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Five Observations from the High Heel Race

October 28, 2009 in Entertainment | 1 comment

Due to no fault of my own I only had about twenty minutes to hang out at last night’s High Heel Race, which was not enough time to position myself for good pictures or even to see the race.  It was, however, enough time to observe the following:

1.  The dance team from Results (which included actual women, is that legal?) was awesome.  Their expertly choreographed “Thriller” dance was a huge crowd pleaser.  Harold Sanco, I suspect you are responsible for this.

2.  Kim Zolciak’s “Tardy for the Party” was blasting at Dupont Italian Kitchen.  And everybody loved it.

3.  Causes championed by the queens included: Fur is a Drag, Marriage Equality, Fenty

4.  Best reaction in the audience seemed to be to the group who went as characters from different musicals, including Annie and Wicked.  They had huge sparkly signs advertising their characters.

5.  Not everyone decided on heels.  (And some of you tried to get away with kitten heels, which I condemn, because they are not in keeping with the spirit of the event.)  This guy bucked the trend and went with roller skates:

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VIP Tickets to High Heel Race

October 26, 2009 in Entertainment | No comments

10430_7501Don’t forget!  As if you could.  The annual High Heel Race on 17th St., organized by JR’s Bar and Grill, is tomorrow evening.  The race begins around 9:00 pm (the start is at R St., the finish is at Church St.) but people begin showing up for a good spot around 6.  Trust me, if you get there at 9, you will not be able to see a thing.  DSC00639

Unless . . . you purchase a VIP spot from Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, the beneficiary of this year’s race proceeds.  Tickets are $40, and the price includes a guaranteed (standing) spot in a reserved area at the finish line and a bar “fast pass” that rockets you to the head of the line at a few 17th St. bars.  $40 to get a great view and avoid standing on the street for three hours is probably worth it, folks.  Word is there are a few VIP passes left, but the deadline is midnight tonight.  So act fast!   Faster than a queen in heels.

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Must-See Authors at the National Book Festival

September 25, 2009 in Books, Entertainment | No comments

The National Book Festival is tomorrow, and there is a great group of authors coming to the Mall.  I imagine that John Grisham, David Pelecanos and Jodi Picoult will be big draws.  (I met Jodi Picoult and her husband a few years ago at a presidential primary debate party in New Hampshire, without really knowing who she was.  She’s charming!  Very nice and funny.)  Gwen Ifill will be there, for the politicos.  And Paula Deen, y’all!  I love her.  You can find the full schedule and map here.  But!  There are a few you definitely shouldn’t miss.  They are: 

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Kay Ryan, 12:00-12:45 p.m.

Kay Ryan is the Library of Congress’s Poet Laureate.  I saw her give a reading last year and she was great.  She’s also in The New Yorker with some regularity.  Her new book is The Jam Jar Lifeboat, which I haven’t picked up yet.  At left, Say Uncle, a good one.  See a few samples here.  

 

 

 

41KP8lBvGBL._SL500_AA240_Junot Diaz, 3:35-4:05 p.m.

I really loved The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.  I read an excerpt of it in the Summer 2007 fiction issue of The New Yorker and was hooked.  It’s about a family from the Dominican Republic that immigrates to New Jersey (or I think just the mom is from DR, and the kids were born in N.J.).  In any case it’s an enthralling, fast-paced look into the lives of the family members and how they deal with each other, and New Jersey.  I have no idea what Junot Diaz is like in person, but the book is very funny and has some great punchy lines.  Even if he’s not funny and punchy in person, I’d love to hear him talk about writing those lines, along with his thoughts on family and Dominican culture.     

 

51AGS2CVVXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_Marilynne Robinson, 3:45-4:15 p.m.

I love Marilynne Robinson and Gilead is one of my favorite books.  (Thanks for the recommendation, MK!)  It is beautifully written and full of slow, contemplative observations about living a good life.  Robinson writes from the point of view of an aging pastor in Iowa, who sends letters to his young son about his daily life.  It’s not plot-driven, but every page is a pleasure to read.  

I have a huge problem with Junot Diaz and Marilynne Robinson being scheduled at overlapping times!  If it were me, I’d go to Junot for 15 minutes or so and then head over to Marilynne.   

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Judy Blume, 5:00-5:30 p.m.

Fudge-a-Mania and Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret.  Enough said, she’s a classic.

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Wanna Grab a Drink After Work?

September 10, 2009 in Entertainment | No comments

1174747_by_a_beerIf so, you will have no problem finding somewhere entertaining to go in Dupont this evening.  There are so many great events tonight!  Here is a rundown:

The Washington Post’s Going out Gurus will be at Public Bar tonight from 6-8.  There will be free food, drink specials, and prizes (including U2 tickets and dinner at Hank’s Oyster Bar).  Plus you get to meet the Gurus!  

After that, those of you with progressive leanings can head right across the street to the American Constitution Society’s happy hour at Cafe Citron.  The event is from 6:30-8:30 in the VIP suite.  Drink specials, no cover.

Or, celebrate the brand new happy hour at the 14th and V Busboys and Poets.  They have $4 drafts and $5 wines from 4-7.  But the best part of this happy hour is that it overlaps with an appearance by D.C. native George Pelecanos, author of best-selling thrillers set in the District and writer/producer of HBO’s “The Wire.”  Pelecanos will discuss and sign his new book starting at 6:30.

Had enough?  No?  Well then you should wander down to Halo for their “50 Worst Songs of the 80s” party.  It starts at 8 and lasts all night.  I’ve heard there is some New Kids on the Block on this list, but if NKOTB is wrong I don’t wanna be right.

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