DC on a Dime

Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival

To kick-off its 2009–2010 season, the Kennedy Center will open its doors for the annual Open House Arts Festival this Saturday, from 12 noon until 6pm.  The event will include free  indoor and outdoor performances, so get there early, to beat the crowd.   Check out this link to see a list of performances and family-friendly activities. 

Admission:  FREE

Location:  The Kennedy Center, 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566

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

The National Zoo will host Soul in Motion (a dance and drum group from West Africa) on July 23, from 6-8pm.  This free concert is a part of the National Zoo Sunset Serenades  program.  With the unbelievable weather we’ve had, it should make for a nice picnic.

Taking the Metro is strongly encouraged, as parking is very limited.

Take Metrorail to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station or Metrobus routes L1, L2, or L4 (use the Connecticut Avenue entrance), or route H4 (use the Harvard Street entrance).

Feeling outdoorsy?  Right here in our own backyard is one of the most dynamic geological features in the U.S. of A — Great Falls.  At Great Falls Park, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it cascades over a series of steep rocks and swift turns.  Whether you visit the Maryland or Virginia side, Great Falls will not disappoint. 

What makes Great Falls even more enticing is the rock bottom entrance fee.  If you’re on foot, bike, or horse it’s just $3.   While a vehicle pass costs a mere $5.  And if you’re feeling especially close to mother-earth, an annual pass will set you back $20.

Check out the website for more details.  We hope to see you on either the River or Billy Goat Trail.

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 DC Caribbean Carnival Is This Weekend

Calling all people from Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, the Virgin Islands, and everywhere in between – the annual DC Caribbean Carnival is happening this weekend. 

Hands-down one of the most fun events of the year, DC on a Dime looks forward to it each and every year, even the year organizers moved the parade from Georgia Ave. to Pennsylvania Ave., which was  ill-conceived, but fun no less. 

Of course, you don’t have to hail from the islands to enjoy Carnival.  (I’m from Ohio, but one of my best friends is a Trini).  It has it all:  authentic Carribbean food, live music, colorful costumes, and random acts of craziness!  What’s not to like?

The festivities begin at 11 am, on June 27, with the parade along Georgia Ave. from Missouri Ave. to Barry Place. 

Following the parade, there will be an outdoor festival at Banneker Recreation Park (across from Howard University), also on Georgia Ave.  There you will find all your Caribbean food favorites:  ackee and saltfish, meat patties, jerk everything, roti, and much more. 

Visit the Caribbean Carnival website for additional details, then grab a friend and head to Carnival, DC style.

Kids’ Restaurant Week Starts Saturday

Saturday, June 13 – Sunday, June 21, is Kids’ Restaurant Week in Washington, DC.   For prix fixe menus,  Adults pay $29; Kids 11 and under pay their age.   For early dinner seatings 5:00-7:00pm.   A portion of the proceeds will benefit Miriam’s Kitchen.

Make your reservations now! Please note that Kids’ Restaurant Week prix fixe menus are offered only for seatings between 5 and 7 p.m.  Please try calling restaurants directly if you are unable to secure a table through Open Table.

Washington, DC  kick-off event at the Eastern Market, Saturday June 13th!

• 10 a.m. – Kids’ Market Lesson: Bowers Cheese
• 11 a.m. – Chef Demo: Travis Timberlake of Art & Soul
• 11:30 a.m. – Kids’ Market Lesson: Agora Farms
• 12 p.m. – Chef Demo: Greg Lloyd of Zola
• 1 p.m. – Chef Demo: Danny Bortnick of Firefly (joined by his son Jonah)

For all of the fly-mommies in DC, we got a new website for you:  http://www.flaimahmy.com/.

This site promises to cover:  “Where Fashion Meets Motherhood!”   With recent posts like “Mini Skirts: Should Mommies wear them??” and “I’m Pregnant! What do I wear?” we think they are off to a good start.

Goldstar.com

What Does Goldstar Do?

We help people get out more to live entertainment, like theater, comedy, sports, music, performing arts and even things like wine tastings, sushi making classes and rodeos.