scandal tour washington dc

Experience the ultimate guided tour through Washington D.C full of secrets & scandals.

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Let us bring to life the unique role of the Mayflower Hotel in the capital’s history with this crafted experience with your own expert local guide.

Guided tour: spies, secrets, and scandals.

Hear tales of the world’s most powerful capital drips with scandals and is embroiled in the underbelly of global clandestine efforts.

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Secrets & Scandals: Washington DC Private Half-Day Walking Tour Private Tour

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• See the famous buildings synonymous with  American power and democracy the world over;
• Learn about the  4 presidential assassinations from Abe Lincoln to JFK , and the many attempted assassinations – and how they were thwarted;
• Enjoy stories of how during the  Prohibition era,  DC   was likely, and hypocritically, the least dry place in the  United States ;
• Get to know the main sites around the White House neighbourhood, where so many national & international scandals have started or taken place, including  Old Ebbitt Grill and the Willard ;
• Hear tales of corruption, secrets and lies at the heart of political power in  Lafayette Square , including of  Kennedy's affair  with suspected  East German spy Inga Arvad  and how his father involved the notorious  FBI director, J Edgar Hoover , in ending the tryst;
• Hear all the historic and very latest gossip about what really goes on behind those secure, closed doors protecting those in power, and the various drinking holes that litter the city;
• Your tour ends at the  White House,  where you'll hear about the wild parties thrown, including Andrew Jackson's inauguration party in which he slipped out of the house through a back window to escape the rabble.

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Ghosts, Scandals and Murder

Airing out DC's dirty laundry is quite the endeavor

Quick Details

• Tags Category: Walking Tour
• Key Hole Availability: Only offered as Private Tour
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
• Distance: Approximately 1 mile

About Our DC Ghost Tour

When the word “naughty” is used in a sentence with “Washington, DC,” most people tend to think of scandals, from sexual deviance to dirty money. But Washington’s dirty laundry doesn’t just come by the pile, it comes by the  truckload .  DC Insider Tours’  Ghosts, Scandals and Murder™  tour specializes in ripping the skeletons from the closet and pulling back the shiny, neoclassical façade of the city to reveal layers and layers of decades worth of debauchery.

The Ghosts, Scandals and Murder™  tour begins near the National Archives at Temperance Fountain, a prohibition-era symbol for teetotalers to proudly harrumph over. The DC ghost tour then proceeds through Federal Triangle, where any semblance of model behavior fades away as we take you through the neighborhood’s wicked past of saloons, murders, and brothels (naturally, government workers and officials provided most of the business for these illicit establishments). Once called “Murder Bay,” or better yet, the “plague spot of the city,” the multi-million dollar government buildings you see in Federal Triangle today are an excellent cover for DC’s oldest seedy underbelly.

But DC’s dark and sinful side does not begin and end in Federal Triangle. To the contrary, the most notable scandals in DC history took place near or in the White House. For example, you will stand on the very corner in front of the White House where a U.S. Congressman murdered the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia (who also happened to be the son of the man who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner). The criminal trial that ensued was front-page news, and the very first “not guilty by reason of temporary insanity” verdict in American history. Discover DC’s dark side on this scandalous ghost tour!

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Among all this depravity, though, there are some lighter moments.  We take you to what is known as the “Hotel for Presidents,” a very storied place where, among other historic happenings, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his legendary ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, and the term “lobbying” originated. We also fill you in on the story behind DC’s official cocktail, “The Rickey,” and how one of Congress’s biggest fails in American history, Prohibition, affected Washington during the roaring 1920’s.

We wrap up the tour at the White House, home to more ghost stories than a Stephen King novel.  White House guests and residents alike have experienced all sorts of spooky encounters over the years, from hearing the laughter of dead presidents to seeing Abraham Lincoln’s ghost walking the halls.  We’ll also explain how John F. Kennedy was known to blow off steam in the White House’s former indoor pool (and it wasn’t just doing laps!).

By the end, you will want to pop over to one of DC’s famous bars or restaurants so you can thumb your nose at Prohibition yourself, and share some of your new knowledge of  Ghosts, Scandals and Murder™.

