Conversations / Live Q&A

Our girl Sarah Marston in the Style section did this recently, and her haircut wasn't free, but she got a good discount at Salon Roi in Woodley Park. Bonus: They also sent the hair off for her. Chatters, any other recommendations?

Plenty of options, but it depends: What day are you looking at and how big a group are we talking?

I hate to give away my spot, but here it is, just for you: I'm a big fan of the idyllic Montrose Park, which is next to Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown. There's usually parking (or you can bus there) and it's never too crowded so there's plenty of space for frisbee, bocce, croquet, etc.

Well it certainly doesn't draw the same crowds as the Fourth of July concert does, and part of the reason the gates are so early is so you can catch dress rehearsal starting at 3:30. I would aim to get down there by 6 or 6:30 for the main event, depending on how much relaxation time you want. And as with all events of this type on the National Mall, no alcohol.

I think it sounds so brilliant that I am taking my dad for his birthday! As for tips, take your kids! Everyone age 21 and younger (with a paying adult) gets in free and when I talked to the event planners they said that one of their favorite parts of the festival is seeing kids dancing with their parents.

The only other suggestion I have is to try to plan your schedule out in advance. There are so many fun-sounding events, that having a good battle plan will help you make sure you see everything.

This is a popular answer, but one I have a hard time arguing with: Duffy's.

Welcome back! We've missed you. If you need ideas for the weekend, here are 20 promising ones. Personally, Beyoncepalooza has me excited, but if you want to be outside, then the Saint-Ex pig roast should be fun, as should the NSO's annual outdoor concert.

Have you seen the Big Chair? How about Frederick Douglass's house? Both are close to the Anacostia Metro station and I would definitely call them off the beaten track.

I was at a wedding in Leesburg earlier this year. For lunch you can get a decent bite of the Bayou at the Cajun Experience, which is right off the main drag downtown. There is some serious Italian at Palio. And I would try and hit Vintage 50 for some great house0brewed beer and an impressive wine list.

Yeah, the Virginia Scottish Games is a great idea: haggis, whiskey, bagpipers and athletic competitions featuring burly, kilted men and women hurling heavy objects. But for the Buffett show, we're talking about  Jiffy Lube Live here, which means you never know just how long it will take you to get into or out of the parking lot. Plus you've got the whole Margaritaville/Parrothead scene that may interest you once you get to JLL, so if I were you, I'd leave plenty of room in your day for transit. The Scottish games open at 9 so you should have plenty of time to do both.

Not surprising, huh, that two dudes wrote it? It's not the mall at Pentagon City, but there are a few.  I'm sure they   meant ShoeFly (which isn't clothing, but has some pretty great shoes) and the side of the street directly across from that Crate and Barrel. There have always been a string of little boutiques there.

My go-to for dessert in DC is Co Co Sala, while in Alexandria you can't go wrong with the Majestic, and neither are bank-breaking.

Chuck Brown is playing at the Workhouse Arts center on Saturday as part of their Centennial Celebration. The whole thing starts at 1 with a brass quintet, includes a ton of open studios and ends with Chuck hitting the stage at 6.

For just your standard weekend brunch buffet, the Front Page is a fine option. $20.95: Omelettes, Belgian waffles, carving station, yada yada. Any other brunch buffet faves out there, chatters?

I have to admit that my bar experience in Leesburg doesn't extend much past a dismal and tiny hotel bar, but I know that at least one, Spanky's Shenanigans, is open till 2 a.m. We drove by it several times while heading to and from the wedding site and my car mates were unable to hold back their Super Troopers references.

I'd probably hit Russia House for some vodka cocktails followed by Eighteenth Street Lounge for dancing.

I knew wings would draw out some opinions from our chatters.

What a cool mom! How about a trip to the Newseum (boys/emerging teens get in free through Labor Day) and then stay in the city for the National Symphony Orchestra concert? Or, if you are both Beatles fans, then I suggest checking out Abbey Road on the River (free for kids with paying adult). If he is a sports fan, how about seeing the DC United play Columbus Crew on Saturday or the Nationals on Monday? The Os are also at home and you can make an entire day out of exploring Baltimore.

Chatters, any other thoughts?

VIP parking pass or not, you're still going to be stuck on the same two-lane access road as everybody else trying to funnel into the venue. If you can still get one, though, it might be worth it for exiting the parking lot, especially if you leave a song or two early. I've been to shows there where my time spent exiting the lot has been longer than the actual concert itself.

Another brunch buffet option from chatterland.

