Local Ish: Beer, Ballet, & a BBQ Battle (6/26-6/28)

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After taking last week off from this column figuring that most people had already made plans over Father’s Day (check out our 4-part video series honoring dads), we’re back with the Local Ish and a whole new compilation of events to keep you occupied and entertained throughout your weekend.

Doctors without Borders provides emergency medical care in over 60 countries to patients who are caught up in some sort of crisis whether because of an armed conflict, malnutrition, a flu epidemic, or a variety of other reasons. Tonight, Josephines is hosting a fundraiser, Cocktails Without Borders, for the group with your entire $10 contribution ($20 at the door) and a portion of the proceeds going directly to the organization. This is both a good cause and a good opportunity to mingle with other like-minded young professionals. Info about the DJ, drink specials and tickets can all be found right here.

I don’t think that its a secret to anyone that knows me that I’m a pretty big fan of beer and this is THE beer festival that I look forward to going to each year. I am of course talking about the Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest that runs this Saturday (11am-9pm) and Sunday (11am-7pm) out in Leesburg, VA. Though the location has changed, expect a lot of the great things that are there every year to remain, including over 60 breweries, food and craft vendors, live music (local favorites, Jah Works close out the festival with a performance on Sunday starting at 4:15pm), kid-friendly events (such as face-painting), and this year they are even offering wine (for sale by the glass) for those of you that would like to attend but don’t like beer (for whatever strange reason that could be). Even if you (like myself) attend every year, you can still expect something new to experience as nearly 20 of the breweries will be participating in this event for the first time. Advanced tickets are available now for $20 ($25 at the gate). Reduced rates (a whopping $5) are available to designated drivers but if you’ve got someone willing to make sure you get home safely, I’d highly recommend just paying for their ticket (and maybe a meal) because it is much cheaper than the alternative.

You normally don’t think of DC in the same way that you think of areas like NC and TN, and a lot of other southern states when it comes to BBQ, but for the 17th year, the National Capital Barbecue Battle rolls on (6/27 & 6/28). This year it takes place right on Pennsylvania Ave (9th-14th Streets) with over $40,000 of cash and prizes to be won. The winner gets a chance to represent the Mid-Atlantic States in the Barbecue World championship in May. Tickets are $10 with reduced and free entrance for children and proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.

And finally, for those of you that may be into dance (performances, not grinding in the club) there are a couple of big name performances taking place this weekend. The first one is known as the Irish Dancing Phenomenon (being as I am of Irish heritage I’d rather us be known for the Irish Drinking Phenomenon, but that’s another story altogether). I am talking of course of Riverdance (I curse you Michael Flatley) and while I personally don’t think that I’ll be in attendance, “phenomenon” may be an accurate description as there have been thousands of performances with different troupes of dancers touring the US and over most of Europe. Locally they will be performing at Wolf Trap, Friday through Sunday (with 2pm weekend matinees) and tickets starting at $20.

Your second dance performance is of a much more traditional nature. The Royal Ballet is an internationally renowned (and probably the most famous) ballet company based out of The Royal Opera House in London. They are returning to the Kennedy Center Opera House for the first time in 3 years and will be performing 2 different programs. Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon is about a beautiful woman who’s plan to run away with a handsome student does not work out nearly as planned (to say the least). The second performance is a mixture of programs created specifically for the Company. (Additional information on the programs can be found here and tickets here).

I’ve tried to cover as broad of a spectrum of events as possible for this weekend so whether you’re a beer drinker, a closet philanthropist, or just have a thing for miniature women who walk on their toes; you should be able to find something entertaining going on just make sure that…

udothedishes…

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Local Ish: Beer, Ballet, & a BBQ Battle (6/26-6/28)