Weekend Round Up December 20, 2018
By • December 20, 2018 0 568
Handel’s “Messiah” is at the Kennedy Center this weekend (sing-along version on Sunday), “A Christmas Messe” is at the Folger and “Madeline’s Christmas” is in Falls Church. Other opportunities: make a glass ornament, learn how coffee is roasted and take a full moon hike. Attention Jewish singles: Monday night is MatzoBall. For more end-of-year events, visit The Georgetowner’s online calendar.
NSO: Handel’s ‘Messiah’
The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas McGegan, will perform Handel’s much-loved “Messiah” with exceptional singers and a heavenly chorus in the Kennedy Center’s festively decorated Concert Hall. Performances are: Thursday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 21, and Saturday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $89. For details, visit kennedy-center.org or call 202-467-4600.
‘Madeline’s Christmas’
In this musical adaptation of the children’s series by Ludwig Bemelmans at Creative Cauldron, 410 South Maple Ave. in Falls Church, Virginia, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are all sick in bed on Christmas Eve, until Madeline comes to the rescue. Shows are: Thursday, Dec. 20, and Friday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 22, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $26, $24 for seniors and military, $20 for students and $16 for children under 12. For details, visit creativecauldron.org or call 703-436-9948.
‘A Christmas Messe’
Named for a 1619 manuscript — about a tussle between King Beef and King Brawn — in the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, this program by Folger Consort is a holiday repast of English music. Strings, harp, organ and a vocal ensemble will perform works ranging from the earliest carols to later arrangements of favorites like Vaughan Williams’s “Greensleeves.” Performances are: Thursday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 22, at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $52. For details, visit folger.edu or call 202-544-7077.
‘Carpe Diem’ Community Sing
On Friday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m., Washington Revels invites area residents to celebrate the season and the solstice by caroling in the neighborhood around Seekers Church, 276 Carroll St. NW. Hot cocoa, cider and cookies will follow. All are welcome to bring refreshments and songs to share. A $5 donation is requested. For details, visit revelsdc.org (church phone is 202-829-9882).
Coffee Roasting and Tasting
Compass Coffee, 1535 7th St. NW, will host a private behind-the-scenes tour and tasting led by one of its roasters on Saturday, Dec. 22, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn how the company sources, selects and blends its coffees, and get a tin of coffee to take home. Tickets are $15. For details, visit eventbrite.com.
Glass Ornament Making
Also on Saturday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., studio artists at DC GlassWorks, 5346 46th Ave. in Hyattsville, Maryland, will help individuals, couples and families create blown-glass ornaments. Each participant (minimum age: 8) must reserve a 15-minute time slot; couples and larger groups should reserve back-to-back slots or email classes@dcglassworks.com. Tickets are $65. For details, visit eventbrite.com.
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Chef Liam of Via Umbria, 1525 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, channeled his childhood Christmas Eve dinners to create a Feast of the Seven Fishes menu featuring preparations of fish and other seafoods from different regions of Italy. Dinners will be held on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100. For details, visit viaumbria.com or call 202-333-3904.
Full Moon Hikes at the Arboretum
Also on Saturday, Dec. 22, and Sunday, Dec. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m., a guide will lead a brisk, three-mile hike through moonlit gardens, meadows and woods at the National Arboretum, 24th and R Streets NE, sharing specially chosen points of interest and seasonal highlights. No children under 16 or pets. Tickets are $35 (advance registration required). For details, visit fona.org or call 202-544-8733.
National Gallery of Art Concert
On Sunday, Dec. 23, at 3:30 p.m., the National Gallery of Art, 401 Constitution Ave. NW, presents “Song/Unsung: Weill and Poulenc,” a free concert by pianist Daniel Schlosberg with vocalist Jessica Aszodi and cellist Russell Rolen. For details, visit nga.gov or call 202-737-4215.
‘Messiah’ Sing-Along
Conductor Nancia D’Alimonte will lead members of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, guest soloists, a chorus of 200 and an enthusiastic audience in Handel’s masterpiece on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m. as part of the free Millennium Stage series. For details, visit kennedy-center.org.
Christmas Eve Breakfast Tour
On Monday, Dec. 24, O Museum in the Mansion, 2020 O St. NW, invites area residents and visitors to eat a continental breakfast of sweet breads, yogurt, granola, fresh fruit and hot coffee, tea or chocolate, then tour through themed rooms and search for secret doors. Everything is for sale and participants should bring their own shopping bags. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $39 (advance registration required). For details, visit omuseum.org.
MatzoBall
Also on Monday, Dec. 24, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., MatzoBall, said to be the nation’s leading Jewish singles’ event, will take place in eight cities. The Washington, D.C., edition will be at Decades DC, 1219 Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets for this 21+ “ultimate party experience” are $30. For details, visit matzoball.org.
