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.

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

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!

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?

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: