Celebrate Mardi Gras in Washington, DC

Who says that Washington, DC doesn’t have anything to celebrate in February? Sure there’s Valentine’s Day or Presidents’ Day, but you don’t party on those holidays. But why do you need a holiday to celebrate? This February, make sure you head down and take in the Mardi Gras celebrations going on in the nation’s capital. Although the capital of Mardi Gras is in good ol’ New Orleans, if you can’t fly thousands of miles there, why not try something a little closer to home?

Here’s a list of the events taking place in DC between February 5 – March 1, 2008:

Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade
February 5, 2008, 8 p.m.
Veitch Street (by the Court House Metro station)
Arlington, VA
(703) 812-8881.
A local parade with floats, music, beads and fun.

Anacostia Community Museum
Mardi Gras Family Day
2008 Date to be Announced, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
1901 Fort Place SE
Washington, DC
(202) 633-4866
The museum will offer storytelling, musical entertainment, mask making activities and videos of New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations.

MCCXXIII
Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball
2008 Date to be Announced.
1223 Connecticut Ave.  NW
Washington, DC

Mardi Gras Madness Party
February 2, 2008, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Phillips Flagship Restaurant
900 Water St. SW Washington, DC.

Show Place Arena and Prince George’s Equestrian Center
Mardi Gras Ball
March 1, 2008, 7 p.m.
14900 Pennsylvania Ave.
Upper Marlboro, MD
(202) 397-7328.
Annual fundraiser for the United Way of Calvert County.

R.F.D. Washington
Mardi Gras Party
2008 Date to be Announced.
810 Seventh St. NW
Washington, DC

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon
Fat Tuesday Celebration
February 5, 2008, 5 p.m.
2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC
Beat the clock drink specials in honor of Mardi Gras.

Check the websites for more specific information and dates on what’s going on. Be safe. Don’t Drink & Drive. Have fun!

Last chance to see Zoolights at the National Zoo

The Friends of the National Zoo put together Zoolights last month and are scheduled to run through December 30. For up to 25 nights, the National Zoo will put on a nice display of thousands of environmentally-friendly lights along with animated exhibits. What’s so special about these lights? Well they’re not just strewn about, but are cleverly assembled to resemble familiar and popular animals adorned with LED lights.

This is the last few days of 2007 for you to check out Zoolights and also for the season. Tickets are $6 for “Friends of the National Zoo” or $10 for non-members. If you’re buying for a family of 4, pay just $20. It all starts at 6pm and goes until 8:30pm. Don’t miss this great holiday display – what a way to close out the holiday season.

DC101’s Downtown Countdown to New Year’s Eve

If you’re looking for the place to be for New Year’s Eve, you can try and head down to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center starting at 8:30pm and goes on until 1:30am on New Year’s Day! Emcee’d by the Elliot in the Morning andThe Ballroom ‘C’ will host “Club ‘08″, where Washington’s hottest DJ’s will help you dance 2007 away in a nightclub setting. With over 33,000 square feet of party space, Ballrooms ‘A’ & ‘B’ will feature four bands on the main stage and will culminate at midnight with a countdown and DC’s biggest balloon drop.

Unfortunately you must be of age to attend so it’s a 21+ years party. Dress is formal, creative black tie, optional…kind of like MTV Music Awards. So guys: jacket and tie or tux, funky preferred & for girls: cocktail or formal dresses, with creativity encouraged! Please keep in mind, in order to maximize the fun potential, the regular party ticket areas offer very limited seating. While there is some seating available in ‘breakout rooms’, there is not seating for every guest. There is, however, a much higher percentage of seating per guest in the VIP areas.

All tickets include a 5-hour premium open bar, great cuisine, party favors, and access to both party areas. Tickets are going fast and the later you get ‘em, the more expensive they will be (amazing!)…so visit downtowncountdown.net for all the latest information and get your tickets today!

Playboy Magazine selects DC for New Year’s Eve James Bond Gala

Get your tickets quickly for perhaps this once-in-a-lifetime event in DC. Playboy Magazine is putting on this James Bond-themed gala in several destinations around the world and DC happens to be a stop on this wild ride through the international super spy’s itinerary. This exhilarating New Year’s evening of extravagance, suspense and festivity in DC is ‘Licensed to Thrill’ all James Bond fans. Enjoy wonderful cuisine with plenty to drink while you enjoy sensual and exotic entertainment. International Secret Agents and Spies get an all time high partying at this thunderball in the following James Bond Destinations!

Held at the Sheraton National hotel (900 S. Orme Street, Arlington, VA 22204), sample open Bars with premium liquors, free flowing champagne, martinis poured from ice martini luges, or enjoy tropical concoctions that’ll liven up your spirits and gets your toes tapping to famous hits from the featured Orchestra and DJ’s. Stop by Casino Royale and chitchat about 007 trivia with other players or get a masterpiece of your fabulous self by our caricaturists. As midnight approaches, get your party favors and champagne and gather in designated party destinations for the Times Square to Countdown to Midnight with other revelers to welcome in 2007.

Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.euronetinternational.com/NewYearsEveDC/

Holiday shopping in the district

There are a couple of great holiday shopping places to go in the city especially if you’re trying to go someplace unique and find that perfect gift for the hard-to-shop person on your list. It all starts on December 1 with the Holiday Market in Georgetown and continues through until Christmas with the National Museum of Women in the Arts Annual Gift Market and wraps up with the Downtown Holiday Market near the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery. Other markets include shopping fun at Union Square and the National Museum of the American Indian.