The Hoya Guide: Oct. 14, 2011

the guide friday, october 14, 2011

the weekly magazine for life on the hilltop

Treasure Hunting The District’s Vintage Scene H.A.M. Hoyas Put the Hip in Hip-Hop

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Film Plus Improv Adds Up to Fun Time

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The Hilltop’s Own Captain America

this issue 3 hilltop lifestyle 4 food & drink 11 arts 12 entertainment 13

red square roundup // campus spotlight

filmprov dc // dating dalai // hip-hop association

firehook // little fountain cafe // market to table

donn b. murphy one acts festival

footloose // face the music // ryan adams

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Compared to our northern neighbor, New York City, the District may not have the reputation of America’s fashion capital. But look past the flashy chain stores on M Street and to lesser-known shops, and you’ll discover everything from cheeky pendants shaped like hot dogs to Dior coats — at prices that even a college kid can afford. From U Street to Adams Morgan, join the guide as we take you to four different locations that prove the District is burgeoning as a vintage hot MEAGAN KELLY/THE HOYA spot.

COVER PHOTO BY MEAGAN KELLY

soundbite face the music

KinneChapin

Midterms are a bit like having a cold and the flu at the same time: You have essentially the same number of tests and papers as you do during final exams, but you still have to get out of bed to go to class every morning.

the guide Lauren Weber, Executive Editor Connor Gregoire, Managing Editor Meagan Kelly, Photo Editor Shakti Nochur, Layout Editor Suzanne Fonzi, Copy Chief Peter Brigham, Deputy Guide Editor Alex Sanchez, Deputy Guide Editor Bethany Imondi, Deputy Guide Editor Chris Bien, Deputy Photo Editor Michelle Cassidy, Deputy Photo Editor Remy Samuels, Deputy Layout Editor Nikita Buley, Deputy Copy Editor Samantha Randazzo, Deputy Copy Editor

VINTAGE SHOPPING AROUND DC

Eamon O’Connor, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Amos, Guide Editor Corrections & Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Laura Engshuber at (202) 687-3415 or email executive@thehoya. com.

General Information The Guide is published each week during the academic year with the exception of holiday and exam periods. Address all correspondence to:

YOU’LL LLAMENT LLIVING LLIFE WITHOUT THE HOYA

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hilltop

RED SQUARE ROUNDUP GEORGETOWN IMPROV ASSOCIATION

GUWELLNESS FAIR

Saturday, Oct. 15 at 9 p.m.

Leavey Center, Bulldog Alley

Thursday, Oct. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Yates Field House

The Georgetown Improv Association invites you to join them for a night of impromptu comedy. Taking its cue from audience suggestions, this program will showcase the association’s quick wit and spontaneous humor.

This Thursday Yates will play host to a cadre of wellness services and resources including but not limited to flu shots, reflexology, health screenings and reiki.

In addition, GUWellness will be offering a free yoga class at noon and its first annual 5K run.

Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15 at 9:30 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

ICC Auditorium

Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

McNeir Auditorium

The film stars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis as three friends who conspire to kill their despicable bosses, played by Kevin Spacey as an emotionally manipulative and abusive financial executive, Jennifer Aniston as a sexually charged dentist and Colin Farrell as the drug-abusing inheritor of his father’s business.

GPB MOVIE: HORRIBLE BOSSES

GU Republican Women, LGBTQ Resource Center, GradPride and P-POUT host attorney Casey Pick and discharged soldier Jonathan Hopkins for a discussion about the implications of President Obama’s decision to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

OVER AND OUT: THE REPEAL OF DADT

campusspotlight // WiP

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eorgetown Women in Politics is an organization dedicated to the encouragement, promotion and support of women in leadership positions, both on campus and after graduation.

Founded in 2001, WiP organizes events such as panels, lectures, dinners and more to connect students with career women in fields including law, medicine and government. WiP also hosts events such as discussion groups, movie nights, and DC social outings designed for students to network and share advice.

WiP is an exceptionally chill, community-oriented club, and we genuinely consider each member a friend and a fellow Hoya. Every WiP woman appreciates her friends from all schools and recognizes the opportunities offered by WiP alumnae for career advancement, including special access to internship positions.

WiP is run by a central board that consists of seven senior members in positions such as Director of Communications, Mentoring Program Director and Alumnae Relations Director. Each board member also serves as the point person for a specific committee or event. So far this year, events have included a night kayaking trip on the Potomac for members of our new and popular Mentoring Program, a net-

working panel event with women leaders from various campus organizations and an evening of socializing with alumnae and current members at Zed’s Ethiopian on M Street.

Interested in becoming involved? We always love new members, no matter when they join. You can become as involved as you like, from simply joining the listserv, to attending our events, to joining one of our planning committees. Our next general event is an open, small group discussion in which we’ll be analyzing and discussing women’s roles in the upcoming U.S. election. Come out Sunday, Oct. 16th (location to be announced) from 7 to 8 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. No matter how much you already know about their topics, these discussions are a great way to learn more, have a good time and make use of the knowledge and passion of other WiP members. Even if you’ve never been to any of our events, we’d love to see you there. If you have any questions or would like to join the listserv to receive our short bimonthly newsletters, shoot us an email at guwomeninpolitics@gmail.com, or check us out on Facebook.

Emily Woodbury Director of Communications and Mentoring Program

COURTESY EMILY WOODBURY

MAIDEN VOYAGE Georgetown Women in Politics is not just business; the club also sponsors movie nights and D.C. outings.

10.14.11 // the guide // 3

lifestyle D.C. Improv Scene Opens to Masses

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he best joke is an inside joke.

Nothing will get a group of people laughing harder than something so specific to their place, time and company that no one else understands the joke. And when improvisational comedians take to the stage, their ultimate goal is to make that unique connection with the audience.

A successful connection is the magic of improv, and FILMPROV DC does exactly that.

FILMPROV DC began in 2008 and was the first show of its kind in several respects. The brainchild of Pamela Nash, FILMPROV sprang from Nash’s sense that there were flaws in the improv landscape of Washington, D.C. At the time, there were only two D.C. schools that taught improv: DC Improv and the Washington Improv Theater. The performance options available through these two schools were monthly shows with DC Improv (competitively casting limited positions from hundreds of students) or the equivalent of recitals after completing a class at WIT. With only exclusive shows and recitals, the community feeling was that there was no real way for aspiring improvisers to perform consistently and gain the kind of experience that would help

HARVEY HINMAN Special to The Hoya them improve as performance artists.

