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 the fun On Christmas I Got Nothing, it’s hard not to find something to smile about.

Here’s the opening verse of On Christmas I Got Nothing (lyrics by Chuck Brodsky)

My family never roasted chestnuts – on an open fire
Never went around the neighborhood – singing carols with a choir
Never went to Midnight Mass & sat on cold hard pews
My family – we had different views

This year, the eight days of Chanukah (or Hanukkah), is celebrated from sunset on December 21 to sunset, December 29.

A Chanukah Feast in Concert
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD 20852  (map it)

Date and Time – Saturday, December 27, 2008, 8:00 p.m.

Tickets – $21.00 and are available online.

Nearest Metro subway station – Grosvenor-Strathmore – Red Line.  Take the elevators to the 4th level and cross the sky bridge to the Music Center.

Parking – Free parking is included in the ticket price, valet parking is $10.00.

Images – Flickr – candles, Dreydl,
_______________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

• Johann Sebastian Bach – Germany
• Whitaker  – United States
• Tavernier – United Kingdom
• Valletta – France
• Villa-Lobos – Brazil
• Chesnokov – Russia
• Ødegaard – Norway
• Lewis – Wales

Bach Consort – An International Christmas
National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC, 20016 (map it)

Dates and Times – December 21, 2008, 3:00 p.m.

Tickets – $20.00 – $55.00, call 202-429-2121. 

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Tenleytown-AU – Red line, then a 4-block walk.

Parking – Free parking in the church’s lot at Nebraska Ave. and Van Ness St.

Images – Bach – public domain
_______________________________________________

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

____________________________________________

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
_________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

With the familiar musical score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim and songs such as "America," "Maria," and "I Feel Pretty", adds to the story on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

The production coming to the National Theater in Washington, DC starting December 15th should be a wonderful production of song and dance.

“America”, From the film West Side Story.

West Side Story
National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC  (map it)
202-783-3372

Dates and Times – December 15, 2008 – January 17, 2009.

Tickets – $46.00- $96.00 and are available online or by phone at 800-432-7250.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Metro Center – Blue, Orange or Red lines, or Federal Triangle – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk.

Parking – Paid garage and limited metered street parking is available. ___________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Since 1996, Trans-Siberian Orchestra has release 6 CDs, all but one Christmas and holiday music, with another one scheduled soon, but seemingly held up in production.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Verizon Center
601 F Street, NW, (between 6th and 7th NE)
Washington, DC 20004

Date & Time – Sunday, December 14, 2008, 3:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets – $39.00, $49.00 and $59.00 and are available online.

Nearest Metro subway station – Gallery Place / Chinatown (the Metro station is part of the Verizon Center) – Red, Yellow and Green lines.

Parking – limited street parking in the area, but various paid lots and garages are a short walk.

Image – Flickr

____________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

With classical vocal and symphonic holiday music performed by a full symphony orchestra, over 125 singers and the delightful Bacilica Choir, the concert is a great way to help the poor and start your holiday cheer.

Drawing standing-room-only crowds, besides wonderful music, enjoy the view of one of the nation’s most ornate and stunning shrines. 

Christmas Concert for Charity  
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Ave., NE – Upper Church
Washington, DC (map it)
202-526-8300

Date and Time – Friday, December 5, 2008, 7:30 p.m., but plan to arrive early to ensure getting a seat.

Admission - Free, but donations are appreciated.  Proceeds support healthcare for low-income DC residents through Providence Hospital’s Perry Family Health Center.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Brookland-CUA, Red line, then a 3-block walk.  The Basilica is adjacent to Catholic University.

Parking – Free street and lot parking is available, but may be challenging to find that evening.

Image – personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti
___________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

When she discovers his deceit and that he is betrothed to the daughter of the prince, she is driven mad and dies of a broken heart after her discovering the truth.

She later comes back to protect her former lover by helping him survive the evil spell cast on him by wicked ghosts.

