Ringing Out 2011, Ringing In 2012: New Year’s Eve in D.C.
• January 13, 2012

Throughout the city, there are many places to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Check out the list below for places in Georgetown and all over the city. There is still time to make plans.

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown (3100 South Street, NW) is offering two dinner options in the Fahrenheit Ballroom. For the 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30pm seatings, guests can choose from a three-course menu for $75 per person. After 8 p.m., a four-course menu for $125 per person is offered.

Cafe Milano (3251 Prospect Street, NW) is offering an a la carte menu until 9 p.m. and then a prix fixe menu, along with two DJs and a band. The prix fixe menu is $125 per person and includes one glass of sparkling Italian wine but excludes all other beverages, tax and gratuity.

Bistro Francais (3124 M Street, NW) invites you to ring in the New Year with with chef Gerard Cabrol and a special 3-course prix-fixe menu ($59), a complimentary glass of champagne and noisemakers before midnight. www.bistrofrancaisdc.com

Puro Lounge (3276 M Street, NW) hosts a New Year’s Eve party starting at 7p.m., including great music with Guy Robert Jean, DJ music after 10:30 p.m., favors, raffle and many more surprises.

Sequoia (3000 K Street, NW) is offering a special five-course New Year’s menu, live entertainment (Radio King Orchestra), and a champagne toast at midnight. For more information, visit www.arkrestaurants.com/sequoia_dc.html

L2 Lounge (3315 Cady’s Alley, NW) is hosting New Year’s Eve Havana Party. Live telecasts of New Year’s Eve celebrations happening across the globe will be projected throughout the lounge. Havana beats to be performed by a live bongo drum musician playing in synch with L2’s in-house DJ. Breakfast will be available from 1 to 3:30 a.m. No entry fee for L2 Members plus five of their guests present upon check-in; $50 per person for non-members. Table reservations being held in reserve for L2 Members; non-members may send their requests to be put on the waiting list to memberservices@l2lounge.com.

Kafe Leopold (3315 Cady’s Alley, NW) offers an unforgettable New Year’s Eve dining experience featuring a decadent Austrian-inspired menu and NYE specials, prepared by the chef, while listening to live jazz music performed by Amy Bormet. Guests will be provided a complimentary party favors and noise makers to ring in 2012. Call 202.965.6005 to make reservations.

Mate Lounge ( 3101 K Street, NW) knows how to throw a party. Enjoy two hours of sushi and Latin fusion cuisine, a midnight champagne toast, party favors and fabulous live DJ set to set the tone for a fabulous year. To party with friends, book a VIP table for six people, and enjoy a bottle of Absolut vodka as well as a bottle of champagne to toast 2012. Sushi and Latin fusion cuisine buffet and party favors also provided. For table reservations (parties 7 or more), contact farees@latinconcepts.com or 202.361.1666. Pre-sale tickets, $35; regular, $45; table service for six persons, $350.

Sea Catch Restaurant (1054 31st Street, NW) is offering a “New Years Symphony” menu, featuring five courses for $60. For an additional $25, guests can add a wine tasting including four wines.

Bourbon Steak (2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) is offering guests executive chef Adam Sobel’s special six-course tasting menu priced at $175 per person — with an additional $95 including wine pairings. The menu will be filed with luxe dishes such as Osetra caviar sandwich with toasted blini and fried quail egg, Chinese roast squab with foie gras steamed bun and plum sauce and Grilled bison tenderloin with black truffle gnocchi and toasted hazelnut. Dessert will see sweets, such as pineapple in all forms from confit to soup to sorbet, and the rich Bourbon Steak brownie with bourbon cordial and chocolate creameaux. The restaurant will offer two seatings for New Year’s Eve. The first seating will be available from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will offer a three-course menu for $90 per person. The second seating will be available from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. — www.bourbonsteakdc.com

Peacock Cafe (3251 Prospect Street, NW) There are some reservations available for our festive annual NYE prix fixe dinner. First seating is from 6 to 7:30 pm, three courses and a glass of bubbly for $50 (not incl. tax & tip). A la carte options also available at the first seating, and all night long for bar patrons. Second seating brings late night excitement and takes place from 8 to 10 p.m.; four courses include a glass of bubbly plus party favors and festivities at midnight for $65 (not incl. tax and tip). All night, Moet & Chandon will have a special price of $64.88 ($20.12 off list price). Please call 202-625-2740 to make your reservations; credit card confirmation required.

Citronelle (3000 M Street, NW) will be offering two dinner seatings for the evening, with the first seating at 5:30 p.m., and the second starting at 8:30 p.m. This year will feature a special New Year’s Eve package on Dec. 31, including an overnight stay at The Latham Hotel, parking, and a continental breakfast.

For more locations in Georgetown, visit Georgetown BID

Outside of Georgetown, There Are Many Other NYE Parties to Attend

Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW): Make the Headliners Ball an even bigger story, and add dinner at The Source by Wolfgang Puck and lodging at Hotel Monaco. There’s no better place to count down to 2012 than D.C.’s top museum and party venue. The Headliners Ball features the best in food, drink and entertainment for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration. One-of-a-kind cocktails and food from Wolfgang Puck, entertainment from the area’s hottest party band, Round Midnight, Dance jams with DJ Scientific Beats and access to Newseum exhibits.

