We were lucky enough to attend three concerts by the Army Band, Chorus and Jazz bands. These events are all free and open to the public- professional and very well done. http://www.usarmyband.com/
We were treated to The Army Blues jazz band playing Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite. The Washington Lee high school jazz band did the first set and they were awesome.
We also went to the Army Chorus concert at a local church for the second year in a row- outstanding as usual. Wherever we go, Tom and I seem to magnets for badly behaved little tykes. We thought our seats awesome until a pack of cub scouts came and sat around us. I don't blame them- they just weren't interested and not old enough to appreciate it. They didn't come back after the intermission as I think their adult chaparones grew tired of shussing them. Too bad, because that is when the more familiar child- friendly songs were brought out. Alas, a weary father or grandfather)It's hard to tell these days) let his two year old charge walk back and forth on the pew and stare at us. "Just ignore" I whispered to Tom as he smiled at her indulgently....didn't really work anyway.
The first concert was The American Holiday Festival at the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution Hall) in downtown DC- a lovely venue. It was great fun and the performers are excellent. The concert may have been free, but the parking sure wasn't. We had to schlep to the concert after finding a parking garage as street parking was at a premium and forget our Arizona standby- "the parking lot" not too many of those around in DC. The garage attendant had posted a sign for the cash only parking fee that said "Marry Christmas," a nice sentiment nonetheless.
Alexandria sponsors a Holiday Candlelight Tour each year for one weekend in December. The theme this year was Civil War era and the homes and dress were appropo to the era. It was a cold night, but everyone was in a cheery mood and it was fun to walk around Old Town with the decorated streets and store fronts.
Our first stop was The Carlyle House http://www.nvrpa.org/park/carlyle_house_historic_park
It was quite literally a candlelight tour and we squinted to see the various rooms alit only by candles and or oil lamps.
Next stop was The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum http://alexandriava.gov/Apothecary
The line continued to grow as we waited for previous group to finish the tour. The apothecary is pretty small and could only accommodate a group of 15- 20. The docent was a retired pharmacist and was a little gabby. The woman in charge of herding the groups in by head count appeared a bit uneasy as she waited for the go ahead to let us in. By then, it seemed quite cold and we were anxious to get on with it. The tour this year focused on the Civil War period and the docent told some interesting tales of the remedies and treats the soldiers favored. Interesting and another example of well preserved Alexandria history.
There were some middle school aged docents who gave their spiel in several of the rooms. I could picture them in the future on the 6:00 news or being a gadabout on Capitol Hill.
There was a group demonstrating Civil War era ballroom dancing and I was excited when a costumed woman approached Tom to be her dance partner. I eagerly readied my camera to take action shots and was shocked when I too, was approached. Normally, this would have spent me skittering away self- consciously to a nearby hallway- but what the hell, why not! I had fun in spite of myself and was proud to have a husband who participated in the fun!
I also would recommend eating lunch or dinner at Gadsbys by candlelight- romantic and delicious. http://www.gadsbystavernrestaurant.com/
We only had a short time to make it to The Lee Fendall House http://www.leefendallhouse.org/content.asp?pl=741&contentid=741 This was my favorite stop of the evening and if time permits, I would like to return to see the 2nd floor in daylight. The parlor had a decorated Christmas tree and a string quartet to entertain. The land the house was built on, was purchased by Light Horse Harry Lee father of Robert E Lee.
A twist on this tour was a narrative given by an unfortunate Irish indentured servant. She gave a blow by blow description of the Herculean efforts necessary to prepare a traditional holiday dinner for the upper crust residents and guests of the Lee-Fendall House.
We also got to spend time with friends Kari and JR during the holidays as well. The season was really kicked off with them at Ford's Theatre A Christmas Carol, on Thanksgiving weekend.
We all caught a performance of the satirical, political performing group-Capitol Steps at the Reagan building in DC.
It was hilarious and right in the moment comedy- I wonder where they get their ideas around here?! I have to admit, it leaned to the left and I was happy to see my more conservative husband laughing as well. Some good jabs at Arizona with great impersonations of John McCain and Janet Napolitano.
Christmas Eve was also spent with the Larsen's with a delicious dinner at Grace's Mandarin at National Harbor across the Potomac in Maryland http://www.nationalharbor.com/intro.htm
After dinner we went to11:00 services at our adopted DC Metro Church. http://dcmetro.org/ We have enjoyed attending this church and will miss Pastor David's familiar " come on, how many of you know" in his Louisiana twang.
We are getting snow tonight and Tom is working his last shift before beginning out processing. The movers are coming in a couple of days to ship back some of our belongings so we don't have to drag all our possessions back across the country!
I think I would have been homesick this second Christmas here, if I didn't know we would be back in Arizona for Christmas 2012 with family and friends.
Wish I could see the pictures of Tom and you daning, haha! Love you!!
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