The production of Giselle by the San Francisco ballet is complete with lavish sets and costumes, classic music and world-class dancers that set the standard for romantic ballets.

San Francisco Ballet’s Giselle
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Opera House
2700 F Street, NW
Washington DC. 20566 (map it)

Dates and Times – November 25-30, 2008. The performances on the 25th and 36th include a mixed repertory.

Tickets – $29.00 – $99.00 and are available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Foggy Bottom/George Washington University (23rd and I St.) – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk.

There is also a free Kennedy Center shuttle that runs every 15 minutes Monday – Friday from 9:45 a.m.- Midnight, Saturdays 10:00 a.m.- Midnight, and from Noon – Midnight on Sundays.

Parking - limited parking is available at the Kennedy Center for $17.00.

Images – Giselle, Russian production of Giselle, both – public domain ________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

At The Birchmere:

• Powerhouse singer Susan Tedeschi – Sunday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 – $35.00
• Christmas with Aaron Neville & His Quintet - Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 at 7:30 – $45.00

The Birchmere
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, Virginia 22305 (map it)

At the State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia

• Los Enanitos Verdes from Argentina - Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:00 – $30.00
• The Radiators with their New Orleans funky Rock & Roll sound –
  Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 7:00 – $22.00

State Theatre
220 Washington Street
Falls Church, VA
703-237-0300 (map it) 

At the jazzy Blues Alley in Georgetown:

• Expects smooth jazzy tunes from Boz Scaggs and a few recognizable favorites from his 1976 chart topper, Silk Degrees - Wednesday, November 19 at 8:00 and 10:00 – $72.50
• The smooth keyboard sounds of Alex Bugnon – Friday, November 28 – Sunday, November 30 at 8:00 and 10:00 – $25.00

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007 (map it)

At the hip and cool 9:30 Club:

• Robert Earl Keen and his Texas country sound – Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7:00 – $35.00
• Sound Tribe Sector Nine – the 5-piece electronic jam band fusing electronic and live instruments – Saturday, Nov. 15 and 16 at 8:00 – $22.50

Sound Tribe Sector Nine – Aimlessly

9:30 Club
815 V Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-393-0930

Live at the Ram’s Head in Annapolis, MD:

• WAR, the musical melting pot band that blended rock, Latin, jazz and R&B and sold millions with “Low Rider”, "The Cisco Kid," and "Why Can’t We Be Friends"- Tuesday, November 11 at 6:00 and 9:00 – $39.50

WAR – Low Rider

• Attention all ladies…it’s Thunder From Down Under, the buffed up, oiled up all male review from Australia – Wednesday, November 26 at 6:30 and  10:00 – $30.00

Ram’s Head Tavern
33 West Street
Annapolis, Maryland  21401 (map it)
410-268-4545

Image – Flickr – Susan Tedeschi
___________________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

With all of the performers dressed alike in cream-colored outfits, Byrne will be backed by 4 musicians, a couple singers and several dancers.

As a founding member and principal songwriter of the new wave band, Talking Heads, David Byrne has been recognized with Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe awards. 

Since departing form the talking Heads, Byrne has scored a ballet for with choreographer Twyla Tharp, delved deeply in to Latin rhythms and has written or played various musical styles from opera to Americana.

The current 40 city tour concludes in Washington, DC and is promoting his latest release, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. 

It is his second CD made in collaboration with former keyboarder of the Glam band, Roxy Music, Brian Eno. The album is a mix of electronic and Gospel music.

The show should be unique, a bit experimental and definitely push the “standards” of music, but then, that’s what makes David Byrne such an interesting musical icon.

David Byrne – Songs of David Byrne & Brian Eno 
Warner Theatre
513 13th Street, N.W. – between E and F Streets
Washington, D.C. 20004  (map it)

Dates and Times – Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets – $59.50 and $69.50 and are available online or by calling 800-551-7328.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Metro Center – Red, Orange and Blue lines, then a 1-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Limited metered street and paid garage parking is available in the area.

Image – Flickr – David Byrne, dancing  _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler