Doing, Reading, Eating, Watching – Jan 16th, 2023

January 16th, 2023 – January 23rd, 2023

How’s everyone’s January going?!?! I know some of yall are hitting the halfway mark on Dry January, and hopefully loving the reset. If you are feeling called to celebrate this weekend with folks that understand, head to the Mindful Drinking Fest to be with other non drinkers (Details below). In this week’s Doing, Reading, Eating, Watching – Let’s talk events around town, what books to check out, food to eat and what interesting TV/Movies have been on!!! It’s going to be a really interesting year full of celebrating friends, dreaming big and travel, lots of travel!! If there are any events you think I should add to the roundup, feel free to shoot me a message!!

Doing – Jan 2023

Mindful Drinking Fest
Who: Drink Company
What: Mindful Drinking Fest is the first wide-scale event celebrating the mindful drinking movement in the U.S. amidst Dry January, when many people plan to reduce or eliminate alcohol. We will be celebrating the delicious non-alcoholic wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails that have exploded onto the market as well as the growing culture of people who are mindful of what and how they drink. It is a full-day event with a grand tasting, wellness classes, bartender competition, and afterparty.
Where: Selina DC, 411 New York Ave, NE Washington, DC 20002
When: Grand Tasting – Saturday, January 21, 2023 3:00 PM 6:00 PM
Break – Saturday, January 21, 2023 – 6:00 PM 7:30 PM
Cocktail Competition + After Party – Sat, Jan 21, 2023 7:30 PM – Sun, Jan 22, 2023 12:00 AM
Tickets: https://www.mindfuldrinkingfest.com/

Golden Haiku Workshop
Who: Golden Triangle BID & The Japan-America Society of Washington, DC
What: Mark your calendars for a haiku workshop hosted by the Golden Triangle BID and The Japan-America Society of Washington, DC. The workshop will be led by Golden Haiku judge Abigail Friedman and is a great opportunity for poets submitting their Haiku to the 2023 Golden Haiku competition to polish their skills. See you there!
Where: Studio by Tishman Speyer 900 19th Street Northwest #6th floor Washington, DC 20006
When: Wed, January 18, 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-haiku-workshop-tickets-488944525237

Authentic Playdate!
What: Imagine using the sandbox of playfulness to drop into vulnerability and allowing your Authentic Self to emerge! The #1 intention is to playfully shed light on the unconscious programming and thought patterns that hold in place the Conditioned Self, its shadows and false beliefs. In this safe, nurturing and supportive container, we will playfully observe (in a role reversal) some of the habits and patterns of the Conditioned Self, instead of being its subject.
You will learn:
What thoughts and emotions trigger you? and why?
How to speak authentically from your core.
How do you recognize the stories your mind makes up about what happened?
We will full-on, play out well-known frameworks such as “The Drama Triangle” to uncover how we form mental patterns that create behaviors which impair our ability to establish healthy connections and nurturing bonds with ourselves and others. We will use the 3 keys of sounds, breath and movement as tools to nurture play and cultivate awareness and vitality. Come join us for a fun evening of playful exercises and peel off the layers of subconscious mental patterns that the Conditioned Self uses to impose its false beliefs and unhelpful patterns on our authentic expression.
Where: Selina Hotel (DC) – 411 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
When: Friday Jan 20th. 5:30pm to 7pm
Tickets: https://stressfreezone.com/authentic

The Greatest Comedy Show of all Time!
Who: Bria Beddoe and Paul Mooney (not that one)
What: Bria Beddoe and Paul Mooney are coming together to bring alt-comedy to DC in a bombastic way. What is alt-comedy? Well I’m glad you asked! It’s an abstract approach to comedic entertainment as an alternative to a standard stand-up set that we have all grown familiar with:
-Guy has mic
-Guy tells joke
-Heckling ensues
This show has powerpoints, drag, someone with a ukelule, and many other quirky gags! You have to show up to find out exactly what we mean by that. All brought to you by some of the best and wackiest touring performers in the DMV. Friday January 20th at the Village Cafe @7:30. Doors open @7. Tickets are $5-15 and sales help us to pay all of our wonderful and talented artists.
Where: The Village Cafe 1272 5th Street Northeast Washington, DC 20002
When: Friday January 20th at the Village Cafe @7:30. Doors open @7
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-greatest-comedy-show-of-all-time-tickets-503517934697

