Off the Beaten Path is your weekly source for the most interesting things to do and places to go in the DC, MD, and VA area. From festivals to pillow fights, Off the Beaten Path provides a weekly list of worthwhile adventures. Published every Sunday by MetroMontage.com.
Welcome to Issue #5 of Off the Beaten Path. This weeks issue includes grave sites, organic soul, the Capitol 3rd?, and ghost. Feel free to share this issue with family, friends, or co-workers by using the “Share/Save” button at the bottom of this page.
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The Congressional Cemetery was first established as a burial ground in 1807. Before members of the military and government officials started to be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery, the Congressional Cemetery served as the final resting place for many of them. Ordinary citizens, members of congress, vice presidents, and celebrities were laid to rest at the cemetery too.
Click for a list of notable burials.
The grounds of the cemetery are taken care of by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery. According to the cemetaries website, the mission of the association is to serve the community as an active burial ground and conserve the physical artifacts, buildings, and infrastructure of the cemetery; to celebrate the American heritage represented by those interred here; restore and sustain the landscape, protect the Anacostia River watershed, and manage the grounds as accessible community resource.
Something else that makes the cemetery unique is the 35 acres of fenced in land that serves as a dog walking park. To be able to walk your dog on the grounds, you have to become a member of the Cemetery Dogs dog walking community. A third of the cemeteries operating budget comes from members of the dog walking community of which there is currently a waiting list to join.
When: Year round during day light hours.
Where: 1801 E St. SE, Washington, DC 20003
Website: www.congressionalcemetery.org
Cost: Free
Tip: Before you start your tour of the cemetery, stop by the gate house to pick up a map.
Eden’s Lounge is the home to Organic Soul Tuesday’s, one of the best open-mic nights in the metropolitan area. Hosted by poet extraordinaire Olu Butterfly, Organic Soul brings together musicians, poets, singers, rappers, bands and artist to create and collaborate. The house band is made up of some of the most talented musicians in the city, including members of the one of the best groups to come out of Baltimore, Fertile Ground.
Poet Jessica Care Moore, Donnie, Julie Dexter, and Raheem Devaughn are some of the artist who have stopped by Eden’s Lounge to perform at Organic Soul while out on tour.
Those who would like to perform, are encouraged to get to Eden’s Lounge by 7:30 p.m. to sign-up.
When: Every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: 15 West Eager St., Baltimore, MD 21201
Website: www.organicsoultuesdays.com
Cost: $5.00
This year, A Capitol Fourth Concert celebrates its 30th Anniversary broadcast on PBS. The concert takes place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and is performed by the National Symphony Orchestra and invited guests. The concert is watched and heard by millions around the world in addition to the huge crowd that makes its way to the heart of the nation’s capital.
This year, the concert is hosted by Jimmy Smits and will feature special performances by Reba McEntire, and Gladys Knight to name a few.
Everyone who is able to, will see and hear the concert when it is broadcast around the world on July 4th. However, not everyone will see the dress rehearsal that will take place on July 3. Just like the concert on the July 4th, the dress rehearsal is free and open to the public.
If you decide to attend the dress rehearsal, make sure you visit the Press Room webpage of the U.S. Capitol Police for a list of street closures and advisories. The press release for this year has not been posted yet, but the press release from last year can be found here and can give you a good idea of what to expect this year.
When: Saturday, July 3, 2010. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. concert starts at 8:00 p.m.
Where: West lawn of the U.S. Capitol, E. Capitol & First Streets, Washington, DC
Website: www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/concert.html
Cost: Free
The Original Fells Point Ghost Walk was founded by Amy Lynwander and Melissa Rowell. The ghost walk gives tour participants insight into the history of ghost in the Fell’s Point area of Baltimore.
Before the launch of their business, Lynwander and Rowell started off by researching the history of ghosts in Fell’s Point. Their research included visiting libraries and talking to people who had experiences or who had heard stories themselves. This eventually lead to the first Fell’s Point Ghost Walk taking place in October of 2001 and to the release of a book, Baltimore’s Harbor Haunt’s, in July of 2005.
The tour last for one hour and happens rain or shine. The only time a tour is canceled is when the weather conditions become dangerous. The entire tour takes place outside so make sure you dress weather appropriate.
When: Every Friday & Saturday in July at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The tour departs outside of Max’s Sidebar, 731 S. Broadway near the Fell’s Point Square.
Website: www.baltimoreghosttours.com
Cost: $13.00 (Adult), $8.00 (12 & under)
Off the Beaten Path is published every Sunday by MetroMontage.com, a photography site that features the most intriguing events, people, and places in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area, and on rare occasions other metro areas. Presented by freelance photographer Anthony Washington. Want to know more about MetroMontage.com? Visit www.metromontage.com/about.
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