Lacy (winner, Most Affectionate)
@ Dupont Circle
Q:If your dog was a celebrity, who would it be?
A:"Charlize Theron. She's glamorous."
WEDNESDAY: Free shows are becoming harder and harder to find lately. Back in the D.C. punk scene's heyday, one couldn't throw a stick without hitting a free D.I.Y punk show. These days, not so much.
Of course, there are a few exceptions — the Fort Reno summer series or the Petworth house show circuit among them — but it looks like the trend of ponying up $20-$30 to see your favorite band will continue.
Fear not, though. On Wednesday, Crooked Beat Records in Adams Morgan will be throwing a free, all-ages show featuring Baltimore drum-and-bass punk rockers Double Dagger. They don't rely on the electronically tweaked guitars endemic to most punk; their sound sticks to crashing drums and thumping bass.
They are fast, rude — everything a good punk band should be. You won't even miss the guitars.
» Crooked Beat Records, 2318 18th St NW; Wed., June, 17; 7 p.m., free; 202-483-2328. (Woodley Park)
Written by Express' Brian Austin
Photo courtesy Bruce Willen
LANDLESS THEATRE'S NEW new production of "Spooky Dog and the Teen-age Gang Mysteries" may be based on old Saturday morning cartoons, but that doesn't mean it's intended for children.
Just the opposite, says director Andrew Lloyd Baughman: "It's really a show for adults. There's nothing too graphic in it, but I would hope people don't think it's a good family show."
Taking on a sacred, uh, hound of Saturday morning, "Spooky Dog" draws out the barely hidden subtext of the trippy '70s series "Scooby Doo." Fred and Daphne are getting it on, Velma is closeted, and Shaggy and Scooby are stoners with perpetual munchies. "It's riffing on all the unspoken innuendo that's in the whole genre," says Baughman.
THIS WEEKEND: In 2005, the Kansas State Board of Education decided to change its science standards and allow schools to teach the theory of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution. In response, one man invented the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and demanded that his beliefs — which include a convincing theory about pirates and global warming — be taught alongside other religions in schools.
The church caught on among those who love silly things, and now the D.C.A.C. presents "The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant," a late night comedy show in which a teacher is forced to impart Pastafarian myths to her students.
Just so you don't worry, Kansas rejected the new science standards in 2007. Science wins again!
» D.C. Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW; through April 25, $15; 202-462-7833. (Woodley Park)
Photo by Martha Wright/The Washington Post
WITH THEIR DAZZLING stars and radiant sunflowers, Vincent van Gogh's paintings can lighten up the most depressing of rooms. But, sadly, the artist's life itself was marked by darkness. "Vincent" — playing through March 28 at the D.C. Arts Center — implores audiences to ponder this contrast as it questions the meaning behind van Gogh's work, the relationship between insanity and creative genius, and the demands that society makes on an artist.
The moving and meditative play was written by "Star Trek" alum Leonard Nimoy (a man who's dealt with his own artistic identity issues) and is based on both an earlier Phillip Stevens show ("Van Gogh") and hundreds of letters exchanged between the illustrious painter and his brother, Theo.
Continue Reading "Brotherly Love: 'Vincent' at D.C. Arts Center" »
THIS WEEK: Ever wondered what Van Gogh was really like as a person? No? Well, neither had we. But Leonard Nimoy did, and he put together a one-man show, "Vincent" about the life of Vincent Van Gogh as told by his brother, Theo.
The production opening at the D.C. Arts Center is performed by a local actor named B. Stanley, but this work — based on letters between Theo and Vincent and set one week after Vincent's violent death — still has powerful statements to make about art and the burden of genius.
» D.C. Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW; March 4 - March 28, $15-$20, pay-what-you-can preview on Wednesday; 202-462-7833. (Woodley Park)
Photo courtesy National Gallery of Art
VALENTINE'S DAY MAKES WAR, not love. In the early weeks of February, the divide between singles and the coupled-up grows ever wider.
