We sample foods from a variety of restaurants, some carryout, some sit-down, but all important to the Ethiopian community at large.

Your gastronomic experience will chronicle the intricate flavors, textures, and colors in Ethiopian cuisine, while recounting the history of the Ethiopian people. The tour will highlight Ethiopian cuisine by stopping at a variety of restaurants, each boasting a different specialty dish.

The Food Tour may include the following specialties:

Traditional Ethiopian breakfast
Deep fried appetizers
Vegetarian and meat dishes
Hand made sauces and cottage cheese,
The Ethiopian national dish, Doro Wot
Several homemade Ethiopian breads
Italian influenced desserts
Ethiopian National drink, honey wine
Coffee ceremony

Suggested Attire: Casual

Directions: Meeting Location: Outside the U Street Metro Station-African-American Civil War Memorial on 10th and U Street

Cost: $50.00
Price subject to increase 5 PM Friday, July 22

Targeting Our Members in the 20s – 30s Age Range

Whether you are looking for a potential new soulmate, new friend(s), or just a good time, join us as we re-present an exciting Singles Party that attracts hundreds each time we host it.

Experience a dozen first dates in one evening as you join hundreds of single young professionals for a chance to find romance in the with TTD’s four minute dating.

And this time, even if you do not get a match, we have arranged for you to pass special messages to that special someone you may see across the room!

Here’s how it works:

FOUR MINUTE DATING: Each attendee is given a name tag with a TTD number on it as well as an index card on which they print their name, TTD number, and email address. For the first hour, we line the men and women up and rotate everyone every four minutes so that each person gets the chance to meet about one dozen potential mates. Each person then writes down the TTD number of anyone whom they would like to see again and hands the cards to us. We sort through them, and a few days after the event, we email any mutual matches.

SECRET ADMIRER: Throughout the evening, you may meet that special someone you want to send an additional message to. But, either you did not quite make a match, or you did not have an opportunity to approach him/her. So, For the next three days after the event, you will have the opportunity to email events@thingstodoDC.com asking us to help you – the secret admirer – make a connection. Simply emails us:

1) The number of the person (the number listed on their name tag)
2) Your email address
3) A private message for that person

Though we will respect the person’s privacy and not email you back their email address or other contact information, we will pass your email along (with your email address and other contact info. you provide) and let fate take over.

Afterwards, stick around for a later evening of dancing from some of Washington’s top DJs.

OPEN BAR from 9 pm to 10 pm :

Following Open Bar, stay around all night for a huge dance party!

Suggested Attire: Dress to Impress. No Hats, T’s, Tank Tops, Jerseys, Athletic Wear, Boots or Sneakers.

Directions: Ultra Bar
911 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C.

Closest Metro is Metro Center or Gallery Place

Cost: $27.00
Price subject to increase 5 PM Friday, July 23

If you love Hot Chocolate Divas, then you will really enjoy this ice cream spin! Come and enjoy a pairing of 8 ice cream diva delights with 8 of our handmade confections right near apartments DC for rent! Such combinations as Lavender & Pistachio, Chipotle & Cinnamon, Orange-Caramel & Clove, Mint Cookie, Raspberry-Strawberry, Wasabi-Ginger, Cardamon Blueberry, and Coconut Almond.
…all this, while relaxing with a glass of wine too!

Experience a Chocolate Tasting like no other. A special treat with such incredible chocolate, their decadent enjoyment should be illegal. Enjoy a tasting of several different chocolate desserts prepared by an excellent pastry chef at an award winning restaurant.

Put on your chocolate sommelier hat and learn how to discern the subtle and exquisite notes of chocolate, and what to look for when purchasing fine chocolates. You will sample a variety of chocolate couverture from around the world and learn the rich and wonderful history of the cocoa bean. From milk chocolate, to dark chocolate, to unsweetened, sugar fee and more, we’ll spoil our palates with this amazing treat.

At the same time, prepare your palates for ice cream like never before. Tempt yourselves and savor the incredible unique touch of your favorite ice cream treats.

