New Year's Eve Gala at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel

An International Celebration of the
DAWN OF A NEW DECADE

EIGHT UNIQUE THEMED PARTY AREAS ** NINE DECADES OF CELEBRATION ** NINE AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL THEMES ** TOP SHELF OPEN BAR ** CHAMPAGNE TOAST ** ELABORATE FOOD DINNER STATIONS ** MIDNIGHT GIANT BALLOON DROP ** LIVE BANDS ** D.C.'S BEST DJS ** KARAOKE ** MOCK CASINO GAMBLING ** PARTY FAVORS ** FREE CARICATURIST DRAWINGS ** WHITE GLOVE SERVICE ** VIP OPTION IN THE CRYSTAL ROOM ** A SELL OUT EVERY YEAR ** AND MUCH MUCH MORE!

When Kings, Queens,Prime Ministers, celebrities or corporate titans visit Washington, D.C. where do they stay, dine, dance and want to be seen?

THE WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL!

Tonight, on one the most popular evenings of the year, we invite you to celebrate the DAWN OF A NEW DECADE at Washington’s most prestigious and historic luxury hotel!

Since 1996, your hosts at Things To Do have been dedicated to bringing you the best and most diverse New Year's Eve Galas in Washington, DC. These parties have sold out in advance and have attracted a diverse gathering of both singles and couples alike (individuals and large groups).

So, as we enter a brand new decade we are especially proud to elevate this year’s Gala to the next level. Join us for a memorable, all-inclusive multi-themed extravaganza at The Willard, Washington’s most luxurious and historic hotel.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Things To Do DC!

Tonight, you are invited to travel through time and circle the globe as you bounce from ballroom to ballroom and celebrate New Year's Eve in multiple styles in the most unique, culturally diverse, and popular locations throughout history.

Experience:
• THE MAJESTY OF TIME SQUARE, NEW YORK (21st CENTURY)
• THE SPEAK EASY DECADENCE OF THE ROARING 20s
• THE EXPLOSION OF NEW ORLEANS JAZZ (1930s - 40s)
• THE SALSA FIESTA OF HAVANA (1950s)
• THE REGGAE & CALYPSO RISE OF THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS (1960s)
• THE REVOLUTIONS OF THE 1970s, 1980s,1990s
• THE CHARM OF TOKYO
• THE ELEGANCE OF VIENNA
• THE SPIRIT OF THE BRITISH PIANO BARS
• THE HIGH ENERGY OF EUROPE’S HOTTEST CLUBS

A. THE PARTY:

EIGHT DIFFERENT ROOMS - NINE UNIQUE GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS

1) The Willard Grand Ballroom:
THE 21st CENTURY NEW YORK CITY EXPERIENCE
(DJ, Dancing, Giant Balloon Drop, and More)

From the luxurious Upper East Side Avenues to the bustling streets of downtown, tonight we bring the excitement of Manhattan to our nation's Capitol. The enthusiasm of Times Square, in the center of New York City, comes alive in the Willard’s famed Grand Ballroom as we welcome in the next decade.

Embrace your patriotic spirit with pride and enthusiasm as we transport you to a trendy upscale New York nightclub setting with one of Washington’s best DJs spinning the greatest American retro, top 40, hip hop, and other dance hits! A giant midnight balloon drop and light show will dazzle you into 2010.

Our American experience takes place in the luxurious Grand Ballroom, one of the most elegant ballrooms in Washington - the ballroom that has seen the celebrations of many U.S. and world presidents, celebrities, royalty and much more! Dance in the footsteps of history’s greatest legends as you celebrate the New Year – Time Square Style – in this unbelievable majestic style.

Be prepared as a GIGANTIC BALLOON DROP covers the dance floor at the stroke of midnight and the Dawn of our Next Decade (2010 – 2019) which starts tonight!

2) The Pierce Ballroom
THE ROARING 20s – SPEAKEASY IN CHICAGO
(Swing Music, Casino Games and More)

Yes, we are entering the 2010s. But, what about the next Decade – the 2020s? Promising the next decade to be the new “Roaring 20s”, we now take you back in time to the 1920's – where America partied like never before. Why? Because it was practically illegal and so decadent to do so!

