On the Red Line

Bethesda will be swarming with dogs on Saturday afternoon (possibly wet ones, if the rain keeps up like this). The city is hosting “Strut Your Mutt“: a festival celebrating all things canine.

The festival will include a dog parade (with prizes for best costume), dog and owner contests, a dog fashion show, and a dog adoption event. Strut Your Mutt runs from 10 am to 3 pm, and you’ll find a full schedule of events online. You can register online ahead of time for $25 and you’ll receive a goodie bag, a t-shirt, and entry into the parade and contests.

The festival will happen rain or shine on Woodmont Avenue, between Bethesda Avenue and Hampden Lane.

Related posts:

1. Feb. 17: Discover Strathmore
2. May 16: Bike to Work Day
3. May 10 to 11: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
4. Geico Caveman auditions, and a 48 Hour Film Fest Tip
5. Cherry Blossom Announcements

Tags: bethesda, festival, maryland // Add Comment »

This Friday is Bike-to-Work Day, a potentially dangerous proposition depending on where you live and work in the D.C. metro area. My commute, for instance, should be a straight shot down Rockville Pike. Since there is no bike path that extends the entire way (and I value my life), I instead end up meandering through neighborhoods on a much longer ride. The Washington Area Bicyclist (WABA)’s website can help you come up with a safe route like this to your workplace.

There are 26 local “pit stops” for this Bike-to-Work Day, including ones in Bethesda, North Bethesda, the NIH, Rockville, Silver Spring, and College Park. These pit stops will offer a free breakfast and entertainment. If you register ahead of time with your pit stop location, then you will also be eligible to win various prizes offered by the WABA.

(photo by nocordsnowires)

Related posts:

1. Farmers’ Markets
2. Local News Roundup: 03/12/08
3. Local News Roundup: 1/22/08
4. Silver Spring Restaurant Week

Tags: bicycling, commuting, dc, maryland // 1 Comment »

Near the Bethesda Metro stop:

• There were more home invasions in Bethesda last week. Sounds the like same guy in the previous invasions in the area–and his preference is that you are at home when he robs you.
• The Naval Hospital expansion will be starting any minute now. Good luck with your commute!

Near the Medical Center stop:

• There was a nice Washington Post article about the NIH Philharmonia, if you missed it.

Near the Gaithersburg Metro stop:

• Turns out the dude who was stalking Uma Thurman is from Gaithersburg.

Near the Rockville Metro stop:

• A local dentist is in hot water, and the buzz on the internet isn’t helping him any.

Related posts:

1. Local News Roundup: 1/31/08
2. Local News Roundup: 1/03/2008
3. Local News Roundup: 2/28/08
4. Local News Roundup: 1/14/2008
5. Local news roundup: 1/16/08

Tags: NIH, music, news // Add Comment »

Tickets are on sale now at the Warner Theatre for “Weird Al” Yankovic’s Straight Out of Lynwood Tour. The show starts at 8 pm on July 12th. Orchestra level seats are $49.50 and balcony seats are $39.50. I couldn’t dig up any information about who the opening act will be or if there is one. Drop me a note if you know.

I bought tickets last night and was still able to get seats toward the back of the orchestra level. You can avoid Ticketmaster’s fees, and instead pay Warner Theatre’s $3 service charge, if you buy tickets at the box office or over the phone. The Warner Theatre is located near the Metro Center stop.

Related posts:

1. May 22: John Updike Lecture
2. May 3: Kids in the Hall
3. Sci-Fi Spectacular (Jan. 17th)
4. Feb. 17: Discover Strathmore

Tags: dc, metro center, music // Add Comment »

The International Spy Museum is trying something new this year: a SpyFest. This Sunday, they will offer miniature “missions” and tradecraft demonstrations and workshops for children with an interest in subterfuge.

Like everything involving the Spy Museum, it is a bit pricey at $12 per person. This does not appear to include museum admission, either (a minimum of $18 without add-ons for adults and $11 minimum for kid between 5 and 11 years old). The experience is recommended for children 7 years old or older accompanied by a parent.

The event runs in 3 one-hour blocks from 10 am to 1 pm. Space is limited, so they suggest you make reservations ahead of time. This can be done online. The nearest Metro stop is Gallery Place.

