Going Out Gurus

Nightlife Agenda

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:54:20 -0500

Premier party band Chopteeth brings the Afrofunk -- and a dozen members -- to the Black Cat on Saturday night. (C.L. Kunst -- Clicks Photography) Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Tuesday How busy is this week? We've got a dozen options for you on Wednesday night alone, which include open-bar parties with hip-hop and electro DJs, a special edition of the Glow dance night with superstar DJ Paul van Dyk, live go-go from Chuck Brown, a party hosted (and allegedly featuring a live performance by) R. Kelly, cover bands in Clarendon, and a lounge serving sushi rolls along with the beats. Then you move on to a weekend with Afrobeat, conscious reggae, classic hip-hop, a record release party at Bliss and a Black Friday bar crawl.

Give thanks for bars open on Thursday

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:32:13 -0500

Want to catch up with old friends in town or simply escape the family on Thanksgiving night? While a lot of bars are closed for the holiday, there are plenty of places happy to serve you a drink -- and some even throw in drink specials and a "Grindhouse" double feature while they're at it. Here's my survey of what's open and what's closed that night, so you'll know where to go. I'm still waiting to hear back from some bars, including a couple that haven't finalized plans yet, so I'll update this list over the next few days.

Five ways to entertain the family this Thanksgiving

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500

One way to reduce the possibility of familial in-fighting this holiday season? Keep the whole clan entertained. Whether the parents are in town for turkey or you have nieces and nephews in need of some excitement, here are some options for ways to spend the long weekend. It's easy to get into the holiday spirit at a seasonally themed exhibit, and the Museum of American History has the goods with "Holidays on Display." The show looks at the intersection of the holiday season and commercialism, particularly once-popular department store window displays and over-the-top spectacles like the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Note that the museum is extending its hours on Friday and Saturday and will close at 7:30 p.m. The Museum of Natural History -- also a crowd-pleaser -- will be open until 7:30 p.m. this Friday through Sunday. (Update note: Since these two are part of the Smithsonian, they, like all

Free and Easy Events

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:00:00 -0500

Watch Motown documentaries, celebrate the foods of the Americas, hear soundtracks composed for silent films and celebrate a bar's 62nd anniversary with live country music. Wednesday Creche Exhibition at the Washington National Cathedral Nativity scenes from around the world are featured at the Washington National Cathedral's annual exhibition, which is open daily through Jan. 6. Thursday Business as usual at the Smithsonian On a day when many of us gather with friends and family for a holiday meal, the assumption might be that popular D.C. attractions will be closed. Here's a timely reminder that the Smithsonian's museums will be open on their regular hours - in most cases 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - as they are every day but Christmas. Friday Maize of the Americas at the National Museum of the American Indian To mark Native American Heritage Day, the National Museum of the American Indian kicks off a

Got Plans? Redux: Thanksgiving visitors edition

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:24:27 -0500

Another week, another contest. We wanted to give away a pair of "Lost in Yonkers" tickets, so we asked you where you bring out-of-town visitors. You turned in some great, offbeat suggestions. We learned about barbecues at Gravelly Point, walking tours and trips to the National Building Museum. Check out the full transcript for more suggestions -- and, of course, our usual serving of advice and commentary. We dished about hanging at the Black Cat, watching sports at bars and dining at restaurants run by "Top Chef" contestants. We're taking next week off -- Gurus need turkey, too! -- but we'll be back to chatting on Dec. 3. Ask away! -- Julia Beizer

Where do you go for great grilled cheese?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:03 -0500

Who doesn't love a grilled cheese? Whether it's a classic rendition like the one at Stoney's . . . (Kathryn Norwood - For The Washington Post) My mission for this week's Dinner Deals column: to find the best grilled cheeses in the area. I settled on five classic faves and three upscale twists. My picks'll be in tomorrow's paper, but you can check 'em out a day early. When researching this story, I found people all over the city with really strong opinions about melted cheese on bread. The Hamilton's version of the sandwich kept popping up among Hill-dwelling sources, so I tried it. Twice. Not-quite-melted white cheddar with tomato and bacon didn't do it for me. The Saloon and the Vienna Inn have decent options, but thin bread turned me off in both cases. Probably more authentic that way -- just like your mama used to make! --

Who's behind the future DC Diner?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:12:13 -0500

Chowhounds might already know there's a diner planned for the long-vacant McDonald's in Cleveland Park. Discerning types should be thrilled to hear that the owners of the popular Nooshi and Spices, chef Jessie Yan and Vanessa Lim, are behind the replacement. Unlike their pan-Asian eateries, the future venue, tentatively called DC Diner, will have a more American focus. Think omelets and sandwiches, some sort of steak and long hours: DC Diner may serve as early as 6 a.m. and on weekends, as late as 2 a.m., says Lim. She's hired Beltran Design Group in Washington to turn the space at 3407 Connecticut Ave. NW into a bucolic 140-seat dining room. Look for barn wood inside. A note from the architect, read by Lim, suggests the interior will "reflect the beauty and simplicity of the farm." The restaurateurs hope to open the diner in April, but "you know construction," says Lim.

