Street Crimes Rattle Residents
• March 27, 2014

The number of robberies in Georgetown in 2014 is triple the number during the comparable period last year, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District, which includes the historic district. The crimes have increasingly involved guns. MPD is beefing up patrols around town, police said.

In one of its reports, the Citizens Association of Georgetown deplored the bad news: “In the last few months, the idea that we can safely walk throughout our community during daylight hours and into the early evening has been challenged by criminals, sometimes with guns.”

The most blatant robbery and assault involving a gun was on March 14 around 10:30 a.m. on the 1400 block of 29th Street, NW. Other neighborhood incidents include:

= A residence on the 3200 block of Prospect Street, NW, was burglarized March 5. The door was forced open and jewelry was taken.

= On March 23, just after midnight on the 3100 block of N Street, there was a robbery with a gun.

= On Feb. 4, a female was robbed around 2 a.m. along the 1600 block of 28th Street, NW. The robber had a gun.

Also, on March 23 on the 2300 block of M Street, NW (near but not in Georgetown), there was a robbery by gun.

And, as previously reported in The Georgetowner, the new year brought new reports:

= On Jan. 16, around 6:30 p.m., a women was assaulted along the 1200 block of 27th Street, NW, near Rose Park, by two unarmed females.

= On Jan. 21, three persons mugged a man along the 3400 block of N Street, NW. One assailant had a gun.
= The TD Bank at 1611 Wisconsin Ave., NW, was robbed Jan 31 around 6:30 p.m., according to the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI.

= Domino’s Pizza at 3255 Prospect St., NW, was robbed after the Super Bowl, Feb. 3, with six men – most of whom were armed – demanding money from the register.

= The glass door of the Michael Kors store at 3105 M St., NW, was smashed at 3:49 a.m., Feb. 11. The thief took purses and other items.

Weekend Round Up March 20, 2014
• March 26, 2014

Hamilton College Choir to Perform in Washington on March 21

March 21st, 2014 at 07:30 PM | Free | Event Website

The Hamilton College Choir will visit Washington, D.C., during its annual March tour. The 78-member choir will perform a varied program that includes sacred and secular music: Handl’s “Pater noster,” Lotti’s “Crucifixus” and Josquin’s “Ave Maria;” Whitacre’s “With a Lily in Your Hand,” Carmichael’s “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville Overture.”

The performance is free and open to the public.

Address

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; 4900 Connecticut Avenue NW

Jimmy Miracle: Yantras

March 22nd, 2014 at 12:00 PM | Free | neptunebrowngalleries@gmail.com | Tel: 2023380353 | Event Website

Neptune Fine Art is pleased to present Jimmy Miracle: Yantras.

Jimmy Miracle’s new body of works entitled Yantras refer to diagrams often used in meditation, sometimes said to possess mystical or magical powers. Miracle’s sculptures are composed of simple geometric shapes organized to form complex diagram of symbols. Through the use of repetition and accumulation of ordinary objects and materials, Miracle approaches Yantras with philosophical questions of spiritual aspiration and knowledge.

Address

1662 33rd Street, NW

Open Kitchen’s Italian Journey Cooking Class

March 22nd, 2014 at 11:00 AM | $89 | holly.camalier@openkitchen-dcmetro.com | Tel: 7039428148 | Event Website

Join us in this hands-on cooking class as we take a culinary tour of some of Italy’s influential cuisine.

ON THE MENU:

Crostini con Pure’ di Carciofi, Mozzarella Pomodorini (crostini with artichoke Paste, mozzarella, and roasted tomatoes); Risotto alla Zucca (Risotto with Butternut Squash) Maiale Brasato al Vino Rosso con Olive (wine-braised pork with olives), Dadi Saltata di Pino e dell’Indivia (sauteed escarole with pine nuts), and Tiramisú

Address

7115 Leesburg Pike #107; Falls Church, VA 20043

Cathedral Sings!

March 23rd, 2014 at 07:30 PM | $10

Singers of all abilities are invited to join Cathedral Choral Society music director J. Reilly Lewis for Cathedral Sings!

Address

Washington National Cathedral; 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW

Dumbarton House: Walking Tour – “Mr. Nourse’s Neighborhood: Georgetown c. 1800”

March 23rd, 2014 at 11:00 AM | $10 per person; free for ages three and under | Event Website

Join Dwane Starlin, member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides, for a delightful meander through Georgetown’s East Village streets. View Georgetown the way Joseph Nourse – first resident of Dumbarton House – would have viewed his neighborhood in c.1800. The walk will be 60 minutes. Comfy walking shoes are a must! The tour will begin promptly at 11 a.m. at the corner of Q and 27th streets NW.

