Get Out! - The Events Column

We wanted to share some events and activities that list members might be interested in. Have a great weekend -- and week beyond, too. If you know of an event that should be in next week's column, email us at events @ fastmail.us.

Have a happy New Year!

Bill Adler and Peggy Robin
Publishers, All Life Is Local
Cleveland Park Listserv
www.cleveland-park.com

Friday, December 28 at 6:30 PM, Kwanzaa Extravaganza, a pageant of dance, poetry and song presented by the Dance Institute of Washington. Tickets $15. At Columbia Heights Education Campus, 3101 16th Street NW: http://danceinstitute.org

Saturday, December 29 and Sunday, December 30, both days at 1 PM - "The Winter Night Sky" presentation on December's brightest planets and stars. Free. At the Rock Creek Nature Center & Planetarium, 5200 Glover Road NW.

Sunday, December 30, 5:15 PM - Concert by organist John Alexander of Greensboro, NC. Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues NW. $10 donation suggested: www.nationalcathedral.org/arts/organRecitals.shtml#C0

Monday, December 31 at 6 PM, New Year's Eve concert, with soprano Rosa Lamoreaus, organist and conductor J. Reilly Lewis, and other musicians performing works from "The American Songbook," as well as a world premier organ suite by Justus Perotta. At St. Columba's Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle Street NW.  Suggested donation, $20; $5 students: www.columba.org/index.php/2011/events/new_years_eve_concert

December 31, 7 PM - 10 PM. Ring in the New Year with an incarcerated DC ex-elected official. Defrocked DC politicians are in need of holiday cheer, too, having been shunned by colleagues, friends (even their real friends), family and voters. A few hours of togetherness in the DC jail can bring a smile to a former coucilmember's face for the next twelve months. DC Jail rules require that the New Year's party end at the 10 PM lockdown and that no alcohol be served, but otherwise it will be lots of fun. Location: 105 West Alaska Avenue. (Yes, we're kidding and this is the weekly fake event.)

Wednesday, January 2 at 7 PM, PAL Pajama Party. Wear your pajamas and come for the stories and arts & crafts and meet a PAL dog (People Animals Love). At the Mt. Pleasant Library, 3160 16th Street NW.

Thursday, January 3 at 7 PM. Lecture on soldiers, slavery and the civil war. US History Professor and author Chandra Manning of Georgetown University discusses "Civil War Contraband Camps, Emancipation, and the Reinvention of the American People." Followed by a reception with light refreshments. Free, but reservations requested - email rsvp @ cathedra.org. At St. Alban's School, 3001 Wisconsin Avenue NW: http://bit.ly/Uphtj1

Thursday, January 3 at 6:30 PM. The Mystery Book Group discusses TV series including "Dr. Who," "Sherlock," and others. Free. At Barnes & Noble, 555 12th Street NW.