Welcome back to ANOTHER WEEKEND! What with the snow and all, it’s starting to look EXTRA festive in this decidedly un-festive year. Lots to do to get in ye olde holiday spirit this weekend, plus plenty of non-denominational stuff, too; from plant pop-ups ‘n drag shows IRL to gingerbread house masterclasses ‘n comedy shows online, it’s another choose your own adventure vibe…DO YOU LEAVE THE COUCH?! The choice is yours and yours alone, but obviously be safe and wear a mask, practice social distancing, etc. if you venture away from home.
Before we talk details, here’s some stuff you might’ve missed from the BYT universe this week:
- DC9 is pressing pause after Saturday and won’t be back ’til the spring. Make sure to show them some love before closing time!
- Feeling like a scrooge? Prepare to soak up festive vibes at these upcoming holiday events, plan out your holiday meal, and/or just live vicariously through the #BYTHINGS feed.
- Need a last-minute gift? Get to the Downtown Holiday Market and be sure to swing by the Neighborgoods stall, where they’re selling THE CUTEST food-themed totes, dish towels ‘n more.
- We rounded up the best TV and best movies of 2020, and we divulged the books that made OUR year more bearable.
- THFCTRY gave us the full rundown on this month’s best local music.
- Behind the Dish continued with deep dives into Espita/Ghostburger’s carnitas & rabe sandwich, La Famosa’s festive coquito, Modena’s Barber II tagliatelle and SABABA’s seasonal falafel.
- (Speaking of SABABA, their Israeli brunch is DOPE DOT COM.)
- We also had a chat to Chef Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit, the new contemporary Vietnamese spot at The Wharf.
And be sure to tune into Smithsonian Associates’ v. important virtual conversation about youth leadership and activism on Sunday at 4pm ET!
Friday, December 18th
- For starters, scope a free Hirshhorn artist talk w/ Molly Joyce at noon.
- Tunes-wise, scope Hot Chip, Kero Kero Bonito, Django Django, LA Priest and more via DICE at 8pm ET; the event is to support Crisis, and tickets start at $6.70.
- At 6pm ET, meanwhile, we’ve got a Save The Senate benefit ft. Amanda Palmer, Death Valley Girls, Ani DiFranco, Courtney Marie Andrews, Buzzy Lee, Erin Rae, Sadie Dupuis and more; tickets to that one will run you $15+.
- If you’re more in a Yo La Tengo mood, catch a virtual edition of the band’s annual Hanukkah show at 8pm ET for $20+.
- Plus you can scope Kississippi, Bad Bad Hats, The Front Bottoms and more for the Champagne Jam; stream starts at 7pm ET, and tickets start at $15.
- If drag is more your jam, hit up Desiree Dik’s holiday extravaganza over at Red Bear Brewing at 8pm. (Masks and social distancing required, obviously.)
- OR hit up Smithsonian’s virtual solstice party starting at 7:30pm ET ft. DJ sets, tutorials, talks, trivia and more; tickets are $15.
Saturday, December 19th
- In terms of tunes, be sure to catch the KEXPY Awards starting at 8pm ET over on KEXP’s YouTube channel ft. Waxahatchee, Black Belt Eagle Scout and more.
- BONUS: use code SUBMERGE10 for 10% the freshly extended Crystalline at ARTECHOUSE
- Beforehand, catch Lissie‘s $25 virtual show for StubHub Live at Home at 3pm ET.
- Plus scope Jenny Owen Youngs going live with a festive virtual on NoonChorus at 6pm ET. Tickets are $10 a pop.
- (The Avalanches are also slated to do a virtual DJ set via Moment House, and that’ll run you $10, too.)
- More into movies? Head to The Wharf to scope an outdoor screening of A Christmas Story; it’s going all weekend long, but today’s slots are at 2pm and 6pm. Snag a spot at one of the fire pits (seats up to four people) for $60.
- Or if you’re more into cookie architecture, join Sticky Fingers for a virtual masterclass in gingerbread ski chalet construction; tickets are $50, and everything you need to decorate and assemble is included. Starts at 4pm ET.
- Just wanna get those last-minute gifts sorted? Hit up Victura Park’s outdoor holiday market for a really good selection of local vendors, and be sure to grab some spiked hot cider while you’re there!
- (I should also mention it’s Night of 1000 Santas at Wunder Garten, but as someone who is permanently scarred from NYC’s SantaCon, this sounds more like a nightmare to me.)
Sunday, December 20th
- To start, make sure you swing by Smithsonian Associates’ presentation of a virtual panel on youth leadership and activism; OnRaé Watkins will moderate a conversation w/ prominent youth leaders who co-founded organizations and movements that explicitly connect racism and inequality with their advocacy for policy change. Should be super cool, starts at 4pm and is free w/ registration.
- For some festive tunes vibes, catch a big Wainwright family holiday extravaganza on Veeps ft. Rufus, Martha and Lucy starting at 3pm ET; tickets are $20+.
- More into LOLs? Tune into the Comedy Holiday Extravaganja via Nowhere Comedy Club ft. host Ngaio Bealum w/ guests Brian Posehn, Michael Calvin, Jr., Derek Sheen, Wendy M. Lewis and Johnny Taylor; starts at 9pm ET, and tickets are $10+.
- Or if you’re more in a learning mood, get in on Sonny’s Pizza’s virtual tiramisu class at 4pm ET; tickets start at $15.
- You can also join Profs & Pints for a seasonally appropriate virtual course about how Dickens pretty much invented Christmas. Tickets are $12 a pop, starts at 7pm ET.
- Trying to get out of the house? NMWA is hosting another Community Day from noon to 5pm ft. free admission.
- You can also swing by The Line Hotel, where grounded is doing a holiday pop-up shop ft. ALL of the houseplant vibes from noon to 5pm.
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