Fairmont’s 12th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
5:30 – 7:00 pm.
Fairmont Hotel – 2401 M Street, NW
Family photos with Santa & Rudolph
Refreshments,
Entertainment by Georgetown Visitation Madrigals
holiday crafts
U.S. Marine Corps Presentation of Colors
Free and open to the public
Guests are asked to bring a toy for Toys for Tots
National Geographic Live presents The Science of Delicious, a culinary event celebrating the December issue National Geographic magazine story by the same name. The story, written by David Owen and available here, is part of National Geographic’s Future of Food initiative, a special five-year project that seems to show how what we eat makes us who we are.
While savoring innovative food and drink pairings from Chaplin’s Restaurant, attendees will learn the science behind what tastes good, what tastes bad, and why we even taste at all.
The evening will feature fun and interactive demonstrations, an exclusive look at photos from the magazine story, fascinating conversation among experts and, of course, delicious food and drink.
WHEN: Thursday, December 3, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets (starting at $100) and full event details can be found here:
http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/12/03/science-taste-dc/
WHO: The Science of Delicious will feature presentations from experts and special guests including:
Pam Caragol, Executive Producer, “EAT: The Story of Food,” National Geographic
Studios/National Geographic Channel
Chef Myo Htun, Co-owner and Chef, Chaplin’s Restaurant
Todd James, Senior Photo Editor, National Geographic magazine
Julie Mennella, Biopsychologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, featured in the
National Geographic magazine story, “The Science of Delicious”
Ari Wilder, Restaurateur and Co-owner, Chaplin’s Restaurant
WHAT: SMITHSONIAN at 8 presents “James Smithson’s Holiday Birthday Ball: Party Like It’s 1765!”
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4, 8 to 11 p.m. (7 to 11 p.m. for VIP ticket-holders)
WHERE: Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Independence Ave., SW (Enter from Independence Ave. or Jefferson Dr., SW)
When it came to gift-giving, James Smithson was a champ. On his death in 1829, the English chemist and mineralogist left his sizeable fortune to the United States—a place he’d never visited—to found “an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge” called the Smithsonian Institution.
Now, on the 250th anniversary of his birth*, it’s time to give him a big thank-you by gathering in the original Smithsonian building, the historic Castle, for a birthday bash inspired by James, his era, and the Smithsonian itself.
It’s going to be a terrific party:
- Learn plenty of quirky and fascinating facts about Smithson in a trivia challenge. Here’s a head start: He was crazy about traveling, has a mineral named after him and he wrote a cookbook.
- Like any proper ball, count on dancing and drinks, including one inspired by James’s own recipe for ginger beer. Music by DJ As-One and cash bar by Tortoise and Hare.
- A scavenger hunt lets guests explore some of the treasures hidden throughout the corners of our weird and wonderful Castle. Pay a visit to Smithson’s crypt along the way.
- Guests can head to the photo booth to create their own “portrait.” As always, there’s no specific dress code for SMITHSONIAN at 8 events, but if guests would like to dress to impress in 18th-century-inspired finery, think fans, feathers, fancy waistcoats, and anything else suitably dramatic to give a period flair to their modern party wear.
- There’ll be some crafty activities, too.
Since there are now about 137 million objects in his collections, Mr. Smithson doesn’t need any gifts. But in the spirit of his generosity, SMITHSONIAN at 8 has partnered with local charity Martha’s Table to help needy families and children this holiday season. Guests may bring their donations with them to the event, and we’ll deliver them to Martha’s Table. For a list of winter clothing needs, click here
SPECIAL FEATURES FOR VIP TICKET-HOLDERS: Exclusive early access to the event from 7 to 8 p.m., including an open bar featuring beer, wine, and specialty cocktails and small bites. (Please note that these VIP benefits are available only between 7 and 8 p.m.)
*No one knows the exact date of James Smithson’s birth. His unmarried mom slipped across the Channel to Paris for his birth.
General admission $25
VIP admission $50 (includes early access, open bar, and small bites from 7 to 8 p.m.)
If tickets are available at the door, prices will increase to $30 for General Admission and $60 for VIP Admission.
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Must be 21 years old with valid photo ID to attend.
For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit www.SMITHSONIANat8.com
On Sunday, December 6th, digital arts collective The Beat & Path will host an all-day event at Flash Nightclub in celebration of the success of the DC-based web series Walk of Shame with support from the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP). The event will feature music performances from D.C. top talent, including a headlining performance by E.A.S.Y. – the live electronic duo comprised of award-winning turntablists DJ Shiftee and DC’s own, DJ Enferno. Proceeds from the event will benefit DJ Enferno’s music education non-profit Mix Major, as well as the Dupont Underground, which will provide live art activations by local artists during the event.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased HERE.
