In the spirit of the season, we want to extend to every last person “From the Bay to the Blue Ridge and Beyond” who peruses these print pages or scrolls through those online or keeps up with our Facebook and Instagram activity, the happiest of holidays! We want to leave you laughing in 2025 and think this piece written by Frances Kilpatrick will do just that! We can’t take ourselves too seriously these days…. Bob & Erin – Lani – Peppercorn Christmas Calories – A Holiday Fantasy By Frances Killpatrick Tired of all of the internet advice and reading wimpy women’s magazines – including the sage advice of the OTC Fitness gurus who pen columns for this pub – and their annual rehash of advice on how to handle calories and parties during the holiday season? You know, like “drinking three gallons of water before a party.” You must admit it works. Very few party givers set up that yummy buffet table in the bathroom, where you will spend your fun-filled evening! What do these self-appointed nutrition “experts” know anyway? Their idea of a fun party is trying out tofu recipes on defenseless laboratory animals. True believers in the holiday spirit know this simple fact: Certain holiday situations totally cancel out normal caloric considerations. For example, there are absolutely NO calories in: – Food sold for charity. This includes candy, fruit cakes and pizza kits. Of course, go easy on those oranges and grapefruit! – Food made by a co-worker who says, “I stayed up ‘til 3 a.m. baking these damned cookies and somebody in this office better eat them!” – Food or drink served at a party for which you have received a written invitation. – Cider, hot chocolate and doughnuts which you have to eat because the damn…
By Ron Powers In 1987, Billy Idol smashed into the charts with his version of “Mony Mony”: a cover of the ’68 classic by Tommy James & The Shondells. Idol’s version vaulted to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning a chart-topping rival along the way. Digitally infused with dance-rock punch and Idol’s snarling vocal edge, the track became a stadium chant and party-anthem in one, complete with its notorious shouted call-and-response break. What began as a garage-rock number gained new life as a defiant ’80s classic, melding raw rock grit with pop euphoria and sealing its place in the era’s sonic DNA. Billy and his band get things going with a growling one note bass line accompanied by a four-on-the-floor drum beat. Light tambourine is also added while the kick drum and snare get the listener pumped up. After four quick measures Billy’s iconic rock ’n’ roll vocals hit the speakers with the lines “Here she comes now sayin’, “Mony, Mony” / Shoot ’em down, turn around, come on, Mony”. Blasts of new wave synth chords are also peppered around the verse giving this 1960s hit a proper 1980s shine. As the song winds toward the chorus a pre-chorus featuring a faster vocal melody line is added which helps the energy build. Single strummed distorted guitar chords also ring out and further expand the sound and energy. Finally, we hear Idol shout out the line, “I said yeah” which is echoed by female backing vocalists. This creates a crescendo of fun that finally bursts into the classic rock ’n’ roll chorus of “Mony Mony”. For the chorus a walking guitar line mixes with the drums and creates carefree danceability in the music. This provides a perfect bed of sound for Billy and his background singers to let loose…
By F. Lennox Campello It’s December, and as usual, and since 2006 – by the time this article hits the streets, I’ll be in Miami for the Art Basel week of Miami art fairs – the big dance of the artworld! The last decade or so I’ve been doing some of the prime fairs in the area: Pulse, Volta, Scope, Art Miami Context, etc., but in the beginning, it was Aqua, which is held at the trendy Aqua Hotel on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach and which is owned by the same folks who run Art Miami… and Aqua is now Aqua Art Miami! Those giant other fairs demand a lot of physical labor, and thus this year, I and my two compadres, Steve Wanna and Erwin Timmers, decided to “go back” to our roots and do Aqua again. We’re in room 109 on the ground floor – which makes life so much easier for set up and packing up on Sunday! In my opinion, Aqua is also the best Miami fair for emerging artists, and in my experience, it gets packed and the celebrities do love to attend Aqua! Over the fairs we’ve sold work to Rachel Maddow, John Malcovitch, and others. Also, Aqua seems to have a great “wake effect.” If you read this with column any regular emphasis, then you know that in the past, many times I have discussed the worldwide art fairs and the reason why contemporary artists need to be in them and why there are so many positive things that come out of them – other than sales – even after the fair is over. As a sailor, I compare it to the wake that a ship leaves on the ocean… a wake that most landlubbers don’t realize is sometimes noticeable for hundreds…
By Miriam R. Kramer Who is writing fantasy accessibly and well these days for those of us wishing to immerse ourselves? If you are taking vacation or skipping holiday parties, this is a fun time to delve into the work of V.E. Schwab. About ten years ago she began the Shades of Magic trilogy, comprising A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows, and A Conjuring of Light. She eventually created the first book in a sequel trilogy. The Fragile Threads of Power triumphantly fulfills the promise of the first series seven years into the future. At the heart of the Shades of Magic trilogy lies an ingenious concept: four parallel London’s—Red, Grey, White, and Black—each existing in its own dimension and distinguished by its relationship to magic. Red London pulses with life and magical energy, a city where magic is woven seamlessly into everyday life. In this kingdom magicians wield air, earth, wind, water, and bone magic. Grey London, reminiscent of historical London during the reign of George III, is mundane and devoid of sorcery. White London is cold, brutal, and fading, its people fighting desperately for control of dwindling magical resources. Black London, once vibrant, has been consumed by its own unchecked magic into ashes and dangerous magical remnants. Schwab’s plotting is consistently gripping. A Darker Shade of Magic introduces us to a sharp, adventurous tale of smuggling, sorcery, and political intrigue. By the time we reach A Gathering of Shadows, the narrative embraces a lavish magical tournament that crackles with tension and character growth. A Conjuring of Light—epic, emotional, and relentless—delivers one of the most satisfying fantasy conclusions in recent memory as the Antari magicians battle magic that has developed a personality and lust for ultimate domination. With The Fragile Threads of Power, innovations build upon…
