Best Music 1. A Candlelight Christmas: The Washington Chorus conducted by Julian Wachner is joined by the celebrated tenor Carl Tanner for a favorite holiday event. Following the candlelight procession, the 200-voice chorus sings Christmas classics, backed by brass, organ, percussion and harp and illuminated by spectacular lighting.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 4 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Info: from $15; 202-432-6221; thewashingtonchorus.org.
2. Vienna Boys Choir: The outstanding choral ensemble for more than 500 years presents Christmas in Vienna, music from Gregorian chants to modern holiday favorites.
Where: Merchant Hall, Hylton Center.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: Pre-performance discussion. Tickets: $32 to $48; 888-945-2468; hyltoncenter.org.
3. Dan Tepfer: As part of Celebrating American Composers, the jazz pianist and Yamaha artist premieres new works with his performance of “Goldberg Variations/Variations,” his new solo album.
Where: Mansion at Strathmore
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $20; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
4. Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra: The 17-piece Big Band performs Duke Ellington’s adaptation of the “Nutcracker Suite,” new arrangements from the Stan Kenton and Claude Thornhill songbooks and BCJO arrangements of holiday classics. Part of Celebrating American Composers.
Where: Mansion at Strathmore
When: 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org.
Best Galleries
1. 30 Americans: The evolution of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s graffiti-styled paintings into the present-day
multimedia pieces of Mark Bradford and Shinique Smith is but one of the narratives on
view in this sharply-curated study of work since 1980 by African-American artists.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: To Feb. 12, 2012
Info: $10; $8 students/seniors (62+); free for age 12 and under, corcoran.org
2. Visions of the Orient: Western Women Artists in Asia 1900-1940: This collection of 125 prints and paintings gives us impressions of Asian cultures by
visiting western female artists Helen Hyde, Bertha Lum, Elizabeth Keith, and Lilian
Miller, all dating from the first four decades of the 20th century.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: To Jan. 15, 2012
Info: 202-783-5000; nmwa.org
3. Andy Warhol’s ‘Shadows’: For the first time ever, Andy Warhol’s 30-year-old monumental painting
installation “Shadows” is displayed with all 102 of its component canvases
hung edge-to-edge as Warhol intended. The piece extends 450 feet around the
circumference of the Hirshhorn’s circular second-floor gallery.
Where: Hirshorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Seventh St. and Independence Ave. SW
When: To Jan. 15, 2010
Info: Free; 202-633-4674; hmsg.si.edu
4. Robin Rose: The Big Payback: “Kinda Blue,” Robin Rose’s encaustic-and-linen-on-alumninum-hexcel-panel
painting, is a watershed work for this always engaging artist.
Where: Hemphill, 1515 14th St. NW
When: To Dec. 23, 2011
Info: Free; 202-234-5601; hemphillfinearts.com
5. Ancient Chinese Jades & Bronzes: Eighty remarkable jade objects from the Liangzhu culture (circa 3300-2250 B.C.) are
restored to public view after a decade’s absence. Essential.
Where: Freer Gallery, Jefferson Drive and 12 St. SW
When: Ongoing
Info: Free; 202-633-4880; asia.si.edu
Best Brainfood
1. Tour the Freer Museum: Learn about the history of the Freer Gallery, the first
Smithsonian museum devoted to the fine arts. Discover how museum founder
Charles Lang Freer shaped the collection and how he developed his vision for the
museum.
Where: The Freer Museum, Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW
When: 1 p.m. Friday
Info: Freer; 202-633-4880; asia.si.edu
2. Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible: The
words of the 1611 King James Bible still echo in books, poems, movies, popular
songs, speeches and sermons. This exhibit tells the little known story of one of the
most widely read and printed books in the history of the English language.
Where: The Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: Through January 15, 2012
Info: Free; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
3. “Theater die Baustelle”: The German company presents excerpts from
Humperdinck’s opera Hansel & Gretel
Where: Millennium Stage, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. December 19
Info: $15; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. Take a mind-bending journey from present-day Earth to the far reaches of space
and the distant past, back to the beginning of the universe. Explore how stars and
galaxies change from birth to maturity to death. Full color photographs capture the
awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos as seen through high-powered terrestrial and
orbiting telescopes.
Where: Second Floor, Museum of Natural History, 10th and Constitution Ave.,
NW
When: Through July 7, 2013
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; mnh.si.edu
5. The Macaroons: What’s inside a mezuzah? What should you do if you drop a
matzoh ball on the ground? The band will explore these questions and more with
big harmonies and irresistible melodies for young and old alike.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. December 21
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Family
1.”Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical”: The story of Trixie who has a beloved stuffed
bunny, which she misplaces while on a trip to the laundromat with her dad. When she finds
the toy, she speaks her first words: “Knuffle bunny.”
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
When: Saturday through January 8
Info: $20; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “Good Queen Bess: Mary Ann Jung”: Join her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth I on a
merry romp through the less serious aspects of her glittering era. Bedecked in finery fit for
a queen, Mary Ann Jung keeps the kids spellbound with vivid descriptions of the holidays
during her Golden Age while teaching her royal subjects the correct way to bow, curtsy and dance.
