Holiday Caroling

(December 20, 2009; 1:30p.m & 2:30p.m.; The National Gallery of Art; West Building Main; 600 Constitution Ave.)
The National Gallery of Art is always festive this time of year especially with all the caroling going on in the beautifully decorated West Building Rotunda. Guest choirs lead afternoon sing-along caroling so bring along family and friends for this free event.

New Years Countdown

(12/31/2009-01/01/2010; Grand Hyatt Washington; 1000 H St. NW; http://www.downtowncountdown.net; Price: $139-regular, $200-VIP)
A cult favorite, Third Eye Blind will be the main attraction at this year’s Grand Hyatt's yearly Downtown Countdown which also includes songs from cover band Gonzo's Nose, karaoke, live DJs, comedians, top shelf liquor and sports viewing in multiple ballrooms. Did we mention the five plus hours of open bar?

Don't Forget!

(12/14/2009; Hillwood Museum; 4155 Linnean Ave. NW; www.hillwoodmuseum.org)
The Russian Winter Festival is an annually held traditional at The Hillwood Museum & Gardens which offers visitors a chance to meet the Snow Maiden and Grandfather Frost while listening to holiday music and enjoying festive entertainment and décor.

National Zoo's Wild Side Stage

(02/28/2010; Friends of the National Zoo; 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW; www.fonz.org/wildsidestage.html)
Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) is presenting a brand new concert/performance series for kids called Wild Side Stage which includes dancers, musicians, storytellers, puppeteers and of course the animals themselves! The performances will take place on Sunday from 11a.m.-1p.m. in the National Zoo's Visitor Center Auditorium. Visitors are encouraged to meet the animal keepers and the live furry performers up close and personal.

National D.C. Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree Lighting has been a tradition since 1923 and continues to be one of Washington, D.C.’s most treasured celebrations. The National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace is lit up every evening from sundown-11p.m. now through January 1st. The tree is surrounded by beautiful seasonal displays which include a large-scale model train, a Yule log, a manger and Santa's Workshop which will be open and ready for children to visit! There are also various musical performances held by volunteer groups, choirs and dancers to be held nightly on weekdays from 6p.m.-8:30p.m. and weekends from 4p.m.-8:30p.m. on the Ellipse stage, near The White House.

Flavor Tripping Party

(Every 2nd Friday of the month; 7p.m.-9p.m., beginning December 11; The EFN Lounge; 1318 9th St. N.W.; http://www.flavortripdc.com; $12 per guest)
What exactly is a Flavor Tripping party you might ask. The EFN Lounge introduces guests to an exciting little West African berry called synsepalum dulcificum, or "trippy fruit." This particular fruit temporarily changes taste receptors on your tongue transforming acidic/sour food into sugary and sweet treats. The "Tripeteria," is where guests will be allowed to try out sour foods and snacks including soy sauce, radishes, cheese from Dean & Deluca and sugarless cupcakes. Shots and cocktails will also be provided for additional excitement.
The event will be held ever 2nd Friday of the month beginning December 11 and tickets only cost $12. Don’t miss out on this odd and unique trip.

Seasonal Holiday Sing-A-Long

(December 6, 2009; 4p.m.; The Wolf Trap Filene Center; 1645 Trap Rd.; Vienna, VA)
The holiday sing-a-long by the U.S. Marine Band is a famous seasonal tradition at the Wolf Trap. which includes a candlelit song during the last verse of “Silent Night” and a jing-a-long version of Jingle Bells. Free admission!

Georgetown Gallery Gaze

(Georgetown Gallery; 3235 P St. NW; Every 3rd Friday of the month 6p.m.-9p.m.; www.georgetowngallerygaze.com)
Calling all art lovers. You are officially invited to stroll through the streets of Georgetown while enjoying food, art, drinks, and live music on the 3rd Friday of every month. The Georgetown Gallery Gaze is an enjoyable festive gallery walking tour where participating business owners keep their doors open from 6p.m.-9p.m. to showcase artwork created by local and visiting artists. Many of the artists will be on site to discuss their pieces and answer questions. And since this month’s event is sponsored by Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, a different wine label will be available for tasting at each gallery you visit.

"I Luv Africa"

(12/04/2009; The Letelier Theater, 3251 Prospect Street N.W.; Free with a recommended $5 donation)
The “I Luv Africa” film series promotes and sponsors charities like United Families and Trees for the Future as well as non profit group RWUL. All donations and proceeds from these screenings will aid the above mentioned organizations and introduce a few choice independent films that highlight various lives in Africa.

Film Screenings and Discussions:
Dec. 1, 2009 Health in Africa Discussion
Film: "Sleepwalking Land"-Mozambique 7-9pm

Dec. 2, 2009 African Youth Film and Discussion
Film: "Democracy in Dakar"-Senegal/US 7p.m.-9p.m.

Dec. 3, 2009 Special Presentation La Maison Fran�aise
Film: "Tabataba"- Madagascar/France 7-9pm

Dec. 4, 2009 Peace, Religion, & African Kingdoms w/ Reception
Films: The Africa Channel's "The Soul of Ashanti"-Ghana
& Screening of "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love"-Senegal 6-10pm

Russian Winter Festival

(12/13/2009; Hillwood Museum; 4155 Linnean Ave. NW; www.hillwoodmuseum.org; $18-Public, $12-Member, $7-College Student, $5-Children ages 6-18)
The Hillwood Museum & Gardens maintains it’s amazing annual tradition which gives visitors the opportunity to meet & greet with Grandfather Frost and Snow Maiden while enjoying holiday music, entertainment and treats. Stop by and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Chocolate Dreams

(12/19/2009; The Ritz-Carlton; 1150 22nd St., N.W.; $35 per person)
The Ritz Carlton delivers a delicious buffet of decadent chocolate desserts and cocktails with the Champagne Sommelier in The Lobby Café & Bar. Cost is $35 per person.

National Geographic Live: The Emperor and his Terra Cotta Army

(National Geographic Museum; 11/21/2009)
To educate visitors further about the importance of the upcoming exhibit Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, acclaimed historian Albert Dien will be reviewing Chinese history where the construction of the terra cotta army first began. Dien will also cover the Emperoro Qin Shihuangdi and why the magnificent army of soldiers were to be placed in his tomb. For more information, visit http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/speakers/2009/11/21/emperor-and-his-terra-cotta-army/

Celebrate Tango!

(Rosslyn Spectrum Theater; 1611 N. Kent St.; 11/21/2009)
The National Chamber Ensemble is pleased to open its third season in celebration of the tango which will feature exciting works featuring Pizzolla's "Four Seasons In Buenos Aires", Le Grand Tango, Oblivion, Libertango, La Cumpersita and much, much more. The evening will end with a performance by special guest dance troop Pontitango.

Veterans Day Observance

(Mount Vernon; 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway; www.mountvernon.org; 11/11/2009)
Mount Vernon is offering free admission for those amazing men and women who have served and are currently serving our country. Event also includes a free community concert by an all-veteran barbershop chorus.

(Vietnam, Korea, WWII and Arlington memorials; Constitution Ave NW; 11/11/2009)
Stop by to pay your respects at the following wreath-laying ceremonies taking place at the Vietnam, Korean and WWII Memorials as well as Arlington National Cemetery.

