Sink into the August haze with an R & B fest headlined by Lauryn Hill, or watch one of Shakespeare’s most mystical plays under the stars. Colin Powell shares his insight on the politics of war, Brooklyn authors read poetry and fiction, and the first-ever Puppet Fest invites guests to BYOP. And as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in DC.
Summer Spirit Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion
Columbia | Saturday, August 2, 3 p.m.
The Summer Spirit Festival always brings forth major names in hip-hop and R & B, but this year's fest stands out for marking the return of Lauryn Hill. The singer has spent the last year in the midst of a massive comeback and is expected to perform several tracks from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and the Fugees' The Score while backed by her reggae band. Joining Ms. Hill is Electric Lady Janelle Monae, rapper Talib Kweli, and neo-soul crooner Raheem DeVaughn. (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD; $46–$125; buy tickets here)
Bring Your Own Puppet to Imagination Stage Puppet Fest
Bethesda | Sunday, August 3, 1:30 p.m. or 4 p.m.
For the first-ever Puppet Fest at Imagination Station, guests are invited to BYOP, or bring your own puppet, to one of two productions of Roald Dahl's The BFG. More than 20 different puppets tell the story of one friendly giant: a 35-pound, 13-foot-tall puppet who can’t help but love to eat children. If you opt to BYOP to the show, you'll receive a lap pass for your puppet, storage space, and a chance to interact with the professional puppeteers. (4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD; $10; buy tickets here)
Shakespeare's “The Tempest” at Olney Theatre Center
Olney | Through Sunday, August 3
On the outdoor Root Family Stage, the National Players are ending their summer run of Shakespeare's classic tale about a magician who is shipwrecked on a mystical island with his daughter. This is the National Players' 65th consecutive year of touring, and like many of their shows, The Tempest is a labor of love divided between veteran cast and novice players. Theater-goers are invited to bring a picnic blanket and lawn chairs, as well as their own snacks to enjoy under the stars. (2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, MD; $20, free for children; buy tickets here)
Colin Powell: On Life and Leadership at George Washington University
Foggy Bottom | Monday, August 4, 7 p.m.
In support of his new book, It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership, Colin Powell discusses what he's learned as a ground soldier in Vietnam, four-star general, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War. Frank Sesno, director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, will interview General Powell during the lecture, which will conclude with a book signing. (730 21st St., NW (21st & H); $45; buy tickets here)
A Reading Is Sexy Experience at Busboys and Poets
U Street Corridor | Thursday, August 7, 6:30 p.m.
Brooklyn's indie publisher Papercut Press hosts a night of music, readings, and a Q&A to promote what it considers the new American author: ''socially responsible, politically invested, and staunchly anti-corporate.'' Participating writers include m. craig––author of queer, dystopian fantasy The Narrows––and Rami Shamir, who is the co-founding editor of Underground Editions. Busboys and Poets will serve up its signature vegan bar snacks throughout the evening. (5th and K St.; free)
Images courtesy of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s official tour site, The National Players’ official Facebook, and General Colin L. Powell’s official Facebook
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Things To Do In Leesburg
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Select Local Merchants
Pole Pressure owner Jessalynn Medairy is an international pole-dancing performer, judge, and teacher. In 2010, she placed fourth in the US Pole Dancing Championship, she has appeared numerous times in Pole2Pole magazine, and she often performs for NATO. With these credentials, Jessalynn heads a team of certified pole-fitness instructors as they teach students the art of pole fitness in a variety of beginner, intermediate, and advanced pole-dancing classes. The instructors keep classes small to give students the one-on-one attention they need to master the sultry and muscle-toning spins, twirls, and climbs.
823 Revelstore Ter
Leesburg,
VA
US
At harvest time, Corcoran Vineyards’ well-tended grapes jump from their vines and, with the help of owner Lori Corcoran’s meticulous cellar work, release subtle and harmonious flavors within a wide variety of bottles. Take a trip to the charming, venerable country estate (it was once surveyed by George Washington), have a seat in the 1750 log-cabin tasting room, and invite these intrepid fruits to show off atop your tongue. With this deal, you'll sample six sensuous varietals paired with cheeses, then use your Groupon for $10 worth of anything in the tasting room and retail shop. Take home a bottle of the fruity 2007 Cabernet Franc, or pick up the medium-bodied 2008 Malbec, a vanilla-tinged wine that's ideal for social galas, fine dining, and limo rides. Visitors can chat with the owners and winemasters themselves, who'll be in the room to discuss each wine's distinct flavors, possible food pairings, and ability to levitate. Free parking is available.
