Rock Creek Park

Your guide to summer fun amid Washington's natural splendor.

Photo: Fritz Hahn/The Washington Post

Weekend best bets

Jazz in the Garden concerts and the opening of area pools and water parks mark Memorial Day weekend.

Photo: Astrid Riecken/for The Post

We meet again

Critic Tom Sietsema revisits 13 restaurants in the Spring Dining Guide. How do they fare this time?

Photo: Joseph Victor Stefanchick for The Post

Nightlife Agenda

Check out a burlesque act, a floating nightclub, or take a first listen of Daft Punk's new record.

Photo: (Photo by Matthew Girard)

 
 
The hot list
When you want a new place, look here: Check out the bars and restaurants that opened recently.
Eat like the Obamas
Have you been to all the restaurants where the first family has dined? See what lures the president.

Going Out Gurus

GOG BLOG

El Paraiso in Takoma Park is more Sal-Mex than Tex-Mex

El Paraiso in Takoma Park is more Sal-Mex than Tex-Mex Image

It's not Tex-Mex as advertised, but El Paraiso sometimes hits the mark.

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Other Guru Features:

 

Events for Today May

  • Thurs 23
  • Fri 24
  • Sat 25
  • Sun 26
  • Mon 27
  • Tues 28
  • Wed 29

Highlighted Events: Thurs, May 23

  • Artist Talk - Miscellaneous Event
    Marcus Neustetter, an artist from Johannesburg, South Africa, discusses designing South African postage stamps.
    National Museum of African Art - Smithsonian Institution | Washington, DC
  • Transeuropae Hotel - Miscellaneous Event
    Four characters search for a Brazilian drum player who disappears and ends up in a parallel reality.
    West End Cinema | Washington, DC
  • Sleepless - Miscellaneous Event
    A story about two women faced with life changes.
    West End Cinema | Washington, DC
  • Khaled Hosseini - Book Event
    Will be in conversation with NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell.
    Sixth and I Historic Synagogue | Washington, DC
  • Sunrise on the Potomac River Photo Safari - Miscellaneous Event
    Architectural photographer E. David Luria leads guests in photographing the Washington Harbour and Rock Creek Parkway.
    Thompson Boat Center | Washington, DC
  • Steve Vogel - Book Event
    , a reporter for The Washington Post, will discuss his book "Through the Perilous Fight," which tells the gripping story of the burning of Washington and the improbable last stand at Baltimore that helped save the nation and inspired its National Anthem.
    Maryland Historical Society | Baltimore, MD
  • The Five: an Exploration of Clay Artists and Styles - Miscellaneous Event
    One of five classes with artists with different approaches to clay.
    Annmarie Garden | Solomons, MD
  • Welcome Spring Campfire Lunch - Miscellaneous Event
    A celebration of spring by campfire includes dessert. Best for ages 1 and older.
    Brookside Nature Center | Wheaton, MD
  • Tempest Trio - Music Event
    The ensemble performs "The Dvorak Trios."
    IDB Cultural Center/Inter-American Development Bank | Washington, DC
  • Howard Wettstein - Book Event
    A philosophy professor at the University of California, Riverside will discuss his book "The Significance of Religious Experience". At the Jefferson Building.
    Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Bldg. | Washington, DC

