Laura’s Weekend Picks: Electro Music, Tacos and Rooftop Bars

From Laura Herman. Follow her on Twitter @lmhhabs.

It’s almost the WEEKEND, friends. Here are my picks for things to do in and around the Borderstan ‘hood this weekend.

Tonight: Thursday

Starting on Thursday night, May 12, go check out The Electronic Cabaret at U Street Music Hall (1115 U Street NW), featuring Akufen, Solomon Sanchez, and Measax at 9 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door, or $7 if you RSVP here. While my kickball team is losing, I may be wishing that I am here instead.

Friday, May 13

Since my day job in health care consulting is oncology-focused, I can’t help but plug “Curating for a Cure” this Friday May 13 at 8 pm at the new and awesome Lamont Bishop Gallery (1314 9th Street NW). The event will feature an exhibition of local artists’ work, as well as live silent auctions throughout the night to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you’re not looking to purchase, go and enjoy the art and a cocktail for a great cause; a significant portion of the proceeds from sold works, as well as all proceeds from the suggested door donation of $10 will go directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Check this out for more info.

My plans on Friday night you ask? WELL!  Thanks to my favorite DC-based music blog, Audionugs, which serves up daily doses of new music, mash ups, and general nuggets of pop culture commentary,   I’m off to hear two really fun bands, Adventure and Body Language — based out of Baltimore and Brooklyn, respectively — perform at Subterranean A at 1432 R Street NW.  All the deets are available here. Since the show’s at 8, there’s ample time to hit up your favorite 14th Street late-night spots, like Moon/Bounce Dancing Affair at Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) afterward — doors open at 9:30 pm with a $5 cover.

Saturday, May 14

Also on tap this weekend (then again, isn’t this the case every weekend?): lots and lots of food & drink fun. On Saturday afternoon, venture out of Borderstan and swing by the Taste of Mount Vernon Triangle food festival from 2 to 5 pm, which will feature tastes and sips from area restaurants like Kushi, Taylor Gourmet, Henry’s, Mandu, as well as several local liquor stores. Tickets are $15 and available here.

Keep the binge going by swinging by our new neighbor, El Centro D.F., which opened last week and has presumably worked out any beginners kinks by now. I have plans to go this weekend and scope out their roof deck, which sounds like a very, very promising addition to the neighborhood. Check out Metrocurean’s review and BYT’s pictures of the space before you go.

Speaking of rooftops — there’s more! Beacon (1615 Rhode Island Avemue NW) unveiled a completely renovated rooftop, Sky Bar, this week. The space, which features both covered and exposed roof real estate, is decorated in a mix of classy steel and kitchy-but-cute AstroTurf to make you feel at home from afternoon to evening.

The updated menu includes modern takes on old standards like cheddar cheese sliders with homemade kettlechips, a Southwestern-inspired crispy chicken spring roll, and homemade falafel fritters. The bar menu also features new cocktails like the “Alejandro” (vodka/sour mix/pineapple juice/jalapeno pepper sauce = YUM) and a “Cherry Fizz” (cherry-infused bourbon/cranberry/Sprite), as well as six beers on tap.

Coming Next Weekend

Finally, next Saturday, May 21, is going to be an AWESOME day for food in Borderstan, as the Grey Market takes over Local 16 for the day. Register in advance here so you can peruse locally produced, sourced, and sustainable foods and products close to home.

What are YOU doing this weekend, Borderstan? What did I miss? Let me know below, at Laura(AT)borderstan.com or on Twitter @Lmhhabs.