March 19, 2007

Washington Planner: Since Your Bracket Is Already Ruined

By: Kristen Soltis

[Ed: In the coming days, the Washington Planner will be moved to a blog on the side. We just felt you should know so you won’t miss it.]

Go ahead, dry those tears. We know you were really hoping to win that office pool by picking hometown team GW to upset Vandy. Suddenly, your pick of a Duke vs. Gonzaga matchup in the Sweet Sixteen is looking like a worse decision than the ones you made during freshman year of college.

But dears, there’s no crying in March Madness.

So buck up, shake it off, and accept that even though you’re probably out $20 in the office pool to that cocky kid in the next cubicle with the perfect bracket… you can always find a free lunch in this town.

MONDAY, MARCH 19

The Greatest Band You’ve Never Heard Of: Stop over at the 9:30 Club tonight to see Mute Math tear the house down. The band sounds a little like U2 or This Day & Age…but they have a KEYTAR. That’s right. Also, the lead singer kind of flails around the stage when he sings, and songs like “Typical” make even small or medium sized venues feel like arena shows. Added Bonus? Opening acts The Cinematics and finalist for “Best Band Name Ever”, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Doors at 5 pm, tickets are $15. Well worth it.

THRU THE 21

Beer Should Be Neither Shaken Nor Stirred: Casino Royale comes the Arlington Cinema N’ Drafthouse. Shows at 9:50 or 10:00 pm. If you go Monday, the movie is just one dollar!

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

As If Your Life Wasn’t Enough Of A Circus Already: The Greatest Show On Earth rolls through DC stopping at the Verizon Center. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus kicks off its stay in Washington at 8 pm, tickets are $14-28.

Reagan and Lincoln and Ed, Oh My: The Alexandria Republican City Committee’s Reagan Lincoln Celebration will feature political insight from Minority Leader John Boehner and VA GOP chair Ed Gillespie. Event will be held at 100 King Street in Old Town from 6-9pm, wine and gourmet h’ors d’ourves, $50. Contact Shari Simmans at 703-823-1801 for ticket information.

Remember What I Said About Lunch?: Drop by the CATO Institute for a book forum luncheon on Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement, featuring author Brian Doherty, WaPo columnist E.J. Dionne, and CATO’s David Boaz. Event begins at noon, lunch follows. RSVP required.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23

So What If They Were On the O.C. Once? Behold, The Walkmen take the stage at Rock and Roll Hotel. Doors 8:30, tickets $15.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

All The Pretty Little Horses: As the season for preppy outdoor horse-related events draws nearer, get into the spirit with the Courage Cup’s Sponsor Party @ Lotus. Fun kicks off at 9 pm, and $20 gets you in the door, supporting Work to Ride. Cocktail attire encouraged.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25th

So Much Free Goodness!: Remember those free song samplers from iTunes and Facebook back a few months ago? Well if you got them all, troll around on your iPod for “Canal Song” by Iain Archer. Listen to it, love it, and then come see him as a part of a free music event “Rediscover Northern Ireland” with Duke Special at Iota Club in Clarendon. Doors 8:30.

Stay tuned for next week’s Washington Planner, which will have twice the fun of a usual post but only half the calories.