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
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
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/
The 3rd Annual Holiday Market will return to Rosslyn from 10 am to 6 pm on Thursday, Dec. 10 and 10 am to 8 pm on Friday, Dec. 11. The Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) will host the third annual neighborhood holiday market and celebration in Gateway Park, which will feature a host of unique and local vendors.
This year’s event will kickoff on Dec. 10 with a number of family friendly activities including winter-themed crafts and games, along with photos with Santa from 4:00 to 6 pm. There will be live jazz music and an assortment of food, including from local food truck, Killer Tomato Pies, onsite from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., as well as Rosslyn restaurant Bistro 360, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday’s activities will also include a special Pop-Up Boot Camp at noon designed to help attendees start the holiday season guilt-free. A professional trainer will lead participants through High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – an exciting and intense cardio workout designed to burn as many as 1,000 calories per class. Registration for the event is free and the first 45 registrants will receive a free Rosslyn BID water bottle and a voucher for $3 off beer or wine at the Holiday Market. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.rosslynva.org/holidaybootcamp
On Dec. 11, the Holiday Market will continue with a live jazz performance and fares from local food trucks Fusion Confusion and Killer Tomato Pies from 11:00am to 2:00pm. More adult-oriented festivities will continue that evening, with a live performance from popular local cover band Jeff From Accounting, complete with beer and wine sales from Washington Wine Academy from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. New to this year’s event, Friday’s celebration will conclude with a bonfire and D.J. in Gateway Park West from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with hot food, wine and beer available for purchase.
In the spirit of the holidays, Rosslyn BID will also be overseeing its annual clothing drive, which will run through Dec. 11. Gift-wrapped donation boxes will be placed in the lobbies of buildings throughout the neighborhood, and all clothing collected will be donated to Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN), a non-profit group that seeks to meet the needs of local homeless people. A-SPAN will have a booth at the market to raise awareness surrounding the initiative.
“You bring the chestnuts and we’ll bring the open fire,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn BID. “Having the largest park in Arlington available to host the Holiday Market lets us do some fun and creative things you don’t always see at other holiday markets.”
The Holiday Market showcases high quality items from a variety of vendors and holiday shoppers are able to browse everything from innovative jewelry and sweet treats to handmade clothing.
Additional Holiday Market vendors include Baby Hats Shoes and More, Switchwood, The Board Bus, Courtney Gillian, Popcorn Queens, Black Pug Smokehouse, Peruvian Trends, Pezzi Unici, Stella & Dot, Jinsei Juice, Was Paper and more!
A full list of vendors and details on the Rosslyn Holiday Market can be found at http://www.rosslynva.org/HolidayReady
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