Festival

Celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday; Celebrate or Protest the Elephant Walk on Tuesday (plus road closures) UPDATE – Looks Like Elephant Walk Canceled

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user StreetsofWashington

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department would like to inform the public and members of the media about street closures in connection with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Annual Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Elephant Walk scheduled for Sunday, March 16, 2014, and Tuesday, March 18, 2014, respectively.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
This event is scheduled for Sunday, March 16, 2014.

Parade Route:

The parade will form on the National Mall and proceed westbound on Constitution Avenue, N.W. from 7th Street to 17th Street, N.W., where they will disband.

7th Street will be closed between Constitution Avenue, N.W. and Independence Avenue, S.W. from approximately 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Streets leading to Constitution Avenue, NW will be closed during this time period.

Annual Elephant Walk

This event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 8:00 pm. The streets will begin closing at 7:30 pm and re-open at 9:30 pm.

Walk Route:

The Elephant Walk will proceed from Capitol Hill to the Verizon Center. The walk will form at the New Jersey Avenue and Virginia Avenue, NW (Capitol Power Plant) at which time the roadways mentioned below will be closed to traffic:

North on South Capitol Street to Washington Avenue, SE
Northwest on Washington Avenue to Independence Avenue, SE
West on Independence Avenue to 3rd Street, SE
North on 3rd Street to G Street, NW
West on G Street, NW to the loading dock at the Verizon Center where they will disband.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to use caution when traveling in this area due to heavy pedestrian, vehicle, and bus traffic in the above areas.

View the route here.”

UPDATE Thanks to a reader for noticing a new note on the Elephant walk route page:

“No DC Elephant Walk this year
Unfortunately, due to a change in schedule we will not be having the D.C. elephant walk this year. We hope that you’ll join Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus at the Verizon Center through March 23 to see our famous Asian elephants!”

St. Patrick’s Day Terrace Party & Irish Whiskey Tasting at Jack Rose and Some Shake Shack Specials

By Prince Of Petworth

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2007 18th Street, NW

From a press release:

“Nothing symbolizes Saint Patrick’s Day more than Irish whiskey, pints of beer, and horseradish cream-topped potatoes. Jack Rose Dining Saloon is giving Washingtonians a reason to party like the Irish with a rooftop Irish whiskey party starting at 11am, while Shake Shack is serving up its “Irish Fries Are Smiling” from March 14-17.

JACK ROSE DINING SALOON: St. Patrick’s Day Terrace Party & Irish Whiskey Tasting: Monday 3/17

There’s no better place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than the place with the largest whiskey selection in the western hemisphere, and Jack Rose will offer two ways to celebrate next Monday – a rooftop whiskey party for day-drinkers, and an intimate tasting for more refined Irish whiskey connoisseurs.

Irish Whiskey Party on the Terrace: 11 a.m. – close

Open at 11am on the Rooftop Terrace for All-Day Irish Happy Hour – “Punch, Pints & Whiskey”

$5 Pints of Guinness and Flying Dog S.O.B. Irish Red Ale
$5 Irish Punch – Magically Delicious with Jameson, Irish Tea, Ginger, Honey and Lemon, and Mother Punch
$5 Whiskey Specials on Powers and Paddys; $6 Jameson
Irish-themed Fare:
Colcannon Cakes
Beer Battered Fish & Chips
Irish Cheddar & Rashers Burger

Castle Brands Irish Whiskey Tasting + Pairing in the Whiskey Cellar: 6-8 p.m.

For the more serious St. Patrick’s Day drinker, Jack Rose is partnering with Castle Brands Irish Whiskey to host a whiskey tasting + pairing in the Whiskey Cellar with brand ambassador Daniel Fagan from 6-8 p.m.

Pairing unique Irish whiskeys with Irish-inspired hors d’oeuvres, Jack Rose’s in-house whiskey draft system will dispense 1oz. pours of:

Knappogue Castle 12-year
Knappogue Castle Twin Wood Oloroso/Sherry 14-year
Knappogue Castle Twin Wood Bourbon/Oloroso 16-year
Castle Brands Clontarf

The Castle Brands Irish Whiskey tasting is $40 per person which includes 1oz. pours of four whiskeys and hors d’oeuvre pairings. The tasting is first-come first-serve and spaces are limited.

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Photo of Super Fry Pickle Dog also at Shake Shack From March 14 to 23

SHAKE SHACK: “Irish Fries Are Smiling”: Friday 3/14 – Monday 3/17

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Shake Shack is serving up their special edition Irish Fries Are Smiling-Shack fries topped with horseradish cream, scallions, and crispy all-natural applewood smoked bacon-from Friday, March 14th through Monday, March 17th. The Leprechaun-approved fries ($4.00) will be available at both Shake Shack DC locations – at Dupont Circle (1216 18th St. NW) and F Street (800 F St. NW).”

