The List -- December 25-31

"Legally Blonde The Musical" is at the Kennedy Center. -- Courtesy Photo

Brain Food
1. Sidney's Salon Orchestra of Washington: Hear Austrian chamber music and waltzes on this special night.
Where: Millennium Stage; The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

2. Pre-New Year's Eve Salsa Lessons and Fiesta: Introductory lesson on salsa basics followed by a party with a Latin twist. Expert instructors.  
Where:  K Street Lounge, 1301 K St. NW
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday
Info: $12; 202-962-3933; thingstododc.com

3. New Year's Eve Concert and party: Theodore Bikel and Serendipity 4: Ring in the New Year with Theodore Bikel, Tamara Brooks, Merima Kluco, Shura Lipovsky. They will perform a special New Year's Eve concert celebrating with music from around the world, highlighting Sephardic, Yiddish, Bosnian, Hebrew and Greek musical traditions. Party and toast by Bikel follow the concert.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: 10 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $100; 800-494-8497; theaterj.org

4. Christmas Day Organ Recital: Organists Scott Dettra and Christopher Jacobson play a free recital on the Washington Cathedral's great organ.
Where: Washington Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues
When: 5:15 p.m. tonight
Info: Free; 202-537-6200; washingtoncathedral.org

5. "Golem": Jewish Music Celebration: "Where Eastern Europe meets the Lower East Side is a 6-piece Eastern European folk-punk band.    
Where: Millennium Stage; The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

Family
1. "Goodnight Moon" and "The Runaway Bunny": Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia brings these two beloved stories presented in a whimsical mix of puppetry and music.
Where: The Terrace Theatre, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., Washington D.C.
When: 1 and 3 p.m. Jan 2 and 4; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Jan 3
Info: $18; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

2. "The Nutcracker": For the 13th year, the Alexandria Ballet presents this shortened, kid-friendly version of the holiday favorite.
Where: Alliance Dance Institute, Landmark Mall, 5801 Duke St., Alexandria
When: 1, 3, 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Info: $20; 703-354-6000; thealexandriaballet.com

3. "America By Air": This new permanent exhibition highlights the history of airline travel. Say good-bye to Kitty Hawk and hello to the Jet Age.
Where: National Air and Space Museum Ñ Smithsonian Institution, 4th street and Independence avenue
When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; nasm.si.edu

4. Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrate the joy of Kwanzaa with dancers, drummers and refreshments.
Where: Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center, 6120 Sargent Road, Hyattsville
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 301-853-2005; pgparks.com

5. "Miss Nelson is Missing": The bad behavior of the children at an elementary school drive away the teacher. But her substitute is so horrible, the children go on a mission to get Miss Nelson back. For children 4 and older.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: Through Jan. 4
Info: $10 to $21; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org

Galleries
1. "Paper Trail: Selections from Transformers FlatFiles": This two-site show of unframed works on paper sized 16-by-20-inches and under -- including prints, drawings, paintings, photos, and none-of-the-above Ñ features new works by celebrated local an national creators, including Lisa Marie Thalhammer, Ryan Hill, Victor Aguilar and dozens more, most priced at under $500. 
Where: Transformer, 1404 P St. NW and Heineman Myers Contemporary Art, 4738 Hampden Lane, Bethesda
When: Through Jan. 24
Info: Free; 202-483-1102; transformergallery.org and 301-951-7900; heinemanmyers.com

2. "Painting the Heart of Russia: Nikolai Timkov's Sustaining Vision": A body of work, never before seen in the U.S., spanning a half-century in the career of the great Russian painter Nikolai Timkov. Not to be missed.
Where: Meridian International Center, 1630 Crescent Place NW
When: Through Jan. 18
Info: Free; 202-939-5869; meridian.org

3. "Quasi-Painting: Works by Young Mid-Atlantic Artists": Sarah Gamble, Amy Sherald, and Patrick McDonough lead the charge in this showcase of the next generation of East Coast painting talent.
Where: Randall Scott Gallery, 1326 14th St. NW
When: Through Jan. 10
Info: Free; 202-332-0806; randallscottgallery.com

4. "Sidney Lawrence: Recent Works": Writer and former Hirshhorn Museum staffer Sidney Larence's work defies easy categorization.  Here, portraits (including one of Martin Luther King Jr.), pen-and-ink cityscapes, and a wall relief all express Lawrence's sensibility in its myriad restlessness.
Where: District Fine Arts, 1639 Wisconsin Ave. NW
When: Through Jan. 17
Info: Free; 202-328-9100; dfaonline.com

5. "Margaret Boozer: Accumulation": Margaret Boozer has a potter's hands but a painter's eye, creating ceramics that straddle line between abstraction and representation.
Where: Project 4 Gallery, 903 U St. NW
When: Through Jan. 17
Info: Free; 202-232-4340; project4gallery.com

Gatherings
1. "Holiday Evenings in the Garden": Explore the holiday exhibit after dark and hear a holiday concert by the Frederick Chorale.
Where: United States Botanical Gardens, 100 Maryland Ave.
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday
Info: Free; 202-225-1126; usbg.gov/education

2. Ring in the New Year with glitz and glamour: The Kennedy Center New Year's Eve Party following the performance of "Legally Blonde"
Where: Grand Foyer, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Info: Tickets to show: $60 to $150 include admission to party; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org

3. First Night Alexandria: Family-oriented, alcohol-free celebration in Old Town at various venues, featuring 70 acts on 40 indoor stages, clowns, face-painters, free shuttle buses to venues. Midnight fireworks display. Free parking
Where: Many venues Ñ Fireworks at George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria
When: 1-mile race at 5 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m.; Wednesday
Info: $17 to $20, children under 12 free; 703-838-4200; firstnightalexandria.org