Countdown to midnight and 2012 on the 40-foot by 22-foot high-definition video screen.

The Headliners Ball at the Newseum offers a choice of three packages — $195 per person; $180 for Newseum members; includes an open bar (8 p.m. to 2 a.m.), light snacks and a champagne toast at midnight. For more information, please call 202/292-6100.

Eden Lounge: For those looking to party down in class, I Street hotspot Eden Lounge (1716 I Street, NW) is hosting the End of The World 2012 New Year’s Eve Party in our nation’s capital this year. Located in the heart of Washington, Eden is D.C.’s own oasis under the stars. The hotspot has attracted A-list celebrities, such as David Arquette, T.I., Nas, Alex Ovechkin, LMFAO, Jay Sean and Wale among others. For party-goers who want to flash some real cash, Eden is offering a slew of baller packages. The Ultimate End of The World Package for $5,000 includes VIP Admission for 40 Guests and a private VIP section. To bring in the New Year with cheers, guests will receive 24 bottles of Moet and Chandon Imperial Rose Champagne and 10 bottles of premium liquor. For those with a more reasonable budget, the venue is offering VIP Packages of both $1,000 and $750, including VIP admission for 10 or eight guests. All New Year’s Eve packages with bottle minimums also include complimentary bottles of champagne. Individual tickets are also available for purchase for $30. To reserve a table or for more information, visit www.EdenDC.com or call 202-491-2165.

Josephine: Celebrate New Year’s 2012 in style at the newly enhanced Josephine Lounge at 1008 Vermont Avenue, NW. Josephine wowed the D.C. party scene in October with its chic brand new modern decor and redesign expanding the venue’s usable dance and mingling space. The hotspot has hosted celebrities such as Sean Penn, Will.i.am, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Spike Lee. D.C. party people are invited to dance the night away to music by DJ N’dys from Miami’s famous Set nightclub. The DJ recently remixed the song “Missing You” by the Black Eyed Peas. VIP Packages start at $1,000 for 10 guests and bottle and champagne numbers depend on package deals. Individual tickets can be purchased for $40 and $75 for couples. To reserve table packages, visit www.josephinedc.com or call 202-347-8601.

Public: Join high-energy Dupont Circle favorite Public Bar (1214 18th Street, NW) for an evening of vibing and imbibing this New Year’s Eve. Public will be offering tables for up to 10 guests starting at $800, including champagne and bottle service. Individual tickets can be purchased for $80. Happy Hour prices will be offered, 8 to 10 p.m., and an open bar will be available to all guests from 10p.m. to 1 a.m. An appetizer buffet will be served from 10 p.m. to midnight for hungry Public partygoers. To reserve table packages or purchase tickets, visit www.PublicBarDC.com or call 202-223-2200.

Lost Society: U Street boutique steakhouse Lost Society (2001 14th Street NW) will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve feast to ring in the new year. With a unique and sophisticated ambiance, the lounge has already attracted celebrities such as Sean Penn and Tara Reid. DJ’s Gavin Holland and Chris Burns will be spinning on the decks starting at 9 p.m., with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. Table reservations start at $250 and tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 with three guaranteed top shelf cocktails. For more information, visit www.lostsociety-dc.com or call 202-618-8868.

Weekend Roundup January 05, 2012
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Baked and Wired: Live Music Friday

January 6th, 2012 at 07:30 PM | Event Website

Instrumental trio Sansyou will be performing at Baked & Wired on Friday January 6 at 7:30pm. Sansyou released their debut recording “When We Become Ghosts”, in the fall of 2011. David Nicholas (guitar) and Matthew McGarraghy (guitar, percussion, piano), and Davis White (percussion, keyboards) create music that, “eschews the standard soft/loud post rock bombast in favor of a more reflective and tranquil musical path-one that recognizes the quiet power of slowly descending (and ascending) melodies, as well as the gravitational weight of silence itself”-TheVinylDistrict

Address

1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW

WINTERFEST 2012

January 7th, 2012 at 12:00 PM | Free | wybfoundation@gmail.com | Event Website

Join When You Believe Foundation, Inc. as we bring in the New Year with card games, board games, musical chairs, and MUCH more. This fun-filled day is sure to be a blast!

For kids 5-16, FREE to the public.

RSVP via E-mail.

Address

24 Kennedy St NW

Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club

January 7th, 2012 at 08:00 PM | 16-20 | info@outofthisworldparty.com | Tel: 202-321-2878 | Event Website

Hail to the Ring

Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club, a 21-and-over performance, celebrates what would have been the King of Rock n’ Roll’s 77th birthday.

Offering “a little less conversation, a little more action, ” old-school heroes duke it out against subversive villains in ridiculous home-grown costumes. Between bouts, burlesque entertainers keep the crowd “all shook up.”

Address

The Warehouse Theatre

1021 7th Street, NW

Washington, DC, DC 20001

Georgetown Flea Market

January 8th, 2012 at 08:00 AM | Event Website

The Georgetown Flea Market is in the parking lot of Hardy Middle School every Sunday. Vendors offer products including new photography, costume jewelry, antiques, vintage clothes, used furniture and the list goes on.

