Category Archives: The Features

These are our features. They come back either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

The Features, We Love Food
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We Love Food: Meat in a Box

Meat in a Box

DC does so many different kinds of food well that it’s hard to decide where to go for dinner. Ethopian? Sure, we’ve got lots of that. Peruvian Chicken? Crisp ‘n Juicy? Super Pollo? El Pollo Rico? All are options, but when you’ve got choices like this, you’re always going to run into the person who loves restaurant A, but not B, and vice versa. When my friends started telling me about Meat in a Box, I figured there would be one Kabob Bazaar person in the group, but no, it was universal, it was almost cultish the devotion that my group of friends have for this little kabob eatery over in Falls Church.

Hy friend Hugh was dogged in his persistence that I try out Meat in a Box, and finally I gave in and met him there for lunch on Monday. It’s a small spot, maybe six tables inside (and another four outside for when the weather is hospitable) and a spartan bright interior.

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Talkin' Transit, The Features, WMATA
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I’m Just Not Into You Anymore

Photo courtesy of
‘Mind the Gap’
courtesy of ‘*tinadelarosa’

Dear Metro:

I’m just not into you anymore.

Look, it’s been a great relationship, for the most part. But I have to say, your actions and attitudes over the last few months had me worried to the point that I’ve begun looking at a much older friend to fulfill my needs.

I’d love to say “it’s not you, it’s me.” But it’s not me. It’s you.

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The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Dana Ellyn, Divinely Irreverent

"Bull in a China Shop" by Dana Ellyn. Courtesy of the artist.

"Bull in a China Shop" by Dana Ellyn. Courtesy of the artist.

What’s most shocking about Dana Ellyn’s paintings?

That they’re truthful.

Opening this past weekend at the Evolve Urban Arts Project in the Atlas District, Divinely Irreverent is an audacious exhibit delivering some hard slaps to myths of many kinds – from religion to what it means to be a woman. These are thought-provoking pieces – sometimes outright painful to process – but always rooted firmly in honesty. They are also at times downright funny.

Dana fell in love with the city as a junior in high school, and has been a DC resident for the past twenty years since attending George Washington University. She now has the luck of living and working in a studio in Penn Quarter. It’s a natural partnership with Evolve, whose mission is to promote local talent in a low-key atmosphere, and her exhibit will run there until January 30, 2010.

I was lucky to have a private tour with the artist and curator Eric Hope, and I have to say – if you like your art to reach out and rattle you, get over there now. You’ll love it. And if you prefer your art to be pretty and decorous, well, go anyway. Open your mind to something different.
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Mythbusting DC, The Features
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DC Mythbusting: DC is a Company Town

Photo courtesy of
‘The Capitol’
courtesy of ‘Tyrannous’

Welcome to another Mythbusting feature!  This week, we’ll be tackling the myth that the District of Columbia is a company town– that is, that the majority of jobs in the city are federal government jobs.  DC is the center of the federal government, so wouldn’t it make sense that most of the jobs in the city are federal government jobs?  And secondly, aren’t the majority of federal jobs here in DC?  And what are the largest federal agencies here, anyway?  Read on for the answers to all of these questions, as well as the surprise largest private employer in the city.

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Featured Photo, The Features
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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of
‘ ‘ courtesy of ‘erin m’

Snow. The first time in the season is always a little magical. It’s rarely too much, not often disruptive, and it’s as pretty as can be. That first snowfall is romantic, idyllic. The city sort of goes quiet under a blanket of hush.

Many people don’t like winter, with its cold and darkness. But winter has always been my favorite time of year. It’s the perfect time of year. The stifling mess that is summer is but a memory. The fall, with it’s picture perfect days, is just behind us. Ahead is the birth of a new season. But, right now, for the next few months, it is winter’s turn.

It’s a time for reflection, of course. It is also a time to rest, to see family and friends. To eat in gluttonous abandonment, to laze around the house and enjoy yourself. Like no other season, this is the season of parties and fun.

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Special Events, The Features
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Supporting Local Artists at DC Holiday Markets

Photo courtesy of
‘Batik’
courtesy of ‘tbridge’

After the enthusiastic response to our Gift Guide to DC Artists last week, I wanted to do a follow-up to further assist you awesome bunch of DC Enthusiasts in your gift-giving efforts.

