A Holiday Wreath from this year's White House decorations. Photo by Dave Haglund.
If you’re going to be around Capitol Hill this weekend, you might want to check out some of these other fun activities happening around town and around the Hill.
Wednesday, December 23 (Since most people have time off on Thursday and Friday this week as well)
If you haven’t made it yet, visit the US Capitol Christmas tree. This year’s tree is an 85-foot blue spruce from Arizona decorated with 5,000 ornaments. It’s beautiful and always worth a visit.
Studio H Gallery at 408 H Street NE has a show titled “Wonderment: An Exploration of the Indeterminate.” The show features works exploring the real and surreal by Katherine Mann, Kim Manfredi and Jenny Mullins. It is being shown until January 2, 2010.
Returning to the Woolley Mammoth Theatre for another series of 30 plays completed in 60 minutes is “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.” I saw this group last year — of course, the plays are different almost every show — and loved it. I laughed uproariously at points throughout the hour. Gasped in awe of the sheer physicality of the actors. And, even shed a tear at a few of the plays. Wednesday night is family night so you parents and guardians paying full price ($30) can bring a teenager to the show for $15.
Thursday, December 24
If you’re around on Christmas Eve and want to do something that will put you in the holiday spirit, work your way into the crowd at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for their annual Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist at 4pm. The children and grandchildren of church members start in the show, and among the angels and shepherds, you might just see and elephant or a ladybug. You never know what might happen, but its sure to be a treat to see. Get there early as seating goes fast.
All the Smithsonian Museums are open on the 24th. If there’s a museum you’ve wanted to visit, now might be a great time to check it out.
If you’d rather avoid the Christmas spirit, I recommend you go to the movies. Few Hill establishments will be open and most of H Street is closing for the 24th and 25th. But the movies are always open, and the Regal Gallery Place Chinatown and Landmark E Street Cinema have films nominated for the Golden Globes.
Friday, December 25
If you’re in the mood to join a 12-year Washington DC tradition, head to the Kennedy Center for their free 6pm Millennium Stage concert. The “All Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam” is hosted by vibraphonist Chuck Redd, and includes pianist Robert Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King and vocalist Delores Williams.
If you’re ready to break away from family and traditions, head to the Rock and Roll Hotel for their W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Drink?) dance party. DJ MAJR of the Shift dance party spins Britpop, indie and electro beginning at 10:30pm. There is no cover charge.
Saturday, December 26
For the first day of Kwanzaa, visit the Anacostia Community Museum at 10:30am for a chance to learn about traditional African instruments from Brother Ah. This workshop is kid-friendly and open to the public free of charge.
Any other events we ought to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.