Wow, what a decade.
Terror attacks, two wars, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, Katrina, contentious presidential elections and a seemingly more narcissistic, crass society.
Maybe we all just need a stiff drink and a couple of hours of distraction.
This year, with the calendar flipping from 2009 to 2010, there are a number of parties lined up to ring in the new decade — and don’t give us one of those “but the new decade actually starts in 2011.” You know what we mean, so don’t spoil the fun.
In the D.C. area, there are more options to help you get down and act stupid than resolutions on the books to keep you from, well, getting down and acting stupid.
“People promise their kiss too early,” local comedian Jeff Maurer warns. “Don’t give it away, but it isn’t a commodity.”
Maurer, an Alexandria resident, is one of several comedians performing at this year’s Downtown Countdown at the Grand Hyatt in D.C., along with Third Eye Blind and other music entertainment.
Maurer acknowledged the caliber of the black-tie option affair is not his usual audience and that he usually performs “for meth addicts and runaways,” but is excited for the opportunity.
“I would say going to at least midnight,” the comedian suggested as key to a good New Year’s Eve. “12:15 is a good ending time.”
Maurer isn’t much of a resolution kind of guy and vows this year to try something easy like tying his shoes better.
“Resolutions go off the rails quickly,” Maurer said. “People bite off more than they can chew.”
Another of the big parties in the area is Big Night D.C. at National Harbor, the second year this annual event has been at the new neighborhood in Prince George’s County near the Wilson Bridge.
“The shows have always been strong,” said Bryen O’Boyle of cover band Mr. Greengenes. The band is one of the headliners of Big Night D.C. “Last year was a great show. When we have to work, I go all out.”
Mr. Greengenes is one of the biggest cover bands in the area, with fans up and down the East Coast. O’Boyle says the band knows more than 330 songs, and will mix favorites and maybe a couple of news ones that regular and new fans should enjoy.
“This is the time of year we don’t get a chance to learn any new tunes,” O’Boyle said. “There might be a few up our sleeve.”
And just what will we call the next decade? Maurer points out we never really decided on what to call the previous one — the aughts, zeros, 2000s?
Maurer plans to call the next decade the “teens,” and suggests not correcting anyone who calls it that by pointing out that 2010-2012 aren’t actually teens.
“No one wants to debate semantics at a New Year’s Eve party,” he said.
