uploaded to flickr.com by antijoe
Tis the season to fill our schedules, and the weekends on Capitol Hill are full of fun and festive events to get you in the holiday spirit, or just enjoy a spirited evening with friends. Need a break for all the holiday merriment? We’ve got diversions for you all over the ‘hood. Saturday in particular is packed with things to do that get you away from the tangled strings of lights and lumps of cookie dough.
Thursday night is Open Mike Night at the Star & Shamrock on H Street NE. Musicians and poets are welcome from 8:30 until 11:00 p.m.
The 13th Street Community Garden celebrates a year of accomplishments (and vegetables?) on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help ready the space for the next growing season. If you have time to lend a hand, please bring gardening and pruning tools. Holiday treats and hot cocoa will be provided.
Prepare for sugary holiday fun on Barracks Row this Saturday. Have you been naughty or nice? Tell Santa on Barracks Row from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. He’ll arrive courtesy of the Fire Department’s Engine 18, and will hang out at the corner of G and 8th Streets SE. Snacks will be provided by the newly-opened Spring Mill Bakery, and free photos courtesy of MotoPhoto. You can share the holiday spirit by bringing an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Prior to his arrival, grab some sprinkles and decorate a gingerbread cookie at Spring Mill Bakery across the street, starting at 12:00 noon. After you deliver your list to the Big Guy, head to Hello Cupcake and decorate your own cupcake from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., complete with a fondant figurine.
Saturday afternoon Capitol Hill Village hosts an open house at the new Hill Center from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Village residents, volunteers, and friends are welcome. RSVP by Friday, December 9 to the Village main office. More information can be found here.
Need to work off some pre-holiday energy? Spend some time cheering on the DC Rollergirls as they take on the DC DemoCats and the Cherry Blossom Bombshells in a double header at the DC Armory. Tickets are $12 in advance through Ticketmaster or at the door. First face-off is at 4:00 p.m. Nothing says the holiday like a little friendly body-checking, right?
This is your last weekend to catch “Beertown” at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. The play with audience participation has gotten great reviews, and tickets are only $15. Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. nightly through Saturday. If you’re heading to the play on Saturday, get there early for the Adult Student Art Exhibition. Admission to the exhibit is free, and is open from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday evening brings us more theatrical options with the Young Playwrights Dinner Theatre Showcase at 7:00 p.m. at St. Marks Episcopal Church. Eight short plays written by 12th grade students from the Duke Ellington School for the Arts will be performed by actors from the St. Mark’s Players and Art For Life. Tickets are just $20 for dinner and the show, or $15 for the show alone. Student tickets are $10, but note some themes may not be suitable for audience members under 14. More information and tickets can be found here.
Enjoy your weekend!
Where are other Toys for Tots drop-off locations? The web site is useless, and I’ve e-mailed them, but had no response.
Also this Saturday…the annual Living Nativity family event will be held in Lincoln Park from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., produced by the National Community Church. Live animals, choir, refreshments, and more.