Fort Reno Park, the site of an annual summer concert series that is one of D.C.'s most beloved and longest-running outdoor events, is closed immediately and indefinitely after United States Geological Survey satellite imaging reports found high levels of arsenic in the soil.

William Line, a spokesman for the National Park Service, said that the NPS would continue to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency to determine any public health risks and further courses of action. He refused to give any timetable for a possible reopening and said that to speculate would be irresponsible. Snow-fencing was erected around the perimeter of the park at 6 a.m. today.

The closing of the park raises questions about the fate of the Fort Reno Summer Concert Series, which was set to begin a twice-weekly series of free shows in mid-June. No list of artists of dates has been announced for 2008, but many of the city's most famous punk and indie rock bands have performed on Fort Reno's stage over the last 39 years, including Fugazi, the Dismemberment Plan, Ted Leo, Q and Not U and Velocity Girl.

We'll update this blog post with more information when we get it.

-- David

UPDATE: When contacted by phone, Fort Reno Summer Concert Series organizer Amanda MacKaye was caught completely off guard by the news. The NPS had indicated that groups with permits to use the park were notified of the closure, but apparently that wasn't the case quite yet. "It's almost comical in a way," MacKaye said. "Just this morning I was thinking how things were finally coming together, how we had a few shows lined up, and now this." She said she would provide further updates after speaking to her contacts within the NPS.

A busy week finds numerous events for beer lovers, a cultural cocktail party at the House of Sweden, an '80s-themed prom with the English Beat, perky Welsh indie band Los Campesinos!, a hip-hop tribute to Malcolm X and the return of Bethesda's own Tommy the Matchmaker.

Last night marked the first official night of dinner service at the much-anticipated Co Co. Sala, a romantic lounge-restaurant-chocolate factory hybrid that specializes in sweet.

The F Street lounge's marquee offerings are the four Monde du Chocolat menus: five courses of desserts inspired by the flavors of India, Italy, America and South America. In addition to these $30 prix-fixe selections, the restaurant also serves a la carte small plates (dubbed "Coco Bites") and inventive cocktails.

If you haven't rocked out to VJs spinning AC/DC, Kiss, Guns 'N' Roses and the Clash on Tattoo's huge video screens, there's really no time like tonight. The leather-and-chains-clad lounge -- more "inspired by" a biker bar than an actually a biker bar -- is hosting a customer appreciation night with free champagne and vodka cocktails for women from midnight until last call. Doors open at 9; Get free admission when you RSVP to elundevents.com or jamiehess.com.

-- Fritz

Every week, 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
'The Last Iceberg' at the National Academy of Sciences
Photographer Camille Seaman traveled to Antarctica and the polar reaches of Greenland to document massive icebergs and the changes being made by global warming.

Tuesday
Live Humans in D.C. at the Palace of Wonders
Do you have a special talent -- hammering nails up your nose, doing handstands in piles of broken glass? Okay, maybe something more mainstream like burlesque dancing? No matter what you can do -- even something mundane, like telling jokes or playing the guitar -- you'll be welcomed at Live Humans in D.C., an open-mike-style variety show that bounces between venues like Chief Ike's Mambo Room and Solly's U Street Tavern. Tonight, the freewheeling circus stops in at the Palace of Wonders. The featured acts are Seaton Smith, a comedian who's opening for Dave Attell at the Improv next month, and singer-songwriter Dave Menderson. There's no cover charge to watch or participate; arrive by 7:30 if you want to perform.

Wednesday
Container Gardening Demonstration at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Even if you live in a small studio apartment or a cramped English basement, you can still grow your own herbs and vegetables. Schedule a "lunch meeting" at 1 p.m. at the Botanic Garden, where staffers will teach you how to grow your own food without a spacious back yard. Reservations are required; Call 202-225-1116.

Thursday
Tom Hayden at Busboys and Poets
Hayden, one of the original "Chicago Eight," helped organize protests around the 1968 Democratic National Convention, co-founded the activist group Students for a Democratic Society and made controversial trips to North Korea and Cambodia during the Vietnam War -- including one to Hanoi with his future wife Jane Fonda. He's speaking about his new book, "Writings for a Democratic Society."