I didn’t get a chance to talk about holiday markets, which are a great way to check out local and regional artists and let the perfect gift suggest itself to you.

The biggest and probably most convenient is the Downtown Holiday Market, which will be happening until December 23rd. It’s at 8th and F Streets from noon to 8 on daily, so it’s perfect for slipping out at lunchtime or on your way home from work to take a look.  Take a look at their exhibitor list, because not every artist is there for the whole market. Continue reading →

Sports Fix, The Features
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Sports Fix: So Close, But So Far Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘Pile-up’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Redskins
Record: 3-9
Last Two Weeks: 0-2
Place: Last in the NFC East

Heartbreak. Heartache. That’s the two words that best sum up the last two weeks. These were two games that the Skins showed up for, playing their hearts out against the Eagles and the Saints. There was an offense, there was a defense, and this looked like a totally different football team than the first half of the season. However, they couldn’t pull it out, either time, and came up short yesterday against the Saints in OT (33-30) and last weekend against the Eagles (27-24).

There were two occasions in yesterday’s game could’ve taken a dramatic turn for the Skins, and I’m thinking here of Suisham’s short attempt with less than two minutes to go, and that awful call in overtime. The fumble call…well, it was a fumble alright, but let’s look at the procedures here. The Saints burned a timeout right afterward, and managed to convince the officials to review the call in the booth. That’s supposed to be the booth’s job, and the result was the turnover that lead to the end of OT. It would’ve been better if he’d not fumbled the ball, but at that point, when all you have to cling to is procedure, then that’s what you look at.

So, that leaves the question, DC: Which is worse? A team with no hope? Or a team whose hopes are dashed? We’ll find out next week in Oakland, as the Skins head west to break their string. Considering the Raiders just beat the hapless Steelers? Who knows.

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The Features, Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 12/4 – 12/6/2009

Photo courtesy of
‘deck the house’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

So did you survive our “snowpocalypse” on Saturday? Fortunately, yesterday’s clear skies made up for the first half of the weekend.

For those of you who didn’t get out and about, don’t worry – our local photographers have you covered. Enjoy our look back at the weekend while you get your Monday rolling.

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The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: A Christmas Carol

02h_Marley_Scrooge

Tiny Tim has always had the striking ability to make me shed a few tears. Wednesday night’s presentation of A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre was no exception.

If you’re looking for a true holiday treat this season, get your tickets to see A Christmas Carol as soon as possible. Not only were Christmas carols stuck in my head for the 48 hour period following the show, but my desire to give to those in need this season was completely rekindled.

The Ford’s Theatre cast was full of youth and passion that was easily apparent during the numerous musical sequences throughout the show.  Director Michael Baron of the Signature Theatre undertook this timeless tale with the intention of creating “a world that evokes the spirit and time period of the Charles Dickens story but with a touch of fancy to celebrate the holiday season.” His use of music and dancing allows for a certain degree of audience involvement — because it’s hard to not sing along to the classic caroling songs this time of year.

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The Features
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We Love Really Cool Gifts

Photo courtesy of
’12/3/09 – “Santa’s Back in Town!”‘
courtesy of ‘heylovedc’

The holiday season is upon us, and whether you’re a partisan of Santa Claus, Baby Jesus, or Hanukkah Harry, it’s the time of the year when we’ve all got gift-giving on the brain. But you, dear We Love DC reader, do not want to give just any shiny, mass-produced bauble to your nearest and dearest, oh no. You’re the discerning type who wants to find something handmade that can’t be bought at your nearest Stuff-Mart.

Fortunately, DC is full of artists and craftspersons who make all kinds of unusual things for you to choose from.

richant1RichAnt is a self-taught painter who does brightly-colored images, usually of trees and other botanical themes. RichAnt’s Etsy shop ranges from large-ish paintings suitable for being the focal point of your living room (“Winter Blues” is my favorite) all the way down to these cute little glass pendants.

