Photo courtesy Frank Gruber, techcocktail.com
The fire has been extinguished, but you should expect street closures in the area around the Willard and W hotels overnight.
An underground transformer caught fire under 14th & F Streets NW, causing evacuations of the Willard Hotel, the W Hotel near the White House and Treasury Department. The Secret Service has closed 15th Street. As you might expect, power is also out in the area. Avoid it altogether if you can. Continue reading
By Kirk
NBC4 reports that the DHS warned WMATA on Sunday of a potential terror threat to the Metro system. According to a DHS memo, an individual obtained a Turkish visa to come to the States and perpetrate a bombing on a Metro station. The memo stated that this information has “low credibility” and that DHS has little information as to the specific date or target for the attack, or if the individual in question is even capable of carrying out a bombing.
By Ben H. Rome
American Craft Masterpieces – Kim Schmahmann, Bureau of Bureaucracy, 1993-1999, courtesy Smithsonian American Art Museum
August promises to be chock full of events at many museums around town as the summer heat continues to build. Check out what’s going on down at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) during the dog days of August; all programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. The SAAM is located over in Penn Quarter at 8th and F Streets, NW.
Conservation Clinic (Aug 4; by appointment only)
Questions about the condition of a painting, frame, drawing, print, or sculpture? American Art conservators are available by appointment for consultation about the preservation of privately-owned art. To request an appointment or to learn more, email DWRCLunder@si.edu and specify CLINIC in the subject line.
Book Talk & Signing: “Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera” (Aug 5, 6:30pm)
Many of Rockwell’s most memorable characters were friends and neighbors who served as amateur models. Author Ron Schick discusses how Rockwell acted as director — carefully orchestrating models, selecting props, and choosing locations for the photographs that served as the basis of his iconic images. Book signing follows. (This is a part of the SAAM’s comprehensive Rockwell & the Movies exhibition.)
By Kirk
‘Getting Ready: 1st Annual ‘Miss Sinergy: Beauty is Skin Deep’ Charity Fashion Show’
courtesy of ‘TDLphoto’
God bless The Hill for giving Washingtonians a chance to judge based solely on appearance, every once in a while. It’s a luxury we can seldom afford. In case you’re wondering what I’m talking about, The Hill has released its annual “50 Most Beautiful” list. So, you know what to do. Breeze through and wonder how Senator X beat out Senator Y, or how staffer X got number 2 when she is clearly less pretty than number 17. Scott Brown did, of course, make the list, but notably absent was Rep. Aaron Schock. All in all, the Democrats destroyed in terms of looks, with 29 representatives on the list, to the Republicans’ 17 and the Independents’ 4. I guess liberals really are hotter. What are your thoughts? Did anyone get gypped? And who would you have picked for number 1?
By Kirk
‘Strisciata stellare ad Est’
courtesy of ‘gerlos’
Did anyone else see the large meteors that fell over DC, last night? I was at Screen on the Green last night watching 12 Angry Men (always awesome) and I saw two flaming chunks of rock fall over the Capitol. And I’m not talking about dainty shooting stars. These were large enough and close enough to be seen despite the city’s light pollution and definitely caught the attention of most of the movie goers. You could even see the rocks beginning to break up and shed chunks of debris. They kind of looked like fireworks right before the explode. Did anyone else see them, or am I crazy?
By Rebecca
‘MacArthur Marquee’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
After years of scouring, the DDOT historians have posted some fantastic photos of our beloved city from the 1940s thru the 1960s to their Flickr account. The set features cityscapes from all over the district, including an awesome shot from an open air parking lot on H Street NE, a Harlem-esque looking F & 13th Street, and Tenley Circle with streetcar tracks.
My favorite pic is the shot of Rosslyn looking over the Key Bridge to DC taken in 1945. It’s amazing to think of the now skyscraper filled neighborhood as only having two and three storied buildings. Some may remember one of last remaining relics of that era, Tom Sarris Orleans House, which tragically closed in 2008. That place was definitely a DC insiders go to.