Today's Editors' Picks

  • Nationals - Sports Events
    Vs. the Philadelphia Phillies
    Nationals Park | Washington, DC
  • Soichi and Kaori Murahi - Music Event
    The brother and sister classical guitarists perform as part of the Overtures Concert Series.
    Evermay Estates | Washington, DC
  • Ertai Gao - Book Event
    A Chinese aestheticist, artist, poet and philosopher will discuss Chinese Literature and ancient Buddhist works found in Dunhuang in Gansu province in 1990. At the Jefferson Building.
    Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Bldg. | Washington, DC
  • Fishtank Ensemble - Music Event
    At the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center.
    Montgomery College - Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center | Rockville, MD
  • International Contemporary Ensemble - Music Event
    John Adams conducts the ensemble in a performance of works by Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Adams and Di Castri. At the Coolidge Auditorium.
    Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Bldg. | Washington, DC
  • Richard Breitman and Allan J. Lichtman - Book Event
    ,both American University history professors, will examine the public debate addressed in their book "FDR and the Jews," which asks if FDR did everything possible to save European Jews during the Second World War.
    Politics & Prose Bookstore | Washington, DC
  • A Prairie Home Companion - Performing Arts
    Garrison Keillor returns to Wolf Trap with his radio variety show. At the Filene Center.
    Wolf Trap - Filene Center | Vienna, VA
  • No Man's Land - Performing Arts
    A poet and a stranger debate life in this show performed by WSC Avant Bard.
    Theatre on the Run | Arlington, VA
  • Kirov Academy of Ballet - Performing Arts
    At the Lisner Auditorium.
    George Washington University - Lisner Auditorium | Washington, DC
  • Thunder From Down Under - Performing Arts
    The revue features men from Australia.
    Rams Head Center Stage | Hanover, MD

Highlighted Events: Sat, May 25

  • Delaplane Strawberry Festival - Miscellaneous Event
    It's no coincidence that strawberry festivals fill the latter part of May. That's precisely when you'll finally find the sweet, seedy berries on the vine at local farms, if only for a brief, brilliant month. At Sky Meadows State Park, the strawberry season kicks off with the 20th Delaplane festival, featuring fruit, sweet sundaes, strawberry shortcake and family activities including an antique car show and games.
    Sky Meadows State Park | Delaplane, VA
  • James and the Giant Peach - Performing Arts
    An oversize peach serves as a floating ship for a boy and talking bugs. Best for ages 4 to 10.
    Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
  • Wallenstein - Performing Arts
    Set during the Thirty Years' War, the play follows a general who is torn between loyalty and power.
    Shakespeare Theatre Company - Harman Hall | Washington, DC
  • Civil War Defenses of Washington - Miscellaneous Event
    A bike tour starting in Dupont that follows the off-road trails to Civil War-era remains in the city.
    Fort Dupont Park | Washington, DC
  • Nationals - Sports Events
    Vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. Lunch tote giveaway.
    Nationals Park | Washington, DC
  • D.C. United - Miscellaneous Event
    Vs. Portland Timbers
    RFK Stadium | Washington, DC
  • Firefighting History walking tour - Miscellaneous Event
    Learn about volunteer firefighting in early Alexandria
    Friendship Firehouse Museum | Alexandria, VA
  • Ask-A-Lawyer Day - Miscellaneous Event
    Register for a 20-minute seminar with a judge or attorney to discuss legal matters
    First Baptist Church of Glenarden | Landover, MD
  • Confederate Surgeon and CSA Medical Practices - Miscellaneous Event
    Civil War medical historian Mark Quattrock shares the story of the 9,000 surgeons and assistant surgeons that served the Confederate States.
    National Museum of Civil War Medicine | Frederick, MD
  • Kenny Chesney - Miscellaneous Event
    The country music star headlines the "No Shoes Nation" tour with guests Eric Church, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves
    FedEx Field | Landover, MD

