The DC Traveler

The entertaining comedy and magic show put on by The Great Zucchini is considered Washington DC’s most magically entertaining shows for preschool and kindergarten children. 
A big hit at birthday parties, The Great Zucchini has entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll and the National Zoo.  He bring his interactive  show, especially for the toddler-set, to both of the Washington, DC’s area Cinema & Drafthouses in Arlington and Montgomery.
The Great Zucchini’s magic tricks may not be all that amazing to an adult, but his interaction with his pre-school audience, making himself the brunt of every joke, is what makes …read more

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Model railroad layouts and displays, along with model railroad workshops and demonstrations make up the annual Greenberg Train & Toy Expo this weekend in Chantilly, Virginia, about 40 minutes west of Washington, DC.
A few of the model railroad layouts include themed displays including a huge 40 foot by 50 foot display, along with close to a dozen other major displays  from Washington, DC area model railroad clubs, representing all kinds of different themes. 
Plus, there’ll be an interactive slot car track and a train layout made exclusively out of Legos. 
For the smaller children, take them on the Train …read more

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Enjoy a wonderful Chanukah celebration of the diversity of today’s Jewish music by Washington, DC artists. Tomorrow night, at Strathmore in North Bethesda, musicians from around the DC area are staging a live version of the Strathmore Music Center-produced CD, A Chanukah Feast.
From klezmer bands to hip hop, hard rock and honky tonk; this should be a concert for the whole family to enjoy.  It’s a unique collection of some of the best of the annual Jewish holiday celebration songs.
With classics (and not so classics), like O Khanuke, O Khanuke, (I have a little) Dreydl, Honky Tonk Hanukkah and …read more

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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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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 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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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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Chicago’s world-renowned ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, returns to Washington DC and the Kennedy Center with it’s classic production of the timeless Christmas classic story with music by Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker.
Combining the Victorian charm, old world scenery and dazzling costumes of battling soldiers, pesky mice, snow-flake ballerinas, holiday party-goers and costumed dancers from around the globe, it’s sure to put anyone in to the holiday spirit.
I would recommend this performance over the Washington Ballet’s production of the same.
The Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker  
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Opera House
2700 F Street, NW
Washington DC. 20566 (map it)
Dates and …read more

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