Good Morning Folks!  TGIF.

I have a fun-filled weekend composed of arts, culture and good people!  This evening, the Honey and I will be attending the Fela! Opening Night performance.  I know this is my third time seeing it, but I truly enjoy this play.  I want to see if Fela! can loosen up the D.C. crowd.  Not to give anything away, but this play involves crowd participation!  I also will be checking out the play “Trouble in Mind” at Arena Stage.  Lastly, I will be celebrating my Honey’s sister’s birthday and celebrating a friends departure to work in Ethiopia for a year.  And I am hoping to catch the Mayweather vs. Ortiz fight. Yes, ThatKellieGirl is a boxing fan! 🙂 

I grew up watching boxing matches because my Dad was a big boxing fan.  Our house was the designated place for family and friends to watch boxing matches.  At that time, everyone didn’t have “premium” cable channels so our house was the spot.  So I grew up watching Larry Holmes, Marvin “Marvelous” Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Micheal Spinks, Leon Spinks and eventually my favorite, Mike Tyson.  We were having fight parties before they were called “fight parties.”  They were cherished events for my older sister and me because we were able to stay up past our bedtime.  And my sister and I relished in the anticipation of waiting and watching our Uncle Junior fall asleep in his designated chair.  This never failed! 🙂  I actually can remember watching Buster Douglas knock out Mike Tyson.  My heart sank watching this fight.  I didn’t realize at that time it was the beginning of Tyson’s end. 

Watching boxing actually inspired me to join the boxing club in college (at my father’s dismay).  The coach said I would be good boxer because I had long arms for good reach.  So I worked out and trained.  That club whipped me into the best shape ever.  However,  after taking my first punch, my career was over! *I know ya’ll would have loved to have seen that!*   

So I have a long history with boxing.  I don’t keep up with the sport anymore, but I am always ready TO WATCH a good boxing match.

Here are some other great events…

The DC Short Films Festival closes out this weekend.  On Friday (9/16), Lupe Fiasco and friends will be at the Merriweather Post Pavillion. Rahsaan Patterson will be at the Birchmere (9/17) and Rams Head (9/18).  On Saturday (9/17), Kem will be  at the Pier Six Pavillion.  

And the Filmore Silver Spring is debuting with a strong line-up.  They kicked off Thursday with Mary J. Blige.  For the weekend, John Legend is performing on Saturday (9/17) and Black Star on Sunday (9/17).

Have a great weekend!

Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl

Close to the Edge…Come get your groove on to old school hip-hop and dance tracks for old time’s sake!

Friday, September 16

Black Cat

1811 14th St NW

9:30PM

Tickets are 7 bucks at the door

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A man whose style blends R&B, soul, funk, jazz, and hip hop can only be found at The Park Unplugged. Join us this Friday for a live performance from R&B/soul singer-songwriter Musiq Soulchild. On September 16, the soul singer not only celebrates his birthday, but entertains the Unplugged audience with his many hits, from “Just Friends (Sunny)” and “B.U.D.D.Y.,” to “Teachme,” and his latest single “Anything” and “Yes”.

Friday, September 16

The Park

920 14th St NW

7PM

Click here to RSVP for FREE admission until 11pm (must RSVP by 3pm Friday Sept 16th)
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“LIVE! from Busboys” Open Mic, Jam Session & Talent Showcase kicks off this Friday in the Hyattsville location.  Hosted by BET’s ‘Sunday Best’ winner and long-time Hyattsville resident,Y’Anna Crawley, “LIVE! from Busboys” will take place on the third Friday of every month in Hyattsville. Whether you are a musician, comedian, dancer, actor/actress, magician, or any other type of performer – we want to see what you’ve got. Y’Anna Crawley’s live band will provide instrumentation or accompaniment to any musicians or singers in need of amplified grooves. The list to perform opens at 10 PM.

Friday, September 16

Busboys and Poets

5331 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD

10PM to Midnight

5 bucks

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Willie Jolley, in honor of his brother’s fight with diabetes and legacy, a 5K walk has been organized to raise the awareness of this deadly disease and do our part to contribute to the fight against diabetes and encourage a lifestyle of health consciousness – starting with a healthier diet and more exercise.

Saturday, September 17

5211 Paint Branch Pkwy, College Park, MD 20740

8AM

Cost: $20 per Adult (pre-registration); $15 for Senior Citizens and children under 10

$5 more for race-day registration

Register for the race here

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Black Women Bike will begin their monthly ride at the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan- Zoo Metro Station.  If you do plan to drive to the starting location, find parking on Connecticut Ave or Calvert St at that time of the morning. Click here for the  full route.

Saturday, September 17

Woodley Park-Adams Morgan- Zoo Metro Station

2700 Connecticut Ave., NW

8:30AM-11:30AM
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In celebration of 125 years of service and the National Day for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington presents a day of family friendly live performances, games, activities and special guests.

Saturday, September 17

The Yard Park

10 Water St SE

11AM-6PM

Register here for your free ticket

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The National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program are collaborators on “Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter.” This exhibition is the Smithsonian’s first major showcase of contemporary Asian American portraiture. Through the groundbreaking work of seven talented artists from across the country and around the world, the exhibition offers provocative renditions of the Asian American experience. Their portraits of encounter offer representations against and beyond the stereotypes that have long obscured the complexity of being Asian in America.  Photographer CYJO discusses her contributions to the new exhibition. Exhibit runs to October 14th.

Saturday, September 17

National Portrait Gallery

8th and F Sts. NW

2PM

FREE

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The largest and oldest Greek Festival in the D.C. area is this weekend.  Come get a “Taste of Greece”.

September 16-18

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

4115 16th St NW

Noon to 9:30PM (7:30PM on Sunday)

FREE

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Saturday, September 17

H Street Corridor

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Enjoy world beats at a dance party featuring D.C.’s club-rocking DJ—Dave Nada. Nada’s self-styled electro music “Moombahton” spins a mix of reggaeton and Dutch house music that packs in the crowds at local hotspots. Opening for Dave is D.C. standout DJ Underdog, whose monthly Afrobeat party heats up African rhythms with Latin and Brazilian on the side.

Saturday, September 17

National Geographic Society

17th and M Streets NW

9:30PM-2AM

Get tickets here

21 and over; ID required.
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Black Star consisting of Talib Kweli and Mos Def (soon to be Yasiin in 2012) will be performing at the Fillmore on Sunday.

Sunday, September 18

Fillmore

8656 Colesville Rd

8PM

Get tickets here