The DC Traveler

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 …read more

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Here’s the second part of the listings of official and unofficial Inaugural Balls in Washington, DC, that will be celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United State, Barak Obama.
Here’s the list for January 20, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the first list of inaugural balls, (on January 19), was posted on The DC Traveler, yesterday. Click here to link to the other post.
Again, the availability of tickets may change daily.  Even if inaugural balls are sold out, waiting list or returned tickets may be available.

American Indian Inaugural Ball    Hyatt Regency Crystal City 2799 …read more

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There are at least 8 official inaugural balls and 13 unofficial Inaugural Balls in Washington, DC celebrating the inauguration of President-elect Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States.
So many, that I am splitting up the information I have been able to find into two post, one for January 19, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the second (tomorrow) for Inaugural Balls on January 20th.
Ticket availability changes by the day.  Some ball tickets will be available online from the inaugural ball committee.  Other inaugural balls are sold out, but check the ball sites as they may have a waiting …read more

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The Embassy Circle Guest House in Washington, DC brings true meaning to the word – hospitality. This is not a bed and breakfast offering simply a room, but a place where you can feel at home while meeting interesting people from around the globe.
It’s hard to believe that when Laura and Raymond Saba, owners of the Embassy Circle Guest House, first purchased the 106-year old property in 2003, the building was at risk of collapsing.
The tired mansion had suffered fire damage and had been empty and abandon for close to twenty years.
Fast forward after an extensive 3½ year and …read more

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Many of Annie Leibovitz photographs are unforgettable.
The Rolling Stone cover image of a naked John Lennon hugging Yoko Ono taken the morning he was killed. The Vanity Fair cover of a nude pregnant Demi Moore.  The images of the Rolling Stones during one of their American tours.  Her classic images for the American Express card celebrity campaign. Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. album cover. And most recently, the controversial Vanity Fair implied semi-nude photos of Miley Cyrus in April of this year. 
She was the chief photographer for both Rolling Stone and a featured photographer for Vanity Fair. 
She will discuss …read more

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Historically, the inauguration of a new President includes many events seeped in tradition.  On January 20th, 2009, the list of inaugural events include:

Morning Worship Service, a tradition started in 1933 by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Motorcade Procession to the Capitol, where President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will accompany the President-elect Barack Obama and his wife and Michelle to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.
The Vice President’s Swearing-In Ceremony happens before the President is sworn into office on the steps of the US Capitol.
The new President’s Swearing-In Ceremony follows and has occurred 54 times, for 43 presidents, in 10 …read more

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The night before the Washington, DC opening Cirque du Soleil KOOZA, I had the opportunity to visit the backstage warm-up and rehearsal area and meet one of the artists.
The atmosphere the afternoon before opening night was surprisingly relaxed. As when I entered the tent, a group of about 20 of artists involved with KOOZA, were all casually sitting on the floor chatting, laughing and joking around. The scene seemed similar to what you might find at any college dorm or student center with young people just hanging out and talking.
But all that changed a few minutes later when the …read more

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In 1977, five years after the Watergate break in scandal and after President Richard Nixon’s resignation, legendary political interviewer David Frost sat down with Nixon for a series of interviews.
These lengthy and historical interviews, the first since Nixon’s resignation in 1974, aired on television and showed Nixon, speaking at length about his presidency and literally taking over the interview, often not allowing Frost to effectively ask questions.
During the interviews, he did admit for the first time, an apology, stating he had “let the American people down” through his part in the Watergate burglary and cover-up.
The Tony Award nominated play, …read more

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Expect a tight performance from music pioneer, David Byrne and crew, at his upcoming show at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.
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 …read more

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Here’s an interesting FREE symposium on Monday for musical theater lovers…Where are you taking me?: What’s next in musical theater?
This free, day-long symposium with musical theater practitioners from both DC theaters (Signature Theatre, Arena Stage) and from around the country, will participate in a day long event, that lets the theater-going public the opportunity for a behind the scenes trends, strategies and challenges of creating and producing a new musical play.
The symposium includes:

Roundtable discussions of trends, challenges and best practices in developing new American musicals – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Performance of  over ten songs from up-and-coming musicals currently …read more

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