Address

Hardy Middle School 1819 35th St NW,

Washington, DC 20007

The Latest Dish January 12, 2012
• January 12, 2012

Columbus, Ohio-based Bravo Brio Restaurant Group plans to open a second **Brio Tuscan Grille** in the metro area. A February opening is planned for the new Rockville restaurant in the Rockville Pike complex with Whole Foods and Seasons 52, across from White Flint Mall. The Brio Tuscan Grille at Tysons Corner Center has been open since September 2005. The parent company owns 94 restaurants in 30 states. Brio Tuscan Grille is an upscale affordable Italian restaurant serving authentic Northern Italian food in a Tuscan Villa atmosphere.

Texas-based Del Frisco?s Restaurant Group plans to expand into D.C., opening its newest concept, **Del Frisco?s Grille** in Penn Quarter, at 1201 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, where Les Halles used to be, by early next summer. It will offer big sandwiches, seafood, steaks, salads, flatbreads and will be open for lunch, dinner and brunch. The parent company operates 31 restaurants across the country, including Del Fricso?s Double Eagle Steak Houses and Sullivan?s Steakhouses. This will be the third Del Frisco?s Grille in the country, with the first two in New York and Dallas.

Chef & GM Update: Sebastien Archambault takes over the helm at **Blue Duck Tavern** at The Park Hyatt Washington in D.C.?s West End. Archambault comes to Washington from Los Angeles?s L?Epicerie Market, a combination restaurant and food shop where he was chef-owner. The Lubbock, Texas-born chef grew up in the restaurant business, then moved to France where he worked for renowned restaurants in Paris as well as in Mexico City. Expect French and Mexican dishes to find their way into his new menu. Chef de cuisine John Melfi will continue as sous chef at Blue Duck Tavern.

**Ripple** in Cleveland Park has hired Alison Reed as the new pastry chef. She formerly worked at Cafe St. Ex. Sean-Michael Longstreth is the new general manager of **Fiorella Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria** at National Harbor. He had been assistant general manager for sister restaurant, Bond 45, also at National Harbor. Both are part of Fireman Hospitality Group.

Ch-Ch-Changes: **Lima Restaurant** in downtown D.C. plans to change its concept, into an Asian-influenced Latin American restaurant called Fujimori by early February. Cuban-born chef Raynold Mendizabal says the menu will reflect the influence of Asian immigration on Latin American cuisine and will offer a raw bar as well as a sushi bar. The downstairs nightclub, Lima Lounge, will not change.

If you are old enough to remember **Hot Shoppes**, it will put a smile on your face to learn that the new Marriott Marquis currently under construction next to the Washington Convention Center plans to open with a Hot Shoppes restaurant inside. Hot Shoppes was an early part of the Marriott empire and its original name. The first one opened at 14th and Park Road, NW, in 1927. Marriott closed them all in 1999. The property is expected to open in spring 2014.

Barry Koslow, former chef at Tallula in Arlington and Mendocino Grille in Georgetown, plans to open **DGS Delicatessen** next summer, in Dupont Circle (1317 Connecticut Ave., NW) with partners Nick and David Wiseman of Roadside Food Projects. The DGS stands for District Grocery Stores, a cooperative of Jewish-owned delis from turn-of-the-century D.C. The corned beef and pastrami will be made on the premises. Breads, bagels and bialys will come from Mark Furstenburg, founder of Marvelous Market and Breadline.

**William Jeffrey?s Tavern** in Arlington, is the newest venture from Vintage II Restaurants, owned by Chris Lefbom, Wilson Whitney and Adam Lubar, who also own and operate Rhodeside Grill, Ragtime and Dogwood Tavern. Virginia artist Thomas Mullany created the 1920s prohibition era theme with three murals depicting the speak-easy culture.

Quick Hits: **Yes! Organic Market** is moving its Capitol Hill store to a larger site at 801 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, aka Barracks Row. It is expected to open in March. This summer, Boloco, a Massachusetts-based burrito franchise specializing in Mexican-style burritos, will open in the Golden Triangle at 1028 19th St., NW, formerly a spa, and at 4930 Elm St. in Bethesda, where a Baja Fresh used to be. Boloco stands for Boston Local Company. Spike Mendelsohn?s **Good Stuff Eatery** plans to open a second location this spring at 2110 Crystal Drive in Crystal City.

Openings Update: Jamie Stachowski and his son have been in the process of renovating Georgetown?s **Griffin Market**. Renovations took a bit longer than expected (hey, what else is new?). In addition to cases filled with heirloom pork, local beef, seasonal game, and four or five rotating varieties of freshly made sausage, Jamie plans to offer a sandwich bar with big, piled-high sandwiches and ?the best pastrami this city will know.?
There will also be a selection of prepared foods available to go, as well as charcuterie. A January opening is scheduled. **Boxcar Tavern**, located at the former Petite Gourmet space next to Tunnicliffs at 224 7th St, SE, is slated to open very soon. Owner Xavier Cervera, also has Senart?s, Lola?s, and Molly Malone?s on Barracks Row.

