Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

From Chinese Parade DC:

On January 29, 2012, the Chinese community of the greater Washington metropolitan area is going to celebrate the “Chinese Lunar New Year 4710″ in Washington, DC Chinatown.

The Chinese consolidated Benevolent Association, an umbrella organization representing thirty Chinese-American organizations throughout the Greater Washington area will host the event. Over 40,000 are expected in attendance. The parade will also be televised to 40 million nationwide*.

DATE
January 29, 2012

START TIME
2:00 p.m.

ROUTE START
6th & I st. NW

ROUTE END
6th & H st. NW

From the Downtown BID:

Here is a schedule of special events in the DowntownDC BID area:

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival
Chinatown Community Cultural Center
616 H Street, NW

Programs and activities will include: live music and dance performances, traditional Chinese calligraphy, children’s crafts, face painting, tai chi and kung fu demonstrations, lion dancing, poetry readings, film screenings, art and photo exhibits, raffle prizes, New Year souvenirs, free giveaways, and much more. Special guest performances by: Wong People and students of Yu Ying Public Charter School.

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Chinese New Year Parade and Festival
H Street, NW, between 6th and 8th Streets

Each year a parade is held in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment with a giant firecracker set off at 3:45 pm

From a press release:

Artomatic returns to Crystal City in 2012 for its signature free arts event, to be held in the biggest Artomatic building ever, from May 18 – June 24. At its last event in 2009, Artomatic attracted more than 76,000 visitors to see work by more than 2,500 artists and performers. The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is thrilled to announce that Artomatic will take over the Transwestern Presidential Tower, entrance at 2511 S. Clark St. in Crystal City, VA, with a special opening night celebration on May 18.

Artomatic is well-known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant arts communities that celebrate creativity and create a unique and exciting event for tens of thousands of visitors – all free to visit. Anyone can show art at Artomatic – there is no criteria to participate, and art is selected on a first-come, first serve basis – so it’s a great way to discover new art.

Every night of the event, thousands of people visit Artomatic to discover new art, grab a drink, listen to music, go on dates, and mingle with the creative community. Artomatic features dozens of daytime art workshops for kids. (Please know that some art displayed at Artomatic may be inappropriate for children). No matter what kind of creative events you like, you’ll find something to like at Artomatic.

“Crystal City is the perfect partner to take Artomatic to the next level in 2012. With the largest exhibit space we’ve ever had, we’re excited to host the biggest event in Artomatic’s history,” said George Koch, an original founder of Artomatic. “No matter what kind of creative events you like, you’ll find something you like at Artomatic. Come explore new art, listen to music, enjoy a film, or visit our fashion show!”

For the latest information about the event, how to participate, and when to visit, subscribe to Artomatic by email or Facebook, and check the Artomatic website for updates.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Enjoy the long weekend! We’ll be back to a regular posting schedule Tuesday. Hope everyone has a safe and fun celebration.

Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

Photo by PoPville flickr user lwassum

Wishing everyone in PoPville a very happy holidays!

Safe travels to those who are on the road and for those taking time off have an awesome vacation!

For those celebrating Festivus, I’ve got a lot of problems with you people!!!

And thanks to lwassum for sharing these great photos from the house at 4th and Varnum St, NW – amazing!

Photo by PoPville flickr user lwassum

Make that awesome Gingerbread “Marshmell-agio’!!

This was our entrant into the Gingertown event a couple of weeks back, where architects & designers create gingerbread creations based on a theme – this year was Vegas – with all proceeds going to these charities:

Children’s National Medical Center
Children’s Craniofacial Association
Hospital Hospitality House
Martha’s Table
My Sister’s Place
Ronald McDonald House
Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital
So Others Might Eat
The Cumberland at Green Hills
The Washington Home
The Wendt Center for
Loss & Healing
Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital

Very cool!

Photo by PoPville flickr user AlGrabow

Earlier today a reader shared his great gingerbread house and asked – Wonder if any of your readers have something more exquisite than this?

