DC on a Dime

The 44th Smithsonian annual Kite Festival this Weekend

This free, public event organized by The Smithsonian Associates and the National Air and Space Museum features kite displays, demonstrations and handmade kite competitions.

When:  Saturday, March 27 (rain date Sunday, March 28) 

Time:  10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location: National Mall (around the Washington Monument)

Website:  http://kitefestival.org/

Come checkout DC’s hottest new neighborhood. 

The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District opens its 2009 Holiday Market today, which will run from December 15th – 18th, on the Canal Park site located at 2nd Street and M Street, SE.  Wrap up your holiday shopping and find unique gifts, festive food, holiday greenery, live music and more! 

Date:  December 15th – 18th, 2009 

Time:  12:00 – 6:00 pm

Location:  Canal Park

Cost:  FREE

Kappa Alpha Psi, 79th Conclave

Washington, DC, August 4 -9

The men of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity have descended upon Washington, DC, for their 2009 National Conclave -79th Grand Chapter Meeting.  Prepare to see thousands of Kappa men, sporting their trademark crimson and cream, as they celebrate the frat’s 98th year.  

Please join us in welcoming these distinguished gentlemen, at this free happy-hour on Capitol Hill:

“Konclave Kapitol Hill Kick-Off”

(sponsored by David Robinson and Nupes on the Hill)

When:  Tuesday, August 4th, 5 -8 pm

Location:  Lounge 201 (Address: 201 Massachusetts Ave.).

Admission:  FREE

Photo from DCist

Starting tonight, through August 10 (next four Mondays), the Screen on the Green Film Festival returns to the National Mall, between 4th and 7th Streets.  After a brief scare that this annual event had been cancelled, Comcast and the Trust for the National Mall decided to team-up with HBO to bankroll the series.  

Showtime starts at sunset – around 8:30pm — but get there early.  No alcohol allowed.  This event is free.

Schedule:

July 20,  Close Encounters  of the Third Kind

July 27,  Dog Day Afternoon

August 3, On the Waterfront

August 10,  Rebel Without a Cause

Weekly Marine Corps Performances Throughout Summer

Every Friday, through August 28, the United States Marines Corps will hold a one hour and fifteen minute performance of music and precision marching at the Marine Barracks, in Washington D.C.  The Evening Parade features “The President’s Own” Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Ceremonial Marchers, and the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington.

The ceremony will begin at 8:45 pm, with a concert by the U. S. Marine Band, but guests with reserved seats should arrive by 8pm.  After 8:15 pm, guests without reservations, waiting outside the main gates, will be offered unclaimed seats. 

For more information go here.  You may also call (202) 433-6060 to hear a recorded message.

Time:  Friday, 8:45 pm – 10:15 pm  (This week’s performance will be held on Thursday, July 2).

Location:  Marine Barracks Washington, 8th and “I” Streets, SE

Cost:  This event is free.

The W Hotel Washington, D.C. – Opening July 8, 2009

The long awaited W Hotel Washington, DC is scheduled to open in just over 3 weeks.  Rumors about the new W, formerly Hotel Washington, have been much written about here, here, and here.  It even has its own facebook page. 

The Washington Post’s Going Out Gurus got an early preview and wrote about what to expect: 

An elevator speeds customers to the rooftop bar, which has very different indoor and outdoor sections. Inside, the modern, one-room main bar has just 66 seats. Large windows soar almost to the 20-foot ceilings and offer views of Pennsylvania Avenue. (The best spots in the house will probably not be at the low counter that runs along the bar, but at the circular tables for two that line the southern-facing windows.)

And then there’s the outdoor deck. Some may remember the cramped conditions that Hotel Washington offered — plastic picnic chairs and tables jammed on top of each other. Not anymore. Adding about four feet to the awning-style ceiling helps. Capping the seats at 104 is a good move, too, so you can have some privacy at your table as you gaze over at the East Wing.

The bar has a funky grass-style covering to match the prospective menu: seasonal drinks and a selection of tapas and light snacks. (No decision has been made about whether or not the rooftop will allow smoking.)

As far as we can tell, from the above rendering, we LOVE what the folks at the W (Starwood) have done with the roof-top terrace.  We’re not-so-sure about guest rooms (pics below), but for Washingtonians the only thing that really counts is the view from the top.  Which comes free with the purchase of a cocktail or a meal.

Location:  515 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004  (one block from the White House).

Website:  http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3279

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) will release ladybugs into the Traditional Croplands on the southside of the museum this Friday, June 19, at 10am.   Releasing ladybugs is an eco-friendly pest-control method.

NMAI Ladybug Release

You can also view the NMAI ladybug release on any of the following Fridays, at 10am:  7/10, 7/24, 8/7, and 8/21. 

Location:  Traditional Croplands; meet outside the south (staff) entrance.

Visit the museum’s website for more information.

We’ve received several requests to post happy hour deals in DC.   Rather than reinvent the wheel, we recommend happyhourcity.com.  This is your one-stop shop for after-work festivities.  Check out these links for popular DC neighborhoods: 

Capitol Hill             Georgetown

Downtown              Golden Triangle

Dupont Circle        U Street 

HappyHourCity.com is a site dedicated to bringing you the latest information on happy hour in the DC area, and their specials, taking place. Happyhourcity.com is divided by DC area neighborhoods. Each neighborhood features information about each venue’s happy hour drink specials, hours and days of operation as well as entertainment during the happy hour. We at Happyhourcity.com strive to get the most up to date information and always appreciate your feedback. Please don’t forget to check out our daily headlines featuring information on special happy hour, wine tastings, restaurant openings and more in the DC area.

$5 Off Each Newseum Ticket Purchase Online

Purchase Newseum tickets online during the month of June and get $5 off every ticket you buy.  Click here to purchase tickets and use this discount code:  80090101.  The promotion ends June 30. 

Regular price tickets:

Adult  (Ages 19-64) $22.00

Senior  (Ages 65+) $20.00

Youth  (Ages 7-18, 6 and under free) $15.00

Location:  Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

Group Tickets

Groups that purchase 10 or more tickets are eligible for discounted admission and are required to purchase advance reservations.

• Pricing and information
• School field trips

Washington, DC will host the 20th annual National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 24.  Opera fans hold your hats, as the brilliant Denyce Graves will be the featured performer this year, along with Trace Adkins, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Laurence Fishburne and many other well-known personalities.  So, pack a picnic (sans wine) and head out to the West Lawn of the Capitol for a day of operetic star power.

The gates will open at 5pm, so don’t be late.  Taking the Metro is strongly advised.  The nearest stations are Capitol South, Federal Center SW (Orange/Blue line) and Union Station (Red line).

Oh, I almost forgot, this is absolutely FREE!