Help the Homeless Walk

The Help the Homeless Program is an amazing program that raises awareness of homelessness and supports organizations which work to prevent and end homelessness in the D.C. metropolitan area. In response to the almost 12,000 person homeless population of D.C., The Fannie Mae Foundation is sponsoring Help the Homeless Walk on the National Mall on November 21, 2009. The walk hopes to raise both funding and awareness and takes place on the lawn in front of The Department of Agriculture (Jefferson Drive b/w 12th & 14th Streets NW). Walkers can pre-register at 7a.m. and begin the 3.1 mile walk circling the Tidal Basin at 9a.m. Visit www.helpthehomelessdc.org for more information and to register.

Taste of Dupont 2009

(Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 6p.m.-9p.m.; $5 ea or 5 for $20)
The Taste of Dupont is an annual event where participating restaurants create prix-fixe menus and visitors may sample delicious meals at a fraction of the cost. Some of the most popular eateries sponsored by Dupont Circle Main St. are part of this great deal. See below for participating restaurants.

Bread and Brew, 1247 20th St. NW
Beacon Bar & Grill, 1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW
The Front Page, 1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Scion Restaurant, 2100 P St. NW
Ruth's Chris, 1801 Connecticut Ave. NW
Level One, 1639 R St. NW
Pizza Paradiso, 2003 P St. NW
SoHo Tea and Coffee, 2150 P St. NW
Cafe Dupont, Dupont Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Twist Dupont, 1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Urbana, Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St. NW

Washington Craft Show

(Walter E. Washington Convention Center; Friday, Nov. 6, 10a.m.-8p.m.; Saturday,
Nov. 7, 10a.m. - 6p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 8, 11a.m.-5p.m.; www.craftsamericashows.com)
The Washington Craft Show is an amazing show that combines functioning works with those built solely from pure imagination. This annually held event has been running for 19 years and brings together some of D.C.’s most innovative artists.

Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show

(11/07/2009-11/08/2009; General admission: $20; Celebrity chef demonstrations: $45-$74.50; Walter E. Washington Convention Center; www.metrocooking.com)
Television personalities like Paula Deen, Tyler Florence and Giada DeLaurentis are just a few glitzy names that will be representing the culinary instutition giant Food Network in this exciting cooking and entertaining show. Stop by to watch chef demonstrations, sample product samples and meet and greet with some of D.C.’s finest chefs.

Unsung Heroes

(Monday, October 26, 2009; 9a.m.-4p.m.; The Library of Congress; Kluge Center Meeting Room, first floor, Thomas Jefferson Building, 101 Independence Avenue, SE)
The Library of Congress celebrates and recognizes Asian American Veterans in their Veterans History Project which is a day filled with commemorations, veteran stories, poetry readings and more. Come by this free event to learn more about those heroes whose tales deserve to get told.

Fright at The Museum: Dead Men Walking

(Wednesday, October 28, 2009; 6:30p.m.- 10p.m.; National Museum of Crime & Punishment; 575 7th Street, NW; Admission: $20)
The mysterious and sordid past of The National Museum of Crime & Punishment comes out this Halloween in Fright at the Museum: Dead Men Walking. The story is based on true fact stating that from 1916-1960, approximately 125 men were executed in the Tennessee electric chair and that very chair made its way into the National Museum of Crime and Punishment in 2008 bringing with it the ghosts of its past. Stop by the event for some eerie Halloween scares.

Sweet Honey in the Rock 35th Anniversary Celebration

(Warner Theatre; 10/23/2009; www.wpas.org; Tickets: $25-$55)
“Sweet Honey In The Rock” at the D.C. Repertory Theatre is a collection of music that signifies the struggles and strife of African Americans through songs from churches, civil rights movement lyrics and celebration of a rich and diverse culture.

Friday Music Series

(10/23/2009; Georgetown University McNeir Hall, New North Building; 204 Healy Bldg., Box 571789, 2nd Floor Healy Hall)
One of America’s most recorded clarinetists is performing in Georgetown on Friday, October 23rd. Charles West can be heard on numerous labels including a 1993 Grammy Award-winning CD, has served as president of the International Clarinet association and is currently Professor of Music and Coordinator of Winds & Percussion at Virginia Commonwealth University. Free concert!

African Roots, Latino Soul

(S. Dillon Ripley Center; 10/22/2009; www.DiscoveryTheater.org; Adult: $6, Child: $5)
This Discovery Theater play explores various cultures and backgrounds from Celia Cruz’s memories in her mothers kitchen to a subway ride and more. The play explores what it means to grow up in the heart of the American melting pot.

FreshFarm Market near The White House

(Thursdays (ends October 29); 810 Vermont Ave. N.W.; Washington, DC 20005)

The First Lady is going to be making rounds at this amazing new farmer's market near The White House. Visitors can peruse fresh meats, artisan breads and cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers, fruit preserves and much more. Open rain or shine!

D.C. Spa Week 2009

Daily (October 12-October 18, 2009); $50 per treatment; http://www.spaweek.com/spas/DC

$50 spa treatments at some of D.C.’s finest luxury spas is practically unheard of unless of course its Spa Week. Choose from a glorious picking of massages, scrubs, facials, manicures, pedicures and more for a fraction of the fancy price!

The Clinton Tapes Author Lecture & Book Signing

(Wednesday, October 7, 2009; 7p.m.; U.S. National Archives and Records Administration; William G. McGowan Theater; Constitution Avenue, NW between 7th and 9th St.)

During his seven years in office, Former President Bill Clinton has incredible insight, anecdotes and topics to discuss which were recorded by Pulitzer Prize winning historian Author Taylor Branch. The captured conversations were compiled into a book called The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History in the White House. Immediately after each of the 79 sessions, Branch recorded his reactions to their conversations, as well as Clinton’s demeanor, moods, and daily life in the West Wing. Be ready for a book signing to follow the program.

Music from Around the Globe

(Folger Shakespeare Library; 201 East Capitol Street, SE; Friday, October 2, 2009 - Sunday, October 4, 2009)
The Folger Shakespeare Library will host an amazing musical performance featuring Italian and Chinese works from 1610. They will include songs, compositions and instrumental music by Francesca Caccini (the first woman to compose an opera), Sigismundo d’India, Biagio Marini, and others, along with Chinese music for pipa, a type of Chinese lute.

National Symphony Orchestra

(John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; The intersection of New Hampshire Avenue, Virginia Avenue, and Rock Creek Parkway, NW; Thursday, October 1, 2009 - Saturday, October 3, 2009)
The National Symphony of Orchestra’s main conductor Iván Fischer will present Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, "Pastoral" along with Bartók's The Wooden Prince.
Following the show on October 1st, join Iván Fischer and Nigel Boon for a free post-performance discussion.

Velocity D.C. Dance Festival

(Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F Street, NW; Friday, October 2, 2009 - Saturday, October 3, 2009; Admission: $15)
This exciting dance event features performances and appearances by Ron K. Brown and Evidence, The Washington Ballet, CityDance Ensemble, EDGEWORKS, Gesel Mason, Nejla Yatkin, Edwin Aparicio, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, and Willi Dorner. Velocity D.C. will also showcase performances by poets, artists and musicians.

Good Causes

AIDS Walk Washington
(10/03/2009; www.aidswalkwashington.org)
The AIDS Walk Washington is an honorable reason to get off that couch and join in the 5K fundraising walk and timed run which benefits the Whitman-Walker Clinic, a non-profit community-based health organization which provides dependable, high-quality, comprehensive and accessible health care to those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. See the below instructions to make a generous donation or join the walk against AIDS.

1. Register as an individual or start a team online.
2. Set a personal fundraising goal and then encourage friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to support your efforts.
3. Have supporters donate online or by check.