Friday
International Art Affairs at Blagden Alley
Check out skateboard art and a skating demonstation, learn about emerging artists from India and see video art from around the world at International Art Affairs, a weekend-long celebration at Blagden Alley.

Saturday
Around the World Open House
Two weeks ago, the embassies of European Union countries opened their doors to the public for tours, musical performances and cultural performances. Now it's time for two dozen embassies from the rest of the world to strut their stuff: Make pisco sours at the Embassy of Peru, listen to steel pans and explore works of art at Trinidad and Tobago, learn about life on the tropical Pacific islands of the Federated States of Micronesia, watch centuries-old folk dances from Mongolia, tour the historic Embassy of Indonesia, hear indigenous Australian music and watch bhangra dancers at the Indian embassy. Shuttle buses run between embassies all day; see the map on the Cultural Tourism Web site.

Sunday
St. Sophia's Greek Festival at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Held rain or shine, the fair offers plenty of food, including an indoor buffet, outdoor grills, whole lambs on spits, an ice cream wagon and Greek wines and beers. When you're finished eating, take tours of the cathedral, browse a Greek craft market -- including many vendors selling icon paintings -- or listen to live music.

Monday
Color As Field: American Painting, 1950-1975 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
The "color field" movement of the late 20th century is the subject of this major survey, which features abstract works by Gene Davis, Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis.

Eat out the healthy way at Rock Creek Restaurant. (Katherine Frey - The Washington Post)

Healthy in D.C.: Hey Gurus -- So I recently decided to start South Beach in preparation for summer, tank tops and swimsuits. The problem is: all my favorite restaurants are carb-heavy (pasta, tortilla chips, sandwiches, you get the drift). What are some yummy, healthy and carb-light restaurants in the District?

No matter what the best-selling tome tells you, eating out on South Beach isn't easy. Temptations abound in the form of bread baskets, mashed potato sides and sugary desserts. Dining out on the diet requires a healthy measure of self-restraint, but it's easier to eat carb-free at these meat- and veggie-heavy establishments.

Q: When is a sold-out concert not a sold-out concert?
A: When tickets become available late in the game.

Tickets for Radiohead's Mother's Day gig at Nissan Pavilion went on sale right after Valentine's Day, and sold out almost immediately -- or so we thought.

At the risk of being labeled spoilers, as we have been in the past, we wanted to let everybody know that tickets for this weekend's show are currently available on Ticketmaster. A quick test of the system found everything from four seats together in section 101 (that's the first tier, close to the stage, $61 each) to lawn seats ($41 each).

Just don't forget to call Mom before you head out to Bristow.

BTW, those of you who are going are in for a treat, if the setlist from the tour's first show is any indication.

-- Fritz Hahn

"Where's Da G's" - Dizzee Rascal (May 8, 9:30 Club)
Everyone's favorite grimey boy in da corner teams with Bun B and the late Pimp C of UGK for this irresistible anthem.

"Tragic Carpet Ride" - Polvo (May 9, Black Cat)
The reunited indie rockers offer plenty of choppy, bendy, piercing guitar sounds. It doesn't sound anything like Steppenwolf.

"Volatile" - The Old Haunts (May 11, The Red & the Black)
Former Bikini Kill drummer Tobi Vail pounds the skins for this Pacific Northwest band, whose album "Poisonous Times" is as perfect a collection of ragged, tuneful garage-punk as you'll hear this year. Highly recommended.

"Come Closer" - Indian Jewelry (May 14, The Red & the Black)
The experimental weirdos somehow manage to take a bunch of disturbing beeps, gurgles and squeals and turn it into a spooky mood piece.

"The Healer" - Erykah Badu (May 14-15, Constitution Hall)
By now you know what to expect from Badu -- something weird and political but with plenty of soul and groove.

I'd been promising myself that I wasn't going to write a taxis-with-meters rant on the blog, since it's already been covered ad nauseum in the paper, but after last night, I'm feeling a little steamed.

