At about 4:15 p.m., a group of about 20 drummers and musicians were parading down the middle of 13th Street NW in Columbia Heights, playing their instruments and headed south to the African American Civil War Memorial at 10th and U Streets NW. The group brought along a wheeled cart with drums and other instruments on it. more ›

Most Washingtonians are accustomed to participating in guided tours only when entertaining out of town guests. We all know we'll have to trek out to the monuments with family and friends at least a few times a year, so being a tourist in our own city voluntarily at other times might not sound terribly appealing. But try not to think of the tours being offered in this coming weekend's WalkingTown DC, a series of 60... more ›

FRIDAY: >> If you're not Black Cat-ed out from the Unbuckled concert last night, head over to the mainstage to catch an indie-tastic show with The Whips, Her Daily Obsession (at right), and The Hard Tomorrows, all of whom we hear will put on one hell of a show. Doors are at 9:30 p.m.; $8. >> If you missed a screening of "9:30 F ST," the documentary about the old 9:30 Club, worry not --... more ›

Last one, we swear! Just a quick reminder that the first-ever DCist concert, featuring Cartel and Bicycle Thieves, is on tonight. Where: Black Cat, Backstage; 1811 14th St. NW, between S and T sts. (Nearest metrorail station, 13th and U sts NW/Green Line/U Street-African American Civil War Memorial-Cardozo station; or take the 52,53,54 buses on 14th Street from the McPherson Square station on the Orange and Blue lines.) When: 9 p.m. How Much? $7,... more ›

Well, this weekend looks like it’s going to be absolutely gorgeous, so we’re hard pressed to recommend doing anything besides rolling around in the grass outside. With a beer. Or seven. That’s our plan, at least. But if you’d like more options, our suggestions follow. And don’t forget to plan ahead: DCist’s Unbuckled concert, featuring Cartel and Bicycle Thieves, is a little less than two weeks away! FRIDAY: >> The third annual AFI and Discovery... more ›

Dupont Escalators to Close on Sunday. Because of escalator canopy construction at Dupont Circle, the 19th Street metrorail portal at the south end of the circle will be shut for most of Sunday. Weekend commuters should use the Q Street escalators, pictured in this photo posted by FurCafe in DCist Photos, instead. In 2005, escalators at the following stations will get escalator canopies: White Flint, Stadium Armory, Capitol Heights, Benning Road, Dupont Circle South, Woodley... more ›

You may have seen U Street's new Ellington apartment building written up in the Post last weekend. The building, located across from the U Street-African American Civil War Memorial-Cardozo Metro stop was formerly the site of a commuter parking lot. Today, it's festooned in neon lights, and the subject of an intense marketing effort to brand the development as a hip place "where urban life begins." From the Post article:

"[The lounge] has the same comfort as my apartment," said Marshall. "I actually fell asleep down there [once], and woke up at 3 a.m. That shows, to me, how safe it is, because I'm someone who's always on guard." ... more ›