We Love Weekends: July 18-19

Photo courtesy of
‘Evening in the Pavilion’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye (sorta back)’
Oh yes, it’s almost the weekend again. Can you hang in a little longer? Here’s what we’re looking forward to this weekend:

Katie: I’m headed home for a good friend’s wedding this weekend. If I were to stick around DC, though, I’d probably play tourist a little bit and head to the Jefferson Memorial for some quality time on the paddle boats. After an hour of floating around the tidal basin, I’d grab myself some soft serve from the refreshment stand and me and my frozen treat would take a walk to the WWII memorial to dip my feet in the fountain. (Which is strictly prohibited. Don’t say I told you to do that. You did not hear that from me.) For a night out on the town I’d probably hit up Zentan and spend some quality time looking out over my fair city having cocktails by their rooftop pool.

Jenn: At some point this weekend, I will enjoy a delicious serving of Sicilian Almond gelato at Pitango on 14th Street, and a basil champagne cocktail at Belga Cafe. I’m also in the mood for some Greek blood and guts with the Keegan & Dizzy Miss Lizzie doing a wacky version of “The Oresteia” as part of the Fringe Festival – just two more weekends to Fringe so get going! If you want to escape from the heat hit the Archives for a Saturday noontime showing of my favorite film ever, Lawrence of Arabia. But I should be out battling my bike. Only one of us can win.

Jasmine: I’m going to be out of town for the next few weekends, so this weekend I am going to try to hit up the places I’ll miss most when I’m gone. I haven’t hit up Black Cat in a while, so I’m going to head over there on Saturday night for their 80s dance party night. Sunday, I’ll be relaxing in Old Town Alexandria–first stopping by my favorite little bakery/coffee shop, Buzz Bakery, for breakfast, then I’ll walk down the water to the Torpedo Factory for my regular dose of local art.

Photo courtesy of
‘Dupont in the Sun’
courtesy of ‘marciadc’

Acacia: Among other things, I’m planning to catch the Washington Mystics as they take on the New York Liberty at the Verizon center in some sweet WNBA play. The Mystics are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference, 3 games back from leader Indiana. New York, who is currently 4-7 and second to last, may have some trouble with Washington and its All-Star guard Alana Beard, to say the least. I’m also psyched to see Marissa Coleman in her new home, not so far removed from her old at UMD. Sunday will hopefully bring a day trip to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, about which I’ve heard nothing but good things. I was also inspired to make the 2.5 hour pilgrimage to Charlottesville by the Maira Kalman graphic essay “Time Wastes Too Fast” which ran in the NYTimes recently.

Nathan: I’m splitting town for the friendly confines of Virginia Beach, but if I was sticking within the district there is no doubt in my mind that I’d go to the Capitol Skyline pool for a joint presentation of Conner Contemporary Art & Co., for a showing of experimental video, and… wait for it… a synchronized swimming competition. It’s going to be absolutely fabulous. Greg Laswell is at the Rock & Roll Hotel this weekend, he’s got the sweet sadness going on pretty well, and there’s also this killer presentation of Space Panorama at the Kennedy Center, completely gratis, where the Apollo moon landing is recreated using only hands and… wry facial expressions. Oh yes. But I’m not, so you should.

Ben R: Saturday’s the WorldWide Photowalk over in Old Town, so we’ll be walking the streets, shooting great shots and inhaling lunch over some vittles at Gadsby’s Tavern. At some point over the weekend we’ll be getting back to our florishing garden, probably with a visit to Meadows Farms over in Springfield to gather more supplies like mulch and soil amendments. Sunday’ll be a lazy day with an out-of-town friend, cooking some brats on the grill and maybe heading out to Lake Accotink Park for some miniature golfing.

Photo courtesy of
‘also weak!’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Rebecca: I’ll be catsitting for the next month, so that calls for a trip to DC’s pet shops to buy supplies for the kitty (Houdini).  In quest to keep Mr. Cat occupied, I’ll try The Dog Shop, which despite its canine name carries plenty of interesting cat playthings, and if that bearts no fruit it’s off to Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique. The Nats are in town this weekend playing the Chi town Cubs, so why not spend the nice weekend weather at the stadium?  Nothing bats a dawg, beer, Cracker Jacks and a game on a summer’s evening.  Also, be sure to stop by the BullPen to catch the Miles Midnight w/ Midnight Spin play both a pre and post show, participate in some cornholing (a favored activity of mine) and chill out with other DCites.