• Chevron down Tour Highlights by Location

Federal Triangle

• Temperance Fountain
• National Archives
• U.S. Navy Memorial
• Old Post Office
• The Willard Hotel
• F.B.I. Headquarters
• National Theater

Lafayette Square

• U.S. Treasury Building
• The White House
• Statue of Andrew Jackson
• Lafayette Park
• Old Executive Office Building

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Lafayette Square Tour of Scandal, Assassination & Intrigue

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Lafayette Square Tour of Scandal, Assassination & Intrigue - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• United Kingdom

Calling All Scandal Fans: Take A Tour Of D.C.’s Down-and-Dirty Past

Can’t get enough Scandal on Thursday nights? Well, fortunately for you, our nation's capital is no stranger to salacious scandals. While the ABC show's deliciously dramatic storylines may be fictitious, this town has seen a slew of real-life political transgressions dating back to the days of the Founding Fathers. And, provided that Hurricane Sandy doesn't make a total mess, you can embark on DC Walkabout’s adults-only American Scandal tour this weekend, and experience all that dug-up dirt for yourself.

Photo: Courtesy of ABC/Danny Feld

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Washington DC Political Scandals and Secrets Tour

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• This option has FREE cancellation: book it without any risk!

Experience Highlights

Discover the history of American democracy on a private tour of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. on a guided walking tour lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Because it's private, only your group can participate.

As you walk past sights such as the Capitol , you'll hear the cruel anecdotes and political shenanigans of the past 200 years. You'll learn about the shady past of White House officials and congressmen, military men, politicians and presidents.

• Enjoy a private, guided tour of Pennsylvania Avenue.
• Learn the scandals and secrets about presidents like Clinton, Obama and Trump.
• Take your best photographs of the White House, Capitol Hill and other sites of interest.

What’s included

• Private tour of Washington D.C.
• Local guide

Select participants and date

Step by step.

Explore the darker side of American democracy on a private walking tour of Washington D.C. , including Pennsylvania Avenue, on a journey of approximately 2.5 hours.

A guide will accompany you on the tour as he tells you the most scandalous and ambiguous stories of the country's presidents such as Nixon, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, Obama and Trump.

There are also many rumours, rampant and dark stories of other important US figures, such as lawyers, senators, FBI members, military and congressmen in the White House, among other figures.

Some interesting places and stories you will see and where you will be able to take your best pictures are:

• The nation's Capitol: this is the site of the nation's congressional chambers. Here you will hear the stories of 4 presidential assassinations from the time of Abel Lincoln to JFK. Discover the past and present of the people who are and were in power.
• Lafayette Square: Washington's renowned public park, where you will learn the secrets of political corruption in Lafayette Square and Kennedy's love affair with German spy Inga Arvad.
• White House: the main place of operations of the president of the United States, where you will discover all the anecdotes and wild parties organised in the presidential house, such as the scandalous inauguration party of Andrew Jackson.

Departure and Return

Other things you should know.

• This is a private activity, only you and your group participate.
• Wheelchair accessible
• The current COVID-19 regulations shall apply.

Cancellation Policy

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Secrets & Scandals: Washington DC Private Half-Day Walking Tour

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• "Watergate Scandal / All The President's Men" Guided Walking Tour

It’s been forty-five years since the Watergate break-in took place right here in Washington, DC (June 17, 1972) but the scandal continues to make headlines.   

And remember the great movie “ All the President’s Men ” (nominated for 8 Academy Awards - and won 4) with Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman?  Let’s take a guided walking tour to see some of the actual sites associated with the Watergate break-in and learn more about the book and film "All the President's Men." 

While all large cities have a history museum, a zoo, art galleries, and sports teams - Washington , DC is unique in that you can see the exact places where so many important events in our nation's history took place.  Watergate is a perfect example .  It was the biggest political scandal in American history ; and the subsequent book and film "All the President's Men " highlights one of the greatest detectives stories in journalistic history.  Come see for yourself where it all took place - right here in Washington , DC - on our " Watergate Scandal / All The President's Men" guided walking tour !  

This event is hosted by Washington, DC History & Culture:

https :// www.meetup.com /DCHistoryAndCulture/

See the original "All the President's Men" film trailer via the link below: 

https :// www.youtube.com /watch v=WuaYh9_ZK1U

Video link from a prior tour below:

https :// www.youtube.com /watch v=vALx_LnLHQ4

What exactly was the Watergate scandal?

Where did the “third rate burglary” actually take place, and how were the perpetrators caught?

Why is Watergate considered the “biggest political scandal” and the “greatest detective story” in American history?

