Weekend Now

A Weekend Is More Than Two Days

The staff of Weekend , The Washington Post's weekly entertainment guide, covers what's happening in the Washington area. We'll field your questions on everything in the section from performances and new DVDs to weekend getaways and kids' activities. We write about all kinds of fun things to do and we're happy to talk to you about it.

The Weekend staff was online Friday, June 30, at 11 a.m. ET to take your questions and comments.

This Friday, Weekend takes a tour through the renovated National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Michael O'Sullivan leads the way and previews the many new exhibits. You'll also find a complete roundup of July 4th fireworks and other events. Thinking about visiting the newly reopened museums? Wondering what to do on July 4th? Come chat.

Read about the staff of the Weekend section.

A transcript follows.

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Curt Fields: Hello everyone and welcome to Weekend Now, the weekly chat with your entertainment-seeking friends on the Weekend section staff.

Michael O'Sullivan can tell you all about the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum.

We can also talk about music, the theater, DVDs and more. So let's all tear ourselves away from the mesmerizing gaze of "Large Head" on today's section front and chat for the next hour.

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Washington, D.C.: For O'Sullivan:

Is "Twittering Machine" at the Phillips or not? Your excellent review says that it is not part of the Klee show, but the Sunday Arts reviewer highlighted it as one of the key pieces in the show.

What gives?

Michael O'Sullivan: The short answer: No, Paul Klee's "The Twittering Machine" is NOT in the show, as I wrote. It is, however, reproduced in the show's catalogue, which is how the confusion arose, I think.

"Klee and America" is a traveling show. Not all the works in the exhibition make it to every venue. "Twittering Machine" is an old favorite of mine, so I made a point of looking for it (and, in fact, asking about it).

I think the Sunday Arts reviewer must have seen it in the catalogue, and misremembered seeing it in the show. Oops.

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Washington, D.C.: I understand the Chevy Chase Club on Connecticut Ave. (just south of Bradley Blvd.) will have fireworks on Monday, July 3rd. I have heard people say you can watch them, but I presume the club is restricted to members, so do you know if people just set up camp along Connecticut Ave. to see them or what?

Thanks!

PS I love the Weekend section and am glad you now have a chat to go with it.

Eve Zibart: I have seen cars parked along there, but remember that some of that is restricted by neighborhood stickers and stuff. But there are some small parks and green spaces around. Since you have a little time to plan, perhaps you might scout it out this weekend. Anyone who lives around there know if you can see if from that park off Jones Bridge Road?

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Guys,

I have a really cool and down-to-earth uncle who escaped the flooding waters of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., to visit me here in D.C. He is a vital, 50+ year-old man, who enjoys all types of entertainment and such. Any suggestions for us to spend my one, available day with him tomorrow? (I feel a sick day coming on) before releasing him back to the rest of my family for the weekend? Feel free to tag on weekend events too for the family. Thanks so much!

Ellen McCarthy: So tomorrow is your one day to hang with the uncle as he dries out? Good thing we have sun in the forecast for the next few days. How about the Folklife Festival on the Mall? There's tons of entertainment and it's a very DC experience...you could even let the rest of the family tag along if you feel like sharing the guy.

Eve Zibart: If he doesn't like the heat, there's also the grand opening of the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum; that will have lots of music, too. (And plenty of bars to see Wiimbledon action--Nadal vs. Agassi!)

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Downtown, GUY: Do you ever do public appearances? You know, meet and greet with the readers?

Joyce Jones: Weekend staffers do public appearances from time to time. For instance last week, Ellen McCarthy welcomed the full-house to the free Weekend's Weekend reggae concert at Carter Barron Amphitheatre. Tonight Richard Harrington, who helps organize the concerts each year, will welcome the crowd (It's Soul of the City Night). At most concerts, Christina Talcott is there to handout programs and welcome concertgoers. In the past we have been on hand at Post-sponsored events to meet readers, though we haven't done that recently. Sometime this fall, we may come up with a plan to get together with readers. If that works out, Weekend Now chatters will be some of the first to know about it.

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Bowie, Md.: I heard about an art prize called Trewick (spelling?) for Maryland artists and that the winners will be showing soon.

Can't find anything online ... any word on this art prize and where?

Michael O'Sullivan: The Trawick Prize exhibition will take place Sept. 5-19 at Creative Partners Gallery, 4600 East-West Highway, Bethesda. First prize winner gate $10,000. More info here

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Warrenton, Va.: Do you guys really like Kelly Clarkson? C'mon, she's a reality show creation isn't she?

Richard Harrington: Actually, Clarkson's a genuine vocal talent who might not have gotten a shot without "American Idol" based on (not my judgment but general commentary over time) her plain looks and, for a while, minor weight issues. She is what she is--a very good pop singer and she's had some great singles. Obviously she's not your cup of tea but an awful lot of people seem to like her. Plus we at Weekend don't like or dislike anyone collectively, so some of us may like her and some of us may not.