Address

Dumbarton House; 2715 Q St. NW

Kevin Eubanks at Blues Alley

March 23rd, 2014 at 08:00 PM | $35 | [Event Website])http://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.venue&VenueID=3)

A favorite of music fans nationwide and known most for performing on the Tonight Show bandstand, Kevin Eubanks returns to Georgetown to perform live at Blues Alley from Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, March 23. Tickets are on sale now for the 8 and 10 p.m. shows.

Address

Blues Alley; 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Free Diabetes Workshop with Neal Barnard, M.D., and the Physicians Committee

March 25th, 2014 at 06:00 PM | Free | tkemp@pcrm.org | Tel: 202-527-7314 | [Event Website](http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/ffl/classes/class-detail/?classID=3364)

Washington residents who struggle with type 2 diabetes can attend a workshop with PCRM president and GWU professor Neal Barnard, M.D., on 3/25. Dr. Barnard’s free seminar will show participants how to use a plant-based diet to prevent & treat type 2 diabetes. Family members & health care providers are welcome.

Kara Blank-Gonzalez will guide a free weekly follow-up April 1-22 about low-fat cooking, food to steady blood sugar, and how to read food labels.

RSVP 202-527-7314 tkemp@pcrm.org

Address

PCRM Headquarters; 5100 Wisconsin Avenue NW; Suite 400

JT3 Art Benefit Happy Hour & Trivia Night

March 25th, 2014 at 08:00 PM | sammystratton@gmail.com | [Event Website](http://www.jt3art.org/)

Guests will be able to enjoy music, movie trivia and drink specials at District 2. A portion of the proceeds will fund JT3’s Artist Awards Program, a competition for emerging screenwriters and directors, ages 18 to 34, who reside in New York City or the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Address

District 2 Bar & Grille; 3238 Wisconsin Ave., NW

Weekend Round Up March 13, 2014
• March 20, 2014

Art 17:• Albert Schweitzer’s Magical Critters

March 13th, 2014 at 06:30 PM | Free | KMcDuffie@cbmove.com | Tel: 202-387-6180 | Event Website

Art17 at Coldwell Banker’s Dupont office welcomes you to celebrate and experience the intriguing artworks of Albert Schweitzer. Delightful finger foods and beverages will be served.

Address

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; 1606 17th Street NW

Suor Angelica

March 14th, 2014 at 07:30 PM | Event Website

The Singers’ Theater of Washington presents Suor Angelica in concert at Convergence in Alexandria, VA on March 14 and 15, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are available for $20 for the general public, and $15 for students, seniors, and groups.

Please visit our website at www.singerstheater.com or EventBrite to purchase tickets.

Address

Convergence; 1801 N. Quaker Lane; Alexandria, VA 2230

Capital Restaurants of Georgetown: Third Annual Georgetown Leprechaun Leap!

March 15th, 2014 at 01:00 PM | crcinfo@capitalrestaurants.com | Tel: 202.339.6800 | Event Website

Celebrate the Irish in you with Capital Restaurants of Georgetown – Paolo’s Ristorante, J. Paul’s, and Old Glory BBQ. Form a team and be challenged as Capital Restaurants takes you on a scavenger hunt through the streets of Georgetown with food, drink and interactive games with a chance to beat out fellow “leapers” and win the pot of gold grand prizes. Registration and packet pick up starts at noon at Paolo’s Ristorante and the scavenger hunt kicks off at 1 p.m. To form your team, gather four to six “leapers” or teammates, choose a team name and select your team captain. Everyone gets a ‘LEAP’ shirt. There will be lots of prizes and giveaways and major prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. The award ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. at Old Glory BBQ.

Address

Paolo’s Ristorante 1303 Wisconsin Ave. NW

The North Face Georgetown: Mountain Athletics Workout

March 15th, 2014 at 08:00 AM | Event Website

Train smarter this spring with The North Face’s new training program, Mountain Athletics. Whether you are a runner, hiker, climber or skier, the Mountain Athletics training program trains athletes with activity-specific training regimes to help them reach their goals. Join The North Face on Saturday, March 15 at the Georgetown Waterfront Park to try out this amazing program for free. The North Face will be holding free workout sessions for anyone interested in becoming a better athlete from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register and learn more about Mountain Athletics and how other athletes train for their sport.

