Weekend Now

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 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.

Today's Topics: Take a deep breath and relax as we explore ways to beat stress with inexpensive yoga, cheap, calming retreats or free qigong. We also visit Ocean 9 in Gaithersburg for tasty and traditional Thai and offer rainy day places for kids to burn off excess energy.

Read about the staff of the Weekend section.

Weekend Now Discussion Transcripts

A transcript follows.

Read about the staff of the Weekend section.

Weekend Now Discussion Transcripts

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Curt Fields: Welcome to Weekend Now, the weekly chat with members of the staff of the Weekend section.

We hope you're staying dry on this rainy morning. And we hope you have some questions or comments for us about fun things to do in the DC area. So chime in and let's get to it ...

Curt Fields: By the way, don't forget to check out our cover story today about low-budget ways to quell the stress in our lives. That's some info almost every one of us can use, right?

We'll post a link to it in a few minutes.

Now, let's chat...

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Washington, D.C.: Going to Radiohead on Sunday, how early should I expect to get to Nissan Pavilion and is there somewhere close by I could get take-out to eat while I wait in the parking lot for the doors to open?

Eve Zibart: There are certainly fast-foot joints along Route 29/Gainesville nearby, but if you have a little more time (it is Saturday, after all) surf washingtonpost.com for restaurants near Nissan; there's one of those little maps with sports bars and such as well.

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washingtonpost.com: Chilling Out on the Cheap ( Weekend, May 9)

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Laurel, Md.: I believe that the National Children's Museum is currently closed. Since my grandchildren, ages 1 and 3, are visiting, can you recommend some place not too expensive that they might enjoy on a rainy day?

Amy Joyce: Funny you should ask. Check out our "With the Kids" page today. We asked the weather gods to be with us as we ran it because it's all about places to go when it's rainy or too hot to be outside. There are play spaces and indoor pools galore.

And if that's not enough to choose from, check out our listings on the following page for performances for even your little 1 year old. Try the International Children's Festival at the Meridian International Center in Adams Morgan or the puppet show at Glen Echo (Knight Time). If you want to make a run for it, park at the National Zoo and get to the Amazonia exhibit, which is indoors--HUGE fish, stingrays and free-flying monkeys RIGHTTHERE. The tanks are at eye level (so that my just-now-standing 10 month old loved watching the fish swoosh by right in front of him). If you get to the zoo in time, the elephants get their baths at 10:30 am (also indoors).

We'll post a link here of our story about the great indoors...

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VOLUNTEER NEEDS HELP: I'm volunteering for the Kidney Foundation for the Chili Cook-Off on Saturday. I'm also a volunteer Designated Driver. Can you tell me of relatively inexpensive places to park in that area (Gallery Place/China Town). Thanks. I hate breaking the budget just to help others. Remember, I can't Metro because I'm a DD.

Eve Zibart: If you don't mind coming down early, you might be able to find free parking along Independence or Constitution along the Mall....and some around the courthouses, but most of the streets around there are metered...you may have to settle for a parking lot otherwise. Alternative idea: Do you have any friends who work at office buildings downtown -- law offices, museums, hotels, etc? perhaps you could get a pass or convince someone to do a good deed by helping you do one.

Amy Orndorff: Being a caps fan I am the queen of finding free parking within a couple blocks of Gallery Place. Not only is everything metered around there, but on Saturdays it is two hour parking, so be careful.

My suggestion is G street between New Jersey Ave and and North Capitol Street. Free parking on weekends all day and plenty of parking. That will put you about five blocks from Verizon.

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Washington, D.C.: I want to attempt to learn Spanish and came across a place called the International Language Institute that is in Dupont. Have any of you heard of it before? I've taken Spanish in college and high school but I'm nowhere near fluent. Are there any other good options out there in the D.C. area? Thanks!

Curt Fields: Can any of you offer tips for a fellow chatter on the best places to try?

