Archive: November 2007
December Mixtape
Live music pickings are pretty slim in December as many bands stay off the road and take it easy for the holidays. No big deal. That just makes for a convenient time to feature some worthy local acts. There should...
By David Malitz | November 30, 2007; 06:16 PM ET | Email a Comment
Q&A: The Residents of 'Avenue Q'
Not since I was 6 years old have I been so excited to see puppets dance and sing. When I was little, I liked to hear them sing about being nice. Now, it's all about the Internet, racism and economizing...
By Erin | November 30, 2007; 03:44 PM ET | Comments (5)
Living in the Past
Some people talk about nostalgia as if it's a bad thing. The promoters behind Heaven and Hell's '80s night -- now in its 14th year! -- can tell you that's not the case. Call it a quirk of fate, but...
By Fritz Hahn | November 29, 2007; 05:56 PM ET | Email a Comment
David's Wish List: Best Seat In the House
I'm never good at making gift wish lists come holiday time. This year the only thing I can really think to ask for is a new belt. Maybe some Starbucks cards. But if we're talking about the ultimate gift, there...
By David Malitz | November 29, 2007; 03:41 PM ET | Email a Comment
Critters Glitter at the Zoo
Last night marked the opening of ZooLights, the National Zoo's first annual display of sculptures made out of holiday lights. The glittering walk-through display is smaller than some of its drive-through counterparts around town -- think Watkins Mill, Seneca Creek...
By Julia Beizer | November 29, 2007; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (5)
Nightlife Agenda Pick of the Week
If we could look back over all the questions that we've gotten since Got Plans? began, we'd have to say that "Where can I ride a mechanical bull?" would be near the top of the list. Blame regulations, licensing or...
By Fritz Hahn | November 29, 2007; 09:00 AM ET | Email a Comment
News to Digest
Though you may still be recovering from the gluttony of Thanksgiving, December is nearly upon us, which means that it's time to celebrate an Italian feast at a few restaurants and experience Italy at a new spot in Rosslyn. It's...
By Erin | November 28, 2007; 11:29 AM ET | Comments (2)
Jen's Wish List: Starry Nights
Thus far, my fellow Gurus have crafted wish lists that are grounded in some semblance of reality. An expensive reality, but reality nonetheless. Me? I'm hoping for things that are never, ever going to happen. That way, when Santa doesn't...
By Jen Chaney | November 28, 2007; 10:10 AM ET | Email a Comment
Janet's Wish List: Evenings In or Out
Sleep snob that I am, I'm dreaming of spending my nights on 100 percent Egyptian 500-thread count crisp cotton sheets (spare me anything on sateen, puhleeze) from the likes of luxe linen manufacturer Matouk. A set (meaning duvet cover, shams...
By Janet Bennett | November 27, 2007; 05:43 PM ET | Comments (1)
Destination Restaurants -- for Cocktails
Washington has seen an explosion of lounges, Belgian beer bars and classic dives this year, but over the last few months, my thoughts have turned toward four new restaurants. Hudson, Restaurant K by Allison Swope, The Source and Westend Bistro...
By Fritz Hahn | November 27, 2007; 04:31 PM ET | Comments (1)
Fritz's Wish List: Drinks With Friends
While I could use a new flat-screen TV, home wet bar or made-to-measure suit for Christmas, the holiday season is really about spending time with the people who mean the most to me. That's why, if I had unlimited funds,...
By Fritz Hahn | November 26, 2007; 05:33 PM ET | Email a Comment
Free and Easy
Every Monday, the Going Out Gurus suggest ways to enjoy Washington's cultural scene without spending any money. Have an idea for us? Send it to events@washingtonpost.com. Monday "Blue Wild Angel - Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight" at the...
By Anne | November 26, 2007; 02:59 PM ET | Comments (2)
Erin's Wish List: Make My Dinner
Visions of sugarplums are for wimps. My ultimate holiday gift would satisfy bigger dining dreams. I want a catered dinner with wine pairings as I gaze out over the monuments. I want to sit inside a kitchen and listen to...
By Erin | November 20, 2007; 11:50 AM ET | Comments (1)
Free and Easy
Every Monday, the Going Out Gurus suggest ways to enjoy Washington's cultural scene without spending any money. Have an idea for us? Send it to events@washingtonpost.com. Monday Back of the Moon at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage When's the last...
