Where to Go, What to Do, What’s Going On

Loyal Punch Readers, welcome to the first of many dog days of summer.  Lest we forget that our forefathers (and Pierre L’Enfant) built our nation’s capital on a swamp, so that today, we get to pay for high air conditioning and water bills (let’s face it, one daily shower is not enough in this humidity) and come face to face with cranky co-workers, pedestrians, drivers, mailmen, street vendors, and well actually, everyone – who isn’t cranky pants in this weather?  And while the Washington social event calendar does slow down in this soup and many flee the scene of the crime of stickiness and stinkyness, that doesn’t give you a pass to stay home and become one with the air conditioning vent.

Here’s a few ideas for getting out there and joining society this week:

The AFI-Silver Doc Film Festival is from June 21st – June 27th.  Hey, aren’t all movie theatres freezing cold? Get cooled down and take in some of the best and most highly revered docs of the year. www.silverdocs.com

Tap (then unleash) your inner artiste with the inaugural ARTJAMZ, founded by Genki Media’s Michael Clements. For four nights only (June 23rd – 26th), you can paint to your hearts content at the Corcoran’s Studio 31.  Register HERE.  Fee includes material, canvas, easel, drinks, food, and music.  Paint on!

Thursday June 24th, 1201 Salon (where I personally get my mani/pedi done) in Foggy Bottom is opening its doors to an intimate Grand Opening.  Food is being supplied by Hudson Restaurant & Lounge and there will be giveaways from Fresh Boutique.  6pm-8pm. 2526 L Street, NW.  RSVP is required:  Yolonda@detailspublicrelations.com

Also Thursday evening at 6pm, the Sofitel Le Bar is hosting a fundraiser and happy hour for the Washington Ballet’s Jete’ Society. The event is FREE. The Sofitel will provide food and drink specials and the bar’s mixologist extraordinaire will shake up a one-of-a-kind cocktail just for the event.  Additionally, simply enter the “name the cocktail contest” when you register on the link and if your inspired entry is chosen as the official name of the Jete Society beverage, you’ll get to toast your win with a free celebratory drink. (The winner will be preselected from online entries and announced at the happy hour.)  Register here: http://www.washingtonballet.org/contribute/special-events/

After you’ve done the spa and ballet soirees, Thursday night, you can move on east to H Street for the Night Sessions concert at Rock and Roll Hotel. This live music extravaganza that starts at 7:30pm and goes midnight, will feature four emerging talented local recording artists and benefit N Street Village. There is a nominal fee of $35, but that gets you some liquid, food, and of course, an awesome jam session. Learn more and REGISTER HERE

And last but not least, Sunday is the long awaited Green Cup of Polo. I heard a rumor that one Rebecca Cooper (ABC 7′s national correspondent and Washington Business Tonight anchor) and one Tommy McFly (media personality and MiX 107.3FM’s evening man) will be sitting on polo ponies during the Celebrity Match.  You do NOT want to miss that.  Tickets are going quickly, so get yours today.