Meredith Munoz of Pash
@ Fort Reno
Q:What's your song for summer?
A:"'Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before' by the Smiths, hands down."
SATURDAY: When it's not raining buckets, May evenings in the District can actually be pretty serene — a perfect time for couples to take evening strolls along the Mall to sweetly gaze at our marble monuments.
Just one small problem: Blisters while pounding the pavement from one scenic spot to the next aren't so dreamy. For those seeking nocturnal sightseeing with a breezy zip, sign up for the Potomac Pedal Touring Club's Moonlight National Mall Tour on May 16. Ride your bike on this 18-mile excursion that wends its way past the Reflecting Pool, the National Gallery and the Capitol.
Register at the Tenleytown Metro stop at 8 p.m. for excursions that depart at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Head and rear lights are required. Still in a cycling-state of mind when you finish? Cruise over to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's Bike Prom at the Black Cat — just pick up a corsage on the way.
» 4501 Wisconsin Ave. NW, free, Sat., May 16, 8:30 and 9 p.m., free; Bikepptc.org. (Tenleytown)
Photo courtesy Greg Drury
OK, TRY TO follow. The quest for the Holy Grail is on; Europe is suffering under the feudalist system — oh, and it's 1933.
That's the basic outline of "Rex Mundi," Arvid Nelson's complex, ravishing, graphic novel series, illustrated by EricJ. The series stars Dr. Sauniere — handsome, mysterious and totally unprepared for tracking down the sacred relic. The hero's adventures involve intrigue, conspiracy, an ambitious ex-girlfriend and an all-powerful Catholic Church. Excerpts from a French newspaper cleverly expand and illuminate the story.
There will be stacks and stacks of the five volumes of "Rex Mundi" — more are in the works, Nelson promises — at Tenleytown's Fantom Comics on Saturday for Free Comic Book Day. Nelson himself (also the author of "Kull" and "Zero Killer") will be on hand from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 4 to 6 p.m. to sign copies and soak up the friendly, knowledgeable Fantom atmosphere. Best of all, there will be free comics as promised.
Continue Reading "Slim Volumes, Big Fantasies: Free Comic Book Day" »
SUNDAY: To most of us, YouTube is the hub of all things funny and procrastination-worthy. To the finalists of Project: Report, it's a shot at a $10,000 check.
Background: Project: Report (co-sponsored by YouTube and the Pulitzer Center) encouraged aspiring journalists to produce short video pieces focusing on stories that are not usually covered by the media. Now, five finalists have been selected, and this Sunday the public can view their pieces and find out whose video is the fairest of them all. Entrance is free, as is any inspiration you walk away with.
» American University's Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW; Sun., Jan. 11, 7 p.m, free; RSVP at rsvp@pulitzer.center.org. (Tenleytown)
THE WEATHER'S GROWING chilly here in D.C. But with a few quick trips to local watering holes, you can cobble together an international experience to make you forget the dropping temps.
Beginning in Europe, as all culturally insensitive Westerners would, stop at Le Chat Noir. Yes, that means "the black cat," and no, we're not talking about that one. This Friendship Heights bistro serves half-priced wine from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Also, the food is incredible — the steak frites are delicious, but go for some of the less-Americanized food, since this is a place that does authentic French cuisine well.
The best happy hour in D.C. is hiding inside one of its fanciest restaurants: Mie n Yu, in the heart of Georgetown, is an exotic, theatrical dining experience where menus expound in flowery terms on "flavors of the Silk Road" and patrons dine inside of giant birdcages. But from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday, slide into a seat at the bar for a menu of cheap happy hour munchies (the best deal is the bowl of veggie tempura for $2) and a featured cocktail for $5.45. There are also featured cheap beers and a plethora of kind and thoughtful bartenders. What more could you ask?
LET'S GET IT OUT of the way. Jukebox the Ghost, a band of local boys that has relocated to Philly but still plays D.C. often, sounds kind of like Ben Folds. But that's not bad! You like Ben Folds, right?
