Friday, December 4, 2009

Embassy of Sweden St. Lucia After Dark Ball in Georgetown

Embassy of Sweden St. Lucia After Dark Ball in Georgetown Holiday Cocktail Gala and Celebration of Lights

In these darkest of winter nights, the International Club of DC and Friends of House of Sweden cordially requests the pleasure of your company for a magical candlelit evening on the eve of Santa Lucia. A unique and unforgettable gala of Swedish holiday traditions, dancing and elegance awaits you at the Swedish Embassy – House of Sweden in the heart of Georgetown.

Festivities for the evening include:

:: Singco Rhythm Orchestra for an exciting night of dancing:: Swedish Lucia Procession
:: Swedish hors d'oeuvres
:: Rooftop winter bar with mulled wine and Swedish gingerbread snaps
:: A premium open bar including Swedish spirits
:: Extravagant dessert buffet
:: and many more wonderful surprises!

Our gala celebrates the tradition of Swedish Lucia, a blend of pre-Christmas festivities that warms the hearts and nourishes the soul before Lucia Night, the longest night of the year. Enjoy the spirited sounds of the Singco Rhythm Orchestra’s as you dance the night away amidst the glittering lights of Georgetown with the DC skyline and monuments at a distance.

Mingle with friends at the rooftop winter bar, where we will be serving Swedish Glögg, a warm, spicy mulled wine with blanched almonds and raisins, along with ginger snaps. We light up the night with images of romantic Swedish winter landscapes and spectacular aurora borealis. Enjoy a special Lucia performance of heavenly carols, sung by traditionally dressed Lucia performers.
VIP tickets will grant you early access to the festivities at 8:00 PM, a champagne reception, first taste of the Embassy Chef’s selective Swedish hors d'oeuvres, and a special performance by the Singco Rhythm Orchestra’s 3-piece jazz ensemble.

::: Requested Attire Black Tie or Cocktail Attire Requested.

:::: Tickets and Registration Please reserve your tickets online in advance. Please note that the event is expected to be sold out and there will be no door sales. Kindly note that our celebration is presented as a holiday cocktail gala reception and not a dinner function.

All RSVPs MUST be made through the ICDC website.

$40 General admission tickets for admission to the gala at 9PM$55 VIP tickets with admission that includes intimate VIP champagne reception at 8PM

:::: Purchase tickets online: http://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventGUID=8DDDE826-2B47-4973-8942-AA088F34B0EC

:::: Address
Embassy of Sweden/House of Sweden
2900 K Street, N.W
Washington, DC 20007


:::: About the Embassy of Sweden

The new Embassy of Sweden building in Washington DC - House of Sweden - was inaugurated in October 2006. With its wood–patterned glass facade, House of Sweden has become a spectacular new landmark on the Georgetown Waterfront. The building is not only the home of the Embassy of Sweden but also the Scandinavian business community, an event center, the Embassy of Iceland and corporate apartments. Since the opening over 100,000 people have visited the building and participated in the Embassy program events and exhibitions which have presented Swedish culture, science, enterprise, art and music to a large American and international audience.

:::: About Swedish Lucia

The Swedish Lucia is a blend of traditions. The Saint Lucia lived in Syracuse, a martyr who died in 304. In the old almanac, Lucia Night was the longest of the year. By morning people needed extra nourishment. This also presaged the Christmas fast, which began on Lucia Day.

The first recorded appearance of a white-clad Lucia in Sweden was in a country house in 1764. The custom did not become universally popular in Swedish society until in the 1927 when a Stockholm newspaper arranged a contest to choose a Lucia to represent the city.
Lucia is celebrated in practically every Swedish home, community, office, school and club. Lucia with a crown of candles in her hair, accompanied by a train of maidens, all dressed in white brings Coffee and Lucia buns. They all sing the traditional Lucia carols.

All RSVPs MUST be made through the ICDC website.

:::: Purchase tickets online: http://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventGUID=8DDDE826-2B47-4973-8942-AA088F34B0EC