WARREN G. HARDING was widely considered to be one of our worst presidents. He boozed and gambled his way through the White House — oh, and did we mention the numerous affairs he allegedly engaged in?
Harding rocketed to the presidency in a landslide often attributed to his glowing media coverage. The press took up his slogan of "Return to Normalcy," and championed his campaigning methods, while movie stars of the day agreed to stump for him. It was the beginning of the celebrity candidate phenomenon, though it's likely that today's press wouldn't ignore his drinking problems and various extramarital dalliances.
It's from this undeserved fame that Landless Theatre Company drew the concept: Harding as an actual rock star, complete with jumpsuit, keytar and cocaine. This isn't history, but it's massively entertaining, well-produced and excitingly performed. Plus, Napoleon does cocaine! You won't see that at the Shakespeare Theatre.
» DCAC, 2438 18th St. NW; through Nov. 30, $18. (Woodley Park)
Photo courtesy Amanda Williams
WHETHER YOU GREET George W. Bush's departure from office with joy, sadness or ambivalence, it's hard to deny that he's had an impact on our fair city, so it's only fitting that we find a way to say goodbye. And, hey, if you're trying to find a way to ask out that cute girl who volunteers for Obama, you could do worse than proposing a satirical farewell to Prez 43. Here's how you can do it.
Start out at the Cactus Cantina, a classic spot for D.C. Mexican food (yes, it exists here, sort of) and reportedly one of the president's favorite restaurants. Sure, there are myriad barbecue joints you could try as well, but they aren't very clean and you might end up with some terrible infection, like trichinosis or a War in Iraq or something.
Of course, the centerpiece of the evening will be seeing "W." at the AMC Loews Uptown. Try to catch the 7:55 show — dinner will have to be a little early since the theater is a ways away from the Cantina, but it'll leave you time later to grab dessert and discuss the cinematic antics of Oliver Stone and the ethical implications of judging history before the story is over.
TEXAS IN SOUTHEAST? Yee-haw! Alaska in Northwest? You betcha. For the fifth year, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's 50 States and 13 Colonies Ride lets D.C. denizens explore the nation's nifty fifty within D.C.'s borderlines.
Head to Adams Morgan's Walter Pierce Park this Saturday (8-9 a.m.) to pick up a cue sheet for directions to the 63-mile adventure that'll have you zig-zagging throughout the District. There's no real rhyme or reason to the course, says event planner Henry Mesias — you'll fly down a steep hill only to sharply turn to huff and puff up another — but this is not "for the person who just rides on the Capital Crescent or Mount Vernon trails," he says. "This is for someone who is completely comfortable riding in the streets." Unlike the recent Bike D.C., which had roads blocked off for the family-friendly ride, this event is unsupported. Cyclists should be prepared to pedal with weekend traffic. Still, there will be three pits stops along the way (for water refills, Clif Bars and road assistance). And those who register by tomorrow (Waba.org, prices vary) have the option of ordering a California Tortilla burrito lunch — not a bad idea since Mesias says it'll take five to seven hours to finish. Too long? Try the 13 Colonies Ride instead, which clocks in at 15 miles. And if patriotic athleticism isn't enough to inspire you, perhaps the draft specials and food discounts at the 4-7 p.m afterparty at Bourbon (2348 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-625-7770) will. Ride on.
Photo courtesy of WABA
ZOOS NEED MONEY, guys. Pandas cannot eat high ideals. Actually, they can't eat money either. Got any spare bamboo?
As a fundraiser, the zoo is bringing together everyone's two favorite things: red pandas and alcohol!
More than 20 local breweries have contributed beers for Brew at the Zoo, a beer tasting meant to help out all those animals being kept in tiny enclosures. See how cute this little red panda is? He wants you to drink that IPA and give him a dollar. How can you resist?