Congrats, and welcome! You sound like you deserve a big day out together, and whenever that's what I'm looking for, I stick to 14th Street. Can I encourage you to get there a little earlier in the day?  You could check out the gallery Irvine Contemporary, and, since you have a new apartment to decorate, slip into some of the funky furniture spots (like Miss Pixie's and Ruff and Ready, not to mention Room and Board). Then, rest your feet with an appetizer and  beer  at  Churchkey; I love it there it the daytime, when the sun is still shining through the big windows. For dinner, you could walk up the street to Bar Pilar, where the food has really won us all over lately, or stop at  Estadio for some amazing small plates (but you must order slushitos, too). Then, keep walking to end the night at Marvin. Classic D.C. weekend, methinks. Check out our recent cover story with all the details you need to know about the neighborhood here.  

As far as Labor Day activities go, I could not be more excited about the pig roast at Saint Ex. Its earlier in the day (11-5), so it might be more of a lunch option. Post-Vinoteca I would head down to 14th and try out Estadio. Its still fresh, has a vibrant dining scene and just about perfect for a group of 4.

Red Fridays at U Street Music Hall is doing big things for house in DC.  Some of the other house bookings around town can keep up on the strength of talent, but not U-Hall's sound system. The lone exception now would be Sweet Spot. They've also got the boom, but are a bit more upscale than U-Hall, which is all about coming as you are and dancing your brains out. Also, this Sunday one of my biggest all-time DJ heroes is playing the Sunday Soul Solution at Eighteenth Street Lounge. The legendary Kenny Dope will join Double o7 and resident Sam Burns. This is a pretty great weekend for house heads, and definitely no SoBe attitude involved.

I think you can fit that in between the mass exodus and return times. Earl's probably reduced the size of that migration, but forecasts so far say that Annapolis should be spared any serious effects.

The explanation offered by our Top Chef chat producer: "[spoiler withheld] wasn't available. Bummer."

Jazz in the Garden (ending Sept. 10) is outside, they sell sangria by the pitcher, and it's Metro-accessible -- which all adds up to it being one of the best ways to spend a Friday evening in the summer. The Page-to-Stage Festival at the Kennedy Center this weekend is really cool -- you get a peek at a lot of theater companies around here, and it's free. You could also try to squeeze onto the patio at Poste -- great cocktails -- before heading to Woolly Mammoth for "The Vibrator Play"? You'll be at home, in bed, long before 2 a.m., I swear.

Current is a great place to check out. I don't know if this is what the original poster was referring to when she mentioned teen stores, but South Moon Under and Free People have cute things sometimes too, although those spots can get a bit pricey.

I've played in many adult soccer leagues in DC over the past 10 years. All of them have multiple divisions from novice to former D1 and semi-pro players and you end up running into folks at United matches and pickup games around town. It's a pretty consistent community. There are indoor leagues that play at the Alexandria and Rockville Sportsplexes as well as the DCJCC and Cardozo high school. Outdoor leagues play all over the city and 'burbs. My current one is run by SLeagues.com. Go to the site and drill down to the Washington area.

I am going echo Lavanya's suggestion of Jazz in the Garden and the Kennedy Center's Page to Stage Festival. Catching an afternoon Nats game would work, too.

Have you tried the chicken and waffles from Oohhs and Aahhs late-night menu?

Is that you, roommates? I'm a new Columbia Heights resident myself, but the answer to me is simple: Meridian Pint. They've got both NFL Sunday Ticket and the College Gameday packages (they also show soccer if you're looking for that kind of football), and if you're lucky enough to snag one of the tap tables, you'll have six TVs to pick from.

Yeah, we do try to address some of these with Best Bets lists when we see the same questions over and over. In fact, we often talk about doing a bachelorette's best bets list, but sometimes the answer really depends on what time of year it is, or if something amazing is going on this weekend (like Beyoncepalooza!).

Also, if we gave you all the answers in advance, what on earth would we have to talk about here?

Some advice on Leesburg bars. But are you sure there is a law about bars having to be open till 2 (I assume you mean am)? I know in VA they can't serve after 2...

I admit to suggesting this one a lot, but I really like it: Ted's Bulletin. Breakfast all the time - and its good.

Agreed. Thanks for the suggestion.

The Writer's Center's Story/Stereo series is really brainy, and really cool. They pack the house pretty much everytime and this one will be really cool. Also, I second the Scottish Games festival! For all of you looking for Metro-accessible stuff, by the way, note that it's going to be messy this weekend thanks to closures.