For those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, I wish you love, light and endless oil in the form of latkes. Despite my friend Liz calling me a shiksa (though my DNA says I am 2% Jewish), I really love Hanukkah: The story, the candles, the chocolate, the idea of eight days’ worth of small presents– it just appeals to my sensibilities. Here is a favorite Hanukkah earworm for you and a funny from McSweeney’s. Enjoy, Jewish and Gentile alike!
What else is there to do? For starters, watch the Capitol Hill Menorah lighting!!! Click here to go to the Hill Havurah portal. Make sure you stock up on gelt at Hill’s Kitchen and stop by Labyrinth to pick up a dreidel– Kathleen also has instructions, just in case you’ve forgotten how to play.
By the way, if you haven’t watched the Capitol Hill Tree Lighting ceremony yet, click here to watch.
Did you know that CHAW has been doing mini concert series? This weekend, they are letting soprano Ivy Zhou take over the @CHAWinDC Instagram feed on Sunday, December 12! Missed it or don’t have the Insta? Check out the CHAW YouTube channel!
Is Wunderfest at Wundergarten in your radar at all? Wunderfest is three weeks’ worth of events celebrating winter and the wonders of our LGBTQIA friends, with trivia, drag shows, ugly sweater contests and so much more. Tonight, they have the LGBTQ Ugly Sweater party from 6-10 p.m. and you’re invited, provided you RSVP here.
Hey, did you know that the new board of directors of Joy of Motion knows how to move? It’s no surprise that this dance non-profit has dancers in their board, but I just loved seeing all of them move and share their vision for the new direction of JOMDC. Make a point of watching the video and support them– think of it as paying it forward for virtual dance classes starting this January!
Tonight’s featured musician in Mr. Henry’s Digital Concert series is Shannon Gunn, who has one of my favorite Instagram handles ever– @jazztothebone. Don’t forget the Mr. Henry’s takeout! Tune in on Facebook Live starting at 7 p.m. By the way, Mr. Henry’s has a list of all the musicians that have played on their stage so you can help them out by buying their music. Remember the good times and send some holiday love to your favorites! (Have you compiled a musician tip jar list? Email me at maria@thehillishome.com so I can share it.)
Bundle up and take a walk around Yards Park, where Light Yards is up and glowing again. This year’s main installation is called Stars and was made by Amigo & Amigo. You can visit nightly from 6-10 p.m. beginning December 7, through January 10, 2021.
The Folger Consort Christmas concert will be ON DEMAND for your viewing pleasure starting tomorrow, December 11, through January 5, 2011. The annual concert is keeping up with the socially distant times on their platform, and is offering this beautiful series of holiday pieces for $25-$50 per ticket– it’s on a sliding scale. Click here to get your tickets and rock out with your Bach out. By the way! The Folger is celebrating Emily Dickinson’ birthday this year FROM HER HOME! The event is virtual, obvs, and starts at 7:30 p.m. Click here for tickets and more info.
Do you love WebEx meetings? Yeah you do! The Capitol Hill Restoration Society invites you to a very special one on Wednesday, December 16, where two DDOT representatives will discuss projects along Maryland and Pennsylvania/Potomac Avenues. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and you can connect here.
StepAfrika! is holding their Magical Musical holiday show, next Wednesday and you’re invited. Click here to register and tune in at 7:30 p.m.
CROSSING, the newest luxury community in the heart of Capitol Riverfront, is doing a special cooking demo with Chef Jerome Grant from Jackie— and they are even giving away the ingredients! On December 16 at 7 p.m., you can make Berbere meatballs and couscous along with chef and all you have to do is register. Kit pickup is happening on December 14 and 15. Click here to register and for more info.
By the way, Zoo Lights is coming to Ward 6 this Saturday. Check out the route here and prepare to bring your best snark while secretly enjoying it. Don’t let them see your eyes mist up– NEVER!
Don’t forget! I’m still collecting addresses for the #LightUpTheHill map! Will soon add stores that are decorating along Eastern Market Main Street, so stay tuned!