Monthly Archives: February 2010

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Editors @ 9:30 Club 2/21/10

EDITORS_BWPrint5web_medium
courtesy of Editors

Editors made a glorious return to the 9:30 Club on Sunday night playing to a sold-out house of enthusiastic fans and soon-to-be converts. These dark, Brit-pop masters treated the crowd to a set mixing their passion-fueled back-catalog with their synth-focused latest, “In This Light and On This Evening“. The transitions between the new and old songs were not always the smoothest, but the sheer power and presence of one of the best performing bands around was more than enough to carry the crowd and the evening.

I have seen Editors on every tour and was particularly taken with their debut opening stint for Stellastarr* back in 2006. Since then Editors have put out a second great album of passion-pop, seen a ground-swell in popularity, and most recently embraced a dramatic stylistic shift on their new album. I don’t think anyone was expecting their hard left-turn into synth territory but it does not feel entirely out-of-place either. Tom Smith’s deep vocal style and the band’s over-all darker tone adjusts pretty easily from their trademark guitar to the new album’s near Gothic synth. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t skeptical going into Sunday’s concert. In fact I was not really sold on this synth-shift based on my album-play-through and I was hoping for this concert to provide me a final verdict on how I really felt about it.
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The Daily Feed
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Strasburg Scheduled To Start March 9th

Photo courtesy of
‘Stephen Strasburg’
courtesy of ‘jpangan3’

It looks like Jesus will be taking the mound pretty soon. It’s been put in ink, so it must be true — Stephen Strasburg will be making his first start with the Nationals at Spring Training on March 9 against the Detroit Tigers.

At this point, he’s expected to pitch a couple innings.

“This will be my first chance to see him face hitters. Everybody is really excited,” Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty told MLB.com. “We’ll see how it goes. Who knows what’s going to happen after that. We are just going to go and see how it’s going to works out. We are going to have a rain day every once in a while, so everything is always done in pencil.”

Entertainment, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed
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DC Commission On The Arts And Humanities Want YOU To Promote The DC Art Scene

Photo courtesy of
‘Televised War’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

Ever been bitten by the art bug? Need a way to scratch that itch? The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is starting a new one hour television show called Art(202) and they need your help!

Aid in the effort of DC arts promotion  by submitting a video feature idea to the commission for airtime. What are they looking for? Info-mercials about your respective arts organizations, artistic interpretations of any of your work, documentaries, animations, music videos, slides of visual art, and anything else your creative brain can throw together.

All you have to do is make sure your content is 100% DC related.

If you plan on submitting an idea for a feature to run on Art(202) there are a few guidelines you’re going to have to follow. They include: making sure your video is between 30 seconds to 5 minutes long, is burned to a data DVD with either a quick time or .mov, a link for online screening purposes (if available), all the contact information of the producer & organization being promoted, and a video release form.

Art(202) will be airing on Friday nights at 9 p.m. and Saturday nights at 11 p.m. on the Mayor’s Network (Channel 16).

Food and Drink, The Features
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WeLoveDC DRINKS: Fresh Squeezed Wisdom

Photo courtesy of
‘Wisdom #51’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

In the calm before the storm (what? there’s another blizzard coming?), we were able to take a breather and have a little fun out of the house on a day when the brown/green grass was just starting to show itself again.

Good times were had last night at Wisdom Cocktail Parlour in SE DC. Guests who arrived with an ingrained hatred for the taste of gin were quick and surprising converts to the smooth and simple pairing of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

Cocktails in hand, the near-sellout crowd was buzzing with the talk of juices and liquors — with occasional pleas for another educational happy hour mixed-in. It was a moment of true concentration on and excitement for the subject at hand, with no fear or discussion of impending snow.   Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, The Hill
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The Road To Legalization: Will Congress Lay Down The Law?

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

The legalization of medical marijuana in DC continues to be an issue for those supporting the cause. According to the Washington Post, “Nine out of 13 council members are co-sponsoring the bill that would make the city the 15th jurisdiction in the country to offer the option to the chronically ill.”

