Party in Germany - Cologne Style
As a kid growing up in a very German neighborhood in Chicago, we always looked forward to an annual celebration my family called Fasching. But in other party of German, it was called Fastnacht (fast night) or Karneval.
The local neighborhood German restaurants and taverns would bring in live German bands to dance to, serve traditional German foods and as always, offer great German beers. People would dust off traditional German costumes and the party would last for a week or so.
As part of global celebration called Carnaval, Mardi Gras, Shrovetide (or whatever you may call it), this annual festival with Roman Catholic origins occurs before the beginning of the fasting season prior to Easter, called Lent. While most of the celebrations have lost a lot of their religious meaning and become much more commercial, the festivals are still fascinating glimpses of culture and enjoyable parties.
In Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city, Karneval dates back to the 1300s and is called “the fifth season”. It was with one of the few times in the year when peasants could mix and party with all other levels of society. Activities include parades attended by hundreds of thousands, costume balls and other celebrations.
This year, the German Embassy in DC is hosting a special black-tie Cologne (Köln) Karneval Celebration!
You can sample a long list of German foods prepared by the embassy’s chef, (standup buffet), Kolsch beer and selection of German wines. A live 20-piece band will play both classic and modern German tunes to sing along with and be accompanied by native dances. There may also be some German humor and some German dance lessons. Later in the evening, the party heat up with a DJ to dance to. And of course, end the evening with a serving of classic German Apple Strudel.
Cologne (Köln) Karneval Celebration
German Embassy
4645 Reservoir Road NW
Washington, DC, 20007-1998
Attire - Black tie (optional), Karneval Masquerade Style or perhaps your favorite dirndl or lederhosen.
Date & Time – Friday, February 16th, 8:00 p. until Midnight
Tickets - $110 per person, available online. Click on the Embassy & Culture link.
Nearest Metro subway station - Farragut North (Red line) and Farragut West (Blue and Orange lines), then take the Metrobus D3 or D6 bus. There is no Metro station within easy walking distance of the Embassy.
This event is sponsored by Things to Do DC, a social, educational and cultural organization for area professionals
Photo credits: flickr
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POSTED IN: Events, Food & Beverage, Music, Nightlife, People Watching, Special Events
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