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

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 Jefferson Davis Highway
  Arlington, VA 22202
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 -7:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $110
• The George Washington University Inaugural Ball
  Omni Shoreham Hotel
  2500 Calvert Street, NW at Connecticut Ave.
  Washington, DC 20008
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $100 (SOLD OUT)
• Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball
  Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  1330 Maryland Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC 20024
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $200 (SOLD OUT) 
• New Jersey Inaugural Ball
  Washington Court Hotel
  525 New Jersey Ave., NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $100
• Pennsylvania State Society Inaugural Gala   
  Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC
  1150 22nd Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20037
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $150
• State Society of Arizona Inaugural Ball   
  Historical Society of Washington, DC
  1307 New Hampshire Ave NW
  Washington, DC 20036
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009, 9:00 p.m.
  Tickets: $175, $300 per couple

Images – Flickr – sign, ball gown
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 list or returned tickets.  To find tickets to sold out balls, check with reputable ticket brokers and sites such as Craigslist for tickets.  But be careful of scalpers and con-artists selling fake inaugural ball tickets.

Most balls are formal black tie events, with live music and dancing.

Let’s start with what is expected to be the most attended balls, the most expensive and one that we have to assume President Obama will spend more time at than any other ball, the ball of his home state, the Illinois Inaugural Gala.

• The Illinois Inaugural Gala  
  Renaissance Washington DC
  999 9th Street, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $500 dinner, reception and gala ball, $400 ball only

There’s another group of official inaugural balls, that include the Commander-in-Chief Ball, Constitution Ball, Democracy Ball, Freedom Ball, Independence Ball, Liberty Ball, Patriot Ball, Stars and Stripes Ball, and the Texas Wyoming Ball.

Here’s a list of some of the unofficial state society balls.

• Arkansas State Society Inaugural Gala
  Washington Court Hotel
  525 New Jersey Ave, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – e-mail or call C. Glen Mahone at 202-329-6711 or C.Glenn.Mahone@aerojet.com
• Pearl Presidential Inaugural Gala
  Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  1330 Maryland Ave., SW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets- $250 (SOLD OUT)
• North Carolina Society Inaugural Ball
  Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
  2660 Woodley Road, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $150
• Kentucky Society Bluegrass Ball   
  Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
  2660 Woodley Rd, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 6:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $191

Images – band, Obama
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Post from: The DC Traveler

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 costly “labor of love” renovation project that concluded in 2007, when the couple proudly opened their second bed & breakfast inn, the other being the Woodley Park Guest House.

The Embassy Circle definitely gives its guests the feeling that they are staying at the home of good friends, as you are made to feel welcomed and as part of the family. Within minutes of arriving, I had met several of the guests, most visiting from overseas.

The public areas include a comfortable living room and formal dining room, where it seems most of the conversation happens.

Located in the Kalorama District of DC’s Embassy Row neighborhood, it close to several embassies, including Greece, Guatemala, Armenia, Cyprus, and Kenya, and just a short walk to the Woodrow Wilson House and the Textile Museum.

The property looks like many of the turn-of-the-century Embassy Row mansions that were converted into an embassy, but inside it’s a warm and cozy place, perfect for that home-away-from-home feeling.

Rooms – The eleven uncharacteristically large guest rooms, each with private baths, are classically appointed without any of the tacky “period” reproduction decorating so common in many older or historic B&Bs.

Each guest room has either one or two queen or king sized wood-framed beds, white chenille bedspreads, calming colors, and colorful Persian area rugs over blonde hardwood floors. A phone with private line and voicemail, both hard-wired and wireless Internet access (included), a private bath with a large shower plus marble vanities, and lots of closet space add to the amenities.  What’s also nice, is that there are no televisions or radios in the rooms.

CLICK READ MORE BELOW

The easiest way to describe the furnishings would be to say — clean and simple, but very classic and comfortable.

The inn is also sparkling clean and meticulously maintained, so you won’t find a cobweb or dust bunny anywhere.

The rooms are warm and should make you feel wanting to curl up in comfortable chair with a good book, or relax while slowly starting your morning in bed with the Washington Post.  But it’s more fun to join in on the morning conversation around the dinging room table.  The morning group I stayed included a foreign diplomat, a couple foreign Ph.D students, and a charming opera fan visiting DC for her periodic opera fix.  The conversations ranged from global politics and business, to arts and entertainment.