Related posts:

1. Kite Festival: March 29th
2. May 2: The 48 Hour Film Project
3. March 15th: Performance Artist Laurie Anderson
4. May 17: Strut Your Mutt
5. May 16-18: St. Sophia Greek Festival

Tags: chinatown, dc, events, festival, gallery place, museums // 2 Comments »

Saint Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral will be holding their huge annual Greek Festival on May 16th, 17th and 18th. From noon to 9 pm each day, you can indulge in reasonable priced platters of Greek food and baked items and hop yourself up on strong Greek coffee.

There will also be tons of dancing–with newcomers welcome to join in. I speak from experience here. Growing up in the D.C. area, my friend Valerie and her father used to take us to this Greek Festival and others regularly. Everyone eats, everyone dances and no one needs to feel out of place.

You’ll also find the standard assortment of arts and crafts, religious items, and carnival-type entertainment. There is no admission charge and the event will be held rain or shine. You’ll find Saint Sophia’s about a block away from the National Cathedral. The nearest Metro stop is Woodley Park.

Related posts:

1. May 10 to 11: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
2. May 2nd and 3rd: Flower Mart
3. May 9: Lighting to Unite

Tags: festival, greek, woodley park // Add Comment »

The fifth annual Bethesda Fine Arts Festival will be this weekend, rain or shine.  150 artists will crowd Woodmont Triangle’s Auburn and Norfolk Avenues. There will also be live entertainment and food from local restaurants.

The event will run from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday May 10th and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday March 11th.

Related posts:

1. March 7 and 8: Dance Bethesda
2. Kite Festival: March 29th
3. May 16-18: St. Sophia Greek Festival
4. Bethesda Art Walk: March 14th
5. 2008 Congress of Jugglers

Tags: art, bethesda, maryland // Add Comment »

I’ve got two hot tips passed along from my buddy gnad for you today.

First, Geico will be stopping by Maryland to hold auditions for a new Geico caveman who will represent them at the next Super Bowl. They are looking for men between 5′10″ and 6′2″ tall that are 25 to 35 years old. Additionally, they are looking for men who are “confident, hilarious, hip, witty, athletic and knowledgeable in many sports.” If you are interested, email two current color photos (headshot and full body shot) in jpeg format and your resume as a Word document to info@dazzlingstars.com.

Second, gnad informs me that tonight’s 48 Hour Film Fest showing contains some of the best submitted films. And she should know since she helped to compile and schedule all of them. It is going to rain all weekend anyway–might as well stay dry inside and catch some interesting short films.

Related posts:

1. May 2: The 48 Hour Film Project
2. Even more Original Valentine’s Day Ideas (Part III)
3. Feb. 13: Czech film at the Avalon
4. Anime in the Area

Tags: dc, film, maryland // 2 Comments »

For three days starting May 9th, Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter will use the National Cathedral’s west and south sides as a canvas for a huge display of light. Hofstetter has displayed lights on the Great Pyramids, the Arc de Triomphe, and many other recognizable sites. The colors and patterns he has chosen for the National Cathedral are meant to touch on themes of reconciliation, hope, and unity. The event itself is a part of the National Cathedral’s centennial celebration.

The display will began at sunset (around 8:30 pm) and last until midnight each evening from May 9th through 11th. There will be live music starting at 7 pm on Saturday evening and a special worship service on 11 am on Sunday. The closest red line Metro stop to the National Cathedral is Tenleytown.

Related posts:

1. May 2nd and 3rd: Flower Mart

Tags: art, dc, tenleytown // 2 Comments »

There’s been a ton of buzz about Artomatic 2008–so I’ve delayed posting about it until now. However, with events finally kicking off this Friday, Artomatic will not be ignored any longer.

Artomatic is a more than month-long art and music event that brings together a ton of free exhibits and performances in one space. This year Artomatic has moved to a new location near the New York Avenue Metro stop on the Red Line. This venue will house not only tons of gallery space but two performance stages where there will be open mics, poetry readings, plays, burlesque, fire dancing, and all sorts of other bits of interest. Additionally, there will be lectures and workshops offered throughout the event.

On the Artomatic site, you’ll find both an events calendar and an artist catalog that can be used to plan your visit. The facility will be open on Wednesday and Thursdays from 5 to 10 pm, on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 2 am, and on Sundays from noon to 10 pm.

Related posts:

1. Farmers’ Markets

Tags: art, dc, new york avenue, weekend // 1 Comment »