Also in the vein of original art you can hang on your wall or put in your pocket, there’s ArtShark Designs. I mentioned ArtShark last year as well, but I’m still so enchanted with the City Love series that I thought I’d mention it again. And of course, there are two DC-related images: DC Love – Capitol and DC Love – Washington Monument, which also comes in a pink cherry blossoms edition. If you’d rather have them in more portable form, the designs also come printed on Moleskine notebooks and notecards. Continue reading →

The Features, Where We Live
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Where We Live: Neighborhood Superlatives

Photo courtesy of
‘Foggy Bottom NH Ave.’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

When I first started writing the Where We Live feature back in April, I didn’t know all that much about DC’s neighborhoods.  I’ve had a lot of fun exploring DC’s neighborhoods and learning more about how they evolved into the great places they are today.  So to wrap up the year (not this feature, don’t worry– we’ve got several more DC neighborhoods to profile and then we’ll be heading out to the suburbs in 2010!), I thought it’d be fun to share some of the most interesting parts of some of the seventeen DC neighborhoods I’ve checked out.  So read on to learn about the most controversial Where We Live, the bloggiest neighborhood, the one thing that every person I’ve interviewed tells me they love about their neighborhood, and more!

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Alexandria, Food and Drink, Interviews, People, The Features
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He Loves DC: Lamar Brown

Lamar

Earlier this week, I sat down with Lamar Brown, engineer and corporate drone by day and wine connoisseur and entrepreneur by night. His cozy shop just off King Street in Old Town Alexandria, Carafe Wines, is the city’s only “micro-winery,” allowing customers to sample and then bottle their own wines. With grape juices shipped in from vineyards in Chile, California, New Zealand, Italy, France and Washington, to name a few, it may not be the most green method, but he’s created a truly unique niche for delightfully aged wines made right in good old Alexandria.

Having lived in Northern Virginia for 10 years, Lamar had a vision to take his extreme interest and admiration for good wine to the next level. His dream was realized two years ago, and now, he proudly allows his customers to make their own wines and their own private labels.

Nestled between a gorgeous marble bar and a bustling fireplace, I sampled the Rosso Miscele Reserve, a Tuscan-styled wine vented from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and later a dab of the Merlot Reserve, a full-bodied wine with hints of red cherries, toasted oak and herbs. Then we sat down to business and focused on Lamar’s storied history with wine, the DC area, and, of course, what wine pairs best with Matchbox sliders.

What inspired you to start Carafe Wines?
Actually, a love of wines, to be honest. And I saw a cool niche. The whole wine making experience actually originated in Canada. I ran into it there, and I worked with a lot of Canadians to bring the concept to DC. I did some research, and DC area is actually the second most wine-centric area in the country outside of California. So, we sell more bottles per capita than anybody. I thought people would get a cool kick out of being able to make their own wine.

So, why do you think DC is the number two area for wine purchases in America? Continue reading →

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends: December 4-6

Photo courtesy of
‘Sidewalk Chalk Abstract’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Another week, another weekend. Thank goodness it works out that way. [Insert your winter holiday of choice here] is closing in, so this might be the last weekend you get to yourself, free of obligations or shopping or drunk uncle Charlie sharing family history you’d have been happier not knowing. I refuse to believe aunt Jane would do such a thing, brown acid or not, Chuck.

Here’s what we few, we happy few, we band of brothers and sisters, will be up to this weekend.

Max: Friday night I’ll be headed over to Reyes + Davis gallery to see Fine Lines, a drawing exhibition featuring one of my favorite local artists, Kate McGraw.  Afterward I’ll be strolling over to Flashpoint to check out Disco Pigs, a play about “two inseparable violent creatures, who have developed their own language from birth”.  Well that should be interesting, hmmmm?  On Saturday I might head up to the closing party for Portrait 2.0 to hang out with some of my photography buddies, that is if I can get motivated to trek up to Pyramid Atlantic in Silver Spring.  Sunday I am determined to see a movie, relax, and get ready for another fun filled week at work.

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Interviews, People, The Features, We Love Drinks
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We Love Drinks: Josh Volz

JV2_high_res_2

Josh Volz, at Marvin. Photo credit: Sam Vasfi

We Love Drinks embarks on a series where we look behind the bar, profiling the many people – from mixologists to bartenders, sommeliers to publicans – who make your drinks experience happen.