Highlighted Events: Sun, May 26

  • James and the Giant Peach - Performing Arts
    An oversize peach serves as a floating ship for a boy and talking bugs. Best for ages 4 to 10.
    Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
  • Delaplane Strawberry Festival - Miscellaneous Event
    It's no coincidence that strawberry festivals fill the latter part of May. That's precisely when you'll finally find the sweet, seedy berries on the vine at local farms, if only for a brief, brilliant month. At Sky Meadows State Park, the strawberry season kicks off with the 20th Delaplane festival, featuring fruit, sweet sundaes, strawberry shortcake and family activities including an antique car show and games.
    Sky Meadows State Park | Delaplane, VA
  • Wallenstein - Performing Arts
    Set during the Thirty Years' War, the play follows a general who is torn between loyalty and power.
    Shakespeare Theatre Company - Harman Hall | Washington, DC
  • Nationals - Sports Events
    Vs. the Philadelphia Phillies
    Nationals Park | Washington, DC
  • The President's Own United States Marine Band - Music Event
    The band kicks off the summer season with a performance followed by fireworks. The concert is free, but seating will be first come, first served beginning 90 minutes before the show. At the Filene Center.
    Wolf Trap - Filene Center | Vienna, VA
  • National Memorial Day Concert - Miscellaneous Event
    Celebrate the country's servicemen and women on Memorial Day eve with a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra and six military bands, with appearances by singer-songwriter Chris Mann, mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins any Tony Award-winner Alfie Boe. As usual, Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna serve as hosts for the event, which begins at 8 p.m. Gates open to the public at 5 p.m.
    U.S. Capitol | Washington, DC
  • Civil War Weekend - Miscellaneous Event
    Demonstrations, encampments and Confederate field hospital reenactments tell the story of Yorktown during the Peninsula Campaign.
    Colonial National Historic Park | Yorktown, VA
  • UniverSoul Circus - Performing Arts
    The 70-foot-tall big top is bursting at the seams with tigers, elephants, acrobats, aerial artists and performers from around the world.
    Security Square Mall | Baltimore, MD
  • Victoria Fu: A Cloud Is Not a Sphere - Miscellaneous Event
    The artist uses film projections and photography to explore the representation and experience of space and memory.
    Flashpoint | Washington, DC

Highlighted Events: Mon, May 27

  • Happy Hour at Fiola - Bar/Club Event
    Sample classic Italian cocktails for $5, or eight different Italian wines for $6 per glass.
    Fiola | Washington, DC
  • UniverSoul Circus - Performing Arts
    The 70-foot-tall big top is bursting at the seams with tigers, elephants, acrobats, aerial artists and performers from around the world.
    Security Square Mall | Baltimore, MD
  • Nationals - Sports Events
    Vs. the Baltimore Orioles
    Nationals Park | Washington, DC
  • The Main Ingredient - Bar/Club Event
    Trust DJ Jahsonic for your weekly dose of classic hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B and new jack swing.
    Marvin | Washington, DC
  • Monday Night Trivia Fight at Wonderland - Bar/Club Event
    One of the most crowded, grueling and amusing trivia nights in Washington.
    The Wonderland Ballroom | Washington, DC
  • Sticky Rice Sushi Happy Hour - Bar/Club Event
    Every Monday night, Sticky Rice offers half-price sushi.
    Sticky Rice | Washington, DC
  • Sabor Mondays - Bar/Club Event
    Free admission. Free salsa lessons. Free drinks for women between 9 and 11. Really, you can't lose.
    Lima | Washington, DC
  • Victoria Fu: A Cloud Is Not a Sphere - Miscellaneous Event
    The artist uses film projections and photography to explore the representation and experience of space and memory.
    Flashpoint | Washington, DC
  • Fried Chicken Blue-Plate Special - Food Event
    On Mondays only, Chevy Chase neighborhood favorite Blue 44 offers a tantalizing fried chicken dinner.
    Blue 44 | Washington, DC
  • Vidalia Happy Hour - Bar/Club Event
    Vidalia's fantastic happy hour features modern takes on southern cuisine. Don't miss cocktails made with Cheerwine, Blenheim Hot Ginger Ale and other regional sodas.
    Vidalia | Washington, DC