Paul Uppole, owner of **St. Arnold?s Mussel Bar**, located on Jefferson Place south of Dupont, plans to open a second location for the mussels and frites restaurant in Cleveland Park where Sabores was. He plans to open a sit-down restaurant in the upper level space, offering upscale pub food with a Belgian twist, and a pub downstairs, which he plans to call Underground at St. Arnold?s, in a connected downstairs space. As St. Arnold is the patron saint of brewing, expect a dynamic selection of beers. And Uppole knows his beers.

*Linda Roth Conte is president of Linda Roth Associates, Inc. (LRA), specializing in making creative connections through media relations, marketing initiatives, community outreach and special events for the hospitality industry. Contact Linda at 703 417 2700 or linda@LindaRothPR.com, or visit her website at [LindaRothPR.com](http://www.lindarothpr.com/).*

Jack Evans ReportJanuary 11, 2012
• January 11, 2012

In my last newsletter, I took some time to reflect on our accomplishments from the past year. This week, I want to discuss a few of my New Year?s Resolutions. As Chairman of the Council?s Committee on Finance & Revenue, my central goals for the year relate to the District?s finances.

First, it is important to me to lower the top personal income tax rate in the District to our prior rate of 8.5 percent. As a government, we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot when it comes to attracting and retaining new residents and small businesses. We can raise money in the short term by perpetually increasing taxes and fees, as my colleagues prefer to do. But when we create disincentives for new businesses to locate here, we do more harm than good down the road.

Second, it is important to me to reduce the expenditures of the District government. I am the first member to champion programs that actually work, such as the Housing Production Trust Fund. Unfortunately, many of our District dollars are not spent so wisely, and we have to make strategic cuts in order to balance our budget going forward.

Third, after we make those cuts, I want to make sure that the savings we achieve are put into the District?s savings account rather than doled right back out in earmarks and other new, wasteful spending. Despite all the complaints I heard from my colleagues about all the supposed budget cuts we made last year, the simple fact is that we passed the largest budget in the District?s history. In addition to saving for a rainy day, our reserve account also supports our bond rating, which is critical for allowing the government to borrow for needed capital improvements to schools and other important projects at affordable rates.

Fourth, I want to move forward quickly with the mayor to constitute the Tax Revision Commission and the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission. The Tax Revision Commission will give a thoughtful look at the District?s tax structure. Unfortunately, the only time tax policy typically comes up in the legislative setting is when a member is looking for a way to raise money for a pet project he or she wants funded. The goal of the Tax Revision Commission will be to make more principled recommendations based on sound tax policy rather than pragmatic spending priorities.

The Real Property Tax Appeals Commission, in contrast, focuses more on the mechanics of collecting taxes. A substantial portion of the District?s revenue comes from real property tax collections, and there have been a number of complaints with regard to inconsistency in the administrative appeals process. The Real Property Tax Appeals Commission was established with the goal of professionalizing the appeals process and ensuring greater fairness and transparency.

In closing, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are making progress on your resolutions for 2012. The holidays always seem to go by a little too quickly, but I am excited about the year ahead and all we will accomplish together.

Weekend Roundup December 15, 2011
• December 22, 2011

The Georgetowner’s Annual Photo Competition

BECOME The Georgetowner’s next photography contest WINNER!

Submit up to five photographs taken anywhere in Georgetown. The coolest, most incredible, eye-catching, blow-us-away photograph will WIN THE FRONT COVER of our publication.

Deadline for photograph submissions is: January 4th, 2012

Please send submissions to photography@georgetowner.com

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington: Red & Greene holiday show featuring Ellen Greene

December 16th, 2011 at 08:00 AM | $50 – $25 prices subject to change | tgrant@gmcw.org | Tel: 202-293-1548 | Event Website

DC’s perennial favorite holiday show is back with a very special guest, Broadway and television star, Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors, Pushing Daisies). Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there’s no place like homo for the holidays. Bold production numbers and glittering holiday songs from a Chorus of more than 250 men will make your days merry and bright.

Address

Lisner Auditorium at the George Washington University,

730 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC.

The Dog Shop: Pet Photos with Santa

December 17th, 2011 at 011:00 AM-3:00PM | Tel: 202-337-DOGS |

On Saturday, December 17th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., take your pet for a photo with Santa at The Dog Shop (1625 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). Benefiting Washington Humane Society, your pet photo with Santa is the perfect addition to the family holiday photo album and a great gift for loved ones abroad. 202.337.DOGS

Address

1625 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Washington DC. 20007

National Philharmonic Singers Holiday Concert

December 17th, 2011 at 08:00 PM | free | h@nationalphilharmonic.org | Tel: 301-493-9283

The National Philharmonic Singers and Washington Symphonic Brass Quartet will present a free holiday concert, featuring music from the great cathedrals of Europe along with new arrangements of holiday favorites.

Address

Christ Episcopal Church

107 South Washington Street Rockville, MD

Community Open House and Toy Drive

December 18th, 2011 at 01:00 AM | jordace16@aol.com | Tel: 202-944-8400 | Event Website

Long & Foster, Exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International, would like to thank the Georgetown Community for your support.