No matter what team you're playing for this year, eat your feelings. Here are some pink and red edibles that you can enjoy solo, with your cuddle bear or with the bros.
We'll start with the King of Red Beverages, the Bloody Mary. Bourbon makes an excellent, heavily garnished version, and we also recommend Logan Tavern's Bloody Mary menu (live a little and try the clamato juice). A less alcoholic tomato-y treat is Jaleo's gazpacho, the perfect introduction to spring.
THE WASHINGTON POST'S late Sunday Source section once published some reader nominations for the D.C. areas most objectionable eyesores. While I am no particular fan of the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, I nonetheless believe there are uglier things in Washington than the local architecture.
Even though the Kennedy Center is a bit boxy and boring, and the Washington Monument has little to offer besides an overstated phallic resemblance, you can always do a lot worse than well-lit white marble.
In tribute to Robert C. Weaver, his embattled Federal Building, and the late Sunday Source, here is my own highly subjective list of things in Washington I would prefer not to look at.
Continue Reading "Monumental Eyesores: The D.C. Area's Most Disgusting Sights" »
PEOPLE WHO VISIT our fine city for the first time this weekend are going to think it is one rockin' metropolis. Late night food, late night drinks, big, rowdy crowds — that's how we do it every weekend, isn't it, D.C.?
Well, maybe not. But as residents of the Inauguration Madness Capital of the World, we deserve to experience home from a new angle while it is simultaneously being mauled by visitors.
Perhaps a late night, sit-down meal is the answer. Not only will many of your favorite drink spots be serving alcohol early into the morning, but you can grab grub at many of the same places at ungodly hours all weekend long. This weekend — no matter what 'hood you're in — skip the Jumbo Slice and treat yourself to some real food.
If you're in the Gallery Place area, hit up Austin Grill for late night tacos and margaritas until 4 a.m. If you're doing your partying in Georgetown, enjoy Old Glory's succulent meats, sides and grandiose sauce selection (as well as their fine bourbons) until 2:30 a.m. We've always thought beef brisket might be the ultimate late night eat.
Finally, if you're in Adams Morgan (where junk food calls to the tipsy), stop into Meze for Turkish and Mediterranean delights you never thought you'd order at 2:51 in the morning. These courageous folks are open and serving food until 3 a.m.
» Austin Grill, 750 E St. NW; 202-393-3776. (Gallery Place)
» Old Glory BBQ, 3139 M St. NW; 202-337-3406.
» Meze, 2437 18th St. NW; 202-797-0017. (Woodley Park)
Photo by Michael Robinson-Chavez
THERE'S NOTHING QUITE like a sandwich that starts with meat roasting on a (upright) spit. It's so primal and, more importantly, so juicy from the nice, slow cooking such a method entails. America has long been familiar with the Greek version of this delicacy, the gyro, and is now cozying up to shawarma, the Middle Eastern version.
If you're in Columbia Heights, Woodley Park, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle or the U Street area, you're walking distance from a tasty, authentic shawarma sandwich. Stop at any of the following eateries for chicken or beef, tahina (sesame) sauce and your choice of other toppings layered on bread.
Continue Reading "Chicken (or Beef) Sandwich for the Soul: Shawarma" »
WEDNESDAY: Every Thursday, you log onto washingtonpost.com/gog and beg for their advice. They know where to dance, where to drink and where to take your vegan aunt with a peanut allergy to brunch. They are the Going Out Gurus, and tonight is your chance to hit up their first ever happy hour.
Guru Rhome Anderson (aka DJ Stylus) will be spinning, $3 beers and $4 bourbons will be for sale, and two tickets to Thievery Corporation's Jan. 30 show will be given away.
You didn't know there was a Jan. 30 show, did ya? Those sneaky, omnipotent GOGs.
» Bourbon, 2321 18th St. NW; Wed., Jan. 7, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., free; 202-332-0800. (Woodley Park)
Photo courtesy DJ Stylus
Addison Road