After losing what matters most, a young man finds a new home with the crew of a traveling circus, and a life and love beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age. “Water for Elephants” is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from Dec. 9 to 14. Tickets start at $89. www.thenationaldc.com
On Dec. 4 to 7, 11 to 14, 18 to 24 and 26 to 30 (rain or shine), from 4 to 10 p.m., except Sundays when hours are 4 to 8 p.m., Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park offers an array of activities for visitors of all ages. Guests can experience a tubing slide, take a ride on the winter train and explore the Polar Lights Experience. Not to mention LED seesaws, the nine-hole Frosty Fairway putt-putt and curling lanes. A sculpture garden showcases local artists and a 21+ area includes a hidden speakeasy. General admission tickets are $29.50; kids three and younger do not need a ticket. www.mlb.com/nationals/tickets/Winterfest
Ring in the New Year at First Night Alexandria, a family-friendly festival of music, arts and commu- nity. Now in its 31st year, this celebration trans- forms Historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, into a hub of live performances and entertainment. There is a family-inspired fireworks display at 6 p.m. and an encore display at midnight. Tickets are required. Read the schedule and get tickets at www.firstnightalexandria.org.
“Song of Solstice,” a Celtic Christmas Celebration at Hill Center
On Sunday, Dec. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, OCEAN Celtic Quartet will feature a program of time-honored carols, 19th-century broadside songs, traditional Celtic tunes, original seasonal compositions and an appearance by Father Christmas of the old mummers plays. OCEAN is known for marrying lighthearted exuberance with spiritual depth in a program for all faiths and wisdom traditions. You’ll be invited to sing along. $20. www.hillcenterdc.org
peter campus, “blessingway” (2024). Videograph 6:37 minute loop. Image: Courtesy of the artist and Cristin Tierney Gallery
As DC evolved, so did the ways people moved through it. “From A to DC: Transportation in Washington” follows this evolution, from the city’s establishment through the 20th century. Prints, engravings and ephemera reveal how each advance rede ned daily life in the nation’s capital. The George Washington University Museum, at 701 21st St. NW, is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on university holidays. Free admission. www.museum.gwu.edu
Basil Kincaid, “Buttons in the Sky Bursting at the Seams” (2023). Kente, Ghanaian wax block fabric, cotton, wool, velour, polyester, sequins, embroidery oss, lace, batting, buttons, curtains, 144 x 204 x 12 inches (365.8 x 518.2 x 30.5 cm), acquired in 2023.
“Basil Kincaid: Spirit in the Gift” at the Rubell Kincaid’s work pays homage to the long history of quilt-making while exploring the relationships between identity, ancestry and place. The labor-intensive process of creating these works is balanced by an improvisational, spontaneous and uid quality that runs throughout them. “Basil Kincaid: Spirit in the Gift” is at the Rubell Museum DC, 65 I St. SW, through fall 2026. The Rubell is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission for DC residents with ID. www.rubellmuseum.org
“peter campus: there somewhere” at the Phillips peter campus is a seminal gure in the history of new media and video art. This exhibition at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, from Jan. 17 to May 3, 2026, highlights an iconic video from the late 1970s, alongside his latest landscape video works, including premiers of “blessingway” and “no direction known.” The Phillips is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission, $20; discounts for seniors, students and military; free for 18 and under. www.phillipscollection.org
The Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE, performs a one-hour Christmas Concert on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m., in the Great Upper Church. All are welcome to attend this free night of Christmas choral music. Seating is on a rst-come, rst-served basis with no ticketing, advanced registration or reservations. There’s plenty of parking. www.nationalshrine.org
by Matthew McClure
If you’re ending this year feeling like you’ve been through an intense washer and dryer cycle, you’re not alone. The good news is you’ve made it through, so sit back, take a deep breath and indulge in some restorative, feel-good treats for the body and soul. We’ve put a few recommendations together for this month’s column, so read on for our curated selection.
“Rules for Living,” Round House Theatre Showing Dec. 3-Jan. 4 www.roundhousetheatre.org
Back in 2020, researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany placed rats into a maze to study how they navigated their way out. Rats, it turns out, are highly social creatures that follow rules to navigate their environment. The researchers learned that these rules are contingent on interaction with fellow rats, flexing and adapting to each new social interaction.
Humans, of course, are more complicated than rodents, but British playwright Sam Holcroft’s “Rules for Living” draws an uncanny parallel with
the Max Planck Institute’s rat maze. The play follows Deborah (Naomi Jacobson) as she plans the perfect holiday feast for Francis (John Lescault), Carrie, Nicole, Matthew, Adam and Emma, while family politics, marriage disputes and arguments threaten to derail her carefully laid plans. What sets Holcroft’s work aside from the usual litany of yearend Christmas farces, however, is that each character must adhere to a shifting set of rules that determine how they navigate the maze of Christmas dinner and each other.
