Single and Not So Ready to Mingle

Ever felt super single in the city? Well you’re right in thinking so because there are stats to back you up. And you are certainly not alone, in fact, you’re the majority.

According to Nerd Wallet’s “Best Cities for Singles” survey of the 50 largest U.S. cities, 70 percent of Washington, D.C. resident’s are not married. Overall, D.C. ranked as the second best city for singles based on availability, average cost of date and social scene.

Graphic:NerdWallet

Just up I-95, Baltimore came in fourth with nearly 69% of it’s population single. A three-course dinner and a movie in Bmore will cost about $70 in Baltimore, which is a bargain compared with the other East Coast cities on the list. Neither city scored in the Top 20 for single women, but Baltimore was first for single men while D.C. placed third.

To determine each city’s score, Nerd Wallet looked at the percentage of the population 15 and over that’s unmarried in each city, as well as the number of single men per 100 single women and number of single women per 100 single men. It also calculated how much it costs to date based on a three-course meal for two and two movie tickets at a mid-range restaurant in each city. They also considered the median earnings for workers to gauge the relative affordability of dating. Finally, they assessed date-friendliness by calculating the number of arts and entertainment businesses and restaurants per 1,000 residents in metro areas and included walk scores to evaluate how easy it is to get around and meet people.

Why is everyone so single in the city?

There’s no single answer to why D.C. is so single. In a place where sex in the city is advertised, why is single in the city so in? Here are a couple reasons why I believe couples aren’t so prevalent on the streets of D.C.

Financially delinquent

It’s hard enough to support yourself financially in the city, so I suppose two is a crowd. With the average date costing $95 according to Nerd Wallet, it’s not exactly cheap to date. I know personally I never offer to pick up the tab unless its a special occasion, so I can’t blame people for not perusing expensive dates that may lead to no less than a one night stand.

Business over pleasure

The city is known for being full of young professionals. If you are too focused on making your way up the corporate ladder, it can be easy to give love the side eye. Living in a constantly fast paced environment also pressures singles to believe that they need to become successful younger and postpone relationships until they are older and wealthier. There’s a price to pay for success, and it seems to be love.

Too many fish in the sea

Some city goes would agree they are all about the sex, but that’s the problem. With sex in this single city so prevalent, why would anyone want to settle down. Relationships can get complicated, so why not just date at random with no commitment.

Being single has it’s pros and cons. (Photo: guestofaguest.com)

Bottom line

Despite swimming in a sea of singles, your best bet in finding love is in the city. You need to figure out how to DTR (define the relationship) and tie down that busy young professional. Although some are obsessed with finding their soulmate at the bar, others could care less about being tied down. If that’s you, just enjoy your playing field.

D.C. is filled with singles that apparently have no intention on slowing down. Date multiple people with no shame, because you are most likely not their first date of the week either. Live it up, but know you have the option to settle down if you want. If there’s no hurry, live with no regrets and say yes to that date. After all, if they are picking up the tab, that’s $96 you don’t have to spend. And who doesn’t love a free meal?

It’s going to be a star-spangled weekend in the DMV. Just up I-95, with the 200th anniversary of The Star Spangled Banner, the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry will be buzzing with patriotic events. Closer to home, there are arts festivals, neighborhood festivals, film festivals, food festivals and more to fill your weekend.

Silver and Yellow line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals this weekend, but Yellow Line trains will run between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square only. Green Line trains will operate every 20 minutes. Orange and Blue line trains will operate every 24 minutes, and Red Line trains will operate every 15 minutes and every 10 minutes between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Metrorail will open at 6 a.m. on Sunday for customers traveling to the Navy-Air Force Half Marathon. The closest Metro stop to the start of the race is Smithsonian Station on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.

