1. You may not have snagged a ticket to the National Christmas Tree lighting, but you can still head to Union Station on Thursday at 6 to catch the free lighting of the main hall’s 32-foot tree. The Children’s Chorus of Washington will perform holiday songs, and visitors can check out the newly displayed Norwegian model train.
2. Rock out for a cause Thursday at the fourth annual Rock4Kids Benefit Concert at Fat Tuesday’s in Fairfax (1063 Braddock Rd.). Proceeds from the concert, $10 at the door, benefit Children’s Hospital. This year’s three featured bands are Feed God Cabbage, I Saw a Ghost, and On Display. Ladies are encouraged to wear “Sexy Santa’s Helpers Gear,” and patrons are encouraged to donate unopened decks of Uno cards. 8 PM. For more information on Rock4Kids, click here.
3. Friday is your last chance to check out James Osher’s free “Three Seconds With the Masters” exhibit at Addison/Ripley Fine Art (1670 Wisconsin Ave., NW) from 11 to 6. A holdover from FotoWeek DC, Osher’s photographs are images of famous paintings, often shot through a blurry lens or at off-kilter angles to offer a different perspective.
4. Over the years, they’ve made you laugh, cry, and (occasionally) wet your pants. Now meet the men and women behind the Onion when the humor writers come to the Capitol City Brewing Company Friday for a free meet-and-greet from 5 to 7. E-mail owashingtondc@theonion.com to RSVP.
5. It’s that time of the week again: DC9 is hosting its weekly Liberation Dance Party on Friday at 9. The $7 cover is your ticket to burn off as many calories as you can sweat away on the dance floor . . . and then put them back on with the club’s open bar featuring rail cocktails from 9 to 10:30.
6. Washingtonians may have a bit of a rivalry with Baltimoreans, but, at least for two days, we should put away our differences and take advantage of the port city’s greatest attraction: the National Aquarium in Baltimore. On Saturday and Sunday, the aquarium is pulling back its normal $24.95 admission and handing out $1 tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. The ticket office opens at 10, and tickets are usually sold out by noon, so come early!
7. There’s something terrifying about rolling out of bed to find more than 100 Scottish clans dressed in tartans marching through your town. Still, if you find yourself in Old Town on Saturday between 11 and 1, you won’t want to miss the free Scottish Christmas Walk. The annual event sees Scottish men playing bagpipes in preparation for Santa’s arrival at the parade’s end.
8. We can see Sarah Palin from our office! No, really. Meet the author of Going Rogue at BJ’s Wholesale Club (13053 Fair Lakes Shopping Center) in Fairfax Saturday from 11 to 2. Here’s the deal: The former Alaska governor will sign copies of her book for free, but only for members of BJ’s Wholesale (to become a member, you have to pay $45). We’re told that nonmembers are still allowed to come and look at her—and no, she won’t be Photoshopped.
9. Help celebrate the 76th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition by dressing in 1920s attire and drinking the night away at Urbana’s Gin Fuzz event Saturday at 6. Those coming in period dress will get their first cocktail for just 25 cents, while each drink thereafter will cost $8. Roaring music from the ’20s will play all night.
10. If you’ve always said a pole-dancing beam would really tie your living room together, consider heading to Chic Physique’s Holiday Jingle Mingle Sunday from 11 to 5. The fitness studio will host a variety of vendors peddling jewelry, food, beauty products, and “adult novelties.” Chic will also raffle off a Platinum Stages Dance Pole as well as other goodies. Raffle tickets are sold on-site and cost $5 each.
More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events