By Kirk
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
Rachel: Well, I’m fresh off a stint in Nashville to audition for American Idol. It didn’t go my way but I learned a lot and am ready to rock out harder than ever before after being “cut” from the program before ever seeing any air-time. I’ve got a gig booked for Saturday night at the Tonic Lounge (located at 2036 G Street NW, near the Foggy Bottom Metro). I’m not the only entertainment on tap, several artists from the DC area will take the stage too. So grab a drink at the bar, stay for the tunes, and if you’re a Glee fan I guarantee a solid new cover added to my repertoire from the second half of last season’s show. Not gonna tell you what it is, you’ll have to stop by to hear it. Show starts at 8 p.m. with a $5 cover. I’ll also have albums on sale with proceeds going to the National Kidney Foundation in honor of my late father who received a heart transplant in 1999. Hope to see you there! It should be a rockin’ good time.
Patrick: Weeks of no social life ends this weekend. Noises Off! opens this Saturday at Keegan Theatre in Dupont Circle. As the stage manager I’ll be in the booth playing the role of incompetent sound technician #1. No seriously, come see the show and watch the actors freak out at me during Act III. The show will run through August so I hope to see everybody there eventually. While I’m running the show I’ll also be trying to figure out where to eat and drink before and after performances- anybody have any suggestions for places I should check out around 17th Street?
By Kirk
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courtesy of ‘muohace_dc’
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to spend $10 on a six pack of craft beer, and a time to kick back with a cheap all-American brew. A time to savor the complexity of a well made drink, and a time to cool off with an ice cold blue collar type beer. Fortunately, Againn is facilitating the latter of these times with their 99 cent beer special. When you purchase one of Againn’s four happy hour appetizers, you get two Yueglings for less than a buck. Surely that’s worth coming off of your beer snob high horse for.
‘American Flags in Bensonhurst’
courtesy of ’emilydickinsonridesabmx’
Besides birthday’s in general, the Fourth of July is pretty much my favorite holiday. It’s a much needed mid-summer mini mental vaycay that recharges those brain batteries over a long weekend. Then, it’s on to the long awaited arrival of the dog days of summer.
We’ve got a simmering slew of fun shows you might not have necessarily found on the front page of Ticketmaster for the month of July. They’re guaranteed to give you some solid summer memories should you choose to partake, so check ’em out! Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
If I say the name “Leonardo da Vinci,” what’s the first thing to pop into your mind? Most likely, thoughts of paintings such as the Mona Lisa or the Last Supper, or perhaps illustrations of his flying machine concepts. Maybe in some cases, the idea of a “Renaissance Man.” And you’d be right with all of those answers – but you’d also only be scratching the surface.
The National Geographic Museum’s latest exhibit, “Da Vinci-The Genius,” attempts to broaden that answer for you. This comprehensive traveling exhibition details the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci and will be on display from June 18 through September 12, 2010 and is made available by Grande Exhibitions, Fondazione Anthropos of Italy, and the French engineer Pascal Cotte.
“We have all heard of Leonardo da Vinci; most people think of him as the artist that painted the Mona Lisa, or maybe they heard he did flying machine drawings,” said National Geographic Museum Director Susan Norton. “But here, you can come to see full-sized models of what he designed in the 15th Century to address what he thought of as challenges, issues, and problems, and I think people will be fascinated when they come.”
She’s not wrong. Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
For the next four weeks, the Addison/Ripley Fine Art gallery is showing the work of local artist Dan Treado. Though Requesting Quiet is his first public showing in a few years, his art retains his signature imagery with layers of color and airy associations on top of a depth that pulls the viewer into the piece. “In some of the paintings, appropriated samples from selected illustrations and texts provide tense contrast. In others, a crazy quilt of disparate organic images is woven together by this talented painter,” states the gallery’s exhibition description. “At once cryptic and mesmerizing, the paintings demonstrate a rich complexity and accomplished maturity. They may ‘request quiet’ but they shout and crackle with energy.”