Open Mic Comedy Bingo
Who: Public Laughs
What: What is Open Mic Comedy Bingo? The cards have blocks you fill in when you see what they say in the show. For example, if a block says “pun” you would fill in that block when a performing comic says a pun joke. WIN BINGO ANY WAY – Any way you win bingo will win you a prize! But the first with a complete blackout card or the closest one to it, in the end, wins a gift card that could cover their entire tab!
Where: Public Laughs 1214 18th St NW Washington, DC 20036
When: Tuesdays, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM EST
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-mic-comedy-bingo-tickets-423722644837?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Slamtastic poetry competition FINALS
Who: Words Beats Life
What: DMV slam poetry team finals competition
Where: Busboys and Poets 5331 Baltimore Avenue Hyattsville, MD 20781
When: Mon, January 16, 2023, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/slamtastic-poetry-competition-finals-tickets-472724290077?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Not Another Drag Show
Who: Logan Stone
What: Join Logan Stone every Monday at Dupont Italian Kitchen for ‘Not Another Drag Show’, a high energy good time show to kick off your week!
Where: DuPont Italian Kitchen 1637 17th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20009
When: Mondays at 8pm
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/not-another-drag-show-tickets-210258828817?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Who: Free Weekly Bingo Series at The Fainting Goat
What: Get out of the house and turn your Tuesday into fun with DC Fray and The Fainting Goat for our FREE, in-person, bingo series running on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fray will provide the game night host, bingo materials including daubers, and awesome prizes. COST // NOTHING! This event is totally free, all you have to do is show up just as you are. WHAT DO I GET? // Your ticket comes with six to eight rounds of bingo and an evening of fun!
Where: Fainting Goat
When: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-weekly-bingo-series-at-the-fainting-goat-tickets-475260766747?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Fridays at the Saloon (presented by Kinda Live Comedy)
Who: Kinda Live Comedy
What: Join Kinda Live Comedy for a FREE comedy show at the non-profit Saloon on U St. Enjoy some of the regions best comics for a cause! Doors open at 7:30pm; show at 8:00pm. The show will have an hour and a half run time. Every week we bring you local and touring comedians right here for you to see for free. Comedians on our lineups have credits including Hulu, HBO, and Comedy Central. Every week is we have a new lineup, so every show brings you a unique experience with some of the best talent in the city. This show is held at the Saloon on U St. The Saloon is a non-profit bar and their proceeds go to building schools around the world. While the show is free, we recommend a purchase of a food or drink item to support the bar, and its mission of building schools around the world!
Where: Saloon 1205 U Street Northwest Washington, DC 20009
When: Fridays
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fridays-at-the-saloon-presented-by-kinda-live-comedy-tickets-238847588567?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Hiding In Plain Sight: The Audacious Art Of Street Photography
Who: DC Street Photography Collective
What: HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: THE AUDACIOUS ART OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY presents a retrospective of the DC Street Photography Collective’s (www.thedcspc.com) eight award-winning photographers, well known locally and internationally for their sharp-eyed documentation of the city and their community events at Slash Run, the DC Public Library, and the annual Focus on the Story festival, featuring brutally honest “photo slam” critiques and insightful presentations from visiting and local lecturers. DCSPC’s 2020 photo book, Bad Day, sold out in a week.
Where: 2208 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast Washington, DC 20020
When: Opens: January 20, 2023 • 6 PM
Closing party and open call awards: February 18
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-audacious-art-of-street-photography-tickets-490736906297

Lost & Found: KAMA DC’s Best Immigrant Stories
Who: Kama DC
What: True tales from the DMV’s Immigrant Community
KAMA DC’s volunteer-run, grassroots mission dedicates itself to providing a platform for immigrants to share their skills and their stories. In this KAMA DC and Story District collaboration, we will showcase some of the KAMA DC’s favorite immigrant storytellers. Seating and tickets are limited. Secure your tickets before they sell out. Hosted by comedian and Story District favorites, Yamin Elhady @yasminelhahahady. Lost & Found: Best of KAMA DC kicks off Story District’s 2023 Community Voices program devoted to making storytelling more accessible and representative of people living in the DMV. Wheelchair accessible.
Where: Little Penn Coffeehouse
801 E Street NorthwestWashington, DC, 20004
When: Saturday, January 21, 2023 – 7:30 PM 9:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Tickets: https://www.storydistrict.org/tickets/kama

