Bars & Parties
Closing out the holidays on ‘ICE’
Folks, it’s time to put your weekend on ice.
What I’m trying to say is, be sure this weekend to see “ICE!” – the fabulous and spectacular artistic display of ice sculptures glistening at a constant 9 degrees at the Gaylord National Hotel’s holiday festival.
The show runs just three more days — through Sunday Jan. 10 — at scenic National Harbor on the Potomac River, directly across from Old Town Alexandria near the Wilson Bridge. Nine-inch-thick walls made of foam encase a huge tent to help keep the temperatures low while the “oohs” and “aahs” inside are heard from crowds thronging the exhibit of 10 icy scenes, among them the monuments of D.C. and Santa’s workshop, not to mention carvings of animals so real you want to reach out to them as in a petting zoo.
I came to scoff but remained to praise, expecting kitsch but found instead a winter wonderland to startle jaded senses. I didn’t expect it to be so cool but indeed it is — ultra-cool, not only on the thermometer inside, where visitors are issued special blue parkas to wear, but also in the sensibility. At one of the stopovers under the frosty big-top, one woman turned to me before the Penguin Village at the North Pole and declared, “We’re seniors reliving our childhood, you can write that in your story!”
It took 40 craftsmen brought from Harbin — capital of China’s “north country” province of Heilongjiang (nicknamed “Ice City”) — as many as 12 hours a day in the 9-degree cold to carve the exhibit from 5,000 blocks of ice, totaling 2 million pounds in weight hauled to National Harbor on custom order from Ohio. The 400-pound blocks of ice are carved down to smaller size with chainsaws and hand saws and then picked at to chip away more of the ice. Finally, special tools are used to “score” the ice with small grooves and then parts are frozen together using water as glue.
Fine details are then carved with ice chisels to create final touches and the smooth, rounded features that make the icy people and animals and objects so lifelike. The stunning, vibrant colors created with simple store-bought food coloring are so real looking you will not believe you are merely seeing frozen water. The entire exhibit cost more than $2 million and took 40 days to create.
You can even swoosh down two-story ice slides, but don’t try to lick the 15-foot-tall candy canes in a reenactment of the famous scene from the film “A Christmas Story.”
Tickets are $24.50 for adults and $13 for children from 4 to 12. Seniors (62+) are $18 and for military with IDs adults are $18 and children are $10.
Bottom line: The show is worth every penny. Be sure to close out the holidays on “Ice.”
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.
This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.
This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.
Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Bars & Parties
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge
Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Thurst Lounge.
This event is a special happy hour fundraiser filled with good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only Thurst can deliver.
A portion of every signature cocktail sold goes directly toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice for the D.C. community.
Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.
Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.
Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.
Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.
Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.
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