Finally, our ice cream expert will also pair each chocolate and give us the whats, whens, and hows on tasting, sampling and bringing home the styles of these fantastic desserts which compliment any dinner.

In addition, complimentary wine is included to specially pair with the ice cream and chocolate dessert tasting.

Each attendee takes home a special “goodie bag” of multiple chocolates.

Class starts promptly at 7 PM.

Directions: AC KC Cocoa Bar Café
1529C 14TH Street NW

About the venue: Twin Jazz is home to Avant-garde artists, minor legends and the best of the local jazz scene. Its intimate, cultural setting, embedded with colored ceramic tiles and eclectic artwork creates a strong connection between our audience and performers. Most of the action takes place on stage, but Twins Jazz has got enough momentum to get you on your feet! No matter where you sit, you’re practically with the band!

A full dinner (with a vegeterian option) is included

Suggested Attire: No sneakers please.

Directions: Twin Jazz
1344 U Street.
(Right across the street from Republic Gardens and the Reeves Building).

Cost: $49.00
Price subject to increase 5 PM Tuesday, July 20

Travel the world – in under two hours! Tonight, we’ll explore one of the most culturally fascinating area of Washington, D.C., close to rent apartments DC – “Embassy Row”. In a single evening, you’ll stand at the borders of Ireland, Romania, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia, and more!

Someone said, decades ago, that in order to thrive as part of the Embassy Row scene, three things were needed: “protocol, alcohol, and geritol…” Fast forward fifty years as we take a walk along one of Washington’s most famous grand boulevards- Massachusetts Avenue’s Embassy Row. You will see some of the city’s grandest homes, learn about the foreign governments that now call them home, as well as the scandals and stories of the residents who used to own them. Ever wonder if the curse of the Hope Diamond is true? Come join us and find out!

Join our expert guide for this incredible inside look into Embassy Row.

Suggested Attire: Casual

Directions: DuPont Circle.

Meet at the top of the escalator of the DuPont Circle Metro stop – NORTH exit.

Cost: $20.00
Price subject to increase 5 PM Tuesday, July 20

Since Spanish speakers are fast becoming a “majority minority” in this country, savvy professionals and entrepreneurs are quickly becoming aware that speaking Spanish enables them to become more competitive professionally, market goods and services to this attractive growing sector, and open new doors to building friendship and collaboration relationships.

Not a traditional course, this training program is a proactive, fun, well-paced, lively and engaging method to learn and master conversational Spanish for use in business, commerce and everyday life. This course is perfect for beginner, or for those who have some working knowledge but are looking for a refresher course.

You will spend 16 full hours (8 meetings, 2 hours each) with native Spanish experienced instructors in activities especially designed to help you learn, develop and improve your Spanish conversational skills.

This course meets for eight weeks every Tuesday night starting Jul 20, 2010

7:00pm-9:00pm

Price does not include text book. EZ Spanish for Beginners.
Suggested Attire: Casual

Directions: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW.,
Suite 1000
Washington, DC

(only four blocks from Dupont Circle Metro Station (Red Line).

Cost: $245.00
Price Subject to Increase at any time

Join us for a private tour given by an expert guide close to rent apartments Washington D.C.,  as we explore the mysteries and secrets of the National Zoo and its inhabitants.

After the tour, enjoy a lunch and reception with your fellow TTD members at Zoo Bar across the street from the zoo (drinks are at your own expense).

Suggested Attire: Casual

Directions: The National Zoo,
3001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
(Walking distance from the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park Metros)
Check in is in front of the Visitor Center.

Cost: $30.00
Price subject to increase 5 PM Tuesday, July 13

Deep in the heart of Africa is a largely road less wilderness of savannas, deserts, wetlands and salt pans. At the same time, there is a fantastic culture among the Ashanti tribes of Ghana, the beaches of the Busua and Dixcove, the savanas of Tamale and Bolgatnge and the modern society of Accra.