Round House Theatre artistic director Ryan Rilette is directing this American adaptation of Holcroft’s play, set to debut to US audiences this month. “In some ways, it’s a standard dysfunctional family holiday show,” he says. “What makes it different is that we’re telling the audience what to look at.” Rilette is referring to instructions cleverly
incorporated into the set that, like a puppet’s strings, direct the action of every member of the family during the play. ey range from banal (eating, sitting, drinking) to unorthodox (feigning an accent, dancing, teasing).
Holcroft was driven to write “Rules for Living” based on her personal experience with cognitive behavioral therapy, a discipline of psychotherapy that aims to identify and break repetitive and potentially harmful behaviors or rules that develop as coping mechanisms over time. “What we watch in the play are people who are very avoidant, Rilette explains. “It’s a household where people have been trying to hold things in. We all have those things in our family. But everyone trying to avoid problems just causes more problems.”
Watch “Rules for Living” if you’re in the mood for hilarity and chaos. Head home with perhaps a deeper appreciation, and tolerance, for your family’s idiosyncrasies.
In the Spotlight
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, “Jingle All the Way,” Strathmore Showing Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. www.strathmore.org
Shake up your playlist for the holidays and head up to Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland, for a jazzy remix of your favorite Christmas classics. Emmy Award-winning Bela Fleck and the Flecktones will perform songs from their celebrated album “Jingle All the Way” as a quintet for the rst time in 15 years. We grabbed a few minutes with Bela between rehearsals.
Q: What’s been the biggest change to jazz music since you released this album in 2008?
BF: When I started playing music, jazz seemed like a really big genre and bluegrass a much smaller one. Now it seems like bluegrass has exploded while jazz may have stayed the same or even contracted a little bit.
Q: What makes the banjo and its history unique?
BF: The banjo’s story is so interesting. There is no other instrument like it. Its African origins, its place in Irish music and old-time jazz and bluegrass music. The history of banjo orchestras playing pop and classical music in the early 1900s makes for an incredibly rich story.
Q: Have you given any of the songs on the album a different treatment for this tour?
BF: We will have Howard Levy and Jeff Coffin in the band. We have never had this five-piece lineup, so we need to arrange the pieces for five musicians rather than four. This is the fun part, figuring out how to make something different work! We’re also relearning some of our old repertoire with some deep cuts, so that’s gonna be a lot of fun too.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the holiday season?
BF: I like the eggnog! It’s very special to share cultural traditions with our kids and re-experience them from our side. I love playing Christmas carols in the airport when I’m waiting for flights around this time of year.
“The Nutcracker,”
Washington Ballet
Showing Nov. 29-Dec. 28 www.washingtonballet.org
Is there anything more quintessentially Christmas than “The Nutcracker”? Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892 with a libretto by Marius Petipa, and based on a short story by Alexandre Dumas, this “ballet-feerie” follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on their journey through a Christmas landscape filled with fearsome or fantastical characters like the Rat King and Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Washington Ballet’s version, choreographed by the legendary Septime Webre and performed each holiday season since 2004, has some unmistakable DC flavor thrown in:
cherry blossoms heralding the start of spring, an Anacostian brave and his maiden and frolicking red cardinals. “In the US there are so many versions of ‘ e Nutcracker,’ but this is a DC-based ‘Nutcracker,’” explains Edwaard Liang, choreographer and artistic director for the Washington Ballet since 2023. “It’s very identi able and unique to this community. It’s become a tradition and a part of the cultural zeitgeist.”
Liang says that up to 400 local dancers participate in TWB’s adaptation across 35 performances. ere’s also student representation from Wards 6, 7 and 8. “ ere’s such an incredible ownership of being a Washingtonian. I believe this ownership of a production is important,” Liang says. Start a new holiday tradition and book your tickets to “ e Nutcracker.”
“Joy of Christmas,”
Cathedral Choral Society Showing Dec. 13 (2 and 7 p.m.); Dec. 14 (6 p.m.)
www.cathedralchoralsociety.org
e Cathedral Choral Society’s “Joy of Christmas” performances at the National Cathedral are always on our itinerary for December. is year, music director Steven Fox’s holiday program includes the Eastern Senior High School’s Concert Choir, Mary La Blanc on percussion (she’s a sta sergeant for the United States Marine Band), the all-female Seraph Brass group, fresh o a recent tour with pop singer Adele, and Edward M. Nassor playing the cathedral’s Kibbey Carillon, which was installed in the 1960s, 150 feet above the nave. e program includes seasonal sing-along favorites like “Silent Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” plus J.S Bach’s “Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein,” “Brich an, O schoenes Morgenlich” and other joy- lled compositions. Just what’s needed to close out 2025. ◆
S I G N U P T O D
My friend Stella thought she had nally met the perfect guy. On paper he checked all the boxes, but their highly anticipated rst date dissolved under the roar of a loud, chaotic bar. e night left her discouraged, she said. Her story made me wonder: is there a place in the District both fun and quiet enough for a real conversation? Realm 7th at 899 O St. NW is just that.
by Sarah Payne
Perched atop Shaw’s new Hyatt House is a softly lit, modern space that blends sweeping views of the city’s iconic monuments with live DJ sounds and the calmness of the islands. An elevator from the street whisks guests up to a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, complete with island-inspired fare and cocktails that allow guests to enjoy a night out that doesn’t feel like a competition with the speakers.
