Nine cities, nine city-themed rooms, and a couple thousand people celebrating New Year’s Eve in Washington, DC.

City themes include music and food representing:

• New York City – hip and trends DJs keep the vibe live, and enjoy one of the local food items, Manhattan Clam Chowder.
• Chicago in the Roaring 1920s – No Prohibition here, with a fun swing band and of course pizza.
• Miami and Havana – a live Salsa band and a Cuban menu fills this room.
• Spirit of the Caribbean delivers the island feel with Reggae and Calypso.
• Boston boasts a live Irish band and New England Clam Chowder.
• Become a star at the Los Angeles Karaoke stage and enjoy Asian themed consumables.
• Spirit of the Caribbean delivers the island feel with Reggae and Calypso.
• Viva Las Vegas at a casino-themed room with mock casino and a hotel style buffet.
• Move south to Big D, Dallas and enjoy some good old Texas BBQ and Texas Hold ‘Em.
• Stop by paradise in the Maui-themed room,  and enjoy the live Polynesian band and a roasted whole Hawaiian Luau pig.

Promo Video

New Year’s Eve Salute to America Gala
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, DC (map it)

Dates and Times – Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Tickets – $174.00 and are available online, but prices go up as the date gets closer.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Woodley Park, Red line, then a 3-block walk.

Parking – Paid hotel parking is available, but may fill up.
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Post from: The DC Traveler

Drivers that may be alcohol impaired or unable to safely drive can request a free taxi ride to their home, up to a maximum cost of $50, through January 1, 2009.

It’s never wise to drive after indulging and especially during the holiday season. Again this year, area police will be establishing sobriety checkpoints around the region.

Most years, Metro DC police set up approximately 30 during holiday season, including some surprising locations. One year, I saw a check point in the heart of Georgetown, catching post-happy hour drivers.

Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland all have a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for a establishing DUIs, and Maryland adds a .07 for a DWI.

The penalties for a receiving a first-time DUI are severe, including losing your license, fines, points, and possible jail time.  Washington, DC also requires mandatory jail time of a minimum of 5 days for drivers arrested with a BUC in excess of .20. While Virginia also has mandatory jail time for higher BACs on the first offence, resulting in 5-15 days if the BAC is over .15.

The SoberRide program is in effect daily only between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and offered to licensed drivers at least 21 years old.

The rider (or person who requested the cab) is responsible for any fare on the meter over $50.

Call 1-800-200-TAXI (8294) from any Washington, DC , Virginia or Maryland mobile phone, pay phone or landline and mention “SoberRide”.

Calls and rides can originate from any of the following locations:

• District of Columbia
• Maryland – Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, or the cities of Rockville, Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt and Takoma Park
• Virginia – Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Eastern Loudoun Counties, or the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park

A total of 17 area taxi companies are participating this year.

Image – Flickr – checkpoint
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 Subway Station – Metro Center – Red, Blue and Orange line. The station is connected to the Hyatt.

Parking – Valet - $30.00, self-parking – $20.00

Images – champagne, party favors
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 Drop
• Live Orchestra, Swing Band, Salsa Band and Mariachis, plus DJs
• Salsa, Meringue, Ballroom and Swing Dance Lessons
• Late Night Comedy Show
• Caricaturists
• Karaoke

And if you are attending the party without a date, there’s also four minute dating sessions for singles. Plus, and here’s a great idea — to identify your relationship status, guests wear different colored bracelets, one color for single people, a different color for couples. 

I wonder how many people will start the night wearing a “couples” colored bracelet and ring in the New Year wearing a “single” bracelet, and visa versa.

Passport to the World Gala – Cities of Virtue and Vice
The Hilton Washington
Dupont Circle
1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington DC, 20009  (map it)

Date and Time – December 31, 2008, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Tickets – Prices started at $99.00 but go up as the date gets closer.  Tickets are available online or by phone at 202-686-5990.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Dupont Circle – Red line, then a 5-block walk.

Parking – $15.00

Image – Flickr – champagne  _________________________________________________

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

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 reported 10,000 establishments operating in Chicago alone. 

But 75 years later, you can join the DC Craft Bartenders’ Guild and party like it’s 1933.

Join top Washington, DC mixologists and several beverage sponsors who will serve exciting cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, along with a 1930s style jazz band for dancing, all taking place at the historic City Tavern Club in Georgetown.

18th Amendment Repeal Day Cocktail Party
The City Tavern Club 
3206 M Street, NW
Washington, DC  (map it)

Date and Time – Friday, December 5, 2008, 8:00 p.m. to midnight.

Tickets – $90.00 per person and are available online (PayPal required). Cocktail attire required.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Foggy Bottom – Orange and Blue lines, then a 1¼ mile walk or cab ride or use the Georgetown Circulator, which stops just a couple blocks away.

