Upcoming Events Around DC

Drive, walk or cycle to Union Market this Friday night for their Drive-In Encore Series. This week's feature presentation will be Caddy Shack in honor of National Golf Day. For those opting for the two-wheeled or two-footed forms of transportation, special picnic areas in the parking lot will be designated just for you. The best part is that the event is free and no tickets or reservations will be necessary, admittance is on a first come first serve basis. Gates open (at 6th St. NE) at 6 PM and close at 7:45 PM; the show starts at 8 PM. If you forget your movie snacks, don't worry! A variety of Union Market's regular vendors will be open serving food and drinks especially for the occasion. 

10/5: Come out to DC Cupcake Camp 2013 this October to enjoy loads of delicious activities. This year we will have bakers from all over the DC area bring you scrumptious cupcake creations along with a rooftop bar, DJs, special speakers, and much more! October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, so all donations will be collected to benefit Becky's Fund. VIP ticket holders will be able to arrive early to the event for more selection and less crowds. Ticket holders will receive five cupcakes, a plastic container as well as additional swag! General admission tickets holders receive three cupcakes and a plastic container. Unlimited mimosas will also be sold for $15. Beer will also be sold. Please support the venue! Each ticket needs to have a different name so that we can manage check-in. Limited tickets will be sold at the door so be sure to get your tickets soon!

Throughout the month of October, Dishcrawl will be hosting "Battledish", an International Battledish competition between chefs from around the world. On October 5th, Battledish will arrive to the U Street Corridor as six area chefs compete in Battledish DC in conjunction with 60 other chefs competing throughout North America. From 2pm to 6pm, try smaller versions of any or all of the chefs' creations, priced at $5 each, in a walking (and eating) adventure around the U Street Corridor. Drink pairings are also available at $5. After checking in at Tap and  Parlour and trying Chef Dan Mrohs' dish, you can visit Ulah Bistro, Creme Cafe, DC9 and Indulj at your leisure as you help determine which dish will win Most Delicious, Most Creative, Best Modern, Best Cocktail, and Most Authentic. Tickets options include General Admission only with the option to purchase dishes a la carte, Teaser Packages which include admission and 6 tasting tickets, Gourmand Packages which include admission plus 12 tasting tickets, and VIP packages which include early admission to the event, a VIP swag bag, and full access to Battledish DC. To purchase tickets, visit https://dcbattledish.eventbrite.com/. 

Help kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by joining 94.7 Fresh FM as they host "Breast Cancer Bites." Held at the Artisphere in Arlington, VA on Sunday, October 6th from 12pm-3 pm, "Breast Cancer Bites" will be an afternoon of entertainment, empowerment, encouragement and fun as you sample food and desserts from area restaurants, sip on wines and spirits, and listen to live musical performances by A Great Big World and Five for Fighting. A portion of the ticket sales will help support "The Mammovan" that screens women of all ages in undeserved areas of the District. To purchase tickets, visit http://bcbtickets.eventbrite.com

Looking for a new place to head for brunch? Be sure to find Firefly on New Hampshire Avenue right near Dupont Circle. Not only do they have $3 bottomless mimosas, but they have a unique and seasonally-driven menu! My favorite menu item are the rich lemon ricotta pancakes. This restaurant is perfect for many types of eaters because they have a kids menu and a gluten-free menu; which shows that they try to cater to all different types of diners. If you can't catch their brunch on Saturday from 9am-2pm they also offer it on Sunday as well!

The first Monday of the month is coming up, which means it is time for another Industry Takeover Night at Graffiato. This month, Chef Mike Isabella is turning over the stoves to some of his co-competitors in the Fit For Hope Challenge, which wrapped up Sept. 24 at the American Cancer Society’s Taste of Hope gala. On Monday, October 7, Fit For Hope co-winners Will Artley, Executive Chef at Pizzeria Orso, and Todd Thrahser, the bartender behind the drinks at PX, The Majestic, Restaurant Eve, Society Fair, Eamonns a Dublin Chipper and Bar TNT, will take over the kitchen for a culinary victory lap. Joining him will be fellow Fit For Hope competitor Shannon Overmiller, Chef/Partner at The Majestic. Industry Takeover Nights are open to the public. A $10 cash-only cover charge is requested at the door, and 50% is donated to a different charity benefactor each month. Autism Speaks will be this month’s benefactor.