Nash, the founder, current director and driving force of FILMPROV, took the problem into her own hands. She set out to find a group of actors that really clicked, drawing from relationships built while taking classes at both schools. The troop she founded got its start performing at several different comedy open mic events and small competitions and festivals. In bringing this team to such events, Nash and her cohorts crafted a new performance technique: an amalgamation of the more structured improv games taught at DC Improv and the more dramatically focused style taught at WIT. But even with this new style, going from one small event to another did not satisfy the group.

The impetus for creating FILMPROV came after Nash completed a 48-hour film competition with her company, 4 & 9 Productions. The competition gives teams two days and several guidelines and props with which to create a short film. At the end of this project, Nash wanted to use these carefully crafted films beyond the initial screening rather than let them gather dust.

As a result, she came up with the idea of having an improv show based on

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY KATIE JETT WALLS

TAKING THE STAGE Filmprov founder Pamela Nash and colleague Steve Calamia performing at the The Soundry.

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NO LONGER ON THE FRINGES Filmprov aims to bring improv to new audiences.

Above, Min Cho onstage at the Capital Fringe Festival. films, and thus FILMPROV was born.

In spite of the “film” in its name, FILMPROV is truly about improvising, as the actors who perform in the show do not even see the film until the night of the performance.

“The fact that the audience and actors are watching the movie for the first time together puts the audience on the same level as the actors and allows the audience to follow the thought process of the performers,” actor Alexis Turrentine said.

The shows are all under 90 minutes and usually showcase three short films, which are often related by theme. After each film, the improvisers will come out and perform a variety of scenes that can be anything from casting interviews, to behind the scenes banter, to deleted scenes.

To train for these shows, actors spend hours doing exercises under Nash’s keen and demanding eye. She tries to create exercises that simulate a “nightmare situation,” so that actors are prepared to get out of the hardest fixes they could face while on stage.

When watching FILMPROV, you’re not likely to see the same sort of purely comedic improv you see on a show like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”. Instead, Nash tries to craft a more natural, dramatic type of improv.

“Improvising comedy is just trying to nail jokes,” Nash said. “If you don’t get a joke in comedy, it’s awkward.”

Because success in this business is determined by Hollywood’s whims, and because of the current economic situation, most participants in the short films work day jobs, according to writer, co-producer and co-director Francis Abbey.

“This means that the people who are involved really have a passion for it,” she said.

Participants sometimes have jobs in related fields — like one actor who works on government videos — or sometimes in completely different industries. Most participants do FILMPROV out of passion, not for money.

One of the most exciting aspects of FILMPROV is the effect it has had on the improv community in Washington.

lifestyle The program highlighted the need for an open improv system, where anyone could participate. As a result, both DC Improv and WIT now have launched programs that have succeeded in opening improv competitions to the public, which has made the improvisational scene in D.C. more inclusive, more community-oriented and more focused on true improv.

FILMPROV is also a great tool for actors and directors to see how an audience responds to their work. “It is cool to see different riffs come to your work. It is always different from what you had in mind but grows into something else that can be quite exciting,” Anthony Greene, a writer and producer of one of the festival’s short

films said.

The instantaneous feedback from the audience lets him see what the audience really identifies with as improvisers rework and interpret the original film. This allows him to change his acting in the moment as an improviser and in the long run as an actor.

Aside from its impact on the improv and short film communities in the District, FILMPROV simply makes audiences laugh. A hysterical community of fun-loving actors performing at college-student prices, this one-of-a-kind performance group benefits every person it touches, from actor to director to audience member.

FILMPROV Saturday Oct. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Alley Cat Restaurant 2 South Whiting Street Alexandria, Va. $12.50 ticket features both show and dance party afterward.

WHOSE LINE? Nash and Calamia getting funky on set.

Q & A

Who is your favorite comedian and why?

“Probably Dane Cook, because he’s the only one I’ve gone and seen.

I was really young, and I remember thinking he was just so inappropriate.”

“Zach Galifianakis.

He is just so funny, and I love him.”

Megan Acheampong COL ’13

Kelly Barnes MSB ’12

“The guy on ‘Tosh.0.’

Totally vulgar but really funny.”

Alexandra Rallo COL ’15

“Louis C.K. Dane Cook actually stole jokes from him.”

Mack Basham COL ’14

10.14.11 // the guide // 5

lifestyle

CENTER STAGE New Arrival Shows Up to Keep All of Georgetown Safe Georgetown is the birthplace of numerous traditions and home to many heroes and legends, from the basketball court to the White House. This year a new kind of hero, one that flies by night to save the day, yearns to make his mark on campus. Captain America is new on the scene and can be seen at least one night each weekend patrolling O and Prospect Streets, sometimes venturing as far as The George Washington University helping students in distress.

Who is Captain America?

He’s just a regular Hoya, who enjoys nerdy political debates, enjoys Hoya basketball ... really just another guy.

Five things you didn’t know about Captain America: His favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate-vanilla swirl soft-serve with red, white and blue sprinkles … or blue and gray sprinkles.

You can catch a glimpse of the Captain running down to the monuments on many afternoons.

His favorite Georgetown tradition, which he has yet to do, is running through the Dahlgren fountain.

He is a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

If he could be another super-hero, he would be Iron Man. He has always admired Iron Man’s mathematical capabilities.

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Why the identity of Captain America?

Essentially, I saw a need and tried to fill it by applying the idea of helping people with my nerdy Georgetown-ness. Captain America is just someone [students] can trust even though they don’t know [my identity].

So basically, this suit [makes] me sort of a friendly stranger to provide for the people. They are comfortable with Captain America if they are too embarrassed to call Safe Rides.

A lot of superheroes are superhuman. Captain America is more human than super. [He can’t] fly or shoot webs out of his hands, but he is just a guy.

Also, whereas a lot of superheroes represent being good, Captain America represents more than that: He represents service to fellow man, to comrades, to friends, and [he makes] sure that they are inspired to similar things.

What exactly do you do?

I basically assist people who need help either finding places or getting back to their dorm if they are really gone. It’s mostly just escorting people. They will say, “Hey, Captain, can you help me find this place,” or “Can you help me back to my dorm,” or “Help my friend back to the dorm.” Help sometimes means anything from walk-

MICHAEL APPAU Special to The Hoya

ing the person to literally carrying the person back.

