If you are crazy enough to get up this early on a Sunday… From Dupont Festival:
“SUN, FEB 2, 2014 – GROUNDHOG DAY: Potomac Phil, the National Groundhog, will make an appearance and offer weather and political predictions. Phil will let us know whether to expect six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Live accordion music, polka dancers, puppet show, VIP celebrities and more. Dupont Circle, at the fountain. The event will begin at 7:30AM, Potomac Phil will emerge at approximately 8AM.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user clif_burns
From a press release:
“A group of over 70 local businesses, civic leaders and neighborhood organizations today announced plans for the first-ever Funk Parade in the U Street neighborhood on Saturday, May 3, 2014.
The planned event has three parts: a street fair by day, the mighty Funk Parade in the afternoon, and a music festival in the evening. The events will be rich in music and art, and will honor both the neighborhood and the spirit of funk, “the subatomic particle of love,” which brings people together and makes them feel all right. The date, May 3, is the 211th anniversary of the District’s incorporation.
Donate! Volunteer! Get involved! Email [email protected].”
Their website says:
“The Funk Parade street fair (noon-5): The neighborhood teems with music and performance, artists and vendors, food and art, workshops and spontaneous acts of soul.
The mighty Funk Parade (5-7): The main event! Imagine a gyrating horde of dancers, a marching band behind them, and a drum corps. Hear beat-boxers and junkyard drummers, see pot-bangers and clappers and kids on their parents’ shoulders. Horn players wander in and out of the crowd, neighbors come out of their homes to join the procession. A thunderous syncopated army of groove, winding its way through the neighborhood, calling the city to the funk.
The Funk Parade music festival (7- ): Grooves from all corners of the human soul play in venues on and around U Street. The sounds of the city’s best acts call from every doorway.”
Wishing all of PoPville a sweet and beautiful 2014 – have fun tonight!!
Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish
Whether you’ll be eating Chinese food and watching movies or eating a delicious honey baked ham or simply enjoying some pancakes – have a phenomenal (and hopefully) relaxing holiday!! Safe and happy travels to those on the road.
Ed. Note: There will be no posts on Christmas day (pending something crazy) but we will return with a slightly reduced schedule on Thursday and Friday. Restaurant openings and closings take no holidays!
A reader writes:
“I wanted to send a community “thank you” to the Christmas Carolers at my front door yesterday evening around 6:30pm in Tenleytown! Thank you for the holiday cheer. (sorry for the poor video quality, I didn’t have my phone camera light on at the time)”
“Dear PoPville,
At around 6:30, heading west on Columbia Road NW from Adams Morgan toward Mt. Pleasant, a combination DCPD and EMS low-speed convoy was wishing rush hour motorists, bikers, and pedestrians to have, as the robotic voice repeating every 15 or so seconds shouted, a happy holiday. The strange parade consisted of a classic DCPD cruiser, a motorcycle with sidecar, an SUV, an ambulance — all with lights and sirens blazing — and a bicyclist dressed as an elf.
Needless to say, with vehicles (including a Circulator bus) pulling over — as they are trained to do — to avoid emergency vehicles displaying lights and sounding alarms, this gesture caused more trouble than cheer.
If any readers might know more about this, I would love to hear whether this poorly-planned convoy visited other parts of the city? Was it also during rush hour? And, though I’ve worked in the city for years, I’ve only recently just moved here. Is this a regular tradition in this part of town?”
Well this is amazing. Thanks to a reader for sending.
“Myself and two friends decided to build it one weekend as a display for our holiday party.”
Awesome.
More photos after the jump. (more…)
From an email:
“Gifts, Live Music, Books, Food & Drink!
The Upshur Street Handmade Arts & Crafts Fair takes place this Saturday, December 14, from 11:00am-4:00pm. Thirty local artists, crafts people, and food vendors will line the 800 block of Upshur Street in Petworth for this annual neighborhood holiday event. You’ll find one-of-a-kind handmade gifts such as pottery, wooden jewelry, knitted scarves, small oil paintings, photo prints, and tasty edible gifts, too, plus a whole lot more.
The fair’s Tailgate Music Series features four local bands rocking anything from honky tonk to jazz on the back of a pick up truck. The musical line up includes The Delafields, Herb Scott Trio, Elena & Los Fulanos, and Paperhaus.
Participating local businesses include Domku Bar & Cafe, Willow Boutique, Petworth Citizen, Nathan Hill Design, Annie’s Ace Hardware, and Fia’s Fabulous Finds. Check in for day-of specials on custom prints, clothes, delicious food, and some kickin’ cocktails that’ll warm your toes.
Join us Saturday for the 8th year of supporting DC’s local goods producers, keeping our holiday shopping dollars at home, and supporting emerging entrepreneurs in the District. While you’re at it, shop the annual Petworth Library Holiday Book Sale on the other side of Georgia Avenue.
Where: 800 Block of Upshur Street, NW, Petworth
When: Saturday, December 14, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Transportation: Capital Bike Share at 9th & Taylor Streets, Petworth/Georgia Avenue Metro, Bus lines 70, 64″
1322 U Street, NW
Nice. From Gingertown’s website:
“It’s not just Santa’s little elves that are hard at work at Christmas time. It’s architects too! Founded in 2006 by David M. Schwarz Architects, GINGERTOWN is a one-of-a-kind holiday initiative that brings together the leading architects, designers, and architectural firms in the D.C. area with building enthusiasts – young and old – to create a town made of completely of ginger bread. And, it’s all for a good cause.
The hand crafted structures are then donated and put on display at local hospitals, health care facilities and community support organizations to help spread the message of joy and hope during the holidays. Recipients of the buildings have included: National Children’s Medical Center, the Washington Home, Martha’s Table and Hannah House.”
Unfortunately public viewing hours ended this weekend. Here’s a peek in the window from last week:
Photo by PoPville flickr user rockcreek
From an email:
“Make it Mount Pleasant
Sunday, December 8, 2013
11 am to 5 pm
Mount Pleasant St. NW
Visit Mount Pleasant Street on Sunday, December 8th for a day of entertainment and a chance to gift yourself and others. From nail polish to wallets to retro furniture, 20 local vendors will showcase their uniquely made wares at the Handmade Craft and Vintage Market.
Plus make sure you head down the street to Lamont Park for a holiday party featuring Santa, The Three Kings, and Hanukkah puppet shows. And to top it off, local businesses will provide specials throughout the corridor.
Mount Pleasant is known for its eclectic local businesses, its art and music communities and its DIY spirit. Come enjoy a great day in one of DC’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
Beats will be provided by local DJs:
Zombie
The Pinstriped Rebel
Rockactivo
Wanako
Mezkla”