Press Club x Jewel of the South 4-course cocktail tasting experience
Who: JÔNT
What: Jônt and Rémy Martin are proud to host Tales of the Cocktail’s Best Bar in America and New Orleans darling Jewel of the South (2022 U.S. Bartender of the Year, #24 on the World 50th Best Bars-North America’s) and Bar Director Chris Hannah for a luxury 4-course cocktail tasting experience with celebrated and award-winning Bar Director Will Patton of the forthcoming Press Club for a one night only collab with Southern flare, delicious cocktails along with delicious bites. Reservations available on TOCK.
Where: Jônt – 1904 14th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009
When: Jan 23rd, 2023   

CitySwing: Swing It ‘n Wing It event
Who: CitySwing
What: You may not love golf yet, but we know you love wings. On Jan 26th CitySwing invites you to learn the basics of golf in a fun, non-intimidating space while sipping on some liquid courage and eating their fan-favorite wings. For those who already love golf, get introduced to CitySwing’s top of the line technology and get some swing tips from PGA certified golf pros. RSVP for the event here.
Where: CitySwing
When: Jan 26th

Wildset Hotel X Lenora Yerkes: Get Creative with Wildset’s ‘A Process for Narrative Drawing’ Workshop, Lunch, & Stay Discount
Who: Wildset Hotel
What: Whether your New Year’s resolution was to pick up a new hobby, or free your creative spirit, The Wildset hotel has you covered. Their creative package ‘A Process for Narrative Drawing’ Workshop, Lunch, & Stay’ with local artist-illustrator Lenora Yerkes, is a 90-minute drawing workshop focused on notebook-based creativity. Guests will learn techniques for inhibition-free drawing and writing, quieting the internal editor, and developing a daily creative practice.The workshop ($150 per ticket) includes instruction from Lenora, a notebook, N/A beverages throughout the event, and a seated communal lunch. All attendees will receive a 20% reduced room rate at The Wildset, Thursday, Jan 26th and Friday, Jan 27th plus a 20% discount for those who choose to dine at Ruse on 1/26 or 1/27.
Where: Wildset Hotel
When: Friday Jan 27th

Wilson Hardware: Super Bowl Sunday + All-Day Brunch
Who: Wilson Hardware
What: Catch the big game on Wilson Hardware’s 180-inch projector screen for Super Bowl LVII! In addition to their regular lunch + dinner menus, they will be offering an extended brunch from 10 AM – 6 PM which features mimosa specials, signature dishes like the Monsieur Hardware or smoked salmon toast, and specialty brunch cocktails. Looking to stay in for the game? Pick up some sliders, wings & dips to take your at-home party to the next level.
Where: Wilson Hardware, 2915 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201
When: Febuary 12

Other Places to visit –
Museums – Rubell Museum – https://rubellmuseum.org/dc
Theaters – https://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/
DC Commedy Loft – https://www.dccomedyloft.com/events

Reading – Jan 2023

Downloaded The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life, and Achieve Real Happiness by: Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga and The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté & Daniel Maté. Still working my way through Christine Platt’s The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living with Less (purge sale end of January cause your girl’s got too much stuff!!) – Relistening to the High Five Habit, Mel Robbins is truly a treasure and sometimes you gotta read it twice!!

Added To The Reading List:
*Tricia Hersey, aka The Nap Bishop – Rest Is Resistance
*Glory Edim – On Girlhood: 15 Stories from the Well-Read Black Girl Library
*Chloe Louvouezo – Life, I Swear
*Helena Andrews – The Mamas: What I Learned About Kids, Class, and Race from Moms Not Like Me
*Yasmine Cheyenne – The Sugar Jar, Create Boundaries, Embrace Self-Healing, and Enjoy the Sweet Things in Life
*Bevy Smith – Bevelations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie
*Alex Elle – How We Heal: Uncover Your Power and Set Yourself Free
*Black Women Will Save the World: An Anthem by April Ryan
*Jennette McCurdy – I’m Glad My Mom Died

Eating – Jan 2023

I love food (obvi!!) and wanted a space to share some exciting food/eating.

