THEWASHINGTONPOST.
FRIDAY,NOVEMBER27, 2020EZ
From the Cover
Dec. 12
D.C. Holiday Cocktail Seminar
If you find yourself staying in
more during the holidays, you
might find yourself in a cocktail
rut, making the same old drinks
again and again. Let the annual
D.C. Holiday Cocktail Seminar in-
troduce you to a few new and
classic beverages, whipped up by
some of D.C.’s most talented bar-
tenders and ambassadors for spir-
its brands. Hosted by author Phil-
ip Greene, this is as easy as it gets:
On Friday afternoon, you pick up
six premixed cocktails in individu-
al pouches from Last Call, near
Union Market. Then, during the
event, as the mixologists demon-
strate and discuss their seasonal
cocktails on screen, you just sit
back and sip. (Greene says that
some cocktails may involve shak-
ing or h eating the l iquid, b ut noth-
ing more complicated than that.)
Note: A version o f this event with a
different set of bartenders takes
place on Dec. 11. 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets available via event-
brite.com. $50.Dec. 13
Holidays at the White House
Each first lady puts her own spin
on the White House’s holiday
decor, which has included trees
decorated with “Nutcrack-
er”-themed ornaments, military
patches and wooden folk art. In
this online presentation, orga-
nized by Smithsonian Associates,
historian and author Coleen
Christian Burke discusses how
themes have been selected in dif-
ferent administrations, as well as
the role first pets have played. 10
a.m. to noon at smithsonianasso-
ciates.org. $25-$30.Dec. 14
‘A Christmas Carol:
The Radio Play’
“A Christmas Carol” has been the
featured seasonal entertainment
at Ford’s Theatre since 197 9, and
while it’s n ot possible for audienc-
es to pack into the seats to watch
Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit
and the ghosts, Ford’s isn’t giving
up on Dickens yet. Instead of
filming the play, Ford’s has adapt-
ed the story into a one-hour radio
play, with actor Craig Wallace
reprising his frequent stage role
as Scrooge. Members of Ford’s
Theatre can hear the broadcast
starting Dec. 7, while the public
can listen beginning Dec. 14.
Available for streaming Dec. 7
through Jan. 1 at fords.org. Free.Dec. 15
Seasonal Music from
the U.S. Botanic Garden:
Cantor Arianne Brown
Though the U.S. Botanic Gardens’
popular Season’s Greenings train
display won’t be unpacked thisFROM PREVIOUS PAGE year, the tradition of having live
music on Tuesday evenings con-
tinues. In celebration of Hanuk-
kah, the featured performer is
Arianne Brown, the senior cantor
at Adas Israel in Cleveland Park.
Brown has performed in “Fiddler
on the Roof” and “The Fantas-
tiks”; sung at Carnegie Hall and
Lincoln Center; and released a
CD of Yiddish love songs. 5:
p.m. at usbg.gov. Free.Dec. 16
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical
Holiday Show
Is your TV big enough to hold
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical
Holiday Show? The local dance
troupe mixes stepping, a form of
dance driven by stomping and
clapping, with African dance, hip-
hop and marching band preci-
sion. Its annual holiday perform-
ance, with propulsive rhythms
and audience participation danc-
es, is one of the most energetic
and inspiring in town. Step Afrika
brings the show to YouTube and
Facebook Live free this year, with
performances by DJ Frosty the
Snowman and mascots Popper
the penguin and Pinky and Polo
the polar bear twins. Available
for streaming starting at 7:
p.m. through Jan. 1 at stepafri-
ka.org. Free.Dec. 17
Sippin’ Santa Holiday Tiki Bar *
Archipelago’s annual transforma-
tion into a Christmas-themed
surf shack has been overshad-
owed by other holiday bars in
recent years, but it’s t ime for the U
Street tiki bar to shine. The own-
ers closed the bar before Thanks-
giving to revamp the patio, creat-
ing more covered, heated outdoor
seating. The focus will remain on
cocktails heavy on dark rum and
fruit juices, though punched up
with nutmeg or ginger spices, and
you’ll be able to drink the concoc-
tions from ceramic mugs showing
hula-dancing reindeer or Santa
wearing flip-flops and shades. Ar-
chipelago’s owners are cognizant
that not everyone wants to eat
and drink outdoors at the mo-
ment, so they plan to offer cock-
tail boxes featuring the seasonal
beverages, including themed tiki
glasses, for takeout and delivery.
Starts Dec. 1. 1201 U St. NW.
Cocktail prices vary.Dec. 18
Smithsonian at 8
Winter Solstice Celebration
One of the longest nights of the
year is the perfect excuse for
Smithsonian at 8 to host an after-
hours party. The group has
planned a full slate of virtual activi-
ties mimicking its popular in-per-
son gatherings, including stargaz-
ing with the George Mason Univer-
sity Observatory; a curator talk
about how various cultures markJATI LINDSAYJATI LINDSAYRANDY SCHMIDTMARVIN JOSEPH/THE WASHINGTON POSTFROM TOP: Step
Afrika!’s annual
Magical Musical
Holiday Step will
stream online;
Archipelago will
again host its
Sippin’ Santa
Holiday Tiki Bar;
actors Craig
Wallace, left, and
Paul Morella play
Scrooge in virtual
performances of
“A Christmas
Carol” at Ford’s
Theatre and Olney
Theatre,
respectively.