Who was “Deep Throat?”  

Is “All the President’s Men” an accurate portrayal of what really took place here in Washington, DC?

What are the similarities and differences between Watergate and more recent political events?

The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal that occurred in the United States in the 1970s as a result of the June 17, 1972, break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement. When the conspiracy was discovered and investigated by the U.S. Congress, the Nixon administration's resistance to its probes led to a constitutional crisis. The term Watergate has come to encompass an array of clandestine and often illegal activities undertaken by members of the Nixon administration. Those activities included such "dirty tricks" as bugging the offices of political opponents and people of whom Nixon or his officials were suspicious. Nixon and his close aides ordered harassment of activist groups and political figures, using the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration, articles of impeachment, and the resignation of Richard Nixon, the President of the United States. The scandal also resulted in the indictment of 69 people, with trials or pleas resulting in 48 being found guilty and incarcerated, many of whom were Nixon's top administration officials.

The affair began with the arrest of five men for breaking and entering into the DNC headquarters at the Watergate complex on June 17, 1972. The FBI connected cash found on the burglars to a slush fund used by the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP), the official organization of Nixon's campaign. In July 1973, as evidence mounted against the President's staff, including testimony provided by former staff members in an investigation conducted by the Senate Watergate Committee, it was revealed that President Nixon had a tape-recording system in his offices and that he had recorded many conversations. After a protracted series of bitter court battles, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the president had to hand over the tapes to government investigators; he eventually complied. Recordings from these tapes implicated the president, revealing he had attempted to cover up the questionable goings-on that had taken place after the break-in. Facing near-certain impeachment in the House of Representatives and equally certain conviction by the Senate, Nixon resigned the presidency on August 9, 1974. On September 8, 1974, his successor, Gerald Ford, pardoned him.

The name "Watergate" and the suffix "-gate" have since become synonymous with political scandals in the United States and in other English- and non-English-speaking nations.

All the President's Men

All the President's Men is a 1976 American political thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula. The screenplay by William Goldman is based on the 1974 non-fiction book of the same name by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the two journalists investigating the Watergate scandal for The Washington Post. The film starred Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Woodward and Bernstein, respectively; it was produced by Walter Coblenz for Redford's Wildwood Enterprises.

In 2010, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Event Information - Please Read Carefully!

Registration : There is an $7.00 per person registration fee for this event to help reduce the number of “no shows.”  Full refund if the event is cancelled or postponed, or if you change your RSVP from “yes” to “no” at least 48 hours beforehand.  Also, while many of our events are free, proceeds from this particular tour help support our Washington, DC History & Culture programs.

Weather : The event will take place light rain or shine as we’ll be indoors for a portion of the evening.  If it’s on the calendar then we’re proceeding as planned.

Metro Station : Foggy Bottom

Parking : There is limited free and paid parking throughout the area - however, please note time limits and other restrictions. 

Meeting Point : Outside of the Foggy Bottom Metro station - street level.  If you arrive late (not advised due to the nature of this program but we understand things happen), we’ll initially be in the courtyard on I St. between 23rd and 24th (next to the Metro station) before proceeding to the front of the Watergate complex on Virginia Avenue.

Logistics : Our walking tour will cover approximately two miles and we’ll be visiting several different areas of the Watergate complex.  Unfortunately we won’t be seeing the exact office where the actual break-in took place because that specific area has since been completely renovated and is not open to the public.

Ending Point : Our tour will officially end at the Watergate complex, which is just a short walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro.  However, there will also be an optional opportunity to visit the upper-level terrace of the Kennedy Center for one of the best views in Washington, DC. 

Additional Questions : Anything that can’t be answered by the above event description, Google, or common sense please let us know.

Meet People * See Places * Learn Things * Have Fun!

This event is hosted by Washington, DC History & Culture

“ Bringing people together to experience the history and culture of Washington, DC ”

We look forward to seeing you - thanks!

Robert Kelleman

[email protected]

202-821-6325

• Washington, D.C. ›
• Washington DC History & Culture ›

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Stay updated on "Watergate Scandal / All The President's Men" Guided Walking Tour and find even more events in Washington .

As featured in the Washington Post Watergate Retrospective (see pages 2 and 3 of the article " Watergate: The long shadow of a scandal "). Click here to see a photo from a 2012 tour featured in that Washington Post article. USA Today Travel Section.

