Art Happenings: Artomatic Returns to Crystal City

Artomatic Returns to Crystal City
Free and Open to the Public: May 18 – June 24, 2012

Opening night is Friday, May 18! Doors open at 6:00PM
Artomatic is well known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant arts communities that celebrate creativity and create a unique and exciting event for tens of thousands of visitors - all free to visit.
Discover new art, listen to music, go on dates, grab a drink, and mingle with the creative community. Artomatic features dozens of daytime art workshops for kids and adults.
Just one block from the Crystal City Metro Station, with free parking, great food and drinks at the event, and plenty of restaurants nearby.
For more information, visit: http://Artomatic.org

Hours
WED & THU: noon – 10:00PMFRI & SAT: noon – 1:00AM
SUN: noon – 5:00PM
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Vornado/Charles E. Smith Building
1851 South Bell Street
Crystal City, VA

Save-The-Date: 2nd Annual Erica Paul Fabulous Event

SAVE-THE-DATE

One of my favorite organizations, Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, is hosting the Second Annual Erica Paul Fabulous Event  on Saturday, June 23rd at the Clarendon Ballroom.

Come out and help support colon cancer patients under the age of 50. 
Tickets are on sale now for $15, but they will be $20 at the door, so make sure to get yours in advance!

Hope you can make it out for this "fabulous" event!  To learn more about Chris4Life and this event, visit http://www.chris4life.org.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities can be found here.

Clarendon Ballroom
3185 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
703.469.2244
http://www.clarendonballroom.com

Things to Do: Celebrity Date Auction - 5/10

Join DC celebs and athletes for an evening of charity at the "Share Love, Spread Hope" Celebrity Date Auction to benefit The Autism Society of America on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Shadowroom in Washington, DC.

Doors Open at 7:30pm, admission is FREE and complimentary Remy Martin cocktails will be served.

Register Today www.sharelovespreadhope.eventbrite.com

Shadowroom
2131 K Street NW
Washington, DC

PALME D'OR ROOFTOP SOIREE - Cannes Film Festival Kick-off

PALME D'OR ROOFTOP SOIREE

Friday, May 18, 2012 

7:00PM - Midnight

Join us as we bring the glamorous sunset of the French Riviera to Beacon Sky Bar, one of the best hidden treasures in DC.  Celebrate with us the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival and watch exclusive video footage of the opening night.  The ambiance, views, delicious cocktails, complimentary savory appetizers and latest French House beats from DJ TiNiN, DJ Choukry and DJ FoTiFo will make for an unforgettable night. 

 

Proceeds from the event will benefit Art Soiree's programming.  Art Soiree is a low-profit limited liability company that uses its for-profit efficiencies to achieve socially beneficial goals and support local arts and charitable organizations.  The organization operates primarily on the energy of volunteers, artists and the generosity of those who come to the show. Art Soiree received profit is used directly to run its events, web site and other arts-related activities. Every donation received, whether from individual contributors, registration fees or sponsors, is vital to the organization. 

 

Come and enjoy the evening of great ambiance in the company of internationally minded, socially established, and artistically inclined strata of Washingtonians. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here

TICKETS: $15 online only 

Dress code: Fashionable cocktail attire 

 

See Photos from 2011 - PALME D'OR ROOFTOP SOIREE

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150181037856700.304666.138673616699&type=3

Beacon Sky Bar
1615 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington DC

Things to Do: DC International Human Rights Film Festival 2012

May 14-17, 2012
6:00PM
West End Cinema

All Screenings Free

Free Snacks and Beverages
(FYI, West End has the best popcorn!!!)

To RSVP contact pnevents@aicongress.org or register for individual films.

More information about the film festival...
Since its inception in 2008, the D.C. International Human Rights Film Festival (DCIHRFF) has grown into an annual event that offers free film screenings on human rights topics from around the world, from Senegal to South Africa to Argentina and beyond. Pressing social and civic issues – including terrorism, women’s rights, censorship, political repression, and multiculturalism – come into focus through screenings, panel discussions, and artistic performances.The festival aims to highlight international human rights issues and build understanding between cultures, exposing audiences to under-reported human rights challenges and underscore the universality of individual rights. Our films fulfill a unique, untapped segment where we cover not only the Arab world but the entirety of the Muslim world and our audience is not only the Muslim Diaspora. This year features films such as Incendies and Circumstance.

To find out more and to view a listing of films,  click here

West End Cinema
2301 M St. NW 
Washington D.C. 20037
http://www.westendcinema.com

Restaurant Reviews: Krungthai Street Grill (Hampton, VA)

Last weekend, I went away with the bf for a short getaway to the Virginia Beach area. Unfortunately, the weather did not hold up and it was cold and rainy until Sunday when we left, go figure.  The highlight of our trip revolved around eating two delicious meals at two very different establishments.

