The Weekend Oh Weekend

This weekend is going to be a delight. Tonight (since in my world the weekends appear to start in the middle of the week) we are headed to Founding Farmers and Veritas Wine Bar for a reunion of old friends from out of town.

Thursday I'll miss the Red Bull Art of a Can grande opening because I'll be at Social in Columbia Heights as they host DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative Grand Opening Charity Benefit. Tickets are $50 at the door and include open bar and select items from their menu so I hope you will join me if your schedule permits.

Saturday we are heading back to Lucketts, Virginia for some vintage and antique shopping before we attend the Fifth Annual Ride to Thrive Polo Classic benefiting the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP).

Tickets for this event are priced from $125 or $160 for a couple and available for online purchase HERE. This includes open bar catering by Design Cuisine, Georgetown cupcake, an open bar and entry for both polo matches.

Also on the agenda for this weekend is the Old Town Food and Wine Festival on Sunday. You can purchase a $30 "taster's ticket" to the festival where you'll receive unlimited tastings from all participating wineries, fine arts and fancy foods exhibits and a fabulous line-up of culinary seminars.

And lastly, Sunday head over to Sweetgreen's Block Party with US Royatly, DJ Chris Burns and Beautiful Swimmers. I've heard all three before so you're in for some musical pleasure. Stay out late, maybe hit up ESL for Sam the Man Burns, because Monday is a holiday and I feel a little golf outing coming on. Have to get some tee time in before this nice weather leaves us for the year. Have a great weekend all because DC This Week is on a break.

Virginia Gold Cup is 2 Weeks Away!

Get the full skinny and learn more about the October 17th event and buy tickets HERE. One of of the best races of the season!

DC Modern Luxury Hosts Fall Trend Preview at Neiman Marcus this Saturday

According to Glamazon Diaries, DC Modern Luxury magazine editor Karen Sommer Shallet is hosting a Fall Trend Preview on Saturday, October 10 at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria. Preview the hottest looks from the fall 09 runways and get to shopping after the preview. You must RSVP by October 8th in order to attend to rsvpdc@modernluxury.com

Have the Culinary Skills to Master Top Chef?

Every season the bar gets higher, every season it means more to be the one on top. Do you have what it takes to be the next TOP CHEF? Do you KNOW you could mop the kitchen floor with the chefs on Bravo's smash hit competition series? Well, this could be your chance to do it! They are NOW CASTING for Top Chef Season 7 in DC.

Chefs with a passion for food, creativity, a thorough knowledge of cooking techniques and trends and oodles of charisma are what they are looking for. They want talented, experienced chefs with that flare that puts you over the top. Get the full skinny HERE.

SPA Week Begins Next Monday with $50 Treatments Across the Area

See the list of each participating SPA HERE. Advanced reservations are highly recommended and all treatments are just $50. Deals through October 18th.

My Night at the Theatre

Last night I had the pleasure of going to one of my favorite restaurants in the District and the theatre. We started off at Co. Co. Sala. where I continue to be amazed every time I eat there. We had shrimp mac-n-cheese, tuna tartar and something new, a parmesan cheese trio that included a parmesan shot and flat bread topped with figs and melted parmesan. It was like being in cheese heaven.

After we finished off dinner (with a peanut butter cocoa "to go") we rounded the corner and headed for Ford’s Theatre to see the production “Black Pearl Sings”. The story is set in a Louisiana prison and Greenwich Village and though miles apart and light-years between the two societies, Pearl’s journey from a 10 year prison term to the performance stages of New York was enlightening.

Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins made her Ford’s Theatre debut in the title role with Erika Rolfsrud as Susannah. Washington director/playwright/actor Jennifer L. Nelson returned to Ford’s to direct for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of “Jitney.”

What I loved most about the performance was the quick whit between the characters and the booming melodic voices of both Pearl and Susannah. And the set design by Tony Cisek was pristine, especially the design of the New York backdrop and their apartment in New York.