The fun, debauchery and excitement were especially kept alive in Chicago! Tonight we take you back to that era where Al Capone made sure guilty pleasures became the norm.

Taking place in our Speakeasy Ballroom, celebrate the Roaring 20's with incredible Swing Music, dancing, mock Casino Games (including Poker, Blackjack, Slots, Craps and More)

3) The Taylor Room
MARDI GRAS OF THE 1930s – 1940s
(Live Jazz Band)

While struggling through the Depression and the War, many New Orleaners forgot their troubles through the sounds of the greatest jazz musicians commonly found at the “Paffock Lounge” and the “Parisian Room”. In the mid to late 1940's, Mardi Gras in New Orleans exploded earning an incredible reputation of the place to be every February!

Tonight, salute New Orleans' hugest party that attracts visitors from around the world for this special time of year. Put on the beads (provided) and prepare to go crazy as we celebrate New Year's Eve Mardi Gras style with a LIVE BAND playing America's favorite Jazz, Blues, Dixie, and top Mardi Gras favorites! (recreating both the 1930s and 1940s legends as well as classic jazz throughout the 20th and 21st Century)

4) The Famed Willard Room
THE CARIBBEAN CELEBRATION (1950s – 1960s)
(Battle of the Live Salsa and Reggae/Calypso/Island Bands)

During the 1950's, if one wanted some hot Salsa Dancing, you would find them in the most popular night spots and hotels in Havana. Tonight, you find it in the famed Willard Room!

Throughout the 1960's, the Caribbean saw a growth in popularity in the Calypso, Reggae Island Music that continues to entertain professionals of all ages. Tonight, we bring the spirit of the sandy beaches of the Islands to this Gala Setting!

The live music and intense Caribbean and Latin American dancing never takes a break Willard Room features two live bands with not stop performing!

a) 1950's HAVANA SALSA

Not Fidel Castro's Cuba, but the wild times of 1950's Havana where Americans vacationed, relaxed and danced! Enjoy Salsa and Merengue throughout the night as we bring you a taste of the hottest Latin music.

Our Havana celebration will be packed with flavor from the table to the dance floor! The irresistible sound of our live Salsa band, will lead your feet to the dance floor for an exciting night of dancing to Latin sounds!

b) REGGAE CALYPSO OF THE ISLANDS

Want to take a break from the busy streets of a Metropolis? How about a visit to the beach and a live Jamaican band! The Spirit of the Caribbean comes alive as you enter this tropical paradise with a New Year's style island celebration!

Here you will experience one of Washington's most celebrated live Reggae/Island/Calypso bands – Oasis. Do the limbo, dance the Conga line, raise your hands, and dance like crazy all night long!

BONUS: WIN A TRIP TO THE CARIBBEAN! Tonight, we will allow you to enter a drawing to win a vacation trip to one of the Caribbean Islands.

5) The Willard’s Elegant Crystal Room
THE RETRO ROOM: The 70s, 80s, 90s and Today
(Live Band)

The BeeGees, Saturday Night Fever, All in the Family … to the Rubix Cube, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Gorbachev, …. to Hootie and the Blowfish, Seinfeld, the rise of the Internet and more! Tonight, each hour we take a live trip through time as an incredible live band sings, dresses and performs an incredible trip through four decades via music!

Things To Do is honored and excited to have secured one of Washington, D.C.'s best known bands - "Prime Time" - to help us welcome in 2010. Prime Time will be on board to help us honor our new decade and welcome in the New Year with its diverse array of Retro, Top 40, contemporary and classic hits.

Prime Time is best known throughout the Mid-Atlantic region for marrying style and energy into one amazing show. Their unique vocal talents and audience rapport and interaction give all guests a reason to stay where they belong, on the dance floor.

Every hour throughout the party, the members of Prime Time will be changing costumes and style. Beginning with the 1970s at 9:30 PM, followed by the 1980s at 10:30 PM, and so on, Prime Time will dress the part, sing the part, and even get you to dance the part! After midnight, experience an explosion of the modern hits coupled by a final finale of the greatest hits of all four decades!