Star-Spangled events will be going on all weekend at Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry to celebrate The Star-Spangled Banner‘s 200th anniversary. (Photo: Star Spangled 200)

Star-Spangled Spectacular

O Say Can You See! Tall ships, naval vessels and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will arrive in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner. During the Star-Spangled Spectacular festivities will include live musical performances, a family fun zone, Chesapeake food and beverages and more. Events crescendo on Saturday with a star-studded patriotic concert at Pier Six Pavilion and a fireworks display over Fort Harbor National Monument and Historic Shrine and the Baltimore harbor. On Sunday, a ceremony and garrison flag raising at Fort McHenry, featuring Gov. Martin O’Malley, will memorialize the exact moment Francis Scott Key saw the flag raised over the fort and was inspired to write the poem that became our national anthem.

Sept. 10-16 at Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore. Sept. 13 from 6-10 p.m. at Fort McHenry, 2400 E. Fort Ave., Baltimore, including the U.S Marine Band concert, the Morgan State University choir and others. A 30-by-4 foot Star-Spangled Banner will be raised. From 7-10 p.m there will be a concert at Pier Six Concert Pavilion hosted by actor John Lithgow and co-hosted by Jordin Sparks featuring Kristin Chenoweth, Melissa Etheridge, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery, Little Big Town, Pentatonix, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Train and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Tickets cost $79-$175. Free fireworks will follow the concert.

South Asian Film Festival

Wajma: An Afghan Love Story, which took the world cinema screenwriting award at Sundance in 2013 will be featured at the Washington D.C. South Asian Film Festival. (Photo: Ariroad)

The third annual Washington, D.C. South Asian Film Festival features the work of directors from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since very few of these films will receive commercial releases, this is a good opportunity to see movies like Wajma: An Afghan Love Story, which took the world cinema screenwriting award at Sundance in 2013. The film is about a student who discovers she’s pregnant – and since the baby’s father is now waffling about marrying her, she has more to worry about than morning sickness. All films have English subtitles, and most screening will include shorts from local filmmakers.

Sept. 12-14 at AMC Loews Rio Cinemas, 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., Gaithersburg. Times vary. Individual tickets are $15 online or at the door. The opening red carpet gala will be begin at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Courtyard Marriott Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg and costs $85 including reception, food, meet and greet, movie and Q&A. The closing night and awards ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott. Cost is $55 and including movie, meet and greet, awards, stand-up comedian Dan Nainan, reception and food.

12th annual King Street Art Festival

More than 200 artists will fill King Street in Old Town Alexandria with their wares. (Photo: Visit Alexandria)

Festival booths will line King Street between Washington and Union streets during the 12th annual King Street Art Festival, featuring over six blocks of artwork by more than 200 artists from the U.S. and abroad. Art enthusiasts discover spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more, offering extraordinary art for every taste. More than $15 million in art will be on display, providing visitors with the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind wares and meet the artists behind the work, hearing firsthand what inspires them. Plus, visitors can delight in interactive art activities and The Art League’s “Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser.”

Sept. 13 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sept. 14 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on King Street between Washington and Union streets. Admission is FREE!

Hispanic Heritage Family Festival

Families can help create saw-dust carpets, a 400-year-old tradition in Guatemala, where everyone lends a hand to create colorful works of art. (Photo courtesy of Yolanda Alcorta)

Take the whole family to the Hispanic Heritage Family Festival, the Smithsonian’s kickoff celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The day includes musical performances, interactive demonstrations, arts and crafts, storytelling, bilingual gallery tours of the exhibit Portraiture Now: Staging the Self and a special display of creative work by Fairfax County Literacy Program families.

Sept. 13 from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard, 8th and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
 
 

Taste of Georgetown

The Taste of Georgetown moves to the waterfront this year with more than 35 restaurants. (Photo: Taste of Georgetown)

More than 35 of Georgetown’s restaurants will be serving their signature dishes at the 21st annual Taste of Georgetown. There will be a chef showdown, craft beer and wine pavilion, bocce ball, hula-hooping, face painting, balloon animal making and bluegrass and country music from Justin Trawick and the Common Good from 12:15-1 p.m., Letitia Van Sant & the Bonafides from 1:15-2 p.m. and Human Country Jukebox from 3-4:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 from noon-5 p.m. on K Street NW between Wisconsin Avenue and Thomas Jefferson Street NW at the Georgetown Waterfront. Tickets for food are $5 each or five for $20 in advance. Beer and wine tasting tickets are $4 for one or $10 for three.

