Weekend Round Up December 26, 2019
By • December 26, 2019 0 677
You can celebrate Kwanzaa on Friday at THEARC and salute Vienna on Sunday at Strathmore. “An Irish Carol” runs through New Year’s Eve at the Keegan Theatre. Choice locations to ring in 2020: the Alex Speakeasy, Blues Alley, Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place, the Alexandria Waterfront and the Kennedy Center. But first, why not double your pleasure at a Mount Pleasant bubbly tasting? For more events to close out 2019, visit The Georgetowner’s online calendar.
‘An Irish Carol’ at Keegan Theatre
In its ninth season, “An Irish Carol,” by Matthew Keenan, is an homage to the Dickens classic. Set in a modern Dublin pub, this comic and touching play follows one evening in the life of a wealthy pub owner who has lost touch with his own humanity. Performances at the Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW, are: Thursday, Dec. 26, Friday, Dec. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 28, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $51, $46 for seniors (62+) and $41 for under 25. For details, visit keegantheatre.com or call 202-265-3767.
Kwanzaa Celebration at THEARC
On Friday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m., the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum will celebrate Kwanzaa at THEARC, Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. Melvin Deal African Heritage Dancers & Drummers will give a performance with audience participation and kids can make Kwanzaa-inspired arts-and-crafts. Admission is free with RSVP. For details, visit anacostia.si.edu or call 202-889-5901.
Make It Rain! in Olney
Also on Friday, Dec. 27, from 4 to 5 p.m., Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road in Olney, Maryland, will pull back the curtain to reveal how the theater makes it rain, makes the rain go away and performs other magic for “Singin’ in the Rain.” Participants will also get an up-close look at the set, props and costumes during an onstage tour. Children over age 6 are welcome. Tickets are $10. For details, visit olneytheatre.org or call 301-924-3400.
Two-Part U.S. Capitol Tour
On Saturday, Dec. 28, from 1:10 to 4 p.m., this two-part program will begin with a private tour of the Capitol grounds, including a visit to the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. After a quick break, the group will watch a short film in the Visitor Center, then go on a guided tour of the interior spaces. The tour’s starting point is the United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Tickets are $8. For details, visit eventbrite.com.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
On Sunday, Dec. 29, at 3 p.m., Alastair Willis will conduct a Viennese-themed performance by soprano Peggy Steiner, tenor Michael Heim, dancers from Kiev Aniko Ballet of Ukraine and international champion ballroom dancers at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, Maryland. Tickets start at $49. For details, visit strathmore.org or call 301-581-5100.
Bubbly: A Tasting for 2020
Pear Plum Café, 3064 Mount Pleasant St. NW, will host a free, pre-New Year’s tasting of effervescent wines on Monday, Dec. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be specials on featured bottles all evening at Each Peach Market. For details, visit eventbrite.com or call 202-878-6459.
First Night Alexandria
First Night Alexandria, the largest family-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve party in the region, will offer more than 100 performances at 25 warm indoor venues on the Alexandria, Virginia, waterfront and at other Old Town locations on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Kids Karnival starts at 6 p.m. and Rockin’ On The River at 10 p.m. At midnight, there will be a spectacular fireworks display over the Potomac River. All-access badges are $30 ($35 on Dec. 31), free for active-duty military. Admission is free for age 12 and under accompanied by a badge-wearing adult. For details, visit visitalexandriava.com.
Roaring 2020s Party in Alex Speakeasy
On Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the Alex Speakeasy in the Graham Georgetown, 1075 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, will celebrate the Roaring 2020s with live Jazz by the Blue Dot Jazz Troupe, a full open bar, shareable small plates and a champagne toast at midnight. Roaring 20s attire is encouraged. Tickets for this 21+ event are $250. For details, visit eventbrite.com or call 202-337-0900.
New Year’s Eve With Branford Marsalis
The renowned saxophonist will lead a jazz celebration of New Year’s Eve on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 7 and 9 p.m. at the Kennedy Center, including performances in the Terrace Theater and a party in the Grand Foyer. Tickets are $75 and $85. For details, visit kennedy-center.org or call 202-467-4600.
New Year’s Eve at Blues Alley
Georgetown’s own Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, will present two New Year’s Eve shows featuring jazz piano star Cyrus Chestnut on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Vocalist Integriti Reeves will also perform. Ticket are $110 (6:30 p.m.) and $160 (10 p.m.). For details, visit bluesalley.com or call 202-337-4141.
New Year’s Eve Riverbash
Hosted by Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place, Riverbash will ring in 2020 on the Georgetown waterfront at Washington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW, on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. For details, visit georgetowndc.com or call 202-944-4545.
Tribute to Aretha Franklin
The American Pops Orchestra will pay tribute to the Queen of Soul at a New Year’s Eve concert on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 8:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Featured performers will include Michelle Williams, Dionne Warwick, Bria Skonberg, Morgan James, Nova Payton and Rayshun LaMarr. Tickets are $49 to $139. For details, visit kennedy-center.org or call 202-467-4600.