We’re opening our doors to you on Sunday, December 18th from 1-3pm.
Stop by for holiday treats and warm drinks and drop-off a toy or book for Toys for Tots.

Address

1680 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20007

Christmas Music: Holiday Treasures from Russia

December 19th, 2011 at 07:00 PM | $15-$65 | choralarts@choralarts.org | Tel: 202.785.9727 | Event Website

The Choral Arts Society of Washington presents its long-time holiday crowd-pleasing Christmas Music concert Monday, Dec. 19, and Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 24, at 1 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. “Holiday Treasures from Russia” features a magical mix of Russian carols, popular sing-alongs, and Christmas standards that are sure to warm up the holiday season. The concert also features special guest artists from the Russian Federation.

Address

Kennedy Center Concert Hall

2700 F Street, NW.

Weekend Roundup December 1, 2011
• December 19, 2011

Winter Wonderland Sponsored by the Citizens Association of Georgetown

DECEMBER 2nd, 2011 AT 7:00PM | TEL: 202-337-7313| EVENT WEBSITE

The Georgetown Gala will take place on Friday, December 2nd at the Embassy of the Russian Federation from 7 until 11pm. Ambassador and Mrs. Sergey Kislyak are honorary chairs for the black tie evening which brings together over 400 residents, businesses, organizations and government leaders to highlight CAG’s mission of historic preservation and improving the life of the community. Gala Co-Chairs Nancy Taylor Bubes, Michele Evans and Patrice Miller are planning a Winter Wonderland which will include Russian vodka & caviar, an elegant dinner, a live auction, and dancing. Georgetowners John Richardson and Franco Nuschese will be the honored.

to purchase tickets please visit www.cagtown.org or at CAG offices located at 1365 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Address

The Embassy of The Russian Federation

2650 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington DC 20007

The Nutcracker, the Washington Ballet

DECEMBER 1-24th, 2011 AT 07:00 PM | UPPER BALCONY SEATING: $90. ORCHESTRA SEATING: $31 – $90. MID-BALCONY SEATING: $56 – $90. | TEL: TICKETMASTER, 202-397-7328 | EVENT WEBSITE

The Washington Ballet performs a very special version of The Nutcracker for the 50th time this year. With PytorIlych Tchaikovsky’s music and choreography, this performance takes you back to Georgetown in 1882, stars George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker, King George III as the villainous Rat King and introduces you to Anacostia Indians, frontiersmen, and many other all-American delights.

December 1-24, 2011?11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 7 p.m.

Address

The Warner Theatre?

513 13th Street?

Washington, DC 20004

Christmas in Middleburg, Virginia

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 08:30 AM | ORGANIZER@CHRISTMASINMIDDLEBURG.ORG | TEL: 540-687-8888 | EVENT WEBSITE

A quaint town in Virginia celebrates the holiday with a day-long festival featuring Breakfast with Santa at 8:30am, followed by the Middleburg Hunt Review parade at 11:00am, and the Christmas Parade down Washington Street at 2:00pm. Kids activities all day.

Address

Middleburg, Virginia

Swedish Christmas Bazaar

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 11:00 AM | FREE | PERNILLAE.JONSSON@GMAIL.COM | TEL: 571 338 5240 | EVENT WEBSITE

SWEA Washington DC (Swedish Women’s Educational Association) supported by the Embassy of Sweden; holds its annual Christmas Bazaar from 11 am to 5 pm, December 3, at House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW (Georgetown waterfront). Foggy Bottom is the closest metro station. Find Swedish artwork, crafts, crystal, textiles, books and traditional foods for sale. Visit the Swedish Café. There is also a raffle. Santa Lucia Procession is singing Swedish Christmas carols. Activities room for children.

Address

2900 K Street NW?

Washington, DC 20007

Flamenco Men

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 08:00 PM | $18-$30 | INFO@GALATHEATRE.ORG | TEL: (202) 234-7174 | EVENT WEBSITE

Edwin Aparicio, who appears regularly at national and international dance festivals, has created a stunning new work featuring male dancers only.

Address

GALA Hispanic Theatre

?3333 14th St., NW?Washington, DC 20010

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras presents “Russian Rhapsody”

DECEMBER 4TH, 2011 AT 03:00 PM | TICKETS: $7 ADULT, $5 SENIOR/STUDENT, FREE FOR AGES 5 AND UNDER | EVENTS@AYPO.ORG | TEL: 703-642-8051 | EVENT WEBSITE

American Youth Concert Orchestra – J.D. Anderson, Conductor
?
American Youth Symphonic Orchestra? – Carl J. Bianchi, Conductor

Program:
?Rimsky-Korsakov: Procession of the Nobles?
Bach arr. Calliet: Fugue in G Minor?
Alfred Reed: Greensleeves – A Symphonic Setting
?Del Borgo: Hatikvah
?Hershey Kay: Pat-A-Pan?
Delibes arr. Isaac: March and Procession of Bacchus
?Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla
?Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kiji Suite?
Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien

Address

Vienna Presbyterian Church,

124 Park Street N.E., Vienna, VA 22180

Messiah Sing!