It's so easy to just go to a matinee. But coming up with a whole day of activities to enjoy that all relate thematically to a specific summer movie? That's hard. But that's where I come in; consider this blog post the first in a series designed to help you plan Blockbuster Days.

I know what you're thinking: "Wow, I can't wait to hear what Jen tells us to do when 'Pineapple Express' comes out." We're not there yet, Franco. We're not there yet. This week, our Blockbuster Day centers on "Speed Racer," a fun, PG-rated flick from the Wachowski Brothers that, at least from a color-palette perspective, makes Willy Wonka's chocolate factory look downright sepia.

If you're amped up to see the movie this weekend, here are some things to do that will heighten the excitement.

This week, a new burlesque night appears south of Dupont Circle; singles party outdoors in Reston; bands make a mysterious return to Comet Ping Pong; one of Jamaica's most popular radio DJs shows up in Bladensburg; and one of our favorite sorta-obscure '90s indie bands reunites at the Black Cat.

Monday
Cinco de Mayo Party at Lima
This celebration includes all of the usual highlights of Monday night at Lima, including an open bar for women from 9 to 11 and free salsa lessons beginning at 9, followed by music to dance to. However, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, everything gets underway at 6 on the restaurant's patio, with two-for-one frozen margaritas all night long.

Tuesday
Roller Disco Cinema at the Library of Congress
You'll find yourself believing that roller disco will never die after watching Scott Baio and Patrick Swayze duel over Maureen McCormick -- aka Marsha Brady -- in this 1979 "classic." Two early-'80 shorts are also on the bill tonight: roller skating safety tips from the Glendale, Calif., police, and a silent film depicting acrobatic skaters from Venice Beach.

Wednesday
'Wonderful Greece' at the Embassy of Greece
As part of Europe Week, the Greek embassy opens its doors for music and dance performances, screenings of short films and an exhibit about the new Acropolis Museum.

Thursday
Matt Taibbi at Politics & Prose
Rolling Stone's political reporter is interviewed about his new book, "The Great Derangement: A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion at the Twilight of the American Empire," at a discussion that will be taped and shown on C-Span.

Friday
Lighting to Unite: Lighting the Nation, Uniting the World at the National Cathedral
Artist Gerry Hofstetter, who has projected colored lights and images onto the Egyptian pyramids and Antarctic icebergs, turns the National Cathedral into a vibrant stone canvas.

Saturday
Learn-A-Palooza
Ever wanted to learn how to read tarot cards, shoot pool or knit a scarf? Wondered if you could make it as a burlesque dancer, or just want to look less awkward when grooving at parties? There's a solution for you at Learn-A-Palooza, where volunteer instructors cover the basics of dozens of topics at venues across the city.

Sunday
Frogs: A Chorus of Colors at the National Geographic Society
Kids of all ages will have fun examining the colorful amphibians that fill this about-to-close exhibit.

Monday
'The Last Iceberg' at the National Academy of Sciences
Photographer Camille Seaman traveled to Antarctica and the polar reaches of Greenland to document massive icebergs and the changes being made by global warming.

A leisurely afternoon in a pool and a refreshing frozen cocktail are my preferred solution, though most public swimming facilities frown at BYO martinis. But, in the best news I've heard in ages, there are two weekly poolside happy hours starting later this month.

"No Wave" Book Reading (May 2, Crooked Beat Records)
A book reading about a microgenre of borderline-unlistenable music from 30-or-so years ago? Hey ladies! (Okay, No Wave is only unlistenable to some; James Chance rules if you ask me.)

Earth (May 4, Rock and Roll Hotel)
Improv drone metal + Sunday night = dating hotspot!

Singer (May 6, Velvet Lounge)
Really, any show at the Velvet would qualify, but the one featuring former members of all-time weirdos U.S. Maple takes the cake for May.

Polvo (May 9, Black Cat)
A reunion show by a semi-obscure '90s indie rock band with noise-rock, post-rock and math-rock tendencies. Hott.

Dream Theater (May 26, Constitution Hall)
This would be the show to attend if you want to meet someone who gives guitar lessons at a music store. (I hear Victor Litz is closing early that night!)

-- David