Weekend Round Up January 31, 2019
By • January 31, 2019 0 682
This weekend at the Kennedy Center, American Ballet Theatre is in town to perform “Harlequinade.” Friday is International Gruit Day at Pizzeria Paradiso, Saturday is Groundhog Day in Dupont Circle and you know what Sunday is. For more February events, visit The Georgetowner’s online calendar.
American Ballet Theatre: ‘Harlequinade’
The renowned New York company presents the D.C. premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s retelling of “Harlequinade,” a tribute to Italian commedia dell’arte with playful costumes and vivid sets. Performances are: Thursday, Jan. 31, and Friday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 2, at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 3, at 1:30 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m., there will be a free 45-minute family dance workshop led by an ABT artist. Performance tickets are $39 to $150 ($49 to $59 Orchestra seating available weeknights with promo code 325180). For details, visit kennedy-center.org or call 202-467-4600.
‘Il Bel Canto’ at Georgetown University
On Thursday, Jan. 31, at 6 p.m., participants in Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program will perform scenes and arias from Rossini’s “L’elisir d’amore” and “L’italiana in Algeri,” Verdi’s “La traviata” and “Rigoletto” and Puccini’s “La bohème” in Gaston Hall at Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW. This is a free, unticketed event. For details, visit guevents.georgetown.edu.
Gruit Day at Pizzeria Paradiso
On Friday, Feb. 1, Pizzeria Paradiso, 3282 M St. NW, is celebrating International Gruit Day, which pays homage to the tradition of brewing ale with a mixture of herbs and spices (known in German as “gruit”) instead of with hops. Draft gruits chosen by beverage director Drew McCormick will be featured. For details, visit eatyourpizza.com or call 202-337-1245.
Groundhog Day in Dupont
The National Groundhog, Potomac Phil, will make an appearance at the fountain in Dupont Circle at “approximately 8:30 a.m. or whenever he damn well pleases.” He is expected to offer weather and political predictions. There will also be celebrities (in addition to Phil), live accordion music, polka dancers and a puppet show. For details, visit dupontcirclebid.org.
Women’s History Walking Tours
On Saturday, Feb. 2, women’s history fans can choose among seven options — six walking tours in D.C. and a book talk at Teaism Penn Quarter, 400 8th St. NW, featuring local authors. Tour themes are: Political Marches (9:30 to 11 a.m.), First Ladies (9:30 to 11 a.m.), Department Stores (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Women Onstage (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Book Talk (1 to 3 p.m.), Spies (3:30 to 5 p.m.) and Women on Capitol Hill (3:30 to 5 p.m.). Tickets are $35 per tour (free for age 12 and under). For details, visit atourofherown.com.
Ice Yards and Polar Bear Plunge
Now in its fifth year, Ice Yards, D.C.’s only adult-friendly winter wonderland, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. The event features live music, icy cocktails, local brews, D.C.’s largest group shotski attempt and activities including ice carving, axe throwing and jousting. Tickets are $10, which includes one beer or glass of wine upon entry. This year, participants can take the Polar Bear Plunge into two above-ground swimming pools to benefit Special Olympics DC (registration required). Admission to Ice Yards is $10. For details, visit eventbrite.com.
Maritime Voices in Takoma Park
The Maritime Voices of Washington Revels will present a program of sea chanties, songs of women and seafaring families and other salty selections on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 1:45 p.m. at Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring, Maryland. This event is part of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington’s Mini-Fest, featuring performances, dances and workshops from noon to 10:30 p.m. Mini-Fest tickets are $13 (evening), $18 (day) and $23 (both) for adults and $8, $8 and $11 for ages 6 to 12. For details, visit revelsdc.org and fsgw.org.
Dumpling Making for Chinese New Year
To celebrate the upcoming Year of the Pig, Pear Plum Café, 3064 Mount Pleasant St. NW, will offer its second-annual dumping making and eating extravaganza on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m. Participants in the two-hour class will learn how to hand-fold and prepare dumplings, get recipes for vegetarian and meat fillings, explore side dishes and dipping sauces and leave with extra wrappers and filling. Tickets are $60 for one person, $110 for two people (includes wine and beer). For details, visit eventbrite.com.
Chopin for Piano and Voice
Also on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, Maryland, the National Philharmonic will present “Recollections of Home,” a performance by pianist Brian Ganz and Polish mezzo-soprano Magdalena Wór of solo piano works and songs by Frédéric Chopin. Tickets are $34 to $88 (20 percent off with promo code NPGanz). For details, visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-581-5100.
Whittle Readers: Susan Stockdale
On Sunday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. at the Whittle School & Studios Information Center at Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, local author and illustrator Susan Stockdale will present her books, “Stripes of All Types” and “Fabulous Fishes,” and lead children in a creative activity. This free event is geared to preschool- and elementary school-aged children. For details, visit whittleschool.org.
Burleith Winter Gløgg Party
Hosted by Linda Brooks, Burleith’s 8th annual Winter Gløgg Party — a traditional Scandinavian celebration featuring mulled wine — will be held on Sunday, Feb. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Brooks home on T Street NW. To RSVP, call 202-333-2826. All Burleith residents and Burleith Citizens Association members are welcome.
Pianist Eleonora Karpukhova in Kalorama
Also on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 4 p.m., pianist Eleonora Karpukhova, a Moscow Conservatory faculty member, will perform at a fundraiser for Climate Xchange, a nonprofit dedicated to right-pricing fossil fuel emissions, at a private residence in Kalorama. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets are $100. For details, visit eventbrite.com.
