Local Ish: 4/30-5/3

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In addition to your normal weekend of live music, theater, and comedy…this weekend also brings you gypsies, a historic walking tour, yoga, some opera, a horse race, all-you-can eat crabs and more.

Tonight is the “unofficial” start  of your weekend so start making your plans now.  For your consideration, here is this week’s edition of your Local Ish:

All Weekend

In an attempt to bring you something completely different, the 2nd Annual International Herdeljezi (Roma/Gypsy) Music & Dance Festival is going to be in town this weekend.  I normally don’t cover much on the MD side of the line, but this is an opportunity to possibly experience something completely new.  The festival is being sponsored by the World Music Folklife Center and the full schedule of events can be found here.

Running from tonight (4/30) and for 2-weeks (thru 5/14), the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is holding their 9th Annual NoVa International Jewish Film Festival with all screening information available here.

Tonight

• The Burning of Washington 1814 Walking Tour – Based on the book, this tour lets you follow the path of the British troops as they went through Washington leaving torched buildings in their wake (including the White House & Capitol) – 7:00-9:30, $25
• The Liar Show – DC Improv – Special Event – 4 storytellers and comics share short, often personal stories, but listen carefully because one of them is b.s.  see if you can spot the liar – $20 – 8:30
• Local radio host (and subject of one of our exclusive interviews), Chad Dukes moves from behind the mic to in-front of the camera as the premier of the Main Event Mafia movie takes place at Hard Times Cafe tonight at 8:00.  For info and some back-story on what this is all about, check out his website here.

Friday (5/1)

• The Atlas Performing Arts Center (a venue I must admit that I previously had not been familiar with) is a renovated 1938 movie theater that was converted to a performing arts venue in Northeast DC.  Finishing its run this weekend (shows both Friday & Saturday from 8:00-10:00) is a play called ‘Blue Door’ that has an interesting premise.  Taken directly from the site, “Lewis’ life is unraveling — he is an African-American math professor who refuses to join the Million Man March; his wife leaves him; and he is forced to go on sabbatical.  During a night of insomnia, Lewis is visited by the ghosts of his ancestors.  Join Lewis  as he works through his crisis of identity and culture examining what it means to be a Black male in America.” Tix & Info available here.
• Shear Madness is a comedy whodunit, set in Georgetown, where it is up to the audience to solve the crime.  Shear Madness is the 2nd longest running play in the history of American Theater and you can see it at the Kennedy Center tonight at 8:00
• You’re probably thinking that this is a slow night if I’m even mentioning a cover band in this column, but from what I’ve heard (from those that like his music), Super Diamond is one of the best Neil Diamond cover bands (oxymoron?) out there.  Tonight they headline at the 9:30 club and I must admit that I am curious as to what the attraction is, so if you do attend, please give me some feedback on the show.
• ‘Placido Domingo: From My Latin Soul’ is at DAR Constitution Hall (for all you opera buffs out there).  One show only, get info here, tickets at Ticketmaster
• And my pick of the night (if tickets aren’t already sold out) is a very funny comedian at what I think is one of the best performance venues in the area.  Brian Regan performs his standup routine at the Warner Theatre tonight at 7:30.

Saturday (5/2)

• DC Yoga Week begins today.  During Yoga Week, participating DC area yoga studios are offering $5 (and in some cases free) yoga classes.  Here is where you can find participating studios.
• Rock the Bells ‘09 tickets go on sale today (show 7/12) and will probably go fast.  This year’s festival includes Nas, Damien Marley, the Roots, Common, Big Boi, K’Naan, RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Alchemist, and many, many others.  I’m predicting this to be THE concert of the summer.
• Sunset Concerts at National Harbor – This is the first in the series of concerts and given that it features the Wailers, I’m guessing it will probably also be one of the best.  Tickets just $15.
• Virginia Gold Cup – for those that are new to the area and also for those that tend to confine themselves to within the District borders, I strongly suggest that you give the Gold Cup experience a chance.  Even those that aren’t degenerate gamblers and those that know nothing about horses whatsoever, will have a good time.  For those that don’t know, VA’s Gold Cup races are an annual (this is the 84th) steeple-chase style of races that take place every May (the International Gold Cup is in Oct.) in Great Plains, VA (46.5 miles west of DC) and is a family-friendly event.  Ticket sales benefit the Great Meadow Foundation and information on ticketing and packages are available here.

Sunday (5/3)

• All You Can Eat Crab Feast & Potomac River Cruise – 12:45-3:00 ($68) – Leaves from Georgetown, 2 hrs of all you can eat crabs, corn, and hush puppies and $3 margaritas…sounds like an excellent way to spend a Sunday (if you have Monday off).
• That’s what I got for your upcoming weekend.  As always, feedback and suggestions for upcoming events are greatly appreciated.  In addition to leaving a comment, you now can also visit our new message board for discussions about any of the topics covered on the site (or anything else you’d like to discuss).

I’ve cooked and served,

udothedishes…