Liam: This being my first weekend in DC in about 5 weeks, I’m looking forward to spending time with friends and enjoying the city. Might snag a little dinner at Sushi-Ko on Friday to use my $20 for $40 Groupon. Saturday or Sunday looks like there might be some golf action at either Hains PointGreendale, or Twin Lakes Golf Courses in the morning, and whatever morning I don’t golf I’ll likely hit up a brunch at The Beacon Bar & GrillLogan TavernCommisary or some other relaxing brunch locale. Saturday evening, the Nationals host the Cubbies, which should be a good game. And Sunday afternoons are reserved for lazy Sundays with my lady. Come to think of it, considering I’m staying in DC to “relax,” I sure do have a lot going on this weekend…so much for just veggin’ out.

Paulo: I’ll be up in NJ over the weekend but were I to stay I’d definitely drop by the National Gallery of Art for “The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits From Imperial Spain,” then go to the Air and Space Museum to check out Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean’s exhibit of moon paintings.

Photo courtesy of
‘putt putt’
courtesy of ‘dharmabumx’

Shannon: I have out-of-town guests to entertain this weekend, so I’ll finally have an excuse to do some quintessentially DC things. We’re going to Jazz in the Sculpture Garden on Friday after work, then on Saturday we’ll check out the Simpsons event at the Postal Museum, and Sunday we’re going to stay in my neighborhood for the Dupont Farmer’s Market.  And my first triathlon is coming up next weekend, so I’ll be attempting a practice triathlon at Hains Point (and hoping that the pool isn’t crazily packed again).

Kirk: Beer. I love it and Loudoun County seems to have lots of it.  So, I’m going to be heading out to Purcellville, VA for my second beer festival in less than a month (!!!). A little restaurant called Magnolias, which always sports a transcendent selection of American craft beers, is hosting 20 acclaimed brewers to showcase their craft. Tickets are going for $35 online, or $45 at the door.  Your money will get you a tasting glass, five samples, and access to BBQ.  With featured breweries like Alagash and Stone, it sounds like a steal to me.

Ben S.: This should be a nice quiet weekend for me. I’m planning to hit up the Boulevard Woodgrill, the area’s best brunch option, on Saturday morning, then head to the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center Air and Space Museum for, embarrassingly, the first time.

Photo courtesy of
‘molding young minds’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Tiff: First, what I can’t do- there’s a Bollywood/Hip Hop Fusion workshop at Born2Dance Studio in Vienna (where I take my regular Bollywood class) happening Saturday afternoon. I would go to this, except that I have made specific plans to go looking for a kitten or young cat to adopt, as our cat is lonely and needy and waking me up at 4:30 AM because he’s bored. Clearly he needs a playmate. It’s kitten season, meaning that an especially large number of cats are in need of a loving home. There are a number of animal shelters and cat rescues in the area, but it’s probably easiest to find your nearest Petsmart and go on a weekend- chances are, there will be a cat adoption event there.

Donna: Seeing as how I spend a lot of time wishing for a pristine river, I like the sound of two cleanups for Saturday morning – the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project at Hains Point, complete with complimentary wine and bubbly afterwards – and a Canoe Clean-up at Lockhouse 8 on the C&O Canal towpath, which includes a float to Minnie’s Island and a picnic afterwards with gratis dessert, at a cool little house there where a couple once lived. Who said cleanups weren’t fun? Another fun event this Saturday is Green Cup Polo in Poolesville, Md., where you can watch the horses while sipping “eco-tinis” and noshing on organic food. This event showcases green event planning practices, raises awareness of environmental issues and benefits three environmental organizations.

Don: It’s eclectic weekend in the Whiteside household. Fringe is playing a big part – not only do I want to see Jenn-approved show Riding the Bull but I may go check out Freakshow, Titus X, Headscarf and the Angry Bitch… or about another half-dozen shows that are on my first-pass list. Rounding out the weekend is a little get-together with some Metafilter people and a possible run up to Otakon in Baltimore to take some pictures of the over-the-top costumes.

Photo courtesy of
‘Just playing around in the back yard…2’
courtesy of ‘cruffo’

Carl: I will be participating in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday at 1:15, put on by Masons from the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Look for the guy with the apron and jewel – that will be me or possibly 100 or so of my close friends and brothers. Sunday will be completely pants-optional, as I plan to not even leave home, but if I do go out, it will likely be to treat my lovely wife to a bowl of veggie chili and a Blue Moon at Hard Times in Clarendon.

Tiffany Baxendell Bridge is an Internet enthusiast and an incurable smartass. When not heckling the neighborhood political scene on Twitter, she can be found goofing off with her ukulele, Bollywood dancing, or obsessing about cult TV. She is That Woman With the Baby In the Bar.

Tiffany lives in Brookland with her husband Tom, son Charlie, and two high-maintenance cats. Read why Tiffany loves DC.

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