14635 Corkys Farm Ln
Waterford,
VA
US
A 2,000-year-old game from Asia. An Argentinean polo player. A farm in northern Virginia. What may seem like the openings to three different stories is actually the description of one place: Middleburg Polo Academy. The scenic farm ground originally set the scene to a polo boarding and training facility by seasoned polo player Daniel Tognini and his wife, Ilene. These grounds morphed into an academy in 2007, thanks to the Tognini children, who had become enraptured with polo and the eponymous collared shirts the horses wore. Striving to inspire other youths with the game he first mastered in his native Argentina, Tognini fills Middleburg’s calendar with classes, camps, and private tutorials, teaching the history of polo and techniques to help students eventually compete in the sport.
Along with Middleburg Polo Academy, Daniel runs Amigos Outback Adventure and specializes in rustic outdoor activities. Families gather together to enjoy authentic adventures such as trail rides, canoe and river boat trips, and outdoor wine tastings.
20221 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont,
VA
US
Cuisine Type: Distilled Spirits?Whisky, Gin, and Brandy
Established: 2009
Reservations: Required
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Parking: Free street parking
Most popular offering: Roundstone Rye
Alcohol: Full bar
Delivery / Take-out Available: No
Outdoor Seating: No
Pro Tip: Bottles may be purchased on site directly from the distillery.
Q&A with Scott Harris, Owner
What is one fun, unusual fact about your business?
The building we call home was built in the first year of Prohibition in a town known for it's support of the Temperance movement.
Is there anything else you want to add that we didn't cover?
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company was founded by Becky and Scott Harris in 2009 as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. We are located in Purcellville, Virginia, in the heart of the Loudoun Valley. Loudoun County, often called D.C.'s Wine Country, is home to more than twenty vineyards and wineries, and it now has a distillery.
The name "Catoctin" is a regional name. Pronounced Ka-TOCK-tin. The name derives from the Indian tribal name "Kittocton" which, legend has it, meant "place of many deer". Catoctin describes a range of mountains and the creek which flows picturesquely into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Watershed.
At Catoctin Creek, we believe in high quality food and spirits. Organic means higher quality: grain and fruit, sourced locally when possible, free of pesticides and chemical additives that would come through in the spirits we produce. Sure, it is more difficult to produce organically, but the results speak for themselves. And kosher is another way to respect the tradition of high quality foods.
D?cor can say a lot about the type of food a restaurant serves. How does your d?cor inform or reflect your culinary practice?
Industrial chic. This working distillery is in a beautifully renovated 1920's era Buick dealership. Exposed brick, huge windows and open ceilings give a spacious and inviting feel to the tour experience.
In your own words, how would you describe your distillery?
Visit the first family-owned distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. See this working distillery in production, including our custom-made Kothe potstills and condensers. Tours will highlight the process of making distilled spirits, including fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling.
Often, depending on the day, you may see much of this equipment in operation and meet and speak with the owners.
120 West Main Street
Purcellville,
VA
US
After one look at Creek's Edge Winery, guests might find it hard to leave. The Amish-style building, which was designed to complement the landscape, paints a pretty picture with its mix of local stone, black walnut from the property, and handcrafted metalwork. An upper-level patio overlooks the verdant lawn nestled between the hills of Furnace Mountain and the edge of the Catoctin Creek. On chilly nights, a crackling fire in the stone fireplace and candles from the giant chandelier above cast a soft glow over the room. To get from the lower to the upper levels, visitors go through a silo designed to mimic the interior of a wine barrel, complete with oak strapped with metal.
Guests can relax at Creek's Edge all day, gazing at the scenery while sipping wines such as vidal blancs, chambourcins, and cabernets. When hunger strikes, patrons can select tapas made from local ingredients by chef Jason Lage of Market Table Bistro or simply dig into the snacks they brought from home.
41255 Annas Ln
Georges Mill,
VA
US
Shocktober is a fundraising event for Paxton Campus, a nonprofit that provides direct services for people with disabilities and their families. Since its founding in 1922, Paxton Campus has served as a nurturing place for people in need. Rachel Paxton had the dream of turning her home into a welcoming environment for underprivileged families, and it has since sheltered people as a convalescent center, daycare, and orphanage. In the past 90 years, the center has grown into a sizable organization with an onsite preschool, one-on-one academic programs, and ALLY, an advocacy program for people with disabilities. To keep the community involved in its operations, Paxton Campus also runs regular events including yoga groups, seasonal dances, and life skills workshops.
601 Catoctin Circle Northeast
Leesburg,
VA
US