Address

North Face’s; 3333 M St. NW

Songs for a New World

March 15th, 2014 at 07:30 PM | $20-$35 | Javor323@hotmail.com | Tel: (301) 272-8604 | Event Website

Young Artists of America, Inc. (YAA) present a fully-orchestrated performance of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World, conducted by the Tony Award-winning composer himself, on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30PM and Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 3PM in Potomac, MD. Originally developed for a small cast, Mr. Brown went on to score the entire show for full orchestra and will premiere 5 new orchestrations for this production.

Address

WINSTON CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL; 11300 Gainsborough Road; Potomac, MD 20854

The Shamrock Beer Bash

March 15th, 2014 at 01:00 PM | 40.00 | jared.lewis@thetasteofdc.org | Tel: 2026183663 | Event Website

At the Shamrock Beer Bash, festival-goers can enjoy 3 hours of unlimited tastings of over 75 beers and unlimited full pours of 2 select beers, in addition to area food trucks and live entertainment. So come on down to the lots across from Nationals Park and celebrate the day with your fellow Washingtonians!

Session 1: SATURDAY, March 15th, 1pm – 4pm

Session 2: SATURDAY, March 15th, 6pm – 9pm

Ticket: $40.00

The event will take place in the lot directly east of National’s Park.

Address

Address: 130 N St. SE, Washington D.C. 20003; Metro: Navy Yard (Green)

St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, DC

March 16th, 2014 at 12:00 PM | FREE, Grandstand Tickets are available for $15.00 | webmaster@dcstpatsparade.com | Tel: (202) 670-0317 | Event Website

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Irish heritage by attending the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, DC! Check out pictures from last year’s parade, http://dcstpatsparade.com/?page_id=178.

Address

The parade starts at Constitution Ave NW & 7th Street NW and proceeds down Constitution Avenue to the end of the parade route at Constitution Ave NW & 17th Street NW

Appreciating the ‘Free Speech’ of Comedian David Brenner
•

David Brenner, 78, succumbed to cancer March 15. Until the end, the Philadelphia native used his quick wit and celebrity to voice his political beliefs against gun violence, war and foreign aid to countries that vote against the U.S. in the United Nations. He was a regular at the former Gotham Comedy Club, where he first performed stand-up in the 1970s. Brenner holds the record for the largest number of guest shots on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” and surpasses other performers with the most guest appearances on all TV talk shows.

I last saw Brenner about a year ago in New York City. Although graying a bit, he was as sharp and edgy as ever, both on stage and off. His observational humor included stories about how New York City has changed through the years. Bike lanes and taxis were among his targets. Many of his longtime social and political subjects are equally relevant today–overcrowded prisons, America’s school system, Congress and lobbyists.

He described his humor as talking about the simple things in everyday life. He stayed up-to-date on current events and discovered the ridiculous side of them in his stand-up act. He reminded the audience that he did the last live “Ed Sullivan Show” and reminisced about his career from when Buddy Hackett helped get him into Vegas.

His off-handed style of humor was true David Brenner with engaging stories to which we can all relate. His airline anecdotes brought back memories of the Eastern Shuttle between New York, Washington and Boston. Talking about his days on the road, if he landed a hotel room adjacent to the ice machine, he’d put an “out of order” sign on it so he didn’t have to hear it clang all night. If only the rest of us had thought of that.

Brenner’s other timely targets for his insightful comedy sketches included IHOP, viagra, the recession, Walmart, cable news networks, the pope’s resignation, gun control, eBay and Facebook. He left little untouched.

After the show, he pointed out the irony of how often he appeared on national television as a guest and yet lamented that he couldn’t get his own show at this time.

“There are different people running the business today,” Brenner said. “I don’t appeal to the 18 to 35 year olds. There’s nothing scandalous about me. I could back out in a limo, nude with a tattoo of Lady Gaga and smoking grass with a transvestite, and I’m a super star again.”

We’ll miss David Brenner’s “free speech.”

‘Murdoch’ and Much More at Kennedy Center’s International Theater Festival
•

If you walk into the Kennedy Center these days, you’ll be getting into the world of “World Stages: International Theater Festival 2014,” which is filling up many of the venues, foyers and walkways at the center with plays from all over the globe, exhibitions and installations and other special events, including staged readings through March 30.

The versatility of subject matter, style, and process has been evidence right from the beginning of the festival, especially with another visit from renowned and legendary director Peter Brook’s intensely emotional production of “The Suit” from South Africa.