Food & Conversation – Breakfast included fresh-squeezed orange juice and coffee paired with yogurt, a fresh fruit salad, fresh-baked scones and pastries and more.

Owners Laura and Raymond fueled the evening and morning conversations by not only knowing each guest’s name and place of origin, but had some interesting tidbit to relate about each guest, which only furthered the conversations.  You can tell, they truly enjoy meeting new people.

The evening I was there, one guest, who had been staying for more than a week, was having a birthday, so out came a some yummy plates of tapas and a flourless chocolate cake for everyone to enjoy.  Wine and nuts are typically offered every night around 6:30, unless there’s a “reason” for something more special.

Room Rates & Reservations – $175.00 – $280.00 depending on season and room selection, excluding Inauguration Week.  Reservations are available online or by phone.

Location – The inn is located in a safe neighborhood, close to the Metro subway, just a couple stops from the National Mall, and within walking distance to many excellent restaurants.  If you want to avoid the Mall or downtown, and get a feel for the real DC, the Embassy Circle is ideal.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Dupont Circle – Red line, then a ½-mile walk.

Parking -  Free street parking is available, but watch the 2-hour limit spaces before 8:00 p.m.

Overall Impression – I strongly recommend the inn for travelers that want something more than just a standard room in a big impersonal hotel and wish to enjoy true hospitality.

Embassy Circle Guest House
2224 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008 (map it)
202-232-7744  or 1-877-232-7744

Images – Courtesy of Embassy Circle Guest House – stock photos by Jumping Rocks Photography, sitting area and photo of the Sabas from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

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 her new book, “Annie Leibovitz at Work”, which was just released November 18th, 2009.

Her latest book details how she created images of Richard Nixon’s resignation, many of her now classic images, as well as images from Barack Obama’s campaign.

Annie Leibovitz 
Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
600 I Street, NW
Washington DC  (map it)

Dates and Times – Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

Tickets – $16.00 or purchase her book, “Annie Leibovitz at Work”, at the venue and receive two tickets.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Gallery Place – Chinatown – Red, Green and Yellow lines, then a 3-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Metered street and garage parking is available in the area.

Images – Annie Leibovitz, Sixth and I Historic Synagogue – personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti
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Post from: The DC Traveler

• 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 different locations.
• Immediately after the Swearing-In Ceremony, the Inaugural Address is delivered by the new president.  The shortest was by George Washington, just 135 words. The longest Inaugural Address was by President William Harrison, who delivered the longest address, at 8,445 words.  It is suspected that the bitter cold and rain of that day contributed to his death from pneumonia, just a month later.
• Departure of the Outgoing President follows the inaugural ceremony on the front of the U.S. Capitol.
• The tradition of the Inaugural Luncheon began in 1953. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosts a luncheon for the new President, VP and dignitaries.at the U.S. Capitol.
• Inaugural Parade then concludes the public events, running down Pennsylvania Avenue, from the Capitol Building to Lafayette Square in front of the White House. The parade become so large, that it is now limited to 15,000 participants. 
• The last events of the inauguration are the many Inaugural Balls.

I’ll write about specifics on each of the public events as the date gets closer and details are made public.  Stay tuned to The DC Traveler for more information on the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

Images – Flickr – no parking sign; President Reagan and Inaugural ball – public domain ____________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

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 practice session started. The acrobats and gymnasts got into “serious mode” as they started practicing human pyramids, perching on giant balls and bouncing on the trampoline.  The blanket toss reached heights unlike any bikini beach movie from the 1950s.  Double and triple flips were common, and seemed almost effortless. Three-person shoulder stands happened without much effort as well. Yet still, a couple of the guys clowned around when they saw me filming, by taking a Charles Atlas pose after catching one of the artists who dismounted from the shoulders of a man standing on a a rolling ball.

Before the practice, I was also able to chat with one of the ground and ball performers, Corine Latreille, a gymnast who calls Montreal home.

She’s been with Cirque du Soleil for just 2 years, but seemed to be much more experienced in her ability to also act as an ideal press ambassador for Cirque. 