Black Pearl Sings is inspired by a true story of singer and guitarist Huddie Ledbetter and musicologist John Lomax. The two met at a Louisiana prison in 1933. Ledbetter grew up in Texas and was in and out of prison and Lomas was a well-known collector of folks songs and traveled throughout the South to collect and record songs for the Library of Congress.

“When a person dies, a library dies with them,” said the character of Susannah (Lomax) in first act of the play. And there began the journey of Susannah and her attempt to capture slave songs by Pearl (Ledbetter). From their together time in the “pen” to the nightlife of Greenwich Village, it was a musical journey.

It has been a while since I'd ventured out to the theatre and it was a true pleasure to begin theatre season with "Black Pearl Sings" in the historic Ford's Theatre.

Tickets for the performance are $25 to $49 HERE and CLICK HERE to learn more about their upcoming season including performances of A Christmas Carol (December) and Little Shop of Horrors (March).

UPDATE! Ford's Theatre is now offering $10 tickets to patrons under the age of 35 for all performances of “Black Pearl Sings” through Oct 18^th. Those interested should use code UNDER35 at Ticketmaster.com or at the Box Office (proof of age required when picking up tickets).

BudgetFab is Giving Away FREE tickets to Shecky's Girls Night Out DC

Shecky's Girls Night Out DC is happening next week, Oct. 13th-15th at DAR Constitution Hall, and the DC-based bloggers behind BudgetFab in my Everdary Reads are giving away 3 pairs of Famous Goodie bag tickets! Enter to win the tickets, goodie bag, indulge in five hours of cocktails, beer pairings, amazing fashion deals, and have the best time ever with your crew! There are three pairs of tickets and 3 ways to win. Click HERE to find out how and win free tickets.

Thursday is the opening night of “Anne Truitt: Perception and Reflection.”

On the opening night of “Anne Truitt: Perception and Reflection,” join the Hirshhorn Museum for a discussion moderated by Tim Gunn, chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne and former student of Truitt’s. Artist Martin Puryear, filmmaker Jem Cohen, photographer John Gossage, and associate curator Kristen Hileman share their unique perspectives on Truitt’s career as artist, professor, and author. These friends and colleagues of the artist reflect upon her important contributions to 20th-century abstraction and the Washington, D.C. arts community. The exhibition will remain open until the panel discussion begins. Admission is free. Tickets for the talk will be distributed on a first-come basis starting at 5:45 p.m. in the lobby.

Admission is free. Tickets will be distributed on a first come basis starting at 5:45 pm in the lobby. Additional seating and a live broadcast of the program will be available in the Lerner Room.

Meet Betsey Johnson this Thursday at her Georgetown Store for the Betsey's Pink Cadillac Tour

Sweetgreen Barcode Block Party with Beautiful Swimmers and US Royalty This Sunday

Vogue Daily Gives You The Definitive Look at Paris Fashion Week

Catch the full skinny HERE.

Washingtonian has the skinny on a potential addition to the Real Housewives of DC.

Get the full skinny HERE on Sotheby's realtor Stacie Turner, one of the top one percent of residential realtors in the nation according to her website. If the word on the street reigns true, bravo Bravo, for actually being realistic about the make-up of the District.

DJ Stylus and Chris Burns Rock Local 16 this Wednesday. So fresh.

What a Packed Social Calendar Means for Thursday

I'll miss the Red Bull Art of a Can grande opening this Thursday because of a packed "Social" calendar. I hope you all will join me at the newly opened Social in Columbia Heights as they host DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative Grand Opening Charity Benefit. The DC Collaborative has had a long ten year tenure here in the District and proceeds from tickets benefit the Collaborative to ensure that underserved DC public school students experience from the region’s rich array of arts and humanities. In the 2009 school year, more than 32,000 students and teachers will visit DC cultural institutions through their program.

So move around a few things in your social calender and support arts in the District and the young DC public school students who need arts and humanities the most.