DECEMBER 4TH, 2011 AT 04:00 PM | $15, STUDENTS UNDER 18 FREE | MUSICINMCLEAN@GMAIL.COM | TEL: (703) 560-0670 | EVENT WEBSITE

Join us for a wonderful holiday tradition: A sing-a-long performance of one of Handel’s most moving and memorable works, the ‘Messiah’. This beautiful work celebrates the promise of redemption and peace for all mankind. Choir, soloists and orchestra will be under the direction of Cheryl Branham. Bring along a $10 deposit (refunded at the end of the performance) to receive a scorebook with your admission and sing along. Or, simply come and enjoy the music at this family friendly event!

Address

Saint Luke Catholic Church

?7001 Georgetown Pike?McLean, VA 22101

Weekend Roundup December 08, 2011
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Woodley House Movie Benefit

DECEMBER 8TH, 2011 AT 05:30 AM | $50-$300+ | DANIELLE@LANDSDALEASSOC.COM | TEL: 202.467.6500 | EVENT WEBSITE

An advance screening of Warner Bros Pictures’ New Year’s Eve. All proceeds go to DC-based nonprofit Woodley House, which helps people with mental illness reclaim their lives and reach their goals and aspirations. The Honorable Jane Harman will be honored.

Address

5:30 pm reception at Spices, 3333 Connecticut Avenue, NW

7:30 pm screening at Uptown, 3426 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Duke Ellington School of the Arts Holiday Gift Bazaar & Art Show

DECEMBER 10TH, 2011 AT 10:00 AM | FREE – OPEN TO PUBLIC | SHADE4DESA@GMAIL.COM | TEL: 202.282.0123 | EVENT WEBSITE

Shop ’til you drop at the 2011 Holiday Gift Bazaar & Art Show at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, 10am – 7pm. The Bazaar will feature: Fine Art & Artist; Gold & Silver Jewelry; Holiday Cards; Unique Home Décor; Authors & Calendars; Natural Bath & Beauty Products; Silent Auction; Food Vendors; Performances by duke Ellington School of the Arts departments, and much, much more!
ADMISSION IS FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!?Vendor space is available email shade4desa@gmail.com for details.

Address

Duke Ellington School of the Arts?

3500 R Street, NW?Washington, DC 20007

Aidah Collection Holiday Trunk Sale Series – Part 1

DECEMBER 10TH, 2011 AT 01:00 PM | $25 – $200 | FASHION@AIDAH.COM | EVENT WEBSITE

A celebration & sale of unique handmade clothing & gifts by Aidah Collection.
Complimentary cocktails, Goodie Bags and Raffle Prizes. 10% donated to charity
RSVP at Facebook.com/AidahCollection

Address

CARBON Boutique?

2643 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20008?(Across the street from Woodley Park Metro)

National Philharmonic Chorale to Perform Handel’s Messiah

DECEMBER 10TH, 2011 AT 08:00 PM | $32-$79 KIDS UNDER 17 ARE FREE | TEL: (301) 581-5100 | EVENT WEBSITE

The National Philharmonic Chorale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson will conduct the National Philharmonic in Handel’s Messiah on Dec 10 at 8 pm and Dec 11 at 3 pm.
The concert will feature the National Philharmonic’s nearly 200 voice all-volunteer Chorale, as well as soloists.

Address

National Philharmonic?The Music Center at Strathmore?

5301 Tuckerman Lane?North Bethesda, MD 20852

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras presents “Winter Magic”

DECEMBER 11TH, 2011 AT 03:00 PM | $7 ADULT, $5 SENIOR/STUDENT, FREE FOR AGES 5 AND UNDER | EVENTS@AYPO.ORG | TEL: 703-642-8051 | EVENT WEBSITE

American Youth String Ensemble?Cheri Collins, Conductor
Program:?Beethoven arr. Robert Longfield: Allegretto (from Symphony No. 7)?Vivaldi: Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 3, No. 11?Tchaikovsky arr. Jamin Hoffman: Scenes from Swan Lake?Holst: Jig from St. Paul’s Suite

Address

Langley High School

6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101

HOLIDAY IN VENICE: Cantate Chamber Singers

DECEMBER 11TH, 2011 AT 03:00 PM | $30, STUDENTS $15 | EXEC@CANTATE.ORG | TEL: 301-986-1799 | EVENT WEBSITE

This holiday season tour the dazzling musical history of Venice with Cantate Chamber Singers. The program includes stunning seasonal works by Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli and more. With the festive sounds of the Continuum Brass Quintet.Cantate’s director, Gisèle Becker, has been called a “music master” by Washingtonian, and the group is known for its Baroque style, innovative programming, and sharing great choral music with D.C.-area audiences in the most intimate concert settings.

Address

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

?3rd and A Streets, S.E.?Washington, D.C.