» National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW; Thu., Aug. 21, 6 p.m., $55 of $40 for FONZ members; 202-633-3026. (Woodley Park)
Photo be Alex Wong/Getty Images
IT MIGHT BE BAD NEWS in the short term, but good news in the long run for commuters and late night revelers who frequent Adams Morgan: The District Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin work on the Adams Mill Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvement Project on Thursday.
According to a DDOT press release, the scope of work will include Adams Mill Road NW between 18th Street and Lanier Place, and Columbia Road NW between 18th Street and Euclid Street.
The work will including resurfacing and realignment of the roadway, construction of curbs and gutters, traffic signal upgrades, conversion of fire hydrants and streetlight upgrades.
Continue Reading "DDOT to Begin Pedestrian Improvements in Adams Morgan" »
JUST WHEN YOU thought they couldn't find anything else to musicalize, along comes something that ... ahem ... blows your socks off.
Welcome to "Debbie Does Dallas," the musical. Based on an ... ahem ... independent film of the 1970s, this good-natured show chronicles the trials of a cheerleader who needs money to journey to Texas and pursue her dream job: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
» D.C. Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW; Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., $15-$18; 202-462-7833. (Woodley Park)
Photo by Carol Rosegg
NOW THAT IT'S — finally — starting to feel like summer, the Omni Shoreham Hotel is opening the gates to its pool for happy hour.
Every Thursday throughout the dog days (well, at this point they're still only puppies) of summer, the Code Orange Happy Hour will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Guests can swim, bask in the sun and enjoy a slushy orange beverage.
Wade in the shallow end, which is surrounded by beach chairs and resort-style plants. There is a $15 cover charge, which includes entry to the pool, use of the locker room and sauna facilities and one complimentary drink.
» Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW; Thurdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 202-234-0700. (Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan)
Written by Express contributor Christopher Correa
THOSE WHO DRIVE in Adams Morgan regularly likely know Champlain Street NW well. The two-lane road, which runs parallel to 18th Street and dead ends at the Marie H. Reed Community Learning Center, is typically used as speedy cut-through for motorists in the area — and residents have had enough.
A group of neighbors has organized a petition to get the D.C. Department of Transportation to conduct a transportation audit — part of a process they hope will help to get speeding on the busy backstreet under control. Drivers blow through the street at such a clip, they say, that it's dangerous for those walking nearby with children or pets.
Michal Kisilevitz, a Champlain street resident, is working with her Advisory Neighborhood Commission rep, Wilson Reynolds to gather support for the effort. The two have set up an email address through an Adams Morgan Yahoo group that allows residents to send in their electronic signatures. According to DDOT, the neighborhood has to prove at least 50 percent of the street's residents are in support of the audit for the agency to proceed.
Kisilevitz estimates that that means she needs roughly 100 signatures; as of Wednesday, she's racked up 20.
Continue Reading "Champlain Street Residents Look to Slow Down Speeding Cars" »
TWO WEEKS AGO, after 29 uninterrupted years in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, I finally moved within the D.C. limits.
In an attempt to fully explore my new urban existence, I decided to chronicle a typical late spring Friday night along the 18th Street corridor in my new neighborhood, Adams Morgan.
I knew I was in for challenging sidewalk navigation, rampant bralessness and lots of discarded pizza. I thought I might witness a drunken scuffle, some particularly egregious sexual harassment and a sobbing girl or two.
But I underestimated Adams Morgan.
Suffice it to say, the bodily fluids I had feared I would encounter turned out to be a lot less menacing than the one that I did.
(And even though 12 a.m. is technically Saturday, not Friday — please, just roll with it, people.)
Continue Reading "A.M. in the A.M.: A Friday Night in Adams Morgan" »
IF YOU HAVE the kids this weekend, try the National Zoo's Weekend Family Festival in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. You will learn about birds and how they ... you know ... migrate. Or something. They're pretty!
In the meantime, you (and the kiddies) will learn about global warming, bird banding, and how to help migratory birds.
» National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW; Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., free; 202.633.4800. (Woodley Park)
Photo by Jessie Cohen/Smithsonian's National Zoo
Addison Road