With two weeks until Christmas Day, most D.C. area residents will soon be making a panicked dash to the mall — the one place you don’t want to be, at least until after New Year’s.
So to keep your time exposed to holiday shopping at a minimum, we’ve got some alternatives that can keep you in the Christmas spirit, and in some cases, keep your wallet a little heavier.
For the sports fans: While it’s not a home team weekend for Redskins and Wizards fans — the Redskins travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals at 1 p.m. Sunday and the Wizards tip off in Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. Saturday — there’s going to be plenty going on Friday at the Verizon Center.
The Capitals (along with Comcast SportsNet, DC101’s Elliot in the Morning and the Marine Corps Reserve) kick off their ninth annual Toys for Tots drive before the 7 p.m. game against the Ottawa Senators. The first 2,000 fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy to the F Street entrance of the Verizon Center will receive a poster featuring Capitals forward and toy drive spokesman Alex Ovechkin.
Instant Christmas: Washington Improv Theatre brings back its audience favorite “iMusical: The Improvised Musical.” In iMusical, cast members will create an offbeat holiday musical tale right before the audience’s eyes — complete with scenes, lyrics and music. Performances are at 9:30 p.m. every Friday this month, with two special 2 p.m. Saturday shows on Dec. 20 and 27. All shows are at the Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW. For information or to buy tickets, visit washingtonimprovtheatre.com.
Blues lovers: Funk/soul legend Dr. John is at Blues Alley for a four-day run. His shows run tonight through Sunday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets will run you $50. For information, call 202-337-4141 or visit bluesalley.com.
Become a believer again: Join actor Terrence Currier at the Newseum at 2:30 p.m. Sunday for the traditional holiday reading of “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” which is the most widely reprinted newspaper editorial in history. It first appeared in the New York Sun in 1897. Singers from American University will be on hand and all attendees will receive a gift from Santa. The event is free with admission to the Newseum. For information, visit newseum.org.
So you think you’re a standup comedian?: I know, you’ve heard it a million times. Everybody from your Metro train conductor to the guy who sells you Starbucks thinks you’re a riot. But how good are you, really?
Every Saturday night, Laugh Riot at the Hyatt in Bethesda features five local comics. After the show, stick around for the audience joke contest and if you win, take home $25 cash. (And maybe get that standup career started.)
Admission will cost you $10. For information, call 301-657-1234 or visit bethesda.hyatt.com.
Closing this weekend: Dublin Carol, a Irish play that follows a funeral home manager as he ponders his past, present and future on Christmas Eve, will close Sunday at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda. For tickets and showtimes, call 301-816-1023.
