Updated Blog Post – Outside the Net

My apologies to all for not bringing you the complete post to the Outside the Net blog post. Outside the Net is a weekly feautre on Inside the Net where I highlight activites that are going on around town and off the Net.

Outside the Net … around-town activities for Memorial Day Weekend 2009

One of the great things about living in Washington DC is that when you watch a movie that is “supposedly” filmed in DC, you get to critique if the events are really happening in the DC area, such as someone is supposedly at the agency in Virginia and moments later they are at the Capitol – during rush hour! The one I like the best is True Lies with Jamie Lee Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The key chase scene starts in Georgetown Park II (before it was open), goes down the Mall and ends up in the lobby of the JW Marriott. The final scene is on the top of the hotel, but it is a Marriott in LA and the bad guy jumps off into a swimming pool on another building!

Well a movie is coming out this weekend that will please many a Washington DC buff — Night at the Museum: the Battle of the Smithsonian. What will make this special is that it is also offered in IMAX form and will be shown at the two IMAX theatres on the Mall – Air and Space Museum and Natural History.

Other Memorial Day Activities Include:
PBS’ National Memorial Day Concert
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 8 p.m.
PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with conductor Erich Kunzel and the National Symphony Orchestra.

National Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 25, 2009, beginning at 2 p.m.
The parade of Marching Bands and Veterans units from all 50 states steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. The National Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee and includes patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons. This year’s parade will feature Ernest Borgnine, Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, Admiral Michael Mullen and Bob Feller.

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Departure from the Pentagon at 12 p.m. Speaker Program and Musical Tribute 1:30 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool across from The Lincoln Memorial. Thousands of motorcycles ride through Washington in an annual demonstration seeking to improve veteran benefits and resolve POW/MIA issues.

Arlington National Cemetery
Monday, May 25, 2009, 11 a.m.
A wreath-laying ceremony and concert will be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of Memorial Day.

Navy Memorial
Saturday, May 23, 2009

11 a.m. – Rolling Thunder visits the Navy Memorial and holds a wreath-laying ceremony featuring a Native American Veterans Honor Guard and P.J. “Gunny” James, the first Navajo Marine Corps drill instructor, as guest speaker.

12:00 p.m. – Live performance by Gaslight Society

2:00 p.m. to sunset – Black Creek Gourd Society Navajo Dance Ceremony

Wolf Trap Farm Park – this one is really fun! great fireworks, but get there early!
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
The park for performing arts kicks off the summer season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates open at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park closes once capacity is reached.

We hope you and yours have a safe and fun Memorial Day Weekend! Enjoy!