The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Centennial Gala
This black-tie affair will celebrate 100 years of promoting and developing the growth of tennis in the Mid-Atlantic, the barriers broken by visionaries rooted and cultivated in the region and will raise funds to bring the benefits of the lifelong sport of tennis to EVERY community in the region shaping the next generation of the sport.
The Gala will include a silent and live auction, as well as a paddle raise donation segment, the induction of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Centennial Hall of Fame and music and dancing from The Moonlighter’s, DC’s own renowned Motown dance band.
Where: National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
When: December 1, 2023
6 – 11 p.m.
Who: Pam Shriver, former professional tennis player and current tennis broadcaster, will serve as Emcee for the evening.
The USTA Mid-Atlantic 2023 Hall of Fame Class – Eight outstanding individuals,
Including professional tennis superstar Frances Tiafoe, who have made a significant
Impact growing the game of tennis in the Mid-Atlantic.
About USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation:
USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about USTA’s impact in the Mid-Atlantic and how USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation creates community, character, and well-being.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2–3, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
National Mall
Make your holiday shopping special and support more than 30 award-winning Indigenous artists. Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and enjoy the museum’s annual Native Art Market.
This weekend event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about traditional arts and contemporary Native creativity. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.
Enjoy an electrifying performance by QVLN playing his own brand of dynamic world music on his blue violin. Throughout the day, DJ Sunny Z soundtracks your shopping spree.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2–3, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
National Mall
Make your holiday shopping special and support more than 30 award-winning Indigenous artists. Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and enjoy the museum’s annual Native Art Market.
This weekend event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about traditional arts and contemporary Native creativity. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.
Enjoy an electrifying performance by QVLN playing his own brand of dynamic world music on his blue violin. Throughout the day, DJ Sunny Z soundtracks your shopping spree.
Calico is welcoming the holiday season with its 3rd annual Winter Festival on Sunday, December 3, complete with ornament painting, a launch party for Port City Brewing Co.’s annual “Tidings” ale, an ugly sweater contest and seasonal food and drink. The party is free to attend and open to the public.
From 1 to 9 pm, the heated urban backyard in Blagden Alley will be decked out as a charming winter wonderland for the holidays.
Guests can get crafty by painting decorative ornaments (starting at $3/each) with complimentary communal painting supplies.
Local brewery Port City Brewing Co. from Alexandria, VA has chosen Calico as the official launch spot for its highly-anticipated holiday Tidings ale – a seasonal, wintry Belgian Strong Blonde brewed with ginger, Virginia-grown wheat, local honey and spices like cardamom and coriander. For the debut party, Port City will pour complimentary tastings for guests (21+) from 3-6pm.
Other wintry food and drink specials will include boozy cookie shots and hot cocktails from bar director Ian Fletcher, and seasonal tomato pies, comforting dips and topped tots from Chef Nathan Beauchamp.
And attendees are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweater to the Blagden Alley bar, for a chance to win prizes.
Calico’s 3rd annual Winter Festival is free to attend and open to the public, with ornaments, food and drink sold a la carte. For more information, please visit https://www.calicodc.
WHO: Calico
WHEN: Sunday, December 3, 2023
1 pm – 9 pm
WHERE: Calico
50 Blagden Alley NW
Prohibition-era cocktails. Bottomless Champagne. Live Burlesque. Celebrate the abolition of the booze-prohibiting 18th amendment than a place with the largest selection of whiskey in the Western hemisphere. Jack Rose Dining Saloon is celebrating the day alcohol was made legal once again with its 10th Annual Repeal Day Celebration on Tuesday, December 5th complete with Prohibition-era cocktails, bottomless bubbles, live burlesque, food specials, and a special $19.33 priced Willett Happy Hour.
The free-to-attend, open-to-the-public celebration will start off with a special Willett Happy Hour from 5-7:30pm, featuring pours of seven extremely limited-release bourbons and ryes from Bardstown, KY’s famed Willett Distillery, priced at just $19.33 each (the year alcohol was made legal again).
Other drink specials will be available from 5-10pm, including $35 bottomless Champagne, and $13 classic Prohibition-era cocktails such as the Sidecar, Sazerac, Champagne Cocktail, Old Fashioned and Hemingway Daiquiri.
There will also be food specials ranging from $2 Oysters Rockefeller, to a shareable, snackable “Prohibition Plate” (Petite serves 1-2 for $38; Grande serves 3-4 for $86) featuring a spread of Lobster Deviled Eggs; Crab Rangoon, Jonah Crab Claws, and Snow Crab Legs served either “Maryland Style” with Natty Boh, Old Bay, celery & lemon; or “Cajun” with Zatarain’s, creole spices & garlic.
Burlesque dancers will perform for Saloon spectators starting at 8pm, and the regular Saloon dinner menu will be available a la carte.