“The coolest winter I ever spent was a San Francisco summer,” Josh Volz quips as he mixes up… a San Francisco Summer cocktail. A bartender who can quote Mark Twain is high in my books. He’s a man in total command of his sometimes chaotic bar, flooded by loyal regulars and dandies alike. Always in motion, befitting the vibrant and constantly shifting scene of Marvin, he’s rustling up a hand-crafted cocktail with no pretension and no intimidation.

“What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about your job?” I ask.

Josh laughs.

“That it’s easy,” he replies.

This I find hard to believe, watching him juggle multiple drink orders from both the bar and the servers at one of the busiest spots in DC. Not to mention, this is a man who came to cocktails relatively late – his first taste of liquor wasn’t even until the age of twenty-five. But it’s a fitting job description for someone who strives to run an inviting, approachable bar. He’s got a wry sense of humor and a balanced, classic cocktail style. I genuinely enjoyed sitting at Marvin’s downstairs marble bar getting to know him and his regulars better. Isn’t that the best part about going to a bar anyway?
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Music, The Features
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Holiday Concert Guide

Photo courtesy of
‘Gay Mens Chorus of Washington DC’
courtesy of ‘dbking’

DC is so incredibly fortunate to have as many incredible choirs and music organizations as we do. We are host to some of the finest volunteer and professional choirs anywhere in the world, and this is the best time of year to see them perform. Starting this weekend, and going through Christmas Eve, you will have the opportunity to see at least a dozen “Grade A” choirs perform some of the finest sacred and secular music anywhere in the World. While this guide is not a comprehensive listing, I have picked some can’t-miss concerts in the DC Area.

Weekend of December 5th & 6th:

The first weekend has some excellent choices. Chamber Music with a small ensemble is probably my favorite way to spend this holiday season. The choirs on the first weekend of the choral season are mostly small, less than 40 voices, but no less excellent for their size. It’s easy to blend 120 voices. It’s much harder to blend 20. These are finesse groups, expect an intimate concert.

Saturday, 7pm: Ēchos – Peace Lutheran Church – $5-20

Gretchen Kuhrmann’s Ēchos is in their tenth season, and will be performing a strong program of twentieth century holiday fare, including Tavener, Britten, Lauridsen, Biebl, Mathias, and others. Expect some lush harmonies. As disclosure, I have sung with Ēchos before.

Sunday, 4pm: Washington Men’s Camerata – Church of the Epiphany – $25

Frank Albinder is most famous for his direction of choir par excellence Chanticleer, and came to the DC area in 2000. His Washington Men’s Camerata is quite good. Expect lush harmonies from the all-men’s group.

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Comedy in DC
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Comedy in DC: Pre-Christmas Funny

Photo courtesy of
‘Settle down people – this is serious.’
courtesy of ‘TheeErin’

We are getting into another seasonal comedy lull as bars and hotels fill their less-used back rooms with professional minefields office holiday parties and as comics make plans to visit their (often highly dysfunctional, comedic goldmine) families, so there are only a few shows of interest coming up in the next couple of weeks.

I mentioned 3 Chord Comedy at the Velvet Lounge, featuring Rob Cantrell this Friday night at 7 already. I can really only add: you should go. The last time Cantrell was in town it was at the Arlington Drafthouse, which is actually a pretty cool place to see comedy, but tickets were closer to $20, and the Velvet Lounge show is $4. Also, Eli Sairs (Bentzen Ball) & Mike Eltringham (of Screech Contract Rider Mockery fame) will be performing, along with Ahmed Huidobro, who I’ve never heard of and apparently Google hasn’t either.

If Rob Cantrell isn’t your thing, there’s a show at Sabores Lounge (formerly Uptown Tavern) this Friday night at 8:45. Why 8:45? Probably so Mike Eltringham has time to make it from the Velvet Lounge to Sabores, because he’s in both shows. Dude gets around. Aparna Nancherla will also be appearing, as will Robb Loving and Pete Bladel.

