Arts & Events

Our Sacred Constitution: Drink Up -- It's the Law

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:59 -0500

ON DEC. 5, the DC Craft Bartenders' Guild is hosting a repeal party featuring Repeal Day Bourbon Punch with Old Forester's Repeal Day Bourbon, December 5th Cocktail with Domaine de Canton Ginger Liquer, and Tom & Jerry with Mt. Gay Rum, St. Remy VSOP and Tom & Jerry batter.

Revenue prices go toward drinks, snacks and a donation to the City Tavern Club's Preservation Fund and the Museum of the American Cocktail.

» City Tavern Club, 3206 M St. NW, Repeal Day Ball, Dec. 5, 8 p.m.-midnight, $80, $90 after Nov. 20.

Written by Express contributor Stefanie Gans
Photo courtesy of Old Forester

Provocateur West Offers His Wisdom: A Reading

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:56 -0500

NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR and Princeton University professor Dr. Cornel West's new book, "Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom," includes a snippet about each of his passions, and there are many. West, known for his provocative teachings on racial justice (including his classic work, "Race Matters") describes the ongoing struggle to balance hope and reality in his new book. West's message is overall a positive one; he promises that change is possible, evident by the groundbreaking election of Barack Obama. West’s collection of quotes, photographs, letters and essays is said to be as inspirational as his speeches. He will discuss his new book on Friday evening at Busboys and Poets.

» Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW; Fri., Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m., free; 202-387-7638. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Katie Litvin
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Marching On: National Museum of American History

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:52 -0500

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY temporarily shut its doors in 2006 to prepare for a two-year, $85 million renovation. On Friday, the museum will officially reopen to show off its brand-new look, complete with a five-story-high skylight and an atrium of glass and white marble. It's now the Beaux Arts building with a modernist center.

The transformation of the museum's core has turned the once-dark institution — an encyclopedia site for 3 million cultural artifacts such as Julia Child's kitchen and the John Bull locomotive — into a study of light and glass.

"When the building was first designed in the late 1950s and open to the public in 1964, sunlight was a very bad thing for museums with objects. Now we know more than we did, and we know that light in public places is really important," said Patrick Ladden, program manager for the NMAH Restoration. "The architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill have taken a 1950s classic and updated it for the 21st century. The materials are similar to the original building, but they're introducing more glass and creating a dynamic public center."

Seeds of Storytelling: These United States

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:46 -0500

Legend has it, John Chapman (or Johnny Appleseed) traveled these United States planting saplings to ensure his country's fecundity. More than two centuries later, his descendent Jesse Elliott Chapman travels the country to purvey an evergreen strain of tall tale. He and his band, These United States, are writing some of the knottiest, most frustrating tunes today, each one chock-a-block with historical figures and allegorical maxims.

Talk about big shoes to fill.

Taking Out the Thrash: Municipal Waste

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:42 -0500

Dave Witte, lightning-fast drummer for Richmond punkers Municipal Waste, is beaming, having just returned from playing the Fun Fun Fun Festival in Austin, Texas — a weekend of music that featured the usual parade of hot new hipster groups but also Witte's personal punk rock heroes.

"We had the pleasure of playing with Bad Brains, Adolescents, Cro-Mags and Killdozer," he says proudly.

Ponies on the Prince: Lipizzaner Stallions

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:38 -0500

IF THE WORD "ponies" sends your heart into flutters, then the three performances from the prancing white Lipizzaner Stallions might be just the recipe for a weekend of guilty pleasure. It's the third longest-running touring attraction in America and it's coming to the Patriot Center Friday and Saturday.

» Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax; Fri. and Sat., Nov. 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m; $24.50-$40, 703-993-3000.

Written by Express' Nathan Martin

'T' Is for TimeOut: Turn Over a New Leaf

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:20 -0500

BEFORE THE FAMILY TIME and fatty food we're all in for this holiday season, learn how to properly relax with tea. Great Falls Tea Garden hosts a seminar: "Japanese Green Teas vs. Chinese Green Teas." This introductory class will let you discover the variations of green stuff and, for $20, participants will score a take-home tea sampler.

» Cathy's Corner in Great Falls Village Centre, 766-C Walker Road, Great Falls; Nov. 25, 10-11 a.m.; 703-757-6209.

Written by Express contributor Stefanie Gans

Stepping to History's Beat: Hip-Hop Concert Series

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:19 -0500

THANKS TO SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY, delving into the skeletons in America's closet just got a little more hip.

On a mission to build a permanent collection that will document hip-hop's cultural contributions, the museum kicked off a major initiative back in 2006 with the exhibit "Hip-Hop Won't Stop: The Beat, the Rhymes, the Life."

Two years later, the museum's mission to seek funding for the collection — which will contain artifacts from the early days of the movement as well as firsthand histories — is still underway. And the Smithsonian is garnering support from companies like Classic Hip-Hop L.L.C., which is dedicated to the "preservation and promotion of the positive aspects of the culture."

A Grape Holiday: Liquors for a Lovely Turkey Day

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:16 -0500

BEFORE BARRACKS ROW WAS FLOODED with new bars and restaurants, it housed a tiny store that's survived prohibition, changes in ownership and the 1960s riots to serve its Eastern Market neighbors choice beverages.

Burnie Williams is now the caretaker of Chat's Liquors. He has childhood memories of "dusting bottles, stocking the soda refrigerators and help[ing] bag customer purchases." But after the sudden loss of his father in 1999, Williams and his sister took control of one of the oldest liquor stores in the District, which has been family owned since 1978.

The story of Chat's isn't just about liquor. Williams brings a sense of community to his store, sharing his wide smile and greeting every patron by name. Ask Williams about any boutique wine or trendy bourbon and he'll know where to point you. "It's our duty to … educate our customers and to hopefully offer them products that arouse their curiosity and interest." In that spirit, Chat's offers free tastings every weekend. Williams even hosts local wine dinners; the next is at Laconda on Dec. 10 featuring five courses with pairings.

What Is This Stuff? Yes, We Have No Turkey

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:16 -0500

EQUINOX OWNER-CHEF Todd Gray proves that turkey is, well, for the birds with his apple cider-brined tofurkey.

The five-course vegetarian Thanksgiving tasting menu also includes chestnut soup; capalacci (large ravioli) gingered kabocha squash; mushroom, frisee and hazelnut salad; and vanilla bean carrot cake. It's offered all through Thanksgiving week, and we all know calories don't count for vegetables.

» Equinox, 818 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-331-8118. (Farragut North)

Written by Express contributor Stefanie Gans
Photo courtesy Equinox