SATURDAY: Hey, all you reality TV-lovers out there — sad you haven't spotted the "Real World: DC" cast yet? Lucky for you, Metromix is throwing what could be the party of the night and we've heard rumors that some pretty major reality stars are going to be there.
Local celebs like the cast of the "Real World: DC" and the "Real Housewives of D.C.," as well as Spike Mendelsohn, who competed on "Top Chef" last year and now runs the appropriately-named Good Stuff Eatery downtown, are rumored to be on the guest list. There's also a costume contest that Metromix says will be judged by Real Housewife Michaele Sahali and Krista Johnson of the upcoming local reality series "Blonde Charity Mafia" (which will premiere on the CW in July).
Drink specials throughout the night will give you the confidence to chat up the "Real World" kids — or at least it'll make them bearable.
» Capitol Skyline Hotel, 10 I St. SW.; Sat., Oct. 31, 8 p.m., $10; 202-488-7500. (Navy Yard)
Written by Express' Sarah Mimms
Photo by Dan Zak/The Washington Post
Tamara, 27, is an administrative professional. Warren, 33, is a copywriter. They live in Silver Spring.
» The Main Event: A semiformal event Oct. 17 at the Navy Yard. "We're both military brats. ... Navy Yard has several historic ships and a very nice waterfront setting."
» How They Met: Warren posted an ad on Craigslist looking for friends. Tammy responded. "After a year," he says, "we became a couple, and it's been blissful ever since."
» First Date: They watched "Team America: World Police." "I was waiting for him to show up, and I saw a guy walking in. I thought, 'He's cute, but too bad he isn't my date.' Turned out he was."
SATURDAY: Hope springs eternal, and right now we're hoping that the Washington National Opera's September simulcast doesn't get rained out. There are few things more miserable than trying to get your culture on and watch a live broadcast of a gorgeous, timeless opera when you're squelching through mud and shading your face from D.C.'s signature September drizzle.
This year, the WNO is broadcasting "The Barber of Seville," described by their own Maestro, Placido Domingo (pictured), as "one of the best operas for young people." It's possible that Maestro doesn't know any American young people, but that's another matter.
"Seville" is funny and charming — a good departure for people who hate opera because they think it's all screeching ladies in horned helmets. And even if you get dragged along by your opera-loving kids or whatever, enjoy the pre-game fun: concessions, raffles and giveaways.
» Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE; Sat., Sept. 12, pre-game activities at 5:30 p.m., simulcast begins at 7 p.m., free; 202-572-3057. (Navy Yard)
Photo courtesy Washington National Opera
THURSDAY: This weekend is the eighth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and Nationals Park is memorializing the day at its Nats-Phillies game Thursday night. There will be some on-field homages to firefighters and members of the Alexandria and Arlington fire departments will take to the field before the game.
Additionally, all active military, police, firefighters and EMTs can get half-price tickets to the game, with valid ID.
» Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE; Thu., Sept. 10, 6:45 p.m., $5-$325; 202-675-6287. (Navy Yard)
IF I'D HAVE ONLY THOUGHT of this as a kid, I'd have had a much better time in gym class.
And hey, Washingtonians: you can apparently see this dude — he's Glenn Donnellan of the National Symphony Orchestra — take a swing at the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Nationals Park on Aug. 8.
WEDNESDAY: Combining our two favorite summer activities — pool parties and outdoor movies — is "The Dude Still Abides," a screening of "The Big Lebowski" at the Capitol Skyline Hotel pool tonight.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, and that gets you into the pool with a complimentary White Russian — the Dude's drink of choice. The film starts at sundown, but get there earlier to fraternize with other fans.
» Capitol Skyline Hotel, 10 I St SW; Wed., July 22, 7 p.m., $10-$12; 202-408-3100, Sixthandi.org. (Navy Yard)
Photo courtesy Gramercy Pictures
STARTING ON FRIDAY, the Navy Yard is getting a booster shot of energy, as Artomatic takes on the burgeoning neighborhood. Through July 5, the whirlwind, nomadic event, with its 1,500 artists and performers in tow, is filling a brand-new, 275,000-square-foot office building with all Washington's creative types have to offer.
In its 10-year history, Artomatic has become a D.C. institution. It's provided an alternative venue for local artists, offering a festival that's part art fair, part circus. And since it lacks judges, curators or hierarchy, Artomatic is as democratic as an art show can get.
This mix of participants, for board chair George Koch (who is also an artist), is exactly what makes Artomatic work. He compares the event to the DUMBO arts district in Brooklyn, where artists, dancers, designers and creative types rub shoulders on a day-to-day basis. "In Washington, in the metropolitan area, that's hard to re-create. We don't have the synergy of a neighborhood like DUMBO," says Koch. "Artomatic, in reality, is a substitute for that."
Since more than 50,000 attendees are expected, visitors may be forced to get a little cozy. "It's a densely programmed event and that creates a whole lot of energy throughout the building," says Artomatic president Veronica Szalus, who is also an industrial designer. "It brings everyone in the community together, revolving around the arts, but you don't have to be an artist to be part of Artomatic."
NO BETTER WAY to say farewell to a baseball-filled summer than with the greatest baseball movie of all time. And I say that as someone who has seen "A League of Their Own" and "The Sandlot" enough times that were I to add up all the hours of my life "wasted" on those repeat viewings then I might become incredible depressed about my own mortality.
And speaking of mortality, the greatest baseball movie of all time is the 1942 biopic "Pride of the Yankees," about the life of baseball legend Lou Gehrig. It's sad and it's funny; it's got sports scenes and Irving Berlin songs — and Gary Cooper, that incredible dreamboat of the 1940s.
» Capitol Riverfront at New Jersey Ave SE and Tingey St. SE; Wed., Aug. 20, dusk, free; 202-465-7093. (Navy Yard)
Photo courtesy AFI
PERHAPS YOU READ a recent Express post about "The Sandlot" showing down at the Capitol Riverfront. Well, this wasn't the only peanut-and-cracker-jack flick the folks down there are screening — Wednesdays are baseball themed, so "The Natural" is on deck for tonight.
Robert Redford stars as Roy Hobbs, the athlete with that "natural" penchant for all things baseball. Other cast members include Glenn Close and Kim Basinger. Take the kiddies down and introduce them to a classic American pastime and a classic American actor.
» Capitol Riverfront at New Jersey Ave SE and Tingey St. SE; Wed., Aug. 13, dusk, free; 202-465-7093. (Navy Yard)
Photo courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
IF YOU DIDN'T see "The Sandlot" as a child — well, you know what, neither did I. But when I finally saw it in college, I wept for all the years I had lived without this movie as part of my consciousness.
It's the story of a group of scrappy children playing baseball in their neighborhood sandlot in the 1950s. Once you see it, if you haven't, you'll suddenly understand what people of been quoting all these years.
It's being shown outside, free, as part of the Wednesday night baseball evenings on the Capitol Riverfront. Show up early (6:30 on) to take part in Wii baseball and other baseball themed activities.
» Capitol Riverfront at New Jersey Ave SE and Tingey St. SE; Wed., Aug 6., dusk, free; 202-465-7093. (Navy Yard)
Photo by Jacqueline Dupree
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