Her background included 10 years as a world-class competitive gymnast, then a stint at the National Circus School in Montreal. There, she honed her skills at the renowned circus training school, that limits enrolment to just 100 gifted students. 

Corine is typical of the traveling Cirque performers, fit, fearless and in her 20s. The average age of an artist in KOOZA is 26.  Yet the youngest performer in the Washington, DC production of KOOZA is a mere 11 years old, while one of the clowns is in his 50s. 

The troupe is also a virtual United Nations with 16 languages being spoken by the 53 artists.

Corine gave me a brief look inside what it’s like to be a member of the one of the most respected circuses in the world today. Here’s just a couple of her more interesting answers.

READ MORE AND WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO —> CLICK MORE…..

Question: How do people react when they learn you work in the circus?
Corine: Their first question is always, so…you do that high wire thingy?”

As we chatted, I learned about life on the road with Cirque du Soleil.  Performers are housed in 4-star hotels or upscale condos, and they travel with professional chefs that prepare their meals (after all they are high-energy athletes).  Besides 5-star food, performers are kept in top condition with two full time massage therapists and a sports medicine doctor available in each city. 

The circus also provides a traveling grammar school for performers with younger children.

Since several of the artists are married or are couples, dating and romance is not lost on the road.

She mentioned the toughest thing about touring was an occasional lack of personal time, as the performers are always around each other.  And with a competitive spirit, paired with undoubtedly some high levels of testosterone, one must assume that, like any work group, personality strong emotions can occur, especially if someone is responsible to catch you after a frightening 30 foot vault off of a teeterboard. But she described the KOOZA team as very positive and professional, like a family. 

The artists get just one day off a week. Corine mentioned that this was her first visit to Washington, DC, and that she had already visited the National Mall and the White House. She expressed that she loved visiting and experiencing new cities.

Question: Where do you see yourself in say, 10 years?
Corine: I plan to stay with Cirque du Soleil, still performing, but I hope to be performing at one of the permanent shows, such as Las Vegas, because… I really want to have a cat.”

I guess circus artists want the same things out of life as most of us, including ….the little things.

Before the production opened, I also chatted with KOOZA’s writer and producer, David Shiner. Read the post here. And if you missed my review of KOOZA, please check it out here.

KOOZA has been extended through December 14, 2008.

And a special thanks to the artists of KOOZA, for welcoming me to their practice session.

Images and video -  from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

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, Frost/Nixon, staring Stacy Keech as Nixon, will come alive, 30 years after the actual interviews, on the stage of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. 

Written by Peter Morgan, who also wrote the films The Last King of Scotland and The Queen, the play traces the story of how Frost was able to arrange, self-finance and sell the interviews, and get the first public apology from the fallen former President.

While the play does not use the word-for-word transcripts of the interviews and edits much of them, the play received phrase in showing how Nixon viewed his own failure and his presidential legacy.

The Ron Howard film version of Frost/Nixon opens in theaters on December 5th.

Frost/Nixon
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Eisenhower Theater
2700 F Street, NW
Washington DC. 20566 (map it)

Date and Time – Tuesday, November 11 through Saturday, November 30, 2008.

Tickets – $25.00 – $80.00 and are available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Foggy Bottom/George Washington University station (23rd and I St.) – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk.  Take Metro and use the free Kennedy Center shuttle on Saturday. It runs 10:00 a.m. – Midnight.

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

Images – Richard and Pat Nixon – public domain 

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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

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 in production – 8:00 p.m.

Where are you taking me?: What’s next in musical theater?Gonda Theatre/Davis Performing Arts Center
Georgetown University
37th and O Streets, NW
Washington, D.C. (map it)

Dates and Times – Monday, November 10, 2008, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., musical performance starts at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets – FREE, but required. Contact Arena Stage at 202-488-3300.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Dupont Circle – Red line or Roslyn  -Blue and Orange line, then take the GU GUTS bus to campus (runs every 10-20 minutes) or the G2 Metrobus from the Dupont Circle Metro station.  

Parking – Metered street parking (free after 9:00 p.m.) and paid campus garage parking ($3.00/hr.) is offered at two university garages about 2 blocks from the theater, located on both Canal St. and Reservoir Rd.

Images – Flickr – performers _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler