Aug
22
Wed
Ben’s Chili Bowl 60th Anniversary @ Ben's Chili Bowl
Aug 22 @ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

DATE:  Wednesday, August 22nd

TIME:  11:00AM- 3:00PM – PRESS CONFERENCE followed by BEN’S BLOCK PARTY

PLACE:  BEN’S CHILI BOWL, 1213 U St, NW

At 7:30PM the celebration continues at the Lincoln Theater with Ben’s Chili Bowl’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Gala, “A Tribute To Virginia Ali” benefitting theBen’s Chili Bowl Foundation (www.benschilibowlfoundation.org), whose mission is to positively impact and provide service to our community by giving back to the neighborhoods where we live and work.  All proceeds from all Ben’s Chili Bowl’s on Wednesday, August 22nd will go to the Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation.

Visitors to Washington, DC have usually heard about Ben’s Chili Bowl long before their arrival. Many remember the news of President Obama stopping by to enjoy a Chili Half Smoke. Ben’s has been seen on The Steve Harvey Show, The Daily Show, Man vs. Food, CNN, Oprah, Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Larry King Live, Larry the Cable Guy, and countless other local, national and international shows, newspapers and magazines.

Ben’s Chili Bowl has also been seen in films like Russell Crowe’s State of Play, Denzel Washington’s The Pelican Brief, and Don Cheadle’s Talk to Me. In the old days, guests included Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and many other luminaries. More recently, French President Sarkozy, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, members of the US Congress, and many other noteworthy political and sports figures have stopped by to sample the world famous Ben’s cuisine.  Other recent visitors include Dave Chappelle, Bruno Mars, Serena Williams, Taraji P Henson, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, George Lopez, Terrence Howard, Jimmy Fallon, Usher, Bono, Nick Cannon, Sara Jessica Parker, Tyrese, Lance Gross, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Joe Mantegna, Rachel Ray, Chris Tucker, Tommy Davidson, Pauly Shore, Harry Belafonte, and Danny Glover to name a few.

In addition to being known as the place in DC where everyday people brush shoulders with celebrities, Ben’s Chili Bowl has also been honored to receive numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious “America’s Classics” award from the James Beard Foundation.  In 2008, Ben and Virginia Ali were given the Key to the City by DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, and in 2009 Ben’s was honored by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. In 2010, the George Washington University enshrined Ben’s Chili Bowl’s historic papers, documents and photos into its main Gelman Library, and all documents have been digitized for students and scholars throughout the world to examine.

Yet, in spite of all the world recognition and fame, local residents of DC, Maryland and Virginia know the real truth about Ben’s Chili Bowl, and that truth is simple.  They know that Ben’s is first and foremost about FAMILY and COMMUNITY.  For 60 years, Ben’s has graciously served the people, and every guest has always been embraced as family. When segregation was still alive, Ben’s offered a peaceful gathering place and safe haven for ALL people, regardless of any differences in background or perspective. Society has grown and changed, but Ben’s remains the same and continues to celebrate people from all walks of life as they come together to eat, laugh, and discuss life as they see it. On Wednesday, August 22nd, please join everyone at Ben’s Chili Bowl as they celebrate 60 years.

Aug
24
Fri
Crystal City Friday at the Fountain @ Crystal City Water Park
Aug 24 @ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Crystal City’s summertime happy hour is back, opening a month early and announcing a new partnership with The Stand  bringing food and beverage from local restaurants and an exciting live music lineup. Starting on May 4, each Friday from 5-9 pm, attendees can listen to live music from a variety of bands while enjoying local bites and drink.

This new partnership brings the focus on local flavor, highlighting some of the best new food trends the area has to offer. This free event is open to people of all ages, providing a place for residents, workers and visitors to listen, relax, and wind down from their busy week.

What: Fridays at the Fountain

When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

Live Music Schedule:

May 4       Revelator Hill
May 11     Whiskey Pull
May 18     Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25     Gordon Sterling 3
June 1      Big Bad Juju
June 8      Mary El Band
June 15    Revelator Hill
June 22    Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29    Holly Montgomery
July 6       The Jogo Project
July 13     The Jon Miller Band
July 20     Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27     Big Bad Juju

**Later dates to be announced**

Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.

