCSL. It’s my last game for a couple weeks before I head on vacation/tour to play shows in Chicago and Albany, so you better believe I’m gonna savor that sunshine if it chooses to make an appearance.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: May 10-12

Joanna: Surely the clouds will go away soon; but in case they don’t, the EU Open House should provide decent cover. I’ll probably return to Czech Republic and Hungary this year – two of my favorites from years past. I’d also like to visit France and Germany, which are joining up at the Embassy of France. Later on I’m keeping up the European theme by seeing Twelfth Night at Folger Theatre and then The Three Musketeers at Synetic Theater. I ran into the cast of the latter a while back, and if their mustaches are any sign it will be wild

Patrick: Tomorrow I’ll be with some friends at one of the most anticipated new bars on my to-do list: Board Room. I look forward to drinks and Cards Against Humanity. Saturday I’m keeping a low profile for most of the day, I’m considering taking a girl out to a new speakeasy I just found out about in Eastern Market. Sunday I’ll be up early running the Angel Kisses 5K.

Tom: This weekend is the Great Brookland Yard Sale, so my neighbors and I will be out selling our wares throughout the neighborhood. There’s some sweet stuff in this year’s sale, including a couple houses dedicated just to great vinyl, so check out the sale highlights map, get out some cash, and head to Brookland Saturday morning. That afternoon, I’ll trek up to Merriweather Post Pavilion for Sweetlife Festival, because I want a 13th Street Meats/Toki Underground Pho Dog something fierce, oh, and to see Phoenix, too. Sunday, I will luxuriate in sleep and rest, and maybe head down to Bloomingdale’s new hotspot, The Red Hen.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: May 3-5

Joanna: I’ll be out of town this weekend, but were my friend Christine not getting married to an awesome guy in a cow-themed wedding (sure to be a mooving ceremony), I guess I’d be here. And I’d be attending one of local artist Dana Ellyn’s two opening receptions happening this weekend. I’d also do some massive Embassy touring – part of Passport DC’s signature events. I really hate to be missing that. Last year’s EU tours (coming up May 11) were mostly great, so this time around I was really hoping to tour the rest of the world. Alas, it’s not to be. North Carolina doesn’t count as another country, does it?

Tom: It’s opening weekend at Merriweather Post Pavilion, so that means I’ll be up in Columbia getting my metal on this weekend. Because, really, who doesn’t want to see Twisted Sister rock out and relive their best Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure memories? I’m also plotting a trip to see Iron Man 3 this weekend, but struggling with the where. AMC Courthouse doesn’t have it, so I can’t experience the cushy seats, so it’s looking like Hoffman Center if I want to trek to the burbs for IMAX 3D, or Georgetown Loews if I want to deal with being in Georgetown for a couple hours on a Sunday. Either way, it’s a metal nerd weekend.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends – Apr 26-28

Joanna: With family in town this weekend, a traditional visit to Shelly’s Back Room is in order. And since these Castles are Irish Jews – rare as leprechauns – it’s guaranteed we’ll also stop by Star and Shamrock. If we weren’t doing that Friday, I’d probably check out Dramathon at Theater J, which raises money for The Theatre Lab’s scholarship fund through readings of 10-minute plays by local playwrights. I’m also seeing Mary T. and Lizzie K. at Arena Stage somewhere in there, which the Great Jenn says is a Great Show. On Sunday I’m watching the fab Lauren Boston in Listen to Your Mother at Synetic Theater before heading out to Silver Spring to hear Noa open the Jewish Music Festival. Oy! That’s a lot.

Rachel: This weekend is a standard spring weekend for me — music and baseball. Friday night there’s a concert at Ebenezers Coffeehouse that I’d never miss in a million years. My buddies Zia Hassan, Don Kim, and Dave Farah are playing an acoustic show along with Kiirstin Marilyn. They’re all fantastic songwriters in their own right and they all have spectacular voices that’ll leave you wanting more. I strongly recommend this show. If you come, I promise there’ll be free hugs and plenty of laughter! Then, I’ll be heading to Nats Park on Saturday for some day game baseball as the Nats face the Cincinnati Reds before a night in Rosslyn spent celebrating my favorite dog’s (yes, a real dog, I have no shame) birthday party. Afterward, I’m sure the human attendees at that party will end up out and about in the Court House area — most likely at Ragtime or Four Courts. Next up is softball Sunday at Stoddert Field with the GPCSL. Good times indeed.