Hop aboard Scandal Tours ™ for a witty & irreverent guided tour of the sites that have made Washington the scandal capital of the world.

Since 1988, Scandal Tours ™ has been hosted by the critically acclaimed comedy troupe, Gross National Product ™ (GNP). We lampoon the highlights of the lowlifes as you roll by Washington’s "comic monuments" in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus.

Scandal Tours ™ is world famously funny and has been featured on TV, radio, and in newspapers and magazines around the globe.

Washington, DC June 21, 2011: --> Click here to book a seat on the Tour on Saturday July 21, 3PM via PayPal! (Use the Form Below to Inquire about Tickets to Summer Saturday tours) Gross National Product comedy group's infamous whistle blowing "Scandal Tours" which highlights the lowlifes, introduced new sites last Labor Day Weekend --> Click here to read the press release. The updated bus tour originates from the Ben Franklin Statue (one of our "fondling" fathers) in front of the Trump International Hotel, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. Our next tour leaves at 1PM with another following it at 3PM on Saturday, July 21, 2012, use the form below or call our box office to reserve your seat. Or check back on this page and soon you'll be able to order tickets via PayPal.

And what a banner year it has been for scandals! With News Corporation in the lead, there are plenty of lies, hacking and cover-ups. News Corporation's Government Relations office on North Capitol Street has been added as a permanent addition to the tour hosted by the GNP Comedy group.

Also recently added is the Congressional Gym where cyber porn star Anthony Wiener twittered his tweeter to the world. We visit the infamous C Street House where holier-than-thou Senator Ensign broke his marriage vows and his career.

Whether vacationing or on business, you’ll enjoy a ride on Scandal Tours ™ ... the best "en tour tainment" in town!

Scandal Tours has been featured in the Times of London, The Daily Mail, The New York Post and other tabloids that would make Rupert proud as he hunkers deeper into his FOXhole.

We hope to see the media and any unemployed federal workers after the aborted August 2nd shutdown for our updated Scandal Tour.

Join the whistle-blowing Scandal Tour. You may also visit:

• The White House: GNP finds more than skeletons lurking in the presidential coat closets!

• The Old Executive Office Building: Behind this stately facade next to the White House, Ollie North and Fawn Hall shredded their way into history.

• K Street: Lobby some perks from Jack Abramoff with Bob Ney.

• The Tidal Basin: Here, former Congressman Wilbur Mills and stripper Fannie Fox took a moonlight skinny-dip.

• The Watergate: Tricky Dick and the rest of those creeps bungled a break-in of the Democrats’ headquarters here.

• The Capitol: Rita and John Jenrette did more than dance in the moonlight here - you can "bank" on the Capitol always being a scandal site. Just ask your Congressperson! Or perhaps you can compare pages with Mark Foley, or ask Scooter Libby if Dick’s really to "plame".

• Gary Hart’s Townhouse: Donna Rice became a political show-stopper here with her backdoor debut for the Miami Herald.

• The Supreme Court: Where Clarence Thomas had an up-"Hill" battle! Find out why it is the highest court in the land.

• The Vista Hotel: Where Rasheda "bitch-set-me-up" Moore helped nab "Mayor-for-Life" Marion Barry with a crack pipe in his mouth.

• Union Station: Rumored to be on Senator Larry "Craig’s List" of favorite places to play "footsie".

Plus many, many more perfectly scandalous locations!

The Word on Scandal Tours:

"Act-a-likes reenact Washington’s inglorious past" - Life Magazine

"The hottest tour in Washington." - Glamour Magazine

"Brilliant... if they’d only open in Stockholm." - Aftonbladet (Stockholm, Sweden Daily)

"First rate" - The London Observer

"A hilarious journey that is fast becoming a sensation among Washington’s inner circle." - UPI

"Very funny. Well, worth the time and money." - TripAdvisor.com

"Leave the kids at home, skip the Lincoln Memorial, and take a Scandal Tour of Washington." - Associated Press

"If touring’s your thing, there’s a beauty just waiting for you in Washington D.C." - Entertainment Tonight

"The good stuff... the real Washington." - Baltimore Sun

"1 and 1/2 hours of pure voyeurism." - Paul Harvey, ABC Radio

"Very, very funny." - Nippon Japanese Television

"For a visiting Briton, the strangest thing about Gross National Product is how its members get away with it without being sued — or executed." - Telegraph.co.uk

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 seniors and $20 for students. We are currently only booking tours by request for groups, conventions, meetings etc. of up to 50 people. Please contact us with your event details. This tour is Rated PG. Reservations are required by using the form below. Note: If you book via the form below or via email, you must also receive subsequent confirmation of availability either verbally or via email to be certain your tour is booked. Space is limited. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and PayPal accepted (or contact us for other accepted forms of payment).

