Happy Funtime Friend Service

Belga Cafe over on Barracks Rows in Eastern Market is a new favorite of mine and one I found through Restaurant Week explorations. Well, that and I’m always looking for an excuse to check out places that serve both Belgian beer AND mussels. And Beglian chocolate pastries (and the pastry chef is cute… but that’s another story).

Back to the beer. This Saturday, 16 September, is Barracks Row Fest and along with the live music and street vendors, the lovely firefighters at Engine 18 / Truck 7 Firehouse will be hosting an Open House (take cookies and say thank you) and Belga will be serving brunch.

But that’s not even the fun part. Monday, 25 September through Sunday, 1 October is Drink Your Beer and Steal Your Glass and the glass is specially designed for each specific Belgian Beer. So go buy, get a kilo of mussels and some beer, steal your glass, and tell the pastry chef I said hi.

And it is - if you’re Ukrainian or of Uke descent which I am. Sour cream goes in the soup, on the pierogis, mixed in with cucumbers and dill, and it even makes a nice facial in the evenings just before bed. Unfortunately, a few of our family food traditions have been lost along with the relatives from the old country so that’s why I always keep an eye out for eastern orthodox church festivals where I can get my fix of pierogis, babkas, and holupki (stuffed cabbage).

And so my calendar is blocked out for this weekend’s Ukrainian Festival at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Silver Spring, Maryland (15100 New Hampshire Avenue). Last year, I went for the food, but stayed for the jammed packed outdoor stage o’ dancing, singing and assorted other kosacking. There’s also a small little market where you can pick up all your Uke supplies like egg dying kits and little magnets that say “Ukrainian Kitchen” (a most excellent stocking stuffer). And don’t forget to pop in to the church’s indoor eastern european shop inside where you can pick up super-sized Ukrainian beers, kielbasa and bags o’ poppy seeds. Yes, those slavs like their poppy seeds pastries and, apparently, the inability to pass a random drug test.

St. Andrew Ukrainian Festival, September 16-17, 2006:
http://www.standrewuoc.org/festival.htm

The Washington National Opera is hosting an Introduction to Opera concert on Saturday, 14 October that will feature selections from Puccini and Mozart. I’m guessing that’s to show that yes, you really do know the music. The concert will be conducted by Placido Domingo but it doesn’t seem like he’ll be singing. Tickets are $25 (with a limited number of VIP tickets at $50), which is pretty good if you’ve seen the price of Opera tickets lately. So if you want to check out the talent at the Washington National Opera before committing to tickets for a full production, here’s your chance.

Tickets go on sale Monday, 11 September at 10 a.m. either by calling 202.295.2400 or at www.dc-opera.org.

This interweb thing beats the heck out of hearing about what happened yesterday or last week. Here are a few sites I vist regularly or lists I’ve subscribed to so I know what’s happening around town:

9:30 Club Email List provides presale passwords and “soft sell” - advance notice on shows before their announced elsewhere.

Olsson’s Books event listings. You can also subscribe to their email list.

DC Jazz. You can also subscribe to their email list.

Live Nation AKA Clear Channel - their concert listings. Subscribe to their email list for updates.

GoldStar Events offers a weekly calendar plus discounts for a variety of sporting, theatre and musical events, so it’s a great way to try new things without breaking the bank.

Use Ticketmaster alerts for your favorite artists.

One of the many things I love about the Kennedy Center (and hey, it’s one of the unique things about living in Washington, so take advantage of it), is that they provide a chance to go behind the scenes and see how works are created, refined and brought to the stage. I’ve attended rehearsals of the ballet and the National Symphony Orchestra. On 5 October, you have the chance to see a Jazz Master Class with Geri Allen. Tickets go on sale today and are $15.

I swear, when I first moved to DC, I went to the Adams Morgan Day Festival along with some friends and we… got… blotto - mainly because the bars allowed us to walk out with beer in plastic cups. I think. I don’t really remember much. I think there was a lot of food too.

Obviously, open container laws being what they are - the street festival is more subdued these days, but it’s still a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the city. Stages are set up at various points (the two biggest are at the intersections of 18th & Columbia and at 18th & Florida) with musicians and various performances all day long. Go, grab some Carribbean food, stroll through the art vendors on Belmont and then park yourself at the stage of your choice to take in some bluegrass, reggae, venezuelan drumming, hip hop, chinese dragon dancing and Brazilian martial arts. Myself, I can’t resist the Japanese Komodo dance troupe. Hai!

The Adams Morgan Day Festival, Sunday, September 10 from noon to 7 p.m.
http://www.adamsmorgandayfestival.com

On Saturday, 16 September from noon to 7:00 p.m. the Kennedy Center is hosting an Open House. the list of what they have planned looks amazing including a tour of the arts along the Gulf Coast Highway. The National Symphony Orchestra will perform as will the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Airmen of Note. Local talent Suzanne Farrell Ballet will perform Balanchine and one tent will feature local arts organizations where you can learn about more fun things to do and participate in.

Speaking of participate, they are still looking for volunteers, so if you need a reason to go and want to help make it a terrific day, call 202.416.8301 to request a volunteer application.

I can’t believe I’m about to type this, but I actually prefer the Otakon to Comic-Con, but hey, comic geeks need a chance to meet and lick ink off pages too. At least at an anime con, I can slink into a dark viewing room and watch five hours of Vampire Hunter D. At the Comic-Con, I found myself wandering the isle with my friend R. who every once in awhile would declare, “Do you know who that is?!” and no, I didn’t. But neat-o, Lou Ferrigno’s at this year’s Con. Hulk smash!

Anywho, if you’re as psyched about seeing the creators of the Teen Titans as R. is, then activate your Wonder Twin Powers (form of an ice Humvee), and power it on up to the Baltimore Convention Center this Saturday & Sunday, September 9 & 10th. If you OD on the geek-elite, then I suggest strolling to the Inner Harbor’s Capital City Brewery for a beer and a burger. Ground yourself in ground beef. Or at least, that’s what my dad says.

http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/

I love jazz and I live in Arlington, but a combination of events (usually business travel) has kept me from attending the Rosslyn Jazz Festival - that streak ends this Saturday. Find me at Gateway Park (at Lee Highway and North Lynn Street - a mere 2 blocks from the Rosslyn Metro). From 1:00 - 7:00 p.m., a line-up of solid jazz musicians will be playing for free (and people I’ve paid good money to see at the Kennedy Center) including Hiromi. If you’re not sure if you like jazz and want to check out a good mix of piano, trumpet, jazz vocals, and fusion, this is a great place to try it on without a cover or a two drink minimum. More details available at the Arlington Cultural Affairs office.