And guests are of course encouraged to dress to the nines in flapper dresses and swanky suits, donning their most Prohibition-era attire, for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate (which can be used at either Jack Rose or sister bar The Imperial).
There is no admission fee to Jack Rose’s 10th Annual Repeal Day Party and it is open to the public.
WHO: Jack Rose Dining Saloon
WHEN: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
5-10pm
WHERE: Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th Street NW
HOLIDAY DISPLAY UNVEILING & LIGHTING EVENT
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 FROM 6-7:30PM
Plaza in front of Truist Bank located at the corner of Columbia and Adams Mill Roads NW
Celebrate the holiday season in Adams Morgan! On Tuesday, December 5 from 6-7:30pm, the community is invited to join in on the festivities as AdMo unveils the neighborhood’s newest interactive holiday display underneath a snow-filled sky. It’s the perfect place to take selfies or pose for a holiday card! Attendees can also listen to live music by local cover band, Gotcha Covered. Complimentary hot chocolate and cider will also be available on a first come, first serve basis. Family Friendly. Free. Open to the public.
National Philharmonic (NatPhil) presents its annual Messiah performances, conducted by Music Director Piotr Gajewski for the first time at Strathmore and Capital One Hall. The holiday program features four outstanding singers—soprano Aundi Marie Moore, mezzo soprano Lucia Bradford, tenor Norman Shankle, and baritone Jorell Williams—and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, all of whom are returning to share the stage with the NatPhil Orchestra. Continuing a tradition established last year, a portion of the proceeds from the performances at Strathmore will be donated to the 2nd Century Project to aid in the restoration of the neighboring Scotland African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church.
NatPhil’s Messiah takes place on Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia. Tickets are currently on sale at nationalphilharmonic.org.
While Messiah has been a holiday tradition at NatPhil for many seasons, this year’s performances are being reimagined by Maestro Gajewski. The novel rendering envisioned by him will include simple staging in which the soloists move about freely in front of the orchestra and interact with the audience as they tell stories contained within the oratorio.
NatPhil’s Messiah performances will again feature educational and community engagement activities. The Scotland A.M.E. Zion Mass Choir and its director Michael Terry return to perform pre-concert sets on December 16 and 17. These sets are free to enjoy and will begin one hour prior to the Messiah performances in Strathmore’s lobby area. Also in the lobby, patrons will find a learning table with resources from the Library of Congress to continue discussions and reflection around Handel’s link to the slave economy.
In the spirit of the season, NatPhil is committed to using the success of this program to give back. As such, the Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church in Potomac, Maryland will receive a portion of the proceeds from the two performances at Strathmore. The historic church, which has been a center of community for Black congregants since 1924, was nearly destroyed by a flood in 2019 and victim of a burglary in 2022. Several partners in Montgomery County, including NatPhil, are supporting ongoing efforts to repair and safeguard the building.
Full Concert Details:
Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore
Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Hall
Handel’s Messiah
Piotr Gajewski, conductor
with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society
Aundi Marie Moore, soprano
Lucia Bradford, mezzo soprano
Norman Shankle, tenor
Jorell Williams, baritone
National Philharmonic presents a new and novel semi-staged dramatic rendering of Handel’s Messiah, reimagined by Maestro Piotr Gajewski to usher in the start of your holiday season. From the triumphant “Hallelujah” chorus to the hauntingly beautiful “He Shall Feed His Flock,” this timeless oratorio has captivated audiences for over 250 years.
This season, NatPhil reenvisions Handel’s masterpiece, drawing on the storytelling of all-star soloists soprano Aundi Marie Moore, mezzo soprano Lucia Bradford, tenor Norman Shankle, and baritone Jorell Williams, under the direction of Maestro Piotr Gajewski, who takes over conducting duties for this annual NatPhil presentation. The four outstanding soloists will move about freely in front of the orchestra and interact with the audience as they tell the story of the Messiah.
NatPhil acknowledges the recent discovery of Handel’s involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and is dedicated to continuing the conversation around the performance of his works. A portion of ticket sales revenue will be dedicated to benefiting African American charities in our community.
Program:
George Frideric Handel, Messiah, HWV 56 (with intermission)
Ticket Information
Tickets ($19–$109) are available online at nationalphilharmonic.org. Kids 17 and under can attend National Philharmonic performances for free through the All Kids. All Free. All the Time. initiative.
National Philharmonic (NatPhil) presents its annual Messiah performances, conducted by Music Director Piotr Gajewski for the first time at Strathmore and Capital One Hall. The holiday program features four outstanding singers—soprano Aundi Marie Moore, mezzo soprano Lucia Bradford, tenor Norman Shankle, and baritone Jorell Williams—and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, all of whom are returning to share the stage with the NatPhil Orchestra. Continuing a tradition established last year, a portion of the proceeds from the performances at Strathmore will be donated to the 2nd Century Project to aid in the restoration of the neighboring Scotland African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church.