Earlier this year, Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC COO Evens Charles opened Hyatt House in Shaw. As a native Washingtonian, Charles found Shaw’s character to be representative of the DC he knew growing up and the perfect place for both the hotel and an innovative rooftop lounge.
Charles set out to create a space with an ambiance to contrast with the nearby convention center and the more “corporate” feeling elements of the city. “You walk in and you really feel like you’re somewhere else,” he said of the lounge.
After touring numerous rooftops in the neighborhood, his vision for an elevated lounge came to life at the hotel. e former property’s tness center and pool, which had gone unused since the pandemic, could be transformed into a sleek lounge with elevated food, drinks and views.
To achieve this, the lounge is divided into a mix of several indoor and outdoor areas. A moveable door separates the main dining room from another area called “Haven” which features its own bar and a DJ booth.
e space is transformable, General Manager Sonat Ozkaynak said, noting the bene ts of blending and separating di erent areas of the lounge depending on the wishes of its guests. It also allows the rooftop to host private events, something Charles hopes the space will become known for.
In the warmer months, sliding doors also allow the indoor and outdoor areas of the rooftop to combine into a larger indoor-outdoor space. In cooler months, outdoor seating is sectioned o and features re pits. e many possible arrangements of the lounge’s spaces mean that no two experiences here will be quite the same.
“ ey have their own kingdom,” Ozkaynak said of guests. “ at’s the feeling that we wanted to give. To give it all to them.”
Behind the menu is DC native and James Beard Foundation award semi nalist for Best Mid-Atlantic Chef Keem Hughley. After years of collaboration with Chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s Foreign National restaurant group, Hughley set out to create his own concept at Realm.
e menu features a variety of sharable small plates, and many of both the food and drink options are centered around tamarind, coconut and mango avors. e island in uences are apparent in Hughley’s take on classic bar snacks. Diners can choose from cashews glazed in tamarind, palm sugar and lime zest, spiced popcorn with chili-lime salt and curry leaf or french fries with parmesan, tru e oil and curry leaves.
Tamarind, coconut and mango blend with Mediterranean-inspired fare like atbreads, tacos, lamb, crab cakes and more. e lamb lollipops are an early favorite of guests, both Charles and Ozkaynak said.
e cocktail menu compliments the food.
e 10 signature cocktails include Port Victoria, with mango, chili, citrus and tajin and Moon of Mahe, featuring a toasted coconut and tamarind sour with lime. e drink program also includes an extensive wine list and several non-alcoholic options.
The Rhythm of the Rooftop
While you won’t nd diners dancing on the tables, Realm de nes itself as a place to enjoy an elevated meal and drinks with “background music” truly in the background. e music is always “at a certain decibel that’s more there for the vibe,” Charles noted.
e lounge has been well received since its opening in October, but the vision Charles has for the space isn’t entirely locked down. e future of the lounge could include live music, spoken word or comedy shows in addition to their DJs.
Whether you’re seeking a high energy cocktail hour, island-inspired lamb chops or a rst date where you can actually hear what the other person is saying, Realm is the place for it all.
“Our goal is to create a space where people just come join us,” Charles said. “Whether they want to have dinner or just come here after dinner or a long day at work and enjoy the vibes here.”
Realm is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Visit www.realmrooftopdc.com to reserve a table and learn more.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.
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by Andrew Lightman
Two words bring Shaw’s Café Joy to mind: “Honey Cake!” Known as Medovyk, it is a traditional Ukrainian dessert in which thin sponge cake layers interleave with a tangy sour cream lling. Tasting this sumptuous confection clued me in to the wonders of this little co ee shop located at 906 P St. NW.
Ensconced in a small rowhouse, warm yellow and green walls adorned with art and a half dozen simple tables give the café a light and airy feel. One of the front windows hosts a perfect nook for nishing a paper or reading a book. A massive glass case displays all the establishment’s dangerous confections, behind which sits a high-end espresso machine.
e confections include the aforementioned honey cake which also
comes in a chocolate version; French macarons, Dubai chocolate, Lebanese Namoura cake as well as a selection of mu ns and croissants such as the Zataar croissant, topped with the Middle Eastern spice blend. ere are also pita and ciabatta sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.
e café’s green accent wall is emblematic of its owner’s favorite ingredient: pistachios. Discover them in desserts such as the Joy Pistachio Cup which incorporates both pistachio paste and sauce; or the Pistachio Dream cake. e cheese- lled Kunafeh croissant is drizzled with pistachio syrup and sprinkled with crushed nuts for good measure. Order it as a sandwich and it arrives even greener with avocado spread or pesto. Make sure to consider the bacon, goat and feta cheese options.
