Monthly Archives: September 2011

We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: The Heir Apparent

Floyd King as Geronte and Carson Elrod as Crispin in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of The Heir Apparent,
directed by Michael Kahn. Photo by Scott Suchman.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of The Heir Apparent is quiet and subdued for about as many seconds as you can count on your two hands. Then Crispin (Carson Elrod) comes clamoring in the window and we’re off at full tilt until intermission. The story’s initial complication revolves around the desire Eraste (Andrew Veenstra) has to marry Isabelle (Meg Chambers Steedle) while lacking the necessary financial means. We soon layer on the ambition of his manservant Crispin, Isabelle’s mother Madame Argante (Nancy Robinet) and the holder of all the money that Eraste wants to get his grubby mitts on, Geronte (Floyd King). The only person without an agenda of their own is diminutive whipping boy Scruple (Clark Middleton), the lawyer summoned and repeatedly abused in the second act.

Seriously, you thought I was going to pan a play that has that much fun abusing lawyers?

It’s a whirlwind, madcap, fourth-wall-breaking, rhyming, asiding, many-joke-gliding play that works in more jokes than you’d expect to hear in a day. Much less two hours. It’s a good, light-hearted time which rarely missteps and is filled with contretemps and eventually the rhythm gets under your skin and is hard to shake, even a few days later when you’re writing your review.

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Entertainment, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: The Habit of Art

Ted van Griethuysen and Paxton Whitehead in The Habit of Art. Photo: Scott Suchman

Artistic process. Can it make for a sexy night at the theater? The grueling path to perfection through grinding repetition, as the artist develops techniques and habits that can release creativity or stifle it, sometimes makes for a great play. Sometimes not. Recently Studio Theatre explored the artistic process in Venus in Fur, where the artist must grapple with his muse in a deadly game. It was electrifying.

But not all process is sexy. Sometimes it’s downright plodding. The Habit of Art is another play-within-a-play about rehearsal and collaboration, written by British playwright Alan Bennett (perhaps best known to American audiences as the writer of The Madness of King George). It’s a dense work that might delight lovers of British theater history (Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness and Richard Eyre all have important references), taking place as it does in a rehearsal room at the National Theatre. It might also delight lovers of British culture, as the play-within-a-play details the charged reunion of former collaborators, poet W.H. Auden and composer Benjamin Britten.

There are moments of hilarity interspersed with painful truths, as Bennett skewers all facets of the artistic process. There are also moments of well, boredom, just as in life. Though it features a talented cast, a thoughtful director, and a fascinating subject, often I found The Habit of Art difficult to watch because of its realism – parts drag on like an afternoon with a brilliant old don who has lost his spark. Only at the very end was I teased by a monologue that made me realize that may be Bennett’s intention, as a stage manager simply explains how the very habits of the artistic process, the act of trying repeatedly to achieve success even in the face of failure, may be the true value after all. Continue reading →

We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Stop Kiss

No Rules Theater Company’s Stop Kiss tells the story of reluctant Callie and bold Sara as they meet and change each other’s lives in late-90s New York. Callie has a level of comfortable living that lazy accidents and compromises have delivered to her, and with it the ability to take in the cat of a friend of a friend. Sara’s handing over her beloved pet to a friendly stranger as one more of many sacrifices she’s making to pursue her dreams and do what makes her happy. It’s a credit to Rachel Zampelli’s portral of Callie that we never find ourselves wondering exactly why Alyssa Wilmouth’s Sara would go through all this hassle to be with her after they meet and strike it off.

As much credit as the actors deserve for bringing the love story to us in a believable way, playwright Diana Son deserves recognition for writing these two characters with nuance. Callie isn’t purely the one who needs help capturing some strength and Sara isn’t a paragon of guts who seems like she could go anywhere and do anything. The great success in this piece is the people and their relationships.