Book your group for a special tour or other special event. Group rates are available to GNP’s regularly scheduled shows and tours.

GNP has been a favorite among meeting planners, conventions and special events since 1989. We have en tour tained top 500 corporations, associations, non profit organizations and special events. As The Washington Post has said, "GNP has been a mainstay that has been a hilarious inside the beltway attraction . . . keeping you grinning from year to year." For private bookings of GNP’s show, tour, or impersonators, please contact us .

Please contact us via email [email protected]

* Scandal Tours is not affiliated with any site or commercial location as presented from the tour. All stops are public locations and liability applies while on the bus. GNP and Scandal Tours are not responsible for any injury or damages while on this tour. The bus is fully licensed and insured while on the bus. Passengers leaving the bus during the tour do so at their own risk.

11 can’t-miss concerts in the D.C. area in May

A wave of hardcore punk bands aim to unite audiences with the cleansing power of the pit.

There are mass graves in Gaza and protesters being arrested at campuses across the United States. The Supreme Court might criminalize homelessness, and states are rushing to institute abortion bans. And even though the last president is on trial, he has even-money odds of winning in November.

For those looking for clarity or catharsis in this fraught moment, there are still concerts, and for hard and heavy times, there is music to match. This month, a wave of bands that draw from hardcore punk traditions will wash over the D.C. area, uniting audiences with the cleansing power of the pit.

English hooligans the Chisel pay tribute to their country’s street punk and pub rock traditions by making a straight-ahead attack on politicians, hypocrites, propagandists and bloodsuckers. The title of their latest album, “What a F---ing Nightmare,” captures the daily feeling of living through the doom scroll, but the band, and its like-minded tour mate Conservative Military Image , is about perseverance over exploitation: “I just feel like living for myself,” goes one of its full-throated pint-smashers. “Life’s worth more than serving someone else.” (May 7 at 8 p.m. at Union Stage. unionstage.com . $20-$40.)

The members of Hot Water Music seem as surprised as anyone that they’re celebrating their 30th anniversary on the road as they prepare to release their 10th album, “Vows.” The Gainesville, Fla.-founded act, fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarists Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard, can still whip up punk tunes with heart-on-sleeve emotion and anthemic hooks. The band promises to “dust off some oldies” on tour; perhaps it will play 1997 favorite “Turnstile” — the namesake of the current generation’s biggest hardcore band.

Joining Hot Water Music is Quicksand , a New York band whose renewed existence — albeit after a long hiatus — is even more surprising. Quicksand’s metallic approach to post-hardcore laid the blueprint for countless punk and alt-metal bands alike. Fronted by punk icon Walter Schreifels, the band found success in the mid-1990s before imploding and returned with new albums in 2017 and 2021. (May 13 at 8 p.m. at the Howard Theatre. thehowardtheatre.com . $35-$60.)

Quicksand’s contemporaries in Helmet left an equally sizable imprint on hard rock music with their metallic, detuned riffs; lockstep rhythms; and shouted lyricism. The band’s most memorable song, “Unsung,” fused a stop-start riff and Ozzy-ish vocals and received the highest honor of 1990s MTV culture by being featured on “Beavis and Butt-Head.” Cro-Mags never notched that honor, but their fusion of metal riffs with the velocity and ferocity of hardcore forged a path for plenty of bands that did. Despite numerous lineup changes and legal challenges, the band resumed thrashing with a new album in 2020. (May 14, doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Atlantis. theatlantis.com . Sold out.)

D.C. hardcore, or “harDCore,” never dies, especially as a wave of originators have gotten into the reunion and anniversary spirit. After celebrating a record release last year, the Goons are back at the Black Cat with, as a flier promises, “intoxicating battery acid for the soul.” The group will be joined by HR Band , the group fronted by the legendary Paul “H.R.” Hudson; Supreme Commander; and RDX. (May 17, doors open at 8 p.m. at the Black Cat. blackcatdc.com . $20.)