Tom: Weeeeekeeeeeeend! After last week’s successful trip to Chicago, I’m thinking there’s a lot to accomplish here. But first, priorities, and that means the Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival which runs all afternoon & evening on Saturday. There will be pickin’ & chunkin’ and that’s going to be marvelous. Also on the docket is a longer ride through perfect cool morning weather that morning, possibly out the W&OD Trail toward Vienna.  This is also a perfect barbecue weekend, so I’ll be firing up the grill with some deliciousness from various local purveyors.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends – April 19-21

Joanna: (Peeking out from behind her door) Are the tourists gone yet? Because I’m thinking of having a picnic this weekend, somewhere near the Tidal Basin. On Saturday Ghion is hosting 12 bands from 2pm to 2am. I’m too old for that, but I might drag my increasingly ancient butt out for an NYC reunion with Emily Danger, which is slated at 11pm and has a really dynamic thing going with the help of my friend Cam on violin. On Sunday I’m seeing Wallenstein at Shakespeare Theater Company and hopefully catching a few zzz’s too.

Rachel: Friday night I’ll be back at Ebenezers Coffeehouse to watch singer-songwriter Grace Pettis and her band rock out. Then Saturday night I’ve got a gig of my own at the DC Arts Center as part of the Capital City Showcase. If you’ve never been, it’s a variety show hosted by DC native Christian Hunt that brings together comedians and musicians for a night of stand-up comedy and original music. Plus — the theater at the DC Arts Center is one of those smaller black box theaters and the acoustics in there are fantastic. I don’t even mic up, I just sing without having to plug in my guitar or anything. It makes for an organic and fun performance. Then Sunday it’s back to Stoddert Field for week three of the GPCSL before the Nats head back into town for a homestand on Monday.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends – April 12-14

Mosley: Fun filled weekend!  First, Friday night I’m checking out Inglourious Basterds at the AFI in Silver Spring; I’m not normally a Tarantino fan but I’ve been interested in seeing this movie for awhile.  And seeing a movie at the AFI is always a blast.  Saturday is the annual Sakura Matsuri Street Festival; while I know it gets very, very crowded, it’s still a great event with a ton of sights.  After all that fun, Sunday is almost certainly going to be a relax day but I hope to get out of the house.  The nice weather we are having only lasts so long, so we should soak it up while we can!

Joanna: My weekend starts early with Andy and the Shadows at Theater J, where I’ll be finding out what a “comedy about family with Freudian hallucinations and pre-marital angst” looks like. It continues Friday seeing our very own Rachel Levitin rock out at Ebenezers Coffee House. On Saturday I’ll be darting tourists at the National Gallery of Art while trying out the museum’s new mobile app. Then I close out the weekend with private ordeals at Clyde’s and Redline. I haven’t used a table tap before, but the whole thing sounds like a terrible premise for my type…

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends: March 29-31

Well it’s looking like spring might be a little more spring-like this weekend, with temps in the 50s and some sun to go with the rain. Hopefully there’ll be some wind for Mr Mosley on Saturday – though he may want a little less then the gusts from the last few days – and some opportunities for outdoor bliss for the rest of us. What does that mean exactly? Read on…

Mosley: Kite Festival is on Saturday!  One of the signature events of the Cherry Blossom Festival and I absolutely love it; seeing hundreds of kites in the air just makes the Mall come alive.  Along with that, I do need to get out of the house and see those cherry blossoms.  Sunday may be recovery day but I’m sure I’ll still get out of the house to do something.

Rebecca:  Friday night post my Down Dog Yoga sess, some friends of mine are welcoming home a new puppy and are throwing a Puppy Party, so I’ll be snorgling the lil fella and sipping wine. Saturday I’m gonna play some pick up footie at 10am on the Stoddert Fields in NW, and then catch brunch at Cafe Deluxe. Sunday, it’s Easter so the family will be gathering to have an epic dinner at around 4pm. If you’re looking for some out-of-home options, Open Table has some good recommendations.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends – Mar 22 to 24

Joanna: It’s spring, y’all. SPRING! The sun is high in the sky these days, so most of my weekend will be spent out in that. On Saturday I’m trekking to Georgetown and its Baked and Wired cupcakes before heading over the bridge to Artisphere for a staged reading of The River and the Mountain – a controversial Ugandan play related to homosexual policies that are still in affect. On Sunday the husband and I will introduce our dog to his arch-nemesis: a little cocker spaniel who hates him and wants him dead. We like the other dog’s owners, and they like us, so we really need a Kumbaya moment here. And since technically the Cherry Blossom Festival started yesterday, at some point I may also stop by Family Days at the National Building Museum to get in the spirit.

Mosley: Beer is in my weekend plans.  Sunday I’m going to the DC Beer Festival at Nats Park.  Mainly because I love beer and love Nat’s Park.  And this will get me over the hump until baseball season starts up and I can go to a Nats game.  Hoping against hope that the weather stays nice on Sunday.  Friday and Saturday plans are up in the air, but if the weather is as nice as predicted, I may go for a nice long photo walk along the Mount Vernon Trail; haven’t done that in a couple of years.

