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By Katie Bianco, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Stefanie Gans and Jennifer Zeleski
Take a selfie, talk to a stranger
Social media is an interesting world. Having grown up as a digital native, but also being old enough to have had a childhood without iPhones, I have a love/hate relationship with it. Filters and Photoshop? No, thank you—I shiver at the thought of taking selfies. Using social media as a tool to connect with people or organizations I may have never encountered in person? More of that, please. If you are someone who equally appreciates social media’s ability to inspire deeper thought and connection, you’ll want to check out Refinery29’s new exhibit, 29Rooms, at DC Armory. Not only can you spend your visit snapping photos that are truly Instagram-worthy, but you can also immerse yourself in the exhibits that were specifically designed to get people talking, interacting and feeling a little more deeply. -Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant // DC Armory: 2001 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC; Oct. 21-27, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; $29-$34
Oh look, another Halloween event
Sick of reading about Halloween yet? Neither am I. And I’m not sick of participating in Halloween events, either. Tonight, at 6 p.m., I’ll be at Fair Winds Brewing Company for a beer-and-design paint class, sipping the local craft brews as I create a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed take on Van Gogh’s classic Starry Night painting. It’s just one more Halloween decor item I get to add to my home before spooky season ends. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor // Fair Winds Brewing Company: 700 Newington Road, Suite K/L, Lorton; $30
Relearning history
One of the first civil rights sit-ins took place in an Alexandria library. Tonight at 6:30 p.m., descendants of the original protesters will talk about its legacy 80 years later. There will be snacks, a panel discussion and a separate kids-focused event. For more history, check out 1619, the New York Times podcast which basically reinterprets America’s timeline. It is fascinating, engulfing and essential. I wish my high school history curriculum would have focused more on the hypocrisy of this nation and less about war battles. -Stefanie Gans, Dining Editor // Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library: 5005 Duke St., Alexandria; free
Another year older, another post about food
This Thursday I will be turning 23 years old, which I know is incredibly young. But for a recent college grad who is still adjusting to the fact that skipping Friday responsibilities is no longer a realistic option, deciding how to celebrate feels weird. Lucky for me, I still live with seven of my best friends from school (crazy, I know), and there is always something going on in Clarendon to get us out of the house, especially when it comes to the food scene. And for the first time this year, there will be an Arlington Restaurant Week, starting today and continuing through Monday, Oct. 28. On Thursday, you’ll find me celebrating with my roommates at Ted’s Bulletin, with a cocktail in hand and a full meal on my plate. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant // Ted’s Bulletin: 4238 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1130, Arlington; Oct. 21-28; prices vary
Through the looking glass
My unabashed love of Disney paired with the fact that I have two tiny Disney fans in my house means we’ll pretty much do any event that involves a little Mickey Mouse inspiration. So you can catch us at Carlyle House’s Wonderland event this Saturday, where Tim Burton’s famed characters (including Alice from Alice in Wonderland) will be on hand. That’s my kind of Halloween. -Katie Bianco, Editor // Carlyle House: 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria; Oct. 26, noon-4 p.m.; $5 kids, $1 adults
For more fun things to do this month, check out these 19 events.
