The last week of February begins. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starting to smell a good Nat’s Dog in my hand, hear the crowd go wild after a National’s homer, and see the Presidents race at the bottom of the fourth. Spring training just doesn’t do it for me; I can’t wait for the real baseball season to begin! One more month. One more month.

Let’s get the month here a little bit quicker by starting with this week’s Weekend Flashback. Despite the rain and cold, it looks like our excellent photog contributors got out and about this weekend. So enjoy their hard work! Continue reading →

Rebecca: No yoga for me this Friday. I’m off to a friend’s birthday party at Bandolero in Georgetown where margaritas and tapas are on the menu. Saturday I’ll be hitting up the Satellite Room before the Railroad Earth concert at the 9:30 club and some post-concert drinks at the American Ice Company. Sunday, I’ve got brunch on tap at Chef Geoff’s, where the Eggs Henry has my name on it.

Katie: We’re at the end of the first training phase for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, a little lull before the big mileage starts, so this weekend I’m taking care of myself. I’ll be stopping by Bliss Spa at the W for the extreme sports massage, which I’m super excited about. Later in the weekend, I’m headed up to Annapolis to visit a friend, and no trip up there is complete without dinner at Level, my very favorite Annapolis restaurant. I bought a new crockpot, so I’m turning to the local blog The Bitten Word for some ideas for what to cook in it Sunday night – I’m thinking this tarragon chicken would do great in the slow cooker.

Patrick: I’m starting my weekend celebrating this girl’s birthday at Bravo! Bravo! From the looks of the website I’m sure it will be loud. I don’t think I’ve ever been to the home of “best latin night of the DC metro area.” Oh boy. If the weather is nice on Saturday I plan on running around Glover Park, I tried it with a friend a couple of weeks ago and it was a nice change of pace then running around the concrete jungle that is Clarendon. Oh ya the Oscars are this weekend. My picks will go up tomorrow but if you want to try and cram in some movies you can watch all nine Best Picture nominees on Saturday at AMC Georgetown in a 24 hour marathon.

Fedward: Friday is the anniversary of the day I asked the Social Chair to marry me, so we’ll probably celebrate that the same way we celebrated Valentine’s Day — at Hogo.  Saturday Your Mom and I will be at Puppet Standup and you should too.  Sunday evening the Poulenc Trio performs works by Duke Eliington and other composers at the National Gallery of Art’s West Garden Court in honor of African American History Month. And then Sunday night there’s no better place to watch the Oscars than the DC Film Society’s Oscar Party at Arlington’s Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse.  I guess we better do our Passenger brunch on the early side, huh.

Tom: I haven’t needed a weekend this badly in a while. The dark of February has me dreaming of summer, but tonight I’ll be rocking the red at the Caps game, and Saturday afternoon I’ll be hitting up the Brookland Black History reception at DC TV to learn more about the history of Brookland, keeping me firmly in the here and now. Inspired by a midweek trip to the Brixton’s deck, I may make a quick tour of the best heated patios in the city to pretend it’s much later, starting with some swachos at American Ice Company, and maybe hitting up Satellite Room for a milkshake or Tunnicliff’s to see if their heaters are still delightful.  After that, I’ll be writing some letters ahead of Statehood Lobby Day which is next Friday.

Rachel: My weekend starts early with some Thursday night festivities at Veracruz where there’ll be a Social Media Week event focusing around the Local Music scene and its audience. Then, Friday night, I’ll be playing a free show (as part of a weekly open mic) with some fellow local musicians at The Getaway. Music starts at 8 p.m. I’ve also been craving some good Jewish deli nosh food lately, so I may try my luck at getting a table at DGS Delicatessen. In the words of Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell, that place is “Crazy delicious.”

Alexia: Friday night there are a bunch of shows I want to see, so I’m not sure where I’ll end up. Could be at Black Cat for Parquet Courts, Roomrunner and one of my favorite DC bands Foul Swoops, could be at Comet Ping Pong for Short Lives, Southern Problems and Miyazaki, but I know I’ll end the night at Paperhaus, my favorite DC DIY music space that’s hosting their last show til summertime with Black Clouds, Raindeer, and Ever Ending Kicks. Somehow I’ll be dragging myself out of bed Saturday morning to run 6 miles on the W&OD trail, as part of my training for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in April. Saturday night I’ll either be heading to a bonfire at my friend’s house in Falls Church, or a house show in Petworth. Sunday afternoon will find me enjoying tea with some friends at Teaism downtown, and Sunday night I’m playing a show with my band The Torches at Galaxy Hut in Arlington! We’re opening for Dischord band Alarms & Controls.

Jenn: I’m heading up to Brooklyn this weekend, but just because I’m out of town doesn’t mean I’m not going to harass you to get some DC culture. Theaters are buzzing right now! I highly recommend catching Metamorphoses at Arena Stage – a gorgeous collection of Greek myths in a production both hopeful and heartrending, set around a pool of water (splash seats? oh yes.). There’s more water in store with Synetic Theater’s silent Shakespeare adaptation of The Tempest opening, also set in a pool of water (splash seats galore!). If you didn’t catch Spooky Action’s crazy Murakami adaptation of Kafka on the Shore, or Taffety Punk’s Twelfth Night, both are closing this weekend so get in there and support smaller companies. As a Danish American I’d also be remiss if I didn’t tell you to hit up one of the Nordic Cool events. And if you like your drinks with history (who doesn’t?), head over to Union Market tonight from 6:30-8pm to catch Philip Greene chat about his latest book, To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion. Tickets are $40 at the door, Gina Chersevani is rustling up the cocktails, you get a copy of the book, and it all benefits the Museum of the American Cocktail.

Don: Friday night is an outing to Etete. Not just because we love them, but because we have an expiring coupon. Oh coupon sites! How would I schedule my time without your pressing good-till dates? Saturday I’d originally meant to go to the not-Cherry-Red-run Puppet Standup that Fedward mentioned but I accidentally double-booked. So instead I’ll be putting on my tux and going to a gala for the Children’s Hospital. Look for a raffle for those puppet tickets tomorrow… Sunday will be a low-key affair where I buy an old friend some drinks in exchange for some old computer hardware, maybe at Rustico. It’s every bit as exciting as it sounds, so perhaps we can spice it up a bit and make it a sneaky-looking spy handoff where he puts the shopping bag down and I casually walk away with it at the end, never acknowledging it.

I know the weekend is in extra innings for most people, but there are some people who still have to come into the office today. Still, take some time today to remember our beloved first president, George Washington. The man was generally awesome (though not perfect), and as proof of his awesomeness, remember, he has a capitol city named after him. Once you’re done going down History Lane, start your week off with the excellent photos in this Flashback. Enjoy! Continue reading →

We hope you’re having a good Valentine’s Day, if you celebrate that sort of thing. Or that the pins are sticking well into the doll of the ex who hurt you. Whatever. That’s today, we’re focused here on tomorrow. Specifically the part of tomorrow that involves fleeing our unsatisfying corporate obligations and letting slip the dog of whimsey. Or something.

Rachel: This weekend should be a doozy. It’ll start with drinks at Bier Baron in Dupont followed by some live music at Iota in Arlington to see fellow WLDC’er John and his band Juniper Lane tear it up on stage. Then I’m not too sure when but I’ll hopefully be able to connect with fellow local musician Don Kim to hash out some new cover songs and get our creativity on at some point this weekend, if we can. The rest of the weekend will be spent in preparation for my next show at Iota with The 9 Songwriter Series on Tuesday 2/19. I’ll be debuting a new song, I’m pretty excited about it.

