‘MIT Bhangra’
courtesy of ‘amazingarfa’

Bhangra Blowout 17 is this Saturday night, 7PM at D.A.R. Constitution Hall. What’s Bhangra Blowout, you ask? It’s an intercollegiate dance-off between assorted South Asian dance teams, all trying to put on the biggest, baddest bhangra show. Bhangra itself is a traditional Punjabi folk style, but it’s also a common pop style in Bollywood movies, so modern performances are often influenced by other styles as well, including hip-hop. But really, there’s no point in trying to describe it. Behold last year’s winning performance, from Virginia Commonwealth University’s team, after the jump. Continue reading →

‘Fire Response’
courtesy of ‘MichaelTRuhl’

The beautiful weather this weekend was interrupted for part of the city with smoke clouds and sirens, as an accidental fire at the construction site at Eastern High School struck on their roof. Workers were adding a membrane to the roof when the fire broke out. Everyone made it out safely, but this will set the already-delayed project back a few weeks while they fix the fire damages on the roof and the “minimal” water damage.

The fire was a two-alarm incident which took just over 90 minutes to contain and douse.

‘Josh Willingham’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Josh Willingham ended the weekend on a high note for the Washington Nationals, knocking in all five of the Nats runs against the Mets at Citi Field for a 5-2 victory (including a first-inning grand slam).

Livo’s big return to the Nats was a seven shutout inning appearance was what Riggleman’s been waiting to see from his starting pitching staff – a bit of consistency on the mound.

And all the while, it was Johan Santana on the mound for the Mets. Poor Johan, but way to go Nats. This weekend was the first consecutive wins this season, leaving that Nationals at 3-3 as of today. The last time the Nationals finished a day at .500 or better was April 5, 2008.

Jason Marquis will face Cole Hamels in Philadelphia this afternoon at 3:05. Here’s to hoping Marquis can lower that 13.50 ERA by a few points today.

‘7TH’
courtesy of ‘MissChatter’

John Lannan out does his Opening Day appearance on Monday by throwing 99 pitches in a long five inning outing today against the Mets, ultimately getting the 4-3 win.

Game Highlights include:

Tyler Clippard ties his career high strikeout count in a game with seven K’s, no walks (the last time Clippard struck out seven in a game was  at San Francisco in 2009). Clippard also pitched a spectacular scoreless three inning set.

Willy Taveras shines in his first start today in right field knocking in a career high of  4 RBIs, including a two-run triple and a bases loaded single.

Matt Capps (2 for 2 in save opportunities this season) closed out the game with the basses loaded in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a wee Willie Harris who caught a sinking line drive for the win in left field.

Next game is Sunday at at 1:10 vs the Mets at Citi Field to close the series.

‘6-3.’
courtesy of ‘NDwas’

Young, hard-hitting Ian Desmond‘s two run triple in the top of the 2nd at Citi Field was no match for this Mets squad. For a team trite with troubles last season, the Mets are hoping to turn their playing around in 2010. The Nationals are feeling the burns of a Mets ball club ripe and ready to outplay the 2009 version of themselves (which isn’t too hard to do if they would just stay healthy), which should make for quite the NL East summer-long battle.

Mock went 3 1/3 innings on 4 hits, 5 walks, 2 K’s, and 2 earned runs. Bruney and Capps did not enter the game, allowing the rest of the Nats bullpen a night of work but also an opportunity for the Mets to score some runs. Mets Right Fielder Jeff Francoeur and Catcher Rod Barajas both went deep twice. Mets win 8-2.

The series continues at Citi Field today at 1:10 p.m. with Johnn Lannan facing Oliver Perez.

‘New DC Parking Meters’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

And here I thought our cell phones already did enough what with the invention of the iPhone, Blackberry, and all those darn apps and additions you can access via WiFi.

Alas, the future of cellular phone use in DC is set to change yet again now that DDOT has announced the Pay by Phone option.

That’s right — Pay by Phone. DDOT will launch the Pay by Phone meter pay option starting Monday at more than 700 parking spots in Dupont Circle, Union Station and downtown on K Street, I Street, and the 900 block of New York Avenue NW.

“We are going to take advantage of one of the most cutting-edge technology to improve the parking experience city-wide,” DDOT Director Gabe Klein told NBC Washington. He said one of the department’s goals is to update the “outdated inventory of parking meters.”

How’s it work? The total time gets charged to your credit card. Then, you can check out a history of charges anytime by logging into the online account you’ve set up.

Get started! Set up a free account at paybyphone.com or by calling (888) 510-PARK. Once you’re signed up you just call the toll-free number, enter the location number posted at the meter and time.

‘Darth Vader (motion-blur fixed)’
courtesy of ‘Andres Rueda’

So there’s this event coming up on July 17th at the Verizon Center called “Star Wars: In Concert.” It’ll feature live symphony performances of music from the films, narration by Anthony “C-3PO” Daniels, and an exhibit of costumes and props. Nerd paradise, right? (She says, fully embracing her own nerdiness.)

Tickets went on sale today, and to drum up interest (and to get dorks like me to blog about it), there will be costumed Storm Troopers, a Jawa, and Darth Vader walking around outside the Verizon Center tonight from 5-7PM while fans are arriving for the Caps/Thrashers game.

Storm Troopers. On the streets of Washington, DC. Flickrati, I demand photos.

‘Doubled up.’
courtesy of ‘NDwas’

The Nats (1-2) silenced all Phillies (2-1) fans last night by beating the defending NL champions 6-5 at Nationals Park. Riggleman’s first four batters (Morgan, Guzman, Zimmerman, Dunn) ended up going a combined 7 for 14 in yesterday’s game. They got their offense started early in the bottom of the 1^st with a three run lead, giving starting pitcher Craig Stammen a decent amount of wiggle-room to toy with.

Stress mounted as the game continued. The Nats bats stayed quiet again until the 4th, allowing the Phillies the opportunity to score  a run here and run there during the 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th but the Nats didn’t stay silent. They answered back with a game total of five extra-base hits (three doubles, one triple, one homer) to win the game.

Zimmerman went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles, including the game winning hit in the 7^th and Willie Harris hit a two run long shot into the stands in the 4^th, proving the Nats do have the ability to take ‘em to the yard.

Tyler Clippard gets the win, Matt Capps gets the save, and the Phillies Nelson Figueroa is charged with the loss.

Garrett Mock will make his regular season Nats debut tonight against Mike Pelfrey and his New York Mets (1-2) at 7:05 from Citi Field.

‘Dress’
courtesy of ‘farrelley’

I remember prom, I remember it all too well. My date cancelled on me a week before the event and I wore a plaid dress (yes, I looked like a Sandra Lee ‘tablescape’ for Spring). Needless-to-say, my prom experience was not like what you saw in the movies; however, it definitely was memorable.

No matter what your prom memories look like – good, bad, or non existent, Kissing Frogs’ Prom Dress Project should catch your eye. The Prom Dress Project hopes to give DC/MD/VA high school girls, who can’t afford their own prom dresses, the chance to make lovely prom memories in some fabulous dresses by designer Alfred Angelo.

For more information on how to sponsor a prom dress, visit the Prom Dress Project.