A big hit at birthday parties, The Great Zucchini has entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll and the National Zoo.  He bring his interactive  show, especially for the toddler-set, to both of the Washington, DC’s area Cinema & Drafthouses in Arlington and Montgomery.

The Great Zucchini’s magic tricks may not be all that amazing to an adult, but his interaction with his pre-school audience, making himself the brunt of every joke, is what makes children howl with laughter.

The Great Zucchini 
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike
Arlington, Virginia (map it)
and
Montgomery Cinema & Drafthouse
11006 Veirs Mill Road
Silver Spring, Maryland (map it)

Dates and Times 

• At the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse – Saturdays – January 10, 2009 at noon, February 14 at 11:00 a.m., March 14 at 11:00 a.m., and April 11 at 11:00 a.m.
• At the Montgomery Cinema & Drafthouse – Saturdays – all shows at 11:00 a.m. – Saturday Jan 24, 2009, February 28, March 28, and April 25.

Tickets – $8.00 and are available online.  These shows often sell out, so best to order tickets in advance.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Arlington Drafthouse – Pentagon City, Blue and Yellow lines, then a 1½ mile walk or cab ride. Montgomery Drafthouse – Wheaton – Red line, then a ¼ mile walk.

Parking – Arlington Drafthouse – Street and garage parking is available within a couple blocks of the theater.  Montgomery Drafthouse  – free parking at the Wheaton Plaza mall.

Images – Laughing child

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Post from: The DC Traveler

All the rinks offer skate rentals, and charge under $8.00 for ice time. Check the rink’s website for hours and fees.  Most are open Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating
The Plaza
1201 South Joyce Street
Arlington, Virginia 22202 (map it)
703-418-6666

Herbert Wells Ice Rink
5211 Paint Branch Parkway (formerly Calvert Road)
College Park, MD 20740 (map it)
301-277-3717

Reston Town Center Ice Skating Rink
Reston Town Center – Market Street and Pavilion
11900 Market Street
Reston, VA 20190 (map it)

Pershing Park
Pennsylvania Avenue at 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)

Normally, the rink is open by mid-November, but not this year. I’ll update this post if it reopens.

Images – Flickr – ice skates, Pershing Park,
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Post from: The DC Traveler

The main character, prison parolee Jean Valjean, who is unable to find work after years in a labor camp, must steal in order to survive.  But his victim gives him a second chance when Valjean is caught by the police.  He takes the gift and changes his identify and his life.  Spending most of his life attempting to avoid being identified as to who he really is, he leads a life of the straight and narrow.

While Valjean is able to find redemption and becomes a productive and respected man, he must continue to hide his true identity. Especially when a new police inspector, his old prison guard, comes to the town where Valjean has risen to become mayor and a wealthy business owner.  Yet the ruthless and single-minded police inspector is determined to discover Valjean’s true identity and return him to prison.

Valjean also must shield his adopted daughter Cosette, from the world of crime and French revolution, while she falls in love with a young revolutionary.

The production of Les Mis at Signature Theatre in suburban Arlington, Virginia, is led by Greg Stone, from the national touring company in the lead role of Jean Valjean.  Tom Zemon, is a believably wicked and powerful Police Inspector Javert.  And Felicia Curry (who has incidentally performed with DC’s Capitol Steps) delivers the most powerful singing of the performance, as the unnoticed and hopelessly in love Eponine. Although not all the voices of some of the lead characters were consistently strong, the ensemble delivered a powerful singular voice.

The production boasts a cast of 30 actors and incorporate over 100 stylishly dramatic costumes.  Some of the most elaborate and stunning lighting and effectively unique barricades as part of the environmental staging , made up of scrap metal, makes for a production that thrusts the action into the audience’s seats. 

The seating is three-quarter in the round with the actors also entering and exiting the stage between rows of seats, making the production significantly more intimate.

The 14-piece live orchestra playing the Broadway score is a strong addition, but at times so loud, it was hard to hear the words of some of the songs.

Les Misérables
Signature Theatre
MAX Theatre
4200 Campbell Avenue, in Shirlington Village, just off I-395
Arlington, Virginia  22206 (map it)

Dates and Times – Tuesdays – Sundays, December 2, 2008 – February 22, 2009. Matinees on weekends. And make sure you arrive on time, as late-comers wait until the first production break to be seated (a GREAT policy).