Fedward:  We’re starting our Valentine’s Day weekend tonight, with the new Jewish Soul Food menu at Hogo.  Fancy, I know.  Friday night we’ll be braising some short ribs we picked up last night from Red Apron.  As I said last night, I put my faith in Nathan. Saturday we’ll visit the AFI Silver Theatre for Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, part of their collaboration with the National Building Museum, “Reel Estate: The American Home on Film.”  And Sunday we’ll swing by Proof for Sazeracs during Adam Bernbach‘s continuing “remastered editions” series.

Jenn: My weekend starts early with a visit to Arena Stage to see Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses tonight. A pool! On stage! Aphrodite kicking ass! It’s perfect for a Valentine’s Day catch-up with a dear friend. Afterwards there are any number of fun non-couply events to attend, such as comedy night My Shriveled Black Heart at The Dunes, or The Pinch’s Burlesque and Belly Laughs. Friday night Pink Vinyl is spinning their last DJ night at SOVA, and of course it’s a Heartbreak Edition, as SOVA’s changing ownership soon. Saturday night Looking Glass Lounge is hosting their Dark Heart Rises Masquerade Ball. Hmm, I do have a red Venetian mask lying around somewhere. Just not into partying this weekend? I understand. Go see art: this Sunday the National Gallery of Art opens an amazing exhibition of Pre-Raphaelite art and design, the first major survey of its kind in the US. I’ve always loved this art movement and am extremely excited about this gorgeous exhibition. Oh, and get to Hogo for Renee Peres’ Jewish “soul food” menu – so good I had not one but two dinners there last night. Whitefish salad, brisket, sigh.

Mosley: Twice a year, the Library of Congress opens the Main Reading Room, one of the most beautiful spaces in the entire city, to photography. One of those days is this Monday (President’s Day). While it can get very busy there, it’s a great experience. The Open House is from 10am to 3pm (the Jefferson Building itself is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm).

Don: My top weekend activity is getting out to see the newest Die Hard movie, a decidedly non-DC-specific thing. Which, given how poorly they portrayed our area in films 2 and 4 – which were supposedly set here – might just be for the best. What is decidedly DC is this writeup called “A Die-Hard’s Guide To ‘Die Hard’: 25 Years Of Sweat, Dirt And Blowing Stuff Up” by fellow local and Die Hard aficionado, Chris Klimek. He leaves out some interesting tidbits about the source material for the first Die Hard film, but I can’t blame him. It wouldn’t have fit in with his article any more than it fits in here on our DC-area-focused site – which is why I’m leaving it out myself. My other plans this weekend involve writing my piece called “how to annoy your readers and leave them in suspense at the same time.”

Tom: Man, the weekend? I feel like this week has drug on and on, and it’s hard to think we might actually be there already. I’m ready for some hockey on Sunday, so catch me down at Boundary Stone for wings and Caps, but first I think I’m going to find myself a Carl’s Subs and celebrate Rhode Island Avenue with some good local dollars. I may also throw on my bike tights and do some cold weather to prep for the VASA ride I registered for last week. But mostly, I’ll be dreaming of baseball and getting my AM radio ready for summer.

Mosley: Happy Chinese New Year! And what’s the best way to celebrate? By going to see the Parade in Chinatown. I know DC’s Chinatown is **COUGH** less than authentic, but the annual parade is quite fun: you get to see dancing dragons and lions, some great marching bands, a huge firecracker, and all under the Friendship Arch. I’ve gone the past couple of years and it’s been a great experience every time. It’s all happening Sunday afternoon.

Patrick: I’m going to see shows. A lot of shows. Friday night I’m trekking out to Vienna to see a friend in Proposals at the Vienna Theatre Company. Saturday I’m going to be see the only show I cared to mention in our We Love DC Theatre Preview: No Rules’ Black Comedy. Very excited to see them in their new home at Signature Theatre. Don’t be surprise if I trek form Shirlington to 14^th Street that night. Rumor has it I might make a cameo at El Centro. Sunday I’ll be at Shakespeare Theatre to see Hughie. Before that I’ll be taking in some Restaurant Week fare at Bibiana. Oh ya. It’s Tết. That probably means I’ll make the needed stops at Eden Center for food and one of the only times all year I’ll step foot into a Buddhist Temple. Gotta start the year of the Snake right!

Katie: Run, yoga, rinse, repeat. I’m going to buy ALL the running clothes at Lululemon and Pacer’s, I need layers for this ridiculous weather we’re experiencing. But also! Day drinking! Possibly at Ted’s Bulletin, or Masa 14. And maybe if I can convince my friends to go back to Tash House of Kabob on 8th, we will. I tried it for the first time last weekend and absolutely loved it – the chicken, lamb and salmon were all tasty mcgee. I’m also going to make some homemade marshmallows for a party I’m throwing on Valentine’s day using little heart cookie cutters from Hill’s Kitchen.

Tom: February in DC is when I start dreaming about the summertime again, when the weather is warm and the AM radio blares loud in my back yard. Instead, I’ll be preparing for Springtime with a bit of house cleaning. Before that happens, though, catch me out at Red Apron‘s new Union Market digs for some of their insanely delicious pastrami. I’ll also be monument scouting for the return of an old feature in a few weeks. I’m giving thought to Kingman Island or maybe the Big Chair as the first new entries. Then perhaps it’s out in the cold to prep for WABA’s Vasa Ride in March. Plus, I’m dying to try Satellite Room tonight ahead of the Punch Brothers show at 9:30 Club.

Rebecca: Friday my Down Dog Yoga trends continues. It’s really become a staple in starting off the weekend right. Afterwards, I’ll head to the West End Cinema to catch the 2013 Academy Award-Nominated Documentary Shorts. Saturday morning I’m up early to take the GMATs (fingers-crossed) and then it’s off to the Washington Auto Show to drool over the sick rides and cool car gadgets. Saturday night I’m celebrating by hitting up Rock N’ Roll Hotel to dance my arse off with the beats of DJ Dan Biltmore. Sunday I’ll like to be crusted out from Saturday so I’ll chillax on my couch and watch the new, DC-based Netflix show “House of Cards.”

Fedward:  Friday night we’re going to a friend’s birthday party at an undisclosed location.  Saturday we’ll be all dressed up (again) at the Studio Theatre’s annual gala.  This one’s hat-themed, motherfuckers.  Also it features entertainment from the awesome Ricky Jay.  No word on if he’ll be wearing a hat or hatless. Sunday we’ll recover from the gala with our usual brunch at the Passenger. I can taste the waffle sandwich now.

Don: Well Friday marks the 10th anniversary of my first date with my darling now-wife (if she’d been my wife then I guess a lot of the will-it-work-out mystery of dating would have been avoided) so we’re going to try to go out and have a little romantic dinner somewhere. Where is uncertain; I apparently am channeling the last-minute nature of that night long ago and have made no official arrangements. If you’d like to surrender your 7p reservation for two at Bibiana, Graffiatio, Willow, hell, let’s shoot the moon – or Minibar, please reach out. We considered repeating that first date with a few drinks at the Four Provinces and then tracking down Gonzo’s Nose again but age has improved the 4Ps less than is has us and really… Herndon? Pass. The rest of the weekend involves a little get-together at our home and perhaps a showing of Signature’s R&J, a romance that (spoilers!) worked out less well than ours.

