It’s not going to be the warmest spring weekend, and there may be a passing storm tomorrow, but on balance this weekend is not looking too bad.
If you’re looking for something fun to do, here are a few ideas. As always, you can check out our event calendar for more.
It’s no surprise, then, that 12 years after it was first released, Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) is expecting a big crowd for “Dude Fest: The Big Lebowski Movie and Music Night” tonight.
The evening will start at 7:30 with music inspired by the movie and music from the actual soundtrack. Then at 8:40 there will be trivia, bowling and awards for best costume (come dressed as your favorite character). Finally at 9:00, the big moment as the Big Lebowski is shown on the big screen.
Obey’s Retirement Will Boost Moran’s Influence — Wisconsin congressman David Obey’s retirement will move fellow Democrat Rep. Jim Moran higher up in the powerful House Appropriations Committee’s pecking order. Moran said of Obey’s decision not to seek re-election today: “Chairman Obey is one of the most consequential figures to chair Appropriations. With unparalleled institutional knowledge, he has skillfully guided the Committee through some of the most difficult terrain in its history. He will be sorely missed.” More from the Washington Post.
Elevator Fire at Navy Annex Ties Up Traffic — A small fire in an elevator mechanical room at the Navy Annex on Columbia Pike tied up traffic this morning. Firefighters and police responded to the scene, shutting down Columbia Pike between South Joyce Street and South Oak Street around 10:15 p.m. ART and Metro buses were delayed as a result.
Matthew Pickens was seriously injured after a moving van struck his county work truck at the intersection of Columbia Pike and South Wakefield Street on April 5. Pickens, who was working on a traffic light in the truck’s hydraulic basket, fell hard to the street below.
At the time, it was thought that Pickens’ injuries were not life-threatening.
This weekend hundreds of Twilight fans converged on at the Sheraton National Hotel on Columbia Pike for the Official Twilight Convention. They met a few of their favorite supporting characters, discussed the upcoming Twilight movie in great detail and held a costume ball.
But they weren’t the only group using the hotel this weekend. The Nation of Islam was also holding some sort of sizable meeting, complete with guests in suits and bow ties and the occasional white robe and red star-imprinted headgear.
Marketing manager Emma Whelan says she expects a crowd to start building around 5:00 tonight, as curious Pike residents check out their newest watering hole. A grand opening celebration will be held on May 8, Whelan said.
For those staying up late on a school night, P. Brennan’s will stay open until 1:30 tonight.
You may not realize it, but Arlington was once home to the biggest, baddest radio towers in the world.
The U.S. Navy Radio Station was built in 1910 on what is now Columbia Pike, overlooking the nation’s capital. The 600-foot high, 100,000 watt towers were monsters, able to transmit signals much farther than your standard AM or FM broadcast today.
Simply put, P. Brennan’s is massive. The soon-to-open Irish pub occupies a total of 8,000 square feet on the ground level of the Halstead apartments at 2910 Columbia Pike, next to Lost Dog Cafe and across from Arlington Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse.
With a legal capacity of 360 people, P. Brennan’s is quite possibly the largest bar on the Pike. That’s remarkably ambitious, especially for an area that’s still in the “revitalization” phase.
On this day 200 years ago, congress chartered the Columbia Turnpike Company, which built the road that would eventually become the modern-day Columbia Pike.
To celebrate the Pike’s bicentennial, the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization is holding a birthday bash at The Salsa Room (2619 Columbia Pike), starting at 6:00 tonight.
Once again, there are plenty of events to choose from this weekend. Here are a few options:
Laugh. Kristen Schaal, best known as the Flight of the Conchords’ only fan, will be performing her stand-up comedy act tonight at Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike). Tickets for the 9:45 show cost $20. She has two additional performances scheduled for Saturday night.
A county traffic engineer was seriously injured in an accident on Columbia Pike around 10:30 this morning.
The engineer was in a cherry picker, working on the traffic lights at the intersection of the Pike and South Wakefield Street, when a moving van clipped a part of his truck, according to Arlington police spokesperson Det. Crystal Nosal.
The Columbia Turnpike Company, which built the Pike, was chartered by congress on April 12, 1810, when Arlington was still part of the District of Columbia. The Pike has since been a thoroughfare for soldiers during the Civil War, the site of a freedman’s village, and a location for a World War II prisoner-of-war camp (some of the German soldiers held there helped to repave the Pike at one point).
On Monday, April 12, between 6:00 and 8:30 p.m., the Pike will celebrate its history at the Salsa Room (2619 Columbia Pike). The free event, which is open to the public (RSVP here), will feature speakers, a birthday cake and a cash bar. Speakers include Arlington historian Sara Collins, county board vice-chairman Chris Zimmerman, and Dr. Talmadge Williams of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington.