Steps for submitting donations:

1. Walker donations online must be received by Sept. 28, 2009, and mail-in donations must be postmarked by Sept. 25, 2009, in order to receive your incentive gifts on the day of the walk. General donations and walker supporting donations can still be turned in on Walk day at the designated location.
2. Supporter checks should be made payable to 'AIDS Walk Washington'.
3. Checks should be accompanied by a 'Support a Participant' form with the participant name on it. The form is located in 'Downloadable Documents' under the 'Information' menu to the left. To guarantee proper attribution, the walker name should be noted on the check's memo line.
4. Checks should be sent to AIDS Walk Washington, PO Box 73768, Washington, DC 20056-3768. Please do not send cash by mail.

Note: All donations are tax-deductible.

The Capital Challenge Walk MS
(10/03/2009 - 10/04/2009; 18000 M Street, N.W.)
The Capital Challenge Walk MS is a challenge hosted by the National MS Society which is a fundraiser to end multiple sclerosis, promote good health and physical fitness and also increase public awareness of the disorder. The 50 kilometers is covered over the span of 2 days and will host hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers and hopes to raise thousands of dollars. See below for more details.

Walkers can register by:

1. Completing the online registration form
2. Attending a free "Explore the Challenge" meeting or social event (upcoming meetings will be posted on our website as they are scheduled)
3. By calling the Society at 1-800-FIGHT-MS

American Red Cross of National Capital Area 2009 Fire and Ice Ball
(Saturday, 10/17/2009; Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium; 1301 Constitution Ave., NW; 6p.m.)
Guests will salute our great nation's Armed Forces' service to this country and honor the Red Cross' history of supporting the United States service men, women and their respective families. Awards will also be presented to members for a lifetime of achievement.

Thai Talents 2009

(Thursday, September 17, 2009 - Saturday, September 26, 2009; The Royal Thai Embassy, 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, NW)

Thai Talents '09 will take place in The Royal Thai Embassy and will be showcasing a series of exhibits dedicated to Thai arts including projects in film, theatre, literature, music, photography and more. On September 12, 19, and 26 from 7pm-9 pm, there will also be small meet and greets with light bites and drinks. Although admission is free, reservations are required. Call 202-298-4819 or email chormaneem@thaiembdc.org for more info.

The OnBoard RoundAbout

More often than not, tour buses don’t offer visitors the simple luxury of stopping at stations of their choosing. That’s why OnBoard DC Tours has launched its latest venture, OnBoard RoundAbout, a clever combination of a hop-on, hop-off tour bus and a transportation system, which takes you to the places you want to go all over the Greater DC Area including stops in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia!
The stops on the 2 hour loop include the following:

• Old Post Office (Smithsonian, National Archives, White House)
• Jefferson Memorial (FDR Memorial, Cherry Trees, Tidal Basin)
• Lincoln Memorial (Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War 1 & 2 Memorials, Washington Monument)
• Arlington National Cemetery (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Kennedy grave sites, Lee Mansion)
• Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (shopping & dining)
• Crystal Gateway Marriott (Crystal City Underground shopping & Marriott convention center)
• Old Town Alexandria (King Street, Water Taxi, shops, restaurants)
• National Harbor (Gaylord National, Awakening Statue, shops, restaurants)
• Holiday Inn Capitol
• National Air & Space Museum
• Union Station (Capitol Building, Library of Congress, US Supreme Court)

(One day, unlimited pass- $29.00)

D.C. Fashion Week

(September 14-20, 2009)

The weeklong D.C. Fashion Week is a dazzling showcase of fashion, clothing, merchandising and modeling. Featured designers are from all over the world including places like Mongolia, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mozambique, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and of course, the United States. The eight day event will host a slew of networking parties, meet and greets as well as designer trunk shows and a seminar.

National Book Festival 2009

(National Mall b/w 7th & 14th Sts; September 26, 2009; 10a.m.-5:30p.m.)
The National Book Festival is an annual celebration which is sponsored by the Library of Congress and is hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The festival allows visitors to meet with over 70 award winning authors, poets, and illustrators. The Library of Congress Pavilion will showcase a variety of interactive family-friendly activities which signify the importance of literacy, cultural preservation, and the digital culture.

2009 National Book Festival Participants

Children's Authors - Mary Brigid Barrett, Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, Kate DiCamillo, Shannon Hale, Craig Hatkoff, Nikki Grimes, Steven Kellogg, Lois Lowry, Megan McDonald, Charles Santore (illustrator of the festival poster), Jon Scieszka and David Shannon, and Mo Willems

Teens & Children Authors - Judy Blume, Pat Carman, Sharon Creech, Paula Deen, Carmen Agra Deedy and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, Shannon Hale, Liz Kessler, Jeff Kinney, James Patterson, Jerry Pinkney, Rick Riordan, Sharon Robinson and Kadir Nelson, James L. Swanson and Jacqueline Woodson

History & Biography Authors - Dan Balz, Douglas Brinkley, Ken Burns, Dayton Duncan, Kirstin Downey, Annette Gordon-Reed, Gwen Ifill, Haynes Johnson, Sue Monk Kidd, Mark Kurlansky, Jon Meacham, Rickey Minor, Simon Schama, Patricia Sullivan, Ann Kidd Taylor and David A. Taylor

Fiction & Fantasy Authors- Sabiha Al Khemir, Julia Alvarez, Junot Díaz, John Grisham, John Irving, Katherine Neville, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, Jeannette Walls, Colson Whitehead and David Wroblewski

Mysteries & Thrillers Authors - David Baldacci, Lee Child, Mary Jane Clark, Margaret Coel, Michael Connelly, Craig Johnson, Walter Mosley, James Patterson, George Pelecanos, S.J. Rozan, Lisa Scottline and Daniel Silva

Poetry & Prose Authors - W. Ralph Eubanks, Julia Glass, Edward Hirsch, Jane Hirshfield, Ana Menendez, Azar Nafisi, student winners in the Poetry Out Loud competition Marilynne Robinson and Kay Ryan, Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress.

Bethesda Row Arts Festival

10/18/2009
(One block west of Wisconsin Avenue and east of Arlington Road)

Each October, Bethesda Row is lined with stalls and booths transforming the streets into an outdoor art festival with crafts and fine art. The festival, which began in 1997, has hosted more than 200,000 people in the past and continues to be one of the best festivals of the season. The festival showcases work from over 180 artists and crafters from around the country. The work includes ceramics, drawings, fabrics, glass, graphics, jewelry, metalwork, paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media.

2009 Taste of Georgetown

(Georgetown Wisconsin Ave & M St NW; 10/10/2009)
The 15th annual Taste of Georgetown festival is a spectacular showcase of the delicious cuisine from over fifty restaurants which also includes wine pairings and jazz shows.

