Thursday, October 25, 2007

$1 Movie

Keen on seeing a movie for $1? Catch The Simpsons Movie at 5:20pm tonight. You’ll have to sneak out the office a wee bit early but all you were looking for was an excuse to do it anyway so there you go. At Arlington Drafthouse.

Free booze

There’s an hour of free cocktails tonight before a Q & A session with Richard Kern- filmmaker and photographer (his work is dirty- don’t do research on this event at work). Last month the free beverages were made with Belvedere vodka so it’s quite worth the effort. Following the discussion, there’s a dance party! It’s at Bourbon and the free boozing starts at 8pm.

Bourbon
2321 18th St NW

Music Event

It’s the fundraiser/launch party for Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (part of DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence). It’s at the Rock and Roll Hotel in NE. Performing are Travis Morrison, Jukebox the Ghost, and Ra Ra Rasputin. It’s $12 and doors open at 8pm.

Rock and Roll Hotel
1353 H St NE

This makes me nervous...

There’s a ghost suite at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Tonight you have the rare chance to tour the haunted suite and hear about the reports of flickering lights, gusts of wind, and missing carts. Luckily there will be cocktails (including a pumpkin margarita (um?), Witch’s Grog, and Embalming Juice on hand to steady your nerves. No cover, just pay for your drinks. The tours run from 5pm-9pm.

Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert St NW

Pumpkins!

Pumpkin Carving Contest!

If you have been hankering to cut something up, go to Helix Lounge tonight at 6pm. You’ll have two hours to carve your masterpiece and win things. Fun drinks will flow including Spiked Seed (rum and apple cider) and other fall themed beverages. It’s Half Price Burgers too!

Helix Lounge
1430 Rhode Island Ave NW

CAKE!

Cake tastes better when it’s free. Seriously. At 7pm, the former White House pastry chef, Roland Mesnier, will be on hand at Olsson’s in Crystal City to promote his new book “Basic to Beautiful Cakes.” After all of the cake talk, you’ll have the chance to sample some of his creations.

Olsson's Books & Records - Crystal City
2200 Crystal Dr.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Green Living Tonight

'Green Living Challenge Party and More: Wednesday, October 24th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Busboys and Poets

Are you looking for some inspiration, help, or companionship as you finish your Green Living Challenge entry form? Join Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment on Wednesday, October 24 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for the Green Living Challenge Finish Line Party. This event will take place at the new Busboys and Poets. There will be light refreshments and green living giveaways for everyone who stops by. For more information, contact ACE at 703-228-6406 or volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org.'


4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206

Halloween movies

Tonight Arlington Draft House is showing two Halloweenrific movies for JUST $1 each. First at 7pm is Shaun of the Dead followed by Halloween (Rob Zombie version) at 9:50pm. I know it hasn’t quite hit me that it’s time to gear up for the holiday so this ought to do the trick.

Opera Overload

This is the last opera post, I swear. Tonight on the Millennium Stage (ie the FREE stage) at the Kennedy Center is Washington National Opera’s "Insights Series." Tonight they present Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

About Insights Series: The Opera Insights lecture series combines dynamic discussions with artists and opera experts along with musical illustrations to offer an insider’s view of the Washington National Opera season. Chosen for their unique perspective on each opera, renowned artists, historians, and writers illuminate and explain – along with the participation of artists performing in that production – some of the complexities of the WNO's productions.

As always, performances on the Millennium Stage begin at 6pm.

Generation O

Generation O offers REALLY cheap tickets to the opera. If you’re a student or young professional between the ages of 18 and 35, Generation O offers tickets to the opera through the Washington National Opera at reduced rates on select performances. Go to http://www.dc-opera.org/experience/generationo/ to sign up for their email list.

Tickets for A View from the Bridge
Three Generation O Nights
Monday, November 5, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 8, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14 2007, 7:30 p.m.

$25 Rear Orchestra / $35 Side Orchestra / $50 Prime Orchestra / $75 Premium Orchestra
Enter source code 6257 when ordering tickets

In my opinion, avoid Rear Orchestra because in certain seats you aren't able to read the subtitles- which is frustrating.

Thursday Wine and Art Nights

Ummmm, what could be better than some good wine and good photography. From 5:30pm-7:30pm every Thursday evening (*until 12/13 minus Thanksgiving), Café des Artistes at the Corcoran Gallery offers two glasses of American wine, assorted fruits and cheeses, AND admission to the Ansel Adams and Annie Leibovitz exhibits. For only $25. Seriously. Tickets to the exhibit are normally $14. You’ll need reservations so call 202-639-1786.