Where: The National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-628-6161; nationaltheater.org
3. Flying Squirrels: Lore and More: Families, ages 5 and older. Flying squirrels are found
throughout the wooded neighborhoods of Arlington but are seldom seen. Come learn about
these engaging nocturnal acrobats then tiptoe outside to see them glide in for an evening meal.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 5 to 6:15 P.M. Saturday
Info: $3; Registration required: 703-228-4747; Program #622852-G
4. “The Nutcracker”: Tchaikovsky’s musical adaptation of Hoffmann’s story exploring a young
girl’s adventures with her favorite toys at Christmastime.
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and
Sundays through December 31.
Info: $10; 301-634-5380; thepuppetco.org
5. Solstice Sun: Learn all about our super star and how it works as you explore all sorts of
solar-powered devices. Get a feel for the sun’s size and more. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Rd., Arlington
When: 4 to 5 p.m. December 21
Info: $5; Registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #622822-J
Best Gatherings
1.”A Christmas Carol”: Olney Theatre Center favorite Paul Morella returns to bring this
unique and memorable version of “A Christmas Carol” to life this holiday season. Using
only the words from Charles Dickens’ novella, Morella’s solo version will transport you
back to Victorian England and into the heart of this classic morality tale.
Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, Md.
When: Through January 1
Info: 301-924-3400; olneytheatrecenter.org
2. “Black Nativity”: Theater Alliance presents Langston Hughes’ vibrant retelling
of the Christmas story from an Afro-American perspective.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: Through December 31
Info: $35; 202-241-2539; theateralliance.com
3. The Georgetown Theatre Company: The troupe brings classic literature out of the
library and onto the stage with “King George and the Dragon,” a holiday-themed English
folk play.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. “Wonderful Life”: A fresh take on a classic following George Bailey through the
highs and lows of his life as he struggles to understand his own worth.
Where: The Hub Theatre, 9431 Silver King Court, Fairfax
When: Through December 27
Info: $15 to $25; 703-674-3177; [email protected]
5.”The Nutcracker”: Washington Ballet’s classic ballet set in 1882 Georgetown,
choreographed by Septime Webre. The unique production stars George Washington
and King George III.
Where: The Warner Theatre, 13th and E Streets NW
When: Through December 24
Info: tickets begin at $31; 202-362-3606 (605); washingtonballet.org
Best Outdoors
1. Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple where there are more than 450,000 sparkling
Christmas lights. Visitors are welcome to explore the Washington, DC Mormon Temple grounds
and see a live outdoor nativity scene. Each night, a different local musical group performs a live
concert in a state-of-the-art theater.
Where: Mormon Temple, 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington
When: Dusk to 10 p.m. nightly. Nativity scene is open 6 to 9 p.m. each evening. Musical
performances begin at 7 and 8 p.m.
Info: 301-588-0650; ldschurchtemples.com
2. Visit the National Christmas Tree: See the National Christmas Tree, Santa’s Workshop and
the Pathway of Peace where 56 trees are hung with decorations from every state. Nightly
musical performances.
Where: President’s Park, The Ellipse, between White House and Constitution Ave. NW
When: Trees on view until 11 p.m. to January 1. Music on weekdays: 6 to 8:30 p.m.; weekends:
4 to 8:30 p.m.
Info: National Park Service: nps.gov
3. Watkins Regional Park Light Display: Don’t miss this spectacular holiday drive-through
of more than one million twinkling lights. This year’s festival features new displays, including
Santa flying a helicopter and driving a fire truck.
Where: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive., Upper Marlboro
When: 5 to 9:30 p.m. through January 1
Info: $5 to $25; 301-699-2456; pgparks.com
4. Skate at Reston Town Center: Through the second week in March the Pavilion floor is
transformed into a gleaming ice skating rink. Ice skates and other supplies are available.
Where: Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St., Reston
When: see website for holiday hours
Info: $7 to $9; 703-709-6300; [email protected]
5. Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park: Winter Lights is a magical Christmas light display
including more than 350 illuminated displays and along a 3.5-mile drive through the park.
Where: Seneca Creek State Park, 1950 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg
When: Nightly through Dec. 31 (see website for schedule)
Info: $12 to $70; 301-258-6350 (130); gaithersburgmd.gov
Best Theatre
1.”Parfumerie”: The romantic comedy that inspired the movies”You’veGotMail” and”The
ShopAroundtheCorner” and the musical”SheLovesMe”.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Springhill Rd., McLean
When: Through January 8
Info: $15 to $25; 703-854-1856; 1ststagetysons.org
2. “Ann”: Ann Richards was living proof that everything was bigger in Texas, including her
heart and wit. Holland Taylor (of “TwoandaHalfMen”)offers a hilarious look at this beloved
Texas daughter.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
When: Saturday through January 15
Info: $54 to $95; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. “Holiday Follies”: 13 performances of Signature’s annual holiday celebration will feature
holiday favorites with special guest performers to liven up the festivities.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Through December 23
Info: $41; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
4.”Cannibal the Musical”: Landless Theatre Company presents this Broadway version
of Trey Parker’s film, which is loosely based on the true story of Alferd Packer and the
sordid details of the trip from Utah to Colorado that left his five fellow travelers dead and
partially eaten.
Where: D.C. Arts Center, 2438 18th St.NW
When: Through December 23
Info: $25; 202-462-7833; landlesstheatrecompany.org
5. “The Santaland Diaries”: In David Sedaris’ iconoclastic take on the Christmas season, Joe
Brack emerges as a newly minted elf.
Where: Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave. NW
When: Through December 24
Info: $20; 202-213-2474; cityartisticpartnerships.org
