Washington Planner, part of the Doublethink Online family of blogs, is proud to invite you to the AFF Doublethink Online Launch Party next Wednesday, the 21st! Can you think of anything nicer than a party on the roof of Local 16 in late May? I sure can’t. Oh wait, add in Peter Suderman, and yes, it CAN get better!
Also…and this is just tentative, wild speculation, wilder than assertions that Ashlee Simpson is “with child”…but there may be a very cool musical act performing. Maybe. Possibly. Tentatively.
I’m just saying, you should come.
May 21, after work until the fun stops (which is, um, never), you and me and all of our best AFF buddies, Local 16. Do it.
Elephants and Donkeys - Prepare to Meet Whales!
I would never write anything that cheesy on my own, I swear, but that’s the tagline for the Vineyard Vines store-opening party in Georgetown tonight. I know you’re all probably already booked this evening with AFF’s May Roundtable, of course, but just in case hanging out at the Fund For American Studies tonight isn’t your thing, here’s the VV party info:
“I drink so much and have sex with lots of girls.” Langhorne Slim was mocking me. I’d tried to get him to say something embarrassing to open up. He was just so subdued. “I’m low-key in this conversation,” he said, but not all the time.
Flash forward two and a half hours later, and Slim (real name Sean Scolnick) had jumped to the rafters of IOTA, a small club in Arlington, VA, and was doing pull-ups to the loud cheers of a packed crowd. That’s the least of it. On stage he was a maniac—totally immersed in his music and charismatically in charge of the room.
Perhaps it was the shot of Jameson whiskey he slammed immediately prior to performing?
The 26th annual Taste of the South, a DC institution, is coming up this Saturday night at the DC Armory. This “southern hospitality” black tie event is raising money for North Carolina’s Cancer Services and the Armed Forces Foundation, and Burnt Sienna is playing! Tickets are already sold out-they go like hot cakes-but if you want to check out the website you can find it here.
If you’ve read Wonkette over the last year or two, or are generally a young professional in Washington, DC, you probably know what Smith Point is. Well for Bo Blair, owner of Smith Point, one bar was not enough. His newest creation, The Rookery, is billed as a sort of grown-up Smith Point…the age limit keeps out the under 25 year old crowd (if you’re a guy) and there have been rumors of membership fees and such trimmings. Situated at 25th and Pennsylvania, The Rookery has only been open a precious short time.
Not on the list? Fear not. The Rookery is hosting a shindig, list-free, on Thursday, May 15th for the District Trust Charities’ summer fundraising efforts. Your $10 at the door gets you the satisfaction that you’re supporting Horton’s Kids, as well as a look at the Rookery if you’ve not yet swung by. Ignore the cold weather, break out the summer party attire, and come by - the fun starts at 9 pm.
There are a couple of things that can make me smile no matter what nasty, awful thing has come my way. It doesn’t matter if it’s rainy (again) and my umbrella is broken and worthless and after 10 minutes in the rain waiting for the bus, I get on the one operated by the ONE driver who doesn’t respect the signless bus stop in front of 101 Constitution (sorry, rant over). These things can make me happy: 1)golden retriever puppies, 2)Arrested Development, 3)Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight”. Period.
Hence, my elation at hearing about GOP communications guru Doug Heye’s Wednesday night fete celebrating the life of Frank Sinatra, honoring the 10th anniversary of his passing. Drop by Hudson (2030 M St) any time after 7 on Wednesday the 14th for a chance to celebrate among Republican and Democratic fans of Sinatra. Yes, Dems are welcome too - event co-host Peter Mirijanian gives the event leftie cred.
As most of you probably already know, one of AFF’s own, Brooke Oberwetter, was arrested last weekend for dancing silently in front of the Jefferson Memorial to celebrate the dude’s birthday. What maybe you don’t know is there’s a way you can help her out — and all you have to do is drink! Well, drink and donate a few bucks while you’re at it. The Technology Liberation Front, a “free-market, free-thinking tech policy blog,” is hosting its fifth semi-annual happy hour, “Alcohol Liberation Front,” at the Science Club (1136 19th St. NW) tomorrow evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and at this particular happy hour, TLF will be taking donations for Oberwetter’s legal defense fund. The suggested donation is $10, but I doubt they’ll mind if you donate a bit less, and certainly won’t mind if you donate a bit more. So come do your part to help free “the Jefferson 1.” Aside from feeling altruistic and freedom-supporting, you’ll get the added bonus of hobnobbing with tech-rockstars like the Progress and Freedom Foundation’s Adam Thierer and Cato’s Tim Lee.
The 2008 Earth Day Network and the Green Apple Festival are sponsoring a free all-day concert on the National Mall this Sunday to celebrate Earth Day. Thievery Corporation, Gov’t Mule, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Will.i.am, O.A.R., Jordin Sparks and several other musicians will be there, along with “environmental action, green technology exhibits” and a motley bunch of speakers (including Chevy Chase, Thomas L. Friedman, Ed Norton and Russell Simmons). No matter what your environmental politics (or lack thereof) are, I’m sure we can all agree on being pro-sunshine and music, so go out and celebrate DC’s first entirely nice spring week (and if you’re feeling particularly earthy, ride your bike to the festival – there’s a free “bike valet” between Madison and Jefferson on 7th St. NW). Festivities start at noon.
Hey AFF journalist, PR, and blogger types … next Tuesday is MediaBistro’s quarterly “All Media Party” in DC, hosted at the K Street Lounge from 6-8 p.m. I’ve been to a few of these in the past, and if you’re one for mingling, this is a good place to do it. You’ll invariably meet at least one ridiculously over-perky broadcast person who will be better looking than all the print folks but scare you nonetheless, and at least one recruiter will try to pounce on you (even though the invite stipulates a “no job searching” policy), but you’ll probably meet at least three cool people as well. Or not – maybe you’ll go with your co-workers and stay huddled together in a corner only talking to one another. There are still drink specials.
RSVPs are required; visit www.ersvp.com/reply/allmediadc.
So you’ve seen the cryptic AFF Room 101 post about Underground, and how we’re watching the big screen premiere of a documentary about the role of music and nationalism in Estonia’s quest for independence….
Now - the details are here! E Street Cinema has posted movie times! Hooray!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTENDING
1)Go to this link. Buy yourself a ticket to the 7 PM showing of The Singing Revolution.
2)E-mail me at kristen@americasfuture.org to let me know you’re coming.
3)Meet everyone for a quick beer at Capital City Brewing at 1100 New York Avenue (near Metro Center) after work, around 6:15ish.
4)Walk the four short blocks down 11th street to the theatre around 6:45.
5)Watch the movie, marvel at the cinematic genius, be moved by the touching tale of Estonia’s independence.
Seriously, it’s going to be cool. Buy your tickets, and e-mail me to RSVP!
-Kristen