Hosted at Social
Columbia Height's Newest Restaurant and Lounge
1400 Meridian Pl, NW
Washington, DC 20001

October 8th, 2009
6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Tickets to this invite only event are $50 per person at http://social14.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn
Includes passed hors d'oeuves and select spirits

Red Bull Art of Can exhibit coming October 8th - 19th

Conversation will go way beyond politics this fall as the Red Bull Art of Can exhibit opens October 8 - 19 and showcases a wide variety of art made from recycled materials. The exhibit gets sworn in at Union Station, where a collection of 56 pieces will be on display, including a 14-foot bull, an 8-foot octopus and the familiar donkey and elephant representing our fellow Democrat and Republican parties.

The Red Bull Art of Can competition challenges artists to construct pieces created with or inspired by Red Bull Energy Drink and Red Bull Simply Cola cans. Innovative artists – professional and amateur – submitted their designs for consideration. Red Bull cans used for the pieces ranged from one to 4000! Ultimately 56 pieces were selected to be a part of the DC Collection. The featured artists are creative types of all ages and occupations – from students to industrial designers and sales professionals to teachers.

The exhibit is located in the main lobby of Union Station and the free event runs October 8 – 19th. For more information, including a preview of the art or to vote online for “People’s Choice Award" CLICK HERE.

A Night at Ford’s Theatre

Tuesday is a pretty big night with "Walk this Way" taking place for Becky's Fund. The Affinia Hotel will certainly be packed with celebs, fashion forward DCers and the like. More on that and how to buy tickets HERE.

I will miss this one as I have tickets to the Ford’s Theatre to see a production of Black Pearl Sings! by Frank Higgins Tuesday night.

Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline or Change, Jelly’s Last Jam) makes her Ford’s Theatre debut in the title role with Erika Rolfsrud as Susannah. Washington director/playwright/actor Jennifer L. Nelson returns to Ford’s to direct for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of “Jitney.”

Black Pearl Sings! includes the story of Susannah, a song collector for the Library of Congress, who travels the country seeking little-known melodies. When she encounters Pearl in a Texas prison, she discovers dozens of musical treasures rooted in the African tradition. Pearl must decide whether to give away her ancestors’ songs for a chance at her own freedom. Music unites strangers in a powerful story that illuminates America’s racial divisions and the attempts of two women to bridge them.

I'll be sure to have a recap of the show for you all come Wednesday, but in the mean time I suggest you CLICK HERE to learn more about Ford’s Theatre's upcoming season including performances of A Christmas Carol (December) and Little Shop of Horrors (March).

DC Charity Spotlight: Young Playwrights' Theater

At Young Playwrights' Theatre young peoples' voices count. But finding those voices takes some serious work: reading, writing, editing, revising; listening, comprehending, speaking; improving vocabulary, working on grammar, honing that spelling--all these are key to the process of finding the writer inside. So what's the motivation? At YPT it's knowing that self expression means power--the power to create worlds and share those worlds with others, to turn monologues and scenes into real plays, to see the best of those plays produced and performed for others--at schools, nursing homes, and performing arts centers--to learn that "playwright" is a word that might indeed mean "me."

Younger children meet after school, transforming into literature the issues facing their neighborhoods. High school students participate in a program that is woven into the curriculum, working with significant artists (like Helen Hayes award winner and founder/artistic director Karen Zacarias) and then taking the best of their work on the Youth or Dare Tour. Literacy improves, language becomes an important tool for conflict resolution, at-risk youth gain access to the arts, and student performance in school improves. "Writing can change you," says one YPT student playwright, "and it can change others, too." Now isn't that a vision worth nourishing?

David Snider,

Producing Artistic Director & CEO 2437 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 202-387-9173 www.yptdc.org

Express' Best Of 2009

In the past 24 hours I think I've received at least 20 or so emails from various restaurants, bars, spas and the like in DC asking me to vote them as Best of in the Express' Best Of 2009 competition.

From now through Friday, Oct. 16, you can vote for your favorite D.C.-area people, places and things in more than 100 categories; the finalists in those categories were chosen by Express readers last month. The winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 6, in a special issue of Express.

First Lady Obama Makes a Color Statement in Copenhagen

Catch the full skinny HERE at Mrs. O.