Parking – Two paid parking lots are within a couple blocks, the closest is located at Potomac and M Streets, behind Dean and Deluca.

Images – barrels and lady with flask – both public domain, cocktail – Flickr
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Post from: The DC Traveler

This year, more than 50 power and sail boats should participate in annual Parade of Lights in suburban Alexandria, Virginia. Watch the floating parade along the Potomac River at the city’s historic waterfront.

Festivities also include pictures with Santa for small children. 

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Alexandria’s Historic Waterfront at the foot of Cameron Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (map it)
703-838-5005 

Dates and Times – Saturday, December 6, 2008. Festivities start at 4:00 p.m. , the parade of boats at 6:00 p.m..

Tickets – This event is FREE.

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 – limited street and paid garage parking is available in the area.

Images – Flickr – sailboat, 
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 are your favorite Bond character on a mission. 

Are you the suave “Bond…Jams Bond”? Or the evil Goldfinger or Dr. No? Perhaps you are one of Bond’s famous femme fatales? Or does the character of the always charming Miss Moneypenny suit you better?  Whoever you select, you’ll be issued a “license to party”.

Need to brush up on your James Bond knowledge?
Take the James Bond Trivia Quiz at the end of the post.

The party boasts:

• Celebrity Lookalikes (Sean Connery & Pierce Brosnan)
• Mock Casino Gambling
• Martinis “shaken not stirred” from Ice bar
• Midnight Champagne Toast
• Themed Cocktails and Champagne
• International Buffet and Dessert Stations
• Golden Girls Living Statues
• Samba Dance Performances
• A carnival-like atmosphere with a strolling magician, stilt walkers, fortune tellers, tarot card readers, juggler, and a steel drum player

Tickets include party favors – hats, tiaras and noisemakers, or bring your own.

Besides an 18-piece big band orchestra, select from DJs spinning in 4 internationally themed rooms – featuring musical styles from around the globe, including:

• Euro and Russian hits
• Bollywood and Middle Eastern
• Hip Hop
• Salsa, Merengue, Calypso and Reggae
• Rock & Roll from 1970 through 2000

Click here for prior event photos.

New Years Eve James Bond 007 Around The World party
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
5000 Seminary Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22311 (map it)

Date and Time – Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 8:30 p.m.

Tickets – $139 – $179 depending on when purchased and are available online.  Special discounted room rates are also offered.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Van Dorn – Blue line, then a 3-mile cab ride.

Parking – Paid event self parking is available. 

James Bond Trivia Quiz

Q1 – Can you name all six (or seven) actors played James Bond?

Q2 – When Bond drinks champagne, what’s his favorite? And at what temperature should it be served at?

Q3 – What was the first James Bond film?

Q4 – What does SPECTRE stand for?

Q5 – Which actor, prior to portraying James Bond, was a Navy sailor, a chorus singer, a milkman, and worked at a funeral home?

FOR THE ANSWERS – CLICK MORE —>

James Bond Trivia Quiz Answers

Q1 – Can you name all six (or seven) actors played James Bond?
A – Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnon, Daniel Craig.  David Niven might be added to the list if you count the 1967 parody spoof Casino Royale.

Q2 – When Bond drinks champagne, what’s his favorite? And at what temperature should it be served at?
A – Dom Perignon 1953, at 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q3 – What was the first James Bond film?
A – Dr. No

Q4 – What does SPECTRE stand for?
A – Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion

Q5 – Which Bond actor, prior to portraying Bond was Navy sailor, a chorus singer, was a milkman, and worked at a funeral home?
A – Sean Connery
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Post from: The DC Traveler

I just got word that the first-ever Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball being held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC is SOLD OUT.

Tickets may be available through brokers, on Craigslist and from other sources. The face value of tickets is $200.

I assume most of the other inaugural balls in Washington, DC that night are also sold-out.  I’ll try to provide additional details on inaugural events, parties, and balls as they become available.
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Post from: The DC Traveler

Here’s a recap of some of the posts on The DC Traveler of some interesting things to do both with the family and for a night of ghoulish pleasure with the adults.

• Check out the always wild Nightmare on M Street and other parties for the over 21 crowd.
• Shoot off some steam (and pumpkins) at the Pumpkin Cannon in Thurmont, Maryland
• Take the kids to see haunted forests, spooky trails and ghoul filled forests.

Halloween not your thing? 

• Check out the Gem & Jewelry Show in Timonium, Maryland
• Enjoy the passion of Ballet Flamenco Jose Porcel live at George Mason University.
• Try to get tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA at the National Harbor.

Image – Flickr – Zombies at the Washington Monument
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Post from: The DC Traveler