The DC Traveler

Shark tagging….No, it’s not the newest version of online “tagging”, this is real, hands-on tagging of live sharks on the open ocean.
Join Baltimore Aquarium staff and Captain Mark Sampson, a recognized shark lecturer and writer, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a half-day on the water tagging live sharks off the coast of Ocean City.
Tagging sharks helps marine biologists and scientists, by providing valuable  on shark populations, habits, identity, migration and life span.

Shark Tagging in Ocean City, Maryland Ocean City, Maryland  (map it)
Dates and Times – a few weekends in late August (see below).

Saturday, August 23, …read more

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In it’s forth year, the DC Comedyfest in Washington, DC, brings over 60 comedians, comic groups and improve teams for three nights of the best in stand-up.
A couple interesting shows might include:

The Brooklyn Comedy Company series ‘4 Shades of Black: Obama Edition
District of Comedy – featuring young local DC talent
The Velvet Lounge, bringing back retro-style acts, old school Vegas, and cabaret entertainers.

DC Comedyfest Several DC area nightclubs and theaters.
Dates and Times – Thursday – Saturday, August 7-9, 2008. All shows are in the evening, generally between 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.
Venues: Arlington …read more

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Italian sparkling wines at the French Embassy? Is this possible? 
California champagnes being served on French soil?  Sacrilegious??!!
No!! Wine lovers know that great wines come from around the globe, not just one region or one country.  Especially champagnes and sparkling wines.
So sample over 25 French, Italian, Spanish, American, and Austrian sparklers that will be presented at the first Champagne and Other Bubbles Festival at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. 
The selection includes bubbly samples from around the globe including:

Champagnes
Proseccos
Cavas
Spumante
Blanc de noirs
Blanc de blancs
Sparkling rosés
Sparkling reds
Bruts, Drys, Extra Drys and Demi-Secs …read more

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People who have seen a Cirque du Soleil show instantly understand.  People who haven’t… are in for a thrill.
Opening October 30th, 2008, for a one month run at the National Harbor in Washington, DC, Cirque Du Soleil combines some of the best acrobatic performers in the world, with the art of clowning to create mystifying stories that delights audiences.
Tickets for Cirque’s Middle Eastern inspired show, KOOZA, just went on sale. The show includes high-flying acrobats, amazing gymnastics and dance, high wire and trapeze artists, bicyclists, jugglers, and, as always, a good dose of humor and memorizing live music.  

 
Cirque du …read more

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“Exploratory artists” make up the participants of the Washington, DC Capital Fringe Festival.
What’s that mean?  It’s place festival where local talent can showcase over 100 cutting-edge, contemporary performances.
Plays, music, multimedia, burlesque, comedy, cabaret, improv, dramas, “science-fiction rock n’ roll parody” (check out Wiener Sausage: The Musical!), stories, one-person shows, puppets and clowns, and even a game show, all make up this year’s Fringe Fest. 
The festival is non-juried, so some of the performances may have never been pre-screened or “approved”, so some may be fantastic, others… may not.  But that’s what makes the festival fun.

There’s also a host of workshops, …read more

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The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC is an opportunity to explore the living heritage and history of several cultures from around the globe. By experiencing a group’s music, songs, dance, art, food, crafts and overall culture, we can allow ourselves to better understand that culture’s people, ways of life, and history.
This year, the festival will highlight the cultures of:
– Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon – About half the size of the state of Indiana, Bhutan is situated between China, Tibet and the snow covered Himalayan mountains to the north, and India and it’s …read more

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On July 4th, towns and municipalities across the region host multiple Independence Day parades.
But the largest and most popular is the annual America’s National Independence Day Parade that runs down Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC.
DC’s Monuments make up the backdrop for the parade that’s packed with military units, classic fife and drum corps, marching bands, floats, giant tethered balloons, equestrian and drill teams, and more.

And while on the Mall, check out the National Folklife Festival.
Here’s a Washington Post link to other area July 4th parades.
America’s National Independence Day Parade  Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th …read more

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The Love Goddess, Judy Tenuta graces her loyal subjects and slaves with her silly, unique persona along with her accordion in suburban Washington, DC, for three upcoming shows.
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 …read more

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Love a chilly Pilsner?  Enjoy the creaminess of a Heffenwiesen? Can you differentiate a Dry Stout from an Imperial Stout? 
If so, then the Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest in Leesburg, Virginia is for you. 
And with beer being the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, and possibly, the most popular, in parts of the world it was drank more often than fresh water, back when water supplies were not all that safe.
But don’t expect polka music and waitresses carrying 15 huge mugs of beer at once at the festival.  Just enjoy the outdoor booths and sample up to 40 different U.S. microbrewers.  With …read more

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And no, I’m not talking about the Presidential race, but the 70th annual running of the Washington, DC Soap Box Derby Race.
In 1938, Norman Rocca beat 223 other racers to win the first Soap Box Derby Race held in Washington, DC.  The race was held on New Hampshire Avenue, but later moved to run down Capitol Hill, along the Capitol Building on Constitution Avenue.
The Soap Box Derby is open to racers aged 8 to 17, who custom build and race non-motorized, gravity powered cars. Regional winners move on to the annual classic race in Akron in late July.

Every year, …read more

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