The fifth annual 17st Street Festival brings more than 50 artist, musicians and local organizations to the 17th Street NW neighborhood. (Photo: Huffington Post)

17th Street Festival

The fifth annual 17th Street Festival brings entertainers, vendors and community groups to 17th Street NW. Entertainment includes Ladies of Cobalt from 3-3:30 p.m., Drag City: DC from 4-4:30 p.m. and the Gay Men’s Chorus from 5-5:30 p.m. More than 50 local artists will display their work. There will also be a kids zone and pet zone.

Sept. 13 from noon-6 p.m. along 17th Street NW from Riggs Place to P Street. Admission is FREE!
 
 

King Street Art Festival at the Torpedo Factory

The gazebo stage at the Torpedo Arts Factory. (Photo: Peter Radunzel/Flickr)

The Torpedo Factory Art Center will host several special programs as part of the 12th annual King Street Art Festival. Stop by throughout the day for family-friendly fun. The art studios will be open until 7 p.m. Events include local jazz band 2nd Independence on the Waterfront gazebo stage at noon along with hands-on arts activities. At 1 p.m., resident artist Tatyana Schremko will create an ice sculpture in the lobby. At 2 p.m., folk-rock band Hearts and Spades will perform at the gazebo followed by indie folk group Domestic Animals at 4 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Young Patrons Art Festival After Party begins with a DJ and projections on the Torpedo Factory until 11 p.m.

Sept. 13 from noon-11 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Admission is FREE!

Snallygaster

The Snallygaster beer jamboree is back at The Yards. (Photo: Snallygaster)

The Snallygaster beer jamboree returns for a day of drinking, eating and music. With 275 beers and ciders from around the world to choose from on the list curated by Bluejacket and ChurchKey beer director Greg Engert, selecting drinks is no easy test. Food vendors include Red Apron Butcher, GBD, Hill Country, Rappahannock River Oysters, D.C. Empanadas, D.C. Sices, Takorean, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Tasty Kabob, Big Cheese Truck and Lemnongrass Truck. Entertainment will be provided by bands !!! and Brett, and DJs Brothers Brau, Tony T, Kevin Bayly and DJ Cale.

Sept. 13 from 1-6 p.m. at The Yards, First and N Streets NE. Admission is $30 in advance and includes $25 in food and drink tickets, or $10 at the door with no food/drink tickets.

All Things Go Fall Classic

Bear Hands will perform at the All Things Go Fall Classic. (Photo: Bear Hands)

This alternative-rock festival, All Things Go Festival is a day of non-stop music, which includes live sets from Future Islands, Tove Lo, Haerts, Bear Hands, Panama Wedding, U.S. Royalty, Young Summer, Sun Club, and DJ B-Roc (of The Knocks). The All Things Go Fall Classic will also sport a curated food selection featuring Toki Underground, The Bespoke Kitchen, Takorean, Dolcezza and others.

Sept. 13 from noon-10 p.m. at Union Market’s Dock 5, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Tickets cost $50 in advance or $60 at the door.

Adams Morgan Day

Adams Morgan Day is back Sunday. (Photo: hungrycityblog.com)

Celebrate one of D.C.’s drunkest neighborhoods in the light of day at the 36th annual Adams Morgan Day street festival featuring music on two stages including the Chuck Brown Band and Marcus Johnson, dance performances, local vendors, a kids fair at the Marie Reed playground featuring a moonbounce, face painting, a puppet show, games and more. Nonprofits and local businesses will be along 18th Street and artists mostly from the region will be clustered on Belmont Avenue.

Sept. 14 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on 18th Street NW between Florida Avenue, Columbia Road and Belmont Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!

Kalorama House and Embassy Tour

The Embassy of Slovenia is included in the Kalorama House and Embassy Tour on Sunday. (Photo: Wikimedia)

Spend Sunday waking around the Kalorama neighborhood during the 29th annual Kalorama House and Embassy Tour, a self-guided house and embassy tour that includes the bright and modern Embassy of Slovenia, the Embassy of Latvia, historically known as the Alice Pike Barney Studio House, the Cultural Center of the Korean Embassy, the Ambassadorial Residence of Egypt, the Embassy of Luxembourg, the Embassy of Croatia, the private residence at 2346 S St. and the President Woodrow Wilson House. The jazz band Chrystal Chandelier will be playing at the Woodrow Wilson House. Those wishing to visit the embassies with required pre-screening must register by noon Friday.

