Byline: The Going Out Gurus

Every Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, washingtonpost.com's City Guide experts share their best bets for local flavor, great dates and family fun. Got plans? Great. Need plans? Just ask. We have the skinny on the bars and clubs, concerts, kitchens, theaters and special events that keep life interesting. We're going out gurus, and we're at your service.

Of course, we're happy to answer questions about local entertainment, but we need to hear from you, too. Introduce us to the coolest DJ or the fastest bartender you've encountered. Sound off on the week's best concert or the city's best burger. Tell us about the best place to amuse little kids or a big art fan. Together we can plan fun ways to spend weekdays, weekends, dates and holidays. The pleasure is ours, and yours.

Each week a different guru will act as host or hostess, but the entire staff is at your service. If you're looking for more ideas, see the City Guide or read transcripts of past Got Plans? discussions .

Submit your questions and comments before or during today's discussion.

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washingtonpost.com: Hi, thanks for joining us today. We're excited about our new site and today (and every week) we welcome your questions about going out or thoughts on the new site. You can also always send comments to CityGuideHelp@washingtonpost.com. Let's jump right in.

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D C hanging!: Gurus.. enjoying your insight to more of the "offbeat", lesser known interesting things to do! My brother is in town and I was thinking U Street? Any great stops for shopping (mens and womens, clothes, shoes) drinks and dinner? PS.. he's from New York, so gotta be on my A game. Thanks.

Janet: Lots of cool shops on U. A sampling: Wild Women Wear Red , Nana , Junction . Try Cafe Saint-Ex for dinner and drinks.

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Washington, D.C.: Going to the ballet at the Kennedy Center. Just the girls, coming straight from work, but want to make time for dinner before 8 p.m. show. Anyplace nice, but quick service?

Erin: I think that, if you give a little notice, any place you choose should be able to speed things up to get you to the show with time to spare. Notti Bianche , Dish and, further afield, Ritz Carlton's Farenheit are "nice" choices that are used to pre-theater diners.

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Moscow Cats Theatre: I know this is in NYC, but, have you seen it? Will it come here? thanks.

Erin: 20 cats, 2 dogs and 8 clowns? I have not seen it, but I can only hope this creative concept comes to our neck of the woods. Warning: if you are within earshot of coworkers, you might want to put on headphones before clicking on the link.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi, GoGs, love the column. I am new to the area and looking for a place to hear good slam poetry. We're not talking people with a guitar reading a poem about Granny's cat, but more of a Def Poetry Jams vibe? As gods and goddesses of all things fun in the D.C. area, please help.

Rhome: You've got the granddaddy of the whole scene, The Movement on Mondays at Bar Nun. Then there's Pookie's Gallery on Tuesdays at Mirrors, the open mike there is run by Ra Brown who moved her operation from Mango's after many years. Busboys and Poets is doing open mikes as well. My favorite is the Teaism Sunday set. You can find a lot more in depth information here .

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Arlington, Va.: Posting early: Thanks for the great chats, Gurus. Anyone know of an annual/semiannual wedding dress sale in these parts? A friend was planning to wear her mom's dress, but mom must've been even twiggier than daughter. Anyway, the bride's an edgy rock chick, if that helps. Thanks!

Janet: Don't know when your friend is getting married. If she can wait til August, there's the Filene's Basement Bridal Sale . They have a sale in Boston in the winter and one in NYC as well. Worth the trip for the savings you can get. Try $200 for a dress worth thousands.

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Arlington, Va.: Are there any other thrift stores like the Mustard Seed that will buy used clothing? Thanks for your help!!

Janet: Try Act II or Secondi or both.

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Woodbridge, Va.: I am going to the Gwen Stefani/BEP concert this Saturday night, and it will be my first time at the Patriot Center. Let me just say, I am disappointed at the lack of public transportation to/from this venue. Anyway, since I have to drive, my question is how is the parking situation at the Patriot Center? Please tell me it's nothing like Nissan Pavilion.

David: Patriot Center is not nearly the nightmare of Nissan Pavilion. There are plenty of spaces and it's pretty spread out. There will be folks directing you where to go, but I usually don't go as far in as they tell you. I'd rather walk an extra five minutes to park closer to the exit than wait the extra however many minutes after the show. But it's not something to be overly concerned with, just the usual amount of gridlock when there are 10,000 people trying to get out of one place.

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Washington, D.C.: Hey there all! I was wondering about a visual arts and music exhibit that may still be around, or may be long gone. Basically it is similar to those psychadelic Windows Media Player visuals and dealt with the history of live visualizations over music. It may have been Smithsonian-related. Any idea about this or a similar recommendation for a modern art date?

Fritz: You're thinking of the "Visual Music" exhibit at the Hirshhorn, which closed Sept. 11. If I was lucky enough to be going on a modern-art date this weekend, I'd probably head for First Fridays in Dupont, not missing two openings which sound quite promising: Christine Kesler's "New Directions" at Irvine Contemporary and Michael Gross's "Sources" at Kathleen Ewing. Wine, cheese and if the art doesn't move you, you could always hit Kramerbooks or Firefly to discuss why.

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Arlington, Va.: I'm submitting early because I'll be traveling on Thursday. What have you heard about Cavalia? I would love to go but tickets are pretty expensive. I'd like to get the $40 tickets but if the visibility is horrible from these seats, I might as well buy more expensive ones. Have you heard any feedback regarding this show and whether the cheap seats are good value-for-money? Thanks!

Erin: I saw Cavalia in Los Angeles last winter and it is some amazing horseplay that I do not hesitate to recommend. It has some slow parts, but they're overshadowed by some beautiful dances and gravity-defying stunts performed by acrobats while standing on racing horses. As for visibility from the cheaper seats, it's a fairly intimate venue, but the pillars do present a problem. I would encourate you to seek out the best seats you can afford or find, but you won't be at a total loss if you settle for the back.

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Arlington, Va.: Hey GOGS. Hope you don't get yelled at if you answer this question since it isn't about going out! I just had a room carpeted and have two good-sized remnants of very nice carpet. Know of any place to get the edges bound that won't break the bank?

Janet: The only place I know is Normandy Carpet, (301) 468-2008. Personal experience has been good. Not cheap, however, but not exorbitant, either.

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Washington, DC: where near the Gallery Place/Chinatown metro can you get cheap happy hour wine specials? Thanks a mill! We'er going to the Lenny/Aerosmith concert.

Fritz: How does free pizza sound? You can grab (admittedly small) slices at Ella's from 5 to 7, as well as $3 beers and glasses of sangria.

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Dupont Circle: Thinking of heading to Busboys and Poets on Saturday night with a few friends. Are we going to have a hard time getting a table? Also, what's the parking situation like around there? Thanks!

Rhome: Saturdays are pretty bustling in there. But I have yet to see any long waits. I'm not sure how they work that out but all I know is what I've seen. I have not had to wait yet. Parking on a Saturday can get a bit hairy too because of the explosion of activity on U these days. You've got folks meeting you in cars from further away than Dupont? Rendezvous at your place first and cab or Metro it.

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Washington, D.C.: Hey guys! Thanks for taking my question. Any news on the Capitol Lounge? I'm dying for some banana rum pancakes.

Fritz: Last time I talked to manager/bartender Tony T., he told me it was going to take a while (insurance, inspections, etc). I'm missing it myself.

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Twinbrook, Md.: We want to take our boys to the new "Chicken Little" movie, and recently saw that select theaters are showing it in 3D. How can we find a theater close to us (Rockville/Twinbrook area) that has it in 3D?