Tonight, journey to Ghana without ever leaving the district as TTD invites you to step onto foreign soil for a very special African cultural evening at the Embassy of Ghana. Join your fellow young professionals for a special taste of Ghanaian food, drinks, music, cultural dancing, diplomats, fashion, film, and more at this African treasure.

Featuring:

A) GHANAIAN FOOD:

Enjoy an incredibly Ghanaian buffet meal featuring: Suya ( Beef sticks ), Watche (Ghanaian stew)Ghanaian fish, Kenka, Jallof rice, vegetables and dessert!

B) OPEN BAR of GHANAIAN AND OTHER AFRICAN TREASURES:

Partake in the best and most unique wines, beers and other cocktails commonly found in Ghana.

C) GHANAIAN NATIVE CULTURAL PRESENTATION:

Enjoy an incredibly rare native Ghanaian presentation showcasing the music, dance, costumes, tools, customs and much more! Native Ghanaian performs were also select participants from the audience to participate throughout (including participating in a special royal tribal fashion experience)

D) DIPLOMATIC GREETING:

Meet and Hear from the Ambassador and feel free to schmooze and network with her and the diplomatic staff, all of whom will be invited to this special evening, and many of whom are expected to attend.

E) GHANAIAN ART:

The embassy has arranged for the presentation of special African artifacts and paintings unseen to most Americans’ eyes. The embassy staff will be on hand to personally discuss the art’s origins and meaning with you.

F) GHANAIAN CULTURAL FILM:

You are invited to watch recurring films showcasing Ghana’s cities, mountains, borders, landscape, people, tribes, animals, tours, everyday culture and much much more.

Suggested Attire: Smart Business Casual

Directions: Embassy of Ghana
3512 International Drive NW,
Washington DC 20008

Closest Metro is Van Ness off the Red Line
(about a 5 Minute Walk)

Cost: $50.00
Price subject to increase 5 PM Tuesday, July 13

The Washington National Cathedral is one of Washington’s most magnificent and stunning structures. Although the foundation stone was laid in 1907, it was not until September 29, 1990, exactly 83 years after ground was broken, that the final stone was set in place.

This walk tells the story of one 20th –Century Greek-born sculptor and artist, Constantine Seferlis, who devoted nearly 20 years to carving the stone that brought the National Cathedral to life. Led by Seferlis’ son, Clift, a stone carver in his own right, you will walk the beautiful grounds and hear the cathedral’s history as only someone who knows the building intimately can tell it.

An optional social reception (with food and drinks at your own expense) at a local establishment follows the tour.

Suggested Attire: Casual.

Directions: Washington National Cathedral
3001 Wisconsin Ave, N.W. , Washington, D.C.
(corner of Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, N.W.)

Cost: $25.00

While there are a lot of social clubs in Washington DC, almost too many to list, we’ll be looking at United Social Sports (USS) because they offer great league play games centered, mostly, around  the bar.

Like many social sport groups the main purpose of USS is to bring people together to have fun doing various activities that anyone can do. Apart from fun events that are always coming up, USS has several sports offered in the DC League:

Bar-Skee

Taking the classic Skee-Ball arcade game and turning it into a tournament style social league, this is the largest social sport offered, with 6 Chapters meeting on different days and at various bars across the city.

Bocce

This ancient game is finally beginning to take hold in the US as evident in its inclusion by USS. Only one chapter is set up for Bocce and it’s played over in Walter Pierce Park every Thursday.

Shuffleboard

A bar favorite, which reached the height of its popularity in the 1950’s where tournaments of several hundred teams weren’t unheard of.  Currently there is one chapter playing at Iron Horse Tap Room on Tuesday nights.

Cornhole

Played both indoors and outdoors, cornhole has a mysterious past, but has grown into a favorite drinking game in the past two decades.  An indoor chapter and outdoor chapter have been set up, so you can either pick your favorite or try both.

All Chapters start the next season of play in the last week of July which will go until September.

To register for a chapter or if you’re interested in finding upcoming events, such as the scavenger hunt coming up on the 31^st, check out the DC League website.