I basically thought to myself, I could either be at a party right now, or I could be actually helping someone. And it’s always a good feeling.

What is the scariest mission you have had so far?

I guess basically one of the stories that comes to mind is when a group of girls called me about a heroin addict that had been bothering them. He was pretty much following them for a while, so I stepped in and talked to him, distracted him, and the girls got away.

What other things do you do?

You can reach me on my Facebook page, and if anyone is interested, I give monument and Georgetown tours.

Any words to the Georgetown community?

Feel free to call out to me if you see me on the streets and need me.

Just say, “Hey, Captain America,” and I’ll be there.

ALL PHOTOS MICHAEL APPAU FOR THE HOYA

SAVING THE NIGHT Captain America claims to be just a regular guy but has performed heroically on the streets of Georgetown.

lifestyle

Chinese Students Seek Parental Approval in Dating dating dalai AnastasiaTaber

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s I sat with a Chinese girl named Yang Junxiao over dinner, she described her relationship of a year with a former high school classmate. She and her boyfriend began dating shortly after finishing the college entrance examination, after which they discovered they would attend separate colleges in the same city.

“I haven’t told my parents,” said Yang. To my American ears, Yang’s statement sounded rather foreign. In America, a relationship of the same caliber, duration and seriousness would inevitably become part of the parents’ knowledge. Though we may attend school states and even countries away from our parents, a year-long relationship would certainly warrant parental attention.

Perhaps the reason for this is the existence of American parents on Facebook (which the Chinese Facebook equivalent, Renren, lacks), which al-

lows moms and dads easy access to information regarding the status of their children’s love lives. But that answer does not cover the number of American students who choose to keep their parents out of their Facebook lives, regardless of any long-term relationship.

The reason seems to be that American students are more willing than Chinese students to tell their parents that they have established a relationship. I wondered. Is it because Chinese students feel the need to hide their relationships?

This may be the case in high school, but not when it comes to college. In my last column I interviewed a Chinese student named Eva about her longterm relationship. She said that once in college, parents typically permit their children to date, as they believe college is a safe environment for dating.

Eva said that she hid her high school relationship from her parents but told them about her second relationship that began during college.

This relationship was not without controversy. Eva revealed that her boyfriend is a Hui Muslim — one of China’s 55 recognized minority ethnic groups.

China’s population consists mostly of

Han Chinese with whom Eva identifies.

Eva told me that her parents are heavily prejudiced toward the Hui Muslims.

She explained that her hometown is predominately Hui, and the group’s exclusivity has caused tension between her parents and their neighbors.

Because of these acrimonious feelings, the parents had forbidden Eva from ever marrying her boyfriend.

They hoped she would dump him and find a Han Chinese man to eventually settle down with and marry.

But Eva was confused. Even though she never expected to date him, her boyfriend’s long courtship warmed her heart. She was troubled because if she ever wanted to marry him, she would have to convert to Islam — a large commitment that would demand a lot from both her and her parents. The idea of converting felt next to impossible, so Eva preferred not to think about the future.

Under China’s one-child policy, parental acceptance of relationships becomes tantamount to a family’s happiness. Eva was experiencing inner turmoil, because when it comes to modern Chinese marriages, the background of a potential mate must

accord with the background of one’s family.

Parental guidance of students’ decisions is not a foreign concept in China.

Many Chinese students refrain from telling their parents about their relationships — not because they desire to hide the relationships, but rather because it is more of a mutual agreement that once students have found someone they are serious about marrying, then they will introduce that person to their parents.

Of course, many students do tell their parents anyway. Yang’s friends were surprised to hear that she had not told her parents about her year-long relationship. Eva told her parents because there was never an option in her mind not to do it.

Despite the relationship’s difficult circumstances, Eva maintained a positive attitude.

“Dating gives special feelings and makes life more interesting,” she said. I could not agree with her more.

Anastasia Taber is a junior in the College. She can be reached at taber@ thehoya.com. THE DATING DALAI appears every other Friday in the guide.

Hip-Hop Club Raises Georgetown’s Street Cred VICTORIA EDEL Special to The Hoya

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ophomores Ben Center (COL ’14) and Brian Moran (COL ’14) grew up idolizing Jay-Z, Kanye West and Eminem. This semester, they’re bringing their favorite music to campus with one of Georgetown’s newest clubs, the Georgetown University Hip-Hop Association. Center and Moran, now president and vice president of the club, first thought of founding such a group last spring.

“Brian and I were talking and figured that hip-hop is something that’s growing on college campuses,” Center said.

“We wanted to see what we could get out of it.”

“Hip-hop is expanding to a much larger audience. ... College campuses are a huge bed for that kind of interest, where a lot of people listen to it and engage in it as a hobby,” Moran said. “The group is an attempt to bring those kinds of people, who want to take it to another level, together.”

The Association’s main priority is to foster collaboration between Georgetown students in order to create, produce and distribute original hip-hop music. The group also aspires to bring

artists to Georgetown to perform and speak about their experiences. Moran and Center also hope to create an outreach program to talk to students in the District about lyricism and poetry.

The group’s membership, which currently consists of about 20 students, isn’t just made up of a bunch of wannabes.

“We have people who write lyrics, people who make actual music. We have people who are interested in management, promotions or videography,” Center said.

Most of the members are male, but Center and Moran are hoping that will change.

“That’s the whole point of this, we’re accepting everyone and anyone,” Moran said. “If you’ve got the talent, and you’ve got the drive, and you’ve got the motivation and passion, it doesn’t matter.”

The young group has already found success. At the start of the semester, they performed during a Welcome Week tailgate. Their performance generated enough interest that the group was subsequently contacted to perform at Friday’s Midnight Madness tailgate.

“Hopefully, this will launch us into

the spotlight,” Center said.

Center and Moran believe their group will help spread hip-hop to a new audience.

“There are so many people who don’t listen to rap and think that all [rappers] talk about is big chains and cars,” Center said. “But there are so many artists that are totally undiscovered. The messages these artists send out are real.”

“Lots of people don’t like hip hop music because they think it’s all about violence and the degradation of women, but it’s evolved. That’s not where it’s at today, and there are lots of people who don’t talk about that stuff but suffer from that image,” Moran said.

The association’s founders envision great longevity for their brainchild. A long-term goal is to record a song that becomes a staple at Georgetown basketball games, which they hope would catapult the club to lasting fame.