Punk is thriving a few hours north on Interstate 95, as proved by two Philly bands born of hardcore but not limited to conventional wisdom about its constraints. Mannequin Pussy was founded over a decade ago armed with a lo-fi punk approach and the frank raunch suggested by its name. The four-piece has always had an expansive taste for everything from quiet, shoegazey moments to girl-group melodies, and sharper songwriting has only sanded down its rough edges into blunt instruments. Tour mate Soul Glo is one of the most exciting acts in punk, and its breakthrough album “Diaspora Problems” smashes hardcore together with club beats and rap as vocalist Pierce Jordan asks, “What can activate the rage that we be harboring?” (May 17 and 18, doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Atlantis. theatlantis.com . Sold out.)

Rage will be activated when, as a flier boasts, “Cleveland punks storm the capital.” Yambag delivers relentless hardcore, sung in both English and Spanish, while the Hell is slightly more melodic but no less ferocious. (May 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Haydee’s Restaurant. $12.)

Meanwhile, Houston noise punks Sexpill are the sonic equivalent of the mushroom cloud that graces the cover of their latest album, “In Dust We Trust.” Emphasis on the “mushroom”: These titans of tinnitus make music for bad trips in the desert. (May 22 at 8:30 p.m. at Quarry House Tavern. quarryhousetavern.com . $15.)

The calendar saves the hardest bill for last. Breakdown beasts Knocked Loose continue to dig to new depths with razor’s-edge riffs, a locked-in rhythm section and the bloodcurdling screams of Bryan Garris. The first glimpses of its forthcoming album “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To” suggest the band is heavier than ever but also embracing new sounds: “Suffocate” features pop experimentation and a reggaeton breakdown.

Joining the metalcore act is Show Me the Body , a band of seekers in the search for hardcore’s experimental edge. Over the years, the New York City group has exorcised internal turmoil with all the tools at its disposal, pushing into noise, electronic music and hip-hop and even relying on vocalist Julian Cashwan Pratt’s banjo. For all the fury in its music, the clarity of the quiet moments shines through. “Youth outside, they getting it/ Got s--- to give so they out there spreading it,” Pratt half-raps on the somber “WW4.” “Hard to stay alive in America.” (May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Silver Spring. fillmoresilverspring.com . Sold out.)

Three other shows to catch:

My Body My Festival

A benefit for the DC Abortion Fund, My Body My Festival lands at a handful of venues for what it bills as “part music festival, part D.C. love fest.” Rockers Pretty Bitter bring their impeccable pop hooks to a bill at Pie Shop, D.C. iconoclast Sneaks headlines a diverse bill at Songbyrd, and a daytime party at Metrobar promises the smoother sounds of jazz and neo-soul. ( May 16-18 at various venues. mybodymyfestival.com . $35-$500.)

Julia Holter

With her sixth album, “Something in the Room She Moves,” Julia Holter navigates an experience common for those approaching middle age: the birth of a child amid the loss of loved ones. While she drew inspiration from a wide range of sources — Lebanese singer Fairuz, feminist theorist Hélène Cixous and Studio Ghibli’s “Ponyo,” to name a few — the Los Angeles art-pop artist also looked inward: “I was trying to create a world that’s fluid-sounding, waterlike, evoking the body’s internal sound world.” (May 19, doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Atlantis. theatlantis.com . $22.)

Charlotte Day Wilson

Rich-voiced soul singer Charlotte Day Wilson recalls past eras of R&B marked by torch songs; 1990s hitmaker Babyface even has a credit on her 2021 album “Alpha.” But the Canadian talent isn’t a retro act: Her songs are full of the grooves popularized by a new generation of quiet storm artists, like collaborators Daniel Caesar and Snoh Aalegra. (May 30 at 8 p.m. at Union Stage. unionstage.com . $28-$129.)

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Tour of the Scandal Room - The Watergate Hotel

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Loved the location, within walking distance to Lincoln's Memorial and the rest of the Mall. Convenient CVS very close by. Was even able to buy a small USB mouse as I had left mine back home. The staff fabulous. The manager, Juvenal (delinquent) and Carlos both pampered me and made my stay more than memorable. Thank you, thank you. I love my umbrella!!

