Summer is so near that we can taste the barbecue and freedom. Which means, of course, that weekend entertainment and warm weather, rather than that lingering thesis or pesky research project, is at the forefront of our gray matter. The second issue of the Insider brings you all that, plus a more legit-sounding way to waste your time than scrolling through Facebook.

Tired of the same old scene? Flip to Zach Pentel’s exploration of the new H Street area, an up-and-coming place in the District for indie rock, cheap beer and burlesque shows. So tired of the same old scene that you need to get out of here entirely? Shell out for a Zipcar and hit the road for one of four Insider-recommended weekend getaways. To make the perfect mixtape for your road trip, check out Jeffrey Parker’s suggestions of up-and-coming bands for the summer, and start your iTunesing now, so you can honestly say you listened to them before they sold out.

If you’re looking for for fun a little closer to home, herbivore Kara Wright gives her recommendations of vegetarian friendly restaurants in the District. We catch style-savvy students at their weekend best before heading off to a night on the town. Rachel Weiner, a smarty-pants who likes learning things outside of class, describes the trivia night scene. PBR is soo freshman year, says Erika Tepler, who gives readers a taste of cabernet sauvignon and the high life. If that’s too refined for you, you can always head to the National Museum of Health and Medicine to see body parts floating in jars – one of many museums you probably never knew were in D.C. But hey, after all of our suggestions, if you want to stick to your dinner-and-a-movie routine, that’s fine too. Just know that our movie previews aren’t based on which movies are good – only on what fits best into the stanzas of a haiku.