Brain Food
1. “Reading the Christmas Story in Art”: A 50-minute long gallery talk by J. Russell Sale on the paintings in the permanent collection that tell the story of the birth of Jesus.
Where: National Gallery of Art, 600 Constitution Ave. NW; West Building Rotunda
When: 11 a.m. Dec. 23
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; www.nga.gov
2. Colonial Handbell Ringers: Hear a wide variety of musical styles and your favorite holiday songs. Ten ringers play a five-octave set of 80 handbells from the famous White Chapel Foundry in England. Audience sing-along and unique visual experiences with two original works.
Where: The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria
When: 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 703-838-4994; www.alexandriahistory.org
3. “Holiday Vaudeville”: Cajun cellist Sean Grissom hosts two evenings of vaudeville, featuring the Alexandria Kleztet (a modern Klezmer quartet) and Rod Ferrone, rhythmic tap dancer and physical comedian.
Where: Millennium Stage, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org
4. Crèche Exhibit: An exhibit of nativity scenes from around the world, made from materials as diverse as corn husks and ceramic. This annual exhibit features a crèche display from the Cathedral’s collection of over 500 nativity sets. The crèches are from many countries and cultures from around the world, and many U.S. states and territories are represented in the display each year.
Where: Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW; lower level.
When: Through Jan. 6; see Web site for times
Info: Free; 202-537-2223; www.nationalcathedral.org
5. “A Christmas Carol”: The McLean Community Players present their musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic about a miserly financier who seeks redemption after taking a look at his past, present and future.
Where: Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
When: Through Saturday
Info: $14; $12 seniors and students; 703-790-9223; www.mcleanplayers.org
Family
1. “Deck the Halls”: A special program on plants that will explain the gingerbread cookie in terms of all its elements and the plants they come from: sugar, flour, cloves and ginger.
Where: The White House Visitors’ Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave.
When: From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday
Info: Free; 202-208-1631; 40-minute long touch-and-feel program; reservations required; nps.gov/whho
2. “Miss Nelson is Missing”: The bad behavior of the children at an elementary school drives 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-$21; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
3. Holiday Planes and Trains: Miniature trains, villages, tunnels and depots decked out for Christmas.
Where: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday
Info: $2 children; $3 seniors; $4 adults; 301- 864-6029; collegeparkaviationmuseum.com
4. “The Nutcracker”: The Washington Ballet performs Septime Webre’s version of this holiday favorite with George Washington as the title character and King George II as the Rat King.
Where: Warner Theatre, 13th and E St. NW
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 28. No performance Dec. 25.
Info: $29-$83; 202-783-4000; warnertheatre.com
5. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”: Keep your eyes peeled for a snowy lamppost or pieces of Turkish delight as C.S. Lewis’ famous characters come to life.
Where: Round House Theatre, Silver Spring
When: 7 p.m. tonight-Saturday; 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $10; 301-634-2270; adventuretheatre.org
Galleries
1. “Mary Cassatt: Friends and Family”: Mary Cassatt was the only American to break into the Impressionists’ clique in 1880s Paris. She often painted her friends and loved ones, and this show emphasizes her personal relationships with her subjects as well as her professional links to other influential collectors and artists.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Through Jan. 25
Info: $10, $8 seniors (60+) and students, free for members and under age 18; 202-783-5000; www.nmwa.org
2. “Journey Along the Underground Railroad: New Etchings By Joseph Holston”: Holston’s indelible etchings tell the story of American slavery in four movements: Arrival in the Unknown; Living in Bondage – Life on the Plantation; The Journey of Escape; and finally, Color in Freedom.
Where: Washington Printmakers’ Gallery, 1732 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: Through Dec. 28
Info: Free; 202-332-7757; washingtonprintmakers.com
3. “Dalya Luttwak: Hidden”: Israeli-born sculptor Dalya Luttwak uses the form of plant roots as a metaphor for all things unseen and yet essential.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
When: Through Jan. 18
Info: Free; 202- 885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
4. “Zoe Charlton: Family”: Zoe Charlton’s large-format nude drawings of statuesque members of her own Florida-based family explore the tension between heredity and individuality.
Where: Conner Contemporary Art, 1358-60 Florida Ave. NE
When: Through Jan. 3
Info: Free; 202-588-8750; connercontemporary.com
5. “Ceramics: Art and Craft”: Sculptor and painter Steve Lapin shows his ceramic wall sculptures as well as “functional” ceramics such as bowls, lamps and cups.