There are two problems that need to find resolution before the District can take the fight for medical marijuana any further — logistics and Congress.

The amendment to Initiative 59 states that the legalization of medical marijuana in DC would require five dispensaries city-wide. Each dispensary would supply a months worth of marijuana to registered patients as prescribed by their respective physicians and insurance for dispensaries will also be made available.

But — no matter the logistical dilemmas or support weighing in on both the pro and con side of the bill — Congress will have the final word on the matter. WaPo says that advocates appear to be the most concerned about getting the bill passed and untouched by Congress.

This wouldn’t be the first time Congress put their foot down. Back in 1998, voters approved the initiative. It was Congress who blocked it.

Comedy in DC
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Comedy in DC: Flooded Basement Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘Drafthouse at dusk’
courtesy of ‘wfyurasko’

I love it when all the pent-up Snowpocalypse comedic frustration is unleashed upon an unsuspecting region. There’s a lot going on, but here are my picks for the week:

Thursday night is BrightestYoungThings’ “Family Hemerlein Variety Show,” featuring music and comedy, MC’d by Seaton Smith (for whom my fandom is well-known) and headlined by Ben Kronberg (who has appeared on both Jimmy Kimmel’s and Carson Daly’s show, which means you’ve never seen him). It’s at the Arts Club of Washington, located in the James Monroe House, and tickets are $15.

Friday night there are shows for the geographically choosy. At the Velvet Lounge on U Street is 3 Chord Comedy, featuring Eli Sairs, Jeff Maurer, Justin Schlegel, and headlined by Dave Hill (HBO, Adult Swim.) Only $4! Show starts at 7.

At the Arlington Drafthouse at 9:45, Will Hessler and Hampton will be bringing back their “There Will Be Laughter” show, hosted by Jeff Maurer. Yeah, Maurer’s a busy bee that night, and if he can get to both shows, so can you. Tickets are $8, so it ends up being a whole lot of comedy in one night for $12.

If you prefer an open mic environment, the weekly Sabores Lounge show in Cleveland Park will also be happening.

On Saturday night, it’s local comic-turned-touring-headliner Rob Cantrell at the Arlington Drafthouse. The show starts at 9:45 and tickets are $18.

On Monday night at Eleventh Street Lounge, the regular Monday open mic is going to be given over to the ladies- Girls’ Night Out will feature Lisa Fine, Aparna Nancherla, Anupama Pillalamarri, Jessica Brodkin, Hillary Buckholtz, Sarah Donnelly, and Julie Fox. I’m excited about this one, since most open mics are pretty much sausagefests, and how many “my girlfriend so crazy” jokes can you really hear in one night and still laugh? The last time I performed at Eleventh, I was the only woman in the lineup for like, weeks. So it’ll be fun to see some new faces.

The Daily Feed
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Yeah, We’re Sorry Too.

Photo courtesy of
‘Looks Like We Have a Winner!’
courtesy of ‘chardeenly’

It would be great if I could believe Marion Barry when he said anything.  Today’s apology is no different.  If all Hizzoner can come up with is, “I should have known better,” when what he’s accused of doing is accepting what amounts to a bribe and a kickback, then really, what the hell DO you know?  How can you not recognize that this sort of behavior is frowned upon, and more importantly illegal?  And all you say is I should have known better?!

Oh Mr. Barry.  This is all a big joke, and you’re going to apologize for real sometime soon, right?

The Daily Feed
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Kigali Gets a Root Canal

Kigali and her Dentist

I have no earthy idea how you give a gorilla a root canal, but fortunately, the National Zoo sure does.  Veterinarians at the Zoo discovered recently that Kigali, a 15-year old lowlands gorilla, had a fracture in a tooth, and they handled the dental work, as well as a heart checkup, in a procedure today.

Kigali should return to her habitat in the coming days.  In the meantime, it would be highly unwise to make fun of her inability to drink soup without spilling, okay?  It’s just not polite.

The Daily Feed
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About.com guide blatantly rips off DCist

Photo courtesy of
‘douches’
courtesy of ‘twicepix’

While watching the @welovedc Twitter account yesterday, I saw what could have turned into an entertaining confrontation that sadly never seemed to go anywhere. @DCist_updates angrily demanded that @washingtondcist get an original name. Who is @washingtondcist? Karen M. Hart, the About.com DC Travel Guide.

Hart’s Twitter feed is full of retweets of more renowned DC institutions interspersed with the occasional link to her somewhat sporadically updated About.com blog, so it’s not like any locals are likely to confuse The Real DCist with the impostor, and it’s true that Hart’s target audience is people for whom DC is a tourism destination who are likely not already reading DCist.   Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Wemple Departing City Paper for New Local Venture

Photo courtesy of
‘city paper flower’
courtesy of ‘christopher.poole’

Congratulations to Erik Wemple, current editor of the City Paper, who will be heading up the new local DC media outlet owned by the folks at Politico.com.  Wemple has been at the City Paper since 2002, and has lead the paper through it’s hardest time to date.  Between the sale to Creative Loafing, and their eventual bankruptcy, the City Paper has remained an interesting part of DC’s media culture.  It’s hard to see what the road for the City Paper will be without Wemple, nor entirely what niche the new Albritton-backed as-of-yet-unnamed venture will fill.  DC already has six group-run high-quality hyper-local blogs (DCist, We Love DC, BYT, PoP, Famous DC, and one other), so it’s hard to see what potential role another outlet might have, but it will be fascinating to watch.

Entertainment, Penn Quarter, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Henry V

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Michael Hayden as King Henry V in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V, directed by David Muse. Photo by Scott Suchman.

Now this is more like it.

From the first moments of Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Henry V, there’s a feeling of power and potency that I found lacking in Richard II, playing in repertory at Sidney Harman Hall. This is a company in command, helmed by David Muse’s tight, almost economical direction which sets the play firmly on course.

Productions of Henry V can veer from pro-war to anti-war (most famously, see the contrast of two films – Laurence Olivier vs. Kenneth Branagh). Here, war is certainly horrible, but it’s simply what kings must do to reign. This exploration of duty is the key to Muse’s production, in my opinion, and to the performance that leads it – Michael Hayden’s superb Henry. He embodies not just Henry’s description of himself as “plain soldier” but also of a man whose study of humanity in his wild days serves him well as king.

He’s also a scrappy fighter and a man whose bad side you want to avoid. No matter how close or safe you think you are, cross him at your peril.

From the beginning, when Muse chooses to split the Chorus into three characters (wonderfully played by Larry Paulsen, Robynn Rodriguez and Ted van Griethuysen), we’re on alert that there’s something different in store. With enthusiasm, sadness and humor they guide us through the history play by connecting directly with the audience, controlling lights and sound as if performing a lecture. It’s a conceit already inherent in the play itself, and here it lends a sense of the magic of theater that is echoed in key brilliant choices – stirring singing, unfurling maps, ghostly helmets hanging in air, a bright red laser pointer.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Pancakes! Pancakes! Get Your Free Pancakes!

Photo courtesy of
‘pancakes are good’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

In observance of National Pancake Day, participating area IHOPs are serving free short stacks of buttermilk pancakes today from 7am-10pm, and in return asking diners to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Be sure to phone your local IHOP before heading out as participation is not mandatory. But I mean, what IHOP doesn’t participate in this awesome celebration and fundraising event.

People, The Features
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A We Love DC Interview: Author Stephen Salny

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Image Credit: Stephen Salny via Michael Taylor Design

Last night at the Corcoran, author and design expert Stephen Salny provided a comprehensive look into the legendary designer Michael Taylor.  One of Architectural Digest’s “20 Greatest Designers of All Time” and best known for his popularization of the “California Look”, Taylor continues to revolutionize the industry 25 years since his passing.

I had the unique opportunity to chat with Salny about his book Michael Taylor Interior Design.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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West Elm Closing

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington, DC Woodward & Lothrop historic 2’
courtesy of ‘army.arch’

West Elm is closing its DC store which is currently located in the former Woodward & Lorthrop department store building at 1020 G St. NW – also known as, the building over a Metro Center entrance. This comes as another sign of the times, backtracking from the city’s efforts to boost the density of retail stores downtown – “it was a corporate decision, this location was just not as successful as they’d hoped,” said Store manager Dion Barela for the Washington Business Journal.