Fedward: For our first mutual weekend off since approximately Thanksgiving, the Social Chair and I are getting by with a little help from our friends.  Friday night we’re helping one friend celebrate her birthday at Larry’s Lounge (people change; Larry’s never does).  Saturday we’re helping another friend clear out an overstock of beer, and since I have recently discovered that beer and I don’t get along, he’s a good enough friend he’s going to let me drink his whisky instead.  Sunday we’re going to a kickoff lunch for the upcoming Puppet Standup (produced in part by Your Mom), then the opening of The Sweary-Word With the Hat at Studio Theatre, and ending with Jenn’s birthday celebration at (where else) the Passenger.  No, not the fake one.

Rachel: I’ll be making my way to Iota on Friday night to support my friend and local rocker Alex Vans. He’s celebrating the release of his first LP and brand new music video so it should be a fun night. Alex is sharing the night’s billing with local-favorites The Weathervanes as well as Low Cut Connie. Then, fast-forward to Sunday, and I’ll hopefully be making the time to have a ukulele jam sesh with fellow We Love DC’er Tiff before celebrating one of our own’s birthday (**cough cough** Jenn, I’m talking about you **cough cough**). All in all, a good weekend. Though, I hear some big football game is going to be on as well? (I kid, I kid …  I know it’s Super Bowl weekend. Is it baseball season yet?)

Katie: Are you guys sick of hearing my weekend running plans yet? No? Okay then. I’m going to take a little trot around the National Mall (protip: it’s about 2 miles in length) with a friend and then we’re going to detox with tea at Teaism. I’m a big fan of the Lavender-Lemon-Mint tisane, it’s a perfect nightcap. Saturday I’m headed to see RENT at the ARC DC, and then I’m going to try and get my noodle fix at Toki Underground. I went to Momofuku in NYC a few weeks ago, and I think Toki wins in the ramen battle, even taking loyalty out of the equation. But I need to go back to Toki to confirm. TBD.

Tom: Super Bowl Sunday! My beloved 49ers are in New Orleans to battle the Ravens, so I’m on the look for where to watch the big game. Neighborhood bar (read: Boundary Stone)? Big sports bar (read: Pour House or Nellie’s)? Home with chili? Hard to say. After 43 miles in the California countryside on Wednesday (http://bits.tombridge.com/post/41896645796/ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-awesome-awesome-awesome), I think I get the weekend off from physical activity.

Patrick: I almost forgot it was Super Bowl weekend. Mostly because I’ve tried to forget about football ever since Baltimore put the hurt on my Patriots. Sunday I will be starting the day with brunch at Ted’s Bulletin followed by a trip to Studio Theater to review the edgiest named show in DC this year: The Motherfucker With The Hat. Also in Oscar Watch news, West End & E-Street Cinemas already have the Oscar Nominated Shorts and will start screening them in February, so I’ll probably fit that in this weekend too. What am I doing for the big game? I don’t know yet, but I will tell you I’ll be rooting for SF. Sorry B’more fans.

Don: Our plans are contingent on eventually emerging from the plague den that is currently our home and out into a not-too-soggy DC, but CWG seems to think it’ll be cold but clear on Saturday. Which sounds like a nice setting for a little outdoor walk, either on Roosevelt Island or perhaps another area along the Potomac. With Sunday turning grayer I think it’s a good day to watch my hometown teams faceplant themselves from the comfort of my sofa or a bar. Maybe they’ll surprise me…

Rebecca: Friday I’m destressing from a long and hectic work week with a 90 minute sweat-fest at Down Dog Yoga in Bethesda. If you’re interested in checking out hot yoga, I highly recommend this studio. Be sure to hydrate before and after. Saturday mornings I’ve been playing pick up, small sided soccer in Glover Park, but with this week’s freezing weather and snow, I’ll likely take a break from that and instead grab a cup of solid coffee at Peregrine and window shop at the home furnishing shops along 14th. Saturday night, I think American Ice Company is calling my name from some chill drinks, relaxed atmosphere and solid tunes. Sunday I’ve got some errands to run and I think an early-ish trip to IKEA in College Park is on the docket. Love me those Swedish meatballs and you can’t beat the price!

Katie: I’m actually really jealous of Rebecca’s plans at Down Dog, I adore them (especially Beth, she’s one of my favorite teachers ever!), but I’ll be finding my yoga on the Hill this weekend, either at Capitol Hill Yoga or Yoga District on H. I’d practically pay Down Dog to build a studio on my side of the National Mall. It’s an exercise-ful weekend, because my training for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile officially kicks off, but I’ll still take some time to hit up Union Market to check out the new Red Apron Butchery stand. I haven’t gotten my grubby little hands on their beef jerky in probably over a year, and so I’m going to make a beeline straight to them and buy it all.

Rachel: I’m tucked away in Crystal City working for the majority of this weekend but come Saturday I’ll be out and about in Rosslyn with a likely stop over at one of my favorite Irish pubs Four Courts. Then Sunday, I’m finishing my prep for a last minute show at IOTA which will be this coming Monday night (1/28). I look forward to breaking out a few acoustic 90’s boy band covers including this one. So if that’s up your alley, I’d love to see you at the show! Music starts at 8 p.m. and admission is $10.

Patrick: I’m really excited to have a somewhat quiet weekend. After that Inauguration I think I’ll be staying off the sauce for sometime. By sometime I probably mean three days. Dominion Stage in Arlington is performing one of my favorite musicals: Avenue Q. I hope to catch a show before it closes this weekend so I can sing along to The Internet is for Porn. I’m also continuing my Oscar Watch by catching the The Master at AMC Shirlington.

Joanna: It’s my last weekend in DC for a month so I’m hoping to spend it well. Everything starts with an (un)healthy portion of my other half’s gourmet mac & cheese, based on the Martha Stewart masterpiece. I’d also like to visit Jack Rose and L’Enfant Cafe for some fancy food and drink, but I might have accidentally spent all my money on cheese already… And the National Gallery of Art’s Shock of the News exhibit is closing this weekend, so I’m sure to catch that while making a second visit to Michelangelo’s David-Apollo (what treasures are free in this city!). Then it’s back to prepping my travel journal for Oz.

Jenn: I’m still in post-surgery recovery mode (hey, I have a cool cyborg heart!) but if I can muster the energy to hit the New Order/Duran Duran dance party Friday night at the Black Cat, and the ARTpocalypse closing party at The Dunes Saturday night, I will. Look for me being a wallflower. Otherwise, it’s a weekend with lots of comfort. I may venture through the cold to enjoy a macaron at Le Caprice (who am I kidding? I need a whole box, people!), and perhaps a plate of pasta at Posto (ok, I just had to go with the alliteration there) – though what I am really craving is my favorite dish of tartare at Fiola. Maybe one of Jeff Faile’s bitter cocktails is just what this heart of glass needs.

Don: We’ve just finished our obligatory you-have-a-baby-show-him-to-us parental visit so we’re likely going to take it a little easier this weekend and enjoying the peace and quiet around the house. Or as p&q as it ever is when you have an infant. But we’ll make the usual bougie outing to the farmer’s market and maybe a little casual dining. We’ll save our outdoor outings till next week and the odd warm snap, though we’ll also be sure to see Rachel at Iota on Monday. Never too young to introduce the boy to some quality guitar work.

The long weekend is almost here, though if you were planning on spending your Monday off out and about in the city, well…. The best inauguration advice we could come up with in discussions about it was this: Walk. And plan to walk. And be sure you’re ready to walk.