Other sandwiches feature Café Joy’s house-made thyme labneh and hummus, with protein options like smoked salmon, grilled chicken, salami or prosciutto, all on ciabatta or pita. For a touch of Paris, try the classic French Jambon-Beurre—ham, butter and cornichons on a freshbaked baguette.
Combine all these noshes with a cup of co ee. All the usual suspects are available, with a few unique surprises. Try the Cafe Joy Latte. Here, cardamon infused espresso is laced with pistachio sauce, topped with crushed nuts. e Joyful Latte is a delightful blend of gingerbread and toasted marshmallows decorated with a drizzle of chocolate powder.
Ukrainian honey and Lebanese Namoura cakes provide clues to the international partnership behind Café Joy.
The Men Behind the Café
One of the two proprietors, Bahaa Al Hajjar, named Café Joy for his daughter. Hailing from the mountains of Lebanon, Hajjar arrived in the United States in 2019 as a correspondent for a Middle Eastern broadcast network. Journalism soon lost its luster. A voluble extrovert, Hajjar missed the Beirut cafes of his youth, where neighbors exchange gossip over small cups of bitter dark roasted brews.
“I wanted a place where neighbors could gather,” Hajjar said.
He soon partnered with Sergey Nikolaev. Nikolaev hails from Moscow. Emigrating at age 13, he spent his youth in the DC area, graduating from both George Washington and American Universities. After school, Nikolaev pursued a career in commercial real estate, rst at a large rm and later as the owner of two Shaw/Edge-
wood businesses. He is always on the lookout for new opportunities in the neighborhood.
Nikolaev is the “back of the house,” handling nances, provisions and city regulations. Opening Café Joy has not been an easy lift. Until recently, the property for years served as storage for the adjoining corner liquor store. As result, the city had never issued a Certi cate of Occupancy for the space, which made permitting a unique endeavor. e building also required major renovation, much of which Nikolaev and Hajjar did themselves. e two met most of their neighbors laying out the front patio, joked Hajjar.
Often found behind the counter, Hajjar is the front of the house. A raconteur by nature, he has a smile and story for every café visitor. e café’s playlist, which he curates, runs the gamut from Ella to Piaf, with Lebanese popular music thrown in. “I want to mix everything,” he said.
From the steppes of Russia to the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean, Hajjar and Nikolaev fashioned a menu which makes Café Joy an international mélange with a dash of Lebanese hospitality.
Café Joy is located at 906 P St. NW. For more information, follow @CafeJoy on Facebook and Instagram and @CafeJoyDC on X. ◆
Events DC hosted its second Legends of DC Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Saturday evening, November 15. The event was started to honor the seniors who made the District what it is today. Shuttle buses from every ward of the city came to the Convention Center, where the seniors found gaming tables set up for their entertainment, along with drinks and a professional photographer to commemorate their attendance at the event.
by Pleasant Mann
Inside the elegantly appointed ballroom, the attendees were welcomed by Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates in a video. There were also greetings from managers of the District Department of Aging and Community Living and the Department of Parks and Recreation, who partnered with Events DC to help put on the Ball.
After a three-course dinner with wine, the Legends were entertained by a troupe of jazz age cabaret dancers from Pyroxotic. Then members of the DC Hand Dance community took to the dance floor to demonstrate some of the most popular dance moves from the past. After the demonstration, the audience was invited to dance to classic tunes of the 1950s and 1960s. By the time the DJ got to the classic “Cool Jerk” by the Capitols, most of the crowd had taken to the dance floor. The evening ended with a raffle with prizes provided by the ComCast corporation.
Your Only Friend, Shaw’s lauded sandwich and cocktail spot, got two new
awards over the past month. First, the Infatuation website, dedicated to identifying excellence in food around the world, declared that the restaurant’s RPG sandwich, an Asian-oriented take on roasted pork, is one of the 20 Best Sandwiches in America. The second honor came from the internationally respected Michelin restaurant guide, which added Your Only Friend to its latest guide to Washington. The guide, which has left a number of the District’s fancy establishments off its list, also designated Your Only Friend as a Bib Gourmand, its term for
spots that give diners the best value for their money.
Shaw Main Streets was able to award grants to a number of Shaw businesses to support the installation of video surveillance cameras at their establishments. The awardees were Appioo African Bar and Grill, Dacha Beer Garden, Pho House (two locations), Minya’s Pizza, Maxwell Park, Pop Fizz Bar, Service Bar, Causa and Nina May. The video cameras are intended to help increase public safety and solve crimes in central Shaw. The funds for the grant came from the DC Main Streets Growth Fund of the Department of Small and Local Business Development. Three Shaw businesses successfully competed for Great Streets Retail grants from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. The winners were Café U, Morris American Bar and Service Bar.