Zaytinya Update

Update on Zaytinya fifth birthday celebration. The $5 drinks include the Pom-Fili, a sangria-like drink with white wine, vodka, triple sec, and pomegranate juice; the Lemon Thyme, lemon ouzo with thyme-infused syrup; and versions of the cosmo, sea breeze, and lemon drop. The $5 mezze are the five bestsellers: hummus, havuc koftesi (carrot-apricot-pine-nut fritters), spanakopita, salmon with roasted-garlic yogurt, and Chicken Muhammarah (chicken marinated with a roasted-red-pepper-and-walnut sauce). From experience I really recommend the hummus and Chicken Muhammarah. The $5 desserts include Turkish Delight, a sundae of walnut ice cream with yogurt mousse, honey gelée, and phyllo and the Black Cherry Yogurt—Greek yogurt topped with black cherries and cherry sorbet. No word on whether those are the only dessert for $5.

If you haven't had a chance to go there, now is definitely the time. Just snag a chair at the bar with a friend to split a mezze or two and a quick drink. It would be delicious and cheap. The deal runs through the 29th.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

If you work in Gtown…

You can score a free (light) lunch at CUSP Georgetown between noon and 2pm tomorrow while checking out some new fall fashions.

CUSP Georgetown
3030 M Street NW

Party Games

Rock and Roll Hotel hosts Drunken Jenga every Wednesday.

I love love love party games. This is very appealing.

The Rules: Build the tower. Take it in turns to remove a block with one hand and place it on top of the tower. If you successfully move a block according to the rules, you may command another player to drink. However, if you cause the tower to topple, you must drink an entire beer.

8pm-Close

Rock and Roll Hotel
1353 H St NE

Goldstar Tickets

Learn About Art and Enjoy Food and Wine at the Torpedo Art Center
Torpedo Factory Art Center (Alexandria, VA)
Sunday, Oct. 28 @ 6:30pm
Goldstar Price: $7.50
The Torpedo Factory Art Center began in 1974 by a group of local artists and is now Alexandria's largest and most successful visual art center. During this event, you will have the option to attend several lectures that will focus on purchasing and assessing art. You'll also enjoy food provided La Tasca, wine and other beverages compliments of the Torpedo Factory.

Washington National Opera Presents
A View from the Bridge: Operatic Setting of Arthur Miller
Kennedy Center Opera House (Washington, DC)
Saturday, Nov. 3 @ 7:00pm
Monday, Nov. 5 @ 7:00pm
and 4 more dates.
Goldstar Price: $34.00 - $112.50
Set in post-war New York and based on an Arthur Miller play, A View from the Bridge tells the tale of Brooklyn longshoreman Eddie Carbone, whose desire for his adult niece, Catherine, leads to disaster in his community and home. Washington National Opera welcomes stars from the original Chicago production that has captivated critics and audiences from coast to coast. Learn More

Washington National Opera Presents
Don Giovanni
Kennedy Center Opera House (Washington, DC)
Thursday, Oct. 25 @ 7:00pm
Goldstar Price: $55.00 - $112.50
Mozart's celebrated tragicomedy tells the story of the famous womanizer who is given one last chance to repent of his philandering ways. But when he adds murder and blasphemy to his lengthy list of sins, human and supernatural forces combine to enact a terrible punishment and avenge Donna Anna, Donna Elvira and thousands of other women.

www.goldstarevents.com

Drink for free and learn about the environment

Hang out with some cool cats from the Sierra Club tonight at Temperance Hall to learn more about important stuff like, I don’t know, global warming. There’s free beer. I’ll repeat, free beer. It’s from 7pm-9pm. They have REALLY tasty food if you get munchy- try the garlic fries or fuji & fontina.

Temperance Hall
3634 Georgia Ave NW
Temperance Hall is conveniently located one block south of the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metro station on the green and yellow lines.

Wine Tasting

Bisto Lepic offers free wine tastings every Tuesday from 6pm-8pm. Bottles are 20% off. Prices on bottles range from mid-twenties to well, something we probably can’t afford.

Bistro Lepic
1736 Wisconsin NW

Monday, October 22, 2007

Bikey Bike Bike

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a bike for an easier albeit more frightening commute, this is the time to do it. City Bikes mechanic Ben Tabor is teaching a series of bike-repair clinics for free during the month of November. Every Thursday at 6:30, starting November 1, you’ll learn the basics to bike upkeep and repair.

City Bikes
2501 Champlain St NW

Burma! Myanmar!

The newest venue on U St. Marvin opened on Friday night. Head over not only to check out a new hot spot in the District but for the event “Cause for Drinks.” From 7pm-9pm on Wednesday, October 24th, $2 from every drink will go to assist grassroots efforts to restore basic human rights in Burma.

"You most likely know it as Myanmar, but it will always be Burma to me. Bonne chance, Elaine. You there on the motorbike! Sell me one of your melons!"

Marvin
2007 14th St. NW
(at 14th & U)

Zaytinya

Those of you wanting to check out Zaytinya are in luck. From October 22-29, the restaurant is celebrating 5 years with $5 mezze (small plates of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East), $5 cocktails, and $5 desserts. Today from 5pm-7pm, Zaytinya is hosting a cocktail party with free mezze. A delicious drink called the Pom-Fili (white wine, vodka, triple sec, & pomegranate juice) was $8 when I was there (ouch!) so getting it for $5 is a bargain.

Zaytinya
701 9th St NW