Capitol Cheer: A Festive Farewell to 2023 in DC

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Event Highlight: Annapolis Visit (December 23^rd )

There are some days where you just need to get out of the city and go on a day trip somewhere! This was us over the Christmas Weekend and we ended up journeying to Annapolis, Maryland’s capital city. The interesting part was that we do not have a car, but we are close to Union Station where all the buses come in and out of. The Flixbus offers bus rides to multiple locations from Union Station including to Annapolis.

The trip was 40 minutes in duration which is a hop and a skip away from the DC area. Truth be told, we were nervous about doing such a trip because normally we have a tendency to stay in the city a lot of the time for embassy events. We have not travelled in quite some time, so this is good practice! We arrived in Annapolis on a cloudy but perfect day at 11AM ready for some exploring.

Our first stop was the Annapolis Visitor’s Center where we were given a long list of things to do including a tour at the Naval Academy and the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Sadly, we could not do everything in one day since we had to leave at 5pm to catch the Flixbus back to DC. After grabbing a map, we ventured down the historic Main Street where the city’s main businesses and restaurants were lined up. We ended up grabbing a quick Crab Mac and Cheese from Chick and Ruth’s Delly which was delicious.

We wandered into the quaint part of Eastport which was largely residential. The Annapolis Maritime Museum took us an hour to get through since it was small but amazing. Then, we marched down to the Maryland State House which is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use. It is also the only state house to ever have served as the nation’s capitol. We ended the day at an old bookstore specializing in vintage books and coffee. What a day and we definitely need to go back for another day trip.

Looking Ahead!

1. Annual DC Downtown New Year’s Day E-Bike Ride (Monday, January 1^st, 2024, 1:30PM - 4:30PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Join us for a short and pleasant e-bike ride in and around the center of Washington, DC, on New Year's Day.

   • Host Organization: Private organizer

2. Soldier of Destiny: Slavery, Secession, and the Redemption of Ulysses S. Grant Book Talk (Tuesday, January 2^nd, 2024, 7PM - 8PM) (FREE!)

   • Book Description: Captain Ulysses S. Grant, an obscure army officer who was expelled for alcohol abuse in 1854, rose to become general-in-chief of the United States Army in 1864. What accounts for this astonishing turn-around during this extraordinary decade? Was it destiny? Or was he just an ordinary man, opportunistically benefiting from the turmoil of the Civil War to advance to the highest military rank?

   • Host Organization: Politics and Prose

3. “What Is Your Manifesto?” Button-Making Activity (Wednesday, January 3^rd, 2024, 12:30PM - 3:30PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: In this hands-on button making activity, you can reflect on the manifestos shared by Black feminist activists and theorists in the We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC exhibition on the first floor. You can then create your own example of a manifesto that you can then share with your community through words or artwork on a button that you can take with you after your visit.

   • Host Organization: DC Public Library

4. Phillips After 5pm (Thursday, January 4^th, 2024, 5PM - 8:30PM) ($20)

   • Description: Reflect on the year and set intentions for 2024 by making vision boards at the resolution station, learn how to create cutting-edge AI images and give yourself an AI makeover with The Janus Series, savor a delicious drink from The Mocktail Club, and ring in the new year with the organic sounds and textures of jazz, funk, and hip-hop from the Nag Champa Art Ensemble.

   • Host Organization: The Phillips Collection

5. ArtWalk Dupont (Friday, January 5^th, 2024, 6PM - 8PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: ArtWalk Dupont, which occurs on the First Friday of every month, features the Dupont Circle arts community. Each month, art galleries, museums, embassies, and more open their doors from 6-8 PM for a night of special programming

   • Host Organization: Dupont BID

6. The Winter Dance Workshop (Saturday, January 6^th, 2024, 9:30AM - 5PM) ($18.92 - $24.57 per each session)

   • Description: The Winter Dance Workshop presented by The Creative Space is designed for those who approach dance as a serious pursuit, seeking artistic development in performance and technique. This event is a bold exploration of where concert dance is heading, and we are excited to be a part of this change.

   • Host Organization: The Creative Space

7. Mark Rothko and the New York School (Sunday, January 7^th, 2024, 12:00PM - 1:00PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Senior lecturer David Gariff discusses the art of Mark Rothko against the backdrop of the National Gallery’s collection of New York School abstract painting. 

   • Host Organization: National Gallery of Art

International Events List (December 25^th - December 31^st )

Check out the following international embassy and cultural events happening from Monday, December 25^th until Sunday, December 31^st .

Monday, December 25^th , 2023

1. Christmas Day Chinese Food Mixer and Blockbuster Movie (5PM - 11:30PM) ($48)

   • Description: No Christmas Day plans? Then, we cordially invite you to a special evening with new friends for Chinese food, a brand-new movie, and optional dancing afterward at a local lounge/club (no additional cover).

   • Host Organization: Things To Do DC

Tuesday, December 26^th , 2023

1. Whoville Wicks Workshop (Family Fun) (11:30AM - 1PM) ($33.85 - $156.57)

   • Description: Get ready for an evening of pure indulgence and creativity at our Whoville Wicks Workshop: Family Edition! Join us for an unforgettable grinch themed experience that combines the soothing art of candle making with a mix of family time.

