Image – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti
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Post from: The DC Traveler

Images – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti 
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 carols.

This should be a delightful evening of Christmas music at its best.

Vienna Boys Choir – Christmas in Vienna
The Center for the Arts
George Mason University Concert Hall
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030 (map it)

Dates and Times – Friday, December 19, 2008, 8:00 p.m.

Tickets – $23.00, $38.00 and $46.00.  Call the box office at 703-993-2787 or use the online order form.

Parking – Paid parking is available on the Visitor Parking Deck, located directly adjacent to the Concert Hall. Free parking is available in Lot K, across the pond and a short walk form the Concert Hall.

Nearest Metro subway station – Vienna/GMU station – Orange line, then a 20-30 minute cab/bus ride.

Image – Flickr

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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 up view of the performance by ADI students and instructors.

The Nutcracker
The American Dance Institute
1570 E, Jefferson Street
Rockville, Maryland  20852 (map it)
301-984-3003

Dates and Times – Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

Tickets – Adults – $20.00, Seniors and children 12 and under -$10.00. Contact the Institute at tickets@americandance.org or by phone at 301-984-3003

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Twinbrook Station – Red line, then a 10 minute walk, or take the Ride On #26 bus Glenmont – Montgomery Mall. 

Parking – Free

Image – Flickr
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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, then a 5-block walk or use the DC Circulator. Union Station and Judiciary Square – Red line, are both about ¾ mile walk.

Parking – Limited street parking is available in the area. Check for limited 2-hour parking limitations during weekday business hours in residential areas.

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

Post from: The DC Traveler

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 – $27.00 – $80.00 and are available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Cleveland Park – Red line, then a 1-mile walk. 

Parking – Limited garage parking is available at the Cathedral, as well as street parking.

Image – Flickr
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 extra. Dinner includes admission to Plantation Christmas. Call 703-550-9220 for reservations. Parties of ten may reserve a private table.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Franconia-Springfield – Blue line, then a 12 mile cab ride.

Parking – Free parking is available.

Image – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

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, built their own meeting house in which to worship. Today, the church is still used for regular services.

Enjoy seasonal decorations, carolers and light refreshments along the way. Plan on about two hours, if you stop to enjoy the music. 

Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours 
Gadsby’s Tavern
138 N Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 (map it)

Start at any of the four sites and continue at your own pace.

Dates and Times – December 13, 2008, From 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Start at any of the four locations and tour at your own pace.

Tickets – Adults – $20.00, Seniors $15.00, children 6-17 – $5.00, and are available online or by calling Gadsby’s Tavern Museum at 703-838-4242

Nearest Metro Subway Station – King Street – Yellow and Blue lines. then a 20-minute walk or take the free King Street Trolley form the Metro station.

Parking – Street and paid garage parking is available.

Images – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

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 (map it)
703-524-4600

Dates and Times – Friday, December 12, 2008 7:00 p.m.

Tickets – $95.00, e-mail mbocek@verizon.net for reservations or more details

Attire – White tie (preferred), black tie or military mess dress

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Ballston MU – Orange line, then a 2-mile cab ride.

Parking – Free
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 as they shop.

Downtown Holiday Market
F Street, NW between 7th and 8th Streets
At the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery
Washington, DC (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily – Noon to 8:00 p.m. through Tuesday, December 23, 2008.

Admission - Admission is free. 

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Gallery Place-Chinatown – Red, Green and yellow lines, then a 2-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Metered street parking is available in the area.

Images – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti
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Post from: The DC Traveler