The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces Grammy Award®–winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter—who today announced the release of his first-ever holiday album, Christmas Wish—will play a special concert at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2023, at 8 p.m.
The concert will feature Porter’s longtime pianist Chip Crawford on piano, Emmanuel Harrold on drums and percussion, Gregoire Maret on harmonica, Jahmal Nichols on bass, Ondre Pivec on Hammond organ, Tivon Pennicott on flute, soprano saxophone, and tenor saxphone.
Christmas Wish is a loving tribute to Porter’s favorite time of year—and to great songwriters, singers, and interpreters including Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Dinah Washington, and Nat King Cole. In addition to this list of world class names, Porter himself has added to the Christmas songbook with three original tracks, soon to be favorites for the festive season, including the first single “Everything’s Not Lost” which is out now.
Backed by his long-time band and produced by repeat collaborator Troy Miller, the album features inspired interpretations of carols, standards, and soulful sixties deep-cuts including “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” Marvin Gaye’s “Purple Snowflakes,” Stevie Wonder’s “Someday At Christmas,” and Frank Loesser’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?,” which features a special guest appearance by Grammy®–winning vocalist Samara Joy.
The theme of sharing and caring at Christmas, and the sense of renewal and revival that comes when the year draws to a close, is all here in Porter’s most personal contribution – his trio of new, self-penned songs, “Christmas Wish,” “Heart For Christmas,” and “Everything’s Not Lost,” an elegant piano ballad that is Porter’s persuasive plea to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. “I’m always thinking of balance” he explains. “That has been instilled in me and it keeps coming up in a lot of my music. At your highest, at your greatest, at your most pleasant time, don’t forget about other people who are suffering.”
The album, which also includes orchestral contributions from the Kingdom Orchestra, was recorded between Sear Sound Studio in New York City and London’s Crossways Studio and Abbey Road Studios.
The longest-running winter warehouse sale returns for its 20th year in a walkable format throughout Old Town Alexandria in February. The 20th Annual Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale presented by Old Town Business returns February 3-4, 2024.
With sales up to 80% off, shoppers are expected to score the best deals of the winter season with nearly 50 independent boutiques to choose from. Steals and deals from Alexandria and regional boutiques will take place in stores, pop-up tents, select side streets, and open retail spaces for shoppers to explore and enjoy the best retailers ranging from indie brands, clothing, shoes, and jewelry, to home furnishings, and more.
Participating shoppers can access a downloaded sale map and plot out their shopping plans for their favorite spots to visit. QR code stations will be stationed at participating businesses and tents to help locate shopping destinations as well.
Shoppers can all get a jump start on the weekend festivities by participating in giveaways by following @alxwarehousesale on Instagram for a chance to win gift cards to a local restaurant and/or a participating store.
2024 Alexandria Warehouse Sale Participants (as of January 16, 2024)
-
3 Sisters
-
529 Kids Consign
-
Bashford & Pitt (pop-up)
-
Bishop Boutique
-
Bloomers
-
Boxwood
-
Comfort One Shoes
-
Fibre space
-
Frances Valentine
-
Gossypia
-
Gold Works
-
Gossip on 23rd (pop-up)
-
Hooray for Books
-
King’s Jewelers
-
Lotus Blooms
-
Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop
-
Made in ALX (pop-up)
-
Mint Condition
-
Monday’s Child
-
Monkees of Fairfax (pop-up)
-
Mystique Jewelers
-
Old Town Books
-
Pacers Running
-
Penny Post
-
Red Barn Mercantile
-
Sara Campbell
-
Saya Behnam Art Shop
-
She’s Unique
-
Shop Made in VA
-
Sophie Blake (pop-up)
-
Ten Thousand Villages
-
The Enchanted Florist
-
The Genius Genus
-
The Hive
-
The Hour
-
The Lucky Knot
-
The Old Town Shop
-
The Pink Reef (pop-up)
-
The Shoe Hive
-
Today’s Cargo
-
Torpedo Factory Art Center
-
Twist Boutique
-
Versailles Art & Rug
-
VIDA STYLE Shop
-
Vintage Mirage
-
Wear Ever Jewelry
-
Yellow Jacket
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has announced its 2024 family festival commemorating Lunar New Year, a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. The event takes place Feb. 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
This year’s Lunar New Year festival will celebrate the year of the dragon. It will consist of performances, talks, tours, hands-on activities and more. The full schedule is available online. The museum also offers many resources to learn about Lunar New Year on its website such as virtual tours of related collections, lesson plans and webinars.