DC Funk Parade Launches IndieGoGo Fan Funding Campaign – Looking to Raise $20,000

By Prince Of Petworth

“Funk Parade officially launched its Indiegogo Crowd Funding Campaign today.

Funk Parade is a one-of-a-kind parade, street fair and music festival planned for DC’s U Street neighborhood on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014. Funk Parade celebrates DC’s vibrant music and arts, the U Street neighborhood, and the Spirit of Funk that brings us all together.

The group is using the online crowdfunding platform to raise $20,000 from community supporters and individuals over the next 30 days in order to help defray some of the costs of the day fair, community parade and music festival that will celebrate the city, U Street and the spirit of funk on Saturday May 3rd.

“This money will help cover the costs of the police and permits the city requires, and to the musicians and performers who will make the day amazing,” the organizers explained.

You can view the campaign here.

The campaign will allow community members and supporters to contribute to the Funk Parade mission in return for awesome gifts and perks provided by some amazing U Street businesses and DC partners.

Funk Parade is supported by over 100 local businesses, community groups, nonprofits and civic leaders. Many of the businesses, including &pizza, Ben’s Chili Bowl, Matchbox, Tropicalia, Local 16, The Brixton, El Rey, Right Proper Brewing Company and Satellite Room donated perks for the fundraising effort.

Contributors to the campaign will receive free drinks and food at local U Street neighborhood businesses, Funk Parade T-shirts, “U” ball caps and private catered events.

Funk Parade T-shirts are being produced by Twice As Warm, a DC-area business with a social mission: it donates an item of clothing for every item purchased. Twice As Warm’s donations from the Funk Parade shirts will benefit Martha’s Table.

The campaign features a video produced, shot, and edited entirely by Funk Parade supporters, and filmed in U Street locations.”

H Street NE’s Star and Shamrock announces St. Patrick’s / Purim weekend festivities

By Prince Of Petworth

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From a press release:

“Star and Shamrock [1341 H Street, NE], DC’s only Irish-Jewish tavern and delicatessen, announced today that they will be hosting an entire weekend of shenanigans and simcha celebrating Purim and St Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 15th through Monday, March 17th.

“Purim is a Jewish celebration, a day of feasting and good tidings. St. Patrick’s Day is the most festive of Irish holidays”, says owner Jay Feldman, “That’s too much to cram into one day–we need to make a grand celebratory weekend of it!”

Live, local entertainment will feature performances by The MollyHawks (themollyhawks.com), Klezcentricity (klezcentricity.com) and Shannon Dunne Dancers (shannondunnedance.com).

Performance schedule is as follows:

Saturday 11am – Shannon Dunne Dancers
Sunday 9pm – Klezcentricity
Monday 8pm – The MollyHawks
Star and Shamrock will open its doors early Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 10 am. Menu specials like corned beef and cabbage sliders and shepherd’s pie spring rolls pair with He’ Brew Hop Manna IPA and Guinness, the original craft beer from 1759! For dessert, try a Jameson Pickleback or Shamrock shooter!”

First Annual DC Bacon and Beer Festival to Benefit Food & Friends on April 12th

By Prince Of Petworth

PTL
Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

From a press release:

“Eat Boston is pleased to present the First Annual DC Bacon and Beer Festival on April 12, 2014 at Penn Social to benefit Food & Friends. The event features creative bacon-inspired bites and tasty beers from area restaurants and breweries.

The most recent Bacon and Beer Festival in Philadelphia sold out in 30 seconds, and Boston within minutes. The event has also had sell out success in minutes in Denver, San Francisco, and other cities. Tickets are $45, and they go on sale Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.

Among the slate of participants is Bourbon Steak executive chef John Critchley who joined the event because “I’ve always been a strong supporter of Food & Friends and their incredible and important work of providing meals, and assisting people and families living with chronic illnesses. Add bacon and beer and why wouldn’t I be excited to be part of this festival.”

Guests can buy tickets and sign up to receive updates here.

Where: Penn Social
801 E St NW

When: Saturday, April 12, 2014
2:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Tickets: $45 Regular Tickets
$60 Baller Tickets

Why? Fun + bacon + beer! And to raise money for Food & Friends!

