Beaker

Beaker is a culture loving penguin who enjoys attending performances of all (well most) sorts. He started off last week at the Kennedy Center, with the Washington National Opera’s Salome. Although Strauss is not one of his favorite composers, he thoroughly enjoyed the performance. That said, he did somewhat lose his appetite after watching Salome enjoy herself just a bit too much with the head of John the Baptist.


Wednesday Beaker made his way to the Washington Ballet for one of his favorite events, the Jeté Society’s Beer and Ballet. The evening included a rehearsal for the upcoming performance of Romeo and Juliet, and, much to his delight, it was not only beer but also bubbly (he’s not a beer kind of guy but he certainly loves his bubbles). He cannot wait to see Romeo and Juliet next week, and suggests that all those who don’t already have a ticket run out and get one.


Although his week got off to a social start Beaker found himself not feeling well (those pesky colds), so he took a few days to relax and prepare himself for a very social Saturday. The festivities began with a daytime pumpkin carving party. Beaker was very proud of his artistic talents and thought he designed a very cute Jack O’ Lantern.


Naturally he made someone else do most of the carving, especially as he was busy gorging on peanut M&M’s (candy calories obviously do not count around Halloween). With a belly full of sweets he then ran home to put on his party clothes, and headed off to the Thomas Müller openings at Project 4



and Fathom Gallery. He loved the latter space, and can't decide whether he liked its spacious terrace or fun bathrooms more.


After getting in his evening’s dose of art he waddled over to Hudson Restaurant & Lounge for its third anniversary party. It was a festive event, although sadly there were not too many vegetarian options despite the copious amounts of food, which meant a liquid dinner of the very tasty passion fruit cocktails. After a few hours of socializing he headed over to the New Vegas Lounge for his final event of the evening, a friend’s birthday party. Not surprisingly Beaker was feeling rather tired on Sunday, although he did motivate to run errands. Of course, as hard as it may be to believe, that was really just because he wanted a Dairy Queen treat!

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.

Smokey

Smokey is a shopper. Although many of his friends are worried about their spending during these economic times, he thinks it’s his duty to help the economy by spending away. He recently found himself at The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (not one of his favorite places to shop, but then again he’s not really a mall kind of guy). As he wandered from one unimpressive shop to another, a Christmas ornament of the Pillsbury Doughboy with a penguin cookie caught his eye. Part of him regrets not buying it, but as much as he loves picking up cute things he doesn’t need, he couldn’t bring himself to buy a holiday ornament in September.


The following day Smokey waddled over to Georgetown to one of his favorite stores, Anthropologie. He loves their home décor and rarely leaves without something fun (that he doesn’t need) for his apartment. He also enjoys helping his girlfriends pick out new outfits, and wishes the store carried clothing for him.


Smokey is not, however, just about the material things in life. He is also a penguin of culture, and enjoys spending his evenings attending performances across town. This past Saturday he could be found at the Kennedy Center, where he saw the Washington National Opera’s Barber of Seville. He enjoyed the opera, which was both funny and beautifully sung. Smokey was not, however, impressed by the man next to him who apparently thought it appropriate to take off his shoes during the performance. Somebody’s mother obviously did not teach them their manners.