Aug
31
Fri
Crystal City Friday at the Fountain @ Crystal City Water Park
Aug 31 @ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Crystal City’s summertime happy hour is back, opening a month early and announcing a new partnership with The Stand  bringing food and beverage from local restaurants and an exciting live music lineup. Starting on May 4, each Friday from 5-9 pm, attendees can listen to live music from a variety of bands while enjoying local bites and drink.

This new partnership brings the focus on local flavor, highlighting some of the best new food trends the area has to offer. This free event is open to people of all ages, providing a place for residents, workers and visitors to listen, relax, and wind down from their busy week.

What: Fridays at the Fountain

When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

Live Music Schedule:

May 4       Revelator Hill
May 11     Whiskey Pull
May 18     Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25     Gordon Sterling 3
June 1      Big Bad Juju
June 8      Mary El Band
June 15    Revelator Hill
June 22    Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29    Holly Montgomery
July 6       The Jogo Project
July 13     The Jon Miller Band
July 20     Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27     Big Bad Juju

**Later dates to be announced**

Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.

Sep
2
Sun
NSO Labor Day Concert @ Capital West Lawn
Sep 2 @ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), led by guest conductor JoAnn Falletta, performs its annual free Labor Day weekend concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, September 2, at 8:00 p.m. The concert will feature two NSO Principal musicians and former Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist, Leah Hawkins, as soloists. No tickets are required. Gates open to the public at 3:00 p.m. with an open rehearsal at 3:30 p.m.

The NSO’s Labor Day Weekend Concert has been a NSO tradition since 1979. This year’s program features works by living American composers, including Libby Larsen and Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Americana-themed works, such as Aaron Copland’s Rodeo. Full program details can be found below.

In case of inclement weather, please call the NSO’s Summer Concert Hotline at (202) 416-8114 after 2:30 p.m. on the day of the concert to find out whether the performance will take place at the Capitol, or whether it will move indoors to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. If the concert moves indoors, there will be no open rehearsal.  The concert will be approximately 90 minutes long, with no intermission, at 8 p.m.

Sunday Evening, September 2 at 8:00 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION, NO TICKETS REQUIRED

West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

Rain Location:  Kennedy Center Concert Hall

 

JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Aaron Goldman, NSO Principal Flute

Craig Mulcahy, NSO Principal Trombone

Leah Hawkins, narrator & vocalist

 

John Stafford SMITH “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Adolphus HAILSTORK “Fanfare on Amazing Grace”

Libby LARSEN “Deep Summer Music”

Jonathan Bailey HOLLAND  “Equality”

Leah Hawkins, narrator

Arturo MÁRQUEZ Danzon No. 2

William BOLCOM “Waltz Clogg” from Lyric Concerto for Flute

Aaron Goldman, flute

Aaron COPLAND  Three Dances from Rodeo

Arthur PRYOR “Blue Bells of Scotland”

Craig Mulcahy, trombone

arr. Carmen DRAGON “Shenandoah”

arr. John WILLIAMS “Hooray for Hollywood”

arr. James KESSLER “Service Medley”

arr. Carmen DRAGON “America, the Beautiful”

Sep
7
Fri
Crystal City Friday at the Fountain @ Crystal City Water Park
Sep 7 @ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Crystal City’s summertime happy hour is back, opening a month early and announcing a new partnership with The Stand  bringing food and beverage from local restaurants and an exciting live music lineup. Starting on May 4, each Friday from 5-9 pm, attendees can listen to live music from a variety of bands while enjoying local bites and drink.

This new partnership brings the focus on local flavor, highlighting some of the best new food trends the area has to offer. This free event is open to people of all ages, providing a place for residents, workers and visitors to listen, relax, and wind down from their busy week.