“We’d be legends,” Center said.

“If I could go to a basketball game at Georgetown in 10 years, and I hear that song that I made on Lau 1 on a Saturday night, that would be pretty cool,” Moran said.

MEAGAN KELLY/THE HOYA

IT’S A RAP The Hip-Hop Association is gaining popularity on campus one beat at a time.

10.14.11 // the guide // 7

One Man’s Trash ...

Caitlin Mac Neal Hoya Staff Writer

W

alk down the 1800 block of 14th Street and up a narrow staircase, and you’ll find a deceptively tiny gem: Treasury. Although the boutique opened just a couple years ago, co-owners Cathy Chung and Katerina Herodotou have been collecting an assortment of vintage items for even longer. What began as a pop-up shop and traveling display for vintage parties and events became a brick-and-mortar haven for thrifty D.C. fashionistas.

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Columbia Heights —s — It’sItVintage Columbia Height ’s VintageDarling Darling

The Columbia Heights boutique It’s Vintage Darling resembles a dream closet. Leather handbags and fabulous hats line the walls, a rustic, exposed brick wall boasts racks and shelves filled with one-of-a-kind clothing and antique trunks overflow with shoes, vinyl records and more.

The two owners, Amira Hikim and Kindall Hudgins, met at Eastern Market while showcasing their wares and decided to open a store together. One year later, store manager Elise Peterson describes the shop as “cozy,” adding that it’s located in the “up and coming” area of Columbia Heights. Peterson was a regular customer of It’s Vintage Darling before quickly becoming the manager and store’s main buyer.

Peterson described the store as a “funky eclectic mix of pieces [you] don’t see everywhere.” There are constantly new items, from the 1940s through the early 1990s. She said that the store’s standout season is fall and winter due to its large collection of boots, coats, leather jackets, fur and faux fur.

“You can always find a bargain here,” she said, making a nod to the unbeatable prices, especially the $10 bins of vi-

nyl records, shoes and other items.

Their men’s section is smaller, which Peterson attributes to the difficulty in finding used men’s clothes. “Men will wear clothes until they’re falling off of them,” she said.

The boutique also has an online inventory, which differs from the clothes carried in the store, and will soon begin uploading bimonthly segments on how to shop vintage. Peterson often uses social media with tweets alerting loyal customers of new, special items in the store,

The shop carries clothing and accessories ranging from the 19th century to the 1980s, and each piece is chosen carefully to be part of a “curated vintage collection,” according to Chung.

Over the past few years, vintage and consignment stores like Treasury have slowly been cropping up around the city. According to Chung, there have always been old-school record stores and shops in the District. Yet she claims that there seem to be a lot more of late.

Elise Peterson, store manager and main buyer for It’s Vintage Darling in Columbia Heights, had to agree that there has been an influx of vintage shops, especially along the U Street corridor.

“I think D.C. people are getting into fashion, and they are also savvy shoppers,” Chung said, noting that vintage items are generally more af-

Adams Morgan — Meeps

Located in AdMo, Meeps is a D.C. vintage mainstay, officially opening its doors in 1992; it made the switch from U Street to Adams Morgan about five years ago, however. The store focuses less on the boutique feel, instead amping up the clothing volume with an entire rack of jeans and a sizeable selection of men’s suits.

Meeps also carries the pieces of local designers, with everything from animal-print T-shirts and necklaces with hotdog pendants. Though the amount of clothes present in the store requires more digging, you’re more likely to find the item you’re looking for.

Racks feature show-stopping dresses, leather jackets, bags and belts that round out the collection.

According to Davis, Halloween is Meeps most pop-

fordable. Chung added that there is a growing interest in style in D.C., which she hopes will draw more people to the District fashion scene.

“D.C. has its own diverse style that doesn’t conform to trends,” she said. “I would love people to recognize D.C. as a destination spot for vintage.”

Where to Begin

Rummaging through racks of old clothes can be daunting to say the least.

“A lot of people will be intimidated,” Peterson said, noting that a lot of variety, color and prints can overwhelm customers.

Clare Davis, store manager of Adams Morgan shop Meeps, admitted that shopping for retro styles is not for everyone — but for those with a

keen eye for fashion and a persistent browsing ethic, stumbling upon the unexpected find is possible.

“You really have to dig through the racks,” she said. “It requires a certain personality.”

Chung recommended that customers wary of finding the right fit start with accessories. Vintage bags are often the design inspiration for current designers, she said. Chung also stressed that it’s not about nailing down the full vintage ensemble at once, but about mixing and matching, too.

“You want to make it your own,” she explained.

Peterson suggested that shoppers search for something both timeless and unique.

“Look for a classic cut and maybe something funky about it,” she said. “You’re just going to get something really funky and special.”

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ular season, and the store brings out its funkier items in the inventory to ring in the holiday.

“I don’t know where some of it comes from,” she said.

Georgetown — Tari

Unlike some other merchants who focus on time period in their merchandise, upscale Georgetown’s Tari puts an emphasis on designer labels. But the consignment shop carries great vintage pieces if you are willing to sort through current brand-name pieces. However, the collection of new and vintage Chanel is to die for, and the collection of women’s pumps is impressive.

Tari opened in late 2010 after a different consignment shop in its spot closed that spring, and according to storeowner Sara Mokhtari, the boutique has been faring well ever since.

MEAGAN KELLY / THE HOYA

“The store has been doing well since we opened, but I think we get more popular with every day,” she wrote in an email. “This concept is popular in Georgetown.”

U Street — Treasury

A trip back to Treasury reveals a collection of jewelry and handbags that beckons customers into the boutique with a signature trendy-meets-natural vibe.

While there’s a small collection of men’s clothing, the store is mostly filled with chic pieces for women — complete with cowboy boots and cute jackets.

“We handpick everything ourselves,” Chung said.

The compact space packs a stylish punch, carrying its own line as well as pieces by local designers.

Chung said the U Street location has been a great asset to the store’s success, especially due to the

asury e r T et —

MEAGAN KELLY / THE HOYA

high number of independent businesses there and the neighborhood’s rich historical backdrop. Other local favorites such as Dr. K’s, Rock It Again and Junction make the neighborhood a go-to spot for treasure hunting.

The Vintage Advantage

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Treasury manager Peterson began shopping in thrift stores out of necessity. As a college student in D.C., she needed to find chic, quality pieces at lower prices. After discovering the cheap but chic items, she quickly became attached to the fashion genre.

“Once I started finding designer things,” she said, “It was an addiction.”

Peterson started to go constantly checking for new

things, and landed on her original obsession: clip-on earrings. And after she found a Dior trench coat, she was sold.

Davis agreed that shopping vintage is a sure path to a distinctive look. “You can wear something nobody else is wearing,” she said.

For Chung, vintage clothes put the wearer in a special position; by adding a flourish of modern clothing to their ensembles, savvy shoppers can bring the high-fashion, high-quality clothes of yesteryear back to life.

“It’s an easy way to be an individual,” as Peterson put it.

food&drink Bakery Gets the Basics Right

EATERY EXCELS IN SIMPLE FARE MICHAEL MOUCH Special to The Hoya

 FIREHOOK

912 17th St. NW cuisine: bakery price: $$$$

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or food establishments in Washington, D.C., there’s a trend of elevation.

Food stands have been elevated to food trucks, and at places such as Georgetown Cupcake and Baked & Wired, cupcakes are now considered delicacies. In line with this trend, Firehook Bakery boasts its simple, standard, yet delicious and reasonably priced fares that take a tried and true bakery formula and raise it to a whole new level.

Firehook hearkens back to an earlier age not only in its cuisine but also in its ambiance and etymology. In ancient Egypt the bakers were known as “firehooks,” named after the tools they used to bake.

The bakery franchise itself dates back to 1992. The first store emerged on Lee Street, and since then it has expanded into the major squares such as Dupont and Farragut and even as far as Alexandria.

Walking into Firehook was truly amazing. Coming from bustling Dupont, I felt as if I had stepped into a completely new world.

The inoffensive yellow and red walls were as soothing on the eyes as the barely audible classical music was to the ears. The cool temperature felt just right, and the bakery aes-

thetics created a uniquely calming experience. One word comes to mind when I think about Firehook: quaint. The only complaint I have about all things non-food in Firehook was the staff. They were marginally helpful and demonstrated little knowledge of the menu or food availability.

Unlike most restaurants, all the foods at Firehook are simple. You could make almost all of them in a home kitchen, but what separates Firehook from the rest is how it elevates the mundane to the extraordinary.

Despite the fact that all the foods at Firehook are rather basic, they offer a bevy of choices.

In addition to smoothies, the bakery offers the standard range of coffee for those looking for a quick caffeine fix. When I visited, I was very disappointed because they were out of bananas, which effectively eliminated two out of the six smoothie choices. I found the “Firehook Freeze” delicious — my only complaint was that it was a bit on the thick side.

The brownie I tried was also quite delightful. The chocolate was in perfect proportion, neither overwhelming nor difficult to detect.

Furthermore, each bite was extremely satis-

Hoya Happy Hour

fying due to the perfect softness in the brownie; it had just enough firmness to stay together in my hand without crumbling. The cookie was a little less scrumptious but nonetheless satisfying. Since I went at 4:30 p.m., the cookie had hardened some over the course of the day. The cookie, while generously sized, was rather tough around the edges, which was disappointing considering the soft center.

Bread, the staple of many civilizations, rarely receives the credit it deserves, so it is worth noting that the highlight of my visit was definitely the seven grain bread. This bread, in short, was a work of art. The texture was amazing, and I only wished my piece had been larger.

With cookies each under $2 and shakes below $4, Firehook is reasonably priced. The ambiance is unparalleled, and I could easily see myself studying there for hours in the relaxing environment. The slight drawbacks of the food seeming a bit stale and the lack of bananas can easily be rectified by going earlier in the day. With delicious food and great prices, Firehook is a no-brainer for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack.

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Dishes you have to try: Presidential Sweets Cookie

oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips, dried cherries, pecans and coconut // $1.55

Chocolate Fudge Brownie moist, fudgy brownie without nuts // $2.45

Seven-Grain Bread

a seven-grain loaf that is perfect for sandwiches or topped with a spread of jam // $4.55 for a loaf

A weekly round up of some of the best shots, mixes and punches.

7th-Inning Stretch With four teams left in the hunt for the Major League Baseball playoffs, take a midterm study break with this 7th-Inning Stretch. Forgo the beer in favor of this baseball-themed cocktail and cheer on your favorite team in the pursuit of a World Series title. Pour the ingredients into a glass over ice.

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+

+ 1 oz. whiskey

½ oz. amaretto

+ 4 oz. lemonade

ice

Quick and Easy Eggplant Parmesan market to table

T

BethanyImondi

here are just some foods that take time to be appreciated. For me, one of those foods was eggplant. Looking at the fruit, there is really nothing very exciting about it.

In spite of its purple hue, an eggplant has little to offer to the average eye.

Part of its problem is the fact that one cannot simply cut it up and eat it raw.

Rather, in order for it to taste good, eggplant requires quite a bit of elbow grease in the kitchen.

While many might avoid eggplant because of a fear of the kitchen and/ or sheer laziness, the ingredient’s versatility makes it one of fall’s best for cooking. From sauteing to pan-frying to grilling or roasting, eggplant can be prepared as the star ingredient of a main course or as an addition to it.

One can even combine techniques, such as roasting and pureeing, to create dishes, such as a thick and creamy baba ghanoush dip.

Yet, even with all these different methods of preparation, my favorite eggplant dish is the classic Eggplant Parmesan. Perhaps it is because of my Italian roots, but I have a hard time saying no to a plate of breaded eggplant covered with rich marinara sauce and melted cheese. Unfortunately, the dish is neither the easiest nor the healthiest dish to prepare at home. Luckily for me, however, my cravings can be satisfied with this recipe, adapted from the blog “Big Girls, Small Kitchen.” By combining the traditional elements of eggplant parmesan in a deconstructed version of the Italian classic, this pasta dish will have eggplant skeptics rethinking their opinions.

Ingredients:

Makes four servings 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 small onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 cups marinara sauce 1 tomato, seeded and diced 1 pound rigatoni ½ pound mozzarella, chopped ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan

food&drink

Nestle Up to High-Quality Cooking ELIZABETH GARBITELLI Hoya Staff Writer

L

ittle Fountain Cafe lets you unwind in peace with comforting entrees and a serene off-the-beaten-path atmosphere that is often hard to find in D.C. The small restaurant is nestled on 18th Street between a Jumbo Slice pizza storefront and the bar Angles.

