The DC Traveler

Enjoy the company of 3,500 of Washington, DC’s 20s and 30s crowd for the annual New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown.
Hosted by DC101’s Elliot in the Morning radio host, partygoers get to enjoy an open bar, a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, karaoke, live bands (Cowboy Mouth, Pat McGee Band, Gonzo’s Nose), dancing and a comedy club.
The Downtown Countdown    
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001  (map it)
Dates and Times – Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 8:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Tickets – $109.00 and are available online or by phone at 202-397-SEAT. This event is 21 years old and over only.
Nearest Metro …read more

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Ring in the New Year at another huge Washington, DC New Year’s Eve party – the Passport to the World Gala – Cities of Virtue and Vice, hosted by Professionals in the City.
With multiple city/national themes, including London, Austria, Mexico City, Rio, San Juan, and even Amsterdam’s Red Light District (no, not what you might be thinking… actually it’s an R-rated comedy show), this New Year’s Eve party, complete with with 3,000 guests, features all kinds of fun music and activities, including:

Open Bar and Buffet
Nine Themed Party Areas
Multiple Dance Floors , including DC’s Largest Ballroom
Midnight Balloon …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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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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The 2008 National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC will be lit this evening, Thursday, December 4, 2008, at 5:00 p.m.  It is the last time the tree will be lit by President and First Lady Bush.  Next Christmas, President Obama will have the honors.
Tickets went fast for the event, but the grounds will be open to public 24-hours through January 1, 2009.
Besides the National Christmas Tree, visit the Pathway of Peace, with decorated Christmas trees from each of the states and U.S. territories, along with the National Yuletide Log.
The grounds are illuminated each evening from dusk until 11:00 p.m.  …read more

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On December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawed the manufacturing, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages was repealed.
The "Volstead Act", which defined the rules of alcohol production and sales, also established what an “intoxicating” beverage actually was – any beverage with 0.5% of alcohol. The act did not however prohibit the purchase or use of liquor.
The law lasted 13 years and had numerous unintended consequences, including fueling the rise of organized crime.  During prohibition, alcohol consumption actually increased per capita, the exact opposite intent of the legislation.  Illegal speakeasies flourished across the country, with a …read more

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Visiting Mount Vernon at Christmas time is an annual holiday tradition. George and Martha know how to deck the halls, decorate Christmas trees and welcome people into the first President’s home.
This year kids will enjoy the 12 themed Christmas trees, one for each day of Christmas. Each professionally decorated with themes relating to George Washington, life at Mount Vernon, and the time when the Washington’s lived there.
And look for the live Christmas camel, just like George Washington had at Mt. Vernon during the Christmas season of 1787, two years before he became America’s first President.
Besides a gingerbread recreation of …read more

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Any good spy makes plans… And now is the time to plan to attend the annual New Year’s Eve gala – James Bond 007 Around The World party. It looks to be another great event to ring in the New Year.
Selected by Playboy as one of the top five parties for New Year’s Eve in the country, and with an estimated 1,600 guests, this party  attracts singles, couples and groups of friends alike.
While most New Year’s Eve parties simply offer a band and cocktails, the 007 Around The World party offers multiple country themes rooms, where you can pretend you …read more

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The Fall weather has been so mild in Washington, DC, it’s hard to believe that the ice skating rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is scheduled to open tomorrow (a day where the forecast predicts rain and a high temperature of over 60 degrees).

Sculpture Garden Ice-Skating Rink
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Constitution Avenue, NW at 7th Street NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-289-3360
Dates and Times – November 15 through mid-March, 2009

Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday -10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday – 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The rink is Closed on Christmas and New …read more

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Over 70 area galleries, museums, universities, embassies and art centers will participate in the first ever, FotoWeek DC, in Washington, DC.
Throughout the week of November 15-22, 2008, Washington, DC will celebrate the art of photography, with a gathering of the best in the DC photographic community, with series of exhibits, lectures, competitions, and celebration of all things photographic.
FotoWeek DC brings together photographic talent and a collection of images ranging from artistic to business, political to editorial. Events include:

Exhibitions at over 60 galleries and public spaces around DC
Juried exhibitions of some of Washington, DC’s most gifted photographers
Lectures and book signings …read more

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