Winter Restaurant Week is coming!! January 16–22: Experience the flavors of the city! Enjoy specially priced menus at diners and restaurants throughout the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Restaurants will offer brunch and lunch menus for $25 per person and dinner menus for $40 or $55 per person. Check out where to eat here – https://ramw.org/restaurantweek

Dolce Vita: Launching $35 Prix-Fixe Menu 1/9 – Dolce Vita has launched a new $35 Prix-Fixe menu that will be offered all night on Mondays, and from 5PM – 7PM on Tuesday through Sunday. Options for the first course are an Artichoke and Tomato Flatbread, Greek Salad, or Sauteed Baby Spinach. For the second, options include Dorada Filet, Roasted Chicken, or Pork Cheek.  To finish it off, guests can go for the Mango Panna Cotta.

CitySwing: CitySwing launches golf subscriptions to make golf accessible, affordable – CitySwing golf subscriptions have officially launched just in time for the new year. Whether you are just getting started or looking to improve, the experiential golf facility in downtown DC has comprehensive subscriptions for families, or individuals looking to up their game while having fun. New subscription packs can be found here.

Mi Casa: Bottomless Dinner launches at Mi Casa Dupont! – Mi Casa in Dupont just launched bottomless dinner (think of it as the opposite of Dry January;). If you want to keep your holiday buzz going, their Fiesta de Bebidas will do the trick with 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks with the purchase of any entree. The featured cocktails include Mi Casa’s classics like Frontera (El Jimador Blanco Tequila, Fresh-Squeezed Lime, Simple) Red or White Sangría, Ponche de Mi Casa (Mango-Infused Vodka, Sauza Hacienda Gold Tequila, Prickly Pear, Ginger, Lemon, Bubbles) as well as beer and wine. Bottomless is $34.99 Per Guest. Entire Table Required.

Ghostburger: Open for brunch on MLK Day 1/16 – Ghostburger will be open for brunch on MLK Day (1/16) from 11-3pm. Join them for pancakes, steak + eggs, breakfast ‘sandos,’ and bottomless drinks for $21 (which include mimosas, mojitos, and their best-selling “Carina”).  

Moon Rabbit: New Year, New Rabbit! Brunch/Lunch 7 days a week, New Menu! – Craving brunch/lunch Sunday – Saturday? Chef Kevin Tien has you covered with Moon Rabbit’s new brunch/lunch menu – the only Vietnamese restaurant in Southwest DC. The menu can be found here and includes classic dishes with an Asian twist like Biscuits and Sichuan Gravy, Crisp Iceberg Wedge Salad with Thai Basil Ranch and Vietnamese-centric dishes like Banh Xeo- Crispy Vietnamese pancake filled with mung beans, ground pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts or Pho Hanoi (Roasted Lemongrass Chicken Soup).

Blue Rock: Three-course Winter Supper takes hotel service to a new (and delicious) level – Blue Rock restaurant might be on “Winter Break” in January, but hotel guests have access to a special nightly supper featuring a three-course dinner that changes weekly. Every menu includes a starter, main, and dessert that showcases casual, homey dishes traditionally served in The Restaurant. Seating is at 6PM for $99 per person, excluding taxes and service charges.  

Mr. Bake Sweets: “Bake It ‘Till You Make It Star’s new Food Network show + Cake Jars ship nationwide (hint: they make for great Valentines/Galentines Day gifts) – Kareem Queeman, aka “Mr. Bake,” just restocked his long awaited, award-winning “Cake Jars” that are available now for national shipping. Order the cake jars for yourself or stop by his location within the Le Fantome Food Hall to taste the magic from the “Bake It ‘Till You Make It” star – now airing on Food Network.

