Spring 2011 DC Meetup?

Richard volunteered me thought I might be able to put together a DC area meetup for Spring 2011. Even though it's early a bit I thought I'd put together a list of suggestions and see what people might be interested in. Here's what I thought of (and am open to other suggestions):

1. Gaithersburg Book Festival (21 May) - this is a regional book fest - 2011 will be the second annual - with author talks, workshops and exhibitors. It's held at the city hall very close to the Gaithersburg MARC train (regional commuter line) but not so close to the DC Metro at the Shady Grove end of the Red Line. Gaithersburg is a Maryland suburb on I-270 towards Frederick and has plenty of things to do. Cars may be needed to move around the area for food, etc.

2. DC tour - there are obviously a number of book-related places in DC. Politics and Prose is about a 15 minute walk north of the Van Ness Metro stop (Red Line), Kramerbooks is at the Dupont Circle Metro stop (also Red Line) and has a pricey but good cafe (lots of other food nearby). Second Story Boks is also at Dupont Circle. Capitol Hill Books is near the Eastern Market downtown and could be combined with a Library of Congress tour (they've got a rare books and manuscripts exhibit I've never seen!). Anyway, lots of options there...

3. If the Fall's better, the National Book Festival is usually the last Saturday in September or so. The shopping's not so good, but they get some big name authors to speak. This could also be combined with the Baltimore Book Fest that's the same weekend. BBF is more street fair with plenty of book-shopping opportunity.

Comments?

I live in DC/NoVA so I'm very much in favor of this.

Thank you for the heads up Jim

I am going to say that I am in.. if we do 21 May
I should be on break about then.. or ready to go on.. so it will be easier for me to get away

I think May 21 sounds about perfect. Gorgeous weather, and easy train connections, and plenty o' rooms in the hotelmotel industry for those without family or friends to crash with.

I'll be working at the Gaithersburg Book Festival (I chair the Bookcrossing booth) and always attend the National Book Festival. I am within walking distance of the DC Metro train so travel to any Metro station would be easy for me.

Both May and September are nice in DC. We sometimes have rain in late September, but that should really not be a problem. Just bring an umbrella!

To get some more ideas about what to do in DC, check out this Bookcrossing convention website. My Bookcrossing group (BC in DC) is hosting the international convention here in DC this coming April.

I doubt I'll be in attendance, but I hope everyone who goes has a good time.

I live in DC, so I can likely be there. Gaithersburg might be difficult since I do not have a car. But, I could figure it out.

Oh good Jenn! You made it here, I don't have to tell you about it. There's a commuter train from DC to Gaithersburg!

I don't have a car either, so I vote for the DC Tour.

May 1st is the Malice Domestic convention in Bethesda.
It is the organization that presents the Agatha Awards for mystery writing. Usually they have some big name writers (Sue Grafton and Donna Andrews are two that I've heard for 2011).

I vote for May! My September will be full of babies and Renaissance Festival, but by the end of May my work semester will be over and I'll be itching for something to look forward to.

I might be able to make it, but I won't know for sure until closer to the date. The DC tour would probably be more likely for me because of the transportation issue.

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that many, if not most, of the area residents have cars and could be persuaded to airlift us visitors to and from the Gaithersburg venue, should that retain its appeal to all and sundry.

You're right Richard...I got a minivan. I'd be willing to be chauffeur, actual touring would probably be beyond my physical endurance but give me wheels and I can fly!

I could train it into DC .. May sounds good, and if the dates can be finalized, I'll try to work my schedule around it. It'd also be oodles of fun if those of us not living in the DC area could stay in the same motel/hotel ... if I get to go, I'll offer my room as after-hours party central. :-)

This is sounding better and better !

I'm on for just about any weekend except the 14th - have to go to Dallas for a wedding. I would have a van, and will bunk with Cheli.

I'm in south central PA but make fairly frequent trips to DC. I'd love to join you, and my semester will be over by May 21. Time to party!

I don't like to drive in downtown DC (once got my car smashed up by a stupid driver frustrated by streets being blocked for an anti-war protest), so I usually stay north of the city and take the metro in. Most often it's the Bethesda Marriott North on Marinelli Road, but sometimes it's the Bethesda Residence Inn or the Wardman Park Marriott. All are on the red line.

RE: Commuter train to Gaithersburg. I am pretty sure it only runs during the work week.

If I can make it...I'll be there!

>19 jmaloney17: That is correct. I think there are city buses that go to Gaithersburg though.

>18 Cariola: - I'm not a huge fan of driving in DC, but I seem to be doing it more and more frequently because, well, I'm not going to take my little crazy ones on the Metro to go to the zoo. No way. Uh uh. Not gonna do it. It's gotten easier over time, although I still rely 100% on my GPS to get around.

Travelling from Baltimore, I never have any problems getting IN to DC, but every time, trying to get OUT, trying to find New York Ave, I get lost. Went down a couple of weeks ago, on a Sat, same thing happened - nothing is at right angles, too many one-way streets.

Depending on the date I'll try to make it. DC is a better option for me I probably could not make it to Gaithersburg on a Saturday.