LIVE! Concert

(September 10-September 16, 2009; noon - 1:30p.m.; Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the Reagan Building; 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW)

The Live! Concert taking place September 10-16, 2009 on Woodrow Wilson Plaza is showcasing some of the most exciting performances for free! The event features salsa, swing, hip-hop, blues, African dance and more. Visitors can also enjoy a to-go lunch from Aria Fresca Market to Market located in the area. See schedule below for more info.
• Thursday, September 10
Step Afrika's South African Party featuring Mahala Township Jive
• Friday, September 11
Dakshina - Indian dance
• Monday, September 14
Mr. Kigawa - Classical piano
• Tuesday, September 15
Joe Falero's Latin Jazz All-Stars - Latin music
• Wednesday, September 16
Batala Percussion Band - Afro-Brazilian band

Arts on Foot Festival 2009

(Thurs & Fri. on F Street sidewalk, b/w 7th & 9th Sts; On Saturday from 6th to 9th Sts
Market: Thurs & Fri; 11am-7pm; Festival: Saturday, September 12; 11am-5pm)

The Washington Examiner's Arts on Foot Festival is four blocks of activities for the whole family. The event is held in beautiful Penn Quarter neighborhood and features a three day fine arts market with over 100 exhibitions, restaurant sampling menus from 30 eateries, cooking demonstrations, and two entertainment stages. Regardless of rain or shine, you should definitely be there.

Opera in the Outfield

(09/12/2009; Washington Nationals; Nationals Park; www.nationals.com; 202.572.3057: Free)
The Washington National Opera is hosting a free opera session in Nationals Park of Rossini's comedic opera, The Barber of Seville on September 12, 2009 at 7p.m. This event makes for a great romantic evening!

2009 Annual Adams Morgan Day Festival

(09/13/2009; 18th Street b/w Columbia Rd. & Florida Ave.)

The 31st annual Adams Morgan Festival 2009 is an exciting festival in the popular Adams Morgan neighborhood of D.C. which is overflowing with culture, traditions and diversity. The festival will host two headlining musical performances along with live music acts including jazz, funk, soul, American rock, salsa, Latin rock and more! Come by for food and lots of fun!

2009 Das Oktoberfest-National Harbor

Getting ready to go to Das Best Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 26th? What with all the great food (sausages, potato cakes, sour beef, schnitzel), entertainment (Miss Oktoberfest Competition, Biggest Beer Belly Competition) and of course beer galore! So the big question remains, who’s going to be the designated driver?

Instead of flipping coins and paper, rock, scissors, why not allow OnBoard Tours to help you out? We are offering a roundtrip ticket from The Old Post Office to National Harbor for only $17 or buy a ticket for the DC The Lights! Tour and receive special discount roundtrip tickets for only $10! Take advantage of this amazing deal and enjoy a worry free fun filled day with OnBoard Tours!

Maryland State Fair

(Daily now through September 7; Timonium Fairgrounds; 2200 York Rd.; Timonium, MD 21093; http://www.marylandstatefair.com/)
The Maryland State Fair is a classic family fair that includes all of summer’s favorite treats; lemonade, cotton candy, petting zoos, roller coaster rides and fair games.

Maryland Renaissance Festival

(1821 Crownsville Road; Crownsville, MD 21032; September 7; 10a.m.-7p.m.; Saturdays; 10a.m.-7p.m. (ends October 24); Sundays 10a.m.-7p.m. (ends October 25); $18)
Giant turkey legs, jousting contests and beautiful costuming are just a few of the perks at the annual Renaissance festival. Other activities include shopping, old school games, Shakespeare recitations, hypnotists, and dancers. There are also a number of interesting performances and acts to enjoy while sipping on your mead. Visit http://www.rennfest.com for more information.

Virgin Mobile Freefest 2009

(August 30; 11a.m.-10p.m.; Merriweather Post Pavilion; 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy.; Columbia, MD 21044; http://www.virginmobilefestival.com)

The recession has hit us all pretty hard. But the fourth annual Virgin Music Festival doesn’t have to cost a cent. The popular concert, taking place at Merriweather Post Pavillion for one day only, will be offering the concert for free aside from the minimum $5 donation benefiting a charity to fight youth homelessness. The event boasts an A list lineup including Weezer, Franz Ferdinand, Blink-182, Taking Back Sunday, Public Enemy, Girl Talk, The Hold Steady, Mates of State, Jet and The National. Their will also be a dance tent in the back, food, beer and amazing talent. The following three options are the best offers for getting into the quickly selling out show.

1. Get your free ticket with optional $5 per ticket delivery fee or avoid the delivery fee if you pick them up at Will Call at the Merriweather or Club box offices between August 21-28.
2. Purchase a Karma Package which offers packages of $30 that get you a free ticket and T-shirt or $55 will get you 2 tickets and 2 t-shirts. Prices include $5 donations to youth homelessness.
3. Become a Free.I.P. Volunteer at an approved youth homelessness agency before the show and you might just be able to get free seating in VIP!

Pink for the Cure

(August 28; 10 p.m.; Shadow Room; 2131 K St. N.W.; Washington, DC 20037; Cost: Donations at the door)

This pink charity event is held for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation and is the perfect event to wear your favorite pink outfit for the theme, “Blonde Charity Mafia”. All donations will go towards raising breast cancer awareness.

21st Annual DC Blues Festival

(09/05/2009; Carter Barron Amphitheatre; 4850 Colorado Avenue, NW)

The 21st Annual D.C. Blues Festival is perfect for the entire family and features musical, instrumental and vocal workshops, petting zoos and much more.

New Records

(Union Station's Main Hall; 08/12/2009)

National Geographic Kids is setting all sorts of records but this time they are helping set the Guinness World Record for the Most Items of Clothing Collected for Recycling. This amazing cause will draw record breaking numbers of more than 30,000 denim jackets, jeans, shirts and hats. The items will be fashioned in a form of art displayed for two weeks at D.C.’s Union Station. The denim items will then be donated to Cotton Inc.’s program “From Blue to Green” which recycles denim into insulation for homes.

19th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival

(Gateway Park, N. Lynn St. & Lee Highway; Rosslyn; 09/12/2009)
Come on out for this year’s 19th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival taking place from 1-7p.m. which includes an amazing line up like Holly Cole, pianist Lafayette Gillchrist and the New Volcanoes, and renowned harmonica player Frederic Yonnet. The day begins with an exciting 90-minute Salsa-meets-Jazz session performed by the Grammy winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Jazz Fest will be broadcast live with radio sponsor WPFW 89.3 FM. Don’t miss out on one of the year’s best events.

In the Flesh

(The Phillips Collection; 06/20/2009-09/13/2009; 1600 21st Street, NW; www.phillipscollection.org)
Forty three paintings created by thirty four world renowned artists will be exhibited including works by Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, Willem de Kooning, Alice Neal, Lucian Freud, Eric Fischl, and Julian Schnabel. All of these artists depict emotional experience through the flesh in their painted works.

Hippiefest

(The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts; 08/11/2009)
This concert, in an effort to reminisce and perhaps revive the Hippie movement features a number of groups from rock groups like Mountain & Leslie West, Flo & Eddie of The Turtles, Three Dog Night, Badfinger and Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals. So put up your peace sign and headbands and come out for this fun night.

Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing

(Wednesday, Aug. 12; 8-9p.m.; Riverbend Park; 8700 Potomac Hills St.; Great Falls, VA; 703-759-9018)
This amazing viewing is designed to show younger visitors the incredible constellations, planets and meteors that litter the night sky. Reservations are required.

Chocolate Exhibit

(Saturday, March 28-Sunday, August 16, 2009; U.S. Botanic Garden; 100 Maryland Avenue, SW; Free)

Chocolate lovers rejoice, the Chocolate Exhibit at the Botanic Garden. This exhibition (besides being delicious) also introduces facts that show why chocolate has health benefits, disease susceptibility and promotes some exciting new scientific research. This is the true guide to buying the right and best chocolate!

