It does seem to be a weekend of Festivals, and if you don’t want to drive to Baltimore (but alas, no sour cream), you can join me at the Rosslyn Jazz Festival at Gateway Park (the corner of North Lynn and Lee Highway – a mere two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro). It starts at 1 p.m. and runs til about 7. The headliner is Regina Carter and there’s a mystery piano guest (I have my theories) and the whole shebang is hosted by WAMU host Kojo Nnamdi. It’s free and fun, and it’s a great lead off for a week of great jazz all around the city for the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. We’ll be at the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday night for the big concert but if you can’t make that, there are plenty of other opporunities to see both local and national artists.
Everything’s better with sour cream (I actually made this into a bumper sticker). But you know what’s especially good with sour cream? Pierogis. And say what you like, Mrs T’s frozen pierogis will never come close to those pinched by the hands of little old Ukranian ladies (god bless them). This is why you must attend the Baltimore Ukrainian Festival running September 8 and 9th.
Four dance groups, Ukrainian Easter Eggs demonstrations, musicians, pierogi/pyohy eating contest, traditional crafts, Ukrainian beer garden and children’s activities. I’m totally in it for the food.
Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern Avenues
FREE (I’m wagering the food and beer isn’t free)
You know there’s nothing I love more than free concerts. And good concerts in places built for outstanding musical sound – all for free… this is why I love Washington. The Library of Congress has announced their 2007 – 2008 series of concerts, and I’m impressed. The 50th birthday of West Side Story, Allen Toussaint and Henry Butler, the Beaux Arts Trio and the Orion Quartet. If you don’t know the drill, tickets are free, you just have to pay Ticketmaster service fees. You can reserve a maximum of two tickets in advance and they go quickly – sign up for Ticketmaster alerts. If you don’t get there in time and it’s sold out, go anyway. The Library of Congress is right by the Capitol South metro station and they release all unclaimed seats about 15 minutes before the show begins. I’ve seen amazing concerts here and people that I’ve paid much more to see at the Kennedy Center at other times including Jimmy Scott and Joshua Bell. This is a great resource for anyone who likes good music of all kinds (classical, jazz, chamber, etc.) on a budget.
I keep forgetting that the Carter Barron Amphitheatre is in my backyard (well, if my backyard were really, really, really big). But there it is, and with a Schedule of Events no less – a schedule which is culminating with this Labor Day weekend’s 19th Annual DC Blues Festival on September 1 from noonish to 7:30. Man, am I a sucker for fests or what?
So grab a blankie, some snacks, doctor up a bottle of lemonade with a little something-something, and head on over to listen to Clarence “The Bluesman” Turner and Band, Mary Shaver and the Smokin’ Polecats, The Orioles, The Nighthawks, and more.
Can you resist a band called the Smokin’ Polecats?
Over the weekend, AMK called and said, “You’re the only person I know who will go see a movie about a guy who places guitar on the street in Dublin. Will you go tonight?” With nothing better than a night of Law & Order re-runs planned (because it was that or cleaning my apartment), I agreed and we headed off for Landmark Theatre in Bethesda. All I can say is go see this movie. It’s called Once and features the music of The Frames. I came home from the movie and immediately bought the soundtrack on iTunes and have been listening to it every day.
While August is traditionally dead in Washington, we’ve also been traveling. Alycia went off hiking in the west in celebration of her father’s birthday, and I spent 2 weeks in India with Habitat for Humanity. So excuse our break. We’ll be back shortly.
If you’re looking for something cultural to do after work, don’t have a lot of money to spend, and are just hot, more sympathetic I could not be. But I’m all about solutions. The Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage has free shows every night at 6 p.m. ranging from jazz to kabuki to participating in the Fringe Festival. They had the Polyphonic Spree back in 2004 before anyone knew who they were, so go see who you’ll be hearing about in a few years. And if you’re looking for something to eat or drink afterwards, check out the KC Cafe up on the Terrace level. It’s cafeteria style with one of the best views in Washington.
If you missed Honor by August’s 2 nights at Iota in June, or it was sold out before you got there, then you have another chance when they play on Saturday, July 28. If you want to be sure to get there in time, go to the Cafe side of Iota for dinner – the chef is great, the beer selection is solid, and they come around to make sure you get a ticket for the show. Again, I’ll be out of town, but say hi for me.
Speaking of good local restaurants (especially my favorite – non-chain restaurants), Vermillion in Alexandria is hosting Justin Trawick on July 25th. The food at Vermillion is just great, the staff and atmosphere are welcoming, and Justin sings a good song so get there early and enjoy. (Unfortunately I’ll be out of town otherwise I’d be there.)
If you’re not good at making friends, trying a new restaurant together is a great way to get a conversation going. And Restaurant Week (August 6 – 12) is designed for trying new places – it’s a promotion designed to bring in business during their slow times. Participating restaurants offer 3 course lunches for $20.07 and dinner for $30.07. Many (but not all restaurants) use Open Table for easy reservations. In the past we’ve tried and really enjoyed Agraria, TenPenh, Rasika and Cafe MoZu. Invite someone out for lunch or dinner – it’s easy. “Hey, it’s Restaurant Week – any place you’ve been wanting to try?”