The DC Traveler

A Merry Christmas to one and all from The DC Traveler.

Image – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti _______________________________________________________________

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Images – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

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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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Enjoy a traditional colonial plantation holiday dinner at Gunston Hall, the home of founding father, George Mason.
Dine tavern-style, by candlelight, on items such as traditional   turkey and dressing, Virginia ham, dressing, and of course, home made pie.
For more about Gunston Hall, check out my Oct. 12, 2007 post.
Plantation Christmas Yuletide Dinner at Gunston Hall
Gunston Hall Plantation
10709 Gunston Road 
Mason Neck, Virginia 22079  (map it)
703-550-9220
Dates and Times – Friday, December 12, 2008 at 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 13  at 4:30, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets – Adults – $39.95 , children 10 and under – $19.95. Beer and wine is …read more

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Experience the unique holiday charm and colonial history at a evening candlelight walking tour of historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. 
The self-guided tours include four historical building.  On the walking tour are:

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum – a colonial tavern and meeting place.
Carlyle House – Alexandria’s only stone Palladian-style house dating back to 1753.
Lee-Fendall House, the home of the Lee family, and son Robert E. Lee. The urban plantation house was built in 1785 and restored to its early Victorian elegance.
Old Presbyterian Meeting House – In 1772, a small group of Calvinist who had split from the Church of England, …read more

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Kick off the holiday season with a grand Viennese-style Christmas Ball at the beautiful Washington Golf and Country Club in suburban Arlington, Virginia.
Highlights of the evening include a traditional champagne reception, a scrumptious Austrian dessert buffet, and music for dancing by Con Brio!, one of Washington’s most regarded salon orchestras.  they will perform waltzes and ballroom music and even a polka or two.
The ball will open with a cotillion performance by students from the German School Washington, DC.
Christmas Ball  Washington Golf and Country Club 3017 N. Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22207 …read more

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If you are looking for something unusual for your holiday gift giving, then try visiting the annual Downtown Holiday Market, in front of the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
With more than 150 local artists and crafters selling a variety of hand-crafted art works, from soaps and candles to jewelry and photos, you should be able to find something unique for just about anyone on your holiday list.
This year, vendors will rotate in and out of the market, so each time you visit, you may find something new. 
Free live music will entertain crowds …read more

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