The winter chill and twinkling lights mean only one thing: It’s Hanukkah time! The eight-day festival of lights starts Saturday, so bust out the menorahs, dreidels, and latkes with sour cream and apple sauce. DO IT.
To get into the holiday spirit, check out Sunday’s showcase of klezmer music at Montgomery College’s performing arts center. The Penguin newsroom staff can’t get enough of that clarinet action, and they crank that shit up nonstop until mid January.
Looking for New Testament entertainment? Pyramid Atlantic hosts a screening of the 1964 B-flick “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” Who knows if it’s any good (all bets say no), but it beats a butchered “Charlie Brown Christmas” on television.
A joyous Hanukkah to my Jewish brothers and sisters, and a good weekend to everyone else:
Friday
7:00 p.m. The Lumina Studio theater company presents “The Merchant of Venice, CA”, a remake of William Shakespeare’s comedy set in McCarthy-era California. This event takes place at the Round House Theatre (8641 Colesville Rd); tickets are $15 each and include a post-show discussion.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. FreshFarm Markets brings local farmers and food vendors to Ellsworth Drive, between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street, until 1:00 p.m. There is no admission fee.
1:00 p.m. ArtSpring (8519 Georgia Ave) hosts an ornament-making workshop for children until 3:00 p.m. This free event is open to the public.
2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Lumina Studio theater company presents “The Merchant of Venice, CA”, a remake of William Shakespeare’s comedy set in McCarthy-era California. This event takes place at the Round House Theatre (8641 Colesville Rd); tickets are $15 each.
8:00 p.m. The Cavalcade of Schlock film club presents “Long Kiss Goodnight” (1996), “Gingerbread Man” (2005) and “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” (1964). This event takes place at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center (8230 Georgia Ave). The $5 admission fee includes beer and light refreshments.
Sunday
1:00 p.m. ArtSpring (8519 Georgia Ave) hosts a bookmaking workshop for children until 3:00 p.m. There is a $25 fee to participate.
1:00 p.m. The Lumina Studio theater company presents “The Merchant of Venice, CA”, a remake of William Shakespeare’s comedy set in McCarthy-era California. This event takes place at the Round House Theatre (8641 Colesville Rd); tickets are $15 each.
7:00 p.m. Montgomery College’s performing arts center (7995 Georgia Ave) hosts “A Chanukah Feast”, featuring musical performances by The Alexandria Kleztet, Lox and Vodka, Klezcentricity, Alan Oresky, and MC Maccabee. Tickets are $20 to $25 each; proceeds benefit the Hungry for Music program for underprivileged children.
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I’ve seen “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” It’s so horrifically bad that it’s hilarious. I see that they’re serving beer at the screening, which will only make the movie that much better.
Editor’s note: Dr Bubbles deserves a backup band, like the Electric Bubble Machine. They shall play funk and put George Clinton to shame. — JD (Dec 11, 2009)
Hanukkah actually began yesterday at sunset. Jewish holidays (ie Hanukkah) and holy days (ie rosh hashana and yom kippur) always begin the evening before.