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washingtonpost.com: At Playtime, Explore the Great Indoors ( Weekend, May 9)

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Bethesda, Md.: What else has Helen Hunt been doing? I've hardly seen her since her TV series.

washingtonpost.com: For Helen Hunt, Art Imitates Life ( Weekend, May 9)

Ellen McCarthy: Well, there were definitely a couple years after "Mad About You" when she was cranking out films like "Castaway" and "Pay It Forward." But much of her time since then has been absorbed by the effort to get this movie made, and raising her daughter, who's now almost four.

Good to have her back,huh?

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Getting out of town: this weekend. You guys know of anything good to do around the Richmond area?

Amy Joyce: Check out the Fan district. It's full of cafes, shops and parks. Second Saturdays looks to be going on with live music, art, fire dancers at Triple, 3306 W Broad Street. (804-359-7777).

What else do you all think should be done in Richmond this weekend?

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Wow: David Mamet and Mixed Martial Arts? The mind reels. Is it good?

Michael O'Sullivan: The mind reels? Really? Not mine. Mamet seems made for this movie, which merely makes explicit all the male infighting he is so known for exploring in his work. The movie is actually quite good. Stephen Hunter calls it a samurai movie without the swords. "And what fun, you might ask, is a samurai film without the swords? The answer is plenty."

Curt Fields: Also, apparently Mamet in real life practices jiu jitsu so he's familiar with the tradition.

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Arlington, Va.: I was thinking about going to the Newseum this weekend but haven't heard a lot about it. Is it worth it? Any reviews?

Thanks!

Michael O'Sullivan: I congratulate you on managing to avoid the media buzz surrounding the opening of the Newseum. You must have been out of town. How was your trip? Seriously though, we had a guide to the Newseum in our April 11 issue. It's expensive, yes. But as museums with admission fees go, you do get a lot of bang for your buck there.

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Skeptic: So does any of that Zen stuff actually work? Did it make a busy reporter feel more peaceful?

washingtonpost.com: Chilling Out on the Cheap ( Weekend, May 9)

Ellen McCarthy: Actually yeah, it did. Certainly some of the methods resonated more than others, but they were all really interesting. And there were moments during each when I could really feel my anxiety level dropping. I really liked what Tara Brach, from the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, said about these things -- that they're just deliberate strategies designed t to help you enjoy life, rather than rush through it.

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On the air?: I know all the Post sports guys end up leaving for TV work, but now it looks like Ellen is too. You aren't planning on a career change are you?

Amy Joyce: She's a natural, isn't she? Yes, our Ellen is talking about what cool things are going on in and around town every Thursday on Channel 4's nightly news (she's on around 5:25 or so). It's reaired Friday mornings if you miss her. And she'd BETTER not be planning a career change. Ahem.

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Big B-Day Ahead: What's a splurge restaurant in the Vienna-McLean area that's actually worth the extra bucks?

Eve Zibart: The splurges that come to mind in that area are 2941 and L'Auberge Chez Francois, unless you want to go to one of those big steakhouses....

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Falls Church, Va.: Does that 50s TV show DVD have commercials too or just the shows?

washingtonpost.com: In Throwback To Saturday TV, Less Is More ( Weekend, May 9)

Curt Fields: A lot of the shows have the "commercials" built right into them. Instead of breaking for a 30- or 60-second ad spot they mention the sponsor, display the product prominently and integrate it into the flow of the show. For example Kix cereal sponsored the Ding Dong Show. So on it there's a segment with a box of Kix on the table and Miss Frances showing how you can make smiley faces or the like with fruit on top of your morning bowl of cereal.

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Arlington, Va.: Any can't miss spots at Art O Matic?

Michael O'Sullivan: I haven't seen it yet. The "press luncheon" just started 15 minutes ago. And here I am, typing away. The official opening is tonight. My wife, who's in it, and has been down there hanging her work several evenings this week, reports that the whole thing looks pretty good. (She also said, for what it's worth, that she's never seen so many people with tattoos under one roof in her life.)

Amy Joyce: And, of course, we should mention our colleague Twila Waddy has herself a booth. She has lovely paintings right by the ATM and one of the bars. (How'd you manage that, Twila?)

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Dee See : Looking for a miniature golf course in the District. Aside from the ailing East Potomac Park, I haven't seen many. Have you?