Katie: Friday, I’m hanging out with a friend in Old Town, and we’re hitting up The Pita House for some Mediterranean. Saturday, I’m being a dutiful bridesmaid and playing mannequin while my bestie picks out our bridesmaids dresses. We’re in for a day of shopping at Hitched, J.Crew and Ellie’s to find the perfect frock for her five bridesmaids to wear in her August vineyard wedding. Saturday night, I’m touring the monuments at night (GASP, can you believe in all six years I’ve lived here, I’ve never actually done that?) and then I’m rounding in on race day for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, so I’ve got my final big long run this weekend. Eek! Wish my hydration and stamina!

Rachel: My weekend starts today. It’s my birthday and I plan on celebrating. I’m kicking things off with lunch at DGS Delicatessen followed by happy hour, dinner, and a show at IOTA while some of my friends tackle some of 1979’s most classic albums. Word is the Cherry Blossom Festival starts this weekend so I’m going to do my best to avoid the Metro Rail at all costs because large crowds tend to stress me out. I’m also planning on joining a couple of the biggest Nats fans in town for some greasy food and drinks at Duffy’s in celebration of the swiftly approaching baseball season. Party on.

Patrick: Saturday I’m running the 2nd 5K ever in my entire life. The Run for Haiti 5K. I’d feel better about this if I actually trained this week instead of getting over my #SXSW Flu. I know all the hard core runners reading this are making fun of me. After my death run I’m reviewing Voodoo Macbeth over at American Century Theatre. As a theatre person I’m nervous I just typed the M word- I’m sure I won’t be cursed, right? After the show I hope to break my liver back in with my favorite Radio personality. Sunday I’ll be brunching at everybody’s favorite hip coffee place: Busboys & Poets.

Jenn: Tonight I’m heading over to The Dunes for Stand for Art’s Life is The Artistic Celebration party. Face painting, bellydancing, extremely cool music, what’s not to love? Friday night you could head over to the Corcoran’s annual ARTINI gala, where the beautiful people sip talented bartenders’ artistic cocktails under the columns. Tickets are still available. I’m very excited to see the the extension at Studio Theatre of The Motherfucker with the Hat, and the opening of 4000 Miles. Sunday I’ll hit an evening performance of the Lost Civilizations experimental music project at DC9. At some point a nice long walk to do some serious thinking about life will be involved. Plus Swedish meatballs at Hogo, several days in a row.

Fedward: Friday night the Social Chair, myself, and our collection of IKEA catalogs will make our way to Hogo for chef Ed Hardy’s new menu. Saturday, sans catalogs, we’re headed out to Seven Corners with our friend Sylvie for a guided tour of the Eden Center (I’ve been, but I always go to the same three places). If we didn’t have plans, we’d head to the Danny Kaye film festival (the flagon with the dragon holds the brew that is true. I think). Once we do get home Saturday night, we’ll celebrate Don Lockwood’s lucky day (1:30 AM, March 24) by watching Singin’ in the Rain. Sunday we’ll be early for our usual Passenger brunch, because it’s opening night for Studio Theatre’s 4,000 Miles (featuring the directorial return of founder Joy Zinoman).

Tom: This Friday night I’m doing what I’ve resisted for so long: visiting National Harbor. A friend from out of town is staying down there for work, so we’ll be popping down to enjoy the sights and tastes. Saturday will have some community meetings, which means learning and listening and collaborating on new ideas, and that’s the key part. Sunday, I will be getting out and riding, weather be damned.

Rebecca: Friday I’m finally getting to check out the ramen, dumplings and sake at Toki Underground. Afterwards, I’ll stick around H Street and sip some pints at the Star and Shamrock. Saturday I hope it’s warm enough to play for footie outside before I head to three different birthday parties at Bedrock Billiards, The Brixton and The Big Hunt. Think I’m going to be tired Sunday.

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends – March 15 to 17

Tom: This weekend starts out Friday night at Wonderland Ballroom to tape You, Me, Them, Everybody where I’ll be talking about Nationals Baseball in 2013 and the prospects of a season to remember. Saturday, I’m riding Big Stinky to raise awareness for the completion of the Met Branch Trail, and Sunday I’m doing the VASA ride with WABA assuming the weather’s not a total disaster.  Should be awesome!

