Wes Swing (Photo courtesy Interstellar Music)
The violinist and cellist Wes Swing released his sophomore album “And the Heart” last month and has embarked on a tour around the East Coast. He’ll be arriving in DC to perform at U Street Music Hall on Sunday, June 25.
A group of DC-based artists and musicians recently gathered on the National Mall to create a song and video to promote peace, and they were joined by some volunteers they happened to encounter along the way. Watch their video above!
Multimedia journalist Winyan Soo Hoo wrote to us to explain their message of peace calls attention to the Syrian refugee crisis as well as the fight against Islamophobia.
“It’s a unique approach to a nuanced topic and a great way to call for compassion and decency for all communities,” she said.
In the spirit of brotherhood — and sisterhood — among all, we are compelled to share their video. Perhaps you will also!
Race your Dachshund! (Photo by Peter Jackson)
Oktoberfest — or rather Parktoberfest — comes to DC this Saturday, Sept. 26 from 1-5pm at Yards Park (355 Water St. SE, DC). (In case of rain, the event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27.)
Listen to live music by Sly 45, drink cold Sam Adams beer, grab food from DC’s best food trucks including DC Ballers, Federal City Brothers and DC Slices, compete in an official Sam Adams Stein Hoisting competition, and cheer on the Dachshunds as they race for glory and prizes in the 4th Annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash!
This is a family-friendly, free event — and all dogs are welcome! There will be best dressed and best trick contests at 2:30pm.
Want to race your Dachshund? Entry fees are just $25, all proceeds donated to Washington Humane Society. You must be 21+ to drink beer. No outside alcohol allowed.
Visit http://www.ontaponline.com for more info.
Parktoberfest
Yards Park
Saturday, Sept. 26
1-5pm
Free admission
All ages
21+ to drink
VIDA Fitness’ Penthouse Pool & Lounge at The Yards
From a press release for an ALS benefit to be held at Vida Fitness Penthouse Pool and Lounge at The Yards (1212 4th St. SE, DC) on Friday, May 29:
Raise the rooftop for a great cause! Join VIDA Fitness’ Penthouse Pool & Lounge at The Yards for an upscale rooftop and poolside evening on Friday, May 29 to raise funds for ALS. The social and networking event will include a silent auction to benefit Augie’s Quest, a nonprofit research initiative dedicated to finding a cure for Amyotrophic Laterals Sclerosis (ALS). The silent auction benefit will run from 7 p.m.-12 a.m. and feature complimentary food from the Penthouse Pool Club’s new menu designed by DC Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn and other area restaurants.
DJ Alex Kouros will spin house tracks accompanied with live performances by the Wizard Girls and the Nationals Racing Presidents. The evening will feature numerous silent auction items from DC area retailers, theaters, sporting events and restaurants. Featured silent auction items include:
Check out the Nats this Sunday!
Nationals’ Press Release: ‘Major League Baseball has announced the winners of the 2015 Honorary Bat Girl contest, which recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and who demonstrate a commitment to eradicating the disease. The Honorary Bat Girl for the Washington Nationals is Tracy Lustig of Alexandria, Va. She will be recognized on the field and will be responsible for delivering the lineup card before the team plays the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, May 10.
On Mother’s Day, players and on-field personnel will wear the symbolic pink ribbon on their uniforms, along with pink wrist bands. Commemorative base jewels and dugout lineup cards also will be pink. Games will feature a pink-stitched Rawlings baseball, the official ball of MLB, as the official game ball. Many MLB players also will use pink bats, and pink Louisville Slugger bats, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, will be stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo. Many authenticated, game-used Louisville Slugger pink bats from Mother’s Day games will be auctioned exclusively on MLB.com to benefit the fight against breast cancer.
One Eight Distilling
Good news if you love carrots. They have a day of their own — International Carrot Day on Saturday, April 4.
And better news if you like carrot cake and gin, as Karat Cakery and One Eight Distilling (1135 Okei St. NE, DC) are teaming up to celebrate.
The press release from Karat Cakery says:
Let us count the ways we love carrots because on Saturday, April 4, carrots will make a delicious appearance at One Eight Distilling thanks to local food truck Karat Cakery.
Carrot lovers can enjoy both sweet and savory carrot treats from Karat Cakery’s food truck, including carrot cupcakes and surprise savory carrot dishes and of course spirits from One Eight Distilling to wash it all down.
The spirits portion of this carrot celebration will be located in the Tasting Room at One Eight Distilling (1135 Okie Street, NE). One Eight will host tours and tastings of its latest spirits on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm every half-hour, first-come, first-served. Guests must be 21+ with valid I.D. in order to participate. Admission is free, and advance registration is NOT required and there will be free on-street parking.
Guests can show their love for carrots by participating in Karat Cakery’s challenges like the “place your order using your best bunny imitation” and rounds of imaginary hoola hoop while holding Mr. Carrot. “We are thrilled to bring our carrot love to One Eight Distilling on International Carrot Day,” said Robert Hogans. “Carrots are the perfect ingredient for a fantastic day of fun, food and drink.”
The undisputed star of International Carrot Day and the centerpiece of Karat Cakery’s lineup are the carrot cupcakes, which are based on our Grandma Hogans’ family recipe. This recipe has been fashioned not only into breathtaking cupcakes, but also into irresistible carrot cakes and loaves available via Washington, DC’s only dedicated carrot cake food truck — Karat Cakery’s Goldie.
“This Saturday’s partnership with Karat Cakery is particularly special because it’s International Carrot Day,” said Jared Earley at One Eight Distilling. Yes, you can have your carrot cake and eat it too!
This spring, Union Market (1309 5th St. NE, DC) will get in the pink spirit to honor DC’s most prized floral tradition, the National Cherry Blossom Festival. From Friday, March 20 through Sunday, April 12, 2015, the vibrant district in Northeast DC will offer a handful of blossom-inspired perks, including free rosé tastings, unique dinnerware discounts and a deliciously sweet Sakura Black tea blend commemorating the festival’s Japanese origins. These shops will offer specials to correspond with the Tidal Basin’s three-week long treat.
Salt & Sundry
What: The hip lifestyle boutique will endow any customer who utters the words, “Cherry Blossom,” a 10% discount off all Japanese dinnerware.
Cordial Fine Wine & Spirits
What: Bubbly enthusiasts should head to Cordial Fine Wine & Spirits, which will be offering free, celebratory rosé tastings every Saturday from 12 to 3 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm.
Peregrine Espresso
What: Union Market’s favorite coffee connoisseurs will switch things up by offering patrons Sakura Black – a delicious Japanese black tea blended with sweet sakura cherry blossom leaves and flowers.
Bazaar Spices
What: Bazaar Spices will celebrate with a pop of style! The shop’s gourmet pink-hued popcorn kernels are guaranteed to blossom into perfectly Pink Popcorn that is high in antioxidants and full of fiber & flavor.
For more information, visit http://www.unionmarketdc.com.
