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calendar PATRIOTIC AND MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS
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2012 Twilight Tattoo at Fort Myer. Wednesdays, May 16, 23 and 30; June 6, 20 and 27; July 11, 18 and 25, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. 7:00 PM with pre-ceremony pageantry starting at 6:45 PM. The 2012 Twilight Tattoo season has been extended and will run through the entire summer. Members of the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard), the US Army Band “Pershings Own,” Fife and Drum Corps and the US Army Drill Team will perform an hour-long sunset military Pageant. Over 100 Old Guard soldiers dressed in period uniforms will provide a glimpse of Army history from colonial times to the soldier of the future. Summerall Field on historic Fort Myer in Arlington, VA. usarmyband.com
Memorial Day Wreath Laying at Arlington. May 28, 11:00 AM. Arrive much earlier. Expect heavy security. Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia end of Memorial Bridge). 703-607-8000. arlingtoncemetery.org Memorial Day at the World War II Memorial. May 28, 9:00 AM. Wreaths will be placed in honor of our veterans. Guest speakers will give remarks. World War II Memorial, 17th St. between Constitution and Independence aves. NW.
Marine Barracks Evening Parade. Friday evenings through Aug 31. Guests admitted starting at 7:00 PM. Guests should be seated by 8:00 PM. Program begins at 8:45 PM. The Evening Parade has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines. The story of the ceremony reflects the story of Marines around the world. The ceremony begins with a concert by the United States Marine Band. Free. It is wise to have reservations that can be made online at mbw.usmc. mil. Marine Barracks (front gate), Eighth and I sts. SE. 202-433-4073. mbw.usmc.mil GI Film Festival. May 14-20. The GI Film Festival is the nation’s only film festival dedicated to celebrating the stories of our nation’s armed forces. The GIFF will present films from new and established international and domestic filmmakers that honor the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty. Some of the films screened will be fan favorites. Others will be screened for the first time. All will in some way express the courage and selflessness of our fighting men and women and the value of their work. Festival at the US Navy Memorial. $12, screening. gifilmfestival.com National Memorial Day Concert. May 27, 8:00-9:30 PM. The National Symphony Orchestra performs the first of three outdoor holiday concerts. The concert is free and is broadcast live on PBS. Memorial Day is a day to remember the sacrifices made by so many … and a day for healing. On the eve of Memorial Day, come out and enjoy the National Memorial Day Concert, a deeply moving and reverential tribute to the men and women who have given so much to preserve America’s freedoms. Free. West lawn, US Capitol. Memorial Day in Logan Circle Park. May 28, 12:302:30 PM. The program features remarks from local dignitaries, a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of General John Logan, and musical entertainment. It is
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members buried both at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldier’s and Airmen’s National Cemetery just prior to Memorial Day Weekend. Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia end of Memorial Bridge). 703-607-8000. arlingtoncemetery.org
Memorial Day Wreath Laying at US Navy Memorial. May 28, 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. US Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-737-2300. navyband.navy.mil
Lamb Jam
Eighteen of DC’s top chefs will come together for the second annual American Lamb Jam produced by the American Lamb Board. This ultimate taste-off will feature top chefs and their creative preparations of lusty lamb dishes accompanied by several wineries, breweries and more. Judging will include awards for Best of Show, 1st Place Awards for Shoulder, Leg of Lamb, Shank and Loin tastes. Guests vote and determine the People’s Choice winner. This year’s chefs are from Bibiana, Poste, Urbana, Occidental, West End Bistro, Ici, Againn, 701, Oyamel, Max Fox Brewing Company, Cava, Bistro 525, Bourbon Steak, Boxcar Tavern, Granville Moore, PS’7 and Vidalia. People’s Choice Award for 2011 went to John Critchley from Urbana. $50. Monday, May 21, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Eastern Market North Hall. dc.fansoflamb.com old-fashioned, wonderful, and emblematic of Logan Circle village. Residents and visitors alike are invited to this celebration of authentic Washington, DC and its heritage. Following the commemoration, come to a reception hosted at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, 1318 Vermont Ave. NW. logancircle.org “Flags-In” at Arlington Cemetery. Memorial Day Weekend, 8:00 AM-7:00 PM. Each year for the past 40 years, the 3rd Infantry (The Old Guard) has honored America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags before the gravestones and niches of service
Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedon. May 28, noon. “Rolling Thunder” is an annual motorcycle rally held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend. Thousands of motorcycles will depart from the Pentagon at noon and will roar across Washington, DC on their motorcycles as a tribute to American war heroes. Assemble at Pentagon north parking lot. Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. May 28, 1:00 PM. This year’s Memorial Day observance pays tribute to those who served and died in Vietnam. The ceremony will include Presentation of the Colors, and remarks by a special guest. The observance also includes a laying of wreaths by several patriotic organizations. Each year on Memorial Day veterans and their families congregate at “The Wall” to remember and to honor those who served in the US Armed Forces. On this special day prominent Americans from all walks of life come to the Memorial to deliver thoughtful and patriotic speeches.
National Memorial Day Parade. May 28, 2:00 PM. Beginning at Fourth St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW and ending at 15th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Expect a lot of music, color and old-fashioned patriotism. nationalmemorialdayparade.com Navy Memorial Concerts on the Avenue. Tuesdays, May 29-Aug 28, 8:00 PM. Come out to the US Navy Memorial for an evening of relaxing music by the United States Navy Band and its specialty groups. Free. US Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-737-2300. navyband. navy.mil Docent-Led Tour of Historic Congressional Cemetery. Saturdays at 11:00 AM. Free. 1801 E St. SE. 202543-0539. congressionalcemetery.org
SPECIAL EVENTS DC101 Chili Cook-Off. May 12, 11:00 AM. True to its name, the Chili Cook-Off features an intense competition between 101 chili cooks in four categories: Red Chili, Green Chili, Freestyle, and Salsa. Also performing at this year’s event is Cake, The Airborne Toxic Event, Angels & Airwaves, Awolnation, Neon Trees, Civil Twilight and Twin Atlantic. $35 ($60 day-of). RFK Stadium. Saint Sophia Greek Festival. May 18, 19 ane 20; 10:00 AM-10:00 PM. 2815 36th St. NW. 202-333-4730. saintsophiawashington.org DC Jazz Festival. June 1-10. With more than 100 performances in dozens of venues across the city, the DC Jazz Festival is the largest music festival in Washington, D.C. and one of the most highly anticipated cultural events in the nation. The Festival presents year-round music education programs and concerts for DC students and residents by local, national and internationally-known talent at venues across DC, promotes music integration in school curricula, and supports outreach to expand and diversify the audience of jazz enthusiasts. dcjazzfest.org