Best Galleries 1. A New Look: Samuel F.B. Morse’s Gallery of the Louvre: American inventor Samuel F.B. Morse — as in, Morse Code — was also a very
estimable painter. His painting of the Louvre’s Salon Carre depicting the various
masterworks that Morse “reinstalled” there was newly restored in 2011 and will remain
on view for the first half of the new year.
Where: West Building, National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Ave. NW
When: To July 8, 2012
Info: Free, 202-737-4215 or nga.gov
2. TROVE: The Collection in Depth: Five categories – plants & animals, landscapes, portraiture, family relationships, and
memory – govern this nicely selected excerpt of more than 100 words in all mediums
illustrating the depth of the museum’s permanent collection.
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. Salt Spring Island: Beneath the Surface: This collection of new paintings by Czechoslovakian artist Kitty Klaidman is at once
modest and breathtaking.
Where: Marsha Mateyka Gallery, 2012 R St., NW
When: Through Jan. 21, 2012
Info: Free, 202-328-0088; marshamateykagallery.com
4. Traveling Light: Five Artists from Chile: Five contemporary Chilean artists have completely taken over the first floor galleries of
the museum, creating a site-specific work from locally sourced materials that explores
how history is preserved within architecture.
Where: Art Museum of the Americas, 201 18th St. NW
When: Through Jan. 22, 2012
Info: Free, museum.oas.org/exhibitions.html
5. ‘Tis the Season: Sentimentality-abjuring Yuletide and winter-themed pieces from Laura Breen, Daniel
Calder, Julie Giradini, Ron Loyd, Georgia Nassikas, Novie Trump and Lisa Rosenstein.
Where: Gallery 555, 555 12th St. NW
When: Through Jan. 13, 2012
Info: Free, gallery555dc.com
Best Music
1. New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center: Murray Sidlin conducts members of the National Symphony Orchestra in a festive classical concert featuring guest Spanish guitarist Pepe Romero.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: From $50 at 202-467-4600 or kennedy-center.org.
2. Patti Austin: The Grammy-winning R&B and jazz singer and her band welcome the New Year in a jazzy concert honoring Duke Ellington.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 and 9:30 Saturday
Info: $75 at 202-467-4600 or kennedy-center.org.
3. New Year’s Eve with The Seldom Scene and special guests.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $39.50 at 703-549-7500 or birchmere.com.
4. A Celtic New Year with guitarist Zan McLeod, accordionist Peter Brice, fiddler Rosie Shipley and the New Century Dancers.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free
5. Holiday Vaudeville: Cajun cellist Sean Grissom hosts two evenings of holiday vaudeville featuring Mallory Lewis, daughter of Shari Lewis, and the favorite children’s puppet Lamb Chop, with the Alexandria Kleztet.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Info: Free
Best Brainfood
1. Botanic Garden Christmas Display: The famous Garden Railway on display in
the East Gallery features imaginative buildings created with plant materials. This
popular exhibit includes one of the largest indoor decorated trees in Washington,
D.C., and the capital’s landmark buildings in the Garden Court You’ll see a “living
history” of poinsettias in colors ranging from classic reds to pink, speckled and
white.
Where: The Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through January 2
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
2. Kwanzaa Art Workshhop: Design and produce a Kwanzaa gift. Materials
provided.
Where: Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-633-4844; anacostia.si.edu
3. “Romeo and Juliet”: Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers is told without
words, using props, mime and dance. Part of “Speak No More: The Silent
Shakespeare Festival.”
Where: Synetic Theater, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington
When: Through Friday
Info: $45 to $55; 800-494-8497; synetictheater.org
4. “The Bright Beneath: The Luminous Art of Shih Chieh Huang”: The artwork of
Shih Chieh Huang, 2007 Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow, explores the unusual
evolutionary adaptations of the mysterious, deep ocean creatures residing in
conditions inhospitable for humans. During Huang’s time as a Smithsonian Artist
Research Fellow, he studied the bioluminescent marine organisms that inspire this
art installation.
Where: Sant Ocean Hall, Ocean Focus Gallery, Museum of Natural History, 10th
and Constitution Ave. NW
When: Through January 8 (except December 25)
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; mnh.si.edu
5. “American Origins, 1600-1900”: A “conversation about America” will be on
view in a series of 17 galleries and alcoves chronologically arranged to take the
visitor from the days of contact between Native Americans and European explorers
through the struggles of independence to the Gilded Age
Where: National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F St. NW
When: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (except December 25)
Info: Free; 202-633-8300; npg.si.edu
Best Family
1. Gulf Branch Nature Center as the last night of the year settles in. Then ring out the old and
bring in the new by tossing your resolutions into a “wishing campfire.” Bundle up and bring
a flashlight. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Rd., Arlington
When: 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; Registration required: 703-228-4747; Program #622852-I
2 “Knuffle Bunny”: Mo Willems’s story covers family, best friends, baby steps and gigantic dancing laundry
Where: Family Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through January 8
Info: $20; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. “The Sound of Music”: This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about the family von Trapp will
warm your heart with its unforgettable songs and its story.
Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney
When: Through January 22
Info: $44 to $54; 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org
4. Creature Feature: Get acquainted with the nature center’s live animals and assist
in their feeding. All ages.
Where: Nature Center, Rock Creek Parkway, 5200 Glover Rd. NW
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-895-6070; nps.gov
5. “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. Friday; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday.
Info: $10; 301-634-5380; thepuppetco.org
Best Gatherings
1. Holiday Vaudeville: Cajun cellist Sean Grissom hosts vaudeville acts including Mallory
Lewis, daughter of puppeteer Shari Lewis, with the classic children’s puppet Lamp Chop,
and the Alexandria Kleztet, a modern Klezmer quartet.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Signature’s New Year’s Eve Bash: Following a performance of “Hairspray,” count
down the minutes to the new year with the cast. Price Includes two drinks, hors d’oeuvres,
a champagne toast and dancing.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: performance: $82 to $87; party: $100; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
3. “A Christmas Carol”: Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they
lead miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation.
Where: Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW
When: Through December 31
Info: $48.60 to $73.20; 202-245-2726; fordstheatre.org
4. First Night Alexandria: This family friendly New Year’s celebration includes a
Fun Hunt and other activities at 1 p.m. followed by more than 100 performances at
18 venues in Old Town. The grand finale is a laser light show featuring 6,000 balls
dropping at midnight at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
Where: George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr.,
Alexandria
When: Events begin at noon Saturday to ball drop at 11:58 pm.
Info: $30; children free; 703-746-3299; firstnightalexandria.org
Best Outdoors
1. ICE!: As part of Christmas on the Potomac, the Gaylord National Resort’s ICE! is a special
holiday event. The 2011 edition of Gaylord National’s ICE! will feature DreamWorks’ Merry
Madagascar, which will bring the characters of this far-off land to life in two million pounds of
hand-carved ice. Coats provided. Bring your hat and mittens!
Where: Gaylord National Resort, Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St.,
National Harbor
When: Through January 8
Info: gaylordhotels.com
3. Visit the National Arboretum and see the new Sparkelberry Holly, which produces a striking
and long-lasting display of brilliant red winter berries on large upright plants.
Where: The National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NW
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (see website for holiday closures)
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
3. Zoolights: Enjoy a winter wonderland of lights and activities at the Zoo. Skate on the iceless
skating rink, take a train ride, hear a concert and see the animals.
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 5 to 9 p.m. through January 1 (except Dec. 31)
Info: entrance free; skating: $5; train ride: $3; nationalzoo.si.edu
4. Local Bird Walk: Join the Northern Virginia Bird Club for an informal walk through Long
Branch and Glencarlyn Parks in search of resident birds. Experienced and beginning birders
welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 9:30 a.m. to noon January 4
Info: Free; registration required: 703-228-4747; Program #622942-B
5. Walk through the Annmarie Garden before it closes: This walking tour takes visitors on a
spectacular stroll beside handmade one-of-a-kind Christmas light sculptures featuring mythical
beasts, wild animals, pirates, illuminated works of art, and more. The event includes nightly
entertainment.
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center, 13480 Dowell Rd., Dowell, Md.
When: Through Sunday
Info: $5 ages 5 and older; 410-326-4640; annmariegarden.org
5. Watch Night New Year’s Eve: The City of Falls Church, Virginia rings in the New
Year with a family-oriented event, the Watch Night New Year’s Eve spectacular. The
celebration features entertainment, performances and interactive festivities to appeal
to all ages. The evening will also feature a New Year’s countdown and lowering of
the historic star that first lit the Falls Church sky in 1948 – the year Falls Church
became an independent city.
Where: Rt. 7 and Washington St., Falls Church
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Info: Free; 703-248-5077; fallschurchva.gov
Best Theatre
1.”Time Stands Still”: Holly Twyford stars in this drama by Donald Margulies about a globe-
trotting photojournalist who returns home injured from the battlefield in Iraq and must choose
between her dangerous profession and a safer, quieter domestic life.
Where: The Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through January 12
Info: $35 to $60; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
2. “The Religion Thing”: Mo and Brian are a picture-perfect D.C. couple: they’re smart, they’re
witty, and they have a beautifully remodeled kitchen. But when Mo’s best friend Patti
announces she’s found Jesus and is putting her own career on hold, Mo must take a closer look
at the harder truths surrounding her own marriage.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: January 4 through January 29
Info: $15 to $60; 202-518-9400; dcjcc.org
3. “Ann”: Ann Richards was living proof that everything was bigger in Texas, including her
heart and wit. Holland Taylor offers a hilarious look at this beloved Texas daughter.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through January 15
Info: $54 to $95; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. “Equivocation”: Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of Bill Cain’s play set
in London in 1605, where the worlds of King James and the historical Gunpowder Plot
collide with Shakespeare and his acting company.
Where: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW
When: Through January 1
Info: $40 to $85; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
5. “Much Ado About Nothing”: Shakespeare’s ultimate battle of the sexes, in which young
lovers parry in The Bard’s brilliant prose. This production is set in 1920s Cuba where passions
and temperatures soar.
Where: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Through January 1
Info: $20 to $100; 202-547-1122; ShakespeareTheatre.org