The award-winning Walk of Shame series was originally funded by a successful crowdsourcing campaign featured on Kickstarter in 2013. Since first airing, film festivals, including the Toronto Web Fest 2015, Miami Web Fest, Brooklyn Web Fest, NYC Web Fest, Rome Web Fest, DC Web Fest and the upcoming Rio Web Fest, have all officially recognized the web series. At the DC Web Fest, Walk of Shame was an award recipient for Local Hero and Audience Choice, and at the Miami Web Fest, the series won awards for both Best Music/Score and Best Supporting Actress (Stephanie Ray Glass). Walk of Shame was recently nominated for an Emerging Voice Award at Brooklyn Web Fest. The series has also won an American University Visions Award for editing, and was nominated for an Emerging Voice Award at Brooklyn Web Fest, Best Cinematography at the Rio Web Fest, and Achievement in Music and Score at the upcoming New York Web Fest.
The six-episode, online-only series depicts a modern coming of age tale as told through the lens of DJ culture. The cast includes characters ranging from youthful bloggers to budding disc jockeys, and the series covers topical themes such as online dating and hipster fashion trends. Episodes are currently being released online with other transmedia content including mixtapes, original music and short web clips.
WHAT: The Beat & Path to host all day celebration at Flash nightclub with support from the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP)
WHEN: Sunday, December 6, 2015
3PM – 9PM (Full music line-up TBA)
WHO: Performances by E.A.S.Y. (DJ Shiftee & DJ Enferno), Trayze, DJ Amen Ra, Spinser Tracy, Kerim, DJ As-One, DJ Bo, The Editor and more TBA
WHERE: Flash
645 Florida Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown is pleased to announce their 10th annual gingerbread house making classes. Just in time for the holidays, Executive Pastry Chef D’Oyen Christie will provide festively expert instruction for the adult and children’s classes.
Adult’s Gingerbread Class
On Tuesday, December 8, 2015, at 6:00 p.m., Chef Christie will share his gingerbread decorating secrets, while guests create their own holiday gingerbread house. The class includes all materials, expert instruction and holiday hors d’oeuvres and libations. At the end of the class, each adult will take home their own completed gingerbread house. Adult gingerbread class is $85 per person.
On Thursday, December 17, Melrose Georgetown Hotel will host the MOTAC (Museum of the American Cocktail) holiday cocktail seminar. Now in its 8th year, MOTAC has assembled some of Washington, DC’s finest craft mixologists to demo and serve samples of their favorite holiday cocktails. Farm-to-fork appetizers will be served, and participants will leave with drink recipes so they can make these spirited beverages at home.
Tickets are $45 for non MOTAC members, $37.50 for MOTAC members and US Bartenders Guild members.
2430 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC, 20037
December 9, 2015
11:00am – 2:00pm
Atrium
Join us for Winternational – 4th Annual Embassy Showcase. This year there will be many opportunities for 1:1 interviews with diplomats, embassy exhibitors, sponsors and attendees. This festival has the atmosphere of an international bazaar with displays of visual arts, handcrafts, travel and tourism information as well as samples of national specialties, coffees and teas. Guests have the opportunity to travel the world and do some holiday shopping — all during the lunch hour!
Participating embassies include: African Union, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, European Union Delegation, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, League of Arab States, Macedonia, Mauritius, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and more to come!
To register for this free event, please visit: http://itcdc.com/Upcoming-Events/Winternational
The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) is pleased to present its annual Santa Celebration on the plaza at 5th & K Streets, NW in Washington, DC from 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 9th.
The Santa Celebration is free and open to the public and will feature:
- FREE photo opportunity with Santa for kids, dogs, and adults
- Hot chocolate with fun, seasonal toppings provided by the MVT CID and Le Pain Quotidien
- Fresh, hot popcorn courtesy of 5th Street Ace Hardware
- Brazilian Cheesecake bites courtesy Texas de Brazil
- Holiday cookies courtesy of the City Vista Safeway
- House-made dog treats courtesy of A Baked Joint
The event will also serve as a collection point for new, unwrapped toys for Central Union Mission’s Operation Christmas Miracle. More information about toy donations available at: http://www.missiondc.org/christmas/
