Being Social: the Weekend of 08.19.11

This weekend signifies the end of DC Restaurant Week and the beginning of Alexandria Restaurant Week! Keep trying new venues, and let me know what you find!

 

Friday

1pm

Bikers will be back in town to honor 9/11 victims.  Of course, that means that there will be road closures Friday afternoon.  Check WTOP for the latest and try to avoid (or watch) the 15 mile stretch of hog movement.

via Focus on the Beer

4pm

To continue DC Beer week, Rhode Island’s Trinity Brewhouse will be featured at the Capitol Longue.

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Saturday

13:30am

Um.  How about a Balsamic vinegar tasting party? You must pre-register and pay $25 but who knows.  It sounds pretty crazy. (via WaPo)

2pm

Finally, the time of Hop Fu is upon us!  It’s free, and at the SI Freer Gallery.

via Pulpfactor

6pm

Want Zombies? Survive Alexandria is back.  It’s a massive tag game, involving survival kits, parkour and, of course, the undead. (Apparently this year’s virus was spawned by Justin Bieber.)  It’s $25 and attendance does have a cap, so check it out now if you want to participate!* (via Metromix)

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Sunday

Noon-6pm

There will be a Cambodian Day festival at Ben Brenman park in Alexandria.  To be honest, I have no idea what Cambodia is all about, so it might be fun to get some exposure there.

2-10pm

Not that I like hip-hop, but the U Street corridor has had a lot of development, and a bar crawl down U Street may be the best way to find new haunts.  Admission is only $5 for a pass for six bar entries and food and drink specials.

 

Also, heads up! The MLK memorial is set to be dedicated next weekend, so the tourists will be en masse once again!  Events start Monday, and a full schedule can be found on dedicatethedream.org.

via Pulpfactor

*If you want a longer race type of zombie encounter, I am toying with participating in Run For Your Lives, an obstacle race with zombies on October 22^nd outside of Baltimore.  Let me know if you’d like to go too!

Being Social: the Weekend of 08.12.11

OMG DCist PWNS!

Mainly due to DCist’s awesome graphic, I’m linking to voting on the name of the Farragut virtual Metro tunnel crossing.  On the topic of oxen and game, through Sunday, the Arlington County Fair will be held at the Thomas Jefferson County Center.  The competitive exhibits cover a wide range of foods and crafts, including hotly-contested vegetable competitions.  (via the Ode Street Tribune)

Friday

11am – 11pm

Truckeroo returns to the Navy Yard Metro, showcasing a plethora of local food trucks and extended hours. Let the gluttony begin!

6pm

Another local brewery, 3 Stars, is tapping its first casks of BW Rye, “a dry-hopped ale with spicy rye” at Meridian Pint tonight. (via WaPo)

10pm-3am

B&K’s Egyptian Kings and Queens Party on Friday August 12th at Rio’s Nightclub.  I have no idea how fun it will be, but they say to come in costume.  Could be some epic people watching!  Metromix has details on a discount RSVP admission.

Saturday

11am-7pm

The Alexandria Irish Festival appears to celebrate the half year point to St. Patrick’s Day by having parades, dance troupes and beer.  This street festival will be held at the Waterfront Park in Alexandria. (via WaPo)

12-3pm

If you want an overdose of opinionated loose women, there will be a Slut Walk on the National Mall.  Allegedly it’s meant to raise awareness to “Rape Culture and Victim Bashing”. (via Metromix)

2pm

One of my hometown favourites, the Great Lakes Brewing Company is starting to become popular in DC!  Have a taste at Churchkey!

6:30pm

Get your geek out! DC9 will be hosting a Nerd Nite lecture. Admission is $10, though.

Sunday

This is the start of DC beer week, so expect a ton of events during the week. Most can be found at Metromix and dcbeer.com .

(via YoursForGoodFermentables)

5-9pm

Go on a Craft Beer Cruise , where two dozen beers will keep you company.

6pm

Sail some Heavy Seas at the Iron Horse!

7-9pm

Meridian Pint continues its awesome with a beer and cheeses tasting.

Finally, starting Monday, it will also be DC Restaurant Week! Hundreds of restaurants have cheap fixed-price 3 course menus to choose from. Please go to at least one – it’s a great way to check out places near you, as well as to explore new and exotic cuisine!

OMG Free Ice Cream!

Today is Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day!

You can get as many free one scoop cones as you like between 12 and 8pm, as long as you are okay with probably having to wait in MASSIVE LINES.  DC has four locations to choose from: Georgetown (3135 M Street NW), Dupont Circle (1333 19th Street NW), Union Station or the Old Post Office (1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW- but you’ll be screened by National Park Service upon entry!) .  And if you’re a NOVA’er like me, there’s one at 103 South Union Street, Alexandria, VA, too.

I recommend the Phish Food (Chocolate Ice Cream with Gooey Marshmallow, Caramel Swirls & Fudge Fish) and Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz! (Fair Trade Coffee ice cream with espresso bean fudge chunks) first.  But also high in my rankings are Cake Batter (Yellow Cake Batter Ice Cream with a Chocolate Frosting Swirl) and Cherry Garcia (Cherry Ice Cream with Cherries & Fudge Flakes).

If you get some, let me know what flavour you chose and how it was!