What: Fridays at the Fountain

When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

Live Music Schedule:

May 4       Revelator Hill
May 11     Whiskey Pull
May 18     Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25     Gordon Sterling 3
June 1      Big Bad Juju
June 8      Mary El Band
June 15    Revelator Hill
June 22    Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29    Holly Montgomery
July 6       The Jogo Project
July 13     The Jon Miller Band
July 20     Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27     Big Bad Juju

**Later dates to be announced**

Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.

Sep
14
Fri
Crystal City Friday at the Fountain @ Crystal City Water Park
Sep 14 @ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Crystal City’s summertime happy hour is back, opening a month early and announcing a new partnership with The Stand  bringing food and beverage from local restaurants and an exciting live music lineup. Starting on May 4, each Friday from 5-9 pm, attendees can listen to live music from a variety of bands while enjoying local bites and drink.

This new partnership brings the focus on local flavor, highlighting some of the best new food trends the area has to offer. This free event is open to people of all ages, providing a place for residents, workers and visitors to listen, relax, and wind down from their busy week.

What: Fridays at the Fountain

When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

Live Music Schedule:

May 4       Revelator Hill
May 11     Whiskey Pull
May 18     Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25     Gordon Sterling 3
June 1      Big Bad Juju
June 8      Mary El Band
June 15    Revelator Hill
June 22    Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29    Holly Montgomery
July 6       The Jogo Project
July 13     The Jon Miller Band
July 20     Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27     Big Bad Juju

**Later dates to be announced**

Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.

Sep
21
Fri
Crystal City Friday at the Fountain @ Crystal City Water Park
Sep 21 @ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Crystal City’s summertime happy hour is back, opening a month early and announcing a new partnership with The Stand  bringing food and beverage from local restaurants and an exciting live music lineup. Starting on May 4, each Friday from 5-9 pm, attendees can listen to live music from a variety of bands while enjoying local bites and drink.

This new partnership brings the focus on local flavor, highlighting some of the best new food trends the area has to offer. This free event is open to people of all ages, providing a place for residents, workers and visitors to listen, relax, and wind down from their busy week.

What: Fridays at the Fountain

When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

Live Music Schedule:

May 4       Revelator Hill
May 11     Whiskey Pull
May 18     Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25     Gordon Sterling 3
June 1      Big Bad Juju
June 8      Mary El Band
June 15    Revelator Hill
June 22    Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29    Holly Montgomery
July 6       The Jogo Project
July 13     The Jon Miller Band
July 20     Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27     Big Bad Juju

**Later dates to be announced**

Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.

Sep
22
Sat
Feast of San Gennaro @ Urbana
Sep 22 @ 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Fly me to the moon…or to Dupont Circle! In celebration of the Feast of San Gennaro, Urbana is giving Washingtonians an evening full of one-night-only specials on Saturday, September 22.

Feast of San Gennaro Celebration – Saturday, September 22

On Saturday, September 22, the Urbana team will host a festive dinner in honor of the Feast of San Gennaro, an Italian-American holiday observed on September 19 every year. Guests may enjoy a special menu of Executive Chef Ethan McKee’s take on Italian-American classics such as eggplant parmesan and tiramisu. Urbana’s dining room will be dressed in red and white, checkered tablecloths while a jazz quartet covers the music of Frank Sinatra and other Italian-inspired greats, adding cheerful ambiance throughout the evening.

 

Vino, Peroni, & All-Night Saluti

To ensure the holiday is well celebrated, Urbana is adding an exclusive, one-night-only wine special of 50% off all bottles priced $100 and up. Additionally, from 10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., guests may partake in a celebratory drink package. For $50, the package will include unlimited pours of select wines including Italian blends, Californian reds, and Old World favorites; bottles of Peroni; and rail cocktails.

 

Urbana’s Feast of San Gennaro Celebration will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 22. The last dinner seating will be at 10:00 p.m. Reservations are encouraged. To reserve a table, call 202.956.6650 or visit www.urbanadc.com. The drink package may be purchased prior to the event via Eventbrite or upon arrival at Urbana.

Sep
23
Sun
Saudi National Day @ National Harbor
Sep 23 @ 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host local residents and families on the waterfront of the National Harbor to celebrate Saudi National Day on September 23, 2018, starting at 3pm and culminating with a vibrant fireworks display at 8pm.