By Mark Edelman The holiday season sashays on with standard Christmas fare and some new entries on stage this month. Give the gift of theater this Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Pancha Ganapati. Like Dicken’s ghosts, the list below will point you the way: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Signature Theatre Now thru Jan 25 Tevye, a poor milkman, has a few problems. Foremost on his mind are three daughters for whom he must find husbands. He wonders whether or not his wife Golde really loves him and the Cossacks are threatening to burn down the neighborhood. What’s a milkman to do? Will a shared community and history provide some solace in the face of a changing world? It’s not surprising that Tevye’s tale keeps coming back every few years to remind us what hope and humanity really mean. A classic. Tickets at http://www.sigtheatre.org THE MOTHER PLAY Studio Theatre Now thru Dec 21 DC favorite Kate Eastwood Norris plays the eponymous parent in Pulitzer Prize-winning (and DMV native) playwright Paula Vogel’s touching odyssey through the DC suburbs from one roach-infested apartment to another. Life with Mother never sounded so frustratingly funny in this wry, savage, and surprisingly tender tome. Tickets at http://www.studiotheatre.org HO HO HO HA HA HA HA Woolly Mammoth Now thru Dec 21 Funny lady Julia Masli returns to Woolly with a festive edition of her award-winning show, direct from a wacky engagement at New York’s Public Theatre. As usual –unusual is more like it; unpredictable, too– Masli invites audiences to bring their holiday problems to the stage for a hilarious and surprising solution. A completely different show every night keeps Juli on her toes—or someone’s toes. Tickets at http://www.woollymammoth.net A CHRISTMAS CAROL Ford’s Theatre Now thru Dec 31 The holiday classic returns for another season of soul-searching and merry making with Scrooge, the Cratchit…
Photo above courtesy of Visit Alexandria Step into a real-life holiday movie in historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia—named “” by Travel + Leisure. Just minutes from Washington, D.C., and on the Potomac River waterfront, Alexandria blends centuries-old architecture with festive cheer and modern amenities, making it a must-visit destination during the holidays. From twinkling lights along boutique-lined streets to festive waterfront parades and cozy neighborhood markets, this walkable destination offers endless inspiration for travel features and seasonal roundups. Feel transported by a sense of holiday wonder with a stroll along the King Street mile, dine around a firepit on heated patios or duck into cozy restaurants, and shop independent boutiques that provide personal service and curated gift selections all season long. Daily through the 30th The Winter Village Ice & Lights Cameron Run Regional Park 4001 Eisenhower Avenue 5 pm – 10 pm Enjoy ice skating amidst a winter wonderland at Cameron Run Regional Park. Ice & Lights offers a fun, unstructured outdoor family experience to explore new, stunning light displays, snap family pictures or selfies with a variety of displays, and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink. Capacity is limited; reservations are required to ensure access on a specific date. visitalexandria.com/events/ice-lights-the-winter-village-at-cameron-run/ December 6th 54th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Downtown Old Town 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and was named after Scotsman John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria. Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with the iconic Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups and more. Sponsored by Wegmans. 25th Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Old Town North to…
7th – 9th Alexandria Film Festival 12 pm – 11 pm Now in its 19th year, the Alexandria Film Festival brings independent films of all genres to the city of Alexandria through its signature, multi-day festival of screenings and Q&A panels with filmmakers. Beginning November 2 and continuing November 7-9, the festival will offer 60 feature-length and short films in venues across the city including Patagonia Old Town, Charles E. Beatley Library, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus. Following the screenings, film directors, producers, and actors in attendance will discuss their films and answer audience questions. The festival’s full program and tickets are available now at AFFfilmsthatmatter2025.eventive.org. Through December 31st Lives Bound Together – Slavery at Mount Vernon Recurring daily 9 am – 5 pm George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Explore the lives of the 317 enslaved people who lived and worked at Mount Vernon in new exhibit. Discover how they formed families, built tight-knit communities, earned a living, and acquired personal possessions. Uncover the voices of the enslaved through ancestral histories and recently-excavated archaeological artifacts. Learn about the legacy of Washington’s decision in his will to free those enslaved to him—the only founding father to do so. 703-780-2000, mountvernon.org Through December 31st Union Navy Exhibition Open Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site 4301 W. Braddock Road A new exhibition, “Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy,” opened October 2nd. The theme focuses on the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, and is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on October 13, 1775. The Federal Navy, which began as a small and unprepared force at the outbreak of the Civil War, quickly expanded to succeed in blockading over 3,500…