Ballston Farmers Market

(Fridays through October 16, 11a.m.-3p.m.; Free; N. 9th and N. Stuart Sts.; Arlington, VA 22203)

The Farmers Market is a relaxing atmosphere and the perfect green shopping grounds that features farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and plants, artisan baked-goods and meats, specialty foods and much more. The market is open on Fridays from 11a.m. to 3p.m. from May 29 to October 16 and is located in Welburn Square. As an additional perk, the market also features live music from 12-2p.m.

Asian Elephant Exhibit

(08/22/2009; National Zoological Park; 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW; nationalzoo.si.edu; Free)

The Zoo is celebrating their love of the Asian elephants on August 22nd at the National Zoological Park. The event shows visitors how the elephants are cared for and what a typical day in the life of one of these enormous animals is like. You can also watch as the elephants are bathed, weighed, and trained to hold still for physical exams, weighing, and x-rays.

Face of America: Glacier National Park- The Trey McIntyre Project

(The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts; 1551 Trap Road; www.wolftrap.org; Tickets are between $10.00 and $38.00, depending on seating location)

The Sun Road, a new ballet installment by the Trey McIntyre Project features an enormous video projections of dancers at Glacier while interweaving live ballet and music which represents the park's environmental concerns.

Ladies Night

08/20/2009; Nationals Park; 1500 S. Capitol Street, SE; www.nationals.com

Join the Washington Nationals from 4:30-7p.m. on August 20th for a pre-game happy hour that features celebrity appearances, complimentary massages, products, manicures, drinks, music by DJ Chris Styles and much more! For more information and to order tickets or call Katherine Caldwell or Bree Parker at 202-675-6287 or go to www.nationals.com/ladiesnight.
Thursday, August 20th vs. Colorado Rockies @ 7:05pm

Summer Spirit Festival

August 8; 5:30p.m.; Merriweather Post Pavilion; 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy.; Columbia, MD 21044; $42-$100; http://www.merriweathermusic.com

The Summer Spirit Festival is headlined by R&B crooner Erykah Badu and features some of the best musicians, performers and comedians like Mike Epps. This star studded show is a surefire hit so get tickets as soon as possible by visiting www.merriweathermusic.com.

Sexpionage at The International Spy Museum

July 29, 2009; 6:30 p.m.; International Spy Museum; 800 F St. N.W.; Admission: $20; 18 and up!

According to The International Spy Museum (and every James Bond film), sexpionage is not only one of the oldest tricks in the book, it is also one of the chief components for producing the best/fastest results. Museum Board Member H. Keith Melton reveals ancient and current schemes used as tools to “attract and manipulate assets, to coerce and compromise targets, and to control spies in both reality and fiction.”

Obama Birthday Bash at Z-Burger

August 4; 11a.m.-2p.m.; Z-Burger; 4321 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.; Free; http://www.zburger.com/

As President Barack Obama is turning 48 on August 4th, Z-Burger is commemorating the occasion with the best present ever, free food. In his honor, the burger joint is providing its first 48 customers with 48 tokens valid for a free burgers and milkshakes. In addition, they will be offering free birthday cake and burgers from 11a.m.-2p.m. to all of its customers and revealing the new “Obama Burger”.

Miss Black USA 2009

08/03/2009; University of the District of Columbia Auditorium; 4200 Connecticut Ave NW

The 2009 Miss Black USA Pageant will take place this Monday, August 3rd in the University of the District of Colombia’s auditorium and features celebrity guest judges like Dr. Ian Smith, April Woodard, and Terri Stevens. Visit www.missblackusa.org for more information.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week

(July 27- August 2, 2009)
Get ready for an entire week of delicious first class food at a price that’s easy on your wallet. This year's Restaurant Week includes 31 participating restaurants in Bethesda and Chevy Chase that are offering a prix fixe two-course lunch for $12-$15 or a three-course dinner for $25-$30. Make early reservations and enjoy the discounts!

Alfios La Trattoria
4515 Willard Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD
(301) 657-9133
www.alfios.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $28 Green Papaya

4922 Elm Street
Bethesda, MD
(301) 654-8986
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30 Oakville Grille & Wine Bar
10257 Old Georgetown Road
North Bethesda, MD
(301) 897-9100
www.oakvillewinebar.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30

Assagi Mozzarella Bar
4838 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 951-1988
www.assaggirestaurant.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30 Jaleo - Bethesda
7271 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 913-0003
www.jaleo.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30 Old Angler's Inn

10801 MacArthur Boulevard
Potomac, MD
(301) 365-2425
www.oldanglersinn.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30
Bacchus of Lebanon
7945 Norfolk Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 657-1722
www.bacchusoflebanon.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $25

La Ferme
7101 Brookville Road
Chevy Chase, MD
(301) 986-5255
www.lafermerestaurant.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30 Passage to India
4931 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 656-3373
www.passagetoindia.info
Dinner $30

Brasserie Monte Carlo
7929 Norfolk Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 656-9225
www.brasseriemontecarlo.com
Lunch $15, Dinner $30 Lebanese Taverna - Bethesda
7141 Arlington Road
Bethesda, MD
(301) 951-8681
www.lebanesetaverna.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30

Raku Asian Diner
7240 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 718-8680
Dinner $30
Clyde's of Chevy Chase
5441 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD
(301) 951-9600
www.clydes.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30

Le Vieux Logis
7925 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD
(301) 652-6816
www.levieuxlogisrestaurant.com
Dinner $29 Redwood Restaurant
7121 Bethesda Lane
Bethesda, MD
(301) 656-5155
www.redwoodbethesda.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30

Divino Lounge & Restaurant
7345-B Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(240) 497-0300
www.divinolounge.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30 Lia's
4435 Willard Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD
(240) 223-5427
www.liasrestaurant.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30

Rock Creek Bethesda
4917 Elm Street
Bethesda, MD
(301) 907-7625
www.rockcreekrestaurant.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30
Faryab Restaurant
4917 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 951-3484
Dinner $30

Louisiana Kitchen & Bayou Bar
4907 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 652-6945
www.louisianabethesda.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30 Tako Grill
7756 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 652-7030
www.takogrill.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30

Gaffney's Restaurant
7141 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 907-7500
www.gaffneys-restaurant.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30 McCormick & Schmick's
Seafood Restaurant
7401 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 961-2626
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30

Tavira
8401 Connecticut Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD
(301) 652-8684
www.tavirarestaurant.com
Lunch $15 & Dinner $30
Geppetto Restaurant
10257 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD
(301) 493-9230
www.geppettorestaurant.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30

Mon Ami Gabi
7239 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 654-1234
www.monamigabi.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30 Tragara Ristorante
4935 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 951-4935
www.tragara.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30

Grapeseed
4865 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 986-9592
www.grapeseedbistro.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30 Nest Cafe
4921 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 718-6378
www.nestwinebarcafe.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30 Trattoria Sorrento
4935 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 718-0344
www.trattoriasorrento.com
Dinner $30

Visions Restaurant
4926 St. Elmo Avenue
Bethesda, MD
(301) 654-3737
www.visionsbethesda.com
Lunch $12 & Dinner $30

Southern Hospitality at Art and Soul

(Daily 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. (ends July 31); $39; 202-393-7777
Art and Soul; 415 New Jersey Ave. NW; http://www.artandsouldc.com/)

Restaurant Art and Soul owner Chef Art Smith will be serving a one of a kind dinner in celebration of his nomination to compete in Top Chef Masters by offering a delicious Southern style meal consisting of his classic recipes like deviled eggs with pickled vegetables, pecan crusted chicken and fried peach pie. A portion of the $39 ticket will be donated to Smith’s charity of choice Common Threads which helps engage and educate children through gastronomy.