An alley on the west side of the Howard Theater was dedicated as DC Legendary Musicians Way on November 21 by a group of activists and community leaders. Tonya ButlerTruesdale, the daughter of the late Sandra ButlerTruesdale, who formed the DC Legendary Musicians organization, thanked all the people in attendance who helped make the dedication of the alley possible, including Ward One Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. The new signs proclaiming DC Legendary Musicians Way were
then unveiled at both ends of the alley. Sandra Butler-Truesdale was active in the decades-long e orts that culminated in the reopening of the Howard eatre.
Shaw Thanksgiving Festivities
Shaw held a number of events to commemorate anksgiving this year. It started with a community dinner called Friendsgiving at the Kennedy Recreation Center on November 18. Organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the food servers included Ward Two Councilmember Brooke Pinto. Roadside Development provided funding to buy Giant gift cards that were distributed to families in the neighborhood by Shaw Main Streets. Finally, there was a giveaway of hundreds of turkeys and thanksgiving xings at the Howard eater on November 25, sponsored by the Howard eater Foundation, the DC Legendary Musicians, Howard University and others.
e holiday shopping season started this year with Shaw Small Business Saturday on November 29. An annual event since 2010, Shaw Small Business Saturday promotes the pa-
tronage of neighborhood businesses for holiday shopping, rather than big box retailers or online purveyors of gifts. is year also saw the return of Shawbucks, the ever-popular $5 coupons that can be used at participating businesses. A total of $5,000 in Shawbucks were distributed this year and were spent at 13 Shaw businesses that participated in the event: 801 Restaurant and Bar, Angel’s Share Wine & Liquors, Café Joy, Cheryl Lofton Tailoring, Grand Cata Latin Wine Shop, Ivy and Coney, Lee’s Flower and Card Shop, Maxwell Park, Modern Liquors, Pop Fizz Bar, Right Proper Brewpub, Seylou Bakery & Mill and Shaw’s Tavern. ◆
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G held its monthly meeting for November on ursday evening, November 13, 2025. e meeting was held as a virtual conference. Commission Chair Steven McCarty (2G04) called the meeting to order. Commissioners Howard Garrett (2G01, Vice Chair), Alexander M. “Alex” Padro (2G02), Nicole Shea (2G03, Secretary), Sheena Berry (2G05) and Rachelle Nigro (2G06, Treasurer) were in attendance.
ird Police District. Sergeant James Hoever of the ird Police District gave a review of crime statistics in the ANC. He said that there had been a 21 percent decrease in robberies, and that there was only one homicide recently, compared to ve at the same time a year ago. ere had been a lot of calls complaining about public substance abuse, and that the chronic problem with that issue at Seventh and T has moved to other areas of the neighborhood.
Commissioner Nigro said that there was still a problem with Dunbar students hanging out in the alleys during the day. ere was also a loitering problem near the Paradise Gardens apartments. She complained that the Safe Passage program only seems to operate on the east side of Dunbar High School. Commissioner Berry said that she was happy to hear that some of the violent crimes in the area are being solved. She thought that there was a problem of children congregating around the Second Northwest COOP.
Commissioner Padro said that there is constant drug dealing now around the Watha T. Daniel Library. ere is also a problem of drug dealing on Eighth Street, with the police camera on the 1300 block of Eighth being hindered by tree cover. A resident also spoke up about a chronic problem
by Pleasant Mann
at Eighth and O. Hoever replied that there are police o cers assigned to hot spots like Eighth and O and will continue surveillance there until the problem is corrected.
Ward 2 Councilmember Report. Hannah Ames of Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto’s o ce reported some of the various issues before the DC Council and the ward. She noted that the Councilmember secured a $25,000 grant to install a trash compactor in Blagden Alley. Pinto has also asked the Department of Public Works to conduct another leaf collection in Ward 2 before their next scheduled cleanup. Ames also noted that a number of Ward 2 residents have complained that DC Public Schools have continued to prevent the public from using the pool at Dunbar High School.
929 M Street NW. A support request for a public space permit to allow the excavation of an electrical connection trench. Renovation of an un nished ground oor to add a unit to a residence required a new electrical box. e project went through an extensive review by the Historic Preservation Review Board, eventually winning approval. However, the District Department of Transportation denied them a public space permit to install a new electrical meter, a requirement since the front yards of most historic homes in DC are actually in public space. Commissioner Nigro then announced that she would have to recuse herself from consideration of the matter since she is an employee of PEPCO. A motion to support the public space permit application passed in a vote of 5 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstension.