Pictured above: “Stories From My Soul”, Mixed Media, 2025 by Dianne Bugash By Kevin Mellema Exclusive breaking art news. We can now report that the mammoth “Women Artists of the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) Survey Show” is adding yet another venue to the list. Namely, the Falls Church Arts gallery. Founded in 2003, they have been quietly growing, and gaining strength, with multiple moves along the way. Now occupying the ground floor gallery space at 700-B West Broad St., in the Kensington Building, in of course the heart of Falls Church City. With this show, they formally step out of the local and onto the greater DC area arts scene. Getting back to the show…The “Women Artists of the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) Survey Show” has surpassed all expectations, hopes, and fantastical imaginations. It’s blown past the 600 artists exhibited mark, and now resides alone at the top of the mountain. Nobody can recall anything of this scale on the D.C art scene, and with good reason. It’s now considered the largest curated fine arts show in American history. The glass ceiling broke on this puppy a long time ago. We’re in volcanic eruption territory. More like an entire side of the mountain is now missing. The brainchild of Lenny Campello (this column’s regular author) has suddenly found himself lashed to the front of a runaway train that somehow keeps getting cars and passengers added onto it. It’s tempting to call Lenny the ‘Genghis Khan of the DC art scene’, but he didn’t exactly set out to be the unifying leader conjoining 19 disparate fiefdoms into one all-consuming art attack. Rather, it happened organically. Mind you, this didn’t exactly materialize out of the ether either. It’s a bit of a layered story and involves a handful of key factors. Firstly, we should point out that Lenny…
By Ron Powers In 1973, Faces offered one of their most tender and enduring works with the title track “Ooh La La.” Co-written by Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood, the song closed out what would become the band’s final studio album. Because neither Rod Stewart nor Lane felt their own vocal takes did justice to the song, producer Glyn Johns famously tapped Wood for lead vocal: An unusually personal turn for the guitarist and a choice that would define the track’s emotional resonance. With its simple acoustic frame, wistful melody, and reflective lyrics about regret and learning too late, “Ooh La La” transcended its era. Though it wasn’t a chart juggernaut, the song found renewed life over the decades: cited among the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and woven into films, covers, and the enduring legacy of Faces’ bittersweet swan song. Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood get the song going with their acoustic guitars, employing a simple two-chord progression along with a lead line foreshadowing the song’s central hook. After the acoustic guitars lay down a folksy and nostalgic emotional base, Wood sings the first verse while using no vocal effects. This creates an up close and intimate feeling and complements lyrics that feature Wood telling a story about his grandfather giving him advice about relationships. Kick drum taps are also heard here and there throughout the beginning of the verse and finally give way to a beat composed of shaker, bass drum, and rimshots. As these musical and lyrical elements weave together, Faces set the stage for a seamless transition to the classic singalong chorus of “Ooh La La”. For the chorus we hear Wood sing out the lines “I wish that I knew what I know now / When I was younger / I wish that I…
By Miriam R. Kramer This column from May 2018 reveals the accurate warning signs former FBI Director James Comey saw in his dealings with President Trump during his first administration. Comey was indicted last month on charges of making false statements to Congress, the result of President Trump’s pressure to punish him for his refusal to play by Trump’s rules. Comey’s lawyers argued that President Trump had been pressuring the Justice Department for years to exact retribution again him, going against all legal and presidential norms while violating Comey’s right to freedom of speech. He pleaded not guilty in October 2025 to one count of false statements and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding in relation to his 2020 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Perhaps in light of today’s surreal atmosphere of eroding democracy, the column below seems quaint in Comey’s wish to live up to his ideals. I hope it is not. I hope that as the president’s urge to smash constitutional rights continues, a good portion of the American public will stand up for those norms and rights that belong to the democracy we live in, and unify in seeking to retain them. [Article below edited for length.] In his fascinating memoir and treatise on leadership, A Higher Loyalty, former FBI Director James Comey discusses his trajectory in government service up until he unwillingly became a political lightning rod during and after the most bitterly contested and partisan presidential election in modern American politics. Comey became one of the best-known names in America before the 2016 elections, when he announced in late October that the FBI was re-opening an investigation into Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private e-mail server for classified documents. Incurring the wrath of Democrats for potentially swinging the election towards President…
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