If you can wade through the high schoolers who like the band's pop sensibilities and the pianist's dreamy eyes, and if you're not in the mood to be depressed, this is the band for you.
(Want to know what the band's life on tour is like? They discussed it with Express contributor Christopher Correa earlier this year.)
» Fort Reno, Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave. NW; Mon., Aug 11, 7:15 p.m., free; 202-673-7647. (Tenleytown-AU)
Photo by Davey Wilson
IF A BAND named after a Beckett character isn't too pretentious for you, congratulations. You're a hipster. Also, you should speed to Fort Reno — don't actually speed. Driving is a privilege, not a right — and see Exit Clov, an indie pop-rock quintet that's rising fast.
Twin lead singers Susan and Emily Hsu will give other famous musical siblings — Tegan and Sarah, the Watson Twins, maybe even Donny and Marie — reason to suit up for battle.
But, you know. Indie battle. With irony.
» Fort Reno, Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave. NW; Mon., Aug 4, 7:15 p.m., free; 202-673-7647. (Tenleytown-AU)
Photo by Dave Vann
ANOTHER MONDAY, another concert at the newly arsenic-free Fort Reno. This week, it's all about Pup Tent, an oddball local band with a rock base and an experimental vibe. You're never sure what's going to come out of this group from one track to the next — listen to the songs on their MySpace page for proof.
Pup Tent is joined by another D.C. staple, RaRa Rasputin. These folks know how to pump an audience up. Finally, North of Canada is also on the bill. And as Fort Reno's Web site explicitly says, you can bring friends, babies and dogs, but leave the booze, glass bottles and drugs at home.
» Fort Reno, Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave. NW; Mon., July 21, 7:15 p.m., free; 202-673-7647. (Tenleytown-AU)
Photo courtesy of Pup Tent
THOSE OF YOU who are new to the area might not be familiar with the grand summer tradition of free concerts at Fort Reno. On a hill somewhere in Tenleytown, funky local bands ... perform. For free. In the summer. Anyway, this was disrupted a month or two ago by the discovery of ARSENIC in the soil at Fort Reno. What is this, I screamed, a park or a lowbrow detective paperback?
But I digress. The venue has been cleared for takeoff and is holding concerts every Monday night. This week, you can catch local garage rockers Death by Sexy (now THAT'S how to leave this world), who'll be rocking out, arsenic-free. Have a listen here and then grab your picnic blanket and hop on the Red Line.
» Fort Reno Park, Chesapeake St. and Nebraska Ave. NW; Mon., 7:15 p.m., free; 703-318-2197. (Tenleytown)
Photo courtesy of Death by Sexy
I REALLY WONDER about people sometimes. From the Tenleytown Yahoo! Group:
Stolen Little Tykes Toddler Slide: Someone took a toddler-sized slide from the small patch of grass behind our apartment on Harrison street this afternoon and my baby is quite disappointed. If you have seen it please return it no questions asked. It has a little bit of yellow paint near the top on the blue part.Seriously, taking a baby's slide? That's kinda hard to justify.
Image courtesy Little Tykes
RESIDENTS NEAR TENLEYTOWN can't seem to catch a break. Just last week, officials closed Fort Reno Park over worries about high levels of arsenic in the soil.
Now, there's another terror from below to fear: rats.
NBC4 had this to say about the apparently worsening problem near the intersection of Wisconsin and Nebraska avenues NW. Be prepared to shudder:
The infestation can be seen day or night, residents said. Rats can be seen in bushes, holes and scurrying alongside homes.There's also video of said rats to go with the NBC4 story. Excessive? Maybe. Creepy? Definitely.Neighbors said the rat problem has been multiplying for months. The health department said the deep and complex maze of boroughs is proof that the small patch of city-owned land has become a big problem.
Continue Reading "Rat Problem Worsens in Northwest D.C. Neighborhood" »
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