Crooked Run Fermentation: New releases + FREE live entertainment – Swing by Crooked Run’s Sterling or Leesburg location to enjoy one of their two new releases. Their Skilletized imperial milk stout made with coffee, hazelnuts, vanilla beans, and maple syrup is a big breakfast stout brimming with flavors of french toast, coffee and chocolate. The Spinning Circles Hazy IPA with Strata and Motueka’s hop profile of grapefruit, Meyer lemon, and lime pith is sure to surprise and delight. Doing Dry January? No problem! Come for the food and FREE entertainment. Reston: Karaoke by On point Entertainment starts at 7PM and comedy by Jack Trimber in the Barrel Room is at 8PM. Leesburg: Live Jazz starts at 7PM.

Ghostburger: New Happy Hour from 4-6 pm – Ghostburger kicked off their new happy hour with $2 off draft cocktails like the “Ghostclaw” (gin, grapefruit oleo, soda) or American Spritz (like a bitter Italian adult root beer) and $2 off beers. Happy Hour runs from 4-6 pm every day.

Watching – Jan 2022

I really enjoy entertainment of all forms, books are my favorite but I also love television and movies. I watch an embarrassing amount of television sometimes, often while trying to find the bottom of my inbox. Here are some of my favorite series and movies I’ve watched lately.

On Netflix – I’m definitely STILL a Wednesday addict, I’ve watched it 3 times now while working on posts and emails. Started on Kalidascope which is an interesting new style (you can watch in any order apparently) and it’s definitely got people talking but I only watched 2 episodes. The new Ginny & Georgia is out and I’ve hate watched the whole thing and I did enjoy it in the end even though it’s a really wild show. I’m not sure what outcoming I’m hoping for but it ended really dramatically.

Peacock – THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS is DESERVEDLY, getting all the nominations so we will see if this is really the end or if they come up with a wild enough number to get these folks back together.

HBO – I finished watching His Dark Materials and I kind of hated the ending, like I get why it had to be that way, kinda, but I didn’t really support it. Still haven’t watched The Menu yet, which looks really interesting, maybe a little dark. I did however dive into Call Me Miss Cleo which was really interesting, I learned a lot of things I never knew about her and the company that explioted, well everyone including Miss Cleo.

Prime – Someone recommended The Peripheral so now I gotta borrow a prime log in (Amazon isn’t getting anymore of my money these days) so I can check it out.

Disney – I’ve been watching National Treasure: Edge of History and it’s been really good, a twist fom the original that I wasn’t expecting.

Check back next week for more to do, read, eating and watch!!

PS Upcoming Holiday – Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Blue Rock Restaurant Valentine’s Day Dinner (Menu available from February 10-14) – Treat your Valentine to dinner at Blue Rock! The Restaurant at Blue Rock’s multicourse Valentine’s menu will showcase seasonal dishes and feature an optional wine-pairings curated by Chef Bin Lu. reservations available here for $150 per person.

Estuary Miss-En-Place Galentine’s Dinner (February 12, 2023)  – Celebrate with the incredible women in your life with this four-course meal paired with a curated wine list, all created by some of the top culinary women of DC. Cocktail Hour begins at 6pm, dinner begins at 7pm. Menu here. Reservations available here for $125 per person. 

Estuary Valentine’s Day Dinner (February 14, 2023) – Celebrate the day of Romance and Love with a specially curated 3-course meal by Chef Ria Montes. Menu highlights include Bone Marrow Onion jam & grilled bread,  Frisée Poached apples, cheese custard, candied walnut, Butter Poached Monkfish Sauce meuniere, charred leeks, preserved lemon  and a specialty dessert. Full menu here. Reservations available here for $125 per person.

The Bygone (Baltimore, MD): Drivable from DC: Celebrate Valentine’s Day at one of America’s “most scenic restaurants”, 2/14 – Enjoy a romantic evening this Valentine’s Day at The Bygone, named one of OpenTable’s “100 Most Scenic Restaurants,” located at the top of Baltimore’s Four Seasons Hotel. Step into the gilded glamor of the 1920s as you take in the breathtaking views of Baltimore while enjoying seasonally inspired dishes curated by Executive Chef Alejandro Reiley, from Massachusetts sea scallops to koji aged prime filet mignon.