Fourth of July Parade 2009

This is definitely my picture of the month. It was taken at the tail end of the yearly Fourth of July parade.

Chris and I didn't go to the parade, but we caught the last float on our way to the Folklife Festival. Thankfully, the last float just happened to be the Hare Krishnas.

It was quite festive. This long haired, bearded hippy was truly loving life. I'm not sure all that jubilation was just from singing, but whatever.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2009

Every year the Smithsonian puts on a Folklife Festival on the National Mall. This year's themes were African American storytelling, Wales, and Latin American music.

The Latin American Music section had three stages with musicians from all over. They played everything from merengue to conjunto.

The African American storytelling section had different stages set up, including a kitchen, a barbershop, and a stoop. Performers told stories, recited poetry, and sang.

Craftspeople from Wales also set up demonstrations. Pictured is the spinner. There was also a bookbinder, an animator, basket weavers, wood carvers, boat builders, and a baker. It made me want to learn something useful.

Each section had food as well. We ate in Central America (platanos and chicken with rice). Nothing to write home about.

Asia After Dark at the Freer Sackler

Back on June 4th, the Freer and Sackler galleries had their first ever Asia After Dark event.

Tickets were only $15 each and included food, entertainment, and one cocktail. You could also wander around the exhibits.

The dancers in the picture are from the Silk Road Dance Company. They had two performances of traditional Middle Eastern and Persian Dance.

The woman who was describing the dances to us had the biggest hair I had ever seen in my life. She was also extremely cranky that nobody was listening to her shpeel.

It was a great event, with two exceptions. The DJ had every drunk person out there dancing up a storm and nobody was very happy that the dancing had to stop for the performance. Also, the food was stuck in two little corners. The lines for the food were incredibly long and then the food wasn't too great.

Still, I'll be looking forward to the next one.

Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park

The Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park was this past weekend. They had every kind of music from bluegrass to gospel. That'd be the gospel group in the pic.

Weather was idyllic. Crowds were thick, but not impossibly so. There were a lot of kids around, which didn't make the boyfriend too happy. The small people eventually pushed us off.

Aside from music, the park was highlighting arts and crafts, many of which were made on premises. Glen Echo has classes in ceramics, painting, glass blowing, writing, and just about every other creative thing you can think of.

There is also a historic merry-go-round, a dance hall (where they teach dance), and a cafe. It's pretty much a crafty person's dream. The highlight for me was watching the glass blowing. I really need to learn how to do that. Look how happy he is!

Taste of Eleven Benefit

Last Wednesday there was a benefit for the Capital Area Foodbank called Taste of Eleven. The benefit, sponsored in part by the Wizards and Mystics, was held at the Verizon Center.

For eleven bucks, you received six tickets good at thirty six different food stands. The food selection ran the gamut from McDonalds to Cafe Atlantico.

Amazingly, some of the biggest lines were for fast food. Chipotle was packed. No problem. That just meant the lines for Cafe Atlantico ceviche and Jaleo octopus were short.

A little guacamole from Oyamel and a couple sliders and my office mate and I were good to go...to wait on line for ice cream that is. One thing that all the attendees seemed to agree on was the need for a stop at Gifford's Ice Cream. The line was LONG.

It was a great event. Fun. Inexpensive. Something for every taste. And I'll bet they raised some serious cash too.

Hawaiian Plays and Fainting Spells

Friday, Chris and I went to a play at the National Museum of the American Indian. Before the play, this Hawaiian group played music in the Mitsitam Cafe.

The cafe served Hawaiian food, including some rather delicious lumpia (little egg rolls). They also had a sweet and imminently drinkable pineapple coconut cocktail.

The play was called The Conversion of Ka' ahumanu. It takes place in Hawaii and focuses on two women missionaries and three Hawaiian women. Subject matter ran the gamut from European exploitation of indigenous people (and resources) to indigenous people selling their women like cattle. It was a very feminist play.

I won't say I liked the play, but I did find it thought provoking. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the end.

I fainted.

You see. I am very, very (did I say very) squeamish. I have a particular phobia when it comes to needles and knives. The play had a very, very (did I say very) long act about one of the women's mastectomy. It was a mastectomy without drugs. It was descriptive. It was pretty much my worse nightmare.

I started feeling nauseous, but I didn't want to get up in the middle of the play. It's rude. Next thing I know, the voices got really far away. Chris says I let out some sort of moan and started slipping down in my seat. He had to help me out of the theatre.

After my recovery (head between the knees outside of the theatre), I stopped in the ladies room. While I was in there, one of the actors from the play came and asked Chris if I was all right. Apparently, they noticed from stage!

So embarrassing.

Mid City Artists Open Studios Tour

Mid City Artists Open Studios was this weekend. Chris and I managed to hit a few placed on Sunday afternoon.

The cool thing about open studios is, not only do you get to see cool artwork, you also get to see inside the old brownstones in Dupont and Logan Circle.

