Doing, Reading, Eating, Watching – Dec 5th

December 5th, 2022 – December 11th, 2022

In this week’s Doing, Reading, Eating, Watching – Let’s talk events around town, what books to check out, food to eat and what interesting TV has been on!!

This week is going to be a busy one, just coming back from Miami, going to make a quick detour to NYC to see mom and then to LA for a friend’s birthday. So yeah it’s a bit of a busy week but there are some great things happening in the DMV this week for you to check out. If there are any events you think I should check out, feel free to shoot me a message!!

Doing – Dec 2022

La Noche De Las Velitas (The Night of the Little Candles)
Who: La Cosecha
What: In partnership with Elcielo, for the first time, La Cosecha will line 4th Street NE with paper lanterns and candles in keeping with Colombia’s holiday tradition La Noche De Las Velitas (The Night of the Little Candles). Hot chocolate and treats from the Michelin-starred restaurant will be served to the community, beginning at 5:00pm.
Activations continue throughout the evening with live music, an Argentine Empanada cooking class (registration required), and a one-night-only shopping event hosted by NOVA BOSSA. Drop-ins are welcome for Tango Mercurio classes at 7:00 and 8:30 pm.
5:00 pm – La Noche De Las Velitas
6:00 pm – NOVA BOSSA Holiday Shopping Event
6:30 pm – Argentine Empanada Cooking Class (registration required)
7:00 pm – Tango Mercurio Essentials ($25 for drop-ins)
8:30 pm – Tango Mercurio Next-Level ($25 for drop-ins)
Where: 1280 4TH STREET NE WASHINGTON DC, 20002
When: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5pm – 10 pm
Tickets: https://lacosechadc.com/events/event/la-noche-de-las-velitas-the-night-of-the-little-candles/

Washingtonian’s Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival
Who: Washingtonian
What: Join us at Dock5 at Union Market for a delectable fare of mouthwatering bites and delicious spirits from across the country. Taste and enjoy a variety of premium whiskey, bourbon, and more! This event is 21+. Your ticket includes: Access to unlimited spirit tastings, Delicious food from Get Plated, Live music by Rock Creek Kings and Lucy Black Gold, Celebrity Cruises® Prize Wheel, Dart games from Washington Area Dart Association, Complimentary rocks glass and exclusive Washingtonian tote-bag, Custom glass engraving from Meant To Be Calligraphy, Unforgettable photo opps and more!
Where: Dock5, 1309 5th Street NE Washington, DC 20002
When: Thursday, December 8 2022 at 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Tickets: https://washingtonianwhiskeyfest2022.splashthat.com/

Not Another Drag Show
Who: Logan Stone
What: Join Logan Stone every Monday at Dupont Italian Kitchen for ‘Not Another Drag Show’, a high energy good time show to kick off your week!
Where: DuPont Italian Kitchen 1637 17th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20009
When: Mondays at 8pm
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/not-another-drag-show-tickets-210258828817?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Georgetown GLOW Shopping Night
Who: Georgeotown
What: More than 25 of Georgetown’s restaurants and retailers are staying open late on December 9 and offering promotions and events as part of a special Georgetown GLOW Shopping Night. Check out the five outdoor light art installations throughout Georgetown, then shop and dine around town.
And while you’re in Georgetown that night, dance your heart out at a free silent disco on the lawn of Grace Episcopal Church (1041 Wisconsin Ave NW) from 6 pm – 10 pm, then warm up at the Grace Street Bonfire & Block Party on the corner of Grace Street and Wisconsin Ave, featuring free food, drinks and treats from nearby restaurants and bakeries, live music, and a cozy fire to make s’mores. You can find more details on the Holiday page!
Where: Georgetown Commercial District
When: December 9, 2022 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tickets: https://www.georgetowndc.com/event/glow-shopping-night/?utm_source=pocket_reader

Modern Nutcracker Ballet – Christmas Legend
Who: Aru Dell’Arte
What: Aru Dell’Arte Dance Company is bringing The Nutcracker into 21st century. Audiences will be dazzled by glamorous Christmas festivities through a sophisticated, modern story twist!
Once upon a time – more then magic was about to happen the night before Christmas. This show presents themes of human compassion, love, and friendships while spinning a well-known holiday tale and putting out fun, cool vibes.
Aru Dell’Arte is determined in its mission to bring the Legendary, vibrant story to Capital residents. Moving past outdated scenes from the original Nutcracker, the company is excited to present diversity of characters, elevate female-lead roles, and include gender-neutral approach in dance partnering.
The show also features works of recognized visual and installation artists from Washington DC. Following the performance, there will be a 30-minute reception featuring various artworks and a silent auction in support of the local art community.
Where: CulturalDC’s Source Theatre 1835 14th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20009
When: DEC 10, Sat, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST, DEC 23, Fri, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modern-nutcracker-ballet-christmas-legend-tickets-426941101327