Sept. 14 from noon-5 p.m. starting at the Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Children 6-18 are $10, children under 6 are free.

This is the weekend for the arts in the DMV. Head to Baltimore for a full weekend of all kinds of arts from fine arts to crafts, sculpture to paintings, and reggae to classical at Artscape. Closer to home, Union Market’s summer drive-in movies series begins as does the annual Screen on the Green on the National Mall. And in some strange musical pairings, Adam Lambert and Queen will play at Merriweather Post Pavilion, while Lionel Richie and CeeLo Green come to Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. As always, there are also some food events if you don’t feel like cooking.

On Metrorail, Yellow Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between Huntington and Fort Totten. Red Line trains will operate every 15 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont and every 8-12 minutes between Grosvenor and Silver Spring from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Orange and Blue line trains will operate every 22 minutes after 10 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday. Orange Line train will run every 24 minutes on Sunday between Vienna and New Carrollton, and every 12 minutes between East Falls Church and Stadium-Armory. Blue Line trains will run every 24 minutes on Sunday from Franconia-Springfield to Largo Town Center and every 12 minutes between Rosslyn and Largo Town Center (trains will be labeled and operating as Orange Line trains) as testing on the Silver Line begins in anticipation of its July 26 start. Buses will replace Green Line trains from College Park to Greenbelt on Saturday and Sunday.

Artscape returns to Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood all weekend with more than 150 artists. (Photo: Artscape)

Artscape

If you head to Baltimore this weekend, it’ll be hard to miss Artscape, the city’s sprawling arts festival in the Mount Vernon neighborhood. There will be more than 150 fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars and photography; free live concerts on outdoor stages including soul revivalists Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, R&B singer Anthony Hamilton and local reggae Beatles cover band Yellow Dummarine; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and street theater; and an international menu of food and beverages available throughout the festival site.

July 18 and 19 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and July 20 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. in the Mount Royal Avenue & Cathedral Street, Charles Street, Bolton Hill and Station North Arts & Entertainment District neighborhoods. Admission is FREE!

Union Market Drive-In: Summer Escapes

Union Marked Drive-In Summer Escapes is back the next four Fridays at 8 p.m. (Photo: Union Market)

Union Market Drive-In is back each week from July 18-Aug. 8. Watch great films under the stars — in the convenience of your car with foods from the market and pre-show activities for movie-lovers of every age. The summer series kicks off with Forgetting Sarah Marshall on July 18 followed by The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou on July 25, Surf’s Up on Aug. 1 and Casino Royale on Aug. 8.

Fridays through Aug. 8 beginning at 8:30 p.m. at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Admission is FREE for walk-ups or bikers, but parking costs $10 here.

D.C. BRGR Bash

D.C. BRGR Bash will take place from noon-6 p.m. Saturday at the old District Flea lot. (Graphic: D.C. BRGR Bash)

Chefs from Café Saint-Ex, 1905, Fainting Goat, Burger Tap & Shake, Old Ebbitt Grill, Boundary Stone and more prepare their best burgers for the D.C. BRGR Bash, which includes live music from John Bowen, House of Soul and The Original Moonlighters, lawn games and a beer garden featuring D.C. Brau, Atlas and New Belgium pours. Lawn chairs, preferably with cup holders, unopened bottled water, soda and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome.

July 19 from noon-6 p.m. at 945 Florida Ave. NW, the former D.C. Flea lot. Tickets cost $27 for one admission and five samples or $47 for two admissions and all 10 burgers in advance here. Tickets increase to $30 and $50 on Saturday. Brews from any of the breweries are $5 for a 16-ounce pour.