Dear lidemica, We appreciate the round of applause! It was a joy to welcome you and we thank you for taking the time to share details of your visit. Your kind words regarding Juvenal, Carlos and the rest of our Watergate colleagues quickly captured our hearts and we wanted you to know that your comments were shared and celebrated with the entire team. Once more, the pleasure was ours and we invite you to visit again one day soon. Best Regards, Jeff David Managing Director

Hotel was great, it is very modernized. The staff was great and accommodating. Beds were actually very comfortable and I slept great each night. The views from the room were decent enough, but there is a very nice rooftop to hang out on, even in the cold

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Dear Michael, Greetings from your many new friends at The Watergate and Top of the Gate, our rooftop bar. We are elated to learn that you enjoyed a great night’s sleep and we thank you for taking time from your day to leave such a thoughtful review. It was a pleasure to acquaint you with all that our urban oasis has to offer and we look forward to welcoming you again in the weeks and months ahead. Best Regards, Jeff David Managing Director

We stayed at The Watergate for two nights, and it was amazing! Beautifully decorated and of course, we had to stay there, because, I mean, it's THE WATERGATE. Little did we know, they offer a tour of "the scandal room"! Zach, the Head Bellman, is an incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and professional guide. Ask for him if the room is available for a tour! As far as location goes, we found the hotel to be close enough to walk to most of the sites, but we are also comfortable walking 1-mile+. If walking isn't your thing, there are ride shares & taxis available. Service in the bar, restaurant and getting ice (room service) were slower than expected, but everyone was really friendly regardless. I would absolutely recommend staying at The Watergate if your wallet allows!

Dear Karen, “Amazing” is a word we love to find within our reviews and we thank you and yours for joining us for your Washington retreat and for stealing the time to share your thoughtful review. We are thrilled to read that your visit allowed a moment to tour the “Scandal Room” and your kind words regarding Zach and his hospitality make us smile form ear to ear. We appreciate each of your added comments and on behalf of all of us in Georgetown, we look forward to welcoming you both again in the weeks and months ahead. If we can assist in planning your return, we invite you to be in touch. Warm Regards, Jeff David Managing Director

We spent the night at The Watergate to celebrate my husband’s birthday and it was decadent. We stayed in a 1br suite with a balcony and river view. The room was huge with gorgeous views, comfortable amenities, and the master bathroom was spa like. We ate at the Kingbird bar and visited both the rooftop bar and the Next Whiskey Bar. All three were fabulous. The staff was friendly and helpful, everything was very modern and easy. I wish we had planned to stay longer because the spa area looked amazing. There is a big pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and fitness center all on the same floor and I could have spent a couple hours there after a massage. Next time!

Dear julianne23, Happy Birthday once again to your husband; you treated him to quite the birthday retreat and we were thrilled to play a small part. Our one-bedroom suites are always a great way to spoil someone and the balconies provide the perfect setting for a sunset glass of wine toasting another year of happiness. We are warmed to read that you had the chance to join us at Top of the Gate, The Next Whisky Bar and Kingbird Restaurant, each of which provides it’s own unique experience. Your friends at Argentta Spa are waiting for your return and they hope that you might have the chance to settle in for a longer visit the next time you join us. On behalf of our entire team, we thank you for the magnificent review and we look forward to seeing you again one day soon. Best Regards, Jeff David Managing Director

We stayed at this hotel last week and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. The room was immaculate, the décor was both unique and stimulating. The Kingbird restaurant and Whisky Bar made for a great beginning and end to each day. Most importantly, the staff were the reason I will come back next time I’m in the Capitol. From the gentlemen at the front lobby (Henry, whom had found my lost mobile phone, and Nestor who was always quick with a welcoming smile), to the Front Desk staff, bartenders, concierge, and cleaning staff, we were treated like Royalty from the moment we arrived up until our departure. I would highly recommend to friends and family the Watergate Hotel as my first choice for accommodations in Washington DC.

Dear L Bichon, What a story! We appreciate your glowing review and your recommendation. On behalf of all of us, it warms us to read that it was our Watergate colleagues who so enriched your visit and we want you to know that your comments have been shared and celebrated with all of those mentioned within your review, as well as our greater team. We thank you and yours for calling us home and we look forward to you doing so time and again on each of your future Georgetown visits. Warm Regards, Jeff David Managing Director

How to make the most of Passport DC’s free embassy tours

Dozens of countries from Armenia to Zambia are hosting open houses Saturday during the annual Around the World Embassy Tour , one of those “only in Washington” events you’ll tell friends and relatives about. How often do you get invited into an embassy to explore its art collection, sample traditional cuisine, and watch free music and dance performances, let alone play cornhole in the Norwegian Embassy’s garden? Here’s a guide to planning for a successful day of globe-trotting without leaving D.C. Also, many of these tips are just as helpful on May 11, when the European Union hosts its annual E.U. Open House embassy tours.

