Holidays can be very busy, but that also applies to all the ways we celebrate them. So we thought we’d help by curating festivals and picking some of the best. Next week, we’ll be introducing a brand new outing to enjoy the holly.
the holiday show — Washington’s Gay Men’s Chorus is sure to move and excite you at this year’s 44th annual end-of-year celebration. This program is designed to celebrate holidays from around the world through an eclectic mix of songs enhanced by arrangements that highlight beautiful melodies and harmonies. It can be performed by a full chorus of over 100 people, one of the organization’s carefully selected small ensembles, or a few outstanding soloists. The most exciting of GMCW’s small ensembles scheduled to perform is the GenOUT Youth Chorus, a group of emerging singers from across the region. Another GMCW ensemble, the 17th Street Dance Troupe, provides a lively, high-kicking performance. A jolly Santa also stops by to liven up the atmosphere, especially for those who are more kind than naughty. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets range from $25 to $75. Call 202-293-1548 or visit us. www.gmcw.org.
frozen — Olney has been handpicked by Disney to be one of a handful of regional theaters to produce its own original productions of blockbuster musicals. Featuring music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and a book by Jennifer Lee, who is also the film’s screenwriter. frozen Starring Alex de Byrd as Anna, rising star Gabriella Hernandez as Elsa, Kennedy Kanagawa as Olaf, and Ricky Devon Hall as Kristoff. Now until January 5th. Roberts Main Stage at Olney Theater Center, 2001, Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Maryland. Tickets range from $35 to $110. Call 301-924-3400 or visit us. www.olneytheatre.org.
Christmas Carol: Christmas Ghost Stories — For the past 15 years, Olney has celebrated the holiday with Paul Morella’s masterful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel. christmas carol. In Morello’s unique retelling of the classic, one actor plays all of the book’s approximately 50 characters. This year, acclaimed actor Michael Russotto will take on the role of Morella as he recovers from a recent medical incident. Until December 29th. Mulitz-Gudelsky Theater Lab at Olney, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, MD. Tickets are $41 to $81. Call 301-924-3400 or visit us. www.olneytheatre.org.
Christmas Eve Mass: Seasonal Baroque Music — The Folger Consort’s program features “some of the loveliest, tuneful holiday music from France, Italy and England.” Seven musicians playing strings, wind instruments, and organs, including the period instruments viol, viola, violone, and recorder, are joined by eight guest vocalists to bring to life the work of Marc-Antoine Charpentier, the centerpiece of the program. Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. Inspired by French Noels and folk melodies, this mass offers a captivating blend of Baroque dance rhythms and sophisticated harmonies. Two festive concertos by Antonio Vivaldi, another concerto by Giuseppe Torelli, Charpentier’s elegant dance suite for four violas da gamba, and three contemporary versions of the 16th-century Scottish lullaby “Ballou” A British setting concludes the program. Performances run through Sunday, December 15th. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. Tickets range from $20 to $60. Call 202-544-7077 or visit here www.folger.edu.
bohemian christmas — The 17-piece Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra will perform a festive program of original jazz compositions composed by members and alumni, as well as jazz-inspired takes on classic holiday fare, presented by Atlas Performing Arts Center . Although there is no officially announced performance list, there is no doubt that the characteristics of jazz improvisation will shine through this program. Promotional materials cite “cool jazz” classics by Stan Kenton, Thad Jones, Shorty Rogers, Duke Ellington and Gaye’s right-hand man Billy Strayhorn. Monday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m., Lang Theater in Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $32 by cash or check at the box office, $36.25 including handling fee online or by phone. Please call 202-399-7993 ext. 501 or visit www.atlasarts.org.
Ars Gratia Populi: Renaissance Christmas — In recent years, Kevin Elam has made a name for himself as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with roots in Irish traditional music. Elam will conclude 2024 with two performances at Strathmore’s historic home, leading an a cappella chamber ensemble launched in 2023 alongside participation in the venue’s prestigious Artist in Residence programme. I’m there. The group will perform classic Christmas music that officially ranges from “earthy English carols to choral masterpieces and, of course, everyone’s favorite classics.” Thursday, December 12th and Friday, December 13th, 7:30pm, Strathmore Mansion, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD. Tickets are $38. Call 301-581-5100 or visit us. www.strathmore.org.
Christmas in the magical sphere — Similar in spirit, a circus-inspired show for all ages america’s got talent. The show will feature Jonathan Linney, a fourth-generation circus artist who performs feats on balance boards and unicycles, and Allyn Shelander, a Las Vegas acrobat and considered the originator of “aerial archery.” Thursday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets range from $50 to $130. Call 202-628-6161 or visit here www.broadwayatthenational.com.
Celtic women of the NSO — Twenty years ago, Riverdance’s former music director asked several female musicians (four singers and a violinist) to perform with him, ostensibly for a one-off concert in Dublin. Within six months, Celtic Woman became an international phenomenon, thanks to PBS’s decision to broadcast a recording of its first concert. Although the lineup has changed, the outline of the group remains the same. It has always been a quartet of female singers and female string musicians, all of Irish heritage. The group will perform from its wide-ranging holiday repertoire in three concerts at the Kennedy Center, conducted by Lloyd Butler, featuring “the angelic harmonies of the Grammy-nominated group and the thrilling thrills of the National Symphony Orchestra. It is advertised as a “rare opportunity to hear live music.” Friday, December 13th at 8pm, Saturday, December 14th at 2pm and 8pm, Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets range from $29 to $119. Call 202-467-4600 or visit us. www.kennedy-center.org.
Larshem II — In the spring of 2023, programmers at Northern Virginia’s McLean Community Center will invite Broadway singers to perform with Jewish composers of the Great White Way and their many hits from the past century and a half. They performed a toast. The official description sums it up as “Broadway’s finest Jewish composer.” [is] All except Cole Porter. ” The concert was so well received that they planned a sequel, this time to coincide with Christmas. In addition to performing live Christmas tunes of Jewish origin, the latest show features performers who place the songs in their proper context, exploring the history of musical theater, the history of holiday-themed jingle writing, and Jewish Americans, Especially connecting Jewish American history. People in the first half of the 20th century flocked to Broadway after facing overwhelming anti-Semitism in other entertainment fields at the time. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m., Alden Theater at McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA. Tickets are $30 to $40. Call 703-790-0123 or visit: www.mcleancenter.org.
winter fest — The annual Winterfest begins this weekend. Wonder Garten is a lively gay-owned beer garden in NoMa that’s celebrating three weeks of festive fun. Gather around the cozy fire pit with other guests, or rent a cabana for 3 hours for some luxury with your celebrants. During WinterFest, choose from hot cocoa bar options or seasonal holiday beers on tap. You can also take home your very own live evergreen of your choice from the on-site Christmas tree market. Highlights include Swifties night “A Very Merry Swiftmas” on Friday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., LGBTQ-themed holiday party “Ho-Ho-Ho” on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.; ‘Battle of the Christmas Divas’, a tribute and sing-along to iconic Christmas hits by Cher, Malia, Kelly and more, will take place on Friday 20th December. Wonder Garten is located at 1100 1st St. NE at 8 p.m. visit www.wundergartendc.com.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