To a passerby, it might go unnoticed.

Low ceilings and kitschy decor give the sense that you’ve stumbled somewhere very different from the streamlined chains and branded designer chef joints that have been popping up all over the city.

Little Fountain’s menu showcases a small assortment of dishes. Mouthwatering starters include steamed mussels in your choice of either red curry or white wine herb sauce and miniature crab cakes with crawfish sauce. Wines are mostly served by the bottle and run about $7 by the glass, however, on Wednesdays, Little Fountain offers halfpriced wines with dinner.

For the entree, I opted for the special of the day — fettuccine with mussels in a white wine cream sauce. They also serve pan-seared brook trout with lemon white wine caper sauce over a bed of

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HOLE IN THE WALL This quaint cafe serves up great food at a reasonable price.

Directions: 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

2. As the water comes to a boil, set a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan, about two tablespoons. Add the eggplant, onion and one teaspoon salt and saute, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, until the eggplant is tender. Add the garlic and red pepper and cook until fragrant, about two more minutes.

3. Pour the tomato sauce and chopped to-

 LITTLE FOUNTAIN CAFE 2339 18th St. NW cuisine: American price: $$$$ orzo and snow peas and cioppino, a fish, shellfish and tomato soup hailing from San Francisco. Portions were good and the quality was high. Not a speck of sand in the mussels and the cream sauce balanced the delicate flavors of herbs and wine without being too overpowering or heavy.

For dessert, our waitress (who also happens to be the restaurant’s head pastry chef of the past 13 years) recommended the brioche and chocolate chip bread pudding. According to her, the delightful dessert has stayed on the menu for years because of its popularity, and it left little to be desired. It is served as a wedge of bread pudding in a pool of warm, rum-infused chocolate, which we complemented with cups of coffee.

The brioche name makes it sound pretty sophisticated, though it tastes a lot like a well-made piece of French toast rather than an upscale pastry. But there’s no shame in that. Other seasonal desserts available are apple dumplings with cinnamon cider sauce and maple creme brulee with honey fritters.

Mid-priced and not too over styled, quaint Little Fountain Cafe is a perfect place for a casual dinner or a romantic date. Book in advance or go on a weeknight since there’s not much room, and a hole in the wall like Little Fountain won’t stay secluded for long.

Eggplant Parmesan Rigatoni matoes over the eggplant mixture and stir to combine. Simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as necessary.

mozzarella and toss to combine.

6. Spoon the pasta into serving bowls

4. In a small nonstick pan, toast the bread-

and top each with a tablespoon of breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Serve immediately.

5. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and add to the pan with the pasta sauce. Add the chopped

Bethany Imondi is a junior in the College. She can be reached at imondi@thehoya.com. MARKET TO TABLE appears every other Friday in the guide.

crumbs with a little bit of olive oil until golden brown, about three minutes. Set aside.

10.14.11 // the guide // 11

arts&style

MAURA HOHMAN Special to The Hoya

One-Act Performances Pack Twice the Humor TWO PLAYS DELIVER A #WINNING PERFORMANCE

#COURAGE The minimalist design lets the actors of this social commentary shine.

O

pening between Thursday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 16, the Donn B. Murphy One Acts Festival boasts two entirely student-written, produced and acted works: “Peaches and Freon: A Musical” and “#Courage.”

Though they cover completely unrelated topics, the two productions complement each other well. The former eases the viewer into the night with a cleverly written and energetically performed musical, outlining the life’s work of two playwrights who are deemed sellouts by true connoisseurs of the profession. It is a wild and at times raunchy ride, not to mention laugh-out-loud funny. Once the audience leaves the suspended reality of the Old Freon Factory theater — the setting of a play within the play — its members emerge into the minimalist set of “#Courage,” a collage-style play that compels its viewers to analyze the relevance of social media in their lives and its effects on political activism. These two original works create a pleasant dichotomy for a memorable night of student theater.

When entering the small venue of Poulton Hall for “Peaches,” the viewer is confronted with a series of playbills on the wall with absurd titles such as “Abortion Contortion: A Prenatal Murder Mystery.” Each shocking poster merits a chuckle and is also a strong indicator of the nature of the perfor-

12 // the guide // 10.14.11

mance to come.

“The process didn’t start with a thesis — we had just spent a month competing to see who could write the worst lyric and for some reason thought we might be able to string the result into a narrative,” explains Ryan Dull (COL ’12), describing the creative process he shared with fellow playwright Michael Franch (SFS ’12 “Peaches’” charm does not lie in its purposefully minimal plot, but rather in the cleverness of its

script and the talent of its cast.

Betsy Helmer (COL ’13) plays a disgruntled MC who is forced to host a show in the very same theater that “bumped” her own play years before.

She brings a natural snark to her interviews with the writing and composing duo she interviews, David and Moonglow, played by Greg Brew (GRD ’13) and Adrian Prado (COL ’14), respectively. Supported by a talented ensemble, the three characters lead the audience through a series of absurd and un-P.C. song parodies .

When asked what the hope for their musical was, the writers responded that they were seeking to bring back the love of musical theater at Georgetown that they felt died with Calliope, a yearly set of student-written musicals founded by Donn B. Murphy himself. The first student-written musical to be performed at Georgetown in 40 years, “Peaches” sets a hilarious precedent for a tradition that has hopefully been revived. “#Courage,” written and directed

by Swedian Lie (COL ’13), begins with the entire cast on stage stating various definitions of “courage,” ranging from Mark Twain’s famous quotation about “mastery of fear” to tweets from reallife Twitter users. The enigmatic introduction unfolds a play that divides itself into abstract sections, all with titles beginning with a hashtag.

The most memorable “#scenes” include a wry dialogue between a personified Facebook (Victoria GlockMolloy [GRD ’13]) and Twitter (Katie Mitchell [SFS ’15]). A literal, intellectual

ALL PHOTOS HANSKY SANTOS/THE HOYA

PEACHES AND FREON (Left to right) Greg Brew, Adrian Prado and Betsy Helmer lead a series of absurd songs that parody society.

PEACHY KEEN Adrian Prado plays Moonglow, who’s interviewed by MC Betsy Helmer. boxing match takes place for arguing the pros and cons of social networks as a medium of political protest. An emotional monologue performed by Addison Williams (COL ’14) describes the murder of an actual Egyptian teen named Khaled Saeed on June 6, 2010.