The D.C. Scoop returns to Union Market from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday. (Graphic: Union Market)

The D.C. Scoop

Bring your sweet tooth and an empty stomach to Union Market’s Dock 5 for The D.C. Scoop, a free ice cream competition between 15 of the area’s top frozen treat factories. There will be ice cream available to taste and buy from local artisans and ice cream makers. There will be a wide array of productions including gelato, ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and of course, good old-fashioned ice cream. While a panel of judges will choose the winner, you can help pick the people’s choice.

July 19 from 1-4 p.m. at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Admission is FREE!
 
 

Queen and Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert, Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen performs in Las Vegas, Nev. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

Queen and Adam Lambert bring their North American summer tour to the DMV when Brian May, Roger Taylor and American Idol’s Adam Lambert come to Columbia as their 19-date tour wraps up with their only outdoor summer concert. The threesome first shared the stage during American Idol in 2009 for a performance of We Are the Champions. They teamed up again in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast for an eight-minute finale of The Show Must Go On, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions and in the summer of 2012, Lambert performed a series of shows with Queen across Europe as well as dates in Russia, Ukraine and Poland. They also performed three sold-out gigs at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.

July 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Admission is $45-$125 online or at the gate.

Screen on the Green

Screen on the Green returns to the National Mall on Monday with The Karate Kid at sundown. (Photo: ThisIsBossi/Flickr)

Screen on the Green is back, beginning with a sunset showing of the 1984 hit The Karate Kid, which introduced the world to Mr. Miyagi. Movies to be screened in the following weeks are: the Rock Hudson-Doris Day romp Lover Come Back on July 28, the Bogie and Bacall classic Key Largo on Aug. 4 and A Soldier’s Story starring Denzel Washington on Aug. 11. Bring blankets, snacks, beverages, umbrellas, bug spray and warm clothes. You can pack snacks and non-alcoholic drinks for a picnic vibe.

Mondays through Aug. 11 beginning at 8 p.m. on the National Mall between Seventh and 12th Streets NW. Admission is FREE!

Lionel Richie and CeeLo Green

CeeLo Green (left) and Lionel Richie perform at Wolf Trap on Monday and Tuesday. (Photos: Wolf Trap)

Considering that All Night Long and Crazy are songs you’re likely hear back-to-back at the grocery store, the pairing of Lionel Richie and CeeLo Green isn’t as odd as it may seem. The soul singers from different eras share the stage for two nights.

July 21 and 22 beginning 8 p.m. at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets cost $45-$250 online or at the gate.
 

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. Many residents of the DMV will being their weekly summer treks to the Delaware and Maryland beaches. That means miles-long backups at the Bay Bridge in Annapolis as you try to get out of town. Others will hit the pools and fire up the grills. But for those of us stuck in town and without a pool, there’s still plenty to do in town this weekend.

However if you plan on getting around on Metrorail, there will be construction. Trains on the Orange and Yellow lines will operate at regular weekend intervals of every 12-15 minutes. Green line trains will operate at regular intervals of every 12 minutes except between College Park and Greenbelt, where trains will run every 24 minutes. Blue line trains will operate at regular intervals except that the Franconia-Springfield station will be closed and buses will replace trains between Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield. Riders should allow an additional 10 minutes. Red Line trains will run every 20 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet during daytime hours. On Memorial Day, Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. Off-peak fares will be in effect all day, and parking will be free at all Metrorail parking facilities.

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor opens at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor

The $15 million, 16-foot tall Capital Wheel at National Harbor debuts Friday. Riders will feel like they’re sitting on the top of the world as they soar 180 feet above the Potomac River waterfront with incomparable views. From the top you can see the White House and Capitol, the National Mall, Arlington Cemetery, the City of Alexandria, Prince George’s County and the lush parklands throughout the DMV. The giant wheel has 42 closed, climate-controlled gondolas that seat eight for year round rides. Oh, and don’t call it a Ferris wheel. Ferris wheels have open seats.

Beginning May 23 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily at 165 Waterfront St., Oxen Hill. The cost of a 15 minute ride is $15 for adults, $11.25 for children 3-11 and free for children 2 and under. Cost of the VIP gondola with leather bucket seats, wine chillers and a DVD player is $50. It seats up to four.

Maryland Deathfest

Visitors at the 2013 Maryland Deathfest. (Photo: WTOP)

More than 80 metal bands – with names like My Dying Bride, Cripple Bastards, Graves at Sea and Shitstorm – descend on Baltimore for a head-banging weekend. This year, Maryland Deathfest is spread across three venues: Rams Head Live in Power Plant Live, Soundstage (across the street from Rams Head Live) and an outdoor parking lot at 545 N. High St. The concept is simple: bring the best and most extreme bands the underground has to offer to the U.S. Never conforming to trends, or being limited by genre restrictions, MDF is a showcase of what extreme music, both new and old, is capable of. With an emphasis on diversity, the festival brings together the very best death metal, grindcore, doom, thrash, hardcore, black metal and experimental bands from all around the world.

May 22-25 at three venues near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor starting at 2 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday. Tickets are $55-$160 and available at the Edison parking lot at 545 N. High Street.

Jazz in the Garden

Concertgoers enjoy Jazz in the Garden among works of art in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. (Photo: National Gallery of Art)

Pack a picnic and enjoy music from Elikeh, an Afro-funk band from Togo, at Jazz in the Garden in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art. A different jazz artist will be featured each Friday during the summer. You can bring your own food and nonalcoholic beverages, but beer, wine, sangria and mixed drinks must be purchased from the Pavilion Café. A special menu of appetizers, entrees and salads is also available at the café, while an outdoor grill will serve barbecue pork sandwiches, beef and chicken kabobs and chicken sausages. A gelato cart will also be available.

May 23 and every Friday through Aug. 29 from 5-8:30 p.m. in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art, Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!

Summerfest DC

Summerfest at Half Street Fairgrounds. (Photo: Half Street Fairgrounds)

Sample more than 125 kinds of beer (including two gluten free) and 20 kinds of wines and seven ciders at Summerfest DC. Food trucks will be on hand dishing out grub.

May 24 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 4-7 p.m. at the Half Street Fairgrounds, 1199 Half St. SE. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $65 for VIP admission, which includes an additional half hour of drinking, access to the VIP party deck, full pours of five exclusive beers, snacks and a full-size glass tasting mug and are available online.

Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel (Photo: Art Garfunkel)

Singer Art Garfunkel has made an indelible mark on the music world as both a solo artist and half of the unrivaled folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. In 2003, he accepted the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award with Paul Simon. He has also enjoyed a successful film career, published a book of poetry and released 12 solo albums. Despite parting ways with Simon in 1970, they are still famous for their songs including Mrs. Robinson, Scarborough Fair, The Sound Of Silence and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

May 24 at 7 p.m. at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. General admission tickets are $65 and available online.
 
 
 

Policy’s 4th Annual Crab Festival

Diners enjoy crabs on Policy’s upstairs patio. (Photo: Policy Restaurant & Lounge)

Policy Restaurant & Lounge’s annual crab festival returns for a fourth year with an all-you-can eat feast of crabs and fixings, along with beer specials courtesy of D.C.’s Atlas Beer Works. There will also be music and fun. It’s a perfect escape for a Sunday fun day – especially if you are off work Monday.

May 25 from noon-5 p.m. at Policy Restaurant & Lounge, 1904 14th St. NW. Tickets are $45 and available online.
 
 

National Memorial Day Observance

President Barack Obama lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the 2013 Memorial Day ceremony. (Photo: Arlington National Cemetery)

The annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military members is include a prelude concert by the U.S. Navy Band in the Arlington National Cemetery amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Presidential Armed Forces full honor wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m. followed by an observance program in the amphitheater. Seating in the amphitheater is first come, first served and space is limited to standing room only at the wreath laying ceremony. Gates will open at 8 a.m. Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the amphitheater for the official program. Large bags and backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, personal protection sprays, insulated beverage containers and anything that could potentially be used as a weapon are all prohibited.

May 26 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington. Admission is FREE! Free parking is available all day in the Welcome Center parking lot. A free shuttle service will provide transportation from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater. The last shuttle will leave the Welcome Center at 10:15 a.m., or when the Memorial Amphitheater is full.