About Lunar New Year
Commonly known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions. The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is the highlight that kicks off the holiday, a feast with a spread of symbolic dishes, such as a whole fish representing abundance, that bring good luck and fortune. The 15th and final day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival, during which people have tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls, and children carry lanterns around the neighborhood at night to mark the end of the celebration.
In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the year of the dragon. Different regions across Asia celebrate Lunar New Year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. Many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders do not observe the Chinese/lunar zodiac.
The longest-running winter warehouse sale returns for its 20th year in a walkable format throughout Old Town Alexandria in February. The 20th Annual Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale presented by Old Town Business returns February 3-4, 2024.
With sales up to 80% off, shoppers are expected to score the best deals of the winter season with nearly 50 independent boutiques to choose from. Steals and deals from Alexandria and regional boutiques will take place in stores, pop-up tents, select side streets, and open retail spaces for shoppers to explore and enjoy the best retailers ranging from indie brands, clothing, shoes, and jewelry, to home furnishings, and more.
Participating shoppers can access a downloaded sale map and plot out their shopping plans for their favorite spots to visit. QR code stations will be stationed at participating businesses and tents to help locate shopping destinations as well.
Shoppers can all get a jump start on the weekend festivities by participating in giveaways by following @alxwarehousesale on Instagram for a chance to win gift cards to a local restaurant and/or a participating store.
2024 Alexandria Warehouse Sale Participants (as of January 16, 2024)
-
3 Sisters
-
529 Kids Consign
-
Bashford & Pitt (pop-up)
-
Bishop Boutique
-
Bloomers
-
Boxwood
-
Comfort One Shoes
-
Fibre space
-
Frances Valentine
-
Gossypia
-
Gold Works
-
Gossip on 23rd (pop-up)
-
Hooray for Books
-
King’s Jewelers
-
Lotus Blooms
-
Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop
-
Made in ALX (pop-up)
-
Mint Condition
-
Monday’s Child
-
Monkees of Fairfax (pop-up)
-
Mystique Jewelers
-
Old Town Books
-
Pacers Running
-
Penny Post
-
Red Barn Mercantile
-
Sara Campbell
-
Saya Behnam Art Shop
-
She’s Unique
-
Shop Made in VA
-
Sophie Blake (pop-up)
-
Ten Thousand Villages
-
The Enchanted Florist
-
The Genius Genus
-
The Hive
-
The Hour
-
The Lucky Knot
-
The Old Town Shop
-
The Pink Reef (pop-up)
-
The Shoe Hive
-
Today’s Cargo
-
Torpedo Factory Art Center
-
Twist Boutique
-
Versailles Art & Rug
-
VIDA STYLE Shop
-
Vintage Mirage
-
Wear Ever Jewelry
-
Yellow Jacket
Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley is once again celebrating Lunar New Year (year of the Dragon) from February 9 through February 18. Tiger Fork will serve of a special a la carte menu of symbolic Cantonese dishes for both dine-in and takeout, each representing a specific virtue to bring good luck for the coming year. And during dinner service on two Saturdays, February 10 & 17, the festive restaurant will host traditional Lion Dancers, performing ceremonies to bring prosperity and good fortune in 2024.
In addition to most of Tiger Fork’s regular menu offerings, Executive Chef Simon Lam has created several dish specials, each designed to bring good luck in the New Year (traditional examples include dumplings symbolizing wealth, noodles for long life, and fish bringing surplus). Available either a la carte (ranging from $9-$35) or as a tasting menu for two ($136), dishes include:
Pork Dumplings (wealth)
Napa cabbage, edamame puree, herb oil
Jian Diu (togetherness)
fried glutinous rice sesame balls
Yu Sheng (prosperity)
noodles, seasonal vegetables, sea urchin, fish roe
Yu (abundance)
steamed whole fish, soy fish broth, aromatic herbs
Year of the Dragon (luck)
battered lobster, soy gravy, pan fried egg noodles
Throughout the celebration, dine-in guests will receive a traditional red envelope with their checks. During Lunar New Year, bright red envelopes are traditionally gifted to friends and family. Guests can fill them with money, gifted to symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.
