A New Place to Nosh and Toast

By Lavanya Ramanathan
Friday, October 10, 2008

The resplendent French-bordello touches that make Napoleon bistro romantic and Local 16 the picture of pretty? All the chandeliers, expansive mirrors, banquettes and the ubiquitous use of ebony that are seemingly synonymous with any new bar in Washington?

You can thank designers Mick Mier and Joe Steger for that.

The pair, partners in the design firm Mier Steger Browne, have launched a place of their own, 1905, a cozy new Ninth Street restaurant and lounge that bears all their unmistakable decadent touches, with other elements that they could have put only into a place of their own. Joseph Belcher and Phil Rodriguez (from H Street's Sticky Rice) are also partners in the project.

For one thing, they've built nearly everything themselves: handmade tables, chandeliers -- even the framed mirrors -- that fill the space, along with a couple of gorgeous sconces that look like lotuses. A large trunk functions as a table, and a few quirky paintings dot the walls.

"It's a different kind of labor," says Mier, talking about what sets their bar apart from the work they've done for others. "I have to be here, so it's like doing my home."

The wine list -- about 15 reds and whites -- draws from small vineyards. Oh, and keeping with the look, they also offer absinthe.

Starting Thursday, 1905 (which, it must be noted, is across the street from DC9, around the corner from Nellie's Sports Bar and about a block from the 9:30 club) is starting a regular Acid Jazz and Absinthe Night with live jazz starting at 10.

If you go (and particularly if you hit the absinthe) take care not to bump into anything.

Says Steger: "Most of the stuff in here, it's what was in our homes."

5:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays; Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 p.m.-3 a.m. 1905 Ninth St. NW. 202-332-1905 or visit http://www.1905dc.com.

SAVE THE DATE

ON STAGE "Legally Blonde the Musical" Having caught the MTV airing of this Broadway musical, we can honestly say that some people over the age of 17 are going to find "Legally Blonde" one big yuck. Too pink, too florid, too too. "Frost/Nixon" this is not. But something about the story of Elle Woods (made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 film of the same name) caught on; the musical, which chronicles Elle's quest to get into Harvard Law, was nominated for a handful of Tony Awards and had a lengthy run. It's set to close on Broadway on Oct. 19. If you (or more likely, your 12-year-old daughter) are still dying to see it, you can: The touring company lands at the Kennedy Center for a run beginning Dec. 16. $25-$95 (note that $25 tickets are limited and available at the box office only). Dec. 16-Jan. 11. Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600 or visit http://www.kennedycenter.org.

ON STAGE The Obama Girls of Comedy Carolyn Castiglia (VH1, NBC's "Last Comic Standing"), Claudia Cogan, Calise Hawkins (Comedy Central, NBC's "Stand-Up for Diversity" and "Last Comic Standing") and Giulia Rozzi (VH1 and MTV) are the new generation of Obama girls -- you know, the ones that are actually funny and not merely self-promoting. Using sisterhood as their platform, they're on the road to visit swing states (and for some reason, even this fine non-state) to perform stand-up, poke fun at politics' greatest characters and prep us all for Election Day. $15. 8 p.m. Oct. 26. Chief Ike's Mambo Room, 1725 Columbia Rd. NW. 202-332-2211 or http://www.chiefikes.com.

THE DISTRICT

Today

ON STAGE "MacHomer" Is Sold Out. What Else Is There to Do? Post critic Celia Wren showed some love to "7 (x 1) Samurai," a one-man mime sendup of the old Akira Kurosawa film "The Seven Samurai," when it played at the Capital Fringe Festival this summer. Now, David Gaines brings back his show -- with all its sword-fighting scenes and Gaines's great battles against, well, no one -- this time to Capitol Hill's Corner Store arts center for a run this weekend. $20 donation requested; $15 in advance. Tonight and tomorrow at 8, Sunday at 5 p.m. 900 South Carolina Ave. SE. 202-544-5807.

THE SCENE The 24-Hour Drawing Project If you're into events of endurance, artists Kendall Nordin and Hannah Bertram will lead a group of artists through 24 whole hours of public work beginning this morning at the Warehouse (which, yes, has been slated to close for some time, but has been granted "a reprieve" to push on till December, so says its Web site). The way the event works: Artists must complete a work in 24 hours, working in one place and starting at the same time. People can drop in and take in as much of the artistic process as they want. Free. 10 a.m. today-10 a.m. tomorrow. Warehouse Theater, 1021 Seventh St. NW. 202-783-3933.