• Because the event is popular, lines are common, and they get longer at some of the better-known locations, such as the Korean Cultural Center at the South Korean Embassy, or the embassies of the United Kingdom, Jamaica and Thailand. If there’s a particular embassy you must visit, get there before doors open at 10 a.m. to improve your chances of getting in.
• If you’re trying to visit a variety of embassies, pick a particular neighborhood to explore — maybe Massachusetts Avenue near Scott Circle, the string of embassies on Massachusetts northwest of Sheridan Circle, or the embassies dotted among the streets of Kalorama — and research the participants within a few blocks. That way, if you get tired of waiting outside one embassy, you can head to another, preferably smaller, destination nearby. Also, as veteran Around the World-ers will tell you, the embassies clustered around International Drive and International Court in Van Ness — China, Bangladesh, Egypt, etc. — are closer together and can be easier to get into than the ones on Embassy Row.
• You don’t even have to go indoors to get a taste of a country: Some embassies offer outdoor live music, dance performances or, in the case of China, lion dances to entertain the crowds waiting to enter their buildings.
• If you go to a busy neighborhood, try starting at the embassies that are farthest from the Metro station — people have a tendency to stop and get in line at the first embassy they pass. Walk past them, then work your way back.
• For serious explorers, this is a good weekend to skip brunch. Participating embassies and cultural centers are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and lines get longer as the day goes on. An early start will help you make it to the most locations — getting to five or six is a solid day of sightseeing.
• Even if you plan well, you might be able to avoid lines at only a handful of embassies. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a phone charger and a book, just in case.
• Carry cash or a credit card. While many embassies offer free samples of food or drinks, some also charge. Last year, the Embassy of Barbados handed out free sweets and had a chef preparing traditional Barbadian dishes as a teaser for the upcoming Barbados Food and Rum Festival. Everyone sitting on a chair in the embassy’s front garden watching the cooking demo got a two-bite hors d’oeuvre. But in the parking lot behind the embassy, there was a party raging: The ambassador was hanging out next to a DJ spinning upbeat carnival songs; a bar served potent rum punches ($6 each) and beer ($4); and a team of cooks was dishing up flying fish with rice and beans, oxtail platters, barbecued pig tails, and macaroni pie (main dishes $15-$35 with sides, smaller plates $1-$10). While the Barbados Association of Washington did have a credit card reader, that’s not true of every embassy we’ve been to.
• Some embassies have marketplaces with art or textiles from native artisans. The Embassy of Kenya transformed the forecourt of its building into a showcase of baskets, clothing and jewelry; Ukraine House, the Ukrainian cultural center, had traditional Ukrainian fashions, nesting dolls and accessories for sale on tables in its garden.
• Related: Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, grab the first free tote bag you see, because you’ll pick up plenty of tchotchkes, pamphlets and other gifts throughout the day.
• Don’t be shy about asking what you’re in line for. The Dominican Republic hosted a veritable street party last year, with a DJ on its front porch and people dancing in the road. Depending on which way you approached the building, though, there were two very different lines: One was to access the indoor embassy tour, and the other was to purchase food and a rum tasting. You don’t want to get to the front of the line to find out you’ve spent 20 minutes waiting for the wrong thing.
• Bigger isn’t always better. Some of the more popular embassies can be so crowded that you don’t really feel like you’re learning anything about the country. At an off-the-beaten-path embassy, such as the Embassy of Gabon, you have a better chance of getting face time with a staffer who can talk about the cultural uses of elaborate masks on display, or explain how national parks cover more than 10 percent of the country. (That’s about three times the percentage in the United States.)

The Around the World Embassy Tour is part of the month-long Passport DC program, and souvenir passports are available from booths near the Dupont Circle and Van Ness Metro stations; at the Mexican Cultural Institute ; and at the International City Food Festival , held at the Square food hall. Visitors can collect stamps while visiting embassies and cultural centers, though there’s no reward for filling the book.

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