6th Annual Asian Festival

Lake Newport Tennis Park, Reston, VA; 08/01- 08/02; http://www.asianfestivaldc.com/index.php; Free

The 6th Annual Asian Festival is a plethora of events that celebrate the beautiful traditions, talents and cultures from Asia. Each of the participating countries will be hosting events that display the cultural fare, fashion, dance and products from their homeland. This is a must see event which includes exciting performances and fun for the whole family!

Color & Design Workshop- "Exploring Design and Color"

(08/01/2009; Corcoran Gallery of Art; 500 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C.; 10a.m.-12 p.m.)

The Corcoran Gallery of Art presents a color and design workshop that explores abstract paintings, a gallery tour that includes permanent and special exhibits, a gallery talk by Ivan Witenstein and a silkscreen project for participating visitors.
-Docent Tour of Gallery Highlights; 12p.m. and 3p.m.
-"A Contemporary Artist's Approach to Viewing 19th Century Painting"
Gallery talk; 3p.m.; Ivan Witenstein (Artist and Corcoran Faculty)

Broadway Performances

(08/01/2009; The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts; 1551 Trap Rd.; Tickets: $20-$48)

Performances by the National Symphony Orchestra include classic musicals from the likes of Hairspray, Jekyll and Hyde, Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, Rent, Tommy and many, many more. The City Choir of Washington will also be part of the performances. Tickets prices start at just $20.

Free Admission into National Parks

Although entrance into all D.C. National Parks is always free, on July 18-19 and August 15-16, a total of 391 national parks will be offering completely free admission also. Below is a list of parks in Maryland and Virginia. Enjoy!

Maryland
Antietam National Battlefield
Assateague Island National Seashore
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Fort McHenry NM and Historic Shrine National Monument
Fort Washington Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Virginia
Appomattox Court House
Arlington House
Assateague Island National Seashore
Colonial National Historical Park
Great Falls Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Petersburg National Battlefield
Prince William Forest Park
Shenandoah National Park

Celebrating Bastille Day

(July 14, 2009; Whitemore House, 1526 New Hampshire Ave.)

In celebration of the Bastille Day Rosé Festival, the GiraMondo Wine Team is offering a 6:30p.m. class which helps visitors explore rose wines, their origin and how they were made. Participants will taste over 15 delicious Rosé wines, 7 Rosés are from France (Tavel, Cotes de Provence, Bandol, Cotes du Rhone, Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Costieres de Nimes) and 8 Rosés conjured from all over the world (Napa, Sonoma, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Austria). Happy Bastille Day!

Artscape

July 17- July 19; Maryland Institute College of Art Mount Vernon; 1300 Mount Royal Ave.; Baltimore, MD 21217; http://www.artscape.org/

Swing by the Maryland Institute College of Art for one of Baltimore’s largest and finest free art festivals. This year visitors can expect arts and crafts, live musical performances and visual arts events. The Charles Theatre will also be showing free short performances and the Baltimore bus shuttle is offering their services free of charge as well. And they say nothing in life is free…

Free Theatre Performances

(The Kennedy Center; 2700 F. St. N.W.; Monday-Friday; 6 p.m.)

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is staging free daily performances on the Millennium Stage which will feature a various collection of artists and groups from all over the country. The center hopes to introduce some of its fantastic programs to a wider audience through the free or low cost. Half priced food and drinks only add to a perfect performance.

Girls Night Out Presented By Metromix

Shopping, cocktails, sushi and…did we mention shopping? Join D.C.’s Metromix on Wednesday, July 15th for an evening of fun for the girls at the Lotus Lounge. A number of vendors will be displaying merchandise at discounted prices while you peruse and sip on those half priced specialty cocktails including $4 beer and glasses of wine, $5 champagne and $5 sushi rolls. Don’t worry about a pricy admission fee since it happens to be completely free!

Artomatic

(55 M St. SE Washington, D.C.; Wed. & Thurs., 5-10p.m.; Fri.-Sat., noon-1 a.m.; Sun., noon-10 p.m.; www.artomatic.org)
The Capitol Riverfront neighborhood will be flooded with hundreds of artists who are strutting their talent in areas of music, theater, sculpture, poetry, dance, photography and much more.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

(June 25-28 & July 1-5; 11:30a.m.-5:30p.m.)
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is a D.C. summer tradition which explores a variety of cultures through demonstrations, performances, lectures, speeches, films and more. The opening ceremony starts on Wed. June 24 at 11a.m. For more information visit www.festival.si.edu.

80's Outdoor Films

(100 Tingey St. SW Washington DC; 08/13/2009)

80's Outdoor Movies - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Tingey Plaza
Thu Jun 25
Sundown - about 8:45 pm

80's Outdoor Movies - Caddy Shack
Tingey Plaza
Thu Jul 2
Sundown - about 8:45 pm

80's Outdoor Movies - Breakfast Club
Tingey Plaza
Thu Jul 9
About 8:45 PM - Sundown

80's Outdoor Movies - E.T.
Tingey Plaza
Thu Jul 16
Sundown - about 8:45 pm

80's Outdoor Movies - Top Gun
Tingey Plaza
Thu Jul 23
Sundown - about 8:45 pm

80's Outdoor Movies - Dirty Dancing
Tingey Plaza
Thu Jul 30
Sundown - about 8:45 pm

80's Outdoor Movies - BIG
Tingey Plaza
Thu Aug 6
About 8:45 - Sundown

80s Outdoor Movies- Back to the Future
Tingey Plaza
Thu Aug 13
Sundown - about 8:45 pm

18th Century Independence Performance

(07/02/2009; The Society of the Cincinnati-Anderson House; 2118 Massachusetts Ave., NW; 6p.m.; Free; www.societyofthecincinnati.org)

The second day of July certainly deserves commemoration as it is the day when the Continental Congress made the official vote to sever ties with Great Britain and attain Independence. The event will be showcasing historic music and costuming from the 18th century in alliance with David and Ginger Hildebrand of the Colonial Music Institute.

Father of our Country Day

(06/21/2009; George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens; 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway; Adults, $15, Seniors, $14; Youth, $7; www.mountvernon.org)

Take Dad out to meet the Father of our country, George Washington, who will be taking pictures and answering questions for visitors from 10a.m.-4p.m. Afterwards, a special performance “Father to the First Family” will take place and lucky visitors will also get to tour the George Washington Distillery and Gristmill with the purchase of a ticket.

AFI Silverdocs Film Festival

(Daily from June 15-June 22; AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; 8633 Colesville Road; Silver Spring, MD 20910)

The Silverdocs film festival showcases some of best documentary films worldwide. Running from June 15-22, the festival offers viewings of over 100 films from over 60 different countries all over the world which include 14 Academy Award nominated documentaries. Subject matter varies widely in terms of themes and genres and showings will take place in the AFI Silver Theatre. Prices average around $10. For more information, visit www.silverdocs.com.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

(June 20th; Noon-6p.m.; On the Waterfront @ National Harbor)

This year, National Harbor is hosting a classic annual summer event which features the best of 3 B’s, “Beer, Bourbon and BBQ”. The festival will be filled with fun events perfect for a lazy Saturday. Contests include (but are not limited to) “Ms. Bar-B-Cutie” and the “World’s BBQ Eating Championship”. Vendors will introduce a number of tastings and samplings of refreshing brews, taps, bourbons, and a variety of barbeque so that no visitor goes hungry or thirsty. In fact, the festival boasts over 60 beers and 40 bourbons in addition to live music which will be playing all day, a mechanical bull ready for any willing patron and tasting seminars.

