As part of an ongoing effort to alert you, the readers of DC Foodies, to all of the really cool food-related events, classes and opportunities throughout the Washington Metropolitan area, we give you this week's edition of the Foodie To-Do List.

Each Wednesday, we give you a heads-up on a few of the upcoming events that we think look particularly interesting.  This week, we've got:

Slow Food DC Hosts "Eat-Ins" to Raise Awareness for It's Time for Lunch:

What:
Slow Food USA has launched a nationwide campaign calling on Congress to provide real food for America's public school children.  More than 150 "Eat-Ins" are scheduled across the country on Labor Day, and our local events need volunteers to assist with set-up, the events themselves and break-down afterwards.

When: 
Monday, September 7th (Labor Day)
Volunteer shifts as early as 10:30 AM all the way through 4 PM and beyond

Where:
City Blossoms' Girard Ave. Community Garden
Girard Ave. just off the corner of 15th St., NW
Washington DC

-or-

Elsie Stokes Whitlow Charter School Garden
12th and Perry Streets, NE
Washington DC

Cost: 
Volunteering is free - and it's good for you, too!  Contact Lola Bloom (wonder_lola@yahoo.com) to volunteer for the City Blossoms event or Kate Hill (bananapeel@starpower.net) to help out with the Elsie Stokes Whitlow event.

Old Ebbitt Grill's Annual Mad Dash for Oyster Riot Tickets:

What:
Sure, Old Ebbitt Grill has their new Block Party event taking place this coming weekend, but the real can't miss event for foodies comes on Tuesday morning.  That's when tickets go on sale for Oyster Riot XV.  Last year's tickets were completely sold out within ten minutes, so make sure you're ready when this year's chance rolls around.

When: 
Tuesday, September 8th
Tickets go on sale at 7:30 AM 

Where:
In person at Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th Street, NW)
Online at http://ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=Gifts (can't buy 'em yet)
Over the phone at (202) 347-4801

Why: 
Oyster Riot really is an amazing experience.  If you're hoping to go (and not pay exorbitant prices to scalpers after the fact), it's now or never.

Cost:
Interestingly, Old Ebbitt Grill doesn't seem to have announced the price of this year's tickets, but it's a safe bet that they're even more expensive than last year's (which were $115 each). 

Bourbon and Blues Thursday Nights in the Lounge at Bourbon Steak:

What: 
Beginning next Thursday, you can make yourself comfortable in the lounge at Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak from 8 PM to midnight every Thursday night.  Live jazz, rhythm & blues and blues musicians will be performing and the lounge will be offering a laid-back menu with treats like lobster corn dogs, barbecued pork baby back ribs and fried pickles.  32 Bourbons are on hand as well, for sipping or for drinking in new and traditional cocktails.

When: 
Thursdays, beginning September 10th
8 PM - midnight

Where: 
Bourbon Steak
Four Seasons Hotel
2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC

Why: 
Cocktails on the patio lose their luster when it starts getting dark at 7:30.  Make your way indoors for a smooth Thursday evening and you can get your fill of fine dining, fine spirits and fine music all in one place.  The new lounge menu provides a great way to sample the skill in the kitchen at Bourbon Steak without breaking the bank, and the cocktail program's attention to detail is definitely worth a look.

Cost:
No cover, but menu items range from $5 to $19 and the Bourbons in their collection go for anywhere from $11 to $65 a glass.

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If you would like your events posted here, please email help@dcfoodies.com with the event info.