On a positive note for the rest of us, the furniture retailer is currently holding a sale on remaining store items.  The store has an approximate close date set for March 15th.

The Daily Feed
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Passive Aggressive Notes About Parking Spaces

Photo courtesy of
‘Stella is Free!’
courtesy of ‘mollytics’

Now that the snow is melting and parking on streets is becoming easier by the day, we’re seeing fewer spaces marked with chairs or tables.  Sure, if you spend hours digging out a parking space, it’s understandable that you’d want it to be there when you return, and you’d be angry if someone else parked there.  But this collection of snow parking passive aggressive notes (including a few from the DC area) is just ridiculous.

Here’s hoping that the melting snow and eventual thaw will mellow people out a bit.

The Daily Feed
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Greener Buildings = Healthier Employees?

Photo courtesy of
‘Interning at Bascom’
courtesy of ‘Mark Drago’

This Thursday night, the National Building Museum is hosting another session in its For the Greener Good series.  This session focuses on the benefits of green buildings, and panelists explore how working in a green building could actually make employees healthier.  More natural light, better heating and cooling, and building with more sustainable resources all seem like they’d make an office a healthier and happier place to be.  Arlington has already jumped in to the Green Office Challenge, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out locally.

Tickets for Thursday’s panel are $12 for NBM members, $20 for members of the public, and free for students.

The Daily Feed
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Why the Washington Monument is Two-Toned

Photo courtesy of
‘In the Shadow of the Obelisk’
courtesy of ‘william couch’

Did you know that the Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure in the world?

That from the time the cornerstone was laid, it took 40 years, three months and five days for the monument to open? (The original marble became unavailable after a delay. This is why the monument changes color partway up.)

Or that it is now half an inch shorter than in 1884 due to repeated lightning strikes?

Find a wealth of fun facts like these in yesterday’s post on National Parks Traveler.

The Daily Feed
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Senators Threaten Metro Takeover

Photo courtesy of
‘Departure’
courtesy of ‘Rolenz’

A group of four US Senators have threatened Metro with “direct federal intervention” if it fails to make immediate safety improvements the Washington Post reports. The Post adds the senators sent a letter to Metro’s board saying the agency had suffered “an institutional failure.”

It’s hard to argue against the failings of Metro with regards to safety: the letter points out the 17 deaths over the last five years on the transit system, and that 42% of all track worker deaths since 2002 in the US happened on Metro’s watch. Those are sobering numbers, and indicative of systemic failure, not “a string of isolated ‘accidents.'”

What isn’t known is how a federal takeover of Metro would work. The Post goes into several options available. While a federally-run Metro wouldn’t be a panacea, a single entity making decisions instead of the fractured board might be a good thing.

A copy of the letter is available on Streetsblog.

Adams Morgan, Featured Photo
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Featured Photo


2010-02-19 AdamsMorgan Time Series Pano – 20×30 by m hoek

When I think of Adams Morgan, I think of twenty year old kids drinking enough cheap alcohol to bring themselves to the brink of death.  I think of Big Slice with the smell of puke and hookah drifting through the air.  I think of breakfast at The Diner, coffee at Tryst, and the occasional dinner at Cashion’s.  No offense to those who love Adams Morgan, but if it ceased to exist, I wouldn’t shead a tear.

The great thing about today’s Featured Photo is that it encompasses nearly all of the memories I have in my head about this particular part of DC.  I recommend that you look at the big version to get a better look at all of the images that went into making this montage.  I love that you can see the different personalities of Adams Morgan, from the sober girl drinking coffee, to the woman carrying her groceries, to the stretch limo (which no doubt is carrying a gaggle of drunk bachelorettes with penis-shaped lollipops), to the lack of parking, to the flattened pizza box on the sidewalk.  This is Adams Morgan in all of its glory.