With a $50 VIP advance ticket you will receive admission into the event, unlimited sampling from noon-6p.m. and a souvenir tasting glass. Regular advanced passes are $30 (online) and $35 (on site) and include unlimited sampling from 2p.m.-6p.m. Added perk; kids 12 and under get in for free. The event will be held rain or shine under comfortable tents so no need to worry about faltering weather conditions.

As for getting a safe and enjoyable ride to National Harbor, leave it to OnBoard America to shuttle visitors from Washington D.C to National Harbor and back again. OnBoard offers options perfect for any traveler including meeting points at either Union Station or the Old Post Office Pavilion (roundtrip tickets are only $17 on June 20th if you mention this article). And if you purchase a ticket to our famous D.C. The Lights! Tour, your roundtrip shuttle tickets will be $10!
Call or email now for this amazing deal.

Disney set to Open in National Harbor

Disney in National Harbor

According to reports, Walt Disney Co. has decidedly purchased a 15-acre spread of land intended for a 500-room resort hotel in expansive National Harbor overlooking the Potomac River. Although previous reports had falsely identified the plans as an ambitious theme park (an idea previously revoked by the good people of Maryland, down with commercialism), the property is actually said to mimic similar plans made in Hawaii for a large scale Disney inspired hotel.

Many Washingtonians ask the question, what does this new development mean for blossoming National Harbor? Perhaps some minor Disnification of our nation’s greatest monuments and treasures is not such a bad thing. It will not only teach our children to become more involved in the field of historical accuracy or perhaps it will simply scar the youth of our country.

Currently, National Harbor is home to a number of attractions, including the Gaylord Resort, home to OnBoard D.C. Tours, six hotels, countless restaurants and is a prime conference destination rivaling that of the District. With the addition of the Disney hotel, National Harbor will continue its journey to a top spot for family and company tourism.

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival

Reston Town Center; 05/16/2009 - 05/17/2009; 10a.m.-6p.m.

The 18th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival to be held on May 16th & 17th is a festival which includes performances by Cirque-Tacular, 225 artists, music, food and fun. The 2 day street festival expects to attract more than 50,000 people who get a chance to purchase, view and experience amazing art directly from the unique and talented artists who have created it. Be sure to check out this amazing festival which is rated as one of the top fine art festival on the East Coast by ArtFair SourceBook. Visit www.restonarts.org for more information.

ZooFari- National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C.

5/14/2009

Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, ZooFari combines the classic makings of a perfect evening with more than 100 of the DC Metro's finest restaurants, 15 wineries, live entertainment, and guests who support animal conservation. This year’s ZooFari is themed “An Elephant Affair,” commemorating the National Zoo's commitment to Asian elephants and will feature cuisine from acclaimed restaurants like Vidalia, 1789, BLT Steak, Poste, and many more. For all you oenophiles, the wineries included in the mix will be Benziger, Clos du Bois, and Kendall Jackson. Musical acts will range from jazz and R&B to country western and rock and guests can also participate in a silent auction which include amazing items like research with zoo scientists, cooking classes and more.

D.C. Happenings

Pan American Symphony Orchestra DC Tango Festival
(05/08/2009; Trinity University, 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington DC 20017; www.dctangofestival.com; $20)
Tango workshops with Alicia and Claudio (Wed. April 29 & Thurs. April 30)
Tango workshops with Annatina and Orlando (Friday May 1)
Tango workshops with Carolina and Anton (Sunday May 3)
Tango workshops with Carina Losano (Friday May 8)

22nd Annual Evening of Comedy
(05/02/2009; The Barns at Wolf Trap; 1635 Trap Rd.; $24)

D.C. Yoga Week
(May 2-9, 2009)
Time to shape up for less during D.C. Yoga Week which offers participants free & $5.00 classes at certain yoga studios. Hopefully after a class or two, people will be more aware about the amazing benefits that yoga provides. Check out the list below for participating locations.
Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill
Bikram Yoga Dupont
Bikram Yoga Tenleytown
Capitol Hill Yoga
Circle Yoga/Budding Yogis
Cleveland Park Yoga
Flow Yoga Center
Georgetown Yoga
Inspired Yoga
Shakti MindBody Studio
Somafit
Spiral Flight Yoga
Tranquil Space
Unity Woods Woodley Park
Unity Woods Tenleytown
Unity Woods St. Columba¹s

Cinco de Mayo Celebration in D.C.
(May 3, 2009, noon to 6 p.m.; Sylvan Stage, National Mall at 15th St. and Independence Ave.; Free)

The annually held Cinco de Mayo Festival in Washington, D.C. is a great celebration which features dance, arts & crafts, food, games, workshops and plenty of live music for the entire family. The annual festival is designed to showcase the rich and vibrant culture and history of the Latin American community. The festival will also feature performances from the Maru Montero Dance Company.

Passport D.C. 2009 (April 30-May 9, 2009)

Passport D.C. is the annually held showcase presented by Cultural Tourism D.C. which helps visitors and locals both celebrate the international culture of some of Washington’s most impressive embassies. The fête includes varied performances, lectures and exhibits as well as embassy open houses and events.

The Embassy Open Houses showcases embassies from a wide range of countries like Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, and the Americas, with artists and artisans, performers, lecturers, professors etc. (May 2; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Enjoy the International Children’s Festival at The Meridian International Center which introduces people to the customs, dress, and traditions of certain countries in a fun and educational fair. (May 9; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

D.C. Get Cultured

Films at the Avalon: Harvard Beats Yale 29 - 29
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Location: Avalon Theatre

Performance - American College Theater Festival: Tongues
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Friday, April 17, 2009
Location: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Gallery Talk - The Brush Stops Here: Presidential Portraits by Gilbert Stuart
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 11:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Location: National Gallery of Art

Concert - The Atrium Series: Bringing Music to the People
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 12:00 noon
Location: American University's Battelle-Tompkins Atrium

Gallery Talk: Emancipation Proclamation
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 12:00 noon - 1:00 PM
Location: The Library of Congress

Gallery Tour: Surface Beauty
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 2:15 PM
Location: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Lecture - Cathedral History Talk: How in the World Did They Build It?
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Washington National Cathedral

Music - Take Five!: JAM Fest Performance: Bemcha and Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum

Face to Face Portrait Talk: Ben Click on the Portrait of Mark Twain by John White Alexander
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: National Portrait Gallery

Music - The Rhythm Road: The Brian Horton Quartet / Rosanna Vitro
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:00 PM
Location: National Geographic Live!

Social Event: Open Arts Nights
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Katzen Arts Center at American University

Author Lecture - Cottage Conversations Speaker Series 2009: Daniel Epstein
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM
Location: President Lincoln's Cottage

Author Lecture and Book Signing - Evenings at The TM: That's a Quilt?! Tracing the Lineage of Contemporary Quilt Art
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM
Location: The Textile Museum

Lecture - Spotlight on Design: Andropogon Associates
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: National Building Museum

Workshop: A Meditation on Morandi
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Phillips Collection

Film - Lincoln: Trial by Fire / Small World
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: The Library of Congress

Lecture - Valerie Fletcher on Louise Bourgeois: The Past as Present
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Walking Tour: The Most Haunted Houses
Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Friday, April 17, 2009; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Lafayette Square

Lecture - TradInnovation: New Trends in Contemporary Korean Architecture
Thursday, April 16, 2009; 7:30 PM
Location: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Filmfest D.C. 2009

The 11 day affair, D.C. Filmfest will premiere this year on April 16 and will continue through the 26th. The annually held event features an extensive range of films, international, foreign as well as local that represents movies from over 30 different countries. In addition to the films themselves, the festival features workshops, discussions, premiere activities and free programs. A few of the participating locations are: Regal Cinemas, 701 7th St., NW, Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St., NW, Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut, Ave., NW. For more information visit www.filmfestdc.org. (General Admission is $10 although some events are free on a first come, first serve basis.)