The play also makes clear that Saeed is significant because of his vast following on Facebook and Twitter, though, tragically, there are many more like him that remain unknown. “#Courage’s” crew makes excellent use of special effects, including digital backdrops coordinated with the script itself and jarring sound effects such as gunshots to ensure that viewers are fully invested in the play. Food is even distributed at one point, but when individual audience members are targeted for their reactions to the handout, they understand the bread is more than just a mid-performance snack.

Lie acknowledges his delay in tackling issues like the Egyptian revolution, but he explains that the message is completely current in the way that political activism and social justice are addressed through the blurry, limited lens of social media.

The complementary duo of studentwritten works reaches out to the audience, causing its spectators to question their own conception of art via “Peaches” and also to analyze the way social media impacts our lives.” The Donn B. Murphy One Acts Festival is not to be missed; it provides a night of uproarious laughter and time for selfreflection all in one night.

entertainment Midterm Madness Chill Beats for Hell Week face the music KinneChapin We have reached the time of year that makes the first cups of hot apple cider and the first donning of a thick sweater seem meaningless. As you are probably already aware, the time for midterms has come. Midterms are a sure sign that there’s no turning back, the school year is well underway and you won’t be leaving the library for a while.

Midterms are a bit like having a cold and the flu at the same time: You have essentially the same number of tests and papers as you do during final exams, but you still have to get out of bed to go to class every morning. Needless to say, midterm season is often the opposite of all that is happy and joyful. And yet, my fellow sufferers, we must persevere. To help you on your journey, I have selected a few songs that I feel will make writing an 8-page paper seem as painless as writing a 7-page paper. (I never said I could perform miracles.)

First on the list is “Black Hole”

by The Silent Years. This track strikes the perfect balance between folksy and melodic — if you like the sound of Kimya Dawson, then look no further. Why do I like this song? My personal philosophy is that every song should have some whistling, clapping or a chorus of people joining in. As this song has two of the three, it automatically shoots straight to the top of my list.

But perhaps more importantly, for the sake of studying, “Black Hole” is upbeat enough to prevent you from falling asleep in your coffee yet mellow enough that you can hold your concentration. It’s kind of like a less aggressive espresso.

When you start to get frustrated with your assignments and tearing your paper in half doesn’t feel like it will quench your fury, pump “Something Else” by Diamond Rings. This electro-pop song is a

14 // the guide // 10.14.11

little bit dark — it sounds a bit like Broken Bells but more rhythmic and linear. Its strong beats and angst-tinged lyrics are the perfect way for you to indulge your annoyance. Even better, the lyrics are all about an ungrateful person.—Kind of like the way that our ungrateful society makes us take midterms.

OK, so it’s a stretch, but the sentiment is there. I promise. Turn up the volume and dance wildly until you forget all about your midterms.

If that doesn’t happen, just dance until you pass out.

The last song on the list is meant to pump you up when you’re done with all of this madness. Picture this: You just walked out of your last midterm. You haven’t showered or slept in at least three days, and you feel like curling up in the fetal position and sleeping for several weeks. But don’t give in to this exhaustion! You just bested your academic requirements — walk tall and go celebrate. To help get you into a more festive mood, listen to “Donald Trump” by Mac Miller. Get excited — Mac Miller sounds like a more awesome Mike Posner. More importantly, however, the lyrics to this song are like a massage for the ego. It’s three beautiful minutes of singing about taking over the world and ignoring your haters … just like Donald. If it’s over and you still don’t feel like the best person on this or any other planet, you may need a slap in the face.

So there you have it, friends and fellow midterm warriors: a surefire recipe for surviving this season with your sanity intact and your ears dazzled. Until we reach the other side, good night and good luck.

And be nice to each other — people can get a little frazzled during this time of year, but at the end of the day, we are all struggling through midterms together, fighting against “the man” of academic accomplishment.

Kinne Chapin is a senior in the College. She can be reached at chapin@ thehoya.com. FACE THE MUSIC appears every other Friday in the guide.

Remake Gets Too Loose

ALL PHO TOS IMD B.CO M

MEGAN HAND Hoya Staff Writer

R

emakes are hard to get right and originally by Kevin Bacon), a city boy from fan favorites like Freaky Friday and Boston who comes to live with his aunt and Ocean’s Eleven come once in a blue uncle in Bomont, gets wind of these laws that moon. But luckily enough, for Kevin Bacon are still in place, he takes matters into his own fanatics, dancing stars, and ‘80s babies alike, hands and falls in love with the Reverend’s daughter, Ariel (Julianne Hough), along the Footloose got it mostly right.

The film opens with a of scene of high way. school kids partying in the back of a farmAnd while the remake is a feel-good movie house, as the famous Kenny Loggin song that’ll have audiences ready to go out dancing and movie’s namesake plays. It’s hard to tell afterward, it’s not the original. Parts of the whether we’re in 2011 or back in 1984, the movie are outdated, and it looks as though year of the original movie, but it doesn’t re- the director didn’t always know which parts ally matter. The blaring music, flowing kegs of the original to cut, keep or re-mold into and dancing teens bring the viewers back a more modern take. The backdrops of the to their own glory days of high school. scenes give an old-time feel to the movie, with And the adrenaline never stops pumping. kids still hanging around the local burger Admittedly, the idea of joint and dressing up the movie itself — its for prom like it’s the cast of hot and talented 1980s. Just to make newcomers and the sure we know it’s not soundtrack — makes 1984, though, there’s me a bit biased, but a CD player or iPod FOOTLOOSE when Ren MacCormack instead of a jukebox tells the townspeople of or record player, and starring: Julianne Hough, Kenny Bomont that it’s “our one of the best scenes Wormald, Dennis Quaid time,” I got chills that in the original, when lasted the rest of the Bacon agrees to a tracmovie. tor race with Ariel’s For those of you who boyfriend, is now may not be familiar with the original, it transformed into a school bus death-match in takes place in Bomont, a small town in the the middle of a racing track.

Midwest. Tragedy strikes three years before The warehouse dancing scene that made the start of the film,; after a night of drinking Kevin Bacon’s fame skyrocket is overshadowed and dancing, a group of high school seniors, by the hip-hop and rap being played instead of including the Reverend’s (Dennis Quaid) son, the ’80s classic. I know the movie is supposed die in a car accident. The town immediately to take place today, but the directors need to outlaws dancing and loud music. When Ren make up their minds — it either needs to be MacCormack (played by Kenny Wormald and completely 2011, with modern music, scenery and events — or keep the whole thing in the past. There’s too much blurriness between the times that makes certain parts feel jumbled up.

