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By Briana Ellison, Eliza Berkon, Lynn Norusis, Rachael Keeney and Stefanie Gans
D.C. Cocktail Week
Nov. 13-19
A spin on Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Week, D.C. Cocktail Week showcases cocktails paired with small bites, like the zastava sidecar and crispy shrimp ($14) from Baba in Clarendon or a fall-inspired tiki drink served with mussels ($17) at Mazagan on Columbia Pike. –SG
Come on baby, let’s get away
At my middle school talent show, I did a bit of poorly received mime work (yeah, I was that kid), but the two most popular girls in school tore the house down with an ode to virginity, Janet Jackson’s “Let’s Wait Awhile.” I had the album (Control) on cassette, and became obsessed with songs such as “When I Think of You” and “What Have You Done for Me Lately?” About 15 years later, I got to live a dream on national television performing a medley of Janet Jackson hits for NBC’s The Sing-Off, choreography included. And on Thursday, I’ll finally see the pop queen herself at Capital One Arena. –EB
Somehow having cider
Last week I wrote about not having any set-in-stone plans (I had a beautifully laid-back weekend full of cooking and catching up on little things I’ve been putting off for weeks, by the way), and this week brings more of the same. However, I am considering a couple different options, among them making my way over to Alexandria for the Lloyd House’s Alexandria Cider Festival on Saturday (It’s Cider Week in Virginia), or heading to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to watch my little sister play some soccer. If I wind up doing the latter, here’s to hoping that Amish country also has some cider up for grabs. It’s mid-November and I feel like I haven’t experienced any of the standard fall festivities. –RK
Debating a leap to TV
If you missed it this past summer, you are in luck because local interior designer Lauren Liess and her husband David’s show Best House on the Block was picked up by HGTV. I love the aesthetic and vibe Liess brings to her work, and since my husband and I have been planning on a house renovation of our own, I’m seriously thinking about applying to be on the show; though, I haven’t mentioned this to my husband yet. I mean, who doesn’t dream of having an of-the-moment designer come in and take control of the look and feel of your home—bonus points that the casting call mentions participants my be up for something “totally unique.” –LN
Justice League and Lady Gaga
I’ve been waiting for this week for almost a year. Seriously. On Friday, DC Comics’ Justice League finally comes out. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m a Batman fanatic. Have been since I was 3 years old. So this movie is basically the third-best thing to happen in 2017 for me. (The second is my favorite band, Paramore, releasing their fifth album After Laughter in May). Oh, the absolute best thing to happen in 2017? On Sunday I’m seeing Lady Gaga. Live. You should also know that I’m one of the biggest Lady Gaga fans ever. There’s no better feeling than getting to see one of your inspirations and all-time favorite musicians in-concert for the first time. Plus, there are rumors that her American Music Awards performance may be filmed at Sunday’s concert, so catch me dressed up like she was in her music video for “John Wayne” and maybe getting on TV. Joanne World Tour, I’m ready for you. –BE