Tom: I am so ready for a weekend. Unfortunately, this one looks like it’s fully booked already! Saturday morning, I’ll be hitting up the Hyattsville Busboys & Poets for their awesome breakfast (poached eggs over Iraqi hash? Yeah, I’m down.), plus I’ll be preparing for one last Inauguration supply run before all the streets close. Fortunately, there’s a lot of places staying open til 4am this weekend, so I shouldn’t hurt for socialization or company.  Sunday is the christening of our friend’s oldest, so we’ll be off to the wilds of Falls Church where I will hopefully not burst into flames when I set foot inside a church.

Mosley: My Saturday plans have been sidetracked by family/friend obligations, but if I had the day to myself, I’d be getting out and doing stuff.  On Saturday, I’d go to the Leica DC store for the lecture by photographer Craig Semetko; as I said in my post, it looks fascinating.  Sunday is looking like a generally quiet day, which is good because I’m still considering going downtown for the Inauguration on Monday.  I got some good photos of Obama’s first swearing in, and I’d like to do it again.  Considering there have only been 57 Inaugurations, this is quite the event.

Patrick: My Inaugural weekend starts Friday with some more Oscar watching. It’s going to be between Lincoln or The Hobbit. Both will be good yet terribly long. There won’t be a whole lot gym time this long weekend so I’m going to fit my fitness in on Saturday morning with a trip around Glover Park. Saturday night I will be reviewing the latest show at The Source: Constellation Theatre’s Zorro. After the show I’ll be out on U-Street where at some point I’ll make a stop at the Codmother for some pickleback shots. Sunday will all be about football and I’ll be rooting for my team at a place away from all the Inaugural craziness (that’s for Monday.) As for Inauguration Day, I’ll be covering a couple of events for We Love DC including the Inaugural Parade and the Native Nations Inaugural Ball. Photos and recap to come after!

Don: My weekend is full of things you probably aren’t invited to, sorry. Baby shower “Sip and see” to show off the kid, dinner with my visiting parents who will largely ignore us and pay attention to their new grandchild, that sort of thing. Monday we’ll cower in our home to avoid the kerfuffle going on downtown and the ensuing transit nightmares, looking hopefully but likely unsuccessfully out the window for some snowflakes to satisfy my Miami-based mother. Along the way it’ll be pretty pedestrian locals stuff. Maybe try out the lobster roll at Liberty Tree – I love a deal – and make another trip to Union Market when they’re not annoyingly 90% closed, despite claims to the contrary. Sadly my parents aren’t big cocktail drinkers so we’ll have to skip being the people with the baby in a bar yet again for Sunday’s Passenger brunch.

Fedward:  Four years ago it was so cold, and the flood of people shown on TV exiting L’Enfant Plaza was so intense, that I made some cocoa and stayed in my pajamas, watching the inauguration on TV.  In the afternoon the Social Chair and I rallied and took a bus downtown to see how close we could get to the parade route.  One thing led to another and we found ourselves at the gates at 15th & New York Ave, with a view of the stands in front of the White House.  I approached a guard and said, “I’ve heard that in previous years you’ve just started letting people in. Is that going to happen this year?”  He looked at his watch, looked at the people hanging out on New York Avenue, turned around to look at the stands, and said, “sure, come on on in.”  A few minutes later they started rounding up everyone and telling them to go in.  It worked out well for us.  This year it probably won’t be quite as cold, but we don’t have to worry about the parade.  We’ve got tickets to the ball.

Katie: Nothing makes me giddy like nice weather, which means you’ll find me OUTSIDE! Friday night I’ve got wine club, so I need to find a cozy red to take with me. I’ve heard good things about Arrowine, so I might try and head there to pick up something to share. Saturday I’m thinking about hiking at Turkey Run or heading out to Mount Vernon. Sunday, my mentee from the College Bound program asked if we could bake cupcakes together, and who am I to say no to that? We’ll probably go to Hills Kitchen first to scout out cute cupcake liners and get appropriate sprinkles.

Mosley: I’m not exactly prizing my weekends right now. That’s probably because they’re seven days a week for me. But I think I can come up with something. First, I just got a book that’s been 28 years in the making, over 15 of which I’ve been reading them: A Memory of Light, last book of the Wheel of Time series. I’ve never finished reading a fantasy series that’s so long, and I expect to be addicted to this for the next week (think reading Harry Potter, only infinitely better). Lastly, Sunday I have a friends birthday brunch at the Blue Duck Tavern.

Jenn: In anticipation of what will be a brutal next week, I’m in need of some serious serenity this weekend. As the weather will be a bit mild, I think I’ll indulge in some long strolls through my city to start — my favorites include the lovely stretch of Q Street from Logan to Dupont, or the majestic 16th Street from U to downtown, or hell, just wing it and see what new corners I can find. There might be a visit to the venerable Second Story Books, to spend several hours browsing dusty bookcases. Perhaps the mesmerizing Rothko Room at the Phillips will do the trick, or the Roads of Arabia at the Freer.  Of course there’s also sybaritic serenity: a massage at Celadon, dinner at the bar at Mintwood Place, rum cocktails at Hogo… and whatever form the search for peace takes this weekend, it’ll also include catching up with dear friends. 

Tom: After last weekend’s jaunt to Boston, I’m ready to be back in the DC Groove this weekend, and boy is that weather forecast helping matters. Warm weather?! In January?! Sign me up! Time to get my bike off the trainer and back on the streets! Also look for me on Friday night at Doctor Who Happy Hour at the Black Cat for their showing of Fear Her, which takes place during the London games. I’m also in a mood to head down to the SW Waterfront to check out the site for a notional Half Street Market, something along the lines of Union Market but for the SW Waterfront. My beloved 49ers play this weekend also, so I was giving some serious thought to extra wings at Boundary Stone and some brews during the game.

Addison: It’s getting to that point in the year where my sports addiction just can’t be sustained. With the Redskins out of the playoffs, no hockey yet, college basketball just starting conference play, and baseball and MLS still a ways off (no, I’m not even going to mention the Wizards), I’m forced to seek other forms of entertainment, and actually get some culture or something. There’s some great art going on, between the final weekend for Carol Goldberg’s sculptures and paintings at Addison/Ripley, the opening of the Nam June Paik retrospective at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the arrival of Michelangelo’s David-Apollo at the National Gallery of Art. As a new Alexandria resident, I’m slowly working my way through the myraid restaurant offerings, and one I especially want to try is the new Virtue Feed and Grain, for some Irish-inspired American “pub grub.” The weather is supposed to be spring-like both days, so hopefully lots of time outside with the pup, and maybe a walk over to Del Ray to grab some breakfast at one of my favorite spots, Mancini’s.

Natalia: After a nice, and oh so very necessary, couple of days away from the District for some Holiday R&R, I am looking forward to a weekend back in my city of friends. A lot of food happenings went down while I was gone too, so catching up with the new while revisiting some of my classic hang outs. Friday night, I am headed to Hogo, after reading a nice little preview on it, and always interested in what the guys behind the Passenger are up to. Saturday, a day trip with friends will take us to Woodberry Kitchen, which was on the must list for the end of 2012, but we never made it. Saturday nights with two bdays, too much food and many glasses of wine later, I will take it easy Sunday, stroll the farmers market, maybe head to Big Bear Cafe or Boundary Stone, and at night head to The Howard Theater, for a show to take me back to the island life, by The Wailers.