Participating Restaurants: 1905 Restaurant, Agua 301, Art & Soul, Bar Charley/Jackie’s, Bar Pilar/Cafe Saint Ex, Boundary Road, Bourbon Steak, Chef Geoff’s, Kitchen Cray, Menu MBK, Penn Social, Poste, The Pig, Three Little Pigs

Participating Breweries: DC Brau, Dogfish Head, Fordham/Old Dominion, Full Tilt, Sam Adams, Starr Hill, Three Stars, Union Brewing”

Mardi Gras Celebrations Tueday

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Three Points Kitchen

Some Mardi Gras celebrations around town from emails:

Mardi Gras Celebration at Mintwood Place (1813 Columbia Rd NW) on March 4th: We will be open our normal business hours from 5:30 to 10:30 pm on the 4th. The band Nicky and the BoomBooms will be playing live at the restaurant. Cedric has created a New Orleans inspired menu, attached, available as three course for $35 or a la carte. The bar will be featuring classic cocktails menu like the Ramos Fizz, Sazerac, Hurricane, Absinthe Suissesse, Vieux Carre, etc. It should be a fun time all around. Laissez les bon temps rouler.

Mintwood Place Mardi Gras 2014

Tap Takeover at Petworth Citizen 3/4 (829 Upshur St NW): Petworth Citizen & Reading Room is hosting a special event with Raven Beer/Baltimore-Washington Beer Works; a collection of Edgar Allen Poe-inspired craft brews.

Beginning at 5pm on Tuesday, March 4th we’ll be serving: The Raven Special Lager, Tell Tale Heart IPA, Pendulum Pilsner, and The Cask Doppelbock. We’ll also be featuring some specialty beer cocktails.

The Heights (14th and Kenyon St, NW) will offer Mardi Gras specials through Fat Tuesday (March 4th)!. Classic New Orleans cocktails (everything from the French 75 to the Hurricane) will be available all day.

Del Campo (777 I St NW): On Sunday and Monday (March 2-3) Chicha Rosada cocktails will be $7 and representatives from La Diablada Pisco will be showing off traditional oversized carneval masks all night.

Menu MBK (405 8th St NW): Menu MBK is selling individually sized king cakes in their market through March 4. The cakes are $4.50 each.

Sticky Fingers (1370 Park Rd NW): The vegan bakery will be selling made-to order beignets on March 4 an 5. They come four to an order for $3.75. Sticky Fingers is also making king cakes that will be available from March 1 through 4. The cakes are available by special order and can be picked up in the store. They are $12.50 each and can be ordered by calling 202-299-970.

District Flea Coming Back to Shaw April 5th – with Beer Again

By Prince Of Petworth

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945 Florida Ave, NW courtesy of District Flea

District Flea was a pretty sweet addition last year:

“A collaboration between local vendors and the people that started the Brooklyn Flea, our market will feature antique and repurposed furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as a tightly curated selection of jewelry, art, and crafts by artisans from in and around DC, New York, Baltimore, and Philly.”

They’re coming back to 945 Florida Ave, NW by the 9:30 Club on April 5th:

“Opening day is April 5th, and we’ll be running every Saturday after that throughout the spring, summer, and fall. So if you’d like to join our lineup of incredible food vendors, mark your calendars and fill out the application at www.districtflea.com/sell.”

And this time again they’ll have beer – they’ve just applied for a liquor license!

Groundhog Day in Dupont Circle on Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

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If you are crazy enough to get up this early on a Sunday… From Dupont Festival:

“SUN, FEB 2, 2014 – GROUNDHOG DAY: Potomac Phil, the National Groundhog, will make an appearance and offer weather and political predictions. Phil will let us know whether to expect six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Live accordion music, polka dancers, puppet show, VIP celebrities and more. Dupont Circle, at the fountain. The event will begin at 7:30AM, Potomac Phil will emerge at approximately 8AM.”

Funk – Parade, Street Fair and Music Festival Coming to U Street in May

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user clif_burns

From a press release:

“A group of over 70 local businesses, civic leaders and neighborhood organizations today announced plans for the first-ever Funk Parade in the U Street neighborhood on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

The planned event has three parts: a street fair by day, the mighty Funk Parade in the afternoon, and a music festival in the evening. The events will be rich in music and art, and will honor both the neighborhood and the spirit of funk, “the subatomic particle of love,” which brings people together and makes them feel all right. The date, May 3, is the 211th anniversary of the District’s incorporation.

Donate! Volunteer! Get involved! Email [email protected].”

Their website says:

“The Funk Parade street fair (noon-5): The neighborhood teems with music and performance, artists and vendors, food and art, workshops and spontaneous acts of soul.

The mighty Funk Parade (5-7): The main event! Imagine a gyrating horde of dancers, a marching band behind them, and a drum corps. Hear beat-boxers and junkyard drummers, see pot-bangers and clappers and kids on their parents’ shoulders. Horn players wander in and out of the crowd, neighbors come out of their homes to join the procession. A thunderous syncopated army of groove, winding its way through the neighborhood, calling the city to the funk.

The Funk Parade music festival (7- ): Grooves from all corners of the human soul play in venues on and around U Street. The sounds of the city’s best acts call from every doorway.”

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