6) KARAOKE IN OUR TOKYO ROOM
- Make Your Own Entertainment

A timeless classic! Tonight we take the mystique and mystery out of Japan and make you the star. Take center stage and participate in this treasured interactive experience. That’s right...it’s karaoke time. While dining on our sushi bar, choose your song and perform it live in front of everyone. Also, take home a special free souvenir as a leading local caricaturist draws your picture with a unique background.

7) EURO HIGH ENERGY CLUB

Those looking for an intense high energy European Nightclub experience need look no further. Rivaling the best hot spots of London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Prague, Madrid, Amsterdam and even Moscow, tonight we offer you non-stop, pulsating, high energy Euro Dance beats and club music from one of Washington’s top DJs.

8) PIANO BAR - CASABLANCA

When you want to relax and sing along to piano classics, where else can we invite you? How about MOROCCO - with a famed movie twist! Tonight, we recreate "Rick's Cafe" from the famed 1940s movie. Sing along with an exciting piano bar ("Play it Again Sam"). Try your luck at mock gambling - as did Captain Renault ("I'm shocked to find gambling on these premises.") Movie Stand Up Posters and special surprises may await you in this room.

(9) VIENNA
(Live Classical Music)

To add yet another touch of royal elegance, throughout the hallways of The Willard as you go from one ballroom to another, you’ll travel back to the time (not of decades but of centuries) of kings and queens… when British, French and Austrian royalty embraced the elegant sounds of Mozart, Strauss, and other classical masters. When you want to relax and celebrate Old European charm, visit the epicenter of elegance with members of a local Symphony Orchestra and enjoy the classical music compositions of Beethoven, Strauss, Mozart, Brahams, Schubert and more.

All this,

To review, for your price of admission, in a single evening, you will revel in and enjoy:

- Washington’s Most Luxurious and Historic Hotel
- Top Shelf Open Bar
- Plenty of Comfort Space with No Long Line for Food or Drinks
- Midnight Champagne Toast
- Elaborate Buffet Menus (served by the same kitchen that serves royalty)
- Washington’s Best DJs
- A Live Salsa Band
- A Live “Decades” Band
- A Live Jamaican Reggae and Calypso Band
- Karaoke
- Live Classical Music
- Piano Bar
- A Huge Balloon Drops
- Mock Casino Gambling
- Special Guests
- Caricaturist
- Hats, Tiaras, Party favors and Giveaways
- plus many more surprises.

B. TOP SHELF OPEN BAR & ELABORATE DINNER MENUS

From the kitchen that serves royalty, world leaders, famous celebrities and the very very rich and famous, tonight those same chefs serve you as you welcome in 2010! This year, we have more open bars and food stations than ever to minimize lines for drinks and food. In addition to our premium open bar and midnight champagne toast, the Willard’s leading chefs will have many unique food stations and menus including:

Sushi Station
Bagel Roll (Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese)
Spicy Tuna Roll
Kappa Maki Cucumber Roll
California Roll
Salmon Sake Roll
Served with Wasabi, Pickled Ginger and Soya Sauce

Pasta Station
Mushroom Ravioli with Wild Mushrooms, Fresh Garlic,
Thyme and Madeira Sauce

Farfalle Pasta with Smoked Free Range Chicken,
Sauteed Spinach, Fresh Garlic and Cream Cheese

Penne Pasta with Meatballs and Marinara Sauce
Accompanied by Freshly Grated Parmesan and Romano Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes

Steamship of Beef
Slow Cook Rub with Fresh Herbs & Garlic
Natural Jus, Horseradish Cream and Silver Dollar Rolls
Medley of Root Vegetables

The Parmentier Station
Pomme Boulangerie, Pomme Puree and Gratin Potatoes
Accompanied by Sour Cream, Vegetarian Chili, Chopped Bacon,
Fresh Chives and Tomatoes
Grated White Cheddar and Pepper Jack Cheese

