Free stuff is great, whether it’s t-shirts of groups we have no intention of joining or left-over GUGS veggie burgers, we’ll take it! Vox is starting off the summer to remind you of the usual free delights you can find around campus.
From froyo to free soda
Cupcakes are still trending. Let’s start with our friendly neighborhood Georgetown Cupcake. If you like their facebook page and participate in their daily trivia competition you can potentially win a dozen free cupcakes. Pinkberry on M Street rewards its loyal customers with a free frozen yogurt if you drop by and pick up a stamp card. Also, Thomas Sweet’s on Wisconsin gives free toppings with Student Advantage.
For a more organic, savory alternative, make sure to get your Sweetgreen card to win the occasional free salad. And then of course there is the free soda we all often forget to claim at Chipotle with your GoCard.
Museums, concerts, and…historical fashion shows?
If your interests are more cultural than culinary, there’s still a lot to do! The National Gallery of Art hosts a series of “classic cinema, documentary, avant-garde and area premieres” every weekend. This weekend features a screening of “The Cherry Orchard”-a movie by acclaimed Greek director Michael Cacoyannis on May 20th, as well as the yearly Robert Flaherty film-making seminar on May 19th. Check out the NGA’s calendar for more details.
Yesterday evening, The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University hosted the annual Let Freedom Ring Celebration, a musical celebration commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s concert featured a special performance by Grammy-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama also attended.
Toddchelle Young (COL ’12) delivered the invocation and included prayers for peace in Syria, for survivors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, “all those affected by natural disasters in 2011,” and for the presidential candidates running in the 2012 election.
Clarence Jones was presented the John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award by University president John J. DeGioia and former Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Thompson, Jr. This award is given to an individual or organization whose contributions to community service or social justice reflect the values and ideals of Dr. King. Jones was a speech writer and advisor to Dr. King, and was instrumental in distributing his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. He is currently a Scholar-Writer in residence and a Visiting Professor at Stanford University.
Most famous for his hit, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” McFerrin’s performance was very interactive. McFerrin performs a cappella with his four octave range, and at the Kennedy Center he invited the audience as a whole to participate in the performance (to understand his style, you can watch this video of him). McFerrin closed his set with an innovative rendition of The Beatles’ “Black Bird”.
The first week (ok, half week) of school is over, and it’s a three day weekend. It’s the middle of the winter but the weather could not be more pleasant, and there’s a good chance you don’t have any daunting homework assignments yet. In other words, there are no excuses for staying on campus all three days.
Tonight
DC rapper Tabi Bonney will be taking the stage at the Black Cat at 9 p.m. Check out some of his work here. The National Gallery will also hold a celebration for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday at 7 p.m., a free event that requires reservations. And don’t miss trombonist Jeff Bradshaw perform from his wide palette of work, ranging from funk to gospel. He’s playing at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. for free.
On Sunday, get cultured with the new art exhibit She Got Game at the Arlington Arts Center. And if you’re not up to going to mass, you can listen to a gospel choir at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (6 p.m.).
Monday
End the weekend at the Kennedy Center with Bobby McFerrin, famous for his one-hit-wonder “Don’t Worry, Be Happy“. The 6 p.m. performance is part of the “Let Freedom Ring” tribute, put on by Georgetown in celebration of MLK’s birthday. Check out the complete schedule of events for the festival here.
Speaking Wednesday, President DeGioia was incredibly excited for McFerrin’s performance:
Mr. McFerrin was a visiting faculty member here, about ten years ago, and spent the fall with us, and it was fantastic. So I can only imagine what it’s going to be like with him on Monday night.
Okay, the weather doesn’t feel quite like winter, but why not check out these events around town to get in the holiday spirit!
Concerts
The Kennedy Center will be hosting Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker through the 11th, so get your sugar plum fairy on while you still can.
Do you hate the movie Soul Plane? Do you love the movie Soul Plane? Tom Arnold, the star of that fine piece of cinema (and the ex-husband of Roseanne Barr) will be doing stand-up comedy at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse Friday and Saturday. Hecklers are most welcome.
Finish up your weekend with Band of Horses. The indie group will be playing on Sunday at the 9:30 Club, so get your band of friends together and watch these guys horse around.
