H Street Murial by Baltimore Stret Artist Gaia

If you've been on H Street Northeast in the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed a new murial on the side of "Smith Commons" restaurant at H and 13th Street.   It's by Baltimore based artist Gaia.    In the street art world, you should remember his name because he considered one of the top 100 urban artists by some and his work has already been seen from San Francisco to Seoul, South Korea.  This above piece is a great example of his interest to bring nature into urban landscape.  For more of his work check him out on flickr @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/gaiastreetart/

The holiday formerly known as "Decoration Day"

Did you know that Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day?  According to wikipedia, "Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries."

Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown taken today (for more photographs from Oak Hill Cemetery check out this: http://www.graveimages.blogspot.com/2012/05/oak-hill-cemetery-washington-dc.html

These photos I took in 2010 at Arlington National Cemetery.  Each Memorial Day Weekend, on the Thursday before, soldiers "decorate" the sacred grounds with thousands of American flags.

Franciscan Monastery, Northeast, DC

It's been many years since I have visited one of Washington's hidden gems, the Franciscan Monastery.   Not far from Catholic University, the gardens are in bloom and I saw three wedding parties using the gardens for the background to there photographs.  

For more infon the Franciscan Monastery check out their web site:  http://www.myfranciscan.org/

Acoustic TRAIN Concert @ The Hamilton, DC

Not the best photo.. But I was able to see a special "invitation only"  acoustic concert by the popular band Train tonight @ the new "The Hamilton" in downtown DC.  The event was put on by 94.7 Fresh FM.   Train played for about 35 minutes. 

Artomatic 2012 in Crystal City

Artomatic is back!!! After three years absent it's here for five weeks in a office building in Crystal City.  If you haven't heard of Artomatic, it's an amazing free event where artists for a small fee can show their work and no one is told they don't belong.    Here's a sampling of some of the work I liked today during my stroll thru the 11 floors in Crystal City.

I took part in Artomatic 2009.   This year I'm sitting this one out...  But you should definitely take some time to get over to Crystal City for this awesome event.  For more info on Artomatic, check out their web site: http://artomatic.org/

Outside Department of Transportation

Located two blocks from Nats Stadium in Southeast DC.   The flowers and fountains next to and behind the U.S. Department of Transportation are cool to walk by and photograph!  

Before I Die ....

Before I die..   is a very cool interactive art installation that went up this week at 14th and R Street Northwest near U Street/Logan Circle neighborhood in the District.     I was excited to see this had come to DC, because I had scene another Before I die I want to....  art installation in Brooklyn last fall: http://www.dcscorpio.blogspot.com/2011/10/postcard-from-new-york-city.html

On Vacation: Last Day in New Orleans

Vacation is over..  I'm back in the DMV.   Monday was spent in Garden District (mostly along Magazine Street) and little time in the evening the Quarter.   The first few photos are from Louis Armstrong Park which is in neighborhood you may have heard of called Treme.   If you haven't you are are missing out on awesome show on HBO ("Treme" season 3 starts in the fall and they were filming this past weekend at Jazz Fest). 

Happy Hour, and this photo was taken with my Iphone and then a filter via Instagram App.

Beads Tree... Left over from Mardi Gras. 

On Vacation: Jazz Fest 2012

Jazz fest had little bit of everything today in New Orleans.  In the course of six hours, I saw a Gospel choir (first photo), a blue band, Better than Ezra (alternative rock band) and The Eagles (country rock).    It was quite an experience, and will head back tomorrow for Jazz Fest final day.  The Foo Fighters will be taking the stage! 

On Vacation: Baton Rouge LA