Curt Fields: I like her. But then, I watch American Idol.

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Fairfax, Va.: Your listings seem static and take a lot of space. Some of them haven't changed in years (like museums with permanent exhibits).

Why not just publish them once a month and the rest of the time open up the section for some more "live" reviews or discussing new gallery openings, etc.?

Joyce Jones: You know we have this thing about listings. If you've lived in the DC area for long, you may have noticed that though once pretty much the only entertainment listings at the Post were in Weekend, now there are county-centric entertainment listings in the county Extras, listings in newer weekly sections like Sunday Source and now listings in Style three days a week. And of course searchable listings here at washingtonpost.com. At Weekend, we've always put a lot of effort and emphasis on making our listings as complete and accurate as possible with the idea that some people just want to peruse for themselves and see what's out there. We also try to give a lot of guidance with various "picks" such as the Best page and with our feature stories and reviews. We're always open to adjusting the balance of listings vs. other content. We'd be very happy to hear from you guys about how you use Weekend and what you prefer.

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Washington, D.C.: Where, besides on the Mall, are the best places to see the fireworks? I would also prefer somewhere that you don't have to show up hours in advance. Thanks!

Eve Zibart: Actually, the Mall isn't always the best place, since sometimes you're right up underneath--not to mention the crowds and kids and dogs. Here are some of my best tips:

(1)If you have a friend with a boat, the river and/or the marinas are great. Similarly, the restaurants along the waterfront down by Arena Stage (Metro accessible) or Georgetown (not too far) are good. Worse comes to worst, rent a kayak. Maybe a pontoon and gets some friends together.

(2) If you have a friend who works for Congress, some of the offices have balconies that are highly desirable, viewing-wise. (Security may be tougher for this than it used to be.)

(3) Rooftop bars from midtown to Adams-Morgan will get you that "special glow," if you don't need to see everything. And a lot of office buildings have roof terraces, too; ask your attorney if his office is downtown.

(4) Some spots are so famous they're probably already booked, such as the Kennedy Center roof and the Washington Hotel roof bar, but call around anyway. It's such a long weekend that some people may have gone away and not made their usual reservations.

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Richmond, Va.: Left D.C. many years ago, coming back for July 4.

Long ago the Park Police let folks park on the grass along the GW Parkway across the river from the Mall for fireworks once a year on the 4th, wondering if they still permit this? Thanks.

Ellen McCarthy: Just talked to a spokesperson from the Park Police who says there are some areas along the Parkway where you'll be allowed to park. You just have to follow their guidelines once you get there.

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Annandale, Va.: Would love suggestions for where to view the fireworks on the Virginia side of the river -- we have two children under age 5 and had a horrible (and scary!) experience using the Arlington Cemetery Metro stop on a previous July 4th fireworks viewing time. What time would we need to get to a place like Lady Bird Johnson Park to get a spot?

Eve Zibart: Well, let's remind people that not all small children and dogs like the noise and pyrotechnics, so exercise some caution. And thanks for the reminder about the cemetery; I left it out of my other tips. It's always a little tricky talking about the parkway because some years it's really packed and some not. What about going a little farther in, to the FDR memorial area? Or calling some of the hotels in Crystal City with high-up restaurants such as the Doubletree or the Hyatt? The Key Bridge Marriott's last day in July 4, so that may be booked, but you might call. That way you have parking, Metro (or not) and AC and food if the kids get cranky. The other possibility might be Gravel Park, where airplane fans park and watch.

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Hungry, Ex-Fla.: Where can I find good Cuban food in the area, especially in MoCo?

Eve Zibart: Boy, have you come to the right place. We've highlighted two good ones in just the last few months! (Just kidding.) Cuban Corner, on Rockille Pike/Route 355 across from Montgomery County, may be the premier spot. A little ways farther up, on Redland Road just off 355 (the opposite way from King Farm) is the Blue Mountain Cafe, which is part Jamaican, part Cuban, etc. but you'd find familiar dishes. And in Silver Spring, Cubano's is a little mom-and-pop place and El Guajiro a touch larger. And then there's the fine Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville...

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Washington, D.C.: I found out the Royal Dairy ice-cream shop in Front Royal, Va., has closed and will be replaced by a Chinese restaurant. It was closed when I stopped by in late March with some out of town visitors and each time I tried to call them since then the number was disconnected. I just heard from someone else who confirmed the closure with the Front Royal visitor information center.

Scratch one great local institution off the list of places to visit. I guess it had been open since circa 1949. I used to go to the Royal Dairy every time I was in, or near, Front Royal.