NatPhil’s Messiah takes place on Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia. Tickets are currently on sale at nationalphilharmonic.org.
While Messiah has been a holiday tradition at NatPhil for many seasons, this year’s performances are being reimagined by Maestro Gajewski. The novel rendering envisioned by him will include simple staging in which the soloists move about freely in front of the orchestra and interact with the audience as they tell stories contained within the oratorio.
NatPhil’s Messiah performances will again feature educational and community engagement activities. The Scotland A.M.E. Zion Mass Choir and its director Michael Terry return to perform pre-concert sets on December 16 and 17. These sets are free to enjoy and will begin one hour prior to the Messiah performances in Strathmore’s lobby area. Also in the lobby, patrons will find a learning table with resources from the Library of Congress to continue discussions and reflection around Handel’s link to the slave economy.
In the spirit of the season, NatPhil is committed to using the success of this program to give back. As such, the Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church in Potomac, Maryland will receive a portion of the proceeds from the two performances at Strathmore. The historic church, which has been a center of community for Black congregants since 1924, was nearly destroyed by a flood in 2019 and victim of a burglary in 2022. Several partners in Montgomery County, including NatPhil, are supporting ongoing efforts to repair and safeguard the building.
Full Concert Details:
Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore
Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Hall
Handel’s Messiah
Piotr Gajewski, conductor
with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society
Aundi Marie Moore, soprano
Lucia Bradford, mezzo soprano
Norman Shankle, tenor
Jorell Williams, baritone
National Philharmonic presents a new and novel semi-staged dramatic rendering of Handel’s Messiah, reimagined by Maestro Piotr Gajewski to usher in the start of your holiday season. From the triumphant “Hallelujah” chorus to the hauntingly beautiful “He Shall Feed His Flock,” this timeless oratorio has captivated audiences for over 250 years.
This season, NatPhil reenvisions Handel’s masterpiece, drawing on the storytelling of all-star soloists soprano Aundi Marie Moore, mezzo soprano Lucia Bradford, tenor Norman Shankle, and baritone Jorell Williams, under the direction of Maestro Piotr Gajewski, who takes over conducting duties for this annual NatPhil presentation. The four outstanding soloists will move about freely in front of the orchestra and interact with the audience as they tell the story of the Messiah.
NatPhil acknowledges the recent discovery of Handel’s involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and is dedicated to continuing the conversation around the performance of his works. A portion of ticket sales revenue will be dedicated to benefiting African American charities in our community.
Program:
George Frideric Handel, Messiah, HWV 56 (with intermission)
Ticket Information
Tickets ($19–$109) are available online at nationalphilharmonic.org. Kids 17 and under can attend National Philharmonic performances for free through the All Kids. All Free. All the Time. initiative.
This holiday season, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Reston is throwing a house party: a gingerbread house party, that is! On Sunday, December 17th 2023, from 11:30am to 1:30pm, children of all ages are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind workshop with Davio’s own pastry chef Emma Thomas!
Chef Thomas will lead the demonstration and workshop, teaching children how to decorate personalized gingerbread houses fit for the North Pole! The event is $55 per child (excluding tax and gratuity) and adult admission is free. Each participating child will receive one gingerbread house to decorate (with delectable decorations included), hot chocolate and lunch!
What to Expect:
Gingerbread houses ready for decorating
An array of candies, icing and edible decorations
A sprinkle of holiday spirit and lots of laughter
Highlights:
Personalized gingerbread houses to take home
Guided by our gingerbread expert Pastry Chef
Holiday music and festive atmosphere
Hot cocoa station for a sweet sip while you decorate
Kid’s Lunch Station Includes
Cheese & Tomato Pizza
Cheese, Tomato & Pepperoni Pizza
Crispy Chicken Sliders
Kobe Beef Sliders
Chicken Fingers
French Fries
WHERE: Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse | 1902 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
WHEN: The workshop will be held on Sunday, December 17th from 11:30am 1:30pm
COST: $55 per child includes gingerbread house and lunch. Secure your spot early and join us for a day of delicious creativity and holiday magic!
Ring in 2024 at the seventh annual Noon Yards Eve! The Yards is bringing back a family-friendly bash to finish out the year.
Celebrate with complimentary activities for kids of all ages including trackless train rides through The Yards, an inflatable slide and bounce house, glitter tattoo artists, carnival games, music by DJ Alex Love, crafts, The Uncle Devin Show, a magician, and more! Families can also take pictures in the photo booth and participate in the 2024-themed giveaways.
The event will culminate with the highly-anticipated countdown and balloon drop celebration at noon, allowing kids of all ages to ring in the New Year! Noon Yards is free to attend, but registration in advance is required on Eventbrite.
WHEN/WHERE:
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Sunday, December 31 | 10am – 1pm
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The Yards Sundeck | 355 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