From Australia, it perhaps wasn’t too surprising to see “Murdoch” from prolific playwright David Williamson and the Melbourne Theatre Company. It’s a play—actually, more of a fast-moving montage—about the life and times of you-know-who, the grandly belligerent, piranha-hungry media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, who is played by two different actors, the young Rupert, imagined by Murdoch himself as quite the dashing lad, and the older Murdoch we all know and often despise, smug, a little dicey, self-justified and grasping, as he and his alter ego snatch up a bagful of media enterprises, from newspapers in Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S., especially New York, to satellites , television networks and Hollywood studios, in a preposterous exercise of constant brinksmanship.

“Murdoch,”,like many of the offerings in this far-reaching festival, may not be everyone’s cup of Aussie tea, but for the longtime newsies among us, it stung and fascinated. This “Murdoch” is practically a visceral history of what’s happened to the print portion of the media industry — its take over by both technology and the scaly tastes who get close to their goal of world domination by appeasing the tastes of bottom feeders.

“Murdoch” moved along at a clip—marriages, mom, friendships with the rich and powerful, forays into controlling politics—Blair, Thatcher—the gobbling up of Fox which oddly enough offered up the enduring and endearing “The Simpsons.” For a good part of the evening, this was good and nasty fun, but in a way it’s a little like Murdoch’s hunger itself—there’s just so many buyouts, betrayals, astounding pronouncements and property grabs a body can take, however entertaining it may be.

But wait:

In terms of the festival, there’s much, much more to come. There’s “Green Snake” from China in the Terrace Theatre March 27 through 30; “Not By Bread Alone” from the Nalag ‘at Theater Deaf-Blind Acting Ensemble from Israel, March 25 to 26; “Penny Plain” from the Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes in Canada, March 20 and 22, and a staged reading of the powerful “Fallujah” by Heater Raffo and Tobin Stokes from Canada.

And speaking of marionettes, there’s a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, (March 20-23 in the Eisenhower Theatre) from Bristol Old Vic, in association with Handspring Puppet Company from South Africa, the folks who brought you the vivid and moving horse puppets and marionettes in “War Horse.” A sampling of their handiwork is on display in the Hall of Nations, as is an installation entitled “Pequeno Teatro” (“Little Theater”).

For young audiences, there’s also “The Adventures of Robin Hood” from Scotland’s Visible Fictions, co-commissioned with the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences, March 28 through April 6 in the Family Theater.

Photos: World Stages: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bristol Old Vic & Handspring Puppet Company (England & South Africa); playing from March 20 through 23 at the Eisenhower Theater. [gallery ids="101673,144603" nav="thumbs"]

Early Voting for Primary Begins Today; Most Center Open Saturday
•

Voters’ opportunities for early voting has begun. Only one center is open today: One Judiciary Square.

Here are some notes from the D.C. Board of Elections:

Early Voting for the 2014 Primary Election begins on March 17 at One Judiciary Square. On Saturday, March 22, all 13 early voting locations will be open across the District of Columbia. All locations remain open until Saturday, March 29 (except Sundays). Early Voting Center hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. All locations are listed below.

For details, visit www.DCBOEE.org.

Early Voting Centers:

Bald Eagle Recreation Center

Chevy Chase Community Center

Columbia Heights Community Center

Dorothy I Height-Benning Library

Emery Recreation Center

Hillcrest Recreation Center

Kennedy Recreation Center

King Greenleaf Recreation Center

One Judiciary Square

Sherwood Recreation Center

Stoddert Recreation Center

Takoma Park Recreation Center

Turkey Thickett Recreation Center

Rare St. Patrick’s Day Snow Gives Everyone a Day Off
•

For most, the luck of the Irish brought an easy-going snow day off. Georgetown neighbors and colleagues were checking restaurants in town by noon to say hello and to honor the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Per American tradition, crowds in many establishments are expected to larger than usual, but the weather may tamp that down. Meanwhile, the unusual snow this March 17 makes this storm the 10th-largest March snow ever.

The following report is from Accu-Weather:

Another round of late-winter snow walloped the mid-Atlantic Sunday night into Monday. Washington, D.C., received 7.2 inches of snow from the storm, making it the third-largest snowfall to hit the city so late in the season. The only storms that produced more snow in the second half of the month of March occurred in 1942 when 11.2 inches fell March 28 to 29 and when a foot fell March 27 to 28 in 1891.