Being that I am a self-proclaimed foodie, several weeks prior to our mini-vacay I did some research on restaurants in Virginia Beach, Hampton, Norfolk, and Newport News to find out which ones had the best reviews.  The ones that kept popping up were Krungthai Street Grill and Circa 1918.  

When we arrived down in VA, I thought to check the Yelp Reviews for Krungthai, why I hadn't checked them weeks ago I have no idea.  The Yelp reviews were a mix of high praise declaring it the best Thai restaurant for miles around to people who expressed petty dislikes. 

There were a few recent negative comments, one of the reviewers complained "the food was good but the sauce was too thin" and another said "they kept trying to upsell him".  Hey, it's a restaurant, that's what they do.  Fortunately, for us we ignored the reviews.

So we drove to Krungthai and it was located in a small, strip mall that appeared to be straight from the 1970s.  I expected people with afros and bell-bottoms to walk out of the neighboring establishments at any moment.  We walked in and were instantly greeted by the hosted.  It was a small venue, I'd say there were about 10 tables and it was half full, which was surprising for a Friday night.

We were starving so we ordered your typical spring rolls as soon as we sat down along with some Thai Iced Tea.  I was surprised the iced tea came out in a large glass, guess that's because they didn't offer refills, not that I expected them to.  It was good, never had bad Thai Iced Tea before.  The piping hot spring rolls came out shortly after.  I ordered the shrimp with garlic sauce (because of my newly acquired adult peanut allergy, I can no longer order my favorite Thai dish, Massaman Curry) and the bf ordered the Drunken Noodles with beef.  

Within 5 minutes, both dishes came out and were huge, hearty portions.  My entree had 12 extra large shrimp on it, yes I counted, which is rare these days when everyone is cutting back, with a large helping of steamed broccoli.  I'm a garlic lover so I relished in the fact I could actually see slices of garlic in the sauce.  (Let's just say my bf wasn't too pleased with my breath after dinner, LOL).  

Usually, I'll eat half of my meal and save the rest for later.  That night, I devoured every last morsel and the bf did the same.  Everything was delicious.  As much as I wanted to try their sticky rice for dessert, I was too full to even utter, we can take it to go.

The food was excellent and the service was even better.  For a hole in the wall Thai restaurant in not the most desirable neighborhood in Hampton, VA, I was extremely impressed.  Our waitress was extremely friendly and accommodating.  Our laugh of the night was when she brought back our check with my debit card and said my manager said, "You look like Oprah Winfrey".  Hmm ok, I've never heard that one before but it made for a great laugh.

By the way, our check came out to $40, which wasn't bad at all.  It was maybe more than someone on a college budget could afford (it's about 5 minutes from Hampton Univ), but it was a great deal to us.

If you ever find yourself in the Newport News/Hampton, VA areas, I'd definitely make a visit to Krungthai Street Grill you won't be disappointed.

Krungthai Street Grill
1109 North King Street
Hampton, VA 23669
757.728.9788
http://krungthaistreetgrill.com




Next post: Circa 1918

Dumbarton House Seersucker and White Dress Garden Soiree

The International Club of DC is hosting yet another one of their lovely events.  Each spring and summer, they host Soirees at the Dumbarton House, a historic mansion in Georgetown, where young professionals gather for live music and entertainment.

I've attended in the past and would highly recommend you try it out for yourself.  It's makes a great date or grab some friends and make an evening out of it.


My advice is to bring a collapsible lawn chair or a blanket as seating is extremely limited and it's nice to just sit outside on the lawn and listen to the music.

See below for all of the details of this week's event.

Georgetown Dumbarton House Seersucker and White Dress Garden Soiree
Friday, May 04, 2012
7:00 PM
Attire: Seer sucker or white requested

Celebrate warm summer days ahead with chic cocktail attire in either seersucker or white!

We cordially request the pleasure of your company at the Historic Dumbarton House Museum and Gardens to experience a night of sophisticated jazz, elegant fashion, and dancing under the stars as we celebrate the warm summer days to come! Your night begins with a jazz performance, as you meet other ICDC members and stroll around the gardens, and culminates in a night of dancing under the stars and in the elegant ballroom to our live orchestra.

This is a wonderful opportunity to discover and explore one of Georgetown's most historic mansions as you make new friends. Come on your own or invite friends for a spring evening of music and dancing to the sounds of our jazz ensemble!  Wine and sumptuous crepes will be available for purchase. Very few tickets are left so reserve your tickets early!

Our last garden soiree at Dumbarton House sold out in advance and we expect this event to be very popular and sell out. Please reserve your tickets soon!

Tickets
Tickets are $25 for a limited time and $35 afterwards.
Reserve your tickets online: http://www.internationalclubdc.com

Dumbarton House 
2715 Q Street NW 
Washington, DC 20007
http://dumbartonhouse.org