Mosley: Since I was in parts of the world that don’t speak English when some of last year’s better movies came out, I’m taking advantage of two showings at the AFI in Silver Spring. Specifically, I’m going to see Lincoln and Argo. Also thinking of having dinner at my family’s favorite seafood place: Crisfield’s. Been going there since I was in the womb, and, mmmmm, I can already taste the clam chowdah! Saturday and Sunday are looking weird, weather-wise; I guess I will worry about those when I come to them. I’ve been wanting to hitting see the Phillips Collection and the Corcoran since I got back, but haven’t found the time; maybe this is the weekend to do it.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends, March 8-10

Jenn: So much to catch! This is the last weekend of the DC Intersections festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center over on H Street NE, with exciting selections such as Vijar Iyer’s documentary concert Holding It Down: The Veterans Dreams Project, theOur City Film Festival, and a musical mash-up with North Indian classical violinist Nistha Raj, jazz saxophonist Aakash Mittal, tabliya Debu Nayak, and beatboxer Christylez Bacon. It’s also the last weekend for the opulent exhibit of Turkish design, The Sultan’s Garden: The Blossoming of Ottoman Art, at the Textile Museum. Plus the last weekend for Folger Theatre’s riveting production of Henry V. And I definitely want to hit Hogo for the next installment of their rotating chef series, with Aaron Silverman of the upcoming Capitol Hill spot Rose’s Luxury previewing some dishes like popcorn soup and spicy pork and lychee — yum. Can I say yum and still be taken seriously?

Tom: After the failed snowstorm this week, I’m thinking Spring might really be upon us. Have you looked at the weather? 51 on Saturday, 58 on Sunday, and full of sunshine. I’ve been dying to check out the Corcoran’s Pump Me Up exhibit, so it’s possible I’ll put on a go-go/native punk playlist and bike down to check it out. There’s also still baseball and hockey to watch to watch this weekend, and civic association work to be done, so look for me at Turkey Thicket getting a count on activity.

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends, normally

But we’re all buried deep beneath the snow from this monster storm and will be doing nothing more than digging ourselves out.

(Editor note to Don, remove before publication: Hey, you really think it’s smart to write this so far in advance? I know we’re all concerned about the storm projections but I think we might want to wait to put up a placeholder even if the expectation is it’s gonna be so rough. It’s your call, but I’d advise against it; you never know how you might get caught out on this stuff.)

Continue reading

We Love Weekends

We Love Weekends – Feb 1 to 3

Rachel: This should be a fun one. I’ve got a show at American University on Friday night as part of an alternative Spring Break trip fundraiser (aka Jams for Justice). I’m always happy to help out the students at my Alma mater, so I’m expecting it to be a good time. Then my buddies The Very Small are playing their first live rock show in FOREVER at Comet Ping Pong. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been to a concert at Comet yet but a lot of my fellow local musicians have played shows there lately and I hear nothing but great things. Sunday will be spent rehearsing for my upcoming show at The Wonderland Ballroom on Wednesday, March 6. That performance is part of a new local variety show called The Wonderland Circus and is organized by the folks behind The Capital City Showcase.

Patrick: Friday night I think I’ll head on down to the Verizon Center and see the Wizards take on the Knicks. Saturday I will be brunching somewhere in Arlington. Lyon Hall? Liberty Tavern? I know it won’t be at Ray’s Hell Burger because that place is all closed down. Oh maybe I’ll go to Bayou! Problem is it’s always packed. Why does the rest of Clarendon have to think the same way I do? Saturday night I’m going to attempt to start my night in Rosslyn, move to Park at 14th, then end at H-Street. Would somebody like to loan me some cab fare?

Katie: Friday night I’ve got a track workout scheduled. (I’ve got a hidden gem near my work, but if you need a track, I recommend Wilson (that link is for the pool, but it’ll get you there) or any of these Arlington tracks.) Saturday, we’re taking it outside, grabbing the dog and going hiking. To make an afternoon of it, we’ll pick up a picnic and head to either Hidden Pond or Huntley Meadows. Sunday I’ll probably work on my spring garden, stopping by Ginkgo Gardens.

Fedward:  Friday is the anniversary of DC’s repeal of Prohibition and we’ll celebrate by braving crowds on U St to visit the Gibson to try Frank Jones’ ARTINI. I liked his entry last year. After that we’ll visit Room 11, who tweeted that they plan to celebrate, and maybe visit a Brown brother or two. Saturday if we can get out of bed in time, we’ll hit up the Kennedy Center for a talk on the Northern Lights (with slides and video from NASA). If we miss that we might still be up in time for Union Market’s gospel choir brunch. After that it’s member preview day for the new Green Schools exhibit at the National Building Museum. Sunday’s our last day of freedom quiet grown-up time not babysitting until next Saturday, so we’ll probably take it easy. So, just brunch at the Passenger.

Alexia: Friday night will find me at CD Cellar in Arlington to see local bands Troll Tax and Post Nasal Drip play. Saturday I’m taking a day-trip South to Richmond to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Sunday will find me at band practice, followed by my favorite monthly karaoke night at Galaxy Hut in Arlington!

Tom: Friday night would normally be a night out in Ward 5, we’ve been meaning to try Little Ricky’s in Brookland for their Cuban fare, it’s been getting raves, but I’ll be in Nashville for some social time this weekend. I hear amazing things about their Hot Chicken, so that’s on the list. I’ll be getting home Sunday, just enough time to hide out at Shaw’s Tavern with some email and prepare for the week.