Theodore Roosevelt Island and Memorial

Anyone who watches movies will recognize the Lincoln Memorial or the Jefferson Memorial, but Theodore's memorial never gets any play.

His statue might not seem as majestic as Lincoln's, but Teddy has an entire island to himself. You'd think people would be impressed by that.

You actually need to metro over to Virginia to get to the memorial. Then you walk over a long bridge overlooking the Potomac and Georgetown.

The island has walking paths, some interesting plants and quite a few little buzzing things. We also spotted locals fishing (brave souls).

It's a nice park and makes a great afternoon outing on a pleasant day. Just don't look for vendors or anything, cause you won't likely find any.

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!

Moscow String Quartet at the Freer Gallery

The Freer Gallery put on a free concert last week. the Moscow String Quartet performed four compositions.

First, let me say that these women were amazing musicians. Two of the songs they played were beautiful, one by Mikhail Glinka and the other by Alexander Borodin.

The other two pieces were written by Sofia Gubaidulina. That's her all the way on the right. They were a little crazy.

The first piece should have been playing in the background of a 1950s murder flick. It was, as Chris pointed out, the perfect music to strangle someone by. And there were quite a few candidates in the audience - the guy in the front row who was reading and fidgeting rudely, for example.

Also, the old, rotund, curmudgeon who yelled at the ticket people when we arrived was a good candidate for strangling. The other curmudgeon who yelled at someone for looking at one of his programs could have used a good throttle too. There were a lot of jerks in the audience is what I'm saying.

But I digress. The last piece was truly bizarre. They flashed red and green lights on the stage. The women played their instruments with little balls on slinkys. I know there was supposed to be music in there somewhere, but I did not get it.

Most of the audience still gave a standing ovation at the end. The musicians deserved it. They were amazing, even if one of their songs was kooky. The composer....well, she was old and we were polite.

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.

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:

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.

Rodman's Discount Food & Drug

This is Rodman's. It doesn't look like much from the outside I know. The inside isn't exactly spectacular either, but it has its charms.

Aside from an assortment of gourmet, "ethnic", and regular foods, Rodman's has an enormous wine and beer section. And they actually have people working in it. And they actually seem to know what they are talking about.

Even more importantly, they sometimes offer samples. Last time we were there, they were sampling several different kinds of beer. Needless to say, the boyfriend loitered around the sample guy while I perused the store.

If you're in the Friendship Heights neighborhood have a look.

Rodman's Discount Food & Drug, 5100 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC

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.

Sculpture Garden in Washington DC

The sculpture garden isn't just a place for winter ice skating escapades. It's a perfect hangout in good weather too.

The park is next to and part of the National Gallery of Art. It's paths take you past all kinds of crazy sculptures - a thoughtful rabbit, freeform chairs, something that looks like you could rebirth out of it.

The picture shows the giant typewriter eraser. For those youngsters who are saying "what the hell is a typewriter eraser," I hate you. Go look it up.

The garden has an overpriced, but fairly decent cafe where you can get sandwiches and drinks (alcoholic included). Grab a glass of wine, snag an outdoor table, and soak up the sun.

Whitehouse Hippy Protest

I believe I have mentioned in past posts that protesters often gather in Lafayette Park behind the Whitehouse.

Sometimes people camp out, sometimes they just walk around with sandwich boards and a megaphone. Code Pink likes to get creative - shoe throwing, animal outfits...

A couple weeks ago, Chris and I were walking through Lafayette on our way somewhere and ran into these two (pretty awful) musicians who were giving a concert straight out of 1969.

They had all of about four people grooving to the music and another twenty or so tourists taking snaps and moving on. The sign says "Wanted Wisdom & Honesty Peace Park." Peace Park is a 24 hour a day vigil that has been going on in Lafayette Park since 1981. Not sure how camping in the park is supposed to bring peace, but I guess it can't hurt.

Now if they started a little Lafayette Park agriculture project, that might spread some peace.

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.

Goethe-Institute Human Rights Films

The Goethe-Institute is a German cultural center with locations all over the world, including in DC. They have exhibit space, a theater, events spaces, and classrooms where you can learn German.

This past weekend they were showing films from a human rights film festival based out of the Czech Republic. Chris and I saw two of them.

The Reckoning was about the International Criminal Court (ICC). It gave an overview of international justice, starting with an interview of the attorney who prosecuted the Nazis at Nuremberg. Then is followed the ICC through its formation and its first few cases - Uganda, Sudan, Colombia. It was sad and fascinating and made me want to punch John Bolton in the face.

The second film we watched was called Life After the Fall. A documentary filmmaker who had been living in London and working for the BBC for decades returned to his home country of Iraq after the fall of Saddam. The film follows his family for four years, watching them grow increasingly frustrated, disillusioned, and dejected. It's a long film, Lord of the Rings long, but it's worth it.

Best of all, most of the events at Goethe are free.

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.