4. First Night Fredericksburg: A city-wide, alcohol-free party for the whole family. Music, dance and comedy.
Where: Visitor Center, 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg
When: 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Wednesday
Info: $8; ages 4 and younger free; 540-372-1086; fredericksburg.gov

5. The Calverts By Candlelight: Enjoy refreshments, live music and children's activities in the decorated house.
Where: The Calvert House, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale
When: 6 p.m. Saturday 
Info: $5, ages 12 and younger free; 301-864-0420; calverthouseinn.com

Movie
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
5 out of 5 Stars
Stars: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson
Director: David Fincher
Rated PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking.
Running Time: 165 minutes

In their third accomplished collaboration, Brad Pitt and director David Fincher purge the darkness of "Seven" and "Fight Club" with a technically brilliant and visually exquisite fable of enduring love and existential uplift. Though expanded from an old short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" echoes the motifs of screenwriter Eric Roth's most famous script, "Forrest Gump."

Music
1. The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: A showcase of the composer's music sung by Broadway vocalists.
Where: Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater
When: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. daily
Info: $25 to $95; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org

2. All-Star Christmas Jazz Jam: Host and vibraphonist Chuck Redd, pianist Robert Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King and vocalist Delores Williams keep the Kennedy Center jumping.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: 6 p.m. tonight
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org

3. Hank Williams Tribute: Annual celebration with Robin and Linda Williams, Bill Kirchen, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, Rickie Simpkins and more.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $29.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com

4. A Chanukah Feast in Concert: Strathmore-produced stage version of the popular CD with The Alexandria Kleztet, Robyn Helzner Trio, The Sinai Mountain Boys, Grown Men with Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine, Klezcentricity and Marc Glickman.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $21; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org

5. Jewish Music Celebration: Golem, a six-piece Eastern European folk-punk band, demonstrates "where Eastern Europe meets the Lower East Side."
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org

Outdoors
1. Garden of Lights: Colorful flowers and animals displayed in 700,000 lights twinkle along the path of a winter garden walk Ñ a half-mile light display for all to enjoy during the holiday season. Visit the Conservatory and see the beautiful winter plants.
Where: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton 
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Dec. 31); through Jan. 4
Info: $15 to $75; 301-962-1453; mc-mncppc.org

2. Ice Skating: View extraordinary art sculptures and gardens while ice skating at this rink located across from the National Gallery of Art in downtown Washington. The National Gallery of Art ice-skating rink is open mid-November through mid-March, weather permitting.
Where: National Gallery of Art, 7th and Constitution Ave. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
Info: $7 adults; $6 children and seniors; skate rentals $3; nga.gov

3. Pentagon Row Ice Skating: Pentagon Row offers a wonderful outdoor ice skating rink where mom and dad can sip Starbuck's coffee rinkside as the kids go round and round on the ice.
Where: Pentagon Row, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday
Info: $8 adults; $7 seniors and children; skate rentals $3; 703-418-6666; pentagonrowskating.com

4. Bull Run Festival of Lights and Winter Wonderland Holiday Village: A 2 1/2 mile drive-through display features more than 75,000 lights with dancing trees and a "Wizard of Oz" motif. The Holiday Village includes ice skating rink, food, holiday crafts, photos with Santa and carnival rides.
Where: Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
When: 7 days a week through Jan. 4. Consult Web site for times.
Info: $20 to $55 depending on size of vehicle; 703-359-4633; bullrunfestivaloflights.com

5. Symphony of Lights: The 15th annual show of lights is a tradition for Howard and surrounding counties. More than 70 larger-than-life animated and stationary light creations.
Where: Symphony Woods, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
When: 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 4; open on holidays
Info: $20 cars; $35 large vans; $125 buses; 410-740-7666; www.hcgh.org

Theatre
1. "An American Century Christmas": The American Century Theatre Company presents a holiday revue drawing from a century of skits, scenes and songs that will remind you of everything from Radio City Music Hall to "White Christmas." This production will be performed until the return of the American Century Theatre's production of "Life with Father" on Jan. 4, which runs until Jan. 24.
Where: Theater II, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: No performance Dec. 25 and 26; 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and Jan. 3; 8 p.m. Dec. Monday-Tuesday and Jan 2; 2:30 p.m. Jan. 4
Info: $25 to $32; 703-998-4555; americancentury.org

2. "Legally Blonde": When sorority star Elle Woods' boyfriend dumps her for someone more serious, she hits the books and makes her way into Harvard Law School.
Where: The Opera House; Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; 1:30 Saturdays and Sundays; Through Jan. 11
Info: $25-$95; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

3. "West Side Story": This beloved musical, based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," tells the story of the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side of New York City, where star-crossed lovers find themselves caught between rival gangs, trapped in a world of violence and prejudice.
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave.
When: 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; 2 p.m. Friday; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11; 2 p.m. Jan. 14; through Jan. 17
Info: $46.50 to $176.50; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org

4. "Twelfth Night": In this production of Shakespeare's beloved comedy, the world is a place transformed by love when the twins Viola and Sebastian, shipwrecked and separated at sea, land in a strange and wonderful land. Rebecca Bayla Taichman directs this bittersweet classic.
Where: The Harman Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, 610 F St. NW
When: Through Jan. 4 (see Web site for performance details)
Info: $20 to $55.50; 202-547-1122; shakespeare-theatre.org

5. "Next to Normal": A contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and confronts an over-stimulated and over-medicated world. Music by Tom Kitt. Book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. 
Where: The Arena Stage Theatre, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (no performance Christmas Day; no matinee Jan. 11).
Info: $25-$74; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org

-- Compiled by Emily Cary, Chris Klimek and Barbara Mackay