The To Do List

BID Ambassadors were busy tree trimming on Tuesday.

There are three things you need to do about this weekend. Wear a coat, bring a coat and check out the tree. Really, it’s going to finally begin feeling like winter, especially at night, and that’s when the lighting of the Capitol Hill Christmas tree is. As you’re digging your puffy or woolen warmer out of the closet, pull out the coats you don’t wear so often. This weekend Boy Scout Troop 500 will be collecting coats to give to homeless men, women and children across the city, and as an added bonus, you’ll have more closet space!

You’ve noticed the towering tree in the Eastern Market Metro Plaza NE Quadrant. Well, that’s Big George. The tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday around the lovely grand tree that’s dedicated to long-time Hill enthusiast George Didden, founder of the Capitol Hill BID and former president of National Capital Bank. There will be sparkly lights, warm beverages, holiday music, merriment and more, sponsored by the BID.

As for the coats, you can drop them off at the Boy Scouts table at Eastern Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The scouts are hoping to break their record and collect 500, and they’ll do the dry cleaning and pass them along. If you can’t make it to the market, you can drop off the coats at 1510 Massachusetts Avenue Saturday morning before noon, or contact Assistant Scoutmaster Thom at 202.543.1635 to pick them up.

The crazy party schedule starts soon, so you should make the most of the various arts opportunity around the neighborhood this weekend. There’s the Capital City Players production of Julius Caesar at CHAW Thursday through Saturday.

Swingtime opens Friday at the Atlas, featuring the fabulous songs of Forties amidst the age of war, discrimination, radio and the glittery showbiz scene.

Comedian Hilary Schwartz will perform at the Corner Store on Friday at 8 p.m. and on Saturday at 8 p.m. they’ll host Mark Twain. Well, really it’s Kurt H. Sutton impersonating the nation’s first funny men on in honor of Twain’s birthday.

Expect 8th Street to be a bit more crowded than usual Sunday afternoon. The Smithsonian Associates is hosting another Barracks Row Restaurant Tour at 2 p.m. They’ll be lunching at Las Placitas, Capitol Hill Tandoorand Belga Cafe.

The big names on stage this weekend are at the Folger. As part of the Pen/Malamud Award Reading on Friday at 7:30 ($15), prize-winning authors Edward P. Jones and Nam Le will read from their work. Each man has more literary awards that you can shake a stick at, if indeed you’re one to shake sticks. I finished Jones’ Pulitzer and National Book Critics Circle award book The Known World recently, and this man can weave a story like few others. He’s a local kid who’s achieved some of the nation’s highest honors and you get to see him in the magical Elizabethan Theatre, so get your tickets today.

Next Monday and as well as December 13th Congressional Cemetery will host yet another non-cemetery like event with the Festival of Lessons and Carols, with music and readings by local clergy and the Capitol Hill Consort. Space is limited so get your tickets soon; email tickets@congressionalcemetery.org.