Alcohol License Renewals. A total of 12 Class CT Tavern Licenses up for renewal that came
before the commission. e ANC voted unanimously to support 10 of the license renewals: 600 T (600 T Street NW), Shaw’s Tavern (520 Florida Avenue NW), Climaxx Bar and Restaurant (1414 Ninth Street NW), Jake’s Tavern (1606 Seventh Street NW), e Ugly Duckling (1550 Seventh Street NW), Electric Cool Aid (512 Rhode Island Avenue NW), Lost and Found (1249 Ninth Street NW), Maxwell (1336 Ninth Street NW), Tiger Fork (922 N Street NW) and Eighteenth Street Lounge (1230 Ninth Street NW).
Cafeteria & Taqueria La Loca (1018 Rhode Island Avenue NW) also came before the commission for the renewal of an existing license the establishment was taking over. Commissioner Padro mentioned that an agent of the proprietor had not answered questions about the business’ trash removal, rat abatement, odor controls, vehicle parking and security cameras that neighbors had raised. Padro suggested that the commission protest renewal of the license unless the owner came to a settlement agreement with the ANC. A motion to protest passed unanimously.
e Passenger (1539 Seventh Street NW) was also on the agenda asking for support for a license renewal. Commissioner Shea announced that the business was putting up a new placard for their renewal request, so consideration of the renewal was tabled by the commission.
ANC 2G will hold its next meeting on ursday, January 8, 2026. e meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www.anc2g.org for more information. ◆
Through January 2026, step outside and illuminate your night with the vibrant energy of Art Ave—a free outdoor art gallery that transforms after sunset. Stroll down Connecticut Avenue NW and stop at Farragut Square to see artwork brightening the area in a radiant display of color, light, and imagination. Watch as large-scale, interactive installations come alive in the evening—glowing, shifting, and surprising you with a unique sensory experience that evokes wonder. artavedc.com.
On the first Tuesday of every month, 6 to 7:30 p.m., learn the basics of improv with Washington Improv Theater. Washington Improv Theater’s classes held at the Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, are geared toward having fun and building skills, including communication tools and techniques that are as useful in real life as they are on stage. Taking an improv class is also a great way to meet
interesting new people and make friends. (Their diverse student body includes people of all ages--from college students to retirees.) There’s no prerequisite for joining a Level 1 class. If you enjoy having fun and want to explore your creativity, improv’s for you. dclibrary.org.
The Mt. Pleasant Artists Collective presents its annual Make It Mt. Pleasant Holiday Market on Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 70 local artists and artisans will fill Lamont Plaza and line Mt. Pleasant St. (3210 Mount Pleasant St. NW) offering pottery, prints, body care items, home decor, clothing and other items. Author’s Alley will have local writers available to talk about and sign their latest works; a table will be set up to make cards for hospitalized children; and carolers will stroll the area. Special guest Santa will hand out free gifts to children and be available for photos. popville.com.
Mayor Bowser and the DC Department of Parks
and Recreation invite residents to kick off the New Year by registering for the annual FITDC Fresh Start 5k. This New Year’s Day tradition takes place Thursday, Jan. 1, at 11 a.m. at Freedom Plaza. The free, family-friendly event includes a Kids Dash and a pre-race festival with music, refreshments, and vendors. Register at fitdcfreshstart5k2026.
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust
DC Open Doors
homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust
homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust mortgages.You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is offered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District governmentbased instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower’s employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
COVID-19
COVID-19
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
The DC4ME VA Loan Product is a VA mortgage product offered by the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). In addition to the traditional VA benefits, like no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, this product includes 3% assistance, funded by DCHFA, that can be used toward eligible closing costs or prepaid items. This makes the DC4ME VA Loan Product one of the most affordable and accessible loan options for qualified military-connected borrowers.
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
www.DCHFA.org
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE, provides meals for hundreds of poor, homeless, elderly, and needy individuals living in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas on Christmas Day. Meals will be available for pick-up or delivery only. Volunteers are needed to fill many different positions. For more information, call 202-526-8300. Register to volunteer at nationalshrine.org/ event/2025-christmas-dinner.
splashthat.com to receive a T-shirt, timed bib, and medal (while supplies last). Sameday registration begins at 9 a.m.; the Kids Dash starts at 10:15 a.m. Volunteers are needed—sign up at fitdcfreshstart5k26. splashthat.com.
From Dec. 17 to 20, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., there will be over 35 vendors in the Union Main Hall. Additionally, every day there will be a series of performances with musical genres ranging from classical to electronic rock, a kids youth choir curated by nonprofit Sing for Hope, THE McKinley High School Jazz Band, a series of DJ sets and of course,
the iconic playlist for the in-between. And it’s done in one of the most beautiful rooms in the city (which also means there’s heat). unionstationdc.com.
The safe disposal of hazardous household waste (HHW) and unwanted electronic equipment helps prevent the release of dangerous, toxic substances into the environment
All public services—lost and found pets, animal care and control, fostering, wellness, spay and neuter, and community cat programs—have moved to the new DC Village campus. Located at 4 DC Village Lane SW, the facility replaces the long-running New York Avenue NE site. Construction began in November 2024. The center houses more than 100 animals, with capacity for 150. The adoption center is open Tuesday–Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Animal Health Center visits and surgeries are by appointment at 202-888VETS. bvspca.org/dc.