The highlight of the movie was acting by newcomers Kenny Wormald and Miles Teller.

Wormald, former backup dancer for Justin Timberlake, will likely become the next hot, young Hollywood star after this. And then there’s Teller, who stars as the goofy and loveable Willard, and who possibly outshone Wormald and Hough. Teller brings a bit more sensitivity and a lot of charm to the remake, One thing the director did get right: the scene where Willard learns to dance. The original was funny, but this time, it’s hysterical.

Despite its flaws, Footloose does the original classic some justice while also making the movie its own. It’s a feel good flick that viewHALL PASS Willard (Teller) and Ren ers will enjoy, and its few kinks will only be (Wormald) remake the hallway dance thoughts in the back of your mind by the end of the film. scene famous from the original.

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entertainment

Somber Alt-Rocker Smolders With Passion KATRINA YEH Special to The Hoya

W

Ashes & Fire is not a particularly unique there is some fluctuation between the or groundbreaking album, but its mellow songs, but for the most part their moods nature makes it perfect for a low-key night generally hover around soft and mellow.

Even though the guitar is the primary in. Even though many of the songs talk about heartbreak and pain, Adams’ heart- instrument in all of the songs on the alfelt voice offers a feeling of ease. Through bum, there seems to be a lack of solos that truly highlight the his simplistic meloinstrument.

The dies, listeners are guitar stays in the engulfed in a calmbackground and ing mood of conis rarely anything tentment.

ASHES & FIRE more than an acWith such a companiment to prominent overartist: Ryan Adams Adams’ voice.

Howarching mood to song to download: “Save Me” ever, something the album, there that becomes nocan be some difticeable, particularficulty in differentiating the songs. The album opens with ly towards the second half of the album, “Dirty Rain,” a heavily acoustic song that is the blending of voices. Adams doesn’t sets that pace for the rest of the album. have a stellar voice or great range, but his The most upbeat song follows with “Ashes ability to convey emotion is perfectly par& Fire,” offering just enough of the unex- alleled by that of his background singers. pected to prevent the album from becom- With her soft wispy voice complementing ing too boring. For the rest of the album, Adams’s stronger voice, Norah Jones is fea-

ith Ryan Adams’ 13th studio album, Ashes & Fire, the only fire that listeners will encounter is the slow and steady burn of flames in a cozy fireplace. Adams has returned to the most basic forms of music and has presented an album dominated by strippeddown acoustic songs.

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CAPITOL RECORDS

New Releases “New Whaling” Bonnie “Prince” Billy Wolfroy Goes to Town

tured on several songs on the album such as “Kindness” and “Save Me” — the latter is arguably the rawest-sounding song on the album, and it also features Mandy Moore, Adams’ wife.

Ashes & Fire is undoubtedly more of a personal album than one of mass appeal. However, precisely because of this, it becomes something unique that can be appreciated by many listeners. Despite the fact that many of the songs have a dark and depressing tone, the underlying truth demonstrated by Adams is the fact that love can be the savior. He has been inspired by this newfound love which serves as the basis of Ashes & Fire.

Adams reminds us to step back from the hustle and bustle of the world, to slow down and take in the moment as it is. At the end of a stressful day, listening to Ashes & Fire is a great way to unwind. You can enjoy this simpler style of music and in doing so maybe even forget some of the more complicated aspects of life as well.

NICK DONAHUE Hoya Staff Writer

“Lost in Paradise” Evanescence Evanescence

“Video Games” Lana Del Ray Video Games Single

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Will Oldham, aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy, is a legend in Americana. While “New Whaling” and the rest of Wolfroy Goes to Town won’t hurt his reputation, the song highlights how his music can be considered either hit or miss. Even with a familiar mix of hushed vocals and offbeat tones, this piece doesn’t leave as big of a mark as much of his earlier material does.

I usually have nothing against grand, theatrical rock — as long as it’s done correctly. But this is far too overblown to be considered anything resembling a distinguished baroque/alternative rock song. Amy Lee’s overtly sentimental lyrics, the overproduced pianos and effects that support her make this song less than remarkable.

In her debut single “Video Games,” Lana Del Ray sings of unrequited love with a man who, despite all she does, would rather “go play a video game.” “Video Games” is a song for the broken hearted and is a rewarding listen for anyone who can appreciate the misleading simplicity of Del Ray’s music.

DRAG CITY RECORDS

WIND UP RECORDS

STRANGER RECORDS LIMITED

10.14.11 // the guide // 15

best bets

finding a destination — connie yang

saturday

friday Headbang your way into the weekend with the HAIL HAIL Rock ‘n’ Roll garage rock festival. The annual rockfest changes its name each year, so you might have known it by its previous monikers, Some Kind of Fun or New Kind of Kick. Experimental pop artist Electronicat will headline, along with two New Yorkbased bands, Sorceress and Dino’s Boys, and a new band called TNV.

Sample the cuisine of Georgetown’s many restaurants by tasting their best wines and designer beers and listening to jazz music at the 18th Annual Taste of Georgetown festival. Thirty local restaurants will also be participating with tastings of nearly 60 dishes. Big names participating include 1789, Filomena and Baked & Wired. This year, chefs will also be throwing down “Iron Chef”-style with a fall cook-off — the secret ingredient is pumpkin.

WHERE: Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave NW WHEN: Friday, 10 p.m INFO: www.pinklineproject.com/event/13737 PRICE: $5 METRO: 10-minute walk from Van Ness/UDC Metro stop

ELIZABETH GARBITELLI Hoya Staff Writer

WHERE: Wisconsin Avenue and M Street WHEN: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

INFO: www.tasteofgeorgetown.com/index.html PRICE: $5 per food tasting or five-for-$20, $3 per alcohol tasting or four-for-$10 METRO: None

sunday Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Company will dance the final show of new production “Becoming American.” The Company is renowned for its emotive, clean dance style. The show explores the South Asian immigrant experience by following the life story of a Korean child adopted by American parents living in New Jersey. The dance show adds an emotional punch to a compelling story.

WHERE: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE WHEN: Sunday, 7 p.m.

INFO: (202) 269-1600 PRICE: $10 for students with valid I.D. METRO: Brookland-CUA