Entertainment in DC
How to find out what’s onThe Washington Post Supplement is a great source of information. The monthly Washingtonian magazine and regional counterpart for Virginia are great magazines to read when you first arrive as they covers all areas of Washington (or Virginian) life. Check-out websites too and if you have a favourite band it’s worth subscribing to some of the sites (eg ticketmaster and 930 club) as you’ll get preferential pre-booking opportunities.
Even if you don’t want to subscribe to the Washington Post, make sure you buy it on a Friday as there’s a special weekend supplement. That tells you everything that’s going on in DC, and lots of Maryland and Virginia too. There’s also a heads up as to what will be coming up the following weekend.
Washington Parent magazine – comes out monthly and is free at supermarkets like Wholefoods – is a great source of info. They have a what’s on guide for the month – not as detailed as the W Post but still helpful, plus lots of listings for party venues and activities, summer camps etc
Even if you don’t want to subscribe to the Washington Post, make sure you buy it on a Friday as there’s a special weekend supplement. That tells you everything that’s going on in DC, and lots of Maryland and Virginia too. There’s also a heads up as to what will be coming up the following weekend.
Washington Parent magazine – comes out monthly and is free at supermarkets like Wholefoods – is a great source of info. They have a what’s on guide for the month – not as detailed as the W Post but still helpful, plus lots of listings for party venues and activities, summer camps etc
Ticket Agencies
Goldstar – offer half-price event tickets to members. Membership is free, you just sign-up for their weekly newsletter.
Theatre venues
The theatre scene in Washington covers the whole gamut from Shakespeare to musicals, contemporary to classical by both professional and amateur companies.
Wolftrap and Filene Center
‘Wolftrap’ is the only Performing Arts Centre run by the National Parks Service. Wolftrap puts on a very diverse and interesting array of events everything from Tom Jones to Les Miserables. For further info check out their website at: www.wolftrap.org Olney Theater Center – www.olneytheatre.org
The Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center is a wonderful complex of theaters with opera, ballet, concerts – both modern and traditional. It’s worth a visit just to wander around as they have a good shop, free lunch-time concerts, and restaurants. There’s even a free shuttle bus service from Foggy Bottom metro. www.kennedy-center.org
MCI Center
A large venue for all the big names. Sports and entertainment. www.mcicenter.com
The National Theater
The home of mainstream plays and musicals including lots of pre-Broadway runs and touring companies.
Music
Everything from classical to heavy metal, via country, jazz and zydeco is available in concert halls and clubs. The Kennedy Centre regularly has free concerts. Yet
again, check the Washington Post and Washingtonian. Tickets can be ordered by phone and credit card. The local telephone directories contain a useful section at the front showing the layout and seating plans of theatres, concert halls and sports stadiums to help in choosing seats.
again, check the Washington Post and Washingtonian. Tickets can be ordered by phone and credit card. The local telephone directories contain a useful section at the front showing the layout and seating plans of theatres, concert halls and sports stadiums to help in choosing seats.
Verizon Center 601 F Street Northwest Washington, DC 20004-1605 Tel: (202) 628-3200
Home to Washington Wizards (basketball) it doubles as a sports and concert venue. If you don’t like heights avoid the upper seating tiers – it’s high and steep!
930 Club 815 V Street Northwest Washington
A small, intimate, student-type venue that attracts all ages and a host of bands from the relatively obscure to local favourites (and 930 regulars) Plain White T’s to internationally acclaimed groups such as Travis. The floors are sticky but tickets are cheap and you can take the whole family. Remember your ID though –they card everybody.
The Birchmere Music Hall 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA 22305
Eat, drink and be entertained. A sit-down venue (long rows of tables) with basket meals and a veritable feast of entertainers. It’s not solely the domain of American artists ranging from Judy Collins and Don Mclean; expect to find home grown talent, such as The Proclaimers, strutting their stuff.
Strathmore Hall
Strathmore Hall is a great, modern concert venue with not a bad seat in the house. Children aged 7 –17 get free admission to concerts by the National Philharmonic (when accompanied by a paying adult, of course). Strathmore is right by a metro station but there’s also free parking at the metro in the
evenings.
evenings.
The Arts
Washington has ample art galleries – a lot of them free- and with constantly changing exhibitions. Check the press and websites for details.
Cinema
This is the land of the movie ‘theater’ and cinemas are everywhere – favourite venues include the Tyson’s Corner complex where you can shop, eat and see a movie – on any order! If you go to a performance before 6pm the price at most venues is considerably reduced. The Washington Post Friday Supplement gives reviews and advice on the suitability of films for children and teenagers (in the US movie certificates are guidance not instruction).
Want to see a particular film? Fandango is a web site that allows you to search by film title or your zip code and book advance tickets. (http://www.fandango.com/)
Want to see a particular film? Fandango is a web site that allows you to search by film title or your zip code and book advance tickets. (http://www.fandango.com/)
Libraries
Public libraries are excellent – and not just for books (including book club books) – all of which can be renewed on line but for: videos and audio/cds too. Whatsmore there are computers available for use plus tons of useful information on all everything, from tax guidance to YMCA courses and sports facilities too. You can even pick up all the forms required for filling in the dreaded tax forms, both state and federal.
Libraries also provide excellent fun activities for children, including summer reading programmes, Christmas and Halloween events and regular story times. Want to join? Simply provide proof of residence – your drivers’ license or something official with your address on will suffice.
Libraries also provide excellent fun activities for children, including summer reading programmes, Christmas and Halloween events and regular story times. Want to join? Simply provide proof of residence – your drivers’ license or something official with your address on will suffice.