Tomorrow

THE SCENE Broke? How About a Free Dance Party? How About Two? It's hard times, folks. Save money tomorrow and hit up DJs Kim and Sara's Kicks! dance night, and then swing over to Cafe Saint-Ex every hour or so for the regular free DJ night (tomorrow it's Funk DC's DJ Moose, who has a penchant for, yes, funk and dance-party-friendly electro). Keep your money and have a great time. Kicks! starts at 9:30 p.m. at the Black Cat's Backstage, 1811 14th St. NW. 202-667-7960; Saint-Ex's DJ starts spinning at 10 p.m. (21 and older only). 1847 14th St. NW. http://www.saint-ex.com.

FOR FAMILIES Festival of the Building Arts The National Building Museum celebrates the "built environment" with this fest that lets kids (ages 5 to 13) try their hand at skills that can come in handy, including bricklaying, nail-driving and drywall, woodworking and even gilding. Also on tap is Liz Lerman Dance Exchange's "Pas de Dirt," the site-specific dance performance (performed previously at the museum) that is set to "Swan Lake" and danced with propane-powered backhoes, their operators and dancers. Performances are on F Street at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m. The festival is free, but a $5 donation is suggested. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. tomorrow. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448.

MARYLAND

Today

FILM Environmental Films at Joe's Movement Emporium The arts hub in Prince George's County has been hosting all sorts of green-themed events lately (a clothing swap, exhibits). Tonight it kicks off two days of screenings of about 10 short films on such subjects as consumption habits ("The Story of Stuff," "Trashed") and the effect of U.S. tests conducted at the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico. Suggested donation: $5 for one film, $10 for all films. 6-10 p.m. today; noon-9 p.m. tomorrow. Joe's Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. 301-699-1819.

Tomorrow

FESTIVALS Maryland Brewers' Oktoberfest It requires a bit of a trek up to Timonium to the Maryland State Fairgrounds, but this brew-focused Oktoberfest might be well worth it to beer aficionados. The beer gardens feature 75 beers from 12 breweries (and here's the important part: They're Maryland breweries); rock bands and a more traditional German group will perform; and then there are the Baltimore's Best Beer Belly Competition and the home-brew and wife-carrying contests. $25 at the gate includes admission, eight beer tokens and a souvenir tasting mug. Designated-driver admission is $10 (includes water); age 12 and younger are free. Noon-8 p.m. 2200 York Rd., Timonium, Md., http://www.mdoktoberfest.com or call 800-830-3976.

Wednesday

CONCERT Citizen Cope The stunning, wood-lined Strathmore concert hall might seem an unlikely place to see digital/soul performer (and onetime District star) Clarence Greenwood. For this tour, however, it makes perfect sense: Citizen Cope (formerly of D.C.'s own Basehead; he left the city's scene for the even more concrete pastures of Brooklyn) is on a solo acoustic tour, so expect it to be the sort of hushed show that is tailor-made for the space. $40. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100 or get tickets at http://www.strathmore.org.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Today

CONCERT Middle Distance Runner Celebrates 100 Shows Go early and see New Rock Church of Fire open for spunky local group Middle Distance Runner as it celebrates its 100th show delivering the sort of anthemic pop songs that have won it comparisons to U2 (though we hear bits of Arcade Fire, too). $12. (21 and older only.) 9 p.m. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-522-8340.

ON STAGE Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa Singers, dancers and musicians representing the sights and sounds of such places as Togo, Senegal, Guinea and Ghana take the stage at George Mason University tonight and tomorrow. The 35-year-old group has made a career of blending contemporary and even Western sounds with folkloric ones, so don't be surprised if you hear hints of reggae and Latin music blended with traditional sounds. $23-$46. 8 p.m. today and tomorrow. George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax. 888-945-2468.

Wednesday

FILM "Uncounted: The New Math of American Elections" With the presidential election almost upon us, perhaps it's an ideal time to catch this documentary by filmmaker David Earnhardt looking at fraud and conspiracy theories in voting, particularly with electronic voting systems widely used during the 2004 and 2006 elections. The movie, which was screened last month at the AFI Silver, is shown next week at the Shirlington Library in Arlington. Free. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. 703-228-6545.