Tickets – $65.00 to $87.00, and are available online or by phone at 703-573-7328. Try for seats in the middle section, if available.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Pentagon City – Blue and Yellow lines, then a $7.00 – $8.00 taxi ride.  Look for a cab in front of the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Parking – Two free parking garages are located across the street and behind the theatre.

Images – courtesy of Signature Theatre – Photos by Scott Suchman _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Highlights of the evening include a traditional champagne reception, a scrumptious Austrian dessert buffet, and music for dancing by Con Brio!, one of Washington’s most regarded salon orchestras.  they will perform waltzes and ballroom music and even a polka or two.

The ball will open with a cotillion performance by students from the German School Washington, DC.

Christmas Ball 
Washington Golf and Country Club
3017 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207 (map it)
703-524-4600

Dates and Times – Friday, December 12, 2008 7:00 p.m.

Tickets – $95.00, e-mail mbocek@verizon.net for reservations or more details

Attire – White tie (preferred), black tie or military mess dress

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Ballston MU – Orange line, then a 2-mile cab ride.

Parking – Free
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Post from: The DC Traveler

They may be a bit dangerous and tied into the world of crime, but they both desire to keep their promises to their families and loved ones, to walk the straight and narrow. 

But one of the men desperately needs cash to send his child on  school soccer trip, so there’s a decision, should we risk it all again for one last heist….

This, at times, comic drama is based on interviews with real Irish men who were fighting to break out of lives of crime and their resulting incarnation. 

The story can be a bit disjointed at times, especially with one performer playing 5 different roles, out of the 7 characters in total.  While adding props and some scenery would add much to the show, strong and emotional performances, especially by Eric Lucas (Gary), make this an interesting, one act, 85-minute performance.

Love, Peace and Robbery
Theatre on the Run, presented by the Keegan Theatre
3700 S. Four Mile Run
Arlington, Virginia
703-892-0202 (map it)

Dates and Times – November 28 – December 21, 2008. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets – $30.00, students with ID and Seniors – $25.00 and are available by e-mail at boxoffice@keegantheatre.com or by calling 703-892-0202, Ext. 2.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Pentagon City – Blue and Yellow lines, then a 3-mile taxi ride.

Parking – Free lot and some on street parking is available.

Image – Flickr – View from a prison in Cork
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Post from: The DC Traveler

Located on the western edge of the Pentagon’s grounds, just across the Potomac River from the National Mall in Washington, DC, the site is open 24 hours-a-day to the public, it is adjacent to the original impact spot.

The 184 victims of the tragedy (59 victims on the plane and 125 died inside the Pentagon) are commemorated by a "memorial unit" or steel bench, one  for each person killed. 

A gray concrete retaining wall around the memorial park ranges from 3 inches tall, representing the youngest victim, Dana Falkenberg, who was just three years old, to a height of 71 inches tall, for the oldest victim (71 years), John D. Yamnicky Sr., a former Navy pilot and veteran of two wars.

The direction of the bench, signifies if the victim was a passenger or in the Pentagon at the time of the crash.

At night, the benches are illuminated, as is the small water pool below each one.

The two-acre site was originally a grassy field, sued as a helicopter landing field.

The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
The Pentagon
Arlington, VA 22202   (map it)

Dates and Times – Open daily, 24-hours,

Tickets – None required – FREE

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Pentagon, Blue and Yellow lines, then a ¼ mile walk.

Parking – There is no public parking at the Pentagon. Paid parking is available at the public lot at Pentagon City Mall, a 10-minute walk.  There is no shuttle from the Mall.

Images – Flickr Pentagon 9/11 memorial benches, Single Bench

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Post from: The DC Traveler

This year’s line up includes:

• Solas, my new favorite a US-based Celtic band, featuring some lightening-fast and well-crafted traditional Irish music. 
• Lebanese vocalist Tania Saleh, who will be featured in an upcoming documentary on PBS on Lebanese musicians and singer who performed at the Roxy Theater in Hollywood.
• The Jimmy Hendrick’s of the Chinese two-stringed bowed erhu, Yang Ying, from China. 
• Congolese-Angolan spicy salsa of Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca, seen below.

Parents, take the kids to the World Clothing Closet, where they can try on global garb, for another great photo opportunity.

Planet Arlington World Music Festival 2008
At the Netherlands Carillon and Iwo Jima Memorial Grounds
Marshall Drive, near Arlington Blvd and N. Meade St.
Arlington, VA 22211 (map it)

Date and Time – Saturday, August 30,  2008,  4:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tickets – This event is FREE.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Arlington Cemetery – Blue line, or Rosslyn – Blue and Orange line, then a ½ mile walk from either.  Shuttle buses will also run continuously from the Rosslyn Metro station.

Parking – Finding parking at the Iwo Jima Memorial will be tough, so plan on parking in Rosslyn and walking a few blocks.

Images – erhu 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

It’s a Mecca for hungry lunchtime diners who flock to this Italian sandwich deli landmark, that’s been serving lovers of authentic Italian sandwiches since 1980.

The small Italian market and sandwich shop does a booming lunchtime business, thanks to its dozen-plus Philly-style sub sandwiches ($ 6.19-$ 7.69).  The sandwiches come in two sizes and are served on soft or hard Italian style rolls, along with sweet or hot peppers, lettuce, onions, oregano, and their own special dressing.

Grab a number at the door as you review the list of sandwiches, which is a virtual tour through Italy, with each sandwich representing a major Italian city.  The Capri sandwich combines Prosciutto, genoa salami, provolone cheese and capacola. The shop’s most popular sandwich, the Roma, comes with prosciutto ham, mortadella, genoa salami and provolone cheese.   My favorite is the spicy Napoli sandwich, a combination of  spicy pepperoni and  capacola, topped with a creamy mozzarella cheese.

A New Orleans classic Muffuletta sandwich is also on the menu, served on round Sicilian bread with piles of prosciutto, genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, and the classic pickled olive spread.

For something different, try the pate and brie sandwich on a crusty roll.  As one person mentioned, “it makes my eyes roll into the back of my head”. 

READ MORE  –>

Don’t feel like cooking dinner? Take home one of their 20 Italian dinners which only take 20 minutes to heat in your home oven. Dinners-to-go cost $6.99 – $8.99 per pound. Try their veggie or meat lasagna, chicken parmigiana or roasted rosemary chicken with pasta.

Want some fresh pasta? Add one of their dozen home-made sauces on hand to take home to complete your easy to make meal.  From the classic meat, tomato, Alfredo, and red or white clam sauces, to a few less traditional sauces, such as wild mushroom, pink vodka, arrabbiata, veal bolognese, gorgonzola and a unique eggplant sauce, there’s something for any pasta lover. Sauces are also sold by the pound, from $5.49 to $7.49, except pesto at $14.99 per lb.

The Italian Store also bakes rustic thin-crusted or Siciliana (thicker crust) pizzas, by the slice or the whole pie.  If you are a bit adventurous, pick up a bag of their pre-made pizza dough and toss your own pizza at home.  Or do as I often do, use the dough to make a homemade focaccia bread any night of the week. 

Here’s a pic of one of my home tossed pizzas. This one I combined caramelized onion, goat cheese, plum tomatoes, roasted garlic, hot peppers and fresh peaches (yes, peaches). It was delicious and looks pretty close to one of The Italian Store’s pizzas.

If the line is long (after grabbing a number), spend some time checking out The Italian Store’s selection of Italian foods, Italian wines and other yummy delicacies.  Or call ahead to have your to-go order ready when you arrive. 

The staff at times may seem a bit disorganized or slow in preparing your sandwich, but most customers feel it’s worth the wait.

And don’t forget to grab an extra cannolli, chocolaty famous Berger’s cookie or other sweet treat for the ride.

The Italian Store
3123 Lee Highway, in the Lyon Village Shopping Center, just a couple blocks off I-66 at Route 29
Arlington, Virginia 22201 (map it)
703-528-6266

Hours – Monday – Friday 10- 9, Saturday 10-8, Sunday 11-6.  The weekend lunch hour can be mobbed, with standing room only. There is no indoor seating, only outdoor seats.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Clarendon – Orange line, then a ¾-mile walk or Rosslyn – Orange line then take the 3A Metrobus towards Annandale.