Girl’s Night

(DAR Constitution Hall; 1776 D St. SE; April 23 & 25: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; $25 in advance and $35 at the door)

Ladies come one, come all and enjoy classic activities that make for a certified boys free fun night. For $25, enjoy discount designer shopping, a celebrity- esque deluxe loot bag and some quality time with the girls. Take a peek at some up and coming designers while sampling one of a kind products and sipping on your complimentary cocktail.

Opera Night D.C.

(Cafe Mozart; 03/25/2009; 1331 H St NW)
Musical performances will include jazz, opera and musical theatre by the Washington Opera tenor Michael Blaney, Jennifer Jellings and pianist Andrew Kraut. Visit cafemozartonline.com for more details.

Cultural Tourism DC's: The Embassy Chef Challenge

(March 25; Mexican Cultural Institute; 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM)
The 2009 Embassy Chef Challenge presented by Cultural Tourism D.C. will be a dazzling display of gastronomical proportions showcasing the talents of Washington’s culinary elite. Celebrity judges include Washington Post food editor, Joe Yonan, Michel Richard, Rock Harper, winner of Hell’s Kitchen and more. The gala also features a silent auction to end the night.

Shamrock Fest 2009

(March 14: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.; $19.99-$129; RFK Memorial Stadium; 2400 E Capital St. S.E.)
St. Patty’s Day is right around the corner so get ready to celebrate D.C. style with bands, DJ’s, rides, games, entertainers, beer trucks and basketball viewing tents. The all day affair is 40 acres of nonstop fun which also includes Shamrockfest and “Olympic games”. For more info visit http://www.shamrockfest.com/2009.

Sei Sushi

(444 7th Street NW; seirestaurant.com)
Recently opened sushi joint Sei puts a new spin on old school sushi by adding a kick of wasabi and creative flair. Along with an impressive list of sakes, the sleek restaurant offers mini plates like “drunken shrimp nigiri” and baby miso lamp chops with a side of buckwheat risotto. Carryout service is also a clever addition of this eatery which takes pride in stepping up the sushi game.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

(03/28/2009 - 04/12/2009)
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annually held two week event that was inspired by the 1912 gift of the cherry blossom trees that represent a friendship between the United States and Japan. It is also a beautiful celebration of springtime in the nation’s capital and showcasing spring blossoms and Japanese cultural traditions throughout the city. The actual parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place on April 4th. Be sure to check this fun filled and educational event perfect for the entire family.

For more info, visit: www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

History Lesson

History Lesson (Jan. 13-16, Jan. 19; National Archives and Records Administration; Constitution Ave. & 7th St.) It’s obvious that Inauguration is on everyone’s mind, and lucky for you, National Archives and Records Administration is hosting a one of a kind event which helps you brush up on your presidential history while watching some amazing historic footage of the inaugurations of past Presidents Herbert C. Hoover (1929) through Bill Clinton (1993). The viewing schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, January 13
Herbert Hoover Inaugurated, 1929
Excerpt from The Open Mind, 1933
President Truman Inauguration, 1948
80 minutes
Wednesday, January 14
Dwight D. Eisenhower Inauguration, 1953
CBS Coverage of John F. Kennedy Inauguration, 1961
90 minutes
Thursday, January 15
Lyndon B. Johnson Inauguration, 1965
Richard Nixon: The Inaugural Story, 1969
90 minutes
Friday, January 16
Gerald R. Ford Inauguration, 1974
Jimmy Carter Inauguration, 1977
Ronald Reagan Inaugural Ceremony, 1981
120 minutes
Monday, January 19, at noon
George Herbert Bush Inauguration, 1989
William Clinton Inaugural Ceremony, 1993
120 minutes

Renewing America's Promise

“Renewing America’s Promise” is the theme that surrounds this year’s upcoming Inauguration. It is based on the emphasis President-elect and Vice President-elect have committed “to restoring opportunity and possibility for all and re-establishing America’s standing as a beacon of hope around the world.”
The Inauguration schedule is as follows: Jan. 17 – President elect Obama, vice-president elect Biden and their families will travel to D.C. and will make appearances in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. Jan. 18 – The official starting event, set on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, will be open to the public and kick starts the inaugural festivities ahead. For those of us unlucky souls who are unable to see the event live, it will be broadcast live exclusively on HBO. Jan. 19 - To honor Dr. Martin Luther King, President-elect Obama, Vice- President elect Biden and their families will participate in events and activities around the D.C area. Jan. 20 - On the steps of the U.S. Capitol, the oath into office will be administered and President elect Obama will then deliver his inaugural address to the nation. (Note: Those who come to witness the swearing-in ceremony will be able to view the ceremony on large screens set up along the National Mall.) Jan. 20 – The Presidential Inauguration Parade begins at 2:30 p.m and runs along Pennsylvania Avenue and around the National Mall. Viewing stands will be set up from 3rd to 17th Sts.
For a more detailed map of the parade route, visit: http://dc.about.com/library/maps/blmapinauguration.htm.

January Events in Washington D.C.

An Evening of Inaugural Style (01/15/2009; 5:30p.m., Macy's Metro Center, 1201 G St. NW) Washingtonian Magazine fashion editor Jill Hudson Neal will give styling advice while models showcase gorgeous evening wear as we ready ourselves for the busy inauguration season ahead.
First Ladies at the Smithsonian (National Mall at 14th Street and Constitution Ave, NW) Just in time for the inauguration, The National Museum of American History presents the “First Ladies at the Smithsonian” exhibition which includes the dazzling ensembles and items belonging to the wives of past president’s. The collections include this first lady's contribution to the presidency and her country, a swift evolution of the First Ladies Collection, and the tradition of the all-important inaugural gown. In addition to clothing items, the exhibit also features prized personal possessions from amazing women like Grace Coolidge, Jackie Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Helen Taft, just to name a few.
Taking the Oath The "Taking the Oath" exhibit at The National Archives will begin running from Jan. 12-25 and features much of first President George Washington’s original documents in which he penned thoughts on the Presidential oath of office. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Archives will also be screening the Inaugural swearing-in ceremony and parade on January 20th in the William G. McGowan Theater.
A Century Ago: They Came as Sovereign Leaders (Jan. 14- Feb. 7; The National Museum of the American Indian; Fourth Street & Independence Ave SW). This exhibitions displays beautiful photographs of the six Native chiefs featured in President Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade of 1905.
Aretha Franklin and the Let Freedom Ring Choir (Jan. 19, 2009; 6 p.m.; Kennedy Center; 2700 F St. NW). The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University will celebrate Martin Luther King by hosting a musical celebration, featuring the incredible vocals of songstress Aretha Franklin, Nuttin’ but Stringz, and the Let Freedom Ring Choir. Free tickets are required and will be distributed one per person in front of the Concert Hall on January 19th.