questions for Thanksgiving in DC
 

i've been to DC a few times now so i know all the main sites (monuments, museums, etc.) but i want to take my boyfriend into the city for our anniversary for something out of the ordinary and have a couple questions about specifics...hoping some of you know answers! we can go anywhere between nov. 22-28

*are there any good concerts besides those on ticketmaster that anyone knows about?

*suggestions of a good place to hear some live jazz, blues, or acoustic music (we're under 21)

*favorite IMAX show? there seems to be too many to choose from...

*favorite art museum/gallery? (the place that has the most WOW stuff)

*nice restaurants that don't cost a ton? something different...not just everyday food...

*does anyone know anything more about the BLUES DREAMS thing going on in DC...i saw basics but am wondering how you figure out about specific events...

*anyone been to poetry readings in or around DC...any specially recommended?



thank you all so much :)

it's really important that i find some answers to some of these questions...could someone PLEASE give me even a little insight??!?

One of the best resources for what's happening in DC is the Washingtonian magazine. Pick up a copy if you have access to it and definitely take a look at the website, washingtonian.com. It's got a comprehensive run down on restaurants thruout the DC metro area, museum and gallery exhibitions, and big venue music events. Additionally, the Friday edition of the Washington Post has a Weekend section which has much of the above and even more listings for some of the smaller concerts, festivals, lectures, galleries, theatre, etc.

Hope this helps.

Lots of free music in Washington plus great music you can hear for the price of a burger:

--Don't miss Sunday 12-3 at Gordon Biersch, 9th & F Sts NW (near the Spy Museum) 202-783-5454: the Big Three Trio (jazz/swing/blues)featuring Big Joe Maher on drums, John Previti on bass and John Cocuzzi on piano--all top-notch DC musicians. (John Cocuzzi has a regular gig most weekdays at a nice restaurant in old town Alexandria, which is definitely worth a visit--especially the Torpedo Factory to see artists at work.)

--Brooks Tegler's jazz quartet Sundays 5:30-8:30 at the Starland Café, 5125 MacArthur Blvd NW, 202-244-9396 (great musicians, mostly jazz standards, but not in the normal tourist area--you'll need a car or cab).

--The Kennedy Center has free concerts in its massive lobby every day at 6, showcasing a wide variety of music and performing arts. See schedule at http://www.kennedy-center.org/progra.../schedule.html

--Natural History Museum has free jazz Friday nights, plus dinner and the Imax films are available for purchase http://www.mnh.si.edu/imax/

As to restaurants, ethnic restaurants are often top-notch and low budget. See the reviews at http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/100bbindex.html

Museums: Have you been to some lesser-known gems like: Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/ex-current.html, the Sackler (Asian Art) http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/, the National Postal Museum http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/
(be sure to see Union Station next door); Renwick art http://americanart.si.edu/. All free, of course!

--Take the subway to Cleveland Park and see whatever's playing at the Uptown Theater, a grand old movie palace. Sit in the balcony. Eat across the street at Nam-Viet Pho 79.

Pick up a free City Paper when you arrive (published Thursdays) and you'll have pages of listings for poetry readings, performances, galleries and more.

You have some great info already. Here's a little more:

The Blues and Dreams has a website with all the info you need: http://www.washington.org/bluesanddreams/

For concerts, check out www.930.com, the website of The 9:30 Club, a great concert venue that allows 18+ year olds.

And, for November jazz concerts, check out:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv.../nov03jazz.htm

Welcome to DC!

Karen

favorite art museum on the mall - Hirshorn always has modern sculpture and avante garde art
Phillips Collection - After Hours: ?Artful Evenings? mixes jazz, gallery talks, and socializing every Thursday evening; $5.
Restaurants nearby - Cafe Atlantico, great mojitos and fresh quacamole prepared tableside; Zaytinia - Greek bites, modern decor.
events & restaurant reviews - www.washingtonian.com

Wow!!!

You've outdone yourselves folks on this and as a local - I'll say "Thanks very much" this information I'll store for my incoming guests.