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Special Events, We Love Arts
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2011 All Roads Film Festival at NatGeo

Photo courtesy of
‘National Archives Film Canisters’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Starting tomorrow, the National Geographic Museum hosts the 2011 All Roads Film Festival. The five-day festival showcases nearly 40 films in 24 countries, created to provide an international platform for indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share cultures, stories and perspectives through the power of film and photography. This year’s theme is “Stories That Shape Our World” and National Geographic is giving WeLoveDC readers a chance to win a pair of all-access passes to the festival.

The five-day event also will include a “Global Groove: DJ Dance Party,” hosted by DJ Dave Nada and DJ Underdog, panel discussions by a number of the filmmakers and two photography exhibits. One photography exhibit will feature works from three provocative voices in the photography medium, each at different points in their careers; the second is an exclusive view into two cultures where photography by outsiders has been severely restricted. Several filmmakers will participate in two panel discussions, “Latinos in Modern Media” and “Indigenous Communities, Film and the Environment,” as well as discussions following their film screenings where they will talk about their careers and the continuing innovation of indigenous filmmaking.

If you’d like to win a pair of festival passes, simply drop a comment below (using an email address we can use to contact you). We’ll randomly select a winner at noon tomorrow (Wednesday 9/14). Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed
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Chief Lanier defends uptick in deployment against FOP complaints

Photo courtesy of
‘Police lights’
courtesy of ‘BrianMKA’

When Chief Cathy Lanier declared a “crime emergency” state late last week in response to the rumored threat against the DC and NYC areas, which allowed her to move officers to 12-hour shifts if necessary, as well as cancel existing leave. That can certainly be frustrating to a department’s employees, and that may why the Fraternal Order of Police’s Kris Baumann has been making some noise considering the declaration. It’s the first crime emergency declaration since 2006, and could affect the overtime pay of the officers in relation to long shifts around 9/11, according to Baumann, who blames Lanier for not scheduling better ahead of the anniversary.

Chief Lanier fired back on the MPD-3D listserv last night against Baumann, citing a long involvement in the Homeland Security community and the specificity and credibility of the threat that necessitated the change to the schedules, as well as identifying a clearly-applicable funding source for covering the costs of the overtime. Her whole statement is after the cut.

Animosity between the Chief and FOP’s Baumann has been an undercurrent of Lanier’s tenure as MPD’s top brass, with significant rows between them over the police escort of Charlie Sheen and other celebrities, and residency requirements for MPD Officers. It’s been a difficult year for MPD, with 23 officers accused of, or convicted of, crimes.

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Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Doggy in the Window
‘Doggy in the Window’ by Mondmann

In a world where photographers are often more concerned with flashy presentation or outstanding technique, Mondmann reminds us that simplicity is key to capturing a unique moment. The photo makes me think of a 70-year-old man who has lived in the same house for 50 years, sitting to watch the world pass by, yelling at kids to get off of his lawn. The dog just looks like a curmudgeon, although I’m sure if you asked him, the dog would say, “Stop anthropomorphizing me!” Well done, Mondmann.

Entertainment, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Imagining Madoff

Photo: C. Stanley Photography

If you want to learn about one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history, this show isn’t for you. If you want to learn more about the man that ran off with the savings of individuals, charitable organizations, and others- this show may not be for you.

Try one of the documentaries out there on the topic.

Instead of retelling history, Theater J’s Imagining Madoff focuses on a fictionalized meeting between Bernie Madoff (Rick Foucheux) and Solomon Galkin (Mike Nussbaum), one of his clients/victims. Despite the show’s fictional premise, playwright Deb Margolin creates an engaging narrative that whets our appetite as we collectively wonder who was this notorious criminal and how could he steal so much from so many.

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Crime & Punishment
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Opinion: Sulaimon Brown is right

Photo courtesy of
‘shocks’
courtesy of ‘dreamsjung’

I’m gonna just let you recover from the mental discord that reading that headline will give you. Maybe it’ll help if you muse on the old saying that even a broken clock is right twice a day, though in the modern digital age it’s more like a broken clock is still useful as a paperweight.

Be that as it may, I wanted to say that I think Brown is right and I support his response to being pulled over by an unmarked police car. Brown says he initially cooperated but refused to get out of the vehicle when the plainclothes individuals asked him to do so.