Van Ness Main Street’s 7th Annual Holiday Pop-Up!
Who: Van Ness Main Street
What: Everyone’s favorite pop-up shopping event is back for its seventh year on Saturday, December 10th from 11 AM – 4 PM at 4340 Connecticut Ave in Van Ness. This year’s event, hosted by Go Puff and sponsored by Freedom Church DC, includes over 40 local artisans, a Holiday Hunt for prizes, the Vienna Singing Princesses, Photo Time with the Ice Queen and Snow Man and a Feed the Family Cleaning and Hygiene Product Drive.
Holiday Hunt & Selfie Contest for Kids and Adults. 11 am – 3 pm
KID’S VERSION: Pick up a Holiday Hunt map at the VNMS Welcome table at 4340 Connecticut Avenue. Find little stuffed penguins inside of, or in the windows at participating Holiday Hunt businesses and mark them on your map. Return your map to the VNMS Welcome Table to collect your prize by 4 PM! Prizes range from: Candy Canes, 100 Hershey’s filled holiday candy canes, Rick Riordan/Politics & Prose T-Shirts and bookmarks (while supplies last), Flavor Garden coupon for Holiday Funnel Cake and Ice Cream Scoop
ADULT VERSION: Pick up a Holiday Hunt map at the VNMS Welcome table at 4340 Connecticut Avenue. Take a selfie with a penguin in a participating Holiday Hunt business and post it to Instagram. Tag both @VanNessMainSt and @DSLBD. Collect your prize at the Welcome Table by 4 PM! Prizes range from: $100 gift certificate from Rosemary Bistro, $50 gift certificate from E.M. Spa and Lashes, $25 gift card and a tote from Politics & Prose, $25 gift certificate from Italian Bar, Two-night gift certificate including parking from Days Inn. Participating businesses (so far): Italian Bar, Rosemary Bistro, Politics and Prose, Bread Furst, Flavor Garden, Italian Pizza Kitchen, Calvert Woodley and The UPS Store.
Where: 4340 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20008
When: Sat, December 10, 2022, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/van-ness-main-streets-7th-annual-holiday-pop-up-tickets-439785158247

Georgetown Cookie Tour
Who: Georgetown Main Street
What: On Saturday, December 10 from 12pm – 3pm take a delicious tour of Georgetown small businesses and collect holiday cookies along the way. Georgetown Main Street pairs a Georgetown-based small bakery with an independent retailer to create a unique opportunity to introduce you to amazing local businesses. Come prepared to SHOP LOCAL.
WELCOME LOCATION: Future Maman space at 1355 Wisconsin Avenue NW
GEORGETOWN BAKERY PARTNERS:
Dog Tag Bakery, Maman (Opening Soon in Georgetown!), Green Almond Pantry, Say Cheese, Janti Café, Patisserie Poupon, Olivia Macaron, Fresh Baguette, Levain Bakery, Shouk (Opening next year in Georgetown!), 1310 Kitchen, Call Your Mother
GEORGETOWN RETAIL LOCATIONS:
Pillar and Post, Green Almond Pantry, Take Care, Oliver Dunn, Moss & Co, StorieCollective, Collective Design Studio, Just Paper & Tea, Lantern Bookshop, Ching Ching Cha, Tuckernuck, Shop Made in DC
TICKETS: Tickets are $35 each. One ticket = one dozen cookies. A ticket to the Georgetown Cookie Tour is a great gift for colleagues or clients who want to explore Georgetown and get to know the local businesses.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS:
Cookie Donors: Levain Bakery, Maman
Coffee Partner: Cafe Georgetown, 3141 N St NW
Georgetown Main Street Funder: Department of Small and Local Business Development
Where: Georgetown 1357 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20007
When: Sat, December 10, 2022, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/georgetown-cookie-tour-tickets-428577636247?utm_source=pocket_reader

Champagne, Comedy, And Drag Show
Who: Rails Comedy
What: Justine Morris , Crystal Edge , Finessica , Kenny Rooster , Rob Stant and Gray West – Champagne, Comedy, and Drag! is a Stand-Up Comedy and Drag Show featuring the best LGBTQ+ comics and drag queens in DC. At the DC Comedy Loft in Dupont Circle, this show 60 minutes of nonstop comedy, drag, and is the perfect mood for Sunday entertainment. Start your week off right with us, you won’t regret it.
Where: DC Comedy Loft in Dupont Circle
When: 12/11/2022 8:00 PM, Door Time: 7:00 PM

Other Places to visit –
Museums – Rubell Museum
Theaters – https://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/
DC Commedy Loft – https://www.dccomedyloft.com/events

Reading – Dec 2022

Currently Reading – Christine Platt’s The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living with Less (scheduling a purge sale for December cause your girl’s got too much stuff!!) – Resumed listening to the High Five Habit and Mel Robbins is truly a treasure!