Where: R Street Gallery, 2108 R St. NW
When: Through Jan. 3
Info: Free; 202-588-1701l; rstgallery.com
Gatherings
1. “Colors of the Season”: Fourth Annual Washington Virginia Maryland Garden Railroad Society Display. A garden railway winds through a miniature tree farm and forested parkland in the south conservatory.
Where: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton, Md.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 4
Info: Free; 301-962-1400; wvmgrs.org
2. “Garden in Lights”: A quarter-mile walk-through light show, includes a “Holiday I Spy” game, ornament show and sale as well as holiday entertainment and refreshments.
Where: Annmarie Garden, 13480 Dowell Road, Solomons, Md.
When: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 18-21, Dec. 26-31 and Jan. 1
Info: $3; $2 seniors and ages 5 to 12; children under 5 free; 410-326-4640; annmariegarden.org
3. Xtreme Teens: Kwanzaa celebration. Celebrate the Fifth Principle of Kwanzaa and learn the true meaning of the holiday. For ages 13 to 17.
Where: Allentown Fitness & Splash Park, 7210 Allentown Road, Fort Washington
When: 7 to 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $4 residents; $5 nonresidents; 301-449-5567; mncppc.com
4. A Norwegian Christmas: Celebrate the season as the folks in Norway do at this annual event.
Where: Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day until Dec. 28. Model train runs until Jan. 4
Info: Free; 202-333-6000; norway.org/Xmas
5. Holiday Concert in Old Town Alexandria: Enjoy the music of the season with a choral holiday performance by the Thomas Jefferson High school Choral Department, followed by caroling.
Where: Market Square, 301 King St., Alexandria; then lower King Street Arcade.
When: 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; alexandriava.gov
Movie
“Yes Man”
Stars: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Terence Stamp
Director: Peyton Reed
Rated PG-13 for crude sexual humor, language and brief nudity.
Running time: 104 minutes
Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: Martin Haselboeck conducts the NSO and the Master Chorale of Washington in Handel’s “Messiah” with guest soloists.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20 to $80; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; www.kennedy-center.org
2. Christopher Parkening and Jubilant Sykes: Classical guitarist Parkening and baritone Sykes present “A Classical Christmas” of spirituals and carols.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $22 to $44; 888-945-2468; www.tickets.com
3. National Philharmonic Chorus: An encore performance of Handel’s “Messiah” with guest soloists.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday (pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m.)
Info: From $29 (children are free); 301-581-5100; www.nationalphilharmonic.org
4. Jim Brickman: The Birchmere presents romantic pianist/vocalist in concert.
Where: George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $42.50 to $52; www.ticketmaster.com
5. 1964: The Tribute: Rolling Stone calls it the best Beatles tribute on Earth.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com
Also worth noting:
6. The Washington Chorus: Julian Wachner conducts classic Christmas favorites.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: $15 to $60; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; www.kennedy-center.org
7. Good For the Jews: Musical comedy duo in their second “Putting the Ha! In Hannukah” tour.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $27.50; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com
Theatre
1. “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. The star-crossed lovers find themselves caught between rival gangs, trapped in a world of violence and prejudice. This production returns to the theater where it made its debut in 1957. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, it will be directed by Arthur Laurents, who wrote the book.
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 2 p.m. Dec. 26; 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; www.nationaltheatre.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. Tuesday-Sunday; 1:30 Saturday and Sunday; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Through Jan. 11
Info: $25 to $95; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org
3. “Sholom Aleichem: Laughter Through Tears” Theodore Bikel returns to Washington to star in his play with music based on the story of writer Sholom Aleichem.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: Through Jan 11
Info: $27.50 to $55; 1-800-494-8497; www.theaterj.org
4. “Twelfth Night”: Shakespeare’s beloved drama of the twins Viola and Sebastian, shipwrecked and separated at sea. Yet when the two wash up in a strange and wonderful land, their tragedy turns to comedy. 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 overstimulated and overmedicated 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 and Sunday (no performance Dec. 24-25; no matinee Dec. 21 and Jan. 11).
Info: $47 to $66; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
— Compiled by Emily Cary, Chris Klimek and Barbara Mackay