Parking – Free parking is available in the shopping mall.

Images – Flickr – pizza with olives, truck, storefront, pizza from Jon’s kitchen – personal collection- © 2008 – Jon Rochetti 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

The Aphrodite of the Accordion will, as usual, attempt to convert to her fans to her own personal faith, the religion of “Judyism”.

If you don’t know Judy, perhaps you’ve been living in a cave, because according to her website…

Judy Tenuta is the most famous person that ever lived. If you don’t believe it, just ask her!

Who knew?

It should be an entertaining show….

Judy Tenuta
The Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike, at the corner of S. Walter Reed
Arlington, VA

Dates and Times – Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, 2008. Show times – Friday 9:45 p.m.,  Saturday 7:30 and 9:45.

Tickets – $18.00 and are available online or at the door.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Pentagon City, Blue and Yellow lines, then a 10 minute cab or bus ride.

Parking – Street and garage parking is available within a couple blocks from the theater.

Images – accordion sign,

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Post from: The DC Traveler

At The Birchmere, check out:

• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays 100 years of Cab Calloway. Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7:30 – $35.00
• Smooth jazz singer Michael Franks with Genevieve. Saturday, June 21, at 7:30 - $45.00
• For something different, Trixie Little will be staring in Dial ‘P’ for Pasties, an original burlesque who-dun-it that combines striptease, acrobatics and some naughty fun.  Trixie will be coming from her recent competition in Las Vegas at the Grand Prix of Burlesque. Sunday, June 22 at 7:30 – $20.00

Etta James and The Roots Band brings her sultry blues and R&B voice and her classic hit “At Last”. Sunday June 29, 7:30 – $105.00

The Birchmere
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305 (map it)

The State Theatre’s line up in Falls Church includes:

• The intense acoustic guitarist and singer Monte Montgomery. Sunday, June 8, 8:00 – $15.00
• Former Allman Brothers guitarist Dicky Betts & Great Southern brings his southern rock sound including hits such as “Ramblin Man”, and “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed”. Sunday, June 15, 8:00 – $30.00

State Theatre
220 Washington Street
Falls Church, VA
703-237-0300 (map it) 

At Blues Alley:

• Pianist David Benoit delivers his five-time Grammy nominated smooth jazz sound to the intimate Blues Alley. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 27-29, 8:00 and 10:00 – $32.50

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007 (map it)

9:30 Club is hosing some fun:

• For people who can’t sing or even lip sync, it’s the 2008 Air Guitar Championships, the last hurdle before the finals in San Francisco. Expect some performers to be so lane, that they’re laughable.  Wednesday, June 14, 7:30, $15.00

9:30 Club
815 V Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-393-0930

At the Black Cat on 14th Street:

Mission of Burma brings it rebellious post-punk energy that influenced many bands to come. Saturday, June 28 at 9:00 – $15

Black Cat
1811 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-667-7960

Live at the Ram’s Head in suburban Annapolis, MD catch:

• The soft jazz of Acoustic Alchemy. Friday June 13 at 6:30. $29.50
• The sexy sax of David Sanborn. Friday June 20 6:30 and 9:30. $50.00
• The Neville Brothers as they bring their jazzy New Orleans R&B sound led by Aaron Neville singing hits like Everybody Plays the Fool and Tell It Like It Is. Monday, June 30 7:00 – $75.00

Ram’s Head Tavern
33 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401 (map it)
410-268-4545

At the Belmont Country Club in Ashburn, VA, after a shaky start with rain canceling the season’s first show, it looks like they are Riding the Storm Out.

• With four consecutive Grammy for “Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, 1980-83, Pat Benatar was an early 80s vocal powerhouse.  I wonder…Is love still a battlefield? Sunday, June 22, gates open at 5:00. $17.00 and $30.00
• REO Speedwagon was another big late 1970s-early 80s hit maker, with hard driving music and power ballads. Saturday, June 28, gates open at 5:00. $17.00 and $35.00

Belmont Country Club
19661 Belmont Manor Lane
Ashburn, VA 20147  (map it)
703-726-8867

Images – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Dickey Betts, Acoustic Alchemy

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Post from: The DC Traveler