Amy Joyce: The silence is deafening. I don't know of any others in D.C. (So, uh, looking for a good business to start up?)

There are, of course, a bunch in MD and VA, though. Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington, Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro to name two.

Anyone have a fave putt-putt nearby?

Curt Fields: There's also one around White Flint in Rockville. Not the District, but pretty close in.

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Spanish Classes: See the Global Languages Group (associated with GW University). They have a very helpful Web site. I've never actually taken any of their classes, but when I read about them I book-marked their page for future use. If I remember correctly, their classes are free and they definately offer a variety of class levels.

Curt Fields: Thanks for the tip. This is for the chatter who was asking about language classes earlier.

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Washington, D.C.: For the person who wanted to learn Spanish -- the USDA grad school has language classes. Relatively inexpensive.

Curt Fields: And another possibility for language classes.

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Amy Joyce: To the grandmother looking for indoor activities for her toddler grandchildren: I also should have mentioned National Train Day at Union Station Saturday from 10 to 3. There will be children's activities, music, train displays and train simulators and tours--a toddler's dream.

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Nice job: on your Richmond answer. Me, I'm heading a different direction. Any tips on things to do in West Virginia (Charleston primarily)?

Eve Zibart: If you mean this weekend, there's a huge yard sale in the East End, but if you waituntil June 12, there's a hilarious line up of "weiner dog races" with costume parade and doggie caricaturists, etc. otherwise...chatters?

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Rockville, Md.: If the weather improves, are there any good outdoor festivals with food and activities going on in the area?

Amy Joyce: Well, as mentioned earlier, there's the chili cookoff--a big, fun event downtown. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens has its migratory bird day Saturday with guided walks, children's games and more and The Land Rover America's Polo Cup is happening in Leesburg Saturday.

Would be nice to have a sunny weekend, no?

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Sculpture seems underrepresented here in the galleries unless I'm missing some obvious spots. Where should I look?

Michael O'Sullivan: Check out the Meat Market Gallery. Jessica Dawson's review in today's Style section calls the debut solo exhibition of young sculptor Benjamin Jurgensen there "a remarkably cogent set of works that display.....a level of finess that has to be taken seriously."

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Mini golf: Miniature golf place near White Flint long gone...a victim of (surprise, surprise) development.

Curt Fields: My bad. Thanks for keeping us straight!

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Peeps at Artomatic?: I've heard rumors that some of the Peeporama finalists from Easter will be at Artomatic.

Is that true?

Amy Joyce: It is true! Get yourself over there before the famous peeps fly away.

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Mini-golf Rockville Pike: gone: Another building sits there now.

Amy Joyce: Okay, someone's gotta get on this. Open us a putt-putt, would you?

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Office dweller: Do the rooftop places all close the roof when it's wettish? Or if you don't mind a little drizzle can you still get out there for an uncrowded if damp drinking?

Eve Zibart: It's a mix -- some have umbrella table that partly shield you, some have canopies and some have a partial shelter over the bar itself if not the whole roof; best idea is to call and ask if they're serving.

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Movie-going uncle: Do any of you know what how old a child should be to be okay to see Speed Racer?

Michael O'Sullivan: Today's review says that, despite the PG rating, there's material that might be inappropriate for kids. Spritle gives someone the finger, for example. Critic Nell Minow, a.k.a. the Movie Mom, says the film is made for 4th to 6th graders.

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Eve Zibart: PS to rooftop bars: If you do ask specifically to be served in poor weather, PLEASE tip a little extra, as you may be pulling your server away from the general crowd.

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Falls Church, Va.: Oh, HELP! PLEASE answer this! We had an organized zoo outing scheduled for tomorrow that took months to plan. Now that it's to rain tomorrow, we need another free or cheap indoor activity for 6 kids ranging in age from 1 to 7 and their parents. Can you make any suggestions? Thanks so much.

Amy Joyce: Check out my earlier answer, FC. There is a TON of stuff to do indoors for kids of that age range. The National Train Day at Union Station, indoor play areas or pools throughout the region (we posted a link to that story earlier). International Children's Day at Meridian. And the tried and true Smithsonians. The Air and Space is a kid haven or the butterfly garden at Natural History is fun. And if that's crowded, there are always other displays to check out.

