Once upon a time, the nerdiest of the Washington journalists–the Honors English majors who had worked their way up to covering the White House–put away their notepads to schmooze their loyal sources and advertisers over dinner at the Washington Hilton. These journalists would put on their fancy gown or tux–probably a few seasons old, but nobody cared in Washington then–and drink too much wine with their colleagues and compete to bring the most relevant Member of Congress as their date. Following an introduction by a has-been comedian, POTUS  himself would then take the stage to address the journalists who hound him on a daily basis and fumble through a comedy routine written by his speechwriters.

Eventually, media organizations began hosting pre-dinner receptions in the hotel and lavish after parties at embassies or museums, and while tickets to all of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner events were always highly coveted, it wasn’t hard for young and hungry journalists in cocktail dresses to finagle invitations or even outright crash the parties. The event truly deserved the title of “Nerd Prom”–especially for those of us who had skipped our own proms for equally nerdy things like drama club.

The election of President Obama changed everything, however, and suddenly, Washington was cool and Jon Hamm and Sofia Vergara and the cast of “Gossip Girl” presumably had their publicists call around for tickets to attend this Washington insider event. And suddenly, unfortunately, the dinner had absolutely nothing to do with Washington and the nerds who cover it and became just another Hollywood event, in the town once nicknamed Hollywood for Ugly People.

I’ll admit I’m a little melancholy that I’m not going to the dinner this year. After all, for the first few years of my career, this weekend was better than my birthday and Christmas and vacation combined. But, none of my friends working full-time for legitimate Washington media outlets even seem to be going–if you don’t have a hit television show or a penchant for self-promotion, good luck getting an invitation. It’s fun to see celebrities in the Washington fishbowl, but I think most of us miss our Nerd Prom.

For those of you who, like me, don’t have a Saturday full of beauty appointments and receptions, I’ve got my weekly event picks, available in the Washington Times print edition, in PDF format, and below.

Get Out: The Week’s Pocket Picks for May 2, 2014

The Washington Times

By Samantha Sault

Pick of the Pack: Opera in the Outfield

Mozart’s final opera, “The Magic Flute,” has been loved for generations for its magical storyline about a young prince’s quest to save a beautiful princess from an evil sorcerer—and it’s the perfect introductory opera for young potential patrons. The Washington National Opera opens its production at the Kennedy Center on Saturday—but if you can’t bear to spend a spring evening in a dark theater, the premiere will be broadcast live at Nationals Park. For the sixth year, “Opera in the Outfield” will take over the stadium, with gates opening at 5 p.m. for family-friendly entertainment, including live music, photo ops, and chances to win tickets to Kennedy Center performances. The main event, in English with stunning sets and costumes by Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko, begins at 7 p.m., rain or shine. The event is free, but arrive early to ensure you get a wristband for a seat. Opera in the Outfield on Saturday at Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE. “The Magic Flute” through May 18 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. 800/444-1324. Web: kennedy-center.org. 

Exhibit: An American in London: Whistler and the Thames

During the Gilded Age, many American expats made their way to London to experience the Victorian-era lifestyle—including painter James McNeill Whistler, who had a talent for depicting the city’s evolving urban environment. For two decades, Mr. Whistler captured the growing neighborhoods of London, particularly the bridges over the River Thames and the people who lived and worked around the wharves. On Saturday, the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries will debut the first U.S. exhibit of his works from this period. See 80 paintings, drawings, watercolors, and pastels, including some on loan for the exhibit as well as some from the personal collection of the museum’s founder Charles Lang Freer, who was one of Whistler’s patrons. The exhibit will be shown concurrently with “Kiyochika: Master of the Night,” showcasing Kobayashi Kiyochika’s woodblock prints depicting Tokyo after dark. “An American in London” through Aug, 17 and “Kiyochika: Master of the Night” through July 27 at the Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. 202/633-1000. Web: asia.si.edu. 

Horse Racing: Derby Day at Poste

It’s time to place your bets for the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown. Whether you’ve already got your favorite thoroughbred, or just want to enjoy a mint julep in the sun, put on your finest hat and head to Poste at the Hotel Monaco in Gallery Place Saturday for the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy all-you-can-eat-and-drink derby fare like Louisville’s signature Hot Brown Sandwiches, pecan pie, and of course, mint juleps until the “Run for the Roses” at 6:24 p.m., broadcast live on the patio. Throughout the day, compete in Nintendo Wii horse races for prizes, including an overnight stay and private tour at the Jim Beam estate, and try DC Brau’s Knob Creek Barrel-Aged Penn Quarter Porter brewed for the event. VIP ticket holders will also have access to Jim Beam tastings, which might make a losing bet go down easier. Saturday at Poste Moderne Brasserie, 555 8^th St. NW. 202/783-6060. Web: postebrasserie.com.

Dining: SAVOR Week at Jack Rose

It’s officially rooftop bar season—and we especially love Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Adams Morgan, the two-story restaurant and bar known for its selection of 1,500 whiskies and authentic tiki bar. This week, however, Jack Rose will utilize its impressive 20-line surgical-grade stainless steel draft system for a week of beer-focused events. The party starts Monday with a free Cinco de Mayo celebration, hosted by local breweries DC Brau and Flying Dog and featuring $5 drafts and festive food specials until 9 p.m. On Tuesday, cocktail aficionados will enjoy a beer mixology competition, and Wednesday, beer snobs won’t want to miss an opportunity to try artisanal offerings from the Oakshire Brewing Co. in Eugene, Ore. The highlight of the week, however, will surely be the Sam Adams clam bake on Thursday, celebrating the beloved brewery’s 30^th anniversary with 20 Sam Adams brews on tap along with free New England-style fare. Monday through Thursday at Jack Rose Dining Saloon, 2007 18^th St. NW. 202/588-7388. Web: jackrosediningsaloon.com.

Jazz: Blue Note at 75

For 75 years, Blue Note Records has been responsible for producing the American jazz canon, starting with Hot Jazz and Boogie Woogie, when the label was founded in 1939, to household names like Elvis Costello and Miles Davis, to contemporary stars like Anita Baker and Norah Jones. This week, celebrate the label’s birthday and enjoy lectures, exhibits, and of course, live jazz. The festival begins Sunday at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, with free shows featuring Marlena Shaw, one of the label’s first female vocalists who sang with the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as Cuban-American pianist Fabian Almazan, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and others. Next weekend, get your tickets for performances by some of the label’s biggest stars including Ms. Jones, Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, and Jason Moran. While you’re at the Kennedy Center, check out the exhibit in the Hall of States of the label’s iconic album covers designed by Reid Miles. Performances through May11 and exhibit through May 21 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. 800/444-1324. Web: kennedy-center.org. 

© Copyright 2014 The Washington Times, LLC and Samantha Sault