“You guys pull up, you’re wearing all black. There were no sirens. Nothing…You expect me to get out of the car in the middle of the night? No.”

I say, good for you Brown. The practice of traffic stops by law enforcement who can’t easily be distinguished from someone who bought a $5 flashing light off the internet is a misguided and dangerous one. When I was growing up in Florida there were numerous occasions when criminals used different techniques to get people to pull over and robbed and killed them. Stories of people pretending to be cops in order to rape or rob turn up hits in the thousands on Google.

LegalMatch suggests someone concerned about an unmarked stop do exactly what Brown did – stay in the car and call 911. The local police force can certainly send over  a marked car; I haven’t seen a traffic stop on the side of the road that didn’t have 2+ patrol cars involved in I don’t know how long. Departments are well aware of the issues involved and several will confirm they avoid using unmarked cars for traffic stops if at all possible. According to a 1996 legal brief, DC “police regulations only allow plainclothes police to enforce traffic violations when they are “so grave as to pose an immediate threat to others.””

So here’s the only time  you’re likely to read this in the media: You should pay attention to Sulaimon’s example and follow it. Be careful.

UPDATE 4:43p: WaPo’s Mike DeBonis has placed the arrest report up on DocumentCloud and, as he says in his post about it, it seems to match Brown’s description of the events with only a minor difference. It’s unfortunate that the officers on scene seemed not to be acting in line with the policies purported in the 1996 document linked above, though it’s not clear Brown informed them he was dialing 911 – which, if you ever find yourself in that circumstance, you should be sure to tell the folks attempting to detain you. Personally I’d repeat it once I was on the call to 911 so it would be heard by 911 and recorded.

The Daily Feed
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Snyder drops ridiculous suit against City Paper

Photo courtesy of
‘P-47D Victory Markings’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Showing no small amount of media savvy, Dan Snyder announced through the Redskins media apparatus that he was dropping his suit against the Washington City Paper at 8:20pm on Saturday, buried in the middle of the weekend news cycle amid a terror threat, the specter of 9/11, and 15 hours short of the 2011 Redskins debut that went spectacularly well. Bravo, Dan, way to miss the media cycle.

But yes, the City Paper is now free from the threat of a lawsuit over the November 2010 article in the City Paper called The Cranky Redskins Fan’s Guide to Dan Snyder which details numerous grievances against the Redskins’ owner by fans and other groups. Perhaps we’re seeing Snyder turn over a new leaf, where he engages often with local charities, sells the team and walks the earth searching for redemption.

One can hope.

Sports Fix, The Features
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Redskins defeat Giants 28-14

Photo courtesy of
‘_MG_8031’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

When looking over the Redskins schedule there were games where the Redskins should win, could win, and should struggle. The Giants hadn’t lost to the Redskins since 2007, the Redskins defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season and the Giants feature a strong running and passing attack, and the Redskins entered 2011 as a team surrounded by questions on the offense. The Redskins didn’t just not struggle against the Giants they dominated. The yardage comes out about the same as the Giants passed for 268 and rushed for 75 while the Redskins passed for 305 and rushed for 75, but the Redskins managed to outscore the Giants by the final score of 28-14 due in large part to 21 straight unanswered points. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Buy Cupcakes and Support your Local Roller Derby Girls


Tiffany MacIsaac’s Roller Derby Cupcakes
Courtesy of Neighborhood Restaurant Group

While the DC Rollergirls may not be made of sugar and spice, Buzz Bakery is serving up some sweet cupcakes that are. Both Virginia locations of the bakery are selling two varieties of cupcakes until September 18th that will raise money for the to raise awareness and support the DC Rollergirl’s East Region Playoffs, “Nightmare on 95” in Baltimore on September 16-18.

The two cupcakes created by executive pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac are the “Dorris Dayngerous,” a pink chiffon cake with raspberry jam and lemon buttercream, and the “Whiskey Houston,” a Johnny Walker-brown sugar cake with an Buffalo Trace-apple butter and a Jameson-vanilla buttercream. The two tough cupcakes are $4 each. Get ’em while their hot and support your gals on roller skates.