This storm is also the largest March snowstorm in the city since 8.4 inches fell March 9, 1999. As the 10th-largest March storm in Washington, D.C., it knocked the historic blizzard of 1993 off the list of 10 most prolific March snowfalls.
[gallery ids="101674,144589,144601,144597,144583,144593" nav="thumbs"]

Lady Camellia, Tea Room on Prospect, to Open Feb. 22
• March 13, 2014

The couple that brought you Macaron Bee on Wisconsin Avenue has opened another business. This one is a tea room — Lady Camellia — at 3261 Prospect St., NW, next to Booeymonger’s. (Camellia is the botanical name for tea.)

Yes, it will offer Macaron Bee’s classics, along with scones, croissants, tea cakes, sandwiches, tartlets and mini cupcakes. There is also a full English tea on the menu.

Business owners Deborah and Han Kim have renovated the space which was once Tuscany Cafe with a pink and white decor and wallpaper from Britain. They had a soft landing over Valentine’s weekend and plan to open the shop this Saturday. The new place will also serve as the main kitchen for their macarons up the street at Macaron Bee as well as an office.

Weekend Round Up February 20, 2014
•

Rising From Ashes

February 20th, 2014 at 07:20 PM | $10 in advance at www.arlingtondrafthouse.com or $12 at the door the night of the show. | gharrington3165@hotmail.com | Tel: 703-486-2345 | Event Website

“Rising From Ashes,” the award-winning feature-length documentary about Team Rwanda, will premiere in Arlington on Thursday, February 20 at 7:20 p.m. when the cycling film screens at the Arlington Drafthouse. Rising From Ashes is a joyous and uplifting independent film about the development of a national cycling team in Rwanda, a country still affected deeply by the genocide that tore the East African nation apart in 1994.

Address

Arlington Drafthouse; 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

DC Brau Dinner Beer dinner!

February 21st, 2014 at 07:00 PM| $60 per person(tax and service charge included) | info@pinstripes.com| Event Website

Enjoy an exception four course dinner with four perfectly paired beers. A DC Brau beer representative will be there throughout the evening to educate and enlighten you about the menu.

Address

Pinstripes; 1064 Wisconsin Ave NW,

Gilbert & Sullivan’s Yeomen of the Guard

February 21st, 2014 at 08:00 PM | $16-$24 | rountcd@gmail.com | Tel: 3346635885 | Event Website

The Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents a fully staged presentation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Yeomen of the Guard. Performances are Feb. 20, 21, 22, 28 & Mar. 1, 2014 at 8pm and Feb. 23 & Mar. 2, 2014 at 2pm. Students $16, seniors $20, and adults $24. Feb. 20th will be a special $12 preview performance. Please visit www.vloc.org for more show and ticket information!

Address

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre; Rockville Civic Center; 603 Edmonston Dr. Rockville, MD 20851

The Greater Washington Heart Ball

February 22nd, 2014 at 06:30 PM | eliza.kanovsky@heart.org | Tel: 703-248-1717 | Event Website

The Heart Ball is a premier society event and a celebration of the life-saving work of the American Heart Association. The event brings together more than 500 of the region’s most prominent physician, corporate, health care, and community leaders. The evening includes, live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and special presentations to honor United States Military doctors (retired and active) through the Heart Heroes program.

Address

The Mandarin Oriental, 1330 Maryland Ave SW

6th Annual DC-CAPITAL STARS

February 25th, 2014 at 07:00 PM | Show-only tickets $35; Gala tickets (performance and reception) $500. See site for sponsorship info. | adrienne.laborwit@dccap.org | Tel: 202.783.7938 | Event Website

The 6th Annual DC-CAPITAL STARS: A Tribute to Broadway will showcase the outstanding artistic abilities of college-bound students from DC public and public charter schools. Attracting over 1,000 guests and a panel of celebrity judges that has included Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, and Jordin Sparks,the show will culminate with scholarships awarded to the top performers. A celebratory reception with live music and dancing follows the performance. Proceeds benefit the DC College Access Program.

Address

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; 2700 F Street, NW

Lane Closures on Rock Creek Parkway Under Pennsylvania Avenue, Feb. 27 to March 3
•

The District Department of Transportation has scheduled bridge preservation repairs on the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge over Rock Creek Parkway and needs to close lanes temporarily.

According to DDOT, “the repairs will require temporary single-lane closures on southbound and northbound Rock Creek Parkway from Thursday, Feb. 27, to Monday, March 3. These closures will take place in off-peak (9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.) and nighttime (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) hours on the weekdays, and at nighttime (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) on the weekends. Temporary signs and traffic control measures will be in place to alert and guide the traveling public through the work zone.”

For more information about this work, contact project manager Yared Tesfaye at 202-439-4796.