Home & Design Magazine gives you Washington-area shopping districts to help you outfit your home in style

Get the full skinny HERE, but here is a preview of some of my favorite designer stores from their list that should be on your radar.

Bethesda, Maryland
The Blue House is a cheerful store jam-packed with jewelry, gifts and home items such as glasses and pillows representing the 50 states by Cat Studio; kitchen gadgets, including brightly painted salt shakers and pepper mills by Katiedid Studio; aprons; cookbooks; area rugs and furniture by Maine Crossings and Tradewinds. More gift shop than furniture store, it’s a good place to find unique home accessories. 7770 Woodmont Avenue; www.thebluehousebethesda.com

U Street Corridor
Goodwood carries 19th-century American furniture and decorative accessories with a hipster attitude. The roomy store has a well-priced collection of hardwood tables, statuary, frames and fun accessories like a giant electric clock salvaged from an apartment lobby. 1428 U Street; www.goodwooddc.com

At artsy Muléh the organic forms of designer Kenneth Cobonpue are standouts. Notable is the sculptural “Croissant” collection of tables and chairs made from hand-sculpted steel covered with abaca rope. Don’t miss the collection of Ango lamps. The “Chrysalis Sky” floor lamp sports a shade comprised of white silk cocoons. This store is like an art gallery where you get to play with the art. Or wear it. The clothing collection is in the back. 1831 14th Street; www.muleh.com

Miss Pixie’s is a fun stop for used furniture and accessories. The eclectic finds can range from “vintage” Ikea chairs in molded gray plastic and bright orange metal to a pair of leather armchairs. 1626 14th Street; www.misspixies.com
Vastu has an eco-friendly bent, showcasing contemporary furnishings by Steven Anthony, Knoll and David Edward, along with EcoSmart fireplaces. Vastu has an in-house design center, and can customize furnishings for individual spaces and color schemes. 1829 14th Street; www.vastudc.com

Cady’s Alley
Contemporaria doubles as a full-service design firm owned by architect Deborah Kalkstein, and a showroom with a well-edited selection of modern furniture, lighting and accessories on display. www.contemporaria.com

Wednesday Patio Barbeque Feasts @ Art & Soul

Every Wednesday (while the weather is grand) throughout the fall, Art and Soul will host Patio Barbeque Feasts, where guests can enjoy southern BBQ while cozying up to the outdoor fire pit as the seasons change and the fall foliage arrives.

The Patio Barbeque Feast will include a plate piled high with a variety of barbequed delights including Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Beef Brisket, Carolina Barbeque Wings, Coleslaw, Cornbread, Baked Beans, and a duo of unique barbeque sauces – Carolina and traditional flavors.

The meal is $25 per person.

Additionally, Art and Soul serves will offer new autumn brews including Alewerks Tavern Ale, Duck-rabbit Milk Stout, Penn Brewing Weizen, and Old Dominion Octoberfest. Buckets of six 7 oz. “nips” are also available for $14. Thanks to Greg's List for the skinny.

5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
415 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 393-7777

Going Out Guru's Has the Skinny on the Reserve on L

Check out Fritz Hahn's recap from Going Out Guru's HERE.

Taste of Georgetown Coming October 10th

Save some room, and the date, for Washington, D.C.’s premier food and wine festival of the year, the Taste of Georgetown, a Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) event and benefit for the Georgetown Ministry Center. Set to take place on Saturday, October 10^th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and located along Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., the Taste of Georgetown promises to entice taste buds around Washington with samplings of high-end cuisine from regionally recognized restaurants.

Participating restaurants include 1789, Agraria Farmers & Fishers, Georgetown Cupcake, Four Seasons Hotel’s Bourbon Steak, Café Bonaparte, Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge, Chadwicks, Fahrenheit Restaurant, Bangkok Joe’s, Mie N Yu, Dean & Deluca, Nick’s Riverside Grille, Mie N Yu, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Ristorante Piccolo and more! Entry into the wine pavilion is $10, individual tasting tickets are $5, and a packet of five tasting tickets are $20. Taste of Georgetown tasting tickets will be available for purchase on TasteofGeorgetown.com in mid-September.