Ellen McCarthy: If true, this calls for a moment of silence. Ice cream shops should never die.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi. I am thinking of taking out-of-town guests to the Folk Festival, but last year getting into the festival was a real fiasco because of the security checkpoints. We waited 30 minutes in typical July heat just to get inside! Any idea whether there is going to be similar security on the Mall this year restricting access to the festival? Or if so, where the checkpoints are so we can plan to go to one that is less crowded? Thanks.

Scott Vogel: Thanks for this good question. A representative of the Folklife Festival is checking into this even as we speak, and hopefully we'll have a definite answer for you later in the hour. Their guess at this point is that security checkpoints were a Fourth of July thing rather than a Folklife Festival thing, but perhaps you weren't there on the Fourth? Feel free to elaborate on your earlier post and as I say we'll continue looking into this.

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Bo, ho: Who are some good jazz musicians to look for around town? Not smooth jazz please. That puts me to sleep.

Richard Harrington: One of the very best, tenor saxophonist Buck Hill, is at Twins Jazz tonight and tomorrow; he's celebrating the release of "Relax," his first album in 15 years (now that's a crime!). Buck, who is closing in on 80, comes from a great tradition of elegantly robust players like Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and Dexter Gordon, and if he hadn't chosen to remain in Washington--he worked for many years as a mailman--he might well have been mentioned in their company. He's also playing at HR57 July 8 and 20, Sabang in Wheaton Aug 5 and Blues Alley Aug 21. The terrific trumpeter Jon Faddis is at Blues Alley through Sunday with a group featuring several Senegalese musicians and the swing oriented Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra is there Monday; and Brooks Tegler's quartet is at Starland Cafe Sunday.

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Poolesville, Md.: So of the upcoming shows you highlight in the paper today at the museums, which are the 2 or 3 can't miss ones I have to plan to see?

Michael O'Sullivan: I'd go contemporary and recommend "William Wegman: Funney/Strange" at the Smithsonian American Art Museum; the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition; and "Portraiture Now." The last two are at the National Portrait Gallery. And make sure you check out the open storage at the Luce Foundation Center for American Art. Then have a drink at the Portico Cafe.

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Scott Vogel: Regarding the previous question re security checkpoints at the Folklife Festival: A Festival representative says that checkpoints are the prerogative of the Park Police, who will likely institute them, but only on the Fourth. There will not be checkpoints on any other days.

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Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: Hoping to take a day trip during this nice, long weekend. Any suggestions for a few late-20 to early-30 somethings?

Ellen McCarthy: Annapolis is always a good time, especially if you haven't been there in a while. If you can, book some tickets for the Schooner Woodwind, a beautiful sailboat that leaves from downtown Annapolis and will take you out into the bay for a totally relaxing two hour cruise.

Other suggestions out there for our day trippers?

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washingtonpost.com: Schooner Woodwind Cruises

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Alexandria, Va.: This is probably a question more for the GOGs or Tom Sietsema, but since my timing is bad I'll ask you instead: I'm a displaced New Englander craving a lobster roll this weekend. Any idea where I can get one in the NoVa area? Thanks!

Curt Fields: What? You don't think we know from lobster rolls? Ms. Zibart and her educated palate can help. Take it away, Eve ...

Eve Zibart: There's a fancy version, a lobster BLT at Cafe MoZu in the Mandarin Oriental, that's fabulous. Hank's Oyster Bar is named for chef Jamie Leeds' dad, so you know she's careful about the recipe. Sea Catch doesn't even have a freezer, so you know theirs is fresh. Kinkead's may have been the first place to put it on the regular menu (lunch only, I think). And Zola has had one on the bar menu, though I haven't checked in lately. And Legal Seafood has always had one, though it might not be the first choice.

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Washington, D.C.: Suggestions for a 2-3 hour "hike" and a pick-your-own farm nearby to said hike, somewhere within an hour's radius of D.C? Thanks.

Joyce Jones: Hiking and picking (or rather eating) fruit, right up my alley. Depending on traffic, this may be stretching the hour a little, but Sky Meadows near the Fauquier/Loudoun county lines is a great place to hike and it's right in the heart of pick-your-own farm land. At Sky Meadows you can go easy or more challenging. Weekend has recently had stories on both of these topics. We'll put up a link to our Hiking cover story, which features Sky Meadows, and a link to our Pick Your Own farms story, which lists farms all around the area.

If you want to go a little farther out, there's a beautiful hike in Shenandoah National Park, White-Oak Canyon-Cedar Run, and you could go to a farm in Rappahanock County on your way home.

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Kentlands, Md: So, Prada or Superman?

Twila Waddy: I have not seen Superman, so I cannot say yes or no on that one. I have seen and enjoyed "The Devil Wears Prada." It was a little long. But, if you are into designer shoes and clothes and such you will get into it. Meryl Streep was pretty good in the movie.

