Movers and Shakers

So as most of you who typically follow my blog know, I've recently moved into a new apartment near the Nationals baseball stadium. Well after one full week of being in the new pad, I think I'm finally settling in. I've still got my own photography to hang on the walls, but otherwise everything is unpacked and in place.

So with the new pad comes a new neighborhood. And thankfully the Navy Yard/Ballpark District is turning into a pretty neat place to live in DC. One local attraction is the Capitol Skyline Hotel and their weekend pool parties. I've blogged about this before but finally had a chance to attend Spike Mendelsohn's weekly "Spiked Sunday's" weekly pool party and cookout. After spending over 5 hours in the sun and enjoying a great burger, all I can say is... I'm hooked! It was honestly one of the best Sunday afternoon's in the city one could ask for.

I arrived closer to 1 p.m. with friend Michelle S. We quickly learned it's better to arrive early as all the tables and lounge chairs were now spoken for. So we grabbed some deck space, threw our towels down and wandered over to the bar. The whole pool area is quite large and can accommodate a pretty decent crowd. There are two bar areas set up, so you really don't wait long for drinks. And the price of mixed beverages is a very affordable $5. We got hooked on the mojitos and orange crush.

The other great thing about Spiked Sunday's is with your $10 admission, you get a burger served to you by Spike. We're not talking a smashed up quarter-sized wafer of meat hiding between a crusty bun. No, these are sizable mounds of ground beef with delicious cheddar cheese, fresh potato roll buns and a side of chips and a pickle. I'm talking good eats here my friends!

The party was relatively quiet for the first hour or so. But at some point Michelle and I were hanging in the shallow end of the pool and started a small game of volleyball with one of the inflatable balls. Before you could finish a drink, the game had grown to almost 30 people. It went from 5 of us volleying the ball between us to everyone around the pool joining in. When someone missed the volley, anyone close to them would shower them with splashes of water while the entire pool boo'd. Spike walks over to Michelle and I and says... "you guys started this eh?" After some conversation and introductions, Spike joined in.

Closer to 4 p.m. I turn to see a large boom mic and cameras rolling in. Oh lord, there goes the neighborhood! Real World DC had arrived. Frankly I could care less where these kids go or what they do, but it was interesting to see the flock of groupies and the production process that goes with it. After about 20 minutes the Real World kids were forgotten and it was back to our party-wide game of volleyball.

Here's the thing I take away from Sunday.

1. The Capitol Skyline has it going on. They have a great pool, a great deck and some great people with creative minds throwing some fun events in an up-and-coming neighborhood. I've yet to visit another pool party in DC that combines just the right mix of food, drinks, music, relaxation and chaos. The age range is just about perfect. The prices rock. And it's only a block from my new pad.

2. Spike Mendelsohn is pretty neat guy. I've watched him on Top Chef and seen him on various Food Network shows. His TV persona comes off as arrogant and crass, and yet in person he's totally down to earth, warm and friendly. My first impressions of him at the Skyline was seeing him along side hotel workers carrying furniture. You don't expect to see celebrity chefs engage in manual labor. Getting a chance to actually talk to him further proved he's a great chef who simply enjoys a good time and meeting good people. So go support this guy at his Capitol Hill restaurant Good Stuff Eatery.

3. The Real World DC is lame. To be fair, some of these kids might be good people. They were simply selected by MTV to be lavished with a fancy house in Dupont Circle, get free drinks everywhere they go and pretty much party for 6 months. You can't blame them for getting on the show. What I do think is lame is the celebrity status some attach to these kids. Seriously, within 2 minutes of arrival there was an entourage of people surrounding these kids. Why? Because there is a camera near? C'mon DC, we have cameras and TV crews in every corner of this city. Do you really need to "get on the show"? It's pretty easy to forget the camera crew and cast is there, provided the wannabe's and stalkers leave them alone.

So there it is, my first review of the Capitol Skyline Hotel and Spiked Sundays. You can bet I'll be back there next week provided it stays insanely hot. Here's hoping the event organizers and the hotel let these parties continue after labor day.

Labels: DC, Entertainment, Music, Urban

posted by DVS @ 10:07 AM