Saudi National Day commemorates the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, and is celebrated each year in Saudi Arabia. For the 88th anniversary of the country’s establishment, the Embassy will entertain guests of all backgrounds at the National Harbor – in an effort to share its cultural heritage with the DC community. There will be a plethora of cultural activities, food, music, art, and games – and entertainment for guests of all ages, including stilt walkers, balloons, magicians, temporary henna tattoos, giveaways, and Ferris wheel rides on the Capital Wheel.

The Embassy has opened the event, at no cost, to individuals and families alike and all DC, Maryland, and Virginia residents are invited to celebrate and experience ‘Saudi National Day.’

WHO:             The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC under the patronage of His Royal Highness Ambassador Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

WHAT:           Free public event to celebrate Saudi National Day

WHEN:          Sunday, September 23, 2018

3:00pm to 8:00pm

WHERE:        National Harbor

165 Waterfront Street

National Harbor, MD 20745

Sep
28
Fri
Oktoberfest at Wunder Garten @ Wunder Garten
Sep 28 @ 3:00 PM – 11:59 PM

Wunder Garten (1st & L St NE) is excited to announce the 4th Annual Oktoberfest which will begin Friday, September 28 and continue through Sunday, September 30th. This year’s celebrations include a big celebration on Saturday night and a Dogtoberfest on Sunday alongside a weekend of traditional German food, games, beer and pet-friendly events.

Each day will feature live Oktoberfest music and a special lineup of events and entertainments (see below) to bring the real Oktoberfest atmosphere to Washington. Draft beers in Märzen-style hail from Bavaria’s oldest breweries like Spaten, Weihenstephaner, and Hofbräuhaus, accompanied by a select lineup of seasonal, locally brewed beers. Throughout the weekend, Café Berlin will provide authentic German fare, including grilled bratwurst, bauernwurst, bretzels und obatzter, original potato salad, gurkensalat, and sauerkraut.

Friday, September 28, 3pm – 12am

3pmDoors open.

4pm: Taping of the first Spaten Oktoberfest Keg of the weekend.

Traditionally, each Oktoberfest begins with the mayor of Munich tapping the first keg of Spaten beer with the jubilant cry of “O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”). Incidentally, the skill the mayor displays and the number of hammer blows he has to use, play a large role in his popularity.

3pm to 7pm: Traditional live Oktoberfest music by “Die Drei Band,” beer, food, and games like the perennial favorite: the stein holding competition.

7pm-12amThe Oktoberfest party continues with a DJ.

Saturday12pm – 12am

12pmDoors open.

12pm to 4pm: Traditional live Oktoberfest music by “Die Drei Band.”

4pm to 7pm: Bavarian Olympics with Herman the German. Join the competitive fun of stein holding, yodeling, and other games to win prizes.

7pm to 12pmSaturday night will be “The Big Oktoberfest Party,” a celebration and dance party with DJ and MC Lederhosen on the turntables.

Sunday12pm – 10pm

12pm: Doors open.

12pm to 4pmTraditional live Oktoberfest music by “Die Drei Band.”

2pm to 6pmDogtoberfest! Oktoberfest continues for humans and fur-babies, including a costume contest for best-dressed pets and a toy drive to support shelter dogs. Guests are encouraged to bring a *new* toy, blanket or food item to donate.

No prior ticket purchase required.

For more information, visit www.wundergartendc.com.

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About Wunder Garten:

Inspired by the Bavarian beer gardens made famous in Germany, Wunder Garten began in 2015 as a pop-up beer garden, taking advantage of the unused lots throughout NoMa, giving the underserved residents of the neighborhood a fun place to gather with family and friends for ice cold beers and sunshine. In 2016 Wunder Garten moved to a more permanent location after signing a multi-year lease in the same neighborhood where they have been ever since. Wunder Garten has become known for their dog-friendly policies and annual celebrations of traditional Bavarian events like Oktoberfest, Fruhlingsfest and Winterfest.