Jon Rochetti: Hi Everyone: I’m Jon, the PlanetEye Traveler writer who covers the Washington, DC area, formerly the writer of The DC Traveler. Besides writing about all the fun and different things to do in and around Washington, DC, I’m also a marketing consultant, and a photographer (many of the photos used on my posts were taken by me and are available for sale or licensing). I'm also a home gourmet chef and avid biker and scuba diver. Plus, I love to travel, explore and take advantage of all the great things to do in Washington, DC. I love exploring places in and around the District of Columbia, ranging from local neighborhood mom & pop ethnic restaurants to museums, galleries, places of interest and more. I also love history and art, love touring museums, enjoy architecture, great food, and the Arts. Have a comment, suggestion or story idea? Feel free to e-mail me. Some of my favorite places around Washington, DC are at the Jefferson Memorial, my deck at sunset, the Smithsonian museums (all of them) especially the National Gallery of Art and the National Air & Space museum, perhaps a fun Latin dance club for a little Salsa dancing, Zaytinya or Bambule for tapas, riding my bike on the National Mall or along the Potomac River in the summer, and the National Arboretum just about any time of the year. Outside of DC, I love scuba diving in Belize, relaxing on the island of Santorini in Greece, sitting at a cafe in Rome, visiting Chicago and seeing a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (my home town), and spending time with family in Sonoma County and the Napa Valley (my home away from home). I’m also a marketing and branding consultant with over 25 years of consumer and b2b marketing experience. Most of my clients are household names or in the Fortune 500. Washington, DC is such a wonderful town, full of rich culture, a great history, and events of all types happening all the time. And then there’s the food and festivals…so there’s always something interesting to tell you about. I'll consistently try to provide all the information you’ll need for a visit to one of the Washington, DC’s many attractions, the best in the local music scene, plays and artistic performances, museums, great parks and outdoor recreation, fun things to do on a date, as well as family-friendly activities, shopping, places to eat, drink, and stay, or just relax and have some fun. So if you love all that Washington, DC has to offer – from the Smithsonian museums to weekend get-aways in DC or around Virginia, Maryland and beyond, then the PlanetEye Traveler is here for you. With new ideas and posts almost every day, please us a daily website destination and tell your friends about us. Follow me on Twitter @jrochetti And thanks very much for stopping by. Jon ___________________________________________________

Where is Musical Theater Heading?

Here’s an interesting FREE symposium on Monday for musical theater lovers…Where are you taking me?: What’s next in musical theater? This free, day-long symposium with musical theater practitioners from both DC theaters (Signature Theatre, Arena Stage) and from around the country, will participate in a day long event, that lets the theater-going public the opportunity for a behind the scenes trends, strategies and challenges of creating and producing a new musical play. The symposium includes: Roundtable...

November 6th, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Go Green — The DC Green Festival

In its 5th year, the Washington DC Green Festival this weekend will showcase a schedule of 150 inspirational green-focused speakers and over 350 green products manufacturers and vendors including renewable energy, eco-fashion, technology, green building, organic body care products, and Fair Trade goods. There’s lots of activities, including hands-on recycling, pavilions on how to make your home greener, a yoga room, an organic beer and wine garden and even a vegetarian food court. And get the...

November 6th, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Submit Your Best Vacation Photo to Travel Photo Daily

The summer vacation season is long over, and fall colors are exploding all over the country. So how would you like to see your travel or vacation photo featured on my other blog, Travel Photo Daily? Do you have a few great photos of a great vacation to an exciting international city? Did your last vacation include a stop at some exotic tropical island? Did you stay home and enjoy some some fun local activities? Or did you rough it and explore some of the best nature has to offer? Whichever...

November 5th, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

European Union Film Showcase Hits Washington, DC

With 35 films from 27 countries, the 21st American Film Institute (AFI) European Union Film Showcase features the very best of European cinema from 2008. Here’s a list of the festival’s films by country: Austria – 42 PLUS Belgium – MOSCOW, BELGIUM and ELDORADO Czech Republic – THE COUNTRY TEACHER Denmark – JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY Estonia – I WAS HERE Finland – THE HOME OF DARK BUTTERFLIES France – I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG, A CHRISTMAS TALE, ON...

November 5th, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Lines Lessen at Virginia Polling Places – 9:00 Update

I again visited a couple polling places in Northern Virginia, including my own, just after 9:00 a.m. The initial long lines were gone and the waiting time to vote was under 10 minutes. Both polling places, along with the regular electronic voting machines, had several paper ballot stations, there to accommodate the high number of expected voters. Personally, I waited under a minute to check in, and less than three minutes to vote on one of the three electronic machines. All of...

November 4th, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Huge Early Morning Voter Turnout in Virginia

This morning, during the pre-work voting rush, I witnessed huge crowds queuing up to vote. I visited three polling places near my home in Northern Virginia before 7:00 a.m., and at two locations, the line s were at least double in the two most recent presidential elections in both 2004 and 2000. The lines at these two polling places ranged from 150 voters waiting to over 250 people lining up outside of the building, plus additional people indoors. Strangely, at one other polling place...

November 4th, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Election Night “Beer Bash” on The Hill

“Ballot 4 Beer“, what’s being called the biggest roaming election night party in Washington, DC, lets you cheer on your candidate to victory or drown your sorrows when your candidate throws in the towel. The roving party will be held at four different bars and restaurants in the heart of Washington’s political scene – Capital Hill. At each stop, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a highlighted drink and food specials, many with the red/blue theme, plus non-stop...

November 3rd, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Washington, DC’s BIG Cooking Show

This weekend is time again for the always popular Metropolitan Cooking & Entertainment Show in Washington, DC. Join over 40 of DC’s finest chefs and foodies, along with special cooking presentations by well-known Food TV celebrity chefs, Paula Dean, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and head-to-head cooking competitions, food and wine tastings, tips on entertaining and cooking, along with workshops on everything from holiday cooking to knife and plating...

November 3rd, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Punker Henry Rollins Speaks Out

Former punk rock icon and hardcore Black Flag front man, Henry Rollins is hitting the road with a his new election-time ‘Recountdown Tour’ talking tour. You’ll be sure to hear lots of Bush bashing, anti-war, anti-establishment, anti-government, and straight talking (and at times angry) social commentary on subjects ranging from music and culture to society and celebrities. The host of the IFC one-on-one interview program The Henry Rollins Show, Henry grew up in Washington, DC where he sang...

November 2nd, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More

Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA – Simply Amazing!

Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA opened last night under the yellow and blue Grand Chapiteau at National Harbor in Washington, DC. The only word to describe KOOZA is… AMAZING!!! I’ve seen several Cirque du Soleil productions and KOOZA was by far, the most physical, high-energy and awe inspiring show of all. The audience’s reaction to the gravity defying, body contorting, magical balancing, and fearless performances resulted in at not several, but many moments during the show, of audible...

November 1st, 2008 | Washington DC | Read More