National Memorial Day Parade

Soldiers march past the White House in the 2013 National Memorial Day Parade. (Photo: American Veterans Center)

The National Memorial Day Parade was launched in 2005 by the American Veterans Center in Washington, D.C. It is the largest Memorial Day event in the nation. It steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW and proceeds west down Constitution past the White House ending at 17th Street NW. Participants will pass by the nation’s monuments, museums and hundreds of thousands of spectators waving flags and cheering. The parade will include floats, high school marching bands, veterans, service members, local and national celebrities, service organizations and clubs, and much more!

May 26 at 2 p.m. beginning at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW. Admission is FREE!

Organic food has become relatively easy to get at high quality D.C. restaurants. Local, surely, has also become a staple for restaurants touting their commitment to healthier food supply chains. But if you happen to eat in a D.C. restaurant that advertises its use of local and organic ingredients, chances are that you’re eating something from the Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative.

New Morning Farm (Kristy McCarron/DC on Heels)

Tuscarora Organic Growers (TOG) is a true gem in the world of restaurant suppliers. Based out of south central Pennsylvania, TOG is a co-op of 44 small family farms found mostly within seven neighboring counties. Together, these farms supply organic produce to about 200 restaurants in the D.C. and Baltimore region. Originally started as three small farms and one tiny cooler, today Tuscarora houses six giant coolers (about the size of a two-car garage) and will ship over 100,000 cases of produce to restaurants and grocery stores in just one season.

This past week, I had the opportunity to tour Tuscarora and a few of their farms. Those on the tour included folks that buy from TOG, including D.C. and Baltimore restaurants, smaller grocers, farmer’s markets, the good people of Sweet Farm Sauerkraut and Washington’s Green Grocers, to name a few. What could be better than a workday spent in Pennsylvania farmland with good people, good farms and delicious food?

Here’s a bit about my day:

We started at the warehouse and offices, which is near Maddensville, Pa. That’s about two hours northwest of D.C. and about an hour outside of Hagerstown, Md. Here at the warehouse, we were given a tour of their refrigeration system, a brief history of TOG and the ins and outs of a local supplier. “Warehouse” gives the impression of a big supplier, but the actual facility is relatively small. Produce is constantly being shipped in and out. Now that the spring season has just turned its corner, the produce supply is smaller, but surely bulking up.

Tuscarora Organics Growers warehouse (Photo courtesy of cafebonappetit.com)

Inside the refrigerator at TOG (Kristy McCarron/DC on Heels)

The warehouse and offices are located right on New Morning Farm, which is one of the original three farms that started TOG. Jim and Moie Kimball Crawford started New Morning Farm in 1976, and have been running their organic farm ever since. It is 95 acres, 30 of which are used for 60 different vegetable crops, and it is pure beauty. Farmhands (and a few dogs) were scattered throughout the fields, busily working on their specific crops and projects while we were given a tour of a small portion of the farm.

Strawberries are a’ coming! (Kristy McCarron/DC on Heels)

The tour of New Morning Farm was followed by a delicious lunch provided by TOG; a potluck of pulled pork, chicken, mac ‘n cheese, fresh salad greens, lots of veggies and my first rhubarb pie of the season(!) served with Standing Stone Coffee (first time having their coffee and it was maybe the best I’ve ever had). Lunch allowed for time to talk with other visitors and their connection to the food world, as well as a Q&A session with TOG and Jim from New Morning Farm.

We were then bussed to our second farm, Hares Valley Farm, a few miles away — a bit smaller of an operation, but beautiful nonetheless. Hares Valley Farm grew some of the spiciest arugula I’ve ever tasted, lots of pea shoots and enormous, kelly green chard, as well as quite the egg operation!

I’ve always jumped on an opportunity to visit farms in the D.C. region, but this one was particularly enjoyable. Perhaps that’s because the day was shared with so many interesting people scattered in the food world or because of the rhubarb pie, or potentially because it gave a better perspective on how restaurants can source their food. If customers knew the farmer that grew their food or that their “organic” food came from California, would it make a difference in where they’re eating?