Taste of Georgetown is back this Saturday with culinary treats from 30 of Georgetown’s hottest restaurants. Photographs courtesy of Taste of Georgetown
Thursday, October 13
MUSIC:
FILM: Halloween may be a few weeks away, but scare-seekers can get a jump start on the festivities with tonight’s free screening of Ringu —the Japanese horror film that inspired The Ring. All month long, the Japan Information and Culture Center (1150 18th St., NW) will celebrate All Hallow’s Eve with spooky Japanese cinema. The events are free, but attendees must RSVP by calling 202-238-6900. 6:30 PM.
DRINKS: Stop by the Arlington Arts Center for tonight’s Fall Happy Hour. Explore the facility’s new exhibition, “Fall Solos 2011,” which features seven Mid-Atlantic artists’ solo shows and was put together by DC collector and curator Michael Pollack and independent international curator Melissa Keys, formerly of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA). Nibble on artisanal cheeses, spreads, and cured meats, and sip on seasonal wines from Café Caturra while viewing the works, which range from David D’Orio’s knife-brandishing toys to Chloe Watson’s depictions of the 17 bedrooms she’s lived in—and 73 jerks she’s encountered—throughout her life. Tickets can be purchased for $10 through the AAC’s Web site or for $15 at the door. 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
FOOD: Pork lovers will think they’ve died and gone to heaven during Local 16’s Pig Roast. Tickets ($15) include all the roasted local pig you can eat, along with locally grown veggies, Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest, and live entertainment. Proceeds will benefit FotoWeekDC and can be purchased here or by calling 202-265-2828. 6 to 10 PM, 21 and up.
Friday, October 14
ART: We have word that Hirshhorn’s After Hours event isn’t yet sold out. This time the popular museum event features a live performance from synth-artist Gavin Russom as the Crystal Ark and tunes from DJ Nancy Whang. Attendees can view psychedelic animations by multimedia artists Bec Stupak and Johnny Woods or see the Hirshhorn’s acclaimed “Andy Warhol: Shadows” exhibit. Tickets ($25) can be purchased through the event’s Web site; drink tickets available at the event. 8 PM to midnight.
FASHION: ReadysetDC’s Fashion District Fall/Winter 2011 week(end) is finally here! The three-day event kicks off with a Designer Meet and Greet at the Dunes (free; 7 to 11 PM). Mingle with some of Washington’s up-and-coming designers, and catch a sneak peak at some of their creations. The full-length runway show takes place tomorrow, October 15, at Eastern Market, and features faces both familiar and fresh—like Artaya, Derringer Friday, Durkl, Espion, Ginger Root Design, Hugh & Crye, SaintCHIC, and Sika. Tickets ($40) include an open bar and can be purchased through Eventbrite (8:30 to 11 PM). And on Sunday, October 16, you can buy designers’ merchandise at the Dunes (free; 2 to 6 PM). All events are 21 and up.
MUSIC: Alternative hip-hop band G Love and Special Sauce, made up of Garrett Dutton (G Love), Jeffrey Clemens, Mark Boyce, and Timo Shanko, will be dropping by the 9:30 Club tonight. The Philly-based musicians have collaborated with Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, and Tristan Prettyman. You can listen to some of their tracks here. Tickets ($30) can be purchased through Ticketfly. Doors open at 8.
KID-FRIENDLY: DC’s European Union and UK embassies are hosting the Kids Euro Festival, a monthlong showcase of more than 150 performances, 75 workshops, and 16 kid-friendly film screenings. Children of all ages can learn about popular European children’s characters and activities through events at the festival. Performances and activities run through Thursday, November 10, and take place at venues across the city. Free.
KID-FRIENDLY: Award-winning children’s author Victoria Kann will be signing copies of her new book, Pinkalicious and the Pink Pumpkin. Bring your little readers to Room & Board for a chance to meet the author, decorate pumpkins, and enter for a chance to win a kid-sized Jill table and four Little Jake chairs. Free; 11 AM to 1 PM.
