Shamu

Shamu is a lover of all things Latin American (he’s especially partial to things Mexican). One of his favorite places in Washington is the beautiful Art Museum of the Americas, and this past Thursday he attended its first Art After Dark, thrown by the board of the museum’s Friends group. The festive event featured, amongst other things, video and performance art (participants included the artist Carolina Mayorga), an Argentine percussionist and music by DJ Smudge. Shamu thoroughly enjoyed the cultural offerings as well as the socializing, although he might have had a glass (or two) of wine too many (especially on an empty stomach). As a result Friday was not the most productive of days, but Shamu believes there is nothing wrong with sacrificing productivity in the name of a good night out, and he is very much looking forward to attending the September 15 opening festivities of the museum’s upcoming exhibitions, Argentina in Focus: Visualizing the Concept, and Emilia Gutiérrez, Drawings and Paintings.


Shamu was very happy that the long weekend brought with it much more civilized weather, and he was keen to get out and about. Saturday he took a trip to Kensington, Maryland, to check out the antique shops. He didn’t have much luck with furniture (what he really needs), although he did find some fabulous penguin pins (he knows the importance of good accessorizing) at the very fun shop Flotsam and Jetsam. After the shopping excursion he went in search of a Dairy Queen, and while he found one he was disappointed to learn that it didn’t serve peanut butter sundaes. Luckily the strip mall it was located in offered him other choices, so he instead opted for a tamal de elote at the rather amusing Tijuana Mexican Café, followed by a slice of tres leches from the bakery next door.


Shamu spent the evening with a few friends in his tiny, but very charming (if he may say so) backyard, enjoying bubbly, wine, various treats and his friend’s delicious pineapple upside down cake (something he had never tried before but will happily eat again). They gossiped late into the night, so Shamu decided a lazy Sunday was in order. He did, however, find the energy to head to Georgetown for the divine peanut butter frozen yogurt at Thomas Sweet.


He enjoyed his treat while reading Washington Life’s 2010 Balls and Galas Directly and pondering his social schedule for the upcoming months. He needs to be prepared as he certainly wouldn’t want to miss a good party.

WaddlyBelly

The hot Washington summer days leave WaddlyBelly feeling very lethargic. She finds it much harder to motivate to go out, but because she values a good social life she does her best to find the energy to leave the comforts of her home. Last Thursday, one of the steamiest days so far, was a busy one. She began the evening at the Sofitel, where the Washington Ballet’s Jeté Society was hosting a happy hour to raise funds for a Washington School of Ballet scholarship. WaddlyBelly had a grand time catching up with friends and meeting new ballet enthusiasts, and she can’t wait until the 2010-2011 season begins.


It was a very festive gathering, and she found it rather difficult to tear herself away to go to the Canadian Embassy, where The Friends of the Art Museum of the Americas was hosting a fundraiser. Highlights of this event included the Embassy’s art collection and the temporary exhibition Nipirasait: Many Voices – Inuit Prints from Cape Dorset, as well as the fantastic views from the Embassy’s rooftop terrace. WaddlyBelly also enjoyed the Canadian wine, but was not overly impressed with the grumpy bartenders and waiters (and the hors d’oeuvres they were passing). As usual, despite plans to just pop in and out, she found herself staying until the very end. She did wisely skip the after party, having had more than enough red wine and too little food for a hot (or any) day.


Saturday, after a day of running errands and a Dairy Queen run, WaddlyBelly made her way to a friend’s birthday party at HR 57. She is not really a jazz aficionado, but thought the venue was a great place for catching up with friends. Customers can bring their own snacks and drinks (the bar provides the plastic cups), and the birthday girl supplied a fine selection of wines (with tasting notes) as well as some very yummy cheeses. Yet again, WaddlyBelly stayed much later than planned, but birthdays do come just once a year!


Sunday was yet another very very hot and steamy day, and thus perfect for indoor activities. WaddlyBelly finally got to The Anacostia Community Museum to see the exhibition The African Presence in Mexico. She was happy to have made it to the museum before the show closes, as it was something she had been intending to do for months. Afterwards it was time for a quick trip into Georgetown for a tasty treat from Thomas Sweet (peanut butter frozen yogurt, of course); not that WaddlyBelly ever needs an excuse to indulge in a frozen treat, but the hot Washington summer certainly provides one.

Wuzzie

Wuzzie is a social guy who is always up for a fun night out. This past weekend he headed over to Sequoia for Dancing After Dark, a fundraiser for the Children’s National Medical Center. He had a great time socializing and dancing; he had been a bit concerned when he heard the event had a band, but luckily this one occasionally deviated from the usual wedding music repertoire. He also enjoyed the deejay that played while the band was on break, that is until he started with the Miley Cyrus. Wuzzie does love his cheesy pop, but one must draw the line somewhere. He was not too impressed with the wine and bubbly (nothing quite like a $4 bottle of Andre), but he enjoyed the gingersnap cocktail, and couldn’t resist the various desserts.


After a night of dancing Wuzzie treated himself to a nice lie-in, but eventually motivated to stop by some open houses in Georgetown. He and his friends are rapidly outgrowing their current home, and are on the hunt for something larger…fireplace and outdoor space required. Of course no trip to Georgetown would be complete without stopping at Thomas Sweet, home to the best peanut butter frozen yogurt (he also recommends the Oreo yogurt for the crazy few who do not like peanut butter).


While Monday is generally a quiet night for Wuzzie, he couldn’t miss out on the latest Pink Line Project Salon Contra, with local collector Henry Thaggert interviewing artist Brian Jungen. The discussion was interesting, and there were treats (and wine) to be had – The Museum of the American Indian, where Jungen currently has a show, sent over some yummy food from its cafeteria (he loved the pumpkin cookies).


Wuzzie enjoyed the evening so much that he found himself swinging from the chandeliers! Sometimes he just can’t control himself.