By Fritz Hahn | November 19, 2007; 02:52 PM ET | Comments (1)
Julia's Wish List: Exfoliate Away That Holiday Stress
Visions of spa treatments dance in my head during this stressful time of year. If you're looking for a little self-indulgent me-time, Washington's day spas have luxurious options a-plenty. I perused their menus for the most elaborate spa offerings and...
By Julia Beizer | November 19, 2007; 01:00 PM ET | Email a Comment
Holiday Wishes
Neiman Marcus's Christmas Book is an annual guide to excess. It's rococo for the 21st century. The book puts together fantasy ideas that range from home decor -- think backyard waterpark -- to indulgent, which is how I would categorize...
By Erin | November 19, 2007; 12:10 PM ET | Comments (1)
Director Q&A: 'The Studio'
As playwright, choreographer and director of "The Studio" at Signature Theatre, Christopher d'Amboise wears many hats. The son of famous dancers, d'Amboise was a principal in the New York City Ballet, a Broadway actor and artistic director of the Pennsylvania...
By Erin | November 19, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Email a Comment
A Modest Proposal for the Bethesda Bar Scene
A question that went unanswered in yesterday's Got Plans? discussion made me wax a little nostalgic for the Bethesda bar scene (such as it was) of yore. Our reader writes: My girlfriend is insisting that we go to Bethesda this...
By Jen Chaney | November 16, 2007; 01:00 PM ET | Comments (8)
The Source for Great Wine
Fantastic food, an airy, open space and A-list people watching opportunities are a few reasons to stop into the new Source restaurant, but one of my favorite aspects of the restaurant is its sommelier, Esther Milstead, who goes by Malia....
By Erin | November 16, 2007; 10:55 AM ET | Email a Comment
News to Digest
This week, News to Digest turns to brunch. Brunch is one of my most favorite meals. I love that one simple word stands for all non-dinner eating between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends. On the (very rare and...
By Erin | November 15, 2007; 03:09 PM ET | Email a Comment
Nightlife Agenda Pick of the Week
As huge as go-go music is in D.C., it's never been able to establish a foothold outside of the Beltway. That changed for a brief period in 1988, when Experience Unlimited -- EU to their fans -- made an unforgettable...
By Fritz Hahn | November 15, 2007; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (1)
Talk of the Town
Town Danceboutique, the city's newest gay nightspot, is set to open its doors on Saturday night. Created by Ed Bailey and John Guggenmos, the team behind the long-running Velvet Nation dance party and the hot Halo Lounge, Town has taken...
By Fritz Hahn | November 15, 2007; 11:14 AM ET | Comments (3)
Think of Us as Your Rudolph
Do you hear that unmistakable sound? The chorus of the gobbling turkeys, spinning dreidels and jingly sleigh bells means that the holidays are coming. If you plan to host incoming family members, are in need of gift ideas or are...
By Erin | November 14, 2007; 01:41 PM ET | Email a Comment
Free Lunch
This is probably one of the last semi-warm days we'll have for a while. Celebrate it with free salad at the grand opening of a new Chinatown lunch spot. Starting now through 2 p.m. today, Chop't Creative Salad Company is...
By Erin | November 14, 2007; 11:08 AM ET | Comments (1)
Outdoors on Ice
The National Gallery's Ice Skating Rink opens for the season on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. To celebrate, the rink will give away a free cup of hot cocoa to anyone who buys ice time or rents skates or a...
By Julia Beizer | November 13, 2007; 12:53 PM ET | Comments (5)
Beaujolais Nouveau Update
I blogged about some Beaujolais Nouveau parties last week, but we've received information about other events since then, and I wanted to come up with an easy way for folks to compare and contrast the various events. Here's our updated...
By Fritz Hahn | November 12, 2007; 04:04 PM ET | Comments (4)
Free and Easy
Every Monday, the Going Out Gurus suggest ways to enjoy Washington's cultural scene without spending any money. Have an idea for us? Send it to events@washingtonpost.com. Monday African American Veterans' Day Program at Alexandria Black History Museum Music, speeches and...
By Fritz Hahn | November 12, 2007; 10:26 AM ET | Email a Comment
What's Your Local D.C.?
