Take a Break from the Holiday Shopping
There are only 17 days left until Christmas. If you have time between shopping for gifts or holiday parties, there are plenty of holiday events this weekend. Most the DMV’s annual Christmas attractions are now open. For the complete listing, click here. Here are a few other holiday happenings to fill your weekend.
The Red Line remains shut down between Fort Totten and Silver Spring with the Tacoma station close and buses replacing trains. Trains will operate every 12-15 minutes between Shady Grove and Fort Totten and between Silver spring and Glenmont with additional trains between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. On Sunday beginning at 9 p.m., buses will replace trains from Fort Totten to Forest Glen. Orange and Blue Line trains single track between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory with trains running every 24 minutes. As a result of the single-tracking, Silver Line trains will operate every 24 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston ONLY. Green and Yellow Line trains run on a regular weekend schedule. Yellow Line trains will travel through but not top at the Pentagon station from 7 a.m.-noon on Saturday and Green Line trains will single track between Prince George’s Plaza and College park from 10 p.m.-closing Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Aqueous by Jen Lewin is one of nine light displays that are part of this year’s Georgetown Glow. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)
Georgetown Glow
This stroll through D.C.’s most historic neighborhood will certainly make you light up as you pass by unique, illuminated artworks. Georgetown Glow has proved to be such as hit that it is now a month-long celebration, starting Friday and running through Jan. 7. A group of artists, from locally renowned to internationally celebrated, will display works in outdoor spaces throughout Georgetown. This year, they have added a self-guided audio tour you can play on your smartphone or table with information about each light ar installation and special music selected for each installation. Afterwards, wander through a winter wonderland at the Washington Harbour, one of our favorite places to ice skate in the DMV. This Saturday, Dec. 9, there will be a free silent disco at Washington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW, in front of Bangkok Joe’s at the Horizontal Interference display.
Dec. 8-Jan. 7 from 5-10 p.m. nightly at nine locations around Georgetown including Washington Harbour, Waterfront Park, Grace Church, Georgetown Park Plaza, Cady’s Alley, Book Hill and the Old Georgetown Theatre. Admission is FREE!
Imaginary World of the Nutcracker
The Imaginary World of the Nutcracker is on display at Artechouse through Jan. 7. (Photo: Artechouse)
Artechouse’s latest exhibit, Imaginary World of the Nutcracker celebrates the winter season with projections, interactive experience and augmented reality inspired by the original story with the Nutcracker and other characters coming to life via projections and augmented reality. The exhibit shifts and performs as visitors walk around. The dreamlike world of toys, magic trees, snowflakes and candy offers a memorable experience for both adults and kids alike. The exhibit features visuals by Sila Sveta, the creative team behind the 2017 MET Gala’s immersive light installations.
Through Jan. 7 except Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (21+ only) at Artechouse, 1238 Maryland Ave. Sw. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, senior and military and $8 for children 12 and younger.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
The GWU music, theater and dance programs present Amahl and the Night Visitors on Friday and Saturday.
(Graphic: George Washington University)
Once upon a time, television actually commissioned operas, and Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, written for NBC in 1951, has remained a holiday classic. This year, George Washington University’s music program is teaming up with the theater and dance program for a new staged production of the story.
Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre in the Marvin Center, 800 21st St. NW. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $20 general admission.
A Holiday Pops!
Megan Hilty peforms with the NSO Pops and the Washington Chorus for A Holiday Pops! on Friday and Saturday evenings. (Photo: Kennedy Center)
The NSO Pops and the Washington Chorus (and perhaps Ol’ Saint Nick himself) present A Holiday Pops!, a program of holiday carols and seasonal sign-alongs that the entire family can enjoy. Hear the musical stylings of Tony Award nominee Megan Hilty (oises Off, 9 to 5 and
Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 and 8 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $24-$119.
Twist Your Dickens
The Second City comedy troupe performs Twist Your Dickens at the Kennedy Center through Dec. 31. (Photo: Kennedy Center)
Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol like never before at Twist Your Dickens from The Second City. The comedy troupe brings its infamous improvisational skills and sketch comedy mastery to the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. Journey through this wicked parody of “the night before Christmas” with Tiny Tim, three ridiculous ghosts and a cast of The Second City’s comedians. The show features characters from Dickens’ classic in a different and hilarious light. There will be plenty of audience participation too. Recommended for ages 16 and up.
Dec. 8-10, Dec. 12-17, Dec. 19-23 and Dec. 26-31 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 30 and 31 at 3 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $49-$79.
Holiday Follies
Signature Theatre presents Holiday Follies through Dec. 16.
(Photo: Signature Theatre)
The Signature Theatre wants you to cut loose in the holiday spirit when you attend Holiday Follies. Prepare yourself for a hot toddy from Ali’s Bar, lots of hearty renditions of classic seasonal songs, tunes from popular holiday movies and contemporary originals. There are also plenty of good humor and holiday cheer.
Dec. 8-9 and Dec. 12-16 at 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 and 16 at 3:30 p.m. at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $35.
Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show
Food Network’s Guy Fieri comes to the Metro Cooking DC show on Saturday. (Photo: Metro Cooking DC)
From a Grand Tasting Pavilion featuring more than 50 local restaurants to chances to meet top celebrity chefs like Carla Hall (Saturday, 12:15-1 p.m.) and Guy Fieri (Saturday, noon-12:45 p.m.) as well as local chefs including Jose Andres, Victor Albisu, Any Brandwein, Marjorie Meek-Bradley, Guillermo Pernot, Vikram Sunderam and others, the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show is like a Super Bowl for foodies. The show will also sport tasting and entertaining workshops, a pop-up cooking school and a beer, wine and spirits garden along with cooking demos.
Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Tickets are $21.50 in advance for adults and $10 for children 4-12. Several interactive events such as the Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden, BBQ Bash, Grand Tasting Pavilion, meet and greets and cooking classes have additional fees.
Russian Winter Festival
Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden visit Hillwood Estate for its annual Russian Winter Festival. (Photo: Hillwood Estate)
Celebrate like it’s the 19th century at Hillwood Estate’s annual Russian Winter Festival, which brings holiday cheer and Russian traditions to Upper Northwest. Meet Grandfather Frost (the Russian Santa Claus) and his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden. You can also make and wear your own traditional headwear and enjoy live performances as you explore the grounds of this historic estate.
Dec. 9 and 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for college students, $5 for children 6-18 and free for children younger than 6.
Secrets of the Lacquer Buddha
The newest exhibit at the Freer Gallery brings the only three known life-size Chinese lacquer buddha sculptures together. (Photo: Freer Gallery)
This exhibit marks the first time that all three known sixth- and seventh-century, life-size Chinese lacquer buddha sculptures (one from the Walters Art Museum, one from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and one from the Freer Gallery) will be displayed together. Secrets of the Lacquer Buddha will also highlight how all three of the sculptures were made, revealing fascinating details, including what tree species the lacquer came from, what type of equipment was used and what type of burnt bone was mixed into the sculptures.
Dec. 9-June 10 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Wreathmaking at Tudor Place
Make a herbal wreath at Tudor Place this weekend with greens from the grounds. (Photo: Tudor Place)
Channel your inner Martha Stewart with a two-hour morning or afternoon session making herbal wreaths at Tudor Place. Intertwine fresh-cut foilage with fragrant herbs and spices like cheery cinnamon, dried orange and aromatic lavender to create a one-of-a-kind decoration sure to fill any room with Christmas spirit. Dress it up or leave it simple to suit your decorating desires.
Dec. 9 and 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st St. NW. Tickets are $55 for non-members and $45 for members.
Holiday Sing
Join the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Teen Art Program and alumni choir as they present a Holiday Sing featuring gospel artist Maurette Clark, violinist Chelsey Green, steel pan drummer Victor Provost and more special guests. The performance will include both original music and holiday classics with a twist by award-winning composer Tony Small.
Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Admission is FREE!
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
The Washington Bach Consort performs Bach’s Christmas Oratorio on Saturday. (Photo: Washington Bach Consort/Facebook)
In the German-speaking world, it isn’t Messiah but Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, or Weihnachtsoratorium, that represents the ubiquitous seasonal fare. The Washington Bach Consort is offering four of the set of six (I, II, V and VI) in a concert led by Dana Marah, one of the candidates for the group’s music directorship (audience members are invited to leave feedback that will aid in the search.
Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave. NW. Tickets are $10-$69.
The Holiday Show
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents its annual holiday show this Saturday. Last year’s show included leather-clad reindeer. (Photo: Michael Key)
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents its annual holiday extravaganza of festive new songs and traditional favorites in The Holiday Show. See what the chorus has in store this year as it rings in the season with holiday mashups, tap dancers, snow, leather-clad reindeer, a campy version of The Nutcracker and more. Songs include Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song and I Should Have Been a North Pole Elf. There chorus will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for Community Family Life Services at each show.
Dec. 9 at 8 p.m., Dec. 16 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $25-$65.
A Candlelight Christmas
The Washington Chorus presents it annual Candlelight Christmas performance. (Photo: Shannon Finney/Washington Chorus)
The Washington Chorus consists of 200 voices, which work in tandem with brass, organ and percussion to create wonderful renditions of Christmas classics during A Candlelight Christmas. The chorus will be accompanied by the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Chamber Choir and D.C. al Fine. The audience will be asked to join in joyous sing-alongs. The traditional candlelight processional will also take place at this annual event.
Dec. 10 at 2 and 5 p.m., Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. and Dec. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW and Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets are $18-$79.
Ongoing Events
Ai Weiwei: Trace from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Jan. 1 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Architecture of an Asylum: St. Elizabeths 1852-2017 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 15 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, students and children.
Beautiful Blooms: Flowering Plants on Stamps from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through July 14 at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Admission is FREE!
Crazy for You at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday through Jan. 14 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $40-$89.
Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 15 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice across Asia from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 29, 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
The First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald at 100 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Apr. 2 at the National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
The Faces of Battle: Americans at War, 9/11 to Now from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Jan. 28 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Ilya and Emilia Kabakov: The Utopian Projects from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Mar. 4 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
In the Tower: Anne Truitt from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Apr. 1 at the National Gallery of Art East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Making Room: Housing for a Changing American from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 16 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for seniors 60 or older, students, and children ages 3-17.
Mark Bradford: Pickett’s Charge from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 12 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Marlene Dietrich: Dressed for the Image from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Apr. 15 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Mural from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 11 a.m-6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 28 at the National Gallery of Art East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Murder Is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at the Renwick Gallery, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Nina Simone: Four Women at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7;30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday through Dec. 24 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $71-$111
Nothing to Lose (But Our Chains) at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 31 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW. Tickets are $20-$76.
Pajama Game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 24 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $50-$99.
Parallax Gap from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily through Feb. 11 at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. Admission is FREE!
Recent Acquisitions from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 4, 2018, at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Remembering Vietnam from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 6, 2019, at the National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Rick Araluce: The Final Stop from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 28 at the Renwick Gallery, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Subodh Gupta: Terminal from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
The Sweat of Their Face: Portraying American Workers from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Sept. 3 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Tamayo: The New York Years from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Mar. 18 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Twelfth Night at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday with occasional noon weekday matinees through Dec. 20 at Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. Tickets are $25-$118.
Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 21 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
What Absence Is Made Of from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through the summer of 2019 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 7th Street and Independence Avenue Sw. Admission is FREE!
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.