Added To The Reading List:
*Tricia Hersey, aka The Nap Bishop – Rest Is Resistance
*Glory Edim – On Girlhood: 15 Stories from the Well-Read Black Girl Library
*Chloe Louvouezo – Life, I Swear
*Helena Andrews – The Mamas: What I Learned About Kids, Class, and Race from Moms Not Like Me
*Yasmine Cheyenne – The Sugar Jar, Create Boundaries, Embrace Self-Healing, and Enjoy the Sweet Things in Life
*Bevy Smith – Bevelations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie
*Alex Elle – How We Heal: Uncover Your Power and Set Yourself Free
*April Ryan – Black Women Will Save the World: An Anthem
*Jennette McCurdy – I’m Glad My Mom Died

Eating – Dec 2022

Added Eating because I love food (obvi!!) and wanted a space to share some exciting food/eating news.

Rebel Taco Cantina (VA): Fireside S’mores station 
Rebel Taco Cantina in Brambleton just launched their family-friendly S’Mores Stations at their patio fireplaces. First come, first serve. Guests can also dine fireside on the patio.  

Elcielo: A creative cocktail bar popup created by a MICHELIN-starred team – “El Caribeño by Elcielo” will be located at Galeria: the Unique Culinary Studio at La Cosecha, December 1-24th. This more casual experience (no reservations necessary, $20 includes the drink and a Colombian street food snack) consists of 5 cocktails and 1 no ABV drink pairing with snacks and an artisan beer by a local Mexican distributor. Themed around Caribbean culture and cuisine with elements of the season, the menu highlights a hot dessert cocktail themed around #beachlifebestlife, an Elvis-inspired Peanut Butter Whiskey Sour & a Horchata for those wishing to leave out the booze. 

Estuary at the Conrad DC: “Winter at Bay” Offering through December 30th – Don your winter gear and snuggle up next to a fire pit as you enjoy hot cocktails and delicious warming offerings from the limited-edition Chesapeake-inspired menu. Reservations available from November 28th – December 30th.

The Tasting Room at the Blue Rock Inn: New winter hours
The Tasting Room at the Blue Rock Inn is now open from 4:00pm – 9:00pm Thursday – Sunday. Reservations are not required. The Tasting Room offers wines, beers and spirits sourced locally and from around the world, by the glass, bottle or flight. Spend the afternoon savoring the mountain views in an Adirondack chair on their lawn and stay to watch the sunsets by the fireside. 

Quadrant (Seven Restaurant Group): Staycations for foodies! 
Looking for a stay-cation in DC? Look no further than the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. where you can dine at their bar, Quadrant, for dishes and drinks from the Michelin starred team at Seven Restaurant Group (Seven Reasons, Joy, Imperfecto).  The contemporary French-Latin American menu features dishes like the 18 Month Aged Comté Cream Bucatini, a Truffle Caesar Salad, and Rose Negroni made with prickly pears, rose, and clarified milk.  

RASA:  Five Bowls for Five Dollars on their 5 Year Anniversary! 
Five years ago on December 6th, 2017, fine fast casual and local DC Indian restaurant RASA opened their first store in Capitol Riverfront right next to Nationals Park. Celebrate their birthday on December 6th, 2022 with $5 bowls from their “We Got You” chef-inspired menu- available at the original location in-person or online, pickup or delivery available (code: 5YEARSOFRASA). As an extra added touch, commemorate the occasion with a 5th birthday limited edition bag designed by local South Asian and Muslim artist Senna Ahmed ($20, purchase at the store on December 6 or available via RASA’s Toast page)- 20% of proceeds will be donated to DC Central Kitchen.

Watching – Nov 2022

I watch an embarrassing amount of television sometimes, often while trying to find the bottom of my inbox. Here are some of my favorite series and movies I’ve watched lately.

On Netflix – I’m watching Manifest finally cause it turns out I haven’t seen Season 4 so I’m excited to have more to watch!! I’ve also been watching the Warrior Nun and Lucifer which have both been super interesting religiously for me.

Peacock – Super excited for the upcoming drop of the Best Man The Final Chapter. It’s about to be so good and kinda bitter sweet! Still haven’t watched the Barney doc but it’s up next cause it sounds really facinating. Will also probably check out the new Pitch Perfect cause those always make me laugh.

Check back next week for more to do, read, eating and watch!!