The DC Traveler

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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As one of the most popular and loved Broadway musicals of all time, spending over 20 years on Broadway time, and Victor Hugo’s best known story, Les Misérables, tells a passionate story of crime and redemption, love and betrayal, all set during the period of the French revolution.
The main character, prison parolee Jean Valjean, who is unable to find work after years in a labor camp, must steal in order to survive.  But his victim gives him a second chance when Valjean is caught by the police.  He takes the gift and changes his identify and his life.  Spending …read more

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Enjoy a selection of live international Christmas and holiday music sung by the Bach Consort and their orchestra.  The annual concert at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC includes Baroque period selections by :

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 …read more

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Here’s your chance to hear the closest thing to angels singing, a performance of Christmas music by the famous Vienna Boys Choir.

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 …read more

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It time for a new poll on The DC Traveler, but let’s recap the last poll. First, the last poll asked…
Will  you be attending the Inauguration on January 20th in Washington DC?
Here’s the results:

Yes, wouldn’t miss it!! – 32%
No,  I’ll watch it on TV. – 32%
Planning on it, but still working on details – 18%
I’m going to Disneyland, no crowds that day – 18%

So it looks like a good number of people who voted (50%), have plans to attend President-elect Obama’s Inauguration on January 20, 2009.
And here’s the new poll…. and in
Should Washington, DC officials allow restaurants, bars and night …read more

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Visiting the 2008 Capitol Christmas Tree located at the front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. should be a holiday tradition. 
This year’s tree, from the Sapphire Mountains of Western Montana, was originally 100 feet tall, but was cut to 73 feet.
It’s open to the public daily.
2008 Capitol Christmas Tree U.S. Capitol Building – west grounds  1 1st Street, NE, between Constitution and Independence Avenues Washington, DC  (map it).

Dates and Times – Daily through January 1, 2009
Admission – FREE
Nearest Metro Subway Station – Federal Center SW – Blue and Orange line, …read more

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The annual lighting of the National Menorah on the Ellipse in Washington, DC signifies, to those of Jewish faith, the starting of the eight days of Chanukah, or the Festival of Lights.
According to the Talmud, after a large-scale revolt and victory of the Jews over the Hellenistic empire (about 165 BC), the alter at the Temple in the old city of Jerusalem was rededicated. On that day, there was enough holy oil to keep the eternal flame burning for just one day. But the flame burned for eight days and nights, enough to produce a new batch of holy …read more

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The Washington, DC Japan-America Society is selling over 1,000 unique kimonos, yukata and haori garments from its apparel collection that was donated to the Society.
For those that need some help on kimono fashion lingo (as I did):

Kimonos are the T-shaped, ankle length straight-lined traditional robes.
Yukata are more casual kimonos, generally worn during the summer months or for after bathing, but acceptable for public wearing.
Haori are the longer (hip or thigh-length) jacket that is paired with a kimono.

The pre-worn kimonos for sale are ideal for wearing around the house, for home decorating or for making into craft …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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Today, Washington DC’s Metro subway and bus system launched a new and much improved website (www.wmata.com) for riders.  Their old site was clunky, difficult to navigate and was missing many rider-focused features.  And with ridership up, 5% over the same period – July – October of last year, the transportation system and website is sure to see new riders.
The new Metro website includes:

A new interactive subway map that provides a pop-up with the station’s address (great for GPS users), link to Google maps, arrival times for the next few trains and any service alerts for that station.
Real-time subway and …read more

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