Celebrate Kwanzaa

The Dance Institute of Washington invites you to celebrate Kwanzaa with them at one of three performances December 29 and December 30 at the GALA Hispanic Theater, 3333 14th Street, NW. The annual Kwanzaa concert features performances by the Dance Institute of Washington’s professional ensemble and students along with special guests including drummer G.H. Abasi Johnson and the African Continuum Theater Company. Tickets for are available here.

The Book and the Look

The DC Public Library has continued to make great improvements to the structures that should serve as hubs of information sharing, learning and entertainment to residents throughout the city. As the libraries work to transform and empower minds through their collections and programs, recently the Wall Street Journal highlighted the Watha T. Daniel branch of the DC Public Library for being a transformative beacon in architectural design. Check out a book and get a look at the Watha T. Daniel soon.

The Hot Dog Has Landed

The next time you find yourself in the Eastern Market/Cap Hill area of the District be sure to taxi down 8^th Street SE and land on a stool at DC-3. The eatery offers a fun menu of hot dogs as they are prepared across the country. Now you don’t have to travel to NY, Arkansas, Seattle, Cincinnati or the countless other cities that all have their take on how hot dogs should be served for that taste of home. The staff is friendly and a good bite into one of their dogs will have you flying on cloud 9. Enjoy!

When Night Catches Us

This weekend DC audiences have an opportunity to catch the When Night Catches at West End Cinema. Only showing for a limited engagement, the new film starring Anthony Mackie and hometown favorite Kerry Washington, takes place in 1976 Philadelphia and the leading man must ‘protect a secret that could shatter everyone’s beliefs as he rediscovers his forbidden passion for Patricia’ played by Washington. In addition to a dynamic and beautiful cast, the score is by The Roots. Catch a screening while you can.

Give the Gift of Fitness!

This year consider giving the gift of fitness to your friends and loved ones. Personal training sessions can encourage and inspire someone to help transform their life through a program tailored specifically for them that allows them to reach their fitness goals. In Washington there are an abundance of gyms and trainers but few compare to J.Koroma of Max Fit LLC. His style of guidance and instruction prepares his clients to take it to achieve their maximum potential. His tag line is “Come get some!” and once you do you and your friends do – you’ll be glad you did. Good health is a great present. Learn more about purchasing training sessions as gift here.

Art You Can Touch and Take Home

The newly relocated Touchstone Gallery located at 901 New York Avenue, NW is offering it’s Annual Small Works Member’s Exhibition through the end of December. In addition to being a platform to highlight the work of new and emerging artists this exhibition provides an opportunity for affordable artwork in a range of mediums. This exhibition will include works maximum 24 inch square and smaller, priced at $500 or less. Aspiring collectors and those just interested in buying art, perhaps for the first time, can choose from a selection of pieces including pottery, photography, prints, drawings, paintings and sculpture to all tastes.

Chocolate Covered

For the past several years patrons of Co Co Sala have been treated to chocolate infused eats and drinks that satisfy any sweet tooth. While customers would always leave the restaurant and bar with a full belly and a spirit high, there wasn’t much else you could take home. That has now changed with the opening of the Co Co Sala Boutique. Just a door down from 929 F Street NW you can buy an assortment of chocolate treats made at the restaurant along with other retail goodies.  Co Co Sala has you covered.

Choose Merzi

A delicious addition has been made to the Washington restaurant scene. Merzi, in Penn Quarter is open for business offering a convenient, healthy and tasty choice of Indian inspired food. The menu at Merzi is easily accessible for all customers, not just Indian food aficionados. Merzi translates into English as “choice” and that’s also what you get when picking ingredients for your selection. Choose to visit 415 Seventh Street, NW for your next meal.