Entertainment & Sports Arena: December 2021 Newsletter

Holiday Hoops Fest - College of Charleston vs University of Rhode Island Men's Basketball

The 3rd annual Events DC Holiday Hoops Fest features the College of Charleston vs. University of Rhode Island men’s basketball teams at Entertainment & Sports Arena on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Every seat is close to the action and tickets start at just $5 for premier NCAA basketball action. Grab a friend and come see the Cougars vs. Rams in an exciting matchup in DC!

Doors open at 1:00 pm, Tip Off approximately 2:00 pm.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or via the venue box office, which is open Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. 

Recap: Only in D.C. | “For the Love of D.C.” Finale 

On December 11, District Fray in partnership with Events DC held the fourth and final event in the “For the Love of D.C.” series at Culture House DC. The closing theme “Only in D.C.” featured 25 local artists who are redefining the city’s locale. 

December cover subjects Trap Bob and Chris Pyrate moderated a panel with artists and curators Aniekan Udofia, Keyonna Jones of Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, Tom Pipkin, Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell and Brandon Hill of No Kings Collective.

Over 500 attendees enjoyed and celebrated D.C.’s cultural and societal revitalization with guests exploring Culture House DC’s two floors with nine artist activations and a vendor market highlighting an array of works by local creators. DJ Mane Squeeze kept the party going until midnight, with food and drinks readily available from a variety of food trucks. The event amplified the voices and works of the city’s newest generation of artists as well as those who’ve helped forge a path for future creators.  

Jolly Jamboree

Events DC will spread the holiday cheer throughout Ward 8 at Jolly Jamboree Express, held at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center (2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032) at St. E's Campus! Bring your family to be a part of the free festive fun by taking a holiday photo and receiving a gift. 

Due to COVID, this event will have timed entry. Please register each child, including their age and gender, to receive the most appropriate gift. Events DC will only accept up to 5 youth per adult. Youth must be present with the adult in order to receive their gift. Once a time slot has sold out, we are unable to accommodate beyond that limit. 

Join us the following day, Sunday, Dec. 19, at Holiday Hoops Fest: College of Charleston v. Rhode Island at the Entertainment and Sports Arena at 2:00 PM. A pair of complementary ticket vouchers will be distributed at Jolly Jamboree to be redeemed at the box office on game day!

Community Spotlight: Yaay Me

Yaay Me, Inc., based in Ward 8, is set out to transform communities through transforming: youth and adults, their families and those who serve them. Partnering with several government agencies and organizations programs that support youth, Yaay Me, Inc. strives to build participant’s leadership (self & community), self-education, character education and career exploration. As an Events DC Community Grant awardee (FY2019, Cycle 2), they were awarded for the Leadership through Arts, Culture and Entertainment (LACE) Program. It aims to be an experiential youth leadership and development program that aims to expose youth to entrepreneurship opportunities in the arts and entertainment industry. To get involved or learn more about their programs, visit Yaay Me, Inc.’s website here

Events DC to host UConn and Georgetown at Entertainment & Sports Arena

The Georgetown University women’s basketball team announced it will play host to the UConn Huskies at Entertainment & Sports Arena, home of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, located in Southeast, Washington, D.C. In conjunction with Events DC, the Hoyas will host the Huskies in a BIG EAST showdown on Wednesday, January 5 at 7 p.m. 

This will be the 55th meeting between the squads and just the third since the Huskies rejoined the BIG EAST in 2020. Georgetown is coached by Head Coach James Howard in his fifth season on the Hilltop. UConn is the reigning BIG EAST Champion as well as an 11-time NCAA Champion. Last season, the Huskies advanced to the NCAA Final Four and featured consensus NCAA Player of the Year Paige Bueckers as well as Hall of Fame Coach Geno Auriemma.

Along with exciting basketball, the game will serve as a kickoff event for Georgetown’s year-long celebration honoring female student-athletes on the Hilltop which dates back 70 years. This year, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Title IX, GU will celebrate all female Hoyas that have worn the Blue & Gray. From humble beginnings to national champions, on the track, on the field, in the water and on the court they have broken countless barriers and represented the University worldwide. Throughout the year, the Department will be remembering trailblazers, saluting standouts and celebrating the many contributions of women’s sports on the Hilltop.

Tickets available here. 

Holiday Guide

DC is the best place to be this holiday season! There are a variety of different markets, small businesses, restaurants, and attractions to enjoy. From Park View to Navy Yard, there is something fun for everyone in the family. Grab your crew and check out some of these holiday attractions.

WHERE TO SHOP

• Downtown Holiday Market
  • The Downtown Holiday Market has great small local vendors that sell a wide variety of products that could be the perfect gift for anyone. It is located right downtown by the National Portrait Gallery and will be open till Dec 23. There is a wide range of vendors to shop from such as, Tretorie Maps, Indigo Moon, KVZ Designs, Ethic Goods, and Icons DC. Check out our video highlight for the holiday market on our video platform GATHER.
    
     
• Victura Park Market
  • This holiday market has a lineup for local artists, craftsmen, and other special vendors to shop for. Located in Foggy Bottom and open from Dec 17-19, this market is the perfect stop to get your holiday groove on. Some vendors that will be highlighted at the market are Potomac Candle, who offers a wide variety of candles to give to your favorite candle lover and E-Globe which makes beautiful custom jewelry which any lady will love.
    
     
• Park View Holiday Market
  • The second annual Park View Holiday Market is on December 18 at Hook Hall. This market will feature will include local artists and small businesses that sell a variety of items. You can get things from fragrant soaps from Patreats Boutique, or a Frida Kahlo bowl from Down to Earth Pottery.
    
     
• Holiday Market at Four Seasons Hotel
  • The holiday market at the Four Seasons will be on Dec. 17-19. They will have a variety of business to showcase like Icons DC, which curates unique Washington D.C. trinkets. Shea by Lee Monet sells custom made shea butters in all different shapes and sizes and caters to all skin types, this shea will be the perfect item for those who need a spa day.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

• Grab some hot chocolate and churros from the Holiday Market by Alexa’s Empanadas.
  
   
• The Victura Holiday Park Market will have seasonal classics at the market such as spiked cider, hot chocolate, and a s'mores station.
  
   
• Grab food from stations at the Park View Holiday Market like a savory meat pie from Well Made, or a sugary bite from Sweetdele's Sweet Treats

WHERE TO ICE SKATE

• Canal Park Ice Skating in Navy Yard

  ADMISSION & SKATE RENTAL
  
  Adult Admission - $11
  
  Child & Senior Admission - $10
  
  Skate Rental - $5

• Washington Harbor Ice Rink in Georgetown

  ADMISSION & SKATE RENTAL 
  
  Adults: $10
  
  Children (12 & under)/Senior/Military: $9
  
  Group: $13 (includes skate rental; for groups of 10 or more)
  
  Skate Rental: $7
  
  Penguin Rental: $10

• The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink in the Natural Gallery of Art
  
  
  
  ADMISSION & SKATE RENTAL
  
  Skating fees for two 45-minute sessions (beginning on the hour)
  
  $10 for adults and children age 13 and over
  
  $9 for skaters age 60 and over, children age 12 and under, military service members, and students with a valid school ID