Tapas of the World
Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta, Olive Tapenade Bruschetta,
Shaved Proscuitto, Marinated Artichoke Hearts & Button Mushrooms

Plus:
Tenderloin of Sesame Chicken with Hoisin BBQ Sauce,
Miniature Maryland Crabcakes with Chiyote,
Spanish Empanadas with Salsa Verde, Crispy Mac & Cheese,
Vegetarian Spring Rolls with Soy Dipping Sauce

Middle Eastern Display of Baba Ghanoush, Hummus,
Tabbouleh & Cured Olives
Served with Soft Pita Bread and Pita Crisps

Dessert Display (11:00pm-1:00am)

The Willard Chocolate Fountain
Flowing Milk Chocolate to be dipped with Doughnut Holes, Marshmallows, Rice Krispy Treats, Gaufrettes, Pretzel Sticks, Pineapple, Strawberries, Bananas and Peanut Butter Spoons
Miniature French & Viennese Pastries,
Assorted Holiday Cookies, Biscotti and Traditional Yule Logs
Fresh Fruit Display with Strawberry Soup

Coffee Station
Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee
A Selection of Imported Teas

C. VIP OPTION

A special VIP option with a full early dinner, private elegant seating, private entertainment, early arrival and check in privileges and other special amenities is available (visit www.thingstodoDC.com for an additional listing for the VIP Party).

D. OPTIONAL OVERNIGHT HOTEL STAY:

TTDs Room Block at The Willard is now Sold Out. You may keep trying to call the Willard to see if there any room cancelations with the room block.

In the meantime, we have made arrangements for a special rate a couple of blocks away at the Willard's Sister Hotel - the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel on 14th & K Streets, NW, Washington D.C. For a room rate of $159 call Reservations at 202-682-0111 and reference "Things To Do DC Gala”.

If you need assistance with accommodations at other nearby hotels (within walking distance of the Gala), feel free to email events@thingstodoDC.com for suggestions.
Here are a few:
1) Hotel Sofitel 806 15th St NW (202) 730-8800
2) Hotel Harrington (202) 628-8140
3) W Hotel 202 661 2400
4) JW Marriott 202-393-2000

ABOUT THE WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL: Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Willard InterContinental is in the heart of nation’s capital, near the White House. "During the last 150 years, the Willard Hotel has been a central gathering place of the great, the near-great, and those who aspire to greatness." While covering the Civil War for The Atlantic Monthly, the famous American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne gave this description of the Willard:

“This hotel, in fact, may be much more justly called the center of Washington and the Union than either the Capitol, the White House or the State Department…you exchange nods with governors of sovereign States; you elbow illustrious men, and tread on the toes of generals; you hear statesmen and orators speaking in their familiar tones. You are mixed up with office seekers, wire pullers, inventors, artists, poets, prosers until identity is lost among them."

The Willard is an American institution that has hosted nearly every U.S. President since 1853 (additional info available on this if you email events@thingstodoDC.com). It was at the Willard that Julia Ward Howe wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic, where President Ulysses S. Grant popularized the term “Lobbyist,” and where Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. finished his renowned “I have a Dream” speech.

The Willard epitomizes world class hospitality as the hotel of choice for heads of state and leaders of the worlds’ business, cultural, social and political sectors.

A leader in Sustainable Hospitality, Washington D.C.'s Willard InterContinental is the hotel of choice for heads of state and leaders of the world's business, cultural, social and political elite.

Condé Nast Traveler 2009 World Saver Award
AAA 4 Diamond; Travel + Leisure, 500 Greatest Hotels in the World 2008
2008 Hotel & Restaurant Association's Environmental Award for Sustainability
Hotel World’s Sustainable Hotel of the Year 2008; Best Meeting & Conference Hotel in U.S. 2008 igroupnews
Top 10 Business Hotels 2008, Celebrated Living; Washingtonian Magazine Top 100 Restaurants 2009- Café du Parc
DC Mayor’s Environmental Excellence Award 2009; DC Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business of the Year.

THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY AN OVER 21 EVENT.

Suggested Attire: Black Tie Preferred