Murphy?s Love: Advice on Intimacy and RelationshipsDecember 14, 2011
• December 14, 2011

**Dear Stacy:**

**I am a working mom in her 30s. My marriage is strong. My family ties are good. I get an enormous amount of joy being a mother to twin 6-year-olds. But I?m also realizing that I am very lonely when it comes to female friends. I have a few close ones in this area who are just as busy as I am, and we have trouble keeping up with each other. More and more, I?m realizing that I am missing my ?girlfriendships? of the past ? women who know what?s going on in my life, who call or email regularly, whom I can count on in a crisis and so on. Making new friends at this stage in my life seems really difficult. I was hoping to meet some through the various ?mommy and me? groups I joined when my kids were little, but those relationships stuck pretty close to the kids and their development, not moving into personal lives or going much deeper. I am a supervisor at work: that makes it hard for me to bridge those relationships into anything more. I have tried to connect with some of my husband?s friends? wives, but we also have little in common. I miss the days when the world was structured to help me make friends: school, sorority rush, happy hours in my 20s. How do you make new, real friends as an adult?**

**- Needs a Ladies Night**

Dear Ladies Night:

I completely empathize with your situation. The post-mommy period is rife with opportunities to feel marginalized. Our culture?s new pastime of criticizing other moms? life choices (See the SAHM vs. working mom debate online? On second thought, don?t.) makes new friendships even harder to trust. Not all of us got pregnant at the same time, in the same town, and with the same post-partum work schedules that allow us to be in the same life stage as our best friends from high school. Sad but true.

The isolation, judgment, anxiety and frustration you are feeling right now is actually quite similar to that found in other life stages. You could apply the same adjectives to describe a new freshman in college, a 40-year-old transplant to a new town, the newly retired, the recently widowed ? in other words, you really are describing the human condition here. My point is not to ?Just deal because we?re all feeling it,? it?s to realize, ?Wow, we?re all feeling it, so maybe I can risk a little bit and put it out there that I am looking to make some closer friends.?

Committing to having coffee, lunch or drinks with at least one female friend ? new, old or marginal ? each week can do wonders to increase your confidence about connecting and give you the chance to feel like someone else knows what you?re going through. It wouldn?t be a ?Murphy?s Love? column if I didn?t put in at least one plug about therapy ? so perhaps a support group for moms (not one masked as a playdate) would be a good place to explore your feelings about friendship in this stage. Therapy groups are not places to make friends, mind you, but one might help you get clear about why this particular developmental stage is so difficult right now. Email me for some specific suggestions in your area.

**Dear Stacy:**

My wife and I have been married for 20 years. We have two high school-aged kids and have enjoyed the experience of being parents, watching them grow and change, and basically structuring our lives around their care and wellbeing.

At the same time, we both are really looking forward to sending them off to college so that we can start traveling and spending more time following our own personal pursuits. My concern is this ? we have been a ?low-sex? couple for the last 10 years or so. For us, this means that we have sex about once every two months. I would like to have sex more often, but my wife has not been interested for a long time. I am starting to realize that my visions of us being together in our empty nest include a lot more sex. I am just now recognizing that this has been part of my fantasy about this stage of our lives and am starting to worry that she may be caught off guard by my high expectations.

I know you?re going to suggest therapy, and I think it?s a good idea. We had some several years ago when we were dealing with one of our kids? learning disabilities. I just don?t know how she will react when she is the named patient, and we?re there to address her lack of sexual desire. How should I approach this topic?

**- Counting the Days in D.C.**

Dear Counting:

Yes, we both agree that counseling is a good idea, but let me elaborate on that point.

The purpose of inviting a third party (Read: the therapist) into this conversation is to set some ground rules about how the communication is going to go. If we were all capable of speaking to our spouse in that calm, safe and connected manner already, this problem already would be solved. Most of us don?t have these skills right out of the box (or even after 20 years). So, instead, we use other methods to try and get what we want. We argue. We badger. We ignore. We use passive aggression. We manipulate. These are the unconscious tools we use to get our way. Yes, they are ubiquitous, but they rarely work without costing a price of some kind: long-term resentment, emotional isolation or foggy denial ? take your pick.

A good couples counselor can help you feel comfortable enough to say what you need to say and help Wife be comfortable enough to hear it. Plus, employing an entirely new conversational paradigm might mirror the entirely new life paradigm you?re about to enter: Empty Nesting. I applaud the effort to be proactive as you start this very new chapter.

I do have one caveat. My guess is that you already employ some of the unconscious methods of getting what you want or convincing yourself that you don?t need it. Otherwise, you wouldn?t be 20 years into a ?low-sex marriage? that you admit is dissatisfying. Before you bring Wife into the counseling room to talk about her low libido, consider your own side to this story. How is it that you have fantasies about having more sex after the kids are grown, yet she doesn?t know about it already? How have you been hiding this from her? I guarantee this kind of conversation will be part of any couples therapy. So, in the interest of you not finding yourself blindsided, try a little more introspection about why you?ve maintained a dissatisfying sex life for so long, whether your frequent-sex fantasies do include Wife, and what your real goals are. When you?re clear about that, please approach her by saying, ?I think counseling would help me with XYZ, will you come with me?? Avoid naming her as the ?patient.? In other words, the phrase, ?Let?s deal with your low-sex problem,? should never be a part of your script.

*Stacy Notaras Murphy is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. Her website is www.therapygeorgetown.com. This column is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. We really do want your questions. Send them confidentially to stacy@georgetowner.com.*

Abbot and Costello: an Economics Lesson
•

Great news!

The economy added 120,000 new jobs in November, pushing the unemployment rate down from 9 percent to 8.6 percent, the lowest since President Obama’s second month in office.

Actually, the private sector picked up 140,000 new jobs because governments laid off 20,000 people.

That should make everyone happy. Democrats need the unemployment rate to go down if they are to have a chance at keeping the White House and some voice in the Congress. Republicans will crow about the decrease in government workers. Independents, the largest political party in the U.S., tend to be more secretive about what they think, but they will let us know on election day.

But wait. The number of unemployed dropped almost 600,000, from 13.9 million to 13.3 million, but only 120,000 new jobs were created.

How does that math work?

No economist or accountant or mathematician can explain that.

Only a moviemaker can explain these numbers.

Barry Levinson, a Hollywood film producer and director with more than three dozen movies to his credit, perhaps best known for Rain Man which won four Academy Awards, decided that the economy isn’t just confusing. It’s comedy.

He revised Abbott and Costello’s famous “Who’s on First” routine to explain how the Department of Labor measures changes in unemployment.

COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.

ABBOTT: Good subject. Terrible times. It’s 9 percent.

COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT: No, that’s 16 percent.

COSTELLO: You just said 9 percent.

ABBOTT: 9 percent unemployed.

COSTELLO: Right 9 percent out of work.

ABBOTT: No, that’s 16 percent.

COSTELLO: Okay, so it’s 16 percent unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, that’s 9 percent.

COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9 percent or 16 percent?

ABBOTT: 9 percent are unemployed. 16 percent are out of work.

COSTELLO: IF you are out of work, you are unemployed?

ABBOTT: No, you can’t count the “Out of Work” as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!

ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.

COSTELLO: What point?

ABBOTT: Someone who doesn’t look for work can’t be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn’t be fair.

COSTELLO: To whom?

ABBOTT: The unemployed.

COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.

ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.

COSTELLO: So, if you’re off the unemployment rolls, that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don’t look for work?

ABBOTT: Absolutely, it goes down. That’s how you get to 9 percent. Otherwise, it would be 16 percent. You don’t want to read about 16 percent unemployment, do ya?

COSTELLO: That would be frightening.

ABBOTT: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means they’re two ways to bring down the unemployment number?

ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.

COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?

ABBOTT: Correct.

COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?

ABBOTT: Bingo.

COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.

ABBOTT: Now you’re thinking like an economist.

COSTELLO: I don’t even know what the hell I just said!

Bingo is right! 120,000 people got new jobs last month. Another 350,000 quit looking, but they don’t count.Well, they won’t count as unemployed and won’t be entitled to unemployment insurance. But they may be entitled to food stamps, Medicaid and housing assistance. And if there’s a link between increased poverty and the crime rate, other public costs will increase.

So, the deficit will go up as the unemployment rate goes down. That’s economics for you.

Barry Levinson is right. Economics is pure theater. But is it comedy? Or drama or tragedy? Ask those 350,000 who can’t find work and quit looking.

Better yet, ask Newt Gingrich who recently proposed allowing 9-year-olds to enter the workforce.

Encore. Encore. Abbott and Costello, where are you?

Jack Evans Report, Dec. 14, 2011
•

At our last legislative meeting, I introduced a bill called the “Reimbursable Detail Expansion and Promoter Regulation Act of 2011.” This bill is designed to bring to the forefront of the Council’s legislative agenda the issue of violence associated with certain late night entertainment venues, particularly when so-called “promoters” are involved. 

The bill I introduced would direct the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration to create regulations covering promoters, which has been the subject of discussion even prior to recent events. Promoters don’t have accountability to the government or the community the way an ABRA license-holder does, and creating a licensing process for them will help with this problem. My bill creates a framework for defining promoters, looking at items such as fee-sharing arrangements based on admission head counts, for example, while creating reasonable exemptions for performers and off-premises ticket sellers like Ticketmaster.

The other substantive section of the bill would impact participation in the reimbursable detail program, which provides for additional Metropolitan Police Department officers on the streets, with costs being shared by bars and the city. The intent of my bill is to shift the presumption to require certain establishments to pay for adequate security unless they apply for and are granted an exemption. If, for example, an establishment is a restaurant by day but then has a second life as a kind of club a couple of nights a month, then that establishment would have to participate in the reimbursable detail program on entertainment nights unless ABRA grants them an exemption. On nights where promoters are involved, the extra security would always be required. 

The introduction of this bill starts a conversation on the issue, and there will be an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to share views for how to refine the proposal going forward. I have heard a number of good ideas already, such as increasing the role of advisory neighborhood commissions in the process or involving the commander of the relevant police district in these decisions. There may also be a way to incorporate “special police” officers into the security requirements, who are not members of MPD but are licensed by MPD. In contrast with MPD reimbursable detail officers who patrol the streets outside identified establishments, “special police” officers work inside an establishment and have arrest authority on the premises.

I look forward to other ideas being presented during the hearing process. I was joined by four of my colleagues in the introduction of my bill, Councilmembers Michael Brown, Phil Mendelson, Muriel Bowser and Marion Barry, which I hope demonstrates the support necessary to ensure that the relevant committee chair, Councilmember Jim Graham, quickly schedules a hearing to move the bill forward.