This week's reviews and mentions: Ordinary Days at Roundhouse Theatre, Golden Cinema Series, Knowledge Commons, Duke's, Hank's Oyster Bar, After Peacock Room, SpeakeasyDC
As you know, I always find it delightful to combine a pleasant outdoorsy activity with an arty destination (eg last month's Glover Archbold trail hike to the Kreeger Museum!). This week's version was cycling the 7 mile Capital Crescent Trail from Georgetown to Bethesda, to finally visit the Roundhouse Theatre. When we were at the Helen Hayes awards last month, we couldn't help but notice half the prizes seemed to be going to plays we hadn't seen... because they had been at the Roundhouse Theatre. There are in fact two Roundhouse Theatres - the other is in Silver Spring. But I'd been deterred from either due to the out-of-DC location (okay, so it's a hop, skip and a jump from the Bethesda metro). However, this weekend, my lovely wife and I hopped on our bicycles and pedaled serenely through the shady, pretty woodland path that is the Capital Crescent trail, practically to the door of the theatre. A recommended way of getting about. We were there for the matinee of Ordinary Days, a musical about finding yourself in New York City. Am I the only one who's noticing that there seems to be nothing but musicals about finding oneself in New York City? This is at least the fifth I've seen on the subject in the last year alone! (Avenue Q, One Night in New York!, Love/NY, If/Then). Clearly it's a popular subject, since I bought tickets for all of these... And while One Night in New York! has a special place in my heart, I thought Ordinary Days was one of the best of the genre. Very strong performances all round. Great set. Nice direction. Good music, courtesy of a hardworking pianist. Nice messages. But by this stage, I fear I've heard everything about going to New York to find yourself that I ever need to hear. It would be hard for this production to say something new, and I don't think it did, really. But I really enjoyed it and would recommend it, especially if this isn't your fifth of this specific genre in a year!
I also enjoyed experiencing a new outdoor screen this year: the Golden Cinema series on Fridays in Farragut Square. The range of movies they're showing is eclectic but how could we resist Mr Smith Goes to Washington? It's a funny space for a screening, with sirens wailing and the park's usual evening residents jostling for space, but overall, I really liked watching a movie in this spot, and watching Mr Smith Goes to Washington while a hop, skip and a jump from the White House felt apt and special.
I took another class with Knowledge Commons this week, to learn about 3D printing. Did you know you can have your stuff 3D printed at the library? The class was really interesting and informative, and I now have several items awaiting printing. I am very excited about how easy and futuristic this is! I'm also quite excited about how many cool free classes you can do in digital stuff at the library!
I really enjoyed a drink and crisps on the patio at Duke's on 17th Street, and the mac and cheese at Hank's Oyster Bar thereafter... but the prize for top dish of the week goes to After Peacock Room. We decided to try out lunch at this little north Georgetown eatery, and found that they are a real hidden gem. I had a beautiful quiche with a delicious little side salad. My lovely wife had a black rice and argula salad. Both were excellent. But paled in comparison to what, ladies and gentlemen, I'm officially designating the fourth member of my 'Top DC Dishes of All Time' list of delight. To refresh your memory: palak chaat at Rasika, avocado bruschetta at Cork, artichoke brushchetta at Grape and Bean... and now... our first dessert entry on the list... s'mores at After Peacock Room! You have to try it. Trust me. (we also heard them talking about opening their patio...).
We enjoyed a slightly off the beaten track SpeakeasyDC event at SAIS, with people who work in global health - and a free cake buffet! You can imagine my joy (and greed). But of course the story event of the week (not that I'm biased), was Perfect Liars Club last night! From being trapped in a burning coffin to happening on a white supremacist rally, from consorting with criminals to meeting a Petworth shaman, the stories were amazing, and the lie was watertight. Much fun was had. And now we're preparing for our big Capital Fringe Festival extravaganza in July!
As for what's coming up that's cool... I'm going to be out of town for most of June. But I've been looking out for all the coolest things to entertain you while I'm gone. So sit back and prepare yourself for the glory that is June in DC, with a whole new post - coming up!
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