FYIDC The Insider’s Guide to Washington
A DAY AT THE TRACK
Celebrate spring with a day of stake races, tailgates and great hats at the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 17. More than 100,000 spectators are expected at Pimlico Race Course, for the second Thoroughbred race of the Triple Crown. Peruvian Amb. Harold Forsyth will host the International Pavilion this year, where attractions reflecting Peruvian culture, such as Paso Horses, will be on display. Gates open at 8 a.m., first race is at 10:30 a.m., tickets start at $25 for general admission, www.preakness.com
Georgetown French Market
MAIS OUIS!
Don your best beret and head to the Book Hill neighborhood for this annual celebration of all things Gallic. More than 30 shops in this quaint “arondissement” will be offering as much as 70 percent off goods with restaurants serving macarons, merguez sausages and crêpes to satisfy cravings for French delicacies. Free admission, April 25-26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Book Hill between P St. and Reservoir Rd. NW.
Clarice Smith: Power & Grace
SPORTING STILL-LIFES
Cherry Blossom Festival
PETAL PUSHERS
The 102nd annual festival of flowers celebrating Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the nation kicks off the spring season as delicate pink and white blossoms literally blanket the District. Join in family festivities, kite flying, crafting, boating and the famed parade at this annual crowd-pleaser. Primarily free, continuing through April 13. For event details, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
Loews Hotels and Fiat Partnership
FOUR-WHEELED CONVENIENCE
For guests of the Loews Madison Hotel, traveling around Washington just got easier as the Loews company has partnered with Fiat to offer complimentary chauffeured rides around town in a Fiat 500L. “Loews has never done anything like this before, and neither has Fiat,” said Elizabeth Harlow, senior vice president of marketing for Loews Hotels & Resorts. “Whether as a perk for business or an upgrade for pleasure, the FIAT 500L service is an amenity that speaks to our guests in a language they can appreciate and a style they deserve.” The company plans to extend the amenity to include test drives for guests in the future. www.loewshotels.com.
14
The nearly 40 paintings by the artist Clarice Smith on view at the National Sporting Library & Museum span more than 30 years and exemplify the artist’s penchant for intimacy and strength in and out of the paddock. Horses in the heat of a race come to life as they thunder toward the viewer in “Dead Heat” (1999) or nuzzle up to a lone figure in a quiet moment on a clear day. April 11 through Sept. 28 at the National Sporting Library & Museum, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg,VA 20118; $10 adults, $8 seniors 65 and older and youth 13-18; Free for members; nsl.org.
DC Design House
CHARITABLE DESIGN
Check out a who’s who of local designers at the 7th annual D.C. Design House benefiting Children’s National Health System, which has raised more than $1 million over the past six years.This year 29 chosen designers showcase their work throughout the house, from the living room to the powder room and stairway.The six-bedroom, seven-bath house in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Washington will be available for viewing from April 13 through May 11 at 4600 Linnean Ave. NW, open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Tuesdays-Fridays, $25, www.dcdesignhouse.com.
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| A P R I L | washingtonlife.com
C H E R R Y B LO S S O M P H OTO BY VJ P I C K E R I N G V I A F L I C K R ; F R E N C H M A R K E T P H OTO C O U RT E SY O F G E O R G E TOW N B I D ; C L A R I C E S M I T H P H OTO COURTE SY NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY & MUSEUM; DC DE SIGN HOUSE PHOTO BY JE SSE SNYDER.
2014 preakness stakes