January. Yes, January. Who let this happen? I’ve got a bone to pick with you, Mayans. I am not emotionally prepared for it to be 2013.

Oh well. The universe’s continued failure to consult me persists. Here’s what we’ve got planned.

Fedward: with my worst month of the work year behind me, it’s now time for the Social Chair’s worst month.  This means I get to pick up the slack in a number of ways, from learning how to schedule our time to picking the best moment just to grab take-out.  This weekend’s survival tips include a trip to Ace Beverage to resupply after the holidays, a stop at Smucker Farms to pick up our winter CSA box and some other goodies, and restorative noodles from Pho Viet.  Sunday we’re planning to go to the Schoolhouse Rock! 40th anniversary event (featuring local family-friendly band Rocknoceros) at the Millennium Stage.  We’ll either round up the Niecelets and confuse them with pop culture references too old for them to understand or go hang out with the other childless adults trying not to look creepy in the back of the Great Hall.

Tom: Winter is my least favorite season, but at least now we’re less than 40 days until pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training, That means baseball is on my mind more than ever, so I’ll be paging through the Nats’ prospects and trade and signing opportunities to give myself something to look forward to. We’ll also be pulling down the Christmas Tree, which you can put out in your tree box, or on the right of way strip, until the 12th of December and the city will recycle them into delicious garden mulch. Were we not heading to visit our friends in Boston this weekend, I hear there’s a Michaelangelo at the National Gallery of Art that needs seeing.

Katie: My Cherry Blossom 10 Mile training officially started this week (woo, new years goals) and so I’m off the drinking until April 7. Which means no bars for me at night, so friends and I are planning on going to the movies (either E Street or Shirlington) and I’ll be doing lots of healthy cooking. I’ll probably stock up on ingredients at Union Market or Dupont Farmer’s Market. On Saturday, a cute boy wants to hold my hand while ice skating at Canal Park, and you can’t say no to that.

Jenn: Let’s be honest, is anyone really doing anything this weekend? Really? Aren’t you all meditating and hitting the gym and going sober for thirty days and other such resolutions? Hmm. I’ve been fighting the cold that it seems everyone in the city has caught, but if I rally, it’s off to a tour of the Seneca Quarry with my favorite local literary journalist, Garrett Peck. Best known for his Temperance Tours and books on Prohibition in DC, Peck’s next book is The Smithsonian Castle & The Seneca Quarry, to be published in February. This walking tour takes you along the C&O Canal’s Seneca Aqueduct, showcasing the stonecutting mill, the quarry, and more. It starts at 11am on Saturday, and it’s free. Nature, history, and the beauty of our local bright rock known as Seneca red sandstone: I think a long restorative hike is just what I need this weekend.

Joanna: Since we’ve been out of town for a while, I’ll be playing catch-up a bit this weekend. That mostly means cleaning out emails and planning for the new year, but it also means seeing Les Misérables in my own AMC Courthouse leather recliner with footrest (for us shorties!), ice skating, and gawking at the David-Apollo at the NGA. I’m also finally seeing the sold-out Pullman Porter Blues at Arena Stage. At the time of this writing, there are still some standing room only tickets available Friday night…

Don: Jenn has my number. Not on the gym thing. I tried lifting weights once; those things are HEAVY. Besides, I spend my days doing repeated 8 pound curls since my infant son demands to be held at all times. Between that and the knee-bopping I presume I’ll be taut as a drum in no time, based on all those ads I used to see for isometric exercise plans. So I can’t quit the beer – I need the carbo-loading to fuel this muscle extravaganza. No, I mean on the doing-little thing. Sure, there’ll be some outings. I need my farm eggs – those pale yellow yolks from the store don’t do it, so off to the farmer’s market like the bougie parentals we are. Since we are Those People and our boy sleeps pretty much all the time at this phase we might have a Passenger outing. Our only other impending plan is homebound; we’ve made it a tradition to have an Epiphany dinner with some close friends every year and this one is no exception. I’ll fill the boy’s cradle with hay for the occasion. Hope he likes it!

Rachel: At some point, that is still to be determined, there will be bowling this weekend! Yes, bowling! And I sure am excited for this. While Lucky Strike in Chinatown is always a decently fun time (there’s barely anyone there during the day Saturday so it’s as if you have your own private alley), I may end up at Strike Bethesda. Then, my good friend Zia Hassan is opening for one of his all-time favorite songwriters Michael Clem (of Eddie From Ohio) at Jammin’ Java Saturday night. So I’ll likely be showing him some support and rocking out to some solid songwriting in NoVa.

Tom: This weekend is about travel for the holidays, like so many others! Friday night will find me frantically running through Union Market getting last minute gifts for the whole family. Assuming I haven’t blown all my money at Salt & Sundry, we’ll drive up to Pittsburgh to spend time with Tiffany’s family. I’ll be dreaming of skating down at the Sculpture Gallery or Canal Park rinks, some hot cocoa from Co Co. Sala, and the National Christmas Tree. May all of the joy of this season be with you all this week.

Rachel: This weekend, while everyone’s traveling or prepping for Christmas, I’ll be either working on music or watching/hearing live music. Friday night, I’ll be at the Hard Rock Cafe for the Pink Jams! Annual Holiday Celebration. The evening features the dating music duo Far Away, the Winner of the 2012 Hard Rock Rising DC band battle Gallons to Ounces and talented 12-13 year old musicians The Boxx. Then Saturday, I’m hoping to catch Taylor Carson at the 9:30 Club opening for Virginia Coalition. Now if only I could figure out what will be open on Monday and Tuesday, then I can try to extend this fun into a long weekend with a chance of ice skating at the Sculpture Garden!

Patrick: Like many other locals I will be hitting the roads for the holidays but for those staying in town I cannot recommend enough the latest two shows I reviewed. The Pajama Men is an excellent comedy option that you will not regret. Also if you want to get revved up for Jackman, Hathaway, and company in the upcoming Les Mis film, go see the stage version now playing at the National Theatre. While I’m shamelessly promoting posts I wrote this week, another great option is to check out the Bond Villain exhibit at the Spy Museum. I’ll leave y’all with this, if you are Oscar watching these next few weeks (and I know I am) here’s the top 5 films you need to see: Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, Les Miserables, Silver Linings Playbook, Life of Pi.

Don: Cue the start of tedious baby-related weekend plans from me! My darling wife and I just returned from California with our newly-adopted baby boy. So we’ll largely be in hunker-down unwrap-all-the-needed-accouterments oh-crap-do-we-need-to-start-college-acceptance-papers-yet mode. But the holiday prep waits for no man, woman, child, or wee little baby. So we’ll likely strap the lil’ tyke to our chest and head down to the Downtown Holiday Market, maybe walk around the Portrait Gallery while we’re there. If we’re there at the right time the talk about Jim Henson would be interesting.

Fedward: After a huge deadline push at work this five day weekend couldn’t come soon enough for me.  I plan to stock up on Christmas spirit with visits to the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, the Capitol Christmas Tree, and the National Christmas Tree. Maybe this year we’ll finally make it to ZooLights, too. Saturday I might also be rounded up for some spontaneous caroling. Monday night we’re going first to Proof for nog and glogg, then to the Passenger for, well, the Passenger. Tuesday we’ll spend Christmas with local family, and Wednesday we’ll recover from the previous two days by doing not much of anything.

