RSS FeedNational Gallery Ice Skating Opens Today!
According to the Post the National Gallery Ice Skating Rink opens today at 10 am. Such a pretty spot in DC, and even if you don’t want to skate you can hit the Pavilion Cafe for a warm beverage and watch the fun.
Mrs Columbo & I have gone a few times, you really have to get there early if you want to be able to humiliate yourself in front of everyone.
New Smithsonian Gathering Spot Is Courtyardtastic
PQ Resident contributed to this post
PQ Living got a sneak look at the new Robert & Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Reynolds Center (National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum) yesterday. The constant morning rain couldn’t dampen our spirits as we spent a few hours talking to the architects, sipping cups of java and enjoying the beautiful renovations that compliment this Greek Revival style building (completed in 1867) Walt Whitman called “that noblest of Washington Buildings.”
Simply put, the Norman Foster designed canopy and courtyard is spectacular. It has a light, airy, spacious feeling to it that radiates calm. The ficus and olive trees bring the outdoors inside, even on a day as overcast and rainy as yesterday. Sounds echo mutely around the space and the contrast from the ceiling to the floor makes its way from light (sky) to moderate (museum walls) to dark (dark and light black granite floor). Water features best described as wave pools can be turned on and off as needed to set the right mood. Lights placed in the intersections of the canopy’s ceiling spars burn like daytime stars.
Phrases like “floating canopy”, “undulated” and “speed varying water features” were uttered numerous times as the architects spoke to what they had tried to accomplish. This is clearly a great addition to the neighborhood and we expect it to be one of the best places to visit or just hang out. The Courtyard opens to the public this Sunday with a big bash sponsored by Target from Noon to 6 pm. There will be music, food (for purchase) and hands-on art fun to celebrate the day.
If you need your daily fix of undulation, then this is your place. Click (more…) below to see the photographic evidence…
National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum
8th and F Streets, NW (Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown)
11:30 am to 7 pm daily – free admission
202-633-1000
DC: Downtown Chic?
An article from the London Times has DC listed as a great place for Londoners to spend their pounds now that the dollar has collapsed. The article specifically calls out the Penn Quarter having “an explosion of bars, restaurants and brewpubs blew the tumbleweed out of Pennsylvania Avenue” turning our small neighborhood into the place to be in DC.
The article specifically mentions Cafe Atlantico and the Hotel Monaco as well as some spots outside our neighborhood. Still nice to know we’re gaining a reputation world-wide.
Other cities recommended by the article were Boston, Chicago, & Miami.
2007 Farmer’s Market Ends Today
The FreshFarm Market ends their season today at the PQ location. The market opened this year on April 5th, and has run every Thursday from 3 to 7 pm. You can still see your favorite vendors (and more) at the Sunday Dupont market which is year round, but many of us will miss the local market until it (hopefully!) reopens next year.