Highlighted Events: Tues, May 28

  • A Right Royal Pub Quiz - Bar/Club Event
    A weekly British-style pub quiz has a big reward: A trip for two to London.
    The Queen Vic | Washington, DC
  • Happy Hour at Fiola - Bar/Club Event
    Sample classic Italian cocktails for $5, or eight different Italian wines for $6 per glass.
    Fiola | Washington, DC
  • UniverSoul Circus - Performing Arts
    The 70-foot-tall big top is bursting at the seams with tigers, elephants, acrobats, aerial artists and performers from around the world.
    Security Square Mall | Baltimore, MD
  • Pele Searches for a Home - Miscellaneous Event
    A film about volcanoes.
    National Museum of the American Indian - Smithsonian Institution | Washington, DC
  • Nationals - Sports Events
    Vs. the Baltimore Orioles
    Nationals Park | Washington, DC
  • Alice Walker - Book Event
    Will discuss and sign her two new books, "The Cushion in the Road: Meditation and Wandering as the Whole World Awakens to Being in Harm's Way" and "The World Will Follow Joy: Turning Madness into Flowers."
    Busboys and Poets | Washington, DC
  • Why Maui Snared the Sun - Miscellaneous Event
    Maui, a son of a goddess, decides to confront the sun.
    National Museum of the American Indian - Smithsonian Institution | Washington, DC
  • The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3-D - Miscellaneous Event
    A film following World Champion surfer Kelly Slater and Tahitian surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer. At the Johnson Imax Theater.
    Smithsonian - Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theater | Washington, DC
  • Afternoon Tea - Miscellaneous Event
    The event includes a light lunch and live music.
    The Mansion at Strathmore | North Bethesda, MD
  • Takoma Station Tavern Jazz Jam Session - Music Event
    For those who live a bit closer to Maryland, the Tuesday night jam sessions at Takoma Station Tavern are your answer for weeknight jazz. The historic music venue has hosted the weekly sessions since October 2010, with a rotating roster of musicians led by bass player Raymond Magic and emceed by Takoma Station's own Lydia Williams.
    Takoma Station Tavern | Washington, DC

Highlighted Events: Wed, May 29

  • Wallenstein - Performing Arts
    Set during the Thirty Years' War, the play follows a general who is torn between loyalty and power.
    Shakespeare Theatre Company - Harman Hall | Washington, DC
  • Happy Hour at Fiola - Bar/Club Event
    Sample classic Italian cocktails for $5, or eight different Italian wines for $6 per glass.
    Fiola | Washington, DC
  • UniverSoul Circus - Performing Arts
    The 70-foot-tall big top is bursting at the seams with tigers, elephants, acrobats, aerial artists and performers from around the world.
    Security Square Mall | Baltimore, MD
  • Orioles - Sports Events
    Vs. the Washington Nationals. Orioles t-shirt giveaway to first 10,000 fans age 15 and older.
    Oriole Park at Camden Yards | Baltimore, MD
  • Xinran - Book Event
    The British-Chinese broadcast journalist and writer will relate stories from her 2011 book "Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Loss and Love.". At the Jefferson Building.
    Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Bldg. | Washington, DC
  • Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Book Event
    Will read from her book "Americanah."
    Politics & Prose Bookstore | Washington, DC
  • Afternoon Tea - Miscellaneous Event
    The event includes a light lunch and live music.
    The Mansion at Strathmore | North Bethesda, MD
  • Nationals vs. Orioles - Miscellaneous Event
    As interleague rivals, the Nationals and Orioles only play head-to-head a few times each season, which temporarily breathes life into a potentially amazing geographic rivalry. Such meetings are a good chance for Nats fans to travel to Baltimore and vice versa, never more so than this year when a four game series between the two teams will be split evenly between the two cities: Monday and Tuesday's games are at Nationals Park, while the series shifts to Camden Yards on Wednesday and Thursday. Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE. 202-640-7000. www.nationals.com. Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St., Baltimore. 410-685-9800. www.theorioles.com.
    Various locations | Washington, DC
  • The Hampton Years - Performing Arts
    Local playwright Jacqueline E. Lawton wrote this world premiere, which takes place at a Virginia art school during World War II and follows a couple of Jewish refugee artists and their talented black students.
    Theater J | Washington, DC
  • Becky Shaw - Performing Arts
    As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. A well-meaning couple in Gina Gionfriddo's witty Pulitzer finalist play learns that the hard way after setting up a straight-talking friend and a seemingly vulnerable co-worker. Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan, who wowed in Studio Theatre's "Contractions," and Will Gartshore star in the area premiere of the off-Broadway hit.
    Round House Theatre | Bethesda, MD
  • May 2013
  • Jun 2013
  • Jul 2013
  • Aug 2013
  • Sep 2013
  • Oct 2013
  • Nov 2013
  • Dec 2013
  • Jan 2014
  • Feb 2014
  • Mar 2014
  • Apr 2014
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