THEATER: In honor of breast cancer awareness month, actress Lisa Hayes and composer Joan Cushing have created a new musical, Breast In Show. The play is a compilation of books and interviews with real people who have both survived and succumbed to breast cancer. Tickets ($50 to $99) can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit local breast cancer awareness efforts and treatment programs. The performance will take place at the Rockville JCC Theatre (6125 Montrose Rd.); 8 PM.
OPERA: The Virginia Opera’s season opens at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts with Aida —the heartbreaking tale of an Ethiopian princess sold into slavery. You can check out some of classical music critic Charles T. Downey’s other picks for the Virginia Opera season here. Tickets ($44 to $86) can be purchased through the university’s Web site. 8 PM.
Saturday, October 15
FOOD: Send your taste buds on a culinary adventure during the 18th annual Taste of Georgetown event. Cosponsored by The Washingtonian, the showcase features 30 of Georgetown’s hottest restaurants, including 1789, Chadwicks, Clyde’s, and Filomena Ristorante, to name a few—plus wine, beer, and spirits tastings. Tickets ($5 for one food tasting, $20 for five) can be purchased through the event’s Web site. Wisconsin Avenue and M Street; 11 AM to 4 PM.
ART: The Bethesda Row Arts Festival is back with more than 180 artists and vendors. This year’s event will feature an eclectic range of crafts, including ceramics, glass, jewelry, paintings, and photographs. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out our recent Best of Bethesda guide for cheap eats, shopping, and perspectives from local residents. Free; today’s hours are 11 AM to 6 PM. The festival runs through Sunday.
KID-FRIENDLY: Take the whole family to the world premiere of The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog! at the Kennedy Center. This science-y musical takes kids on a journey through the solar system with Dr. Wonderful and her canine companion, Newton. Tickets ($18, ages 6 and up) can be purchased through the Kennedy Center’s Web site. 1:30 PM. The play runs through October 29.
BEER: Calling all beer connoisseurs! Stop by the Arlington Rustico’s Oktobeerfest celebration for an afternoon of beer, wine, German-inspired foods, sweet treats, and kid-friendly activities. This year’s outdoor block party will feature more than 100 kegs, 50 domestic and international craft beers on tap, a selection of wines, and seasonal munchies—including butternut squash soup, pulled pork, Buffalo turkey legs, giant cookies, and oatmeal cream pies. Plus, there’ll be a moon bounce and a special menu for the little ones. Admission is free; food tickets can be purchased at the event. Noon to 5 PM.
Sunday, October 16
MEMORIAL DEDICATION: If you haven’t already seen the recently opened Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial (1964 Independence Ave., SW), today’s the perfect day for it. Readers may remember that the original dedication was canceled due to Hurricane Irene, but so far the weather prediction looks pretty good—high of 75 degrees and mostly sunny. During today’s dedication ceremony, President Obama will speak, along with Dan Rather, Julian Bond, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton, Aretha Franklin, and more. The four-acre site stretches between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials and features a 28-foot-high statue of the civil rights icon. Tickets aren’t required, but only standing room is still available, so arrive early. Dedication activities begin at 8 AM.
KID-FRIENDLY: Celebrate the season with the annual Fall Festival at Fort Hunt Preschool (1909 Windmill La., Alexandria). Enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a moon bounce, crafts, live music, storytelling, and snacks. Free; 3 to 6 PM.
MUSIC: Singer-songwriter Nikki Jean performs at DC9 tonight. In 2008, the St.Paul–born musician toured with Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna, and N.E.R.D. Her single “Steel And Feathers (Don’t Ever)” off Pennies In A Jar, released in July, was cowritten by Bob Dylan. You can check out some of her tracks here. Tickets ($12) can be purchased through Ticket Alternative. Doors open at 7 PM; the show starts at 8.