When I got the invitation to Dan’s show, I was intrigued by the description of his work, not to mention the interesting titles on some of his pieces such as “Shoulda Traveled More,” “In the Key of Shut Your Mouth,” and “Ow, My Leg.” I’ve known Dan more for his incredible exhibition work at the Spy Museum; the opportunity to see a different side of his creative mind was too good to pass up. So this past weekend, I attended the show’s opening night and was quietly amazed at the sheer emotional tapestry on display.
Dan was gracious enough to sit down with WeLoveDC for an interview on his work and his love for the city. Continue reading
By Jenn Larsen
‘monster hibiscus’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
One of my favorite things about living in DC is the many outdoor patios to lounge about on, noshing and inbibing while being kissed by the sun. From upscale to dive, so many places have an outside spot to enjoy well into the evening.
Add to that list now the J&G Patio, located on Pennsylvania Avenue just outside the doors of the J&G Wine Bar (which is turn is below the J&G Steakhouse, all part of the W Hotel). I’ve been waiting for the patio since the hotel opened. I love how that stretch of tree-lined sidewalk opposite Pershing Park is starting to ramp up like Little Paris (ok, overkill metaphor, but I can dream, right?). With Cafe du Parc already next door it’s going to get both lively and lovely, and I’m curious to see how it will differ from the scene upstairs at POV.
The J&G Patio will serve a selection of plates from both the Wine Bar and the Steakhouse, and of course feature cocktails, wine and beer. There are 86 seats (no reservations), and starting today, it’s open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, and weekend brunch. Yes, I said it’s open today! so enjoy the evening sun (leave work early, I won’t tell anyone).
By Kirk
‘Caps/Habs (April 15, 2010) – 17’
courtesy of ‘Garyisajoke’
Game of the season? If not it was pretty close. The Caps came in to game two of their playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens 0-1 and in desperate need of a win. Game one was marked by poor luck, lackluster play and minimal energy. From the horn, it was obvious that the Caps knew they hadn’t been playing up to snuff. Ovechkin went for blood, with two big hits in the opening minutes, but Washington was, perhaps, too aggressive, allowing Montreal to score on their first shot in the first minute. The Canadiens widened their lead in the 7th minute when Kostitsyn scored his first of what would be three goals. At this point, the Caps management pulled starting goalie Jose Theodore, replacing him with Semyon Varmolov. Eric Fehr finally managed to answer in the 10th minute when he scored on a breakaway off of a deflected pass. The period ended with the Caps bruised but still contending. Speaking of bruising, Ovi had 7 hits in the first period. As a point of reference, that’s more than anyone else had in the entire game. Continue reading
By Rebecca
‘ting’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11-2pm drop off your used cell phones at either Farragut Square Park or Triangle Park and you’ll get a free potted flower to take home and a chance to win one of many cool prizes. Collected phones will be recycled as part of the Golden Triangle’s Clean, Green & Golden week to make the District’s central business district look better than ever.
In addition to receiving some flower power, cell phone donors will be automatically entered awesome prizes from Eye Street Massage Therapy, Public Bar, Green & Blue, Taberna del Alabardero, etc. Show up at noon on Tuesday and hang with Ward 2 DC Councilman Jack Evans and possibly snag one of four $50 gift certificate for BLT Steak.
Make sure your phone has been deactivated from service, there aren’t security or privacy concerns. All makes and models of mobile phones, pagers, and PDAs are accepted—along with batteries, chargers, and other accessories. For more details on what can be recycled visit Earthworks, the Golden Triangle BID’s partner responsible for recycling the phones. Continue reading
By Rebecca
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
This past Monday, BLT Restaurant Group launched an online “Name Game” contest to find the best name for its three new burger restaurants opening later this year in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, DC (1317 Connecticut Avenue).
