Georgetown Waterfront walk ended as House of Sweden

While walking around the Georgetown waterfront, I run into the exhibit reception of "United Stockholm of America" by accident, and surprisingly discovered that Coke Cola was invented in Sweden and there are a few Stockholms in the US, such as northern Maine or Southern Texas. The exhibit of figures and facts, design and photography tells the story of the migration of 1.3 million Swedes who left their home for a better future in the US.

I continued the walk to Adams Morgan, and found this Monument and a tide inner city mini-market with wine dispensers.

U.S. VegWeek Jazz Kickoff Celebration!

This Mix & Mingle Jazz Kick-Off Event of US VegWeek 2013 in DC provided an evening of Jazz, Great Food and Drinks. I made some new friends and enjoyed the delicious All Vegan Hors d'oeuvres Buffet at the B Spot Art Gallery, Juice Bar & Tea Room. Glad to visit a place have nice music and atmosphere without alcohol.

Blues Alley: Cheikh NDoye & Friends

Cheikh NDoye is a bassist, composer, arranger and accomplished musical artist. The band's music is a  fusion of jazz and West African heritage.The band was not yet famous but their music was quite good. Me and a friend almost decided to stay over the 2nd show but we were too tired to do so.

Thomas Stone National Historic Site at Port Tobacco Village, MD

Thomas Stone, one of the 56 signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. He led a very comfortable life as a planter and lawyer. His home and estate of 440-acres were owned by the Stone family until 1936.Fire nearly destroyed it in 1977, and the National Park Service purchased it a few years later, restoring it and opening it to the public in 1997. Me and my friend took a tour guided by a national park ranger.

We later stopped by the re-created Port Tobacco Courthouse. The federal-style brick building had burned in 1892 in a suspicious fire that sparked the relocation of the county seat. The building was reconstructed in 1972.

Meadowlark Gardens (Vienna, Virginia) in Cherry blossom

This 95 acre complex has large ornamental display gardens, unique native plant collections, and flowers flourish throughout the year. It is hidden in a quiet neighborhood. Me and one friend picnicked with the food we got from Trader Joe's and then enjoyed walking on trails near lakes with gold fish without big crowd as in downtown DC. It has more than twenty varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms and foliage.  

Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival

The Southwest Waterfront Festival was a part of the Cherry Blossoms Festival. The 8-hr celebratory events included free music, family friendly water-related activities, cultural experiences (Japanese Koinobori making, Origami, Lantern crafting, etc.), live entertainment,and an exciting firework.

Me and my friend got drinks from a Safeway supermarket and Indian food form a food truck outside of the Safeway. Then enjoyed our dinner away from the crowd in a nice beautiful corner at the water front.

There were paddle board demonstrations, Dragon Boat excursions,illumination from floating lanterns and vessels, as well as Nen Daiko Japanese Drums. The lighted swimming Koi into the Channel was impressive.

International Pillow Fight Day

On each International Pillow Fight Day, massive pillow fights breakout in cities around the world, including Washington, DC. I and my friend was half hour late to arrive at the National Mall, Washington Monument Grounds, and thought that we missed the action as some people were moving to the 4 pm fight at DuPont Circle.

To our surprise, the pillow fight continued on even after the organizer announced the official ending. Thanks to the Urban Playground which runs free events in cities around the world, including my hometown Taipei. We had a great fun.

Fats Waller Dance Party at Kennedy Center

I got there one hour early to get in line for the free tickets to the events. The  new performance space in the Center's Atrium has a dance floor, sofas, chairs, open bars and seating. Beginning at 8:30 p.m., Maija Garcia, Creative Director/Associate Choreographer of FELA! started the dance party with a style that fuses contemporary dance with jazz and Afro-Latin rhythms.

After one hour of fun and sweat, the presentation of Fats Waller Dance Party with vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello switched to early 20th century jazz groove, the soundtrack of the original dance party! Fats Waller, one of the central proliferators of stride piano. Had a wonderful Friday evening.