Marty

Marty is a very cultured penguin who likes to take advantage of the numerous cultural events in Washington (especially when socializing is involved).While the rather unpleasant summer weather had somewhat dampened his desire to get out and about, the return of cooler temperatures means he is back to being a man about town. Last week he waddled over to the Art Museum of the Americas for the opening of Argentina in Focus: Visualizing the Concept, and Emilia Gutiérrez, Drawings and Paintings. Marty enjoyed perusing the exhibitions, as well as gossiping with friends over a glass of wine. He then headed off to the Kennedy Center for the Fiesta Mexicana, a celebration of the bicentennial of the Mexican Independence. He got there just as the fireworks were ending (which he didn’t mind as he isn’t much of a fan), but in time for Mariachi Los Amigos, the longest existing ensemble of its kind in Washington (he loves musica ranchera), and the band Ozomatli. He thoroughly enjoyed the festivities, and is ready to plan his next trip to Mexico.


Wanting to ease back into the social scene Marty opted for a relatively lazy weekend (which, of course, included a DQ treat). The highlight was hosting his very first overnight guest, visiting from England, in his new house. He took his friend on a walking tour of the neighborhood


and to an opening at Hamiltonian Gallery (James Rieck’s Mead Hall and Jonathan Monaghan’s Life Tastes Good in Disco Heaven), before retiring to his cozy yard for an evening of cocktails and treats.


On Sunday it was off to Costco, as Marty’s friend had come to the US with a long shopping list and an empty suitcase (to be filled with a six month supply of Cliff bars amongst other things). Marty took the opportunity to stock up on some essentials (fudgesicles), and of course couldn’t leave the place without indulging in one of its rather generous servings of frozen yogurt.


Feeling well rested from the weekend, Marty made his way to the Kennedy Center on Monday for a performance of the Washington National Opera’s Un Ballo in Maschera. He thoroughly enjoyed the show and thought it was a wonderful way to start off the week, although he must admit he was slightly sad to miss the season premiere of Castle. He may be a classy artsy guy, but he does love his crime shows.