You must submit your burger joint name before Friday, April 30 and on Wednesday, May 5, the BLT Restaurant Group partners will select their top three choices and opened up voting to the public with the final winner announced on Monday, May 10. The two runners-up will receive $250 gift certificates to BLT Restaurants.
By Ben H. Rome
2501 Migrants: A Journey, courtesy of the filmmakers and National Geographic
The 2010 National Geographic Live series continues in April with a mix of music, movies, and food. The National Geographic Museum is offering up another two pairs of tickets for WeLoveDC readers, unless otherwise noted. Simply comment below (PLEASE use a legit email address and your first name) with what two events – in preferred order – you’d like to attend. We’ll do a random drawing on Wednesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. and get the winners set up with their first (or second, if your first choice is full) selection. Keep in mind that tickets are for single events only.
2501 Migrants: A Journey ($10)
April 7, 7 pm
This 2008 Mexican film documents Oaxacan artist Alejandro Santiago’s creative response to the impact of migration on rural Mexico. A discussion with the filmmaker, seven-time award-winning director Yolanda Cruz, will follow the film. Washington, D.C. premiere.
By Dave Levy
‘DSC_4085’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
“FANS: As you leave the arena, please be considerate of our neighbors and use your horn only as a necessity. Thank You.”
The Capitals are having an immensely successful season, and as Ben noted earlier this morning, the squad just locked up their third straight division championship. Much of the success has been at home; until a shootout loss earlier this week, the Caps had enjoyed a double-digit win streak on home ice. The hometown crowd has certainly been enthusiastic in the Phone Booth, but some neighbors are now asking that the raucousness stay inside.
WTOP.com reported that the sound of constantly honking cars after Caps wins at the Verizon Center have moved nearby parking facilities to ask fans leaving to not lay on the horn so much to celebrate. The above warning can now be seen on signs in the garage under the facility, and we’ll see how well it works come late-April now that the men in red are about to set off on another playoff campaign.
By Ben H. Rome
America's Endangered Species, ©Joel Sartore; courtesy of the National Geographic Museum
The spring season of National Geographic Live – a series of dynamic lectures, concerts, films and more – continues this month, with more great offerings.
Thanks to the awesome response from last month, the National Geographic Museum is offering up two pairs of tickets to our readers for any of the following events. Simply comment below (PLEASE use a legit email address and your first name) with what two events – in preferred order – you’d like to attend. We’ll do a random drawing on Friday (March 12) at 10 a.m. and get the winners set up with their first (or second, if your first choice is full) selection. Keep in mind that tickets are for single events only.
Note that the photography exhibitions that open this month do not require tickets and are free for visitors to enjoy.
Okay, enough about rules. Check out the March offerings after the jump.
By Kirk
Today is the day that many gay couples in the District have been waiting for: wedding day. DC has processed the first batch of marriage license applications that were filed last week and will begin issuing said licenses today. Around 150 couples should have the document in hand by this evening, allowing them to marry when they see fit. A few couples have opted to make today the day they and are tying the knot at various institutions around the city.
By Kirk
‘Oyamel 4’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’
Tequila flies under the radar as connoisseur’s drink. It’s had an unfair representation from co-eds pounding back shots on spring break in Cancun and middle aged women drinking slushy margaritas by some pool. But Tequila, much like anything, can be done right and can be done wrong. Chef Jose Andres and Co. at Oyamel want to highlight the former, something that they do annually with their two week Tequila and Mezcal Festival.
This celebration of all things agave is becoming a highlight of the DC cocktail scene. Not only do you get to sample some of Mexico’s finest in carefully constructed flights, you find some truly creative cocktails crafted by the mixologists at Oyamel, and from a few guests they bring in. The festival kicked off Monday night and I was fortunate enough to be able to sample a few of their highlighted drinks and appetizers.
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