Yesterday, a line wrapped all the way around the Kennedy Center for free tickets to 2011′s Let Freedom Ring Celebration, a yearly concert presented by the Kennedy Center and Georgetown University celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
This year, Dr. Joseph Lowery received the John Thompson, Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award, for his work to better the lives of others. Dr. Lowery is best known for his work in the Civil Rights movement and for giving the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, the same year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Jarvis Matthews (COL ’12) gave the invocation, and, using Dr. Lowery’s words, reminded us to “turn to each other, not on each other.”
The event’s featured headliner was Patti LaBelle, “Queen of Rock, Godmother of Soul, and High Priestess of Good Vibrations.” LaBelle was a force of nature that had to be seen to be believed. LaBelle made her grand entrance teetering above seven-inch platform Louboutins to a roaring audience already on its feet. She quickly changed into a shorter pair of heels within reach on top of the piano.
LaBelle was joined by the Let Freedom Ring Celebration Choir, which featured Georgetown University students and singers from different churches in Washington, D.C.
The B-52s Wednesday, January 19, 9:30 Club ($45), doors at 7 p.m.
The B-52s have been legendary for their campy antics since their inception in 1976. “Love Shack” and “Rock Lobster” rank 243rd and 146th respectively on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Besides, how many more opportunities will you have to hear them live?
We’re back after a crazy Halloween weekend with events that veer towards the artsy:
Let your Hair down
Hair, which opened last week at the Kennedy Center, has multiple performances through the weekend. The musical classic, which focuses on culture, sex—and of course—long hippie locks during the Summer of Love, is a show worth the trek.
In honor of the musical’s 1968 opening, second-tier seats are on sale via Brightest Young Things for $19.68. (The tickets normally cost more than $65.) To take advantage of the sale, check out BYT or order through this link.
First Friday
This Friday is the first of November, which means that Dupont Circle art galleries stay open until 8 p.m. Every First Friday features a surprise addition, ranging from wine tasting to free food samples, so gear up for the weekend with a relaxing dinner and gallery tour on Friday.
A rocked out garage sale
Buy or sell old clothes at a punk-themed flea market at St. Stephen’s Church, which is located at 1525 Newton Street NW. While you peruse the market’s selections, you’ll also be able to enjoy live performances by Imperial China, True Womanhoos, and Tereu Tereu.
The flea market opens this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and requests a $3 donation.
Fotoweek beyond 36th Street
Fotoweek is not just a Georgetown Art Aficionados event—it’s happening all over the District.
Step off campus this Saturday and see how photographers captured “what it’s like to be young in D.C.” And because the gallery is located just down the road at 3333 M Street, there’s not excuse to skip the event!
Half in Ten, an anti-poverty non-profit, is hosting a free happy hour this Thursday, July 29th at Grand Central in Adams Morgan. A representative from the Center for American Progress will speak on the anti-poverty campaign, and there will be an open bar (!!!) for all DC staff and interns. You’ve got to RSVP, so reserve your spot quickly!
Hot Summer [Movie] Nights
The Columbia Heights Day Initiative will show Hairspray at 8:30 pm at Harriet Tubman Elementary School’s field (located at 11th and Kenyon Streets NW) this Thursday. There will be a DJ beforehand starting at 8 pm. Have a picnic on the lawn, rock out to some tunes, and ogle Zac Efron—all in one night!
Not Quite the World Cup
Soccer fans, the fun’s not over! Street Soccer USA comes to DC this Friday for a three-day event. Featuring 18 street soccer teams from across the country, the USA Cup will be held at the Washington Kastles Stadium. Tickets are free if you reserve in advance. There is also a kick-off party on Friday at 5 pm with something called a Parade of States, a Celebrity First Kick, and a live samba band.
Piano Prodigies
If you really feel like realizing just how untalented you are, the Kennedy Center will be hosting a free performance from the finalists of the International Young Artist Piano Competition this Saturday, July 31st. Watch a bunch of young prodigies play beautiful pieces of music that make the fine arts aficionados in the audience cry! Go home feeling a lot less accomplished than you previously thought! Fun for all!
To those not seeing Burn After Reading tonight: get your step on, yo.
Really, do it now: world-renowned step/stomp/kick troupe Step Afrika! is giving a free performance at the Kennedy Center tonight, and you’re going to have to get in line early to get one of those steamin’ hot tickets. Performance runs from 6:00 to 7:30.
Vox Populi is the staff blog of the Georgetown Voice, Georgetown University's weekly newsmagazine. Opinions expressed in posts are those of their author alone unless otherwise stated.
Entries (RSS)
