It’s Wednesday afternoon, and students in adjunct professor Bill Danoff’s songwriting seminar are settling into their dungeon-like studio deep in the recesses of New North for another long session of topical musical discussion, song analysis and the chance to perform some of their own material.

When I awoke on the cold and windy morning of March 17, I knew a celebration of my heritage was in order. The sun had risen on yet another St. Patrick’s Day. But this year would be different.

Today, in addition to observing the traditions of the Irish, I would also experience an unparalleled slice of Americana. Today, I would see grown men in costumes ricocheting off trampolines, flying through the air and performing gravity-defying slam dunks, Today, I would watch a U.S. Marine named Brian dominate a karaoke contest with a rendition of Sting’s “Every Breath You Take” — sung to a baby. Today, I would attend a basketball game starring the Harlem Globetrotters.

Strolling down M Street any weekend evening, students are greeted by the familiar sights of Georgetown nightlife. Philly Pizza looks desolate without the late night rush, 20-somethings spill out of bars, and older couples duck out of the cold and into restaurants we college kids can’t even begin to afford.

And then, of course, there are the Zendiks.

Camped in front of Nathan’s for as long as 14 hours at a time, they stand proudly with their black T-shirts raised high in the air, where their defiant message can be read by all: “Stop Bitching. Start a Revolution.”

The shirts are glaringly straightforward, but the Zendiks remain shrouded in mystery. Who are these people, and why are they here?

Just when you thought you’d recovered from your last New Year’s party, revelers from east of Georgetown to the Far East are gearing up to rip open new calendars and ring in their own new year.

Next Sunday, tens of thousands of people will flood Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown to celebrate the first day of the Chinese New Year. Feb. 18 marks the beginning of year 4705 on the Chinese calendar, and as the Year of the Boar begins, festivities ranging from traditional dragon dancing to performances by local high schools will rock the blocks of H through Eye and draw nearly 50,000 revelers and 200 police officers into the streets.