Meanwhile, at the Improv… Jimmy Meritt will be appearing with Steve Byrne this week, Wednesday-Sunday. Next week, Erin Jackson will be appearing with Sebastian Maniscalo. Local headliner Matt Kazam will be doing a couple of shows at the Improv the two nights after Christmas.

Some video after the jump, so that you may make informed comedy consumption decisions: Continue reading →

Eat Like Me, Food and Drink, The Features
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Eat Like Me: November’s Best Dishes

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

You will not find a Washingtonian more grateful for the warm-ish weather that we’ve had this fall. I’m decidedly NOT a winter girl, and I’ve been known to curse coats and whine incessantly about the cold. While winter in DC is just something I must tolerate, sometimes I can assuage my pain with a really great bone-warming dish. I was lucky to run across a lot of those in November, and without really meaning to, my list of favorite dishes wound up being a list that could double-time as a ‘great winter dishes’ list as well.

So when you head out to spend your hard earned dollars on a meal, here are some dishes that are best bets for spending wisely. And to boot, they’ll even keep you warm. Continue reading →

Dupont Circle, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Intersections

Still from Brain Storm, by Jennifer Wen Ma. Photo courtesy of the artist.

"Brain Storm" by Jennifer Wen Ma, still from video projection. Courtesy of the artist.

There’s something about the approach of the winter season that always makes me want to drift away in a museum, quieting my mind by reflecting on art. A recent sojourn to the Phillips Collection to see the Intersections series did just that, and I encourage you to check it out.

Too often art collections can become hidebound and resistant to change. But this museum’s founder Duncan Phillips referred to his collection as the “experiment station,” welcoming artist interaction with radical installations unusual for their time. Intersections seeks to revisit Phillips’ vision by engaging modern artists to create unique works inspired by permanent pieces in the collection. Utilizing physical space that might otherwise be overlooked, these works will help you look at the surrounding pieces with a fresh eye.

There are currently three works on display as part of this series. Let’s start with a bunch of granite suspended on plain black cord.
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Featured Photo
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Featured Photo


…and the DJ Played All Night Long by Rolenz

I’m always awestruck when I see a photograph of star trails.  Like macro photographs, they show you things that your eyes can’t see on their own as well as show off the sexiness of photography.  While star trails can be captured with both film and digital cameras, digital gives you the advantage of creating a multiple exposure composite photo like the one above.  This shot, taken with a Nikon D90 near Skyline Drive, has an accumulated exposure time of about 60 minutes and is composed of twelve, 5 minute long exposures, taken at f/3.5, ISO 200, 18mm (according to the photographer).  Had this been shot with film, you would have to pray that your exposure was long enough to create the trails while not blowing out the light of the sunset.

Star trail photography takes a little bit of skill and a whole lot of patience.  You will definitely need a tripod of some sort, and make sure you have something in the foreground to make the shot more interesting.  Minimize the ambient light by getting as far away from city lights as you can and by shooting on a night with little to no moon.  You’ll likely want to use a wide angle lens and a big aperture to let in as much light as possible, and a low ISO setting to minimize noise.  If you have star trail photos of your own to share, leave them in the comments.

The Features, We Love Music
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December Concert Preview

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

Some people may be inclined to warm up by a fire during the cold months, but if you’re like me, you prefer to get the feeling back in your hands and toes by dancing it out. Or at the very least, getting your mind blown by some amazing musicians (local and not) in the month of December. The Roots, Erin McKeown, and even some crazy kids who call themselves The Phenomenal Handclap Band will be gracing our city in the next 30 days, so let’s get to the preview!

Right at the beginning of the month, local musician Andy Zipf (and pfriends) will be celebrating the release of his new album, The Long Tail, at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on Wednesday, December 2 ($10, $50 VIP).

Saturday, December 5 The Big Pink is coming to Black Cat ($13). I have to admit, their name didn’t immediately ring a bell with me, but I recognized their song “Dominoes” as soon as it started playing, and I bet that will happen to some of you, too. If you like Matt & Kim, mixed with a little bit of Kings of Leon, and topped off with a British accent, perhaps you should check these guys out. Continue reading →