A friend recently shared with me that the Corcoran Gallery of Art is introducing a promotion called Free Summer Saturdays beginning May 29 and ending September 4, 2010. Since, it's a private museum and not part of the Smithsonian which are always free, this is the prime time to take advantage.
Last time I was at the Corcoran was for the 1869 Society's Annual Artini fundraiser in March. It's a beautiful museum with many diverse works of art. During the summer, they will offer free guided tours, demonstrations and programs for families (for free or at minimal cost). I already see a few that I'll be registering for.
If you've never been to the Corcoran or haven't been in a while, this is the perfect chance for you to take advantage of seeing amazing art for the low cost of nothing. They also have a full service cafe so make a day, or even a date, out of it.
Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 Seventeenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
http://www.corcoran.org/
One of my favorite local wine events, the Linganore Wine Festival, will begin its summer series this weekend, May 29-30. If you're in town for the Memorial Day holiday, I'd strongly advise you to check it out. If you can't make this one, the next festivals will be held in June, July, August and October.
The wine festival will be held at the Linganore Winecellars Vineyard in Mt. Airy, MD which isn't too far from Frederick, MD (about an hour outside of DC and 20 minutes from Baltimore).
The wine festival is $15 for adults, $10 for children 18-20, and FREE for those under 18. For adults, you will receive a wine glass and have the option to sample nearly 20 different wines. You can also purchase wine for your drinking pleasure while you relax and listen to the musical entertainment.
My personal favs are the blueberry and raspberry wines, they're amazing and I'd especially recommend them if you like sweet, dessert wines. In addition to the wine tastings, there will be food and art vendors. If you'd prefer to bring your own food that's fine, you just can't bring any outside alcoholic beverages. Make sure to bring chairs and/or blankets.
The first musical performance typically begins at noon, but it's suggested you get there around 11, because the earlier the better. This festival always has a huge turnout so it's better to get there early to get situated in a good spot then to sit in traffic and miss all of the fun.
For more information about this festival and those upcoming, visit http://www.linganore-wine.com/PDF/festflyer.pdf. Cheers!
Recently, I was speaking with a group of people and they were asking me for suggestions of places to go in DC. While, I'm not quite an expert on the DC social scene, I'm trying, I've been around long enough to have a few favorites.
During the warmer months there are so many things to do like Jazz in The Garden at the National Gallery of Art, Wine Festivals, Twilight Tours in and around the city, and paddle boating on the Potomac, just to name a few. It's easy to get stuck in simply going to happy hours and to dinners, but DC has so much more to offer.
Here's a listing of some fun things to do that are free or low cost and perfect for a date or for an outing with friends.
1.) Linganore Wine Festival (May, June, July, August, October)
2.) Screen on the Green
3.) Laffs on the Harbor
4.) Kayak Tours (Try Jacks Boat House)
5.) Walking Tours (i.e. Monticello, Old Town Alexandria, Annapolis)
6.) Putt Putt golfing (Try Cameron Run in Alexandria)
7.) Visit a Museum (Smithsonian Museums are FREE!)
8.) Kennedy Center Millenium Stage (FREE Performance Daily)
9.) Stroll & have a picnic in Rock Creek Park
10.) Roof Top Parties (Beacon Hotel, Marvin's, The Liasion Hotel)
Also, very important but wasn't included in my top 10, would be volunteering. Sure it may not be a traditional thing to do of choice but it's a great way to get involved in your community. Do it as a date or with friends. I wouldn't advise this as a first date but it's also a great way to learn more about someone you're interested in to see how they react to certain situations.
Feel free to add any other upcoming events and things like you like to do!
Last year was my first year going to an event benefitting the Capital Area Food Bank. This year's event entitled "Taste of 12" will be held on Friday, May 21, 2010 from 11:30-1:30PM at the Verizon Center.
Each year, they get several of the top restaurants in DC (i.e. Oyamel, Matchbox, Jaleo, Gifford's Ice Cream) to come together and allow people to sample their various specialities.
You don't have to RSVP or pre-pay, just simply show up with $12, either cash and charge. I would recommend cash because the credit card line last year was much longer and delayed our progress in getting to the food. For your $12, you get 6 tickets which you take to the restaurants of your choice. Last year, I sampled some of everything from shrimp ceviche to crab cakes to a citrus chicken dish. They also had a couple of vendors that provided dessert, refreshing ice cream and frozen coffees if I recall correctly.
If you work downtown, this is a great chance to get out of the office and enjoy some of the best restaurants DC has to offer and the best part is the proceeds go directly to the Capital Area Food Bank. I'll be there, will you?
For more information, visit http://www.nba.com/wizards/community/tasteoftwelve_100429.html
Taste of 12
Verizon Center
601 F Street NW
Washington, DC
It's official my new favorite after work happy hour spot in the DMV (DC, MD, VA) is Bar 7. If you've been in DC for a while, you'll know the location as the old Juste Lounge. If not, it's on 7th Street NW and it faces the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and is around the corner from Lux Lounge.
On Friday nights, local promoter Cheeky Sasso hosts a happy hour there. The first time I went it was open bar from 5-7, so needless to say folks were in there getting it in. The second time, although they advertised it as having an open bar, they only gave out one free drink, hey that's still better than nothing. I wonder how long that's going to last.
When you walk in it's a shotgun-esque type of structure, very narrow across but very long in length. The walls are exposed brick and there's plenty of seating at the bar and along the walls, if you get there early. The bartenders are very friendly and service is extremely fast compared to some of the other urban lounges. I've been there with two completely different sets of friends and we all agreed the best part of Bar 7 is the DJ. All I know people were in there dancing at like 7:30 in their work clothes, the music was just that good.
As far as the crowd is concerned, it's a nice, laid back young, professional crowd. There's plenty of eye candy and it doesn't have that meat market feel like some of the other local spots, not going to name any names. If you've never been to Bar 7, I'd definitely recommend trying it out. If you go on a Friday, hey you might see me there. Cheers!
Bar 7
1015 1/2 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.347.4343
http://www.bar7dc.com/
No, Starbucks is not selling adult beverages. That would be interesting though. From now through May 16th, Starbucks is offering a special "happy hour" promotion on their delicious frappuccinos. Just in time for the warm weather.
Visit any location from 3:00PM - 5:00PM and you'll get 1/2 off on your purchase of a frappuccino. I'm not a coffee drinker, and usually only go to Starbucks when people give me giftcards there. Going there daily can get kind of pricey or so I hear which makes this a great time to take advantage of this deal.
Just thought I'd share in case you hadn't heard. Enjoy!
For more info:
http://www.frappuccino.com/happy-hour