Play virtual tour guide and win theater tickets

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:56:49 -0500

It's Thursday, and we're ready to chat at 1 p.m. Looking at the dozens of questions that are already in the Got Plans? queue, people are anxious to talk about holiday parties, Thanksgiving eve destinations and places to take visitors. Of course, we're ready and willing to talk about more than that -- all you have to do is ask. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we also have a prize to give away this week: a pair of tickets to see "Lost in Yonkers" at Theatre J on Tuesday night. All you have to do is suggest your favorite off-the-beaten-path place to take holiday visitors. Everybody goes to the Air and Space Museum or the World War II Memorial -- we're looking for something different. So as you're hanging out with your family next week, just think: you could go watch a family that's even nuttier. Get ready to play tour guide,

Hot tickets

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:51:09 -0500

Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com (800-955-5566) for these shows at the 9:30 club: • Wale and Remy, Jan. 1 ($25) • Thievery Corporation, Jan. 21-23 ($40-$50). Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster for Moody Blues, March 26 at DAR Constitution Hall ($48-$68). Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Live Nation for these shows at the Warner Theatre: • Steven Wright, Jan. 23 ($39.50-$119) &bull: Jimmy Fallon, Feb. 5 ($35) Tickets go on sale Friday at noon through Ticketmaster for the Magnetic Fields, Feb. 4 at Lisner Auditorium ($35). Tickets go on sale Friday at noon through Ticketmaster for these shows at the Birchmere: • Justin Townes Earle and Joe Pug, March 7 ($22.50) • Crooked Still and Chatham County Line, March 14 ($25). Tickets go on sale Friday at 4:20 p.m. through Live Nation for Cheech & Chong, April 10 at

Three more reasons to go out this week

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:06:04 -0500

If you're tired of the same-old nightlife destinations, take heart -- it's a big week for bar openings and reopenings in D.C. Probably the most welcome is the rebirth of the Black Rooster, the downtown pub that closed in October after losing its lease in a downtown office building. After a public outcry (and help from D.C. council member Jack Evans), owner Jody Taylor quietly reopened the bar Monday. Regulars will also be celebrating on L Street on Friday, when Evans presides at a 6 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony that Taylor called "the quote-unquote unofficial-official grand reopening." A DJ will spin from 6 p.m. on, and there will be food and wine specials in addition to the usual "$1.50 off all draft beers" deal that's offered at its weekday happy hours. It won't be hard to miss the party; Taylor says there will be searchlights outside. We mentioned the Peroni Blue

A movies remake

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:21 -0500

Cinemaphiles, let me direct your attention to the (computer) screen. We just launched a new look for movies in the Going Out Guide, and we'd love to get your feedback. Our new main movies page features what's opening this week and our holiday movie guide, along with quick lists of critics' picks, recent releases and other easy-to-scan suggestions about what's in theaters and what's coming soon. There and on our trailers page, you'll can find the newest trailers available so you can keep up with the buzzed-about flicks. And for all those who love to watch the numbers, we added a revamped version of the weekend box office stats. Take a tour of our new pages and let us know what you think, because we're planning even more movie-related improvements for you in the future. You can e-mail us at goingoutguide@washingtonpost.com, or leave comments below. -- Anne Kenderdine

Nightlife Agenda

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:56:16 -0500

It's worth staying up late for the Beaujolais nouveau party at Bistrot du Coin -- especially if you like free wine. (Courtesy of Bistrot du Coin) A hectic week starts with Beaujolais nouveau parties and a fundraiser hosted by hip-hop icons Public Enemy, but also includes a hip-hop history lesson from a cavalcade of local artists, Texas-style two-stepping with Gary P. Nunn at the Clarendon Ballroom, a tribute to the daiquiri, an appearance by highly rated DJ David Guetta, fonk from the Pimps of Joytime, a CD release party for the Jet Age and a new beer night.

The Passenger: Ready to board

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:05:15 -0500

If you've been looking forward to the Passenger, the new neighborhood bar in Shaw from cocktail experts Tom and Derek Brown (formerly of Cork and the Gibson, respectively), here's some good news. The Passenger is set to open at 5 p.m. on Thursday after a few of the usual friends-and-media previews. For more on the promising-sounding establishment, including details about the exclusive cocktail lounge coming early next year, check out my previous post. -- Fritz Hahn

Dine With Tom: Last week to enter

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:24:58 -0500

The photos keep pouring in. We're up to a whopping 168 entries in the Dine With Tom contest! Just a reminder: Deadline day is looming. You have until 5 p.m. this Friday (Nov. 20) to enter. Check out the official rules and then upload your photo here. Beginning Nov. 30, we'll ask readers to vote for one of 10 finalists. The winner scores dinner for two with Post food critic Tom Sietsema. Not a bad prize, if I do say so myself. -- Julia Beizer

Free and easy events

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:46 -0500

Our free picks this week include kids yoga, manicures and expert advice on how to be a spy. Monday, Nov. 16 'The Kalb Report' at the National Press Club Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at "60 Minutes," or how the TV newsmagazine develops its stories? Correspondent Leslie Stahl and Executive Producer Jeffrey Fager discuss the program with journalist Marvin Kalb in the National Press Club's ballroom. Tuesday, Nov. 17 Roland Mesnier builds a gingerbread house at Mount Vernon Every day though Nov. 24, the former White House pastry chef will spend a few hours crafting a gingerbread version of George Washington's estate. Visitors are invited to stop by and watch -- and you don't have to pay the usual Mount Vernon admission fee to do so. Wednesday, Nov. 18 "Put a Corc in It" at the Renaissance M Street Hotel Most of the art you find in