The park in downtown Washington, D.C. named for John “Black Jack” Pershing tends not to do justice to the man who achieved the highest rank of any person ever to serve in the United States military. In 1919, in recognition of his remarkable career and service in the Great War, Congress elected to promote General Pershing to the rank of General of the Armies—a position created especially for him. These days his namesake park, located…

Friday, DCist went to the symphony, and we told you about the National Symphony’s first concert and the schedule for the rest of their 75th anniversary season. September is also the time when our minds start to turn to thoughts of opera in Washington. Wouldn’t it be great if there were some way to hear an opera and at the same time help suffering people? OPERA THIS WEEK: >> This Wednesday (September 14 at 7…

The Vote for Change rockers have gone, but there’s still plenty of celebrity eye candy in town this weekend. Look for Billy Corgan (ex-Smashing Pumpkins) as he stops by the 9:30 Club on Sunday to read from his new work “Blinking with Fists.” If maudlin rocker poetry isn’t your thing, you can see the prettier Hollywood set at Saturday night’s Italian American Foundation Gala at the Hilton Towers. Expected to show are Tim McGraw, Faith…