Right along with bachelorette parties and romantic dinners for two, the what-should-I-do-with-my-parents question is a weekly staple in the Got Plans? diet. Yesterday, we got this subtle twist on the typical query: Hi Gurus, My mom's coming to visit for...
By Julia Beizer | November 9, 2007; 01:23 PM ET | Comments (6)
Want Some Free French Wine?
It's November, so it's time for the annual uncorking of the Beaujolais Nouveau, a young French red wine. Because it only matures for a few weeks before being bottled and consumed, it's traditionally been a wine for farmers and rural...
By Fritz Hahn | November 8, 2007; 03:24 PM ET | Comments (1)
Colorado Kitchen Cooks Again
Anybody who stopped by Colorado Kitchen over the weekend found that the restaurant had temporarily closed due to a massive plumbing blockage. If you've suffered uncontrollable cravings for burgers, fried chicken and ziti, jump for joy that the problems have...
By Erin | November 7, 2007; 05:01 PM ET | Email a Comment
Check Out This 'View'
It doesn't matter if you hold season tickets to the opera or have never heard an aria -- "A View From the Bridge" is worth two hours of your time. The gritty show, set among immigrant dock workers in New...
By Erin | November 7, 2007; 03:48 PM ET | Email a Comment
Book a Table for Turkey Time
Thanksgiving is coming. With it, you may have family coming to town, dinner to plan, Martha Stewart centerpieces to arrange and liters of alcohol to stock. Or you could just leave it up to the pros and book a table...
By Erin | November 7, 2007; 12:47 PM ET | Comments (10)
Quittin' Time? Go to Matchbox
When Matchbox expanded earlier this year, I was looking forward to having more elbow room at the Chinatown pizzeria's notoriously cramped bar. Sadly, despite 7,000 additional square feet of dining space, there is little extra space. Even at 4 p.m....
By Fritz Hahn | November 6, 2007; 04:23 PM ET | Comments (2)
Free and Easy
Every Monday, the Going Out Gurus suggest ways to enjoy Washington's cultural scene without spending any money. Have an idea for us? Send it to events@washingtonpost.com. Monday Flamenco Night at Cafe Citron Watch traditional Spanish dancers perform in the low-lit...
By Fritz Hahn | November 5, 2007; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (5)
On Stage in November
I'm still eating Halloween candy, but in local theater, the focus is onto Christmas with three different choices for "A Christmas Carol." If you're still enjoying non-Christmas revelry, take a look behind the scenes of the professional dance world or...
By Erin | November 2, 2007; 05:31 PM ET | Email a Comment
Raise a Glass to Vinoteca
Good news for oenophiles: Vinoteca has opened its doors on 11th Street NW, offering 68 different wines by the glass and a menu of cheese and charcuterie. The "official" opening isn't until Nov. 5, but owner Paul Carlson says he...
By Fritz Hahn | November 2, 2007; 01:50 PM ET | Comments (2)
November Mixtape
The next-to-last mixtape of the year features the worldly sounds of Caetano Veloso, Mum and Vieux Farka Toure, local sounds from Benjy Ferree, Thao Nguyen and Georgie James, and twangy sounds from Robert Earl Keen and Alejandro Escovedo. All those...
By David Malitz | November 2, 2007; 12:47 PM ET | Email a Comment
Comings and Goings
This month, the best art-viewing opportunities come after dark. Details on evening receptions, activist exhibitions and shows for foodies follow the jump....
By Julia Beizer | November 2, 2007; 08:29 AM ET | Email a Comment
Nightlife Agenda Pick of the Week
If the brand-new Carlyle Club wasn't built with Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra in mind, it may as well have been. Alexandria's new supper club, inspired by legendary art-deco nightspots in New York and Chicago, features beautiful leather...
By Fritz Hahn | November 1, 2007; 12:30 PM ET | Email a Comment
Tickets to the Christmas Tree Lighting
One of D.C.'s favorite holiday traditions -- the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree -- doesn't happen until Dec. 6, but if you want to be there for it you'll have to plan for a very early morning this Saturday,...
By David Malitz | November 1, 2007; 11:12 AM ET | Email a Comment
A Perfect $10
Unless you won big bucks at a Halloween costume party, chances are good that you don't have the $80 that it takes to score a top seat at one of the elite theaters around town. While I am a huge...
By Erin | November 1, 2007; 09:00 AM ET | Comments (8)