Sponsors of the event include Marten’s Volkswagen, Foley and Lardner, LLP, Bank of Georgetown, Washingtonian Magazine, and Washington CityPaper.

Tonight Sorted with DJ Stereofaith and US Royalty DJ Set @ The Cat Backstage

SOVA Sessiosn Tonight @ SOVA Wine and Espresso Bar

Designer Tashia Senn Preview Night @ Studio Gallery In Dupont this Saturday

Designer Tashia Senn invites you Saturday night to preview the launch of her signature line of women's evening wear TASHIA SENN COLLECTIONS. RSVP's are requests to pr@tashiasenn.com

The event will be a gathering of DC's fashion advocates, city leadership, Hill fashionistas and fellow creatives set amidst the charming two-story Studio Galleryin Dupont Circle. Chef Teddy Folkman of Granville Moores and Capitol Lounge has assembled a team of Atlas District Chefs who will offer light appetizers and desserts paired with complimentary cocktails.

Studio Gallery
7:30 to 11 p.m.
2108 R St NW # 2
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 232-8734

DC This Week Announces Its Winners for the Old Town Food and Wine Festival Tickets

I love giving away free things! And today DC This Week is happy to give readers Erin and Leigh both a set of FREE tickets to the Old Town Food and Wine Festival coming next weekend. Though we received loads of entries, Erin and Leigh were selected for the best memories they sent in at a Virginia restaurant and winery.

See their stories below, but for those of you who didn't win the free tickets you can also purchase a $30 "taster's ticket" to the festival where you'll receive unlimited tastings from all participating wineries, fine arts and fancy foods exhibits and a fabulous line-up of culinary seminars. Restaurants all over Old Town will be hosting Dine With Virginia Wine specials throughout the weekend too. To see a full list of all participating restaurants, including my beloved Vermilion and Majestic CLICK HERE.

Leigh's best memory at Virginia winery, Barrell Oaks............
My favorite Virginia winery is Barrel Oaks Winery (BOW) —hands down. A coworker recommended BOW to me so I packed up the car with my dog and 3 friends and made the trek from DC. We went on a Saturday afternoon and arrived around 4pm. When we drove up the hill to the winery, we nearly lost our minds over the view. We noticed a lovely patio with about 10 dogs and their owners, a bar and several tables. We started off with a tasting inside the beautifully crafted barn and then we ordered some sangria and found a spot out to the patio. It was such a relaxing evening. There was also a food cart outside from a restaurant called Local 657. They served locally grown, organic burgers, bean dips, cheese plates, tomatoes and mozzarella and the list goes on. Their food was excellent. This was one of the best Saturday's that I've had since I've lived in the DC area and I think my dog would say the same.

Erin's best memory at Old Town staple Restaurant Eve...................

My favorite Virginia restaurant is Restaurant Eve. Everything about my dining experience there for my boyfriends birthday was perfect. His cocktail and my wine were amazing. The bread - which I'm not usually a huge fan of - was so incredible we had to ask them to stop bring us more, we were unable to resist! We had a fabulous meal with fresh and creative dishes. The best part, however, was really the service and attention to detail. When I made the reservation on OpenTable, I noted that it was for my boyfriend's birthday. Neither of us mentioned it that night, but Restaurant Eve remembered. They not only brought out the most adorable miniature birthday cake - complete with pink frosting, sprinkles and a candle - they also gave him a gift of a homemade dry mix to make scones (just add heavy cream) and pats of Irish butter. From start to finish, we had a fabulous experience with incredible food.

Fenton Street Market Day in Downtown Silver Spring this Saturday

Having lived in Silver Spring during most of my time in the District, it's a bit sad I'll be moving soon and becoming a full-blown non-voting DC resident. So this Saturday from 9 to 2 p.m. I'll be venturing out to the Fenton Street Market Day. If you're in the Maryland area, or want to hop on the metro, venture out for a bazaar of fine, unusual, handcrafted, and imported products to downtown Silver Spring. More details HERE and list of exhibitors.

