penfield | Rule No. 9: Know Your Mall

Every year from late June to mid-July, the Smithsonian Institution stages an elaborate outdoor exposition on the national mall called the Folklife Festival. I have previously described it in this space as a "large-scale, pseudo-intellectual mall demonstration," and I think in retrospect that I was not being harsh enough. Aside from the several concession stands selling reasonably priced strawberry lemonades, the entire affair is an utterly useless academic circle-jerk that takes up numerous softball fields worth of public space.

And here's a new reason to hate it.

Al Gore to Sound Off On Climate Change With Concert Event

Producers are said to be considering Washington as the North American host city, but one likely venue -- the Mall -- might be unavailable to them, a National Park Service spokesman said yesterday. ... National Park Service spokesman Bill Line said the Mall is already filling up on July 7, with applications under review for two events -- including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

And in case you're wondering, RFK Stadium is booked that day, too.

I would be happy to hold the event in my apartment, though I'm not sure if I would be able to accomodate Christina Aguilera's contract rider.