Happy Funtime Friend Service

Okay, I don’t want to say anything, but I’ve been in DC long enough to remember when it was Bardo’s and the ads on WHFS said “largest brewpub on the east coast.” None of those things are true anymore but somehow this place survives all the gentrification going on all around.

Yeah, I know the “air conditioning” isn’t really what you’d call peak efficiency. It’s often cooler on the patio than inside. And the bathrooms bring to mind nothing more than post-apocalyptic Berlin (read Neuromancer). And there’s no ice. But the staff is fun and really tries to make sure everyone’s having a good time.

And on Thursday downstairs they have open mic night. It’s usually one or two (mostly) guys with guitars playing covers and originals. Talent ranges from “why are you up there” to “why aren’t you signed yet?” It’s fun to see who’s doing what? I’ve heard some interesting takes on old standards, and I’ve enjoyed watching as someone works out a new song over a couple of weeks.

There’s no cover and the beer is cold. The fun usually starts around 9:30 and doesn’t always stop at last call.

Dremo may be moving (see story on the sale here) or (hopefully not) closing, so don’t miss your chance.

Dremo is at 2000 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington. Closest Metro is Courthouse.

It’s an early mark your calendars notice… Happy FunTime’s favorite DJ (DJ Lil’ e) will be hosting her monthly Right Round dance party at the Black Cat on Saturday 16 September and Saturday, 21 October. Why the early notice on October? It’ll be combined with MouseTrap so 80s Alt/Brit Pop will rule the club.

It hardly seems like we’d have to import people from New York for political humor and I’m seriously wondering why it’s at Meriwether Post, but there are still lawn tickets for Jon Stewart available on Ticketmaster for Saturday, 16 September.

I’ve seen him a couple of times, and he’s definitely funnier in person than on television. (Just think of all the things he’s not allowed to say on television.) If you haven’t seen him before, it’s probably worth it, though I would have to think twice before seeing a comedian in an outdoor arena. I’m personally a fan of the smaller venues – crowded as it is, I like the intimacy of the Improv. If it has to be a theatre, I’ve seen some great shows at the Warner. While I’ve loved the comics, I don’t like DAR for a comedy show –it’s too big and impersonal for me. And that’s what I’d be afraid of on the lawn at Meriwether. But what do I know? It’ll be funny either way. And you already know what he looks like.

Our fellow contributor to Happy Funtime, John Athayde, has recently joined local indie band Honor by August. They’ll be playing this Thursday (31 August) at Iota in Clarendon along with Seth Kallen and the Reaction and Alec Gross and the Districts. Show starts at 9, cover is $10, come on out and support our friend (and maybe meet some new folks along the way).

It is full on summer harvest time. I know that some folks may wonder what century it is when Alycia and I start talking about making pickles or putting up peaches and making jam, but if you have any desire to get out of the city and think about how food gets on our tables, this is the perfect time of year. As I write this I’m stirring spaghetti sauce made with tomatoes from Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, MD.

It’s still prime season for blackberries, raspberries, and peaches and the apples are coming soon (mmmm…caramel apples). I have forty-seven jars of blackberry preserves and fourteen jars of raspberry jam so far. There was one drawback which may have been because we were raspberry picking in the middle of the day - there were about a million bees trying to get to the same ripe, juicy raspberries we were. There was one bee that was so determined that he stuck his face right into the berry I’d just picked. That’s when Ian came up with the name “Bee Spit Jam.”

Try to look surprised at Christmas when you get jam. And I boil it for a long time. There’s no bee spit left. I promise.

There’s something special about hearing music in a room specially built for that purpose and at the Library of Congress, the Coolidge Auditorium is that space. This season’s schedule includes Beaux Art Trio, Manderling String Quartet, Steven Isserlis & Friends (and those friends include Joshua Bell), Jerusalem String Quartet, and Opus 21.

