The DC Traveler » entertainmant http://www.thedctraveler.com A Washington DC insider's travel guide that's full of area information for both tourists and residents. Covers area attractions, activities, events, nightlife, memorials and monuments, historic sites, museums, the Smithsonian... Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:17:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Party like an Ambassador at the French Embassy – Dec 9 http://www.thedctraveler.com/2006/11/party-like-an-ambassador-at-the-french-embassy-%e2%80%93-dec-9/ http://www.thedctraveler.com/2006/11/party-like-an-ambassador-at-the-french-embassy-%e2%80%93-dec-9/#comments Wed, 08 Nov 2006 17:38:21 +0000 http://www.thedctraveler.com/party-like-an-ambassador-at-the-french-embassy-%e2%80%93-dec-9/ Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> The French are known for throwing a great party and this holiday season is no exception.

Washington DC - French Embassy Party - Eiffel Tower PhotoThe second annual black tie Monte Carlo Holiday Gala at the French Embassy on Saturday, December 9th, will feature French food and cocktails, a live orchestra and DJ for ballroom and nightclub style dancing, a special Monte Carlo casino (mock gambling) and special French holiday treats.

You can also donate a toy for Santa to personally deliver to a hospitalized child at the National Children’s Hospital.

The Embassy’s chefs will prepare a special holiday buffet with classic French favorites; along with “les desserts” that would have impressed even Marie Antoinette. 

French aperitifs wines, beers and other cocktails will also be served.  Having attended a party or two at the Embassy, I’d be surprised if a sampling of France’s greatest export, champagne, were not available (probably for an additional cost). Champagne seems to just make a festive holiday party so much more enjoyable. 

There will also be an optional viewing of promotional travel films presenting the people and culture of Monte Carlo.

2nd Annual Black Tie Monte Carlo Holiday Gala at the  Embassy of France
La Maison Francaise
Embassy of France
4010 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Attire
Black tie optional – so plan to look sharp in your gowns and tuxes.

Date & Time
Saturday, December 9th, 8:30 PM until midnight with a VIP ticket holder’s reception starting at 7:30 p.m. (additional cost)

Tickets
Additional information and tickets are available online. 
- General admission – $90.00 per person if purchase by 5:00 p.m. November 10th.
- VIP reception – $ 110.00 per person includes early admission, champagne, and a more inclusive dinner.

Passport and visa not required, but remember….you will be on “foreign” soil.

Photo credit: flickr

Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> http://www.thedctraveler.com/2006/11/party-like-an-ambassador-at-the-french-embassy-%e2%80%93-dec-9/feed/ 2 Jazz in DC http://www.thedctraveler.com/2006/10/jazz-in-dc/ http://www.thedctraveler.com/2006/10/jazz-in-dc/#comments Thu, 26 Oct 2006 03:16:21 +0000 http://www.thedctraveler.com/jazz-in-dc/ Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> You might not think of our Nation’s Capital as a place for jazz, but DC has some rich jazz history. There are a couple top places for hearing live jazz that have been around for years.

Blues Alley
Located in an alley in historic Georgetown, just a block from Wisconsin Ave. and M Street, Blues Alley has been a music mainstay in DC since 1965. It  bills itself as the oldest continuing jazz supper club in the country. 

They offer a full dinner menu with all their dishes named for famous performers that have played the club, such as Maynard Ferguson’s Shrimp and Pepper Pasta or Dizzy Gillespie’s Shrimp Creole (all in the $20.00 range).  They also serve sandwiches in $8.00 – $10.00 range. 

Blues Alley Jazz Club, Washington DCTickets are generally $20-$30 per person and can be purchased online or at the club, but popular performances, especially on weekends, may be sold out.  They have a $10 minimum per person (cocktails and food) and a $2.50 surcharge per person.  Seating is first come and most nights there are two performances — 8:00pm and 10:00pm. 

Upcoming featured artists include:

David Sanborn – November 16-18
Kim Waters – December 1-3
David Benoit – February 22-24
Stanley Jordan – March 8-11
Stanley Clark – March 15-18 

Parking in the area can be tough, but there are many garages close by in Georgetown, including across the street from Blues Alley at The Shops at Georgetown Park. The fee for parking for over 4 hours is $12.00.

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20007
Phone: 202-337-4141
Hours: 6:00 p.m. until about 12:30.a.m. nightly
Credit cards: Accepted

Bohemian Caverns
Bohemian Caverns Jazz Nightclub - Washington DCLocated in the U Street area, has hosted some of jazz greatest artists since the 1920s -  from Billie Holliday and Sarah Vaughn to Wynton Marsalis and Mile Davis. Today it’s one of DC’s classic spots to hear local and upcoming jazz performers. 

They also offer a full dinner in the restaurant with all the dishes similarly named for famous performers – entrees in the $10-$18 range. You can have cocktails in The Cavern, a lounge area that feels subterranean.

Tickets prices vary depending on the act, generally around $10 per person, but check in advance as some nights are reggae or other styles.

Valet parking is available and garage parking is available and advisable at garages on 12th NW & U St. as well as in the 1400 block of U St. garage. Parking rates vary by day and time. 

Bohemian Caverns
2001 Eleventh Street N.W., Washington DC, 20001 (11th & U Street NW).
Phone: 202-299-0801
Tickets: Can be purchased online.

Photo credit 1: flickr, Photo 2: flickr

Post from: The DC Traveler

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