   • Host Organization: Private company

Wednesday, December 27^th , 2023

1. Holiday Family Crafting Program (10:30AM - 3:30PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Join the Library of Congress for a crafting activity to celebrate the holiday season and the New Year.  Create a variety of seasonal crafts inspired by the Library's holiday collections.

   • Host Organization: Library of Congress (LOC)

2. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Tour (1PM - 2PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Tour the Monastery church to learn about its history and art and visit replicas of sacred Holy Land shrines set amid stunning architecture.

   • Host Organization: Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

3. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Tour (2PM - 3PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Tour the Monastery church to learn about its history and art and visit replicas of sacred Holy Land shrines set amid stunning architecture.

   • Host Organization: Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

4. In-Person Class: Hand-Rolled Sushi (6:30PM- 8:30PM) ($70.59)

   • Description: Come and learn how to spread, layer, tuck and roll your way to sushi heaven. In this fun, hands-on social cooking class, you’ll learn all the skills needed to make sushi-rolls at home, including how to prepare sushi rice, select sushi-grade fish, and add additional tasty neta (ingredients) to enhance your dining experience.

   • Host Organization: CocuSocial

Thursday, December 28^th , 2023

1. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Tour (1PM - 2PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Tour the Monastery church to learn about its history and art and visit replicas of sacred Holy Land shrines set amid stunning architecture.

   • Host Organization: Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

2. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Tour (2PM - 3PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Tour the Monastery church to learn about its history and art and visit replicas of sacred Holy Land shrines set amid stunning architecture.

   • Host Organization: Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

3. Live! at the Library (5PM - 8PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: The Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building is open for extended hours every Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy happy hour snacks and drinks available for purchase in the Great Hall while immersing themselves in the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs.

   • Host Organization: Library of Congress (LOC)

Friday, December 29^th , 2023

1. Holiday Family Crafting Program (10:30AM - 3:30PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Join the Library of Congress for a crafting activity to celebrate the holiday season and the New Year.  Create a variety of seasonal crafts inspired by the Library's holiday collections.

   • Host Organization: Library of Congress (LOC)

2. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Tour (2PM - 3PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Tour the Monastery church to learn about its history and art and visit replicas of sacred Holy Land shrines set amid stunning architecture.

   • Host Organization: Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

3. Farafina Kan Lives: The Rise of A New Era (6PM - 10:30PM) ($55.20)

   • Description: Farafina Kan Lives: A vibrant celebration of African dance and music bringing people together to experience this intergenerational richness.

   • Host Organization: Kweku Sumbry of The Adinkra Group

4. Nat Myers Performance (6PM - 7PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: A poet with a staggering and true voice, Korean-American troubadour Nat Myers’ folksy blues and remarkable pickin’ are authentic, timeless, and enduring.

   • Host Organization: Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

5. Chromatic Christmas with the Polyphonists (7:30PM - 9:30PM) ($23.18 - $33.85)

   • Description: Join all-star vocal quartet for a meditative early-music program plus beloved holiday music, sung in a perfectly-suited acoustical space.

   • Host Organization: The Polyphonists

6. Cooking Class in Washington D.C. Spanish Paella and Tapas (6:30PM - 8:30PM) ($100.59)

   • Description: Learn how to make professional Spanish paella as well as traditional Spanish tapas.

   • Host Organization: Private organizer.

Saturday, December 30^th , 2023

1. Kwanzaa & Watch Night: Visions of Freedom (11AM - 3PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Discover how Afrofuturism creates a link between Watch Night and Kwanzaa, two cultural holidays that encourage African Americans to envision their own freedom. 

   • Host Organization: Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture

2.  Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Tour (1PM - 2PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Tour the Monastery church to learn about its history and art and visit replicas of sacred Holy Land shrines set amid stunning architecture.

   • Host Organization: Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

3. Diva Film Screening (2PM - 4PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Adapted from the novel by Daniel Odier, Diva centers soprano Cynthia Humphreys, played by Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez, and her obsessed young fan Jules in his relentless quest to capture a recording of his beloved opera singer’s voice.

   • Host Organization: National Gallery of Art

4. New Years Sparkling Wine Event (5:30PM - 7:30PM) ($24.57)

   • Description: Join us for a dazzling New Year's Sparkling Wine Event, where we'll sip, celebrate, and toast to the start of a fabulous year!

   • Host Organization: Spirits & Spice

5. The Peace and Carol Ringers (6PM - 7PM) (FREE!)

   • Description: Under the direction of Tamara Freeman, the Peace and Carol Ringers will perform Songs of the Season. The program will include a variety of sacred and secular music performed on seven octaves of handbells, chimes, and an assortment of other percussion instruments.

   • Host Organization: Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

Sunday, December 31^st , 2023

1. Spy Tour of Georgetown (10AM - 11:30AM) ($41.10)

   • Description: Explore the hidden history of this iconic neighborhood alongside a former intelligence officer.

   • Host Organization: SpyGuide

2. Spy Tour of Embassy Row (12:30PM - 2PM) ($41.10)

   • Description: A 90 minute, spy-themed walking tour of Embassy Row developed and delivered by a former intelligence officer.

   • Host Organization: SpyGuide

3. Family New Year's Party at Metrobar (4PM - 7:30PM) ($13.26+)

   • Description: Bid farewell to 2023 at our early evening Family New Year's Party!

   • Host Organization: Metrobar

Rate Issue No.45!

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