Tickets are free – you just have to pay service charges through Ticketmaster. They do tend to go quickly (literally within minutes) so mark your calendars. Tickets for the first three concerts are available on 6 September. You can only get two. A trick that’s worked for me in the past – if you can’t get two, try getting one and one. Sometimes there are two end of the row seats available. And if you have no luck on Ticketmaster, that doesn’t mean you have no chance – if there’s someone you really want to see, just show up anyway. Any unclaimed seats are released about 20 minutes before the curtain.

One of the things I love about Washington that makes it different from other cities is how many cultural events we have that are free. Of course having the Smithsonian is a definite advantage and I always think I need to do more. There are three more weeks left of Jazz in the Garden. Local jazz musicians play in the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden (the one with the typewriter eraser – not the Hirschorn Sculpture Garden) in front of the Pavilion Café. Rain or Shine, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. The café stays open later on concert nights and they have a special menu.

Events like this are great casual meeting spots or even first dates if you’re looking for such places.

Oh, and they’re actually good musicians. After several weeks traveling to Celtic festivals in the heartland, local faves Scythian are back where they belong – at Fado in Chinatown on Thursday nights. Check their schedule for other local dates, but I defy you to not clap and sing along. It’s the perfect antidote to a long week.

And if you buy them shots of Jaeger, they’ll sing you a song.

You know how you see a movie poster and you think “Damn, that’s going to be terrible!” And then you watch the trailer and you think it’s funny but you’re afraid that all the best bits in the movie are in the trailer? I was afraid that was the case with Talladega Nights and happily I was wrong.

I was with at least one person who finds Will Ferrell annoying and I’m no fan of Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G) but this is damn funny. The argument over which Jesus to pray to while they’re saying grace is destined to be classic.

Plus you know when Sports Center is already quoting the movie before it’s even come out, there’s something going on…

W00t! I’m the first post!

Autumn approacheth. I heart cool, crisp fall weather and the enslaught of house tours that pop up across the city just as quickly as those inflatable lawn decorations do in the suburbs. Here’s a few upcoming events that I’ll be pestering my friends and family to attend with me:

• Architecture Week House Tour - September 9th: Who knew there’s a whole week o’ architecture? The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects did, that’s who. This one’s boasting a tour of the Rosedale farmhouse (3501 Newark St., NW) along with two other homes recently renovated by fancy-schmancy architecture firms.
  Caveats: Only three houses.
  Tickets: $30 online; $45 on-site
  For more info: http://www.aiadc.com/events.htm
• The 22nd Annual Kalorama House and Embassy Tour - September 17th: Like to peep into homes? Then you’ll enjoying peeping into embassies, chancellories, and residences even more. I do. My mom did. This tour offers a morning brunch and lecture rather than a mid-day tea; however, you can suck it and deal for a chance to view the French Ambassador’s Residence as well as the embassies of Latvia, Costa Rica, and the Republic of Indonesia.
  Caveats: Walking, walking, walking.
  Tickets: $22 price pre-tour / $25 price day of tour
  For more info: http://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/
• 2006 Dupont Circle House Tour - October 15th: The grand (or sugar) daddy of them all. I usually coax someone to town for this behemoth which consists of a self-guided walking tour of 10-12 homes with a mid-point tea (this year’s will be at the Washington Club right on the circle). It’s always fun to see how the more stylish live (and apparently, you can’t be styling in Dupont without a SubZero refrigerator in the kitchen and a walk-in shower with enough showerheads to entertain a crowd of twenty in your bathroom.)
  Caveats: Lots of walking so don’t bring any whiners wearing inappropriate footwear.
  Tickets: $25 price pre-tour / $30 price day of tour
  For more info: http://www.dupont-circle.com/housetour/
• Logan Circle Holiday House & Gallery Tour - December 3: Logan Circle’s been an “up and coming” neighborhood for quite awhile, but now I think it’s up and done gone. With gorgeous homes decked out for the holidays and a pitstop for some hot cocoa, you’ll be in the holiday (and home revamping) spirit too.
  Caveats: Walking and some slightly dodgy areas.
  Tickets: No info available yet.
  For more info: http://www.logancircle.org/