Taste of Bethesda this Saturday

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, the 20th annual Taste of Bethesda, Bethesda's famous food and music festival, brings 50 restaurants and four stages of entertainment to Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. Each year, more than 40,000 attendees sample the delicious restaurants, enjoy the live entertainment and visit the kid's corner for face painting and cookie decorating.

Admission / Tickets
Admission to the Taste of Bethesda is free. Taste tickets will be sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets.

The event is held along Norfolk, Fairmont, St. Elmo, Cordell and Del Ray Avenues in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. Taste of Bethesda is located just three blocks from the Bethesda Metro.

The annual Taste of Bethesda is held in conjunction with Best of Bethesda Day, which also features Come Back to Bethesda classic car show and Rescue Day.

DC This Week Wants Your Feedback!

As a reader of DC This Week we welcome your feedback and ask that you take this short reader survey. We would like to know more about our readers and how we can better enhance this site. CLICK HERE to take this short 2 minute survey and provide your feedback.

FREE Ticket Giveaway from DC This Week to the Old Town Food and Wine Festival October 10th and 11th

I can't wait for the Old Town Food and Wine Festival coming October 10th and 11th and I have two FREE tickets for a lucky DC This Week reader to attend the festival next month. So here's the challenge to you readers for your chance to win these free tickets.........

Tell me what's your favorite Virginia restaurant or Virginia winery and about your experience your first time there. I'll select the best response and gift you the free tickets for you and a friend. Send me your response by Friday October 2nd to dcthisweek@gmail.com.

My best memory is my birthday dinner this year with my girlfriends at Farrah Olivia by Chef Morou Ouattara. Sadly, Farrah, named after his daughter, closed this summer, but just this past August Chef Morou and and his brother Amadou, formerly of I'Ricchi opened a new Italian restaurant and lounge in Crystal City named Kora, named after his youngest daughter. Check out the Washington Post's Tom Sietsema's write up in his First Bite column HERE.

I also plan on attending Old Town Food and Wine Festival that Sunday (since the Ride to Thrive Polo Cup is taking place that Saturday) but for those of you who don't win the free tickets you can also purchase a $30 "taster's ticket" to the festival where you'll receive unlimited tastings from all participating wineries, fine arts and fancy foods exhibits and a fabulous line-up of culinary seminars. Restaurants all over Old Town will be hosting Dine With Virginia Wine specials throughout the weekend too.

To see a full list of all participating restaurants, including my beloved Vermilion and Majestic CLICK HERE.

The Final COOLOUT is this Sunday @ the Beacon Hotel. Say Goodbye DC.....Forever

DC Record Fair this Sunday @ Comet Ping Pong

Free Night of Theater Tickets Released Today @ Noon

This fall, theatres throughout the Washington, DC area will join with theatres in communities across the country for the fifth annual Free Night of Theater, an exciting initiative to bring new audiences into our nation's theatres.

Free Night of Theater is an unprecedented effort initiated by Theatre Communications Group (TCG) to attract new audiences to live, professional theatre across the country. The goal of the program is to encourage ‘first-timers’ to see their first live theatre performance while giving regular theatregoers a chance to attend theatres they haven’t been to before. The Washington, DC area is one of 35 states and communities nationwide participating in Free Night of Theater in 2009

Click here for participating theatres and ticket information and for performances and times

Online reservations for Free Night of Theater will be available beginning at 12noon on Thursday, October 1, 2009. All reservations must be made through the website; no telephone or email orders will be accepted.

Get Ready for Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair this Saturday

Check out the Crafty Bastards in the vendor gallery and read about super awesome products you'll find at the show on the Crafty blog. Don't forget to pick your favorite vendor and vote for them in the Craftiest Bastard contest.

Now in its 6th year, Crafty Bastards(sm) Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper. The fair is all-day, outdoors, free to attend, and will offer goods for sale, food, entertainment, prizes, and more! Crafty Bastards will take place Saturday, October 3, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Nadastrom EP Release Party this Friday at the Warehouse Late Night