Marissa: Armed with a Livingsocial deal, a few of my friends and I are piling into the car and taking a trip out to Pev’s Paintball for an afternoon of paintballin’. Since we will be using the newest paintball sniper rifles I’m quite eager to go and try them but also hoping I don’t end up with too many bruises, be they physical ones or just a bruised ego.

Other weekend plans include checking out the Off the Walls art sale at the Corcoran and maybe some ice skating at the Sculpture Garden. Come Sunday it’s probably time for a boozy brunch somewhere new. Suggestions in the comments section are more than welcome.

Rachel: Ah, the weekend. I’m so glad it’s back. This one is a simple yet eventful one for me. It kicks off with a relaxing Friday that then transitions into a Saturday complete with my favorite party of the year: Classy Christmas. While I don’t personally celebrate the holiday (Happy almost Hannukah to my fellow tribe members), I do love a good night full of friends, fancy outfits, themed cocktails, and Christmas music. The true highlight of my weekend, though, will be Sunday night at U Street Music Hall. Virgina native Rachael Yamagata is performing and she never fails to impress. Tickets are still available.

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Addison: I was supposed to be on vacation in the Caribbean starting Saturday, but unfortunately had to cancel my plans at the last minute, so I’m here in DC this weekend. While I don’t believe in doing anything Christmas-related before December, that all changes on Saturday! In the morning, I will be cooking brunch for some friends, then heading out to Old Town Alexandria to watch the 42nd Annual Scottish Christmas Parade. After that, I plan on popping in to one of the fine neighborhood drinking establishments, such as Bilbo Baggins, to warm up a bit and wait for the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, where decorated pleasure boats light up the sky along the Potomac River including 50 powerboats, sailboats and the District’s fireboat, the John Glenn. Sunday is for taking the pup to the park and enjoying brunch. I haven’t decided on a place yet, so if anyone has any Alexandria brunch recommendations, please let me know!

Fedward: KITTENS!. We adopted these two from the Washington Humane Society‘s New York Avenue shelter. Their mom (only slightly less cute) is still available for adoption and we can vouch for the awesomeness of Mustafa and Smoke, two sweet adult cats available from the Society’s Georgia Avenue shelter. You can also swing by the Washington Animal Rescue League and have a look at their adoptable pets, including the stars of the Too Cute Kitten Cam (Marge, Selma, Patty, Lisa, and Maggie). So what I’m saying is there are a lot of adorable cats and kittens out there who could use homes (oh, and dogs and puppies too, I guess). Maybe yours is one?

Tom: The Holidays are upon us! This weekend is about figuring out how to heck to put up lights and where they all go. That will mean some trips to the Home Depot, or maybe the newly open Ward 5 Costco, fresh off its christening by Vice President Biden. We’ve also got friends coming for dinner, so prep of some Border Springs Farm lamb is in order, also. I need to figure out where I’m working out this winter, so any suggestions for a place with good cycle trainers is welcome. If you’re looking for something fun on Friday, hit up Wonderland Ballroom for the taping of the 3-year anniversary special from our friends at You, Me, Them, Everybody, who are putting together an all-star show of their first three years. Congratulations, guys!

Marissa: In addition to the copious amounts of Christmas music I’ll be pumping in my ears, I’ve got a few things on my list to check out this weekend. Specifically, the newly opened Hanoi House over on 14th street. I’m also planning on swinging by the downtown holiday market in the hopes of finding gifts for the people in my life that already have everything and have made no specific requests. Having heard lots of good things from friends, maybe I’ll make my way over to Biker Barre on Sunday to sweat out some stress before a new week starts.

Jenn: I need some elegance and festive cheer this weekend. “Holidays through History” to the rescue! Tour four of Washington’s most exquisite historic mansions on Saturday from 4-8pm: Tudor Place, Anderson House, Dumbarton House, and the Woodrow Wilson House will all be decorated for the holidays with music and refreshments. Shuttle bus service is provided between all sites, and all ticket proceeds benefit those noble houses. You want more? See an artistic explosion in honor of the Sackler’s 25th anniversary as Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang combines fireworks and optical illusion at the north entrance of the Freer at 3pm Friday afternoon. Transformer’s 9th Annual Silent Auction and Benefit Party is Friday night, celebrating one of the coolest galleries in town. The sure-to-be-amazing immersive exhibit Pure Land opens at the Sackler on Saturday, taking you digitally inside the Magao Grottoes of China. DC Arts Studios holds its Holiday Open House and Gift Sale on Sunday afternoon. And oh, I’m actually venturing over the river for the first time in ages to have Saturday brunch at Lyon Hall with my favorite bon vivant photographer. If you see me there overdosing on coffee and house made doughnuts, please say hi.

Don: My weekend is a hint slow but it starts strong – with the Faction of Fools A Commedia Christmas Carol. I’ve got high hopes for this one, based on Joanna’s experience with their Fringe show. Possibly not for everyone – my darling wife declined to join me, saying that with the use of masks they looks too much like clowns. Saturday I’m going to go support a friend and see what sort of goodies are for sale at the Aurora Hills Women’s Club Holiday Boutique. If nothing else I’ll pick up some homemade dog biscuits for Casey; we’ve enjoyed Martha’s cooking over the years so he shouldn’t be left out.

Patrick: My weekend kicks on Barrack’s Row where I’ll be at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop to Dog & Pony’s latest creation: A Killing Game. If I’m lucky maybe a certain Arts editor will join me for the show as well. Saturday I will be checking out the Exquisitely Evil exhibit at the Spy Museum for an upcoming piece. Not sure what I’m doing Saturday night but considering December marks the end of my personal “No Drink November” month of sobriety, it will be something very fun.

Don: My darling wife has dun run oft to Chicago for work, leaving me to fend for myself as a bachelor through the weekend. I’ve devolved from being an okay chef to only being marginally competent at feeding myself – learned helplessness, you know – so maybe I’ll eat out a bit. Anyone have a good dim sum brunch location? Ping Pong seems too upscale for a proper dim sum brunch; my favorite places were always the tucked-away spots in San Francisco or Seattle or hidden little suburban joints in my hometown of Miami. Lunch-wise I’ve decided to stop pretending I’m ever going to like Taylor Gourmet; maybe some savory pies at Dangerously Delicious or some Amsterdam Falafel. For dinner one evening I have an Etete voucher burning a hole in my pocket. Do I need to try to rush in and have one last meal at PS7 or is it all a stunt? Some mussels at Granville Moore before the rent gets too damned high? So many food choices. I need to do some serious binge training before next week’s turkey day.

Rachel: This weekend will be filled with live music and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My cousin’s swinging through town as the sound engineer for Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution at The Hamilton Friday night. They’re a 16-piece orchestra that performs New Orleans style party music with soul and Blues grit. It’s a treat for the ears for sure. Then on Saturday there’s the second Paint The Music event featuring Zia Hassan, Taylor Carson, and Dan Fisk is being held at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in NE. All three guys are wonderful local talents and I have to say that after attending the first Paint The Music event at Ebenezers Coffeehouse earlier this year, this is a must-see evening of artistic collaboration.

Marissa: It’s a mad dash to squeeze in errands and things I want to do before I head out of town for Thanksgiving. Number one priority: check out DGS Deli, because I have high hopes for new sandwich joints in DC. I’ll also be checking out the newly opened Trademark in Alexandria, so keep an eye out for a First Look on that soon. Sunday I think I’ll kick off the day with a trip to Paper Source for some grown-up stationery, find a spot at Big Bear and start writing out all those Christmas cards to get myself in the (early) holiday spirit.