Also, it's a great opportunity to meet the cool neighbors. We spoke with the artists, checked out their studio/homes, and looked at some beautiful pieces.

Because we got started late, we only had time to visit Lucinda Murphy, Mark Parascandola, Peter Alexander Romero, and Regina Miele. Mark's photography was the highlight for me. Chris loved his photos of an old graffiti covered prison in Spain. I loved the shot up stop sign in Alaska.

If you missed Mark at Open Studios, you can catch him at Artomatic.

Coming This Week

I have major decisions to make this weekend. So much going on and I just won't be able to see it all.

• The Conversion of Ka'ahumanu is a play about Christian missionaries and indigenous Hawaiian women. There are two showings (tonight and tomorrow) at the National Museum of the American Indian. Tonight's showing is preceded by Hawaiian food, beverages, and music in the Mitsitam Cafe.
  

• The Asian Heritage Festival street fair is tomorrow on Pennsylvania between 3rd and 6th.
  

• Also tomorrow and Sunday is the Dragon Boat Festival where groups race their dragon boats down the Potomac from Georgetown Waterfront Park.
  

• Still another event tomorrow and Sunday is Mid City Open Studios where, as the name implies, Dupont Circle area artists open their studios to visitors.
  

• And as though that weren't enough, Saturday is DCs Chile cook-off. The cook-off supports the National Kidney Foundation (and probably the makers of Prilosec)
  

• Saturday evening Vijai Nathan performs her one woman show at the Freer Gallery's Meyer Auditorium for free.
  

• Sunday, the Dupont Circle farmers market is going to have strawberries and asparagus, not to mention a cupcake making demonstration. (Can you say samples?!)
  

• And if I could manage to get myself up to Baltimore, the exhibition from Picasso to Leger closes this weekend.

Next week's activities are a bit more somber.

• On the 19th there are several events around town in honor of Troy Davis, including an interfaith service at All Souls Unitarian Church.
  

• Thursday there is a screening of the Grapes of Wrath at the American Art Museum
  

• Also Thursday, the Moscow String Quartet gives a free concert in the Meyer Auditorium.
  

Shakespeare's Birthday at the Folger Library

The Shakespeare Folger Library celebrated Shakespeare's birthday on Sunday. These poor people looked fabulous, but they must have been dying in the 90 degree heat.

Activities included face painting, a Renaissance fashion show, a plant sale and juggling class. Small people could make their own brooches or garlands, write with quills, and participate in a scavenger hunt. There was also a huge birthday cake for all the guests.

The library turned out to be an amazing building. I'll have to go back when I can take more pictures for you all. The place was packed on Sunday.

We managed to catch a performance by the Classical WETA players. They were good. Here's a little taste:

Bank Protests in Dupont Circle

This was the scene in Dupont Circle on Sunday. If you didn't know, this weekend was the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF.

Its been a couple years since people paid any attention to the banks. Seattle was a bazillion years ago. But now that so much bailout money is going to the IMF, people are paying attention again.

What I liked about these guys was how ascetically appealing they were. In addition to the way-better-than-average- protest signs, they had adorable fliers. They definitely have some artists in their midst.

It's hard to say how many people actually showed up for the protest. Dupont Circle is pretty packed on a sunny Sunday and people tend to stop for a minute. If they had 50 or sixty protesters, it was a lot. (I'm not including cops.) They did; however, have camera crews. That's a coup, especially if they got coverage.

Earth Day in Washington, DC

We stopped by the earth day celebration on the National Mall this Sunday. It was a cross between a science fair and a shopping mall.

Everyone was walking around carrying these NASA shopping bags. Long lines lead to any booths giving away free crap.

Lots of marketers were there. Fedex had a booth, as did Timberland. There was a whole section of hybrid cars. It was one big consumer fest.

A dark tent full of scientists (many from government agencies) showed off their wares. And the concert stage had a stream of local environmental groups and politicians giving speeches.

Chevy Case was there introducing everyone. He was old. It was old.

Poetry Marathon at Teatro de la Luna

This is the Teatro de la Luna (Theater of the Moon). It is a teeny, tiny hole in the wall near the Georgia Avenue metro station. They put on Spanish language plays.

Friday and Saturday they had a poetry marathon. We only managed to catch the last hour and a half or so. They had award-winning poets from all over the Spanish speaking world.

• Jose Acosta, Dominican Republic
• Roberto Arizmendi, Mexico
• Sergio Badilla Castillo, Chile
• Leon Felix Batista, Dominican Republic
• Noni Benegas, Argentina
• Iliana Godoy, Mexico
• Eduardo Mosches, Argentia
• Maria Angeles Perez Lopez, Spain

They also had open mike parts where audience members got up and read. Of course, the audience was mostly made up of people involved in the theater. It was a big, jovial family. Next year I'll be going and dragging some more people along with me.

