Summer in Washington Heats Up With Mixers, Dance Parties, Concerts by Michael Coleman Each month, The Washington Diplomat hits the streets with some of the best international reporting in the region. Every issue is packed with insightful analysis on myriad subjects of international interest. We’re serious about our journalism, but we also know how to loosen up and have some fun. And that’s what this new column is about—having a great time after the sun goes down in Washington. The nation’s capital offers hundreds of compelling entertainment options each month, and we hope to highlight some of the best of them. The idea is to convey a range of festivities—live music, cutting-edge theater, cool new restaurant and club openings, sporting events, and others—that would appeal to young international professionals. On that note, there are several organizations that sponsor monthly events for the young, hip international crowd. This month, we’ll take a look at a few of them. Local entrepreneur and promoter Alan Salgado is among the best-known hosts of these monthly parties. Since launching “Your 3 Hosts” in 2001, Salgado said he has hosted dozens of events and compiled a membership list of 30,000 names. Salgado, formerly the editor in chief of DC One magaz ine, stages monthly mixers at some of D.C.’s hippest restaurants, lounges and hotels. The gatherings, which frequently draw hundreds of attendees, allow young people to meet new friends, make professional contacts, talk about subjects of mutual interest, and maybe even find a date. The most popular events are monthly happy hours called “Unwind After Five.” “D.C. has young professionals from all walks of life,” Salgado said in a recent telephone interview. “There are a lot of American-born internationals who come to our events.” The events, which usually cost about $10 to attend, often feature free appetizers, discounted drinks and some of the area’s hottest DJs. To see what Your 3 Hosts has in store for July and August, visit www.y3h.org. Salgado explained that people who move to Washington and aren’t directly plugged into the scene on Capitol Hill can find it challenging to meet people and expand their social horizons. That’s why he’s launching a new Web site in late summer called www.socialassembly.com. The site will allow members to post profiles and RSVP to Salgado’s monthly parties. It will also allow people to browse the profiles and guest lists to determine if the scene at a particular party would appeal to them. “Like-minded people tend to gravitate toward each other,” Salgado said, adding that his events seem especially popular with the Latin American, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian crowds. Another popular and growing international event is Troika Party. The dance parties are especially popular with Eastern European professionals but no one is excluded. The most recent “Euro Party” took place at Cada Vez, a hipster haven along the blossoming U Street corridor. Admission is free for women and anyone who is on the guest list can enjoy an open bar until 11 p.m. (sign up at www.troikaparty.com). Washington’s young Asian social scene recently got a boost with the creation of Asia Circle. The networking group, an offshoot of Asia Society in Washington, was launched last year to give people a chance to connect over common heritage or simply because of a mutual interest in Asian-American affairs. The group has gathered for lectures by State Department officials, a tour of historic homes in Dupont Circle, and sushi receptions and tea tastings. “By engaging in a forum such as Asia Circle, Asia-minded professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s deepen their intellectual awareness of Asia and expand their personal contacts with each other,” the society’s Web site said. Asia Circle is currently planning its next event, which will be held in September. For more information on Asia Circle, visit www.asiasociety.com or call (202) 833-ASIA. Euronet International, another social club catering to young D.C.-area professionals, hosts a wide variety of its own events, from embassy receptions to wine tastings to trips abroad. Euronet International and Your 3 Hosts frequently collaborate on their soirees, as they did with the happy hour at Yuca in June. Check out Euronet International online at www.euronetinternational.com. Two more prominent groups catering to the young and sophisticated international crowd in D.C. are called “Things to Do” and “Professionals in the City,” both of which often partner with embassies for various events (participants have included the embassies of Hungary, China, Haiti and Egypt). For instance, Professionals in the City recently hosted a black-tie ball at the Cuban Embassy, and on Saturday, July 23, Things to Do will host Tahiti-style Luau and French Polynesian celebration at the Embassy of France. Other events have included “Singles Four-Minute Dating and Meet My Friend” parties, seminars on topics ranging from salary negotiation to crime solving, cooking and salsa classes, wine tastings, sailing, polo matches, and even trips abroad to such far-flung places as Transylvania. Both organizations also give their members a heads up on great live music at local nightspots like the Black Cat and 9:30 Club. And it’s hard to beat any invitation to check out pro baseball in the area. On Saturday, July 17, Things to Do hosts an afternoon at Camden Yards to watch the Baltimore Orioles take on the World Champion Boston Red Sox. A pre-game reception is scheduled at Max’s at Camden Yards. For more information, visit www.thingstododc.com or www.prosinthecity.com. Although July and August are usually sleepy months for official D.C., there are plenty of other entertainment options. If you like live music under the stars, Wolf Trap is hard to beat. The gorgeous amphitheatre, nestled in the woods of Northern Virginia near Dulles Airport, consistently attracts top international talent such as the Gipsy Kings, Juanes and others. A couple of highlights for July include international superstars ABBA on July 13, poet-songstress Ani DiFranco on July 28, and alternative country crooner Lyle Lovett on July 27. One of the best things about Wolf Trap is that guests are allowed to bring their own picnics, including beer and wine, and save a load of cash on concessions. Visit www.wolf-trap.org for tickets and more info. One final note on musical offerings: Jaguares, one of the most exciting young bands to come out of Latin America in a long time, visits the State Theatre in Falls Church, Va., on July 23. Jaguares plays an infectious brand of muscular but melodic Latin rock music that has attracted a rapidly growing fan base. If you’re a fan of swirling guitars and enjoy singing along to anthems and gorgeous harmonies, do yourself a favor and check them out while they are still playing relatively small venues. Of course, we are always eager to hear reader feedback and solicit suggestions. If you know of a happening event that might be of interest to our readers, feel free to contact me at mcoleman@washdiplomat.com. Michael Coleman is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.