What else do you have for us, folks?

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Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C.: Going exploring with pals this weekend. What's a good spot on the revived H Street to try?

Ellen McCarthy: Well, if you haven't been to Palace of Wonders, you have to swing by and see their oddities. Where else can you catch a glimpse of a unicorn around here? Or you can get tickets to "Intimate Apparel" at the Atlas Performing Arts Center and make a night of it.

Curt Fields: I'd vote for the Argonaut. No gimmicks, just a good bar with quality bar-tenders.

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More mini golf: If you're willing to venture a bit further, there's Summit Hall in Gaithersburg, right on 355. Not sure if they're open for the season or what their hours are.

Curt Fields: Thanks for the heads up.

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washingtonpost.com: 'Intimate Apparel': Most Mentionable ( Post, April 29)

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Eve Zibart: PS to H Street....I'm a fan of Dr. Granville Moore's, too --you might stop for a Belgian beer and mussels along the way

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Mini golf in Md.: Golf Link

Curt Fields: more on mini golf!

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Shirlington, Va.: Do all of the Smithsonian museums offer wheelchairs? Free or rental? I have elderly parents coming to town soon.

Michael O'Sullivan: They do. Free.

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Zoo is okay in rain!: You can still go to the zoo when it's raining! Lots of indoor exhibits -- Amazonia, reptile house, invertebrates, small mammals, etc. And the best part is, when its bad weather it's not crowded and you can park in whatever lot you like.

Eve Zibart: How could you forget my favorite--the big cat house? But I agree: the rain doesn't bother as many animals as people.

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Where do the experts go?: Quick poll, what's your neighborhood of choice to hang out in on your own time?

Amy Joyce: My colleagues are going to make fun of me for saying this because it's quite obvious in my answers here most weeks: I'm an Adams Morgan girl. I love it during the day on weekends much more than when it turns into bachelorette central on weekends nights. But it's got everything--food, parks, drum circles, shops, art and is a quick walk to the zoo, 14th Street, Dupont.

Okay, there. I've said it.

Next?

Eve Zibart: I used to live on the Hill and still have a great fondness for the Mall but I have to admit that Gallery Place/Chinatown has a lot to offer these days. That is, when I can drag myself off the front porch or out of the hammock....

Michael O'Sullivan: Don't mean to quibble, but the famous drum circle is in Meridian Hill Park, which I claim as part of MY East-of-16th-Street neighborhood, Columbia Heights. It's also got restaurants, bars, coffee shops, AND Target. Beat that, Adams Morgan!

Twila Waddy: I live several places, I Gallery Place does have a lot to offer. Food, Portrait Gallery, Movies, etc. But, I like Dupont and Adams Morgan as well.

Amy Joyce: Ouch, Michael! Okay, Wikipedia--that bastion of accuracy--says it's in (the admittedly fab) Columbia Heights. Cultural Tourism DC says it's Adams Morgan.

I'll still claim it as my own, but I'll let you have it too.

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Eve Zibart: That's Twila, the peacemaker.

Twila Waddy: I am peacemaker but not good at spelling this morning. I meant to say I like several places. But all do have something good to offer and are fun places.

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Speaking of the Newseum...:...has it been really crowded? I'd hate to spend $20 to spend a day dodging strollers and craning my neck to see the exhibits.

Michael O'Sullivan: I'm unable to reach anyone in the Newseum's media office, but the museum's standard advice has been to go early--it opens at 9 a.m.--when the crowds are lighter.

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Cathedral: Will the light show still happen with the rain?

Eve Zibart: The illumination show will go on despite the rain, although lightning might cause some disruption, but it's possible Saturday's musical programs might be affected. Check the web site (cathedral.org) or the hotline at 202-364-6616 for an update.

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Curt Fields: That does it for another week.

Get out and play in the rain, do something fun indoors, or a little of both. Just have a great weekend and week. We'll see you back here next Friday.

Bye.

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