Correction: Buzz Bakery is offering the cupcakes in support of the DC Rollergirls team, but the proceeds from the cupcakes are not going to the roller derby team.

The Daily Feed
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MLK Memorial Dedication re-scheduled for October 16th

Photo courtesy of
‘MLK Memorial 2011’
courtesy of ‘starbuck77’

Whether you love it, or hate it, the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the Mall has certainly gotten people talking. Its dedication, postponed by Hurricane Irene, is now set for October 16th. The original festivities were slated for approximately 250,000 people, and I would imagine that the October date will still draw that many. We haven’t heard yet if Metro is planning to expand service again around the dedication as they had planned to for the late August date.

Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 9/9-9/11

Photo courtesy of
‘Giants1’
courtesy of ‘Homer McFanboy’

We got through a trying weekend. Whether it was from the anniversary; potential of something happening on or around the anniversary; the gridlock caused by all the events surrounding the anniversary; or just the regular trials and tribulations of NFL opening weekend (HAIL!), this is a weekend I’m sure we all will like to see recede into memory. But before you start writing off the past few days, take a brief moment to look back and see what memories there are from the weekend. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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John Lannan Implodes, Nats Lose 9-3

Photo courtesy of
‘John Lannan at Spring Training’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

John Lannan has made 125 career starts. Saturday night was only the third time he ever failed to record nine outs while on the mound for Washington. The Houston Astros ended up taking batting practice off the Nats’ left-handed starter in the third inning of Saturday night’s game. They got seven hits and six runs (four earned) off Lannan, which halted the game’s momentum.

Lannan lasted 2 1/3 innings and gave up eight hits, six runs (four earned), one walk, and one strikout over 55 pitches (36 strikes). He also committed a throwing error to first after the Astros had already scored four runs in the third. Needless to say, Saturday night was far from being Lannan’s best outing for the Nationals.
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capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Capitals Rookie Camp Begins

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_7112~’
courtesy of ‘photopete’

Perhaps overshadowed by the excitement of the NFL’s opening weekend, for hockey fans there is a milestone all of their own that signals the start to another season of their favorite sport. Recently, the Washington Capitals announced the dates of their annual rookie camp, which along with training camp, is the official beginning of the season.

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The Daily Feed
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Heightened Security at Nationals Park This Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘centerfield’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

With the tenth anniversary of 9/11 this Sunday, the Washington Nationals are encouraging fans to arrive earlier than they’re used to. This is due to an increase in security precaustions surrounding Sunday’s day of rememberance.

According to the Nationals, fans should prepare to arrive early and expect slow entry into the ballpark on Saturday and Sunday. Fan are encouraged to keep in mind that limited entry points will be available for getting into the park as well. The center field gates are scheduled to open at 4:30 on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Fans driving to park should prepare for vehicle checks in parking areas.

Additionally, no outside beverages or liquids of any kind will be permitted into the ballpark. Food items of any kind are strongly discouraged.

So be smart, Washington. Use your heads. I know you want to bring in that sealed bottled water this weekend, but if you try, you’re only going to hold up the line.

The Daily Feed
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Washington Beats Houston 4-3 in Extras

Photo courtesy of
’17’
courtesy of ‘anokarina’

The Washington Nationals might as well change their nickname to the Washington Walkoffs with all the last minute, down-to-the-wire wins they’ve accumulated this season (12 in total). Davey Johnson and his boys in red, white and blue beat the last place Houston Astros 4-3 in 11 innings Friday night at Nationals Park in front of the thin crowd who stuck it out until the end.

Starting pitcher and recent call-up Tommy Milone pitched an effective game. The young gun has yet to issue a walk in his two career starts in the big leagues and isn’t afraid to throw inside on right-handed batters as a south paw.

Washington scored early creating a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Rick Ankiel scored on a homerun hit by Ryan Zimmerman, his eleventh of the season, after drawing a one out walk. Houston trickled back to tie the game at two a piece after scoring a couple runs until they eventually took the lead in the sixth. Continue reading →