And traditional Chinese lion dancers from Tai Yim Kung Fu will perform on several nights during dinner service (Sat. February 10 at 7:30pm, and Sat. February 17 at 5pm and 7pm) for guests in the dining room and just outside the restaurant in historic Blagden Alley — a customary ceremony which signifies prosperity, luck and good fortune.
Tiger Fork’s Lunar New Year specials will all be available for dine-in, and some for takeout/delivery.
WHEN: Food Specials: Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 18 (food specials)
Lion Dancing: Saturday, February 10 (7:30pm) and Saturday, February 17 (5pm, 7pm)
WHERE: Tiger Fork
922 N Street NW
Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley is once again celebrating Lunar New Year (year of the Dragon) from February 9 through February 18. Tiger Fork will serve of a special a la carte menu of symbolic Cantonese dishes for both dine-in and takeout, each representing a specific virtue to bring good luck for the coming year. And during dinner service on two Saturdays, February 10 & 17, the festive restaurant will host traditional Lion Dancers, performing ceremonies to bring prosperity and good fortune in 2024.
In addition to most of Tiger Fork’s regular menu offerings, Executive Chef Simon Lam has created several dish specials, each designed to bring good luck in the New Year (traditional examples include dumplings symbolizing wealth, noodles for long life, and fish bringing surplus). Available either a la carte (ranging from $9-$35) or as a tasting menu for two ($136), dishes include:
Pork Dumplings (wealth)
Napa cabbage, edamame puree, herb oil
Jian Diu (togetherness)
fried glutinous rice sesame balls
Yu Sheng (prosperity)
noodles, seasonal vegetables, sea urchin, fish roe
Yu (abundance)
steamed whole fish, soy fish broth, aromatic herbs
Year of the Dragon (luck)
battered lobster, soy gravy, pan fried egg noodles
Throughout the celebration, dine-in guests will receive a traditional red envelope with their checks. During Lunar New Year, bright red envelopes are traditionally gifted to friends and family. Guests can fill them with money, gifted to symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.
And traditional Chinese lion dancers from Tai Yim Kung Fu will perform on several nights during dinner service (Sat. February 10 at 7:30pm, and Sat. February 17 at 5pm and 7pm) for guests in the dining room and just outside the restaurant in historic Blagden Alley — a customary ceremony which signifies prosperity, luck and good fortune.
Tiger Fork’s Lunar New Year specials will all be available for dine-in, and some for takeout/delivery.
WHEN: Food Specials: Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 18 (food specials)
Lion Dancing: Saturday, February 10 (7:30pm) and Saturday, February 17 (5pm, 7pm)
WHERE: Tiger Fork
922 N Street NW
The 8th Annual National Cannabis Festival returns to The Festival Grounds at RFK Campus on April 19 & 20 headlined by Wu-Tang Clan with Redman and Thundercat.
In addition to the concert, NCF ticket holders can explore sweet and savory eats, check out the epic Exhibitor Fair featuring more than 100 brands, enjoy demos, comedy, panel discussions, eating contests, and more in the Education Pavilions, visit sponsor activations and grab swag site-wide, all while checking out the talent rocking out the main stage on both days.
The 8th Annual National Cannabis Festival returns to The Festival Grounds at RFK Campus on April 19 & 20 headlined by Wu-Tang Clan with Redman and Thundercat.
In addition to the concert, NCF ticket holders can explore sweet and savory eats, check out the epic Exhibitor Fair featuring more than 100 brands, enjoy demos, comedy, panel discussions, eating contests, and more in the Education Pavilions, visit sponsor activations and grab swag site-wide, all while checking out the talent rocking out the main stage on both days.
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