Editor’s note, re:DGS Deli. Look, maybe you’re super-awesome but WTF. Seriously? I need to make a reservation for a friggin sandwich? 

Fedward: other than our usual Sunday hangover brunch at the Passenger, we have an oddly plan-free weekend. We might choose to be thematic, with a viewing of SKYFALL, a trip to the Spy Museum, and dinner at Bond 45, or maybe LINCOLN, the Lincoln Memorial, Lincoln’s Cottage, and cocktails at Lincoln. Other than that we’re going to focus on figuring out what to do for my birthday, which happens to be on Thanksgiving (and since I don’t like turkey, gives me a convenient excuse not to have thanksgiving dinner anywhere, with anyone). Any non-poultry options for next Thursday? Leave them in the comments.

Marissa: There’s a three-day weekend in sight for me and I cannot wait for it. I’ll be checking all the goodies at the Crafty Bastards fair at Union Market on Saturday. Then I’m hoping to make my way over to Submerge, a nine day flash art event hosted by No Kings Collective. And if I didn’t get my fill of the arts, I’ll also be wandering my way through Fotoweek DC.

Tom: This weekend is supposed to be warmer again, so I plan on being out on my bike for one of the last good weekends of the year. I don’t have cold weather gear yet, so I may take a trip to REI to see what I need to get to ride through the winter. Crafty Bastards is this weekend, also, so I’ll be starting to look for holiday presents and whatnot. Plus, there are some good flicks in the theater so a trip to Hoffman Center for some quality IMAX work might be good, also.  I’m also on the look for a good local turkey for Thanksgiving, so catch me at Union Market to talk with Border Springs Farm about a local bird. My Movember stache is particular creepy this weekend, also, which will find me at Movemberfest on H Street Saturday.

Fedward: Planning a wedding was hard enough, so we made a conscious choice to renew our lease without realizing that our neighborhood Safeway would actually, finally, inconveniently be closing for demolition and new construction. This put us in the market for grocery delivery and our first CSA, the Smucker Farms Winter CSA. Friday’s our first delivery, which we’ll be sharing with some friends (who, conveniently for us, were previous members who live around the corner) at a CSA dinner party. Saturday and Sunday will be split between one of the last performances of War Horse and a trip to IKEA for some emergency furniture as we attempt to reorganize our apartment around our new no-grocery-store lifestyle. We’ll wrap up the weekend as usual with brunch at the Passenger.

Patrick: If you haven’t heard, Warby Parker is in town and for some reason they decided I should be the city’s Warby Parker representative while they are in town. Needless to say I will be hanging out at the Warby Parker School Bus which will be parked in Georgetown on M St. between 31st St and Wisconsin Ave next to the PNC bank Friday and Saturday. Say hi and I’ll give you a free hug! You can also check out some pretty nice frames while you are there too. Also don’t forget about the DCWeek Closing party which will be at 700 H St. NE at an abandoned and renovated pop-up space. Ya it sounds kinda Fringe/Hipster to me too, but anything for an open bar right? Get tickets here.

Jenn: “I’m tired of dancing to the same old music,” a friend sighed recently, “Is there anything different?” Hell yes, honey. Come with me to Tropicalia on Thursday night for some sizzling turns with Alma Tropicalia‘s psychedelic Brazilian funk, and Afro-Brazilian percussion by Batala Washington. Return there Saturday night for progressive salsa with Bio Ritmo. If that doesn’t get you into a hot dance vibe, I don’t know what will. Still bored? See a crazy show like Rockwell’s Universal seXbots at fallFRINGE, or dog & pony’s A Killing Game at Arena. Or Alison Klayman’s award-winning documentary on brilliant radical artist Ai Weiwei, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, at the Hirshhorn Museum. Or Benjamin Bellas’ new multimedia exhibition meditating on his uncle’s loss at sea, at Flashpoint Gallery. Look “fotochic” at Fotoweek’s DC Benefit Launch Party. So much to do, you’ll need your caffeine fix. I’ll be refueling at Qualia at some point. Say hi.

Don: My weekend is a little up in the air; I somehow strained a muscle in my chest while working the election on Tuesday – the weight of all that responsibility on my shoulders, I suppose – and if I’m still spending my days in a Vicodin-addled state then I may not be going too far. Which wouldn’t be too bad, given the projection for clear and warmer, but it would be nice to enjoy the lovely weather on a walk along the Potomac or over at Teddy Roosevelt Island. I’m by-grod going to get around to seeing Looper and I’d like to go see if the Warby Parker guys can put a reading glasses prescription in a monocle.

Joanna: I plan to spend most of this weekend working like a madwoman on a website launch scheduled for Election Day. But I’ll definitely take a break to attend the Million Puppet March on the Mall. I was born for this event! Look for me there donning an animal hat and finger puppets. I’d also recommend taking some time this weekend to figure out your ballot. WAMU has a great voter guide that lets you compare candidates (even for school board!) and print out a sample ballot of your choices. And I made some organic gingerbread hot chocolate mix in preparation for Sandy (powdered milk/sugar/cocoa + gingerbread milk chocolate. Mix in coffee grinder.) so when I’m not working you’ll find me downing that and taking a stroll in Capitol Hill to see the few leaves that remain.

Don: Like Joanna, I have various work-ish commitments to deal with. In my case it’s finishing up the photo booth configuration for Monday’s We Love DC Hates Cancer event. But I am going to find a little time to head over to the Arlington Central Library on Saturday and hear my old coworker Andy Wenzel talk about the history of the Tropic/Herald/Post Hunt. Sunday we’re going to meet an old friend over at Eastern Market. No blueberry pancakes on Sunday – we’ll be there too late anyway – but Market Lunch will have other treats for us.

Tom: This weekend, I’ll likely be getting election worker training to work as a precinct captain for the city during Tuesday’s general election. In addition, I’ll be joining friends for a home-made meal on Saturday night, as well as jumpstarting my Movember campaign (yes, by the time you read this, I’ll be clean-shaven for the first time in over a decade) to raise money for prostate cancer research. There’s also preparatory work to do related to Monday’s We Love DC Hates Cancer. Should be a great weekend!

Patrick: Friday marks the beginning of Digital Capital Week, DC’s week-long festival of everything social, digital, and interactive. There’ll be some great parties to kick off the event including the opening bash at Penn Social and a party at Capitale on Saturday night. Saturday I’ll be at the Verizon Center covering the Wizards home opener against the Celtics- tip off is at 7 PM and my prospects on the Wizards aren’t too high. Of course it wouldn’t be a DC weekend without brunch and I’ll be checking out The Pig in Logan circle.

Marissa: I had really been embracing my inner-hermit lately, but I’m ready to venture out into the city this weekend. Starting Friday, I’m heading out to Eden Center for the first time, equipped with a list of recommendations from blogger Sylvie Nguyen on the best places to eat at. My friend and I plan on eating our weight in bahn mi, pho and whatever else we can get our hands on. Saturday I plan on checking out the Roy Lichtenstein exhibit down at the National Gallery of Art. And come Sunday maybe I’ll stop by Smucker Farms to pick up some goodies. I early-voted last weekend, but if you haven’t, Saturday’s the last day for early voting in the District, so get your civic duty on.