Movies on the Big Screen at Miracle Theatre
Here’s the lineup: The Polar Express, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.; and Dec. 28, 2 p.m. Elf, Dec. 14, 2 p.m.; Dec. 20, 2 p.m.; and Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m. Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m. and Dec. 21, 4:30 p.m. Home Alone, Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2 p.m. and Dec. 27, 2 p.m. It’s a Wonderful Life, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.; and Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m. White Christmas, Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m.; and Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; and Dec. 21, 7 p.m. Before 5 p.m., all tickets are $6. After 5 p.m., adult tickets are $13, kids, seniors and military, $6. The Miracle Theater is at 535 Eighth St. SE. themiracletheatre.com.
and protects DPW workers from harm and injury. Upcoming events are: Thursday, Feb. 5; Saturday, March 14; Thursday, April 23; Saturday, May 2; Thursday, Aug. 27; and Saturday, Sept. 12. Collections start at 10 a.m. and are at RFK Parking Lot 8, 2500 Independence Ave. SE. You must register at tinyurl.com/hhw-register. dpw.dc.gov.
The Mid-city DC Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send your notice to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u
Changing Hands is a list of most residential sales in the Midcity DC area from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker o ce on Capitol Hill. e list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.
There are free photos with Santa at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. Free photos are open to all, not just theater patrons. www.arenastage.org
On Saturday, Dec. 27, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., inspired by the Folger’s exhibition “Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era,” families will bring Shakespeare’s words and scenes to life through creative movement and acting. No acting experience required, just imagination and a willingness to play. Attendance is free with a recommended $3 donation. There are two sessions available with these recommended ages: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages five to seven; 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for ages eight to 11. www.folger.edu
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks everything that flies in and around North America. On Dec. 24, they also have the mission of tracking Santa Claus. In 1955, a child dialed the phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center, NORAD’s predecessor command, believing she was calling Santa after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper. The commander on duty assured the caller that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole. Each year, the website NORAD Tracks Santa receives nearly 15 million visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers answer more than 130,000 calls to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline. Children are also able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. www. noradsanta.org
• We prioritize a comprehensive education approach and redefine student achievement through our membership in the EL Education partnership.
• Our curriculum accommodates multilingual learners programs through a diverse range of interests and courses such as Visual Arts, Music, Spanish, Performing Arts, and Technology.
• Our Before Care, After School, Meridian Clubs and Athletics programs provide students with opportunities to explore their interests and discover their path in life.
On Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 11 a.m. to noon, enjoy a menagerie of live animals that brings the Nativity to life in this service of carols and prayers. Gather loved ones of all ages in the festively decorated Cathedral nave. ASL interpretation is o ered. Due to capacity concerns, in-person passes are required. www.cathedral. org/calendar/family-christmas-service
Free Photos with Santa at Arena Stage
ere are free photos with Santa at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. Free photos are open to all, not just theater patrons. www.arenastage.org
Family Workshop “From Page to Pose” at the Folger
On Saturday, Dec. 27, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., inspired by the Folger’s exhibition “Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era,” families will bring Shakespeare’s words and scenes to life through creative
movement and acting. No acting experience required, just imagination and a willingness to play. Attendance is free with a recommended $3 donation. ere are two sessions available with these recommended ages: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages ve to seven; 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for ages eight to 11. www.folger.edu
On Sunday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., enjoy live music that is perfect for all ages at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. is is the perfect place for the little ones to run, dance, laugh and play
to the beat of their favorite songs. King Bullfrog is a kindie rock trio that plays high-energy tunes that are developmentally appropriate for kids and grownups alike. Beer, wine and cheese pizza will be for sale. Child’s ticket is $14; adults, $7. www. hillcenterdc.org
“Chanukah
When the lights go out during Chanukah, Max and family begin sharing songs, stories and traditions, only to discover the lights they needed and the miracles they searched for were in their midst all along. “Chanukah in the Dark” runs from Dec. 6 to
Apply today for School Year 2025-2026. Seats are limited. Complete the application online through MySchoolDC.org
#ChoosePaul and we’ll choose you back! Increase your chances of being matched with Paul PCS by making us your #1 selection
• 2024 Bold Performance School recipient in the High School and 2022 Bold Performance School recipient for the Middle School
• Virtual instruction for all students on Fridays
• Guaranteed seat for Paul 8th grade families into 9th grade at Paul IHS
• Bilingual Family Engagement team to meet the needs of all families
• SAT Prep, Tutoring, Honors AP Classes, Dual Enrollment, and In-House College Assistance
• Wraparound services, counseling, and student support resources for families with IEPs
• Free daily breakfast and lunch for all students Over 20 competitive middle school, junior varsity, and varsity athletic teams
• Extended day after school programs including tae kwon do, cooking club, dance, and tutoring