Coming This Week

There is so much going on in DC right now, my day job is really getting in the way. This coming week's festivities include:

• DC Film Festival
  

• Plays galore - including The Faithkiller, True History of Coca Cola, and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant
  

• Earth day Concert on the National Mall with the Flaming Lips
  

• The Bethesda Literary Festival
  

• Spanish Poetry Marathon at Casa de la Luna
  

• Thai Restaurant Week
  

• Community Potluck and Recycling at Joe's
  

• Picnicking in Rock Creek Park
  

• Flamenca Show at the National Theater
  

• Ra Ra Rasputin post punk concert at the Black Cat

I'm tired just thinking about it. We'll see how much I can actually pack in.

Pillow Fight in Dupont Circle

Chris was wandering around town the other day and came across a bunch of people in Dupont Circle having a pillow fight. These two were getting ready for a showdown.

I finally got around to finding out what this was all about. Turns out that April 4th is world pilllow fight day. Who knew?

I just added my name to their mailing list so I'll know for next year.

Bajofondo Comes to Washington, DC

If you don't know Bajofondo, they are an Argentinian/Uruguayan band that plays (what I like to call) techno-tango. You can hear them on their MySpace page.

They played at the 9:30 Club. It's a good space, but the trick is to get there early and stake out a spot on the balcony. We got held up at Ben's and arrived late, hence the picture from afar.

They were good, a little too good even. Being electronic, they sample a lot of stuff. It felt like the instrumental equivalent of lip synching. Still, they were worth seeing, even if I spent the whole time wishing I hadn't quit doing drugs.

The crowd was waaaaaay yuppie (picture striped button down shirts under cable knit sweaters). Also, who knew there were so many Argentinians here in DC?

First Friday Gallery Walk in Dupont Circle

This past Friday was the first Friday of the month. That meant Dupont galleries were open late. More importantly, it meant free booze.

From 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. every first Friday, Dupont galleries serve snacks and wine. Hoards of art lovers and poor/cheap people descend into the streets. The former can also enjoy some interesting pieces and possibly meet the artists.

At the Washington Printmakers Gallery, I met Fleming Jeffries and spent some time talking to her about a book she made. Her work is colorful, organic, and feels a little eastern.

My favorite work by far was by Steve Lapin. He makes crazy works in ceramics. One piece was a circular on the wall with a car bursting forth through a brick wall. The car popped out at you. The bricks flew out at you. The pieces were fun, colorful, whimsical, and amusing. Then, when you got closer, they were incredibly detailed and beautiful. Photos don't do them justice, but here are a few anyway.

Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin

The cherry blossoms were out in force yesterday, as were the tourists. This is the spot Chris and I picked for our afternoon nap.

Looks peaceful doesn't it. It would have been except for the helicopters regularly passing overhead and the occasional screaming child.

It says something about how beautiful the trees are that I'm willing to deal with the crowds and the screaming kids and the people who bring their bikes and HUGE strollers on the narrow tidal basin path.

Next year I'm going to cut out of work one day and rent a paddle boat so I can avoid the crowds.

Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony

I love the ballet. I also love free stuff. So when I have an opportunity to see free ballet I am all over it.

The Washington Ballet performed The Waltz of the Cherry Blossoms for us on Saturday, their version of The Nutcracker dance. It was beautiful and worth wading through the whining children who came out for family day.

There was a litany of boring speeches after the ballet, including one by Eleanor Holmes-Norton. There was also singing of the American and Japanese anthems, a bunch of kids on violins, a Stomp-like group of Asian women, and a Japanese hip-hop dancer. They were o.k., probably not worth coming out for.

The most interesting part of the festivities was a performance by Jero (Jerome White, Jr.). He's an African American from Pittsburgh who sings Japanese blues music. It sounds a lot like James Bond theme song music. I had never heard of Japanese blues or Jero, but apparently this guy is huge in Japan. Tweens and elderly Japanese women were screaming like he was Michael Jackson in the 80s. How could I not know about this?

I made a really poor quality recording of Jero with my camera. Check it out.

Kite Festival in Washington, DC

The Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off last weekend and our first stop was the Kite Festival.

Hundreds came out despite the gloomy, misty weather. Small kites, large kites, homemade kites, state of the art kites, butterfly kites, Spiderman kites, and even this lovely rasta kite filled the sky around the national monument.

Lots of kids were running around getting dirty in the muddy grass, quite a few adults too.

Spring in DC

It's Spring!

I don't know how the trees realize that Friday was the first day of spring, but somehow they knew. On Saturday, it seemed like every flowering tree had just exploded.

Yesterday was even better. It was sixty degrees and sunny. The whole city descended onto the streets and into the parks. Dupont circle was packed full of people laying on the grass, holding hands, and picnicking.

I don't think anyone should have to work the first week of spring. Can we start a petition?