The DC Traveler

Besides the skating rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, skaters can find several other outdoor ice skating rinks around Washington, DC to enjoy some holiday skating fun around.  Lace up your skates and enjoy outdoor skating at any the of the ice skating rinks listed below.
All the rinks offer skate rentals, and charge under $8.00 for ice time. Check the rink’s website for hours and fees.  Most are open Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating …read more

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Enjoy the company of 3,500 of Washington, DC’s 20s and 30s crowd for the annual New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown.
Hosted by DC101’s Elliot in the Morning radio host, partygoers get to enjoy an open bar, a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, karaoke, live bands (Cowboy Mouth, Pat McGee Band, Gonzo’s Nose), dancing and a comedy club.
The Downtown Countdown    
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001  (map it)
Dates and Times – Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 8:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Tickets – $109.00 and are available online or by phone at 202-397-SEAT. This event is 21 years old and over only.
Nearest Metro …read more

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Here’s the second part of the listings of official and unofficial Inaugural Balls in Washington, DC, that will be celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United State, Barak Obama.
Here’s the list for January 20, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the first list of inaugural balls, (on January 19), was posted on The DC Traveler, yesterday. Click here to link to the other post.
Again, the availability of tickets may change daily.  Even if inaugural balls are sold out, waiting list or returned tickets may be available.

American Indian Inaugural Ball    Hyatt Regency Crystal City 2799 …read more

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There are at least 8 official inaugural balls and 13 unofficial Inaugural Balls in Washington, DC celebrating the inauguration of President-elect Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States.
So many, that I am splitting up the information I have been able to find into two post, one for January 19, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the second (tomorrow) for Inaugural Balls on January 20th.
Ticket availability changes by the day.  Some ball tickets will be available online from the inaugural ball committee.  Other inaugural balls are sold out, but check the ball sites as they may have a waiting …read more

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Enjoy a selection of live international Christmas and holiday music sung by the Bach Consort and their orchestra.  The annual concert at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC includes Baroque period selections by :

Johann Sebastian Bach – Germany
Whitaker  – United States
Tavernier – United Kingdom
Valletta – France
Villa-Lobos – Brazil
Chesnokov – Russia
Ødegaard – Norway
Lewis – Wales

Bach Consort – An International Christmas
National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC, 20016 (map it)
Dates and Times – December 21, 2008, 3:00 p.m.
Tickets – $20.00 – $55.00, call 202-429-2121. 
Nearest Metro Subway Station – Tenleytown-AU – Red line, then a 4-block walk.
Parking – Free parking in …read more

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Here’s your chance to hear the closest thing to angels singing, a performance of Christmas music by the famous Vienna Boys Choir.

A symbol of Austrian music for nearly 500 years, the choir has delighted music lovers, starting with King Maximilian I who, in 1498, had the choir formed, consisting of a dozen boys to the royal court.  Since then, the choir has worked with composers such as Mozart, Salieri, Haydn and Schubert.
The choir brings in their angelic voices to sing of peace and happiness during the holiday season.  The program includes holiday music ranging from Gregorian chants through popular Christmas …read more

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Would you love to take your children to see the classic Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center?  But do you hesitate thinking they might be too young to sit through a lengthy and formal production?  Then take them to a children’s performance of The Nutcracker.
American Dance Institute’s Youth Ensemble will perform a shorter version, just an hour long, of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Children an experience the magic of the story and dance in  less intimidating setting and more relaxed environment.
The performances will be held in the intimate 140-seat world-class facility, where children can get a close …read more

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Visiting the 2008 Capitol Christmas Tree located at the front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. should be a holiday tradition. 
This year’s tree, from the Sapphire Mountains of Western Montana, was originally 100 feet tall, but was cut to 73 feet.
It’s open to the public daily.
2008 Capitol Christmas Tree U.S. Capitol Building – west grounds  1 1st Street, NE, between Constitution and Independence Avenues Washington, DC  (map it).

Dates and Times – Daily through January 1, 2009
Admission – FREE
Nearest Metro Subway Station – Federal Center SW – Blue and Orange line, …read more

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The Cathedral Choral Society join with the United Voices Scandinavian Youth Choir and the choirs of St. Alban’s and National Cathedral School to present a Washington, DC family favorite event – The Joy Of Christmas.
This year’s annual concert will feature, not only a host of familiar holiday carols, the cathedral’s majestic organ and carillon, as well as a world premier of a new Christmas carol.
The Joy of Christmas
Washington National Cathedral
3000 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC  20016  (map it)
Dates and Times – Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14, 2008 at 4:00 p.m., plus special family concert at Noon on Saturday.
Tickets …read more

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The annual lighting of the National Menorah on the Ellipse in Washington, DC signifies, to those of Jewish faith, the starting of the eight days of Chanukah, or the Festival of Lights.
According to the Talmud, after a large-scale revolt and victory of the Jews over the Hellenistic empire (about 165 BC), the alter at the Temple in the old city of Jerusalem was rededicated. On that day, there was enough holy oil to keep the eternal flame burning for just one day. But the flame burned for eight days and nights, enough to produce a new batch of holy …read more

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