21 at eater J, 1529 16th St. NW, and is perfect for ages ve, up. Tickets are $24.69. www.edcjcc. org/theater-j
On Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., join Planet Word, 925 13th St. NW, for Sunday Storytime, a
monthly program for children and their grownups. Featuring songs and read-alouds presented by children’s librarians, the hour-long program is ideal for ages two to six. Afterwards, participants are invited to explore the museum or the pop-up DC Public Library wagon to check out children’s books. Free admission. www.planetwordmuseum.org
On Saturday, Jan. 3, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., join GALA Hispanic eatre, 3333 14th St. NW, for the annual ree Kings Day celebration. is free, festive end to the holiday season features the story of the Magi, performances by local musicians and dance troupes, a street parade and a gift for every child. www.galatheatre.org
Saturday Morning Live! at the National e R.E.M.I.X by SOLE De ned (www. solede ned.com) is an immersive experience that creates a safe and inclusive space for students to become both dancers and musicians. e R.E.M.I.X experience is at the National eater, 1321
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!The Musical” Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! e Musical” is a Broadway holiday production that features hit songs like “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated special. Sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations capture the true meaning of the holiday season. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! e Musical” is at the National eatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from Dec. 30 to Jan. 4, 2026. www.thenationaldc.com
On Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, The Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, presents Family Fun Day, featuring Mr. Rob, a performer and music educator who specializes in early childhood music education. The day includes interactive performances, crafting stations and other surprises. Admission is free and registration is encouraged but not required. www. atlasarts.org
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., on the main stage. This season, Saturday Morning Live! at the National is all about broadening horizons, from space travel to time travel, international music to homegrown favorites. Saturday Morning Live! has shifted to one free performance, at 10:00 a.m., on the second Saturday of the month. Occasionally there will be an encore performance at 11:30 a.m. www. nationaltheatre.org
On Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 11 a.m., treat the whole family to “A Family Christmas” as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with festive cheer, holiday classics, sing-alongs and a special visit from Santa to make spirits bright. This one-hour concert is perfect for children ages five and up. Tickets are $20 to $59. www.Kennedy-center.org
As the first holiday production highlighting the African American tradition of stepping, Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is a feast for the eyes and ears. Fabulous friends from the Arctic Kingdom along with DJ Nutcracker ensure a fun and exciting experience
for the entire family. Step Afrika!’s Holiday Step Show is at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, Dec. 5 to 21. Tickets start at $49. Unique for Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show, Arena Stage o ers a limited quantity of Family Four Packs consisting of four tickets for $179, while supplies last. Family Four Packs can be purchased only by phone at 202-488-3300, Tuesdays to Sundays, noon to 8 p.m. www. arenastage.org
On Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m., join Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, with Anna, Elsa, Kristo , Olaf and Sven, for a screening of “Frozen” (2013, rated PG). e lm will be shown with ASL and open captions. For reasonable accommodations, contact DCPLaccess@dc.gov or 202-727-2142.
On second Saturdays, Dec. 13 and Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., bring the family to the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, to investigate materials, methods and ideas in art. On Dec. 13, visit the exhibition “Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection.” Illustrate storybook pages based on your life or in response to the exhibition. On Jan. 10, immerse yourself in the landscapes of peter campus. Dream of a place, real or imagined, and build a 3-D landscape using tissue paper, cardboard, pipe cleaners and more. Families can enjoy the carpeted, creative-play area with books, toys and games. e events are included with the cost of admission. Children must be accompanied by their adult. is is a drop-in program suitable for children of all ages. www. phillipscollection.org
On Sunday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m., visit Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, for an afternoon of free holiday fun. is family-friendly festival is packed with creative activities, entertainment and cheer for children of all ages. It features cookie decorating, story writing, art stations, color-your-own mug, a puppet show, face painting, photo booth, storytelling, a DJ and music and mascot characters. www. dclibrary.org
Ring in the New Year at First Night Alexandria, a family-friendly festival of music, arts and community. Now in its 31st year, this celebration transforms Historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, into a hub of live performances and entertainment. First Night celebrations take place around the world as a meaningful alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve revelry. ere is a familyinspired reworks display at 6 p.m. and an encore display at midnight. Tickets are required. Read the schedule of events and get tickets at www. rstnightalexandria.org.
On Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m., following the annual papal tradition in Saint Peter’s Square, the National Shrine, 400 Michigan Ave. NE, hosts its annual Blessing of the Bambinelli. e faithful are invited to bring the Baby Jesus from their Nativity scenes to the Hall of American Saints to be blessed on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, and to participate in the lighting of the Christmas tree. www. nationalshrine.org ◆
A SPECIAL REMOVABLE INSERT: Providing DC parents with local education news, resources & more!
PUBLICATION DATES
Hill Rag: January 3 East of the River + MidCity DC: January 10