Rachel: Pending my concert buddy gets back from London in time to get me my ticket, I’ll be reuniting with one of my favorite singer-songwriters — Mr. Tony Lucca — at Jammin’ Java on Saturday night. Some of you may know Tony from season two of NBC’s The Voice where he came in third. The man’s a talent and I’m so excited to swoon with the rest of the crowd while he sings. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that will be the highlight of my weekend. Otherwise, I’ll be preparing at the We Love DC Hates Cancer happy hour event that’ll be going down on Monday (11/5). I’ll be performing a few songs along side a pair of fellow D.C. musicians. Let’s make this event a success! Feel free to stop by Pound The Hill between 5 and 9 p.m. We would all love to see you there.

Fedward: Back into the swing of things after our honeymoon in Puerto Rico, the Social Chair and I will be filling our weekend with … theatre and drinking. As usual. Saturday we’re seeing Our Class at Theater J, and Sunday we might squeeze in the matinee of Studio’s Dirt before our standard brunch at the Passenger. This time our weekend extends through Monday, with both the We Love DC Hates Cancer benefit at Pound the Hill and the Passenger’s MurrayAid event. Stenson is a bartender in Seattle, not DC, but his imprint on the global cocktail culture cannot be overstated.

Alexia: Tonight I have the honor of playing cello with one of my favorite DC bands, Black Hills at The Phillips Collection for their After 5 party. Tonight’s theme is French Fever, and features artist Xavier Veilhan, who has collaborated with artists such as Air and Sebastien Tellier. At 5:15 I’ll be playing a duo set with Black Hills frontman Aaron Estes, and at 7:15 will be the full Black Hills band along with a string quartet. It is going to be spectacular! Friday night I’m playing with my band The Torches for the Dia de los Muertos party at The Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria. Saturday I will be recovering from the awesomeness, though I may crawl over to the Arlington Civitan Flea Market just to poke around. Sunday morning will find me going full-steam again, in the recording studio for another project! If I have an ounce of energy come Sunday night, I’ll head over to Galaxy Hut for their awesome Karaoke, which happens the first Sunday of every month.

Jenn: I’m feeling a cold coming on, which is never a good sign for the weekend. So I’m switching to battle mode and visiting Pho Viet, Pho 14, Sakuramen, and Toki Underground. All of them. If they can’t save me, nothing can, and I better get well, because the post-Halloween lull ends very soon! Tonight I’m heading over to Studio Theatre to see “Dirt,” then hitting Bar Pilar for a cocktail to continue the cure (maybe some pumpkin-infused bourbon Vietnamese coffee). I was supposed to be in NYC this weekend, but thanks to Sandy that isn’t happening. The stories I’m hearing from friends and family up north are insane. We’re truly lucky to have been spared the worst.

I’m sure some of you did something else, but the Social Event of the Season was the Poe-Debelack wedding and why would we talk about anything else? Our congratulations to our own Fedward and the Social Chair on their nuptials.

You may think that having both wedding photos and a video are overkill, or may not want to prioritize videography in your budget, but trust us—you’ll want to hire a wedding videographer. For one, the day literally flies by and there are things you’ll miss that your videographer will capture beautifully, like seeing your grandmother’s emotional reaction as you say your vows. Also, you have to think of the sounds that can’t be captured in a photo, like your “I dos,” the reception music and meaningful toasts. But don’t just take our word for it—listen to feedback from these real brides from our message boards. Visit wedding.film for cinematography style wedding videos.

images courtesy of Kate, Ed, and Route 1 Multimedia

Images courtesy of Fedward, The Social Chair, and Route 1 Multimedia

Images courtesy of Fedward, The Social Chair, and Route 1 Multimedia

Images courtesy of Fedward, The Social Chair, and Route 1 Multimedia

Images courtesy of Fedward, The Social Chair, and Route 1 Multimedia

And of course, you know the Passenger had to eventually be involved. Tom Brown led the ceremony that ended with their pronouncement as “married in the eyes of the Passenger” and Derek Brown gave a lovely toast. I’m not sure what it means that I think the Prenup was the best of the themed drinks, but hey. Congrats you two!

The nip is in the air and the nuptials are scheduled – several of us will spend this weekend watching the second most visible celebration of women with questionable taste in men since my own wedding. We’ll work some other things in – most hopefully the Nats going after the NL championship on Sunday – and we’re hot to tell you about them. So let’s get to it.

Fedward: The Social Chair and I are getting married on Sunday. We’ll follow that up with a special brunch at The Passenger, where Tom Brown will preside over a second ceremony.

Natalia: It’s going to be a busy weekend! Friday I am going to check out 14th street’s latest arrival, Drafting Table. Saturday, a morning at Union Market followed by an afternoon learning, drinking, and hanging with some of DC’s finest at the Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s Snallygaster Festival, where food and fun will be guaranteed. Sunday will be spent celebrating a friend’s birthday in our old alma mater hood- Georgetown- if its nice weather, a little kayaking and fall picnic by Jack’s Boathouse could be in order.

Tom: Whatever happens today and Friday, my weekend is all about preparing to go on vacation come Monday. I’ll be reminding myself of the joys of Fall first, with a trip to Dangerously Delicious Pies for an apple or pumpkin pie, as well as a trip to Union Market for some Peregrine Espresso. Sunday, we’re going to see some dear friends wed (Congratulations to you, Ed & The Social Chair!) and enjoy some lovely time. For me, I hope the Nationals come through and we find ourselves watching the NLCS from Keoki’s Paradise on Kaua’i.

Patrick: How about that other DC team playing this weekend? No I’m not talking about the Nationals or the Redskins- the Wizards are back on the court as the NBA pre-season kicked off this past week. It’s time for me to take my mind of the local theatre scene and prep for a Wizards season preview! I’ll look to Northside Social to fuel my mind as I try to put a positive spin on John Wall missing the beginning of the season. I’ll also need some brunch- and for that I’ll be spending some time in AdMo (not SoMo) at Bourbon.

Jenn: Lately I’ve been feeling the urge to dance. Not bop-your-head-around-casually kind of dancing either. I’m talking about letting loose with your soul and having a crazy sweaty good time. So Friday night will see me at Tropicalia for Shrine as the Sol Power DJs spin the beats to get your spirits high – music from Cuba, Brazil, West Africa – and it features a special midnight performance by the energetic Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang. It’s impossible to sit still while listening to the band’s galloping beats. Bubu music may be centuries old, but this band’s sound is incredibly alive. I guarantee you’ll forget whatever stress you’re battling when you dance to it with me. After dancing, art! Saturday and Sunday wander through the open studios of the Mid City Artists as they showcase work ranging from painting and sculpture to mixed media and photography. Have some brunch. Look at the leaves. Breathe.

Don: First the bitter, then the sweet. I start the weekend saying farewell to a friend who outlasted cancer for several years more than his doctors thought he would – stubborn to the last, Jer – and we’ll be honoring his wishes by doing so decked out in our favorite sports jerseys. My darling wife and I will be in our Nationals gear and hopefully not simultaneously mourning and end to their playoff chances. Sunday makes for far more joy and more formalwear when we go stand next to Ed and The Social Chair as they tie their knots.

October? How did that happen? This calendar is broke, someone call IT!

Well, whatever. We give up. Less sweating and in a month we can stop seeing all those damned political ads targeted at Virginia voters. What’s the point of living in solid state Maryland or all-DNC-all-the-time DC if you still have to watch this endless back and forth before every presidential election?

We’re planning on ignoring the ads best we can and have some diversions planned. Want to hear about them? Here you go.

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