Seamus
@ Dupont Circle
Q:If your dog was a celebrity, who would it be?
A:"He's Seamus. He's a celebrity within himself."
WHAT A SWELL party it is to spend time with Noel Coward's witty, well-dressed 1920s bohemians in the Shakespeare Theatre Company's "Design for Living."
Sure, the 70-plus years since the Brit bon mot-slinger penned the comedy have diminished its power to shock but taken away none of the pleasure of watching its artistic freethinkers trade witty barbs and jump in and out of the sack with each other.
The setup is simple: Three twentysomething pals — Otto, Leo and Gilda — hang out, drink up and hook up in Jazz Age Paris, London and New York. Their creative pursuits — Gilda's an interior designer, Otto's a painter, and Leo's a playwright — provide some of the play's juice. The scandal comes from continual partner-swapping. What starts off as a Gilda-and-Otto romance morphs into every other imaginable pairing short of a threesome.
Continue Reading "Mad About the Boys: 'Design for Living'" »
'Monsieur Verdoux'
Charlie Chaplin stepped away from his silent comic persona and into controversy with 1947's dark comedy "Monsieur Verdoux." Part Bluebeard tale, part modern serial-killer story, this feature comes to the National Gallery of Art on Saturday.
» National Gallery of Art, 600 constitution Ave. NW; Sat., May 23, 2:30 p.m., free; 202-842-6799. (Archives-Navy Memorial)
Boyle Before the Oscar
Danny Boyle is known for splashy films with a big heart, like a little thing called "Slumdog Millionaire." But the British director's lower-budget days produced small gems such as 1994's "Shallow Grave," showing on Friday and Sunday (through May 28) as part of AFI Silver's Films of Danny Boyle showcase.
» AFI Silver, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring; through July 1; 301-495-6700. (Silver Spring)
THURSDAY: So you missed the celebrity-soaked premiere of "Night at the Museum 2" last week. We've got something cooler for you: a midnight show at the IMAX theater in the Museum of Natural History.
You won't see Ben Stiller, but you'll get that insider thrill from being inside the Smithsonian after it's closed. The screening is preceded by a short film, "Pulse."
» National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Ave. NW; Thu., May 21, 11 p.m., $15; 202-633-3030. (Federal Triangle)
Photo courtesy 20th Century Fox
THURSDAY: Meet General George, left; General George, meet your public. The National Aquarium in the Department of Commerce building is one of D.C.'s gems, and its new star is this fella right here, an Arothron hispidu, or stars and stripes puffer fish. Drop by and help the General feel at home in his new digs — a sunken replica wing and prop engine of a World War II F4U-1 Corsair, and a whole lot of coral.
» National Aquarium, 14th Street & Constitution Ave. NW; $7 general admission; $6 seniors and military; $3 children ages 2-10; younger than 2, free, 202-482-2825. (Federal Triangle)
Written by Express' Arion Berger
V-Day Cooking Class
Do you and your boo like to get hot and heavy in the kitchen? The Oz in the Doubletree Inn in Bethesda is featuring a couples cooking class taught by executive chef Timothy Jones this weekend, with a focus on preparing healthy, simple foods using local ingredients. Learn how to work with aphrodisiacs like oysters, figs, asparagus and chocolate. The class includes complimentary refreshments, recipe cards and a special gift.
» 8120 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; Sat., Feb. 7, 2-5 p.m., $50; 301-652-2000. (Bethesda)
Continue Reading "Eat It Up for Valentine's: Feast On Flirting" »
FRIDAY: Though he won't be taking a job as "Climate Czar" in the new administration, Al Gore's still a Washington power player. He bounced back from what-might-have-been-a-defeat-but-let's-face-it-probably-not and spread the gospel of global warming across the land, turning himself from a failed candidate to an eco-movement celebrity in no time. He'll be hosting the Green Inaugural Ball at the Smithsonian American Art Museum the night before Barack Obama is sworn in — but it's invitation only, and it's definitely sold out.
Worry not! Event Emissary, D.C's green-friendly event planning company, is giving their own "green tie" event — and yes, they invited Al Gore, though he may be busy saving the whales or something. Attendees can munch organic food, watch a live performance by Wyclef Jean and feel really good knowing their plates will be recycled at the end of the night.
Tickets can be purchased here.
» Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW; Fri., Jan. 16, 8 p.m, $500-1,000; 202-367-5575 (Federal Triangle)
Photo Courtesy Mark Mainz
Written by Tahirah Hairston
IF WASHINGTON, D.C., had a Statue of Liberty just for inauguration season, her plaque would read, "Give me your hungry, your footsore, your crowded masses yearning to warm up ...."
While it's great to be a part of history, particularly on an occasion as momentous as the inauguration of Barack Obama, America's 44th president and its first half-black one, witnessing the Jan. 20 event is also going to be chock-full of inconvenience. Transportation? Oy. Bathrooms? Ha! Sight lines? Fuggedaboutit. And should the celebrating citizen get peckish — actually, we can help you there.
Below is a list of our top 15 restaurants within walking distance from your hotel/friend's house/sleeping bag or the Mall itself. In the spirit of change, hope and other vaguely delicious promises, we vow that if we can help fill one American's belly on Jan. 20, we will have done our part.
UPSCALE
1. Poste
Earth-conscious visitors to the nation's capital will be blown away by Poste's uber-sustainable approach to contemporary American fare. Outside is an organic garden from which the chef plucks ingredients. Even the wine list is filled with excellent sustainable varietals.
» 555 8th St. NW; 202-783-6060. (Gallery Place-Chinatown)
2. Oya
Fantastic Asian-fusion food is served up by a friendly and attentive (but not too attentive) waitstaff. Arrive for happy hour to feast on reasonably priced, delectable sushi and cocktails on special. If you're there for dinner, ask about its three-course fixed price specials.
» 777 9th St. NW; 202-393-1400. (Gallery Place-Chinatown)
3. Rasika
This upscale Indian restaurant offers inventive takes on everything from tandoori chicken to street food such as papri chaat. At the bar, you'll find creative cocktails, and a nice beer and wine selection. Try the bright green French beer--La Verte from Brasserie Du Mont Blanc.
» 633 D St. NW; 202-637-1222. (Archives-Navy Memorial)
Continue Reading "Food Nation: Nearby Inauguration Eateries" »
DID YOU THINK the National Christmas Tree stood alone on the Ellipse? Nope. You can also see the National Menorah and the National Yule Log. And neither is nearly as ugly as the National Christmas Tree, which always looks like Martha Stewart drank too much neon and threw up on the White House lawn.
Anyway, Hanukkah begins on Monday, and so the National Menorah lights its first candle Sunday night. There are so many reasons you should go:
» You haven't been to temple in a while.
» You might spot Rahm Emanuel there.
» They'll be serving latkes!
You do have to order tickets (they're free). There's a form here. Don't forget to wear your yarmuclaus!
» The Ellipse, 1600 Constitution Ave. NW; Sun., Dec. 21, 4 p.m., free but tickets are required; 202-332-5600. (Federal Triangle)
Photo by Robert A. Reeder/The Washington Post
ADD A DROP OF "TOP CHEF" PERSONALITY WITH a dash of "Iron Chef" moxie. Simmer, slowly stir in 40 D.C.-area restaurants. Reduce quickly to five rising culinary stars before sprinkling with hosts Ted Allen and Chef Jose Andres. Voila! You've got a delectable and delightful Capital Food Fight on your hands.
Served up at the Ronald Reagan Building, the 6 p.m. event is a fundraiser for D.C. Central Kitchen, a non-profit that aims to get the homeless back on their feet through training in the culinary arts.
They're not the only beneficiaries -- so is your stomach. As Barton Seaver (Jaleo, Hook, TackleBox) defends his title on the main stage against appetizing adversaries such as David Deshaies (Michel Richard Citronelle) and Tony Conte (The Oval Room), local eateries will dish up goodies fit for even the most discerning foodie's palate.
» Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 202-312-1399. (Federal Triangle)
Photo by James M. Thresher/The Washington Post
IN MOST MOVIES — well, in "The Dark Knight," which was so awesome that it erased the memory of all other movies from my brain — when the writer introduces a mystery, he'll resolve it. Or at least try.
In "L'Avventura," the 1960 masterpiece of Italian film that won Michelangelo Antonioni the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, there's a mystery all right. But then everyone just stops caring.
The cinematography is gorgeous, the pacing is slow to the point that it will make you uneasy, and if you haven't seen this movie, you should probably give up your Sunday to it. The National Gallery is holding a free screening.
» National Gallery of Art, 600 Constitution Ave. NW; Sun., Aug. 10, 4:30 p.m., free; 202-737-4215. (Federal Triangle)
Photo courtesy National Gallery of Art
Addison Road