Scott Vogel: A dissenting view on "Prada:" I can't really get into a movie in which there's a climactic cheer when the heroine reveals she's gone from a size 6 to a size 4...

Michael O'Sullivan: It's less a question of "Prada" vs. "Superman" than it is a question of Meryl Streep vs. Kevin Spacey as the films' villains. I vote for Meryl, though. Her character is deliciously nasty. And note the resemblance to Cruella de Vil.

Curt Fields: As for me it's neither. I'll be watching Dave Chappelle's Block Party, which recently came out on dvd.

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Clifton, Va.: Eve,

Do you suffer from Virginiaphobia? Fear of setting foot on the better side of the Potomac. And you also seem not to want to try restaurants outside the Beltway in Va. What's up with that? Bias you bet!

Eve Zibart: Actually, no--I'm from Tennessee, so Virginia's my back yard. It's just been a weird stretch; several of the ones I was working on either closed or changed chefs in mid-stream, and I get so many requests for subway-friendly reviews that I lean a little on the Orange Line. And the other problem is how widespread "NoVa" actually; some people don't feel as if Alexandria or Tysons or Springfield or Seven Corners are in their neck of the woods, so they forget. However, I have a few in the works again, and I'm certainly open for suggestions.

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D.C. fireworks from the water: My sister and brother in law found this a very scary situation, since so many of the other boaters were drunk. I think a human-powered boat would be even scarier.

Joyce Jones: Thanks for clueing us in on your experience, I see what you mean. Anyone else tried this for better or worse?

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Alexandria, Va.: With respect to the parking along the GW Parkway, it seems that (from looking at a map) the Pentagon North Parking would be close to the Marina and the river and looks to be accessible via a footbridge. Is this an option for the 4th of July?

Eve Zibart: Sorry, Pentagon officials say that only those with the standard permit stickers can park there. Got a friend who works for the brass?

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Farmer's Markets Link: Can you please provide that link? I am dreaming about having some corn on the cob this weekend ...

Joyce Jones:

here it is

is

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Alexandria, Va.: I know you don't write the Extras but the Arlington-Alexandria one this week seems to imply that the Alexandria birthday fireworks are THIS Saturday, while the city's Web site says they're July 8. Do you know for certain which it is? Thanks!

Ellen McCarthy: Alexandria's communication folks say it's the sparks are flying on the 8th.

From a press release issued today: The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 257th birthday and the USA's 230th on Saturday, July 8, from 4 to 10 p,m, at Oronoco Bay Park, which is located at the Potomac River between Pendleton and Madison Streets. Admission is free.

Twila Waddy: Also, If you wanted to check other places to take in the fireworks, we have a list inside the Weekend section.

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Sioux Falls, S.D.: I'll be in D.C. this weekend with a friend, and I would like to rent a bicycle to see some of the sights. Where can I rent a bicycle? Thanks!

Joyce Jones: I recommend Big Wheel Bikes .They have several locations in the area and often those locations are near good trails, such as the C&O Canal. Have fun, looks like a beautiful weekend for a bike ride.

Scott Vogel: Another option: Thompson Boat Center in Washington Harbour has good deals on short-term bike rentals. You can get cruiser bikes for as little as $4 an hour, $15 a day.

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Alexandria, Va.: Any word on road closures in D.C. and the Virginia side of the Potomac for the 4th?

Thanks!

Eve Zibart: Yikes! Well, in recent years, the list pretty much covered everything from about 17th to the river...I-66 around the KenCen, the Constitution ramp to 66, the area around Lincoln Memorial, Constitution from 15th-23rd, Memorial Bridge....In other words, DON"T DRIVE! Or plan to get in really early and stay late. I'd take the Metro. On the other hand, remember that the Smithsonian Metro station will be closed, so you'll have to use one of the neighboring stops.

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washingtonpost.com: Thompson Boat Center

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Arlington, Va.: Michael,

What are the top gallery shows in town right now? Barlow Curates? Something on 14th St?

Michael O'Sullivan: I don't if "top" is the right word, but "Barlow Curates," a three-artist show, has the work of two artists I really love: Karin Birch and Elizabeth Lundberg Morisette. Two out of three is not bad.

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Twila Waddy: For those interested in a list of firework events. A link will follow the information from Weekend.

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Curt Fields: That wraps it up for another week. Thanks for chatting with us. We hope your sparklers sparkle and your fireworks ... um, go boom? Anyway, have a fun holiday but stay safe because we want you back here with us again next Friday.

Also, don't forget, Weekend is on the radio on Thursday on Washington Post Radio at 2pm on 107.7 FM or 1500 AM.

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washingtonpost.com: 4th of July Events

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