In January 1959, rock n’ roll performers Frankie Sardo, Richie Valens, Dion and the Belmonts, the Big Bopper, and Buddy Holly set out on the tour they called the “Winter Dance Party.” Just 11 days in, the tour came to a heartbreaking end, when the plane carrying Valens, the Big Bopper,...

In which DCist interviews area scientists, researchers, and academics on topics pertaining to natural and scientific interests. As Thomas Dolby would say: science! Don Moore is the Associate Director for Animal Care at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. As a zoo-based wildlife biologist, Moore...

With Michael Steele having been elected the Republican Party’s chairperson yesterday, the national political battle between Republicans and Democrats has suddenly become much more local. Not only is Steele from Maryland, but he’ll be doing battle with Virginia’s Tim Kaine, who was...

The Examiner reports that Metro will be seeking $5.2 million from the federal government in order to cover the costs of moving people around during Inauguration weekend. The story notes that Metrorail alone pulled in $3.5 million in fares during the four-day weekend, an absolutely astounding figure...

Photo by Kyle Gustafson Swedish songstress Lykke Li had quite a year in 2008. Her debut album, Youth Novels , was released all over the world to great fanfare. Its mix of hip-hop, folk and pop influences, coupled with Li’s sugary sweet vocals, proved irresistible to music fans on both sides of...

Davy DCist might not have enjoyed the ice which resulted , but this week’s Snowpocalypse was an especially refreshing sight for plenty of DCist’s Flickr pool contributors. Warm up with some hot cocoa and check out a few of our favorite captures of Washington’s first notable winter...

I am seriously glad to be here tonight at the annual Alfalfa dinner. I know that many you are aware that this dinner began almost one hundred years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee. If he were here with us tonight, the General would be 202 years old. And very confused. Go...

I congratulate the people of Iraq on holding significant provincial elections today. Millions of Iraqi citizens from every ethnic and religious group went peacefully to the polls across the country to choose new provincial councils. It is important that the councils get seated, select new governors,...

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary                                                                 ...

Director Kelly Reichardt’s third feature, Wendy and Lucy , is a quiet affair. It takes place over the course of a couple of days in a little Oregon town. Its protagonist, Wendy, doesn’t say much, as she spends most of her time alone, and occupies nearly every frame of the movie. And the...