Inno Approved: DC Tech and Holiday Events To Know About This Week (12/23-12/29)

Like DC Inno Approved? A fresh version comes out every Friday with new ideas of tech and networking events to check out. Here's a list of great tech, business and networking events in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, to hit up this weekend and the week ahead. 

Friday, December 23

Event: Hawthorne's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

"Tis’ The Season to Rock That Ugly Sweater Around the Christmas Tree It’s getting to be that time of year again…time to get your tacky, naughty, lighted, ugly sweaters out! The tackier the sweater, the better. Don’t be afraid to roll in your favorite Christmas PJs either, onesies are encouraged. We will have drink specials until midnight and prizes for the best “ ugliest” sweaters of the night. Walk in wearing your ugly sweater and you will get a drink ticket redeemable for bud light or a rail drink before midnight. LETS GET UGLY." 

Event: Made in DC Pop Up Shop

"Shop 10 #madeindc vendors at our first official #madeindcpopup with Hamiltonian Gallery on U Street." 

Event: Beyoncé Listening / Watch Party :: Songbyrd Albums of the Year

"Continuing Songbyrd's two-week series on the best music of 2016 is the important new visual album from the powerful Beyoncé, LEMONADE." 

Event: Gargoyles and Holiday Secrets of the National Cathedral

"Led by Seferlis’ son, Clift, a stone carver in his own right, you will walk the beautiful grounds and hear of the cathedral’s history as only someone who knows the building intimately can tell it. In addition to an exciting general history of the Cathedral, Clift will tell us of the many mysteries of the gargoyles and unknown spooky stories of the cathedral that are unknown the most D.C. residents. You may never look at this landmark the same way again." 

The Weekend, December 24-25

Event: Christmas Eve at the Hotel Lobby

"Join Resident Djs Slugworth & Choppy Oppy on the 2nd floor for a little Christmas dance party cheer!"

Event: Hava Tequila

"This Christmas Eve/Hanukkah, cash in all that “holiday cheer” for dancing and free beer at HAVA TEQUILA inside Mellow Mushroom (2436 18th St NW). JOIN US while DJ Basscamp spins party vibrations that’ll make you schvitz your face off. PLUS a portion of the proceeds will go to CHARITY (as they say, “TIS THE SEASON” AMIRITE?!) Order Chinese food, then come out for HAVA TEQUILA!!"

Event: 30th Annual December 25th Day of Service

"Join almost 1,000 other volunteers to make a difference on our biggest Day of Service of the year! We serve over 50 social service agencies throughout the greater Washington area. Projects range from 2-4 hours in length and include serving or preparing meals, making deliveries to homebound clients, visiting seniors and hospital patients, painting an elementary school, and throwing holiday parties. Please note, pre-registration IS REQUIRED for this event."

Event: The National Menorah Grand Lighting Ceremony 

"Perhaps the most prominent public Chanukah program in the world is the annual lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah on the Ellipse, just across from the White House in Washington, DC."

Event: All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam

"Join in the 18th annual All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam, a Millennium Stage tradition, with host/vibraphonist Chuck Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, pianist Robert Redd, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King, and vocalist Delores Williams."

Monday, December 26

Event: Monday Mastermind

"Join us for the “The Monday Mastermind” the 4th Monday of each month from 1pm - 2pm."

Tuesday, December 27

Event: Northern Virginia Business and Networking opportunities

"In this financial opportunity seminar you will: discover a great part-time or full-time financial opportunity; one of the greatest revolutions in financial services industry; how to obtain a retirement income that is tax-free; how to avoid the coming financial crash; a proven income earning opportunity that has worked nationwide."

Wednesday, December 28

Event: Chinese Lantern Festival - Hanart Culture

"The 2016 festival lanterns will highlight "The Wild", including lanterns in the form of animals from around the world, including; Africa, Antarctica, Asia, America and more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience authentic Chinese entertainment and multicultural shows." 

Thursday, December 29

Event: Safiya Simmons' WALKING ON WATER Book Launch Party

"Get warmed up for all of your New Year's Eve feteing by joining Leap Luncheon Series™ Founder Safiya Jafari Simmons at her Celebrating LEAPs Book Launch Party for her first book "Walking on Water: Making the LEAP from Employee to Employer"

Event: Thought Tank

"Have an idea or thought you would like to get feedback on? Have a product you would like to get insight on improving and/or selling? Need to process your business idea out loud with like minded people? Want to give feedback and help other women entrepreneurs grow their biz? Join the Thought Tank! The Thought Tank is a free brainstorming session for women who want to talk out their ideas and get/give feedback."

On Our Radar

Event: Celebrate Creativity + Innovation in DC at GA

"Our Happy Hour is an opportunity for us at UNLeaded to personally thank you - our creative members, and our amazing speakers - from this past year who have joined us at design sprints and community events, and to welcome a new year of great ideas and solving problems." 

Image used via CC0 — credit Ginger Cakes Holidays