This one is a pretty good contender:

“This unbelievable elaborate gingerbread house was designed for residents of Sunrise Senior Living’s The Jefferson in Arlington. Each year, the Jefferson creates these amazing DC themed gingerbread feasts.”

Dear PoP,

My partner and I made this on Saturday. Wonder if any of your readers have something more exquisite than this????

Holy cow this is a randomly awesome gingerbread house! Can anyone top this one?

1st Festivus Celebration in Adams Morgan Plaza, Dec. ’08

In Dec. ’08 the Adams Morgan BID launched a successful Festivus celebration in the Adams Morgan Plaza. Readers have recently wrote in asking when the celebration would take place this year? In true Seinfeldian fashion, they’ve decided to go out on top – Festivus is no more in Adams Morgan. After the 3 years of a successful celebration they decided to end the observation before it got stale and routine.

For true Festivus fanatics – keep your eyes peeled in Shaw. Last year I found an actual Festivus pole.

And of course, while we can’t demonstrate feats of strength here, feel free to air your grievances in the comments. Happy Festivus to all!

I’ve been getting tons of emails about this festive at house at New Hampshire and Upshur St, NW.

Where’s your favorite decorated house for Christmas?

I love checking out the French St, NW (between 9th and 10th) Christmas tree every year. It’s such a cool thing for a block to do together. But I did have to laugh at the choice of wrapping materials used for one of the fake presents:

Photo of LL Bean’s Christmas Tree by PoPville flickr user Faucetini

I wonder if it’ll be as good as LL Bean’s… Anyone going?

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department has provided the following information regarding street closures and parking restrictions for the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 1, 2011. The ceremony for the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree is scheduled to take place from 4:15 pm to 7:00 pm on the Ellipse near the White House.

Road Closures:

Beginning at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2011, and in effect until the completion of the ceremonies, there will be no traffic allowed northbound or southbound on 15th Street, NW, between E Street/ Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, NW.

· Beginning at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2011, and in effect until the completion of the ceremonies there will also be no traffic allowed northbound or southbound on 17th Street, NW, between Constitution Avenue and New York Avenue, NW.

These street closings and related parking restrictions are subject to change without notice based upon prevailing conditions.

Traffic delays may occur during this event and motorists should consider alternative routes to avoid the area if possible. The Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Transportation (DDOT) encourage motorists to expect increased pedestrian traffic around this event and to exercise caution.”

From a press release:

“WHEN?
1-10 December, 2011

WHERE?
E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW, Washington DC 20004
Goethe Institut, 812 7th St. NW, Washington DC 20001

HOW?
Tickets for the festival are now on sale at irishfilmdc.org or by calling 1-800-494-TIXS.”

Full details here and in PDF below:

Irish Film Festival

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Wishing PoPville good eats, good times and safe travels on this Thanksgiving holiday.

If anyone gets some good Thanksgiving photos please upload them to the PoPville flickr pool.

I’m grateful to be surrounded by and introduced to so much beauty nearly every single day.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From an email:

“It’s time once again for the annual Upshur Street arts fair, bringing us to the 6th year of the event that started with Domku and Shaka King, a local menswear designer. This year’s holiday event is sponsored by the Petworth Cooperative Business Association, Domku, & Corehaus, and we expect it will be better and bigger than ever!

Artists and crafters interested in participating this year, visit out Facebook page for details and an application form. The deadline for applications is November 18.

When: December 10, 11a-4p
Where: 800 block of Upshur St, NW
What: handmade crafts, artwork, handcrafted food gifts, live music, beer tasting, general merriment
Why: For the love of local, for the love of the unique, for the love of community

Facebook event page here.”

Photo of ‘Pumpkin dispensing mulled cider spiked with Johnny Walker.’ by PoPville flickr user theraspberryexpress

“Dear PoPville,

This may be a little late but I was wondering if you were planning or would put up a post about Halloween going’s on tonight. I was curious if there were any fun gatherings around town tonight for halloween and didn’t know if other readers had the same question.”

For the kids we have the 11th Street Halloween Extravaganza. But for those that are going out – what do you have planned? Any good bar specials/parties?