Boldly Go Solo

Want to get up close and personal with some big-name stars this weekend? Such as Lionel Richie, Blythe Danner, Gary Sinise and the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants? (Okay, maybe the sergeants don't have quite the star power as the others.)

This weekend, on the lawn behind the U.S. Capitol, the National Symphony Orchestra is holding its annual free Memorial Day concert, also featuring Gen. Colin Powell, Dennis Haysbert, Joe Mantegna and various singing, chanting and trumpet-playing members of the military.

You don't have to buy tickets, wait in line (other than for security) or dress up. And you can get close enough to see the freckles on some of your Hollywood faves.

I realize this is rather late notice considering the Sunday concert is only four days away. But hey, you're solo travelers. You can hop on a bus, a plane, a train, with little notice and go do what you want to do.

I'm going to guess that few people go to these concerts solo. Which means nothing in the grand scheme of your life.

I'm willing to bet that if you sit down next to some family or a group of people you'll either be talked to or you will enjoy the people-watching that comes with babies bopping to the music, college kids hanging out and military vets from many wars standing up to receive grateful applause from fellow concert-goers.

If you miss this concert, there's always the Fourth of July one on the Mall with the fireworks in the background, or the Labor Day one. They're always held on the Sunday of the three-day weekends at 8 p.m. 

I recommend bringing snacks and something to read or do (besides your BlackBerry/iPhone/Droid/iPad – unless your iPad has books on it) if you get there early.

The concerts go on, rain or shine. If you're lucky, it will be a beautiful night and you can lie back and look at the stars while the symphony music floats by.

Photo: PBS Capitol Concerts. View from the orchestra to the U.S. Capitol