One of our travel guides partners, Not For Tourists, has several unique
offerings on their website this week. Check out the following
highlights from their Washington, D.C. correspondents...

Art Buzz, by Jade Floyd

Source Theatre

The newly renovated Source Theatre has turned into a vibrant, multi-user performing arts space in the heart of DC's 14th Street Arts District. This Thursday, November 20, from 6:30 to 10 pm the 4th installation Art Buzz will launch at the space for a one-night only event with fine wine provided by White Rocket Wine Company, light hors d'ouevres, a music soundscape and the chance to preview and buy the newest works of five of DC's most dedicated artist: Chris Bishop, E.B. Kellinger, Marielle Mariano, Adrian Loving and Aidah Fontenot. The Source includes a 150-seat black box, classroom, rehearsal room and administrative space for four resident companies including the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative, which benefits from Art Buzz events. Thirty percent of all art sold by these amazing artists will go to the DC Collaborative. Hosted by DC This Week Blog and Senate Realty, Art Buzz is designed to showcase the works of DC's top artists and actively raise funds for the DC Collaborative's Arts for Every Student (AFES) program. A donation of $10 is requested at the door.

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Cheap(er) and Easy, by Elisabeth Grant

Appetite Stimulus Plan

In these tough economic times restaurateurs must up the ante to lure diners out of the house and away from the Ramen. Enter the cleverly named Appetite Stimulus Plan (brought to you by OpenTable.com), which runs from November 17th through the 21st. Just like the biannual Restaurant Week event, participating restaurants offer three-course menus at the fixed prices of $24 for lunch, and $35 for dinner. Considering that many of the restaurants involved (like Cafe Promenade, Corduroy, and The Prime Rib) charge that much for a single entree, this is quite a deal (though adding on adult beverages can quickly inflate the bill). It's the perfect opportunity to impress a date, treat your parents, or just try out some of the city's best restaurants. Some of my personal favorites on the list include indebleu, Zola, Zaytinya, and 701 Restaurant. Promotions like these make the plunging stock market look not so steep... well, maybe not.

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Sushi Sanctum, by Emily Groves

Tono Sushi

I thought I'd tasted good sushi until I visited Tono Sushi. Soft-shell crabs, eel and avocado, shrimp heads: all delicious, fresh and exquisitely presented. Even the California rolls, the most basic of sushi rolls, were initially unrecognizable to most of my fellow diners because they were made with real crab meat instead of the pink fake stuff you find in most sushi. The restaurant is quite accurately named as well: it is so good and reasonably priced that you will be sure to eat a ton. I have to stop writing now to check on my spiced soy-marinated bean sprouts; I'm nervous they won't end up as scrumptious as the bean sprout salad I ate at Tono Sushi.

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Shock and Aww: Pasties!, by Elisabeth Grant

Palace of Wonders

I get it all the time: "Where can you see a good vaudeville or burlesque show in this town?" And I always respond, "Why, at the Palace of Wonders, of course!" Located on the slightly difficult to get to H Street NE, it's a short cab ride from Union Station. Now seven days a week you can get your fill of sideshow acts, burlesque dancers, and live acts of a variety of styles and tawdriness. As if the action on stage couldn't be enough to keep your attention, the second floor's decor of "oddities, specimens, artifacts and homages to the great dime museums of the past" are on hand to entertain and get a conversation going. "Oh hi there, I just noticed you noticing that mummified merchild... can I buy you a drink?" Perhaps you'll even find love amidst the fire eaters and acrobats. If so, maybe you'll consider the Palace of Wonders for your wedding ceremony. They do weddings, especially the odd or Elvis variety.

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Food XXX, by Jade Floyd

Asia Nine Bar and Lounge

The best part of anyone's Sunday (besides celebrating the Lord) is brunch. Asia Nine, located in DC's bustling Chinatown, is the brainchild of Natalie Tantivejakul and executive chef Boon Yotmanee. On any given Sunday, in addition to watching my favorite movie "Any Given Sunday," I have the freedom to dine on Eggs Florentine, Eggs Benedict, Coconut French Toast or my personal favorite, Chicken Omelets. I want you to have that freedom, too, and that's why I'm letting you in on a little secret (shh): throw on some soy sauce and prepare to unleash the possessive glutton within. All brunch specials are $15.95 and served with either a Mimosa or Bloody Mary. With sleek architectural details and unique lighting, Asia Nine was everything our helpful server Jesse assured us it would be. I'm salivating just thinking about it; by which I mean the experience in totality. Wink wink. Asia Nine: It's not asinine.

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