Image courtesy of dcfashionweek.org

We all know Washington gets a bad rap when it comes to fashion. As far as much of the rest of the country is concerned, the area’s official uniform is a standard suit and tie, or running shoes with hose.

But that impression seems to be changing. From photo blogs that document Washington’s growing sense of street style (see Pandahead and Project Beltway) to new designers cropping up, Washington is proving itself as more fashionable city. And DC Fashion Week has, in the six years since its launch, played a major part in this transformation, so make sure to check out the events they’re hosting this week through March 4.

The 2007 DC Fashion Week gets started on Wednesday with a Fair Trade Fashion show at the World Bank, and more great runway shows and events are taking place through the end of the week. Nobody can argue with the event’s mission: “DC Fashion Week was created to increase economic development in the area of fashion design, clothing merchandising and modeling, and to enhance the visibility of the nation’s capital as a center of international fashion.” Noble, eh?

DC Fashion Week has grown to such an extent that this year it’s adding a menswear show. Other events I’m excited about: the Betsey Johnson show on Friday, March 1, at Club Avenue (649 New York Ave., NW; doors open at 10 pm) and the International Collections Showcase at the French Embassy (4101 Reservoir Rd., NW). The full events calendar can be found here. For information on the Betsey Johnson show, call (202) 347-8100; for other information on DC Fashion Week, call (202) 271-7235.

Image courtesy of Shakespeare In Washington

By Rebecca Shillenn

With more than 70 participating groups at nearly 50 venues, the six-month Shakespeare in Washington festival can be a lot to take in. Here are some of the most interesting events left to see. (Toy ninjas doing Hamlet, anyone?)

Reinventing the Globe: A Shakespearean Theater for the 21st Century, National Building Museum (401 F St., NW; (202) 272-2448; nbm.org), through August 27; free.
Take a break from watching the plays and see how people have viewed Shakespeare’s works throughout the centuries. This exhibition tracks Shakespearean theaters of all styles and sizes, from England’s famed Globe to proposed models for the 21st century, including such out-there ideas as “transparent” theaters.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Kennedy Center Opera House (2700 F St., NW; (202) 467-4600; kennnedy-center.org), February 28 through March 4; $29 to $99.
The New York City Ballet has performed choreographer George Balanchine’s version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—Shakespeare’s comedy of love, magic, and misadventure—for 45 years. The score is by Felix Mendelssohn, and the costumes are just as fanciful as the story.

Read on behind the cut for more of our picks. 

Last weekend's opening of the discounter C-Mart in Landover was such a crush that many bargain hunters never even got into the parking lot -- the line wound hundreds long.

But I made it there eventually, and discovered that the secret to C-Mart is to go on off hours with the understanding that the merch is a quirky melange of the ridiculous and the sublime.

First, the furniture.  On the day we went, most offerings were traditional and ornate. If you were looking for a marble sink and vanity, a sleigh bed fit for a king, an oriental-style rug, or a painted chest, you were in luck.  A huge armoire, normally $4,000, was on sale for $1,675. 

But if you're in search of low-cost basic furniture, get back on the Beltway and head for IKEA.

The clothing selection is mostly high-end.  We found lots of Jill Sander, Helmut Lang jeans for less than $50, and enough half-price Lilly Pulitzer for both men and women to paint the world pink and green.

Chloe Paddington bags for $948 are a bargain  -- when you consider the original price topped $5,000.

This week there are also Prada bags, lots of shoes, designer sunglasses, towels, and an odd assortment of books.  Next week, you may find manufacturers' close-outs or leftovers from a Hamptons' boutique.

The bottom line: This is no place for amateurs or shoppers seeking wardrobe basics.  But you can find great stuff at great discounts, if you are willing to come early -- and come often.

Get transported back in time—well, okay, back to 1999—by watching Gigantic (Absolute Giganten), a film by Sebastian Schipper that deals with three German friends in their mid-twenties who are about to go in separate directions at the turn of the millennium.

I know it’s hard to think how watching foreign films with subtitles could be even better, but—wait for it!—it can be, with the addition of a cup of hot chocolate, served up before the movie. The hot chocolate and film take place tonight at the Goethe-Institut (814 Seventh St., NW). The hot chocolate is served at 6 pm; the film starts at 6:30.

This is the last in the series of hot chocolate and movies that the Goethe-Institut has been offering this winter, so don’t miss the chance. Tickets (which you can purchase here at their Deeper Look series) are $6; students and seniors, $4. Call (202) 289-1200 for more information.

A one-of-a-kind drink, created especially for you -- it's every blog's dream, isn't it? Well, it is here at After Hours, anyways. Luckily for us, we had Natalie from the excellent cocktail blog The Liquid Muse offer to make us our very own delicious and exclusive drink for the launch of After Hours.

Taking inspiration from one of Washington's most famous symbols, the cherry blossom trees, Natalie whipped up a lovely concoction she calls the Black Cherry Blossom. Even though it's still gray and wintry here, the Black Cherry Blossom gives me hope that spring is right around the corner, and has me looking forward to evenings of sipping cocktails on rooftop terraces.

Black Cherry Blossom
By The Liquid Muse

1 1/2 ounces Effen black cherry vodka
2 ounces black cherry juice
Dash of Angostura bitters
Small squeeze of lemon
Champagne

Pour vodka, juice, bitters and a squeeze of lemon into a mixing glass with ice.  Give it a few good stirs with a bar spoon. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with champagne.

What's your favorite spring cocktail? Leave yours in the comments -- or send us your own personal drink recipes at candrews AT washingtonian DOT com, and we'll feature it on After Hours. 

Photograph courtesy of Karmella's Game

You can listen to the keyboard-driven, harmony-saturated pop rock of Baltimore’s Karmella’s Game, but the true pleasure is seeing the energetic and adorable group live. They play the backstage at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., NW) on Thursday in support of the documentary "From the Back of the Room." I’m not lying when I say they’re one of the funnest live bands I’ve seen in years. I’m also not lying when I say that, even though they’re from Charm City, they don’t play locally as much as they should. Make sure to head out and see them—because who knows when they’ll be back next? Listen: Coming Going Leaving, and much more at their Myspace page. Ingrid and Panda & Angel open. 9 pm. $8.

The Karmella's Game show is just one of our picks for events happening around town this week. For even more fun times and entertainment, including the District Sample Sale, a lecture on Hollywood greats, and free pizza, check out Where & When Weekly, our regular column on the best of what's going on every week.

Welcome to washingtonian.com’s newest blog, After Hours. Our plan is to bring you the latest on what’s useful and fun in Washington—whether it’s a great show at the 9:30 Club, the best happy hour, the trendiest boutique, or the hottest place to dance the night away.

With columns on the best events around town, interviews with our favorite bartenders and scenemakers, theater and concert reviews, we hope After Hours will help you plan your most precious time—the hours you spend enjoying life, culture, and the city.

Have questions, entertainment tips, or ideas on how to make After Hours a better, shinier, more helpful blog? Shoot an e-mail to candrews AT washingtonian DOT com or leave your comments on the posts. We’d love to hear from you—and we can’t wait to get blogging about all the great things going on out there.