Best Music 1. GALA Hispanic Theatre: Fiesta de los Reyes Magos/Three Kings Day Celebration. This story of the Magi, with song, dance and storytelling, is a bilingual presentation. Procession with the Three Kings and live animals begins at 1 p.m. at the corner of Park Road and 14th Street NW followed with a special performance by members of the National Symphony Orchestra. Other performers: Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble, the Spanish Dance Society and dance group Alma Boliviana. Also: the traditional Nativity and giving of gifts.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theatre
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-234-7174; galatheatre.org
2. Anonymous 4: The Folger Shakespeare Library presents the quartet in “Heavenly Revelations” featuring the melodies and poetry of Hildegard von Bingen and medieval France.
Where: Washington National Cathedral
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; preconcert discussion 6:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $30 to $50; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
3. Alexander Paley: The internationally acclaimed pianist, a Bluthner artist, performs an all-Tchaikovsky program featuring “The Seasons” and Grand Sonata in G.
Where: The Washington Conservatory at Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, 1 Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: Pay-as-you-can donations at the door
4. Orion Weiss: The Washington Performing Arts Society presents the pianist playing works by Bach, Liszt, Schumann, Brahms, Martinu and Michael Brown.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $38; 202-7895-9727; wpas.org
5. Pat McGee Band: This Reunion Show features the original members.
Where: The Birchmere Music Hall
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $29.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Best Galleries
1. Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories: Stein was more than just a pioneering feminist author — she was an influential collector, trend spotter, networker and opinion maker, using her Paris home to bring some of the 20th century’s most inspired minds into intimate contact with one another. This exhibition brings to life five of the “identities” she cultivated as an American expatriate in Paris, using more than 100 artworks and artifacts to tell the story of Stein’s life and legacy.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through Jan. 22
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; npg.si.edu
2. Black Box: Ali Kazma: The celebrated Turkish multimedia artist gets his U.S. museum debut with his most ambitious project to date, a synchronized seven-channel video installation of a notary stamping documents at a pace that makes the viewer assume he’s watching accelerated video. But that’s unmanipulated footage of an Istanbul notary working in real time.
Where: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW
When: Through April 2012
Info: Free; 202-633-4674; hmsg.si.edu
3. Aoife Collins: Tickling the Ivories: In this exhibition presented by Solas Nua, the District’s contemporary Irish arts organization, Collins takes throwaway items like silk flowers and plastic pots and makes a provocative case that they warrant consideration as objects of art.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Through Feb. 4
Info: Free; 202-315-1305; flashpointdc.org
4. Ryan Hoover: Sculpting with Satellites: Sculptures and drawings on Plexiglas made from GPS geolocation data and 3-D modeling software are the tools Hoover has used to fashion this subtle indictment of a foreign — and increasingly, domestic — policy based largely on surveillance and strikes by unmanned aerial drones.
Where: Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U St. NW
When: Through Jan. 21
Info: Free; 202-332-1116; hamiltoniangallery.com
5. J.J. McCracken: THIRST: McCracken eloquently illustrates the problem of eroding global resources with this thoughtful series.
Where: 39th Street Gallery, Gateway Arts Center, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood
When: Through Feb. 18
Info: 301-864-3860; gatewaycdc.org
Best Brainfood
1. A Song for the Horse Nation: This exhibit presents the epic story of the horse’s influence on American Indian tribes beginning with the return of horses to the Western Hemisphere by Christopher Columbus and carrying on to the present day. The exhibition traces how horses influenced the lives of native people in terms of travel, subsistence and defense.
Where: National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW
When: 10 to 5:30 daily through Saturday
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; nmai.si.edu
3. “Pity the Billionaire: The Hard-Times Swindle and the Unlikely Comeback of the Right”: Noting that hard economic times in the past have caused groundswells of support for progressive policies, Thomas Frank notes that the current financial downturn has instead fostered the conservatism of the Tea Party and Glenn Beck.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
3. Text as Inspiration: Artists’ Books and Literature: Artists’ books exemplify the creative and inventive abilities of their makers. Working in a visual and tactile format, they transform the book into a total art concept. Poetry and prose inspired the 14 artists’ books exhibited. Some are written by the artist-bookmaker, but most are by a familiar or favorite author who motivated the artist to explore the subject of the text.
Where: National Gallery of Art, Constitution Avenue between Third and Seventh streets NW
When: 10 to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
4, Botanic Garden Conservatory: While it’s too chilly to stroll in the gardens, visit the Conservatory, where you will find year-round splendor in collections of plants from subtropical, tropical and arid regions around the world. The Conservatory showcases orchids, plus, medicinal, endangered and Jurassic plants.
Where: United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
5. Classic Conversations with Michael Kahn: James Earl Jones: This series of in-depth discussions on classical theater and the craft of acting are hosted by the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic director.
Where: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 12
Info: $35; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
Best Family
1. Coping with Winter: Snow may mean “school’s closed” to us, but what does it mean to wildlife? Learn some ways wildlife adjusts to winter. Ages 4 to 7. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $3; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 622822-N
2. “Dr. Dolittle”: This heartwarming musical is full of talking animals, plus the man who can talk to them and teach them to stop fighting one another.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: Through Sunday
Info: $10 to $22; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
3. Learning Trees Without Leaves: Families with children 8 and older. Learning to identify trees during winter is truly challenging. Come learn some of the basic tricks to finding
a tree’s ID. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $3; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 622852-J
4. Papermaking Workshop: For children 6 and older. The age-old process of papermaking is a fun project. Learn how to make paper with interesting textures, colors and designs for
all kinds of uses. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Recreation Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road
When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday
Info: Free; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 622922-E
Best Gatherings
1. At Home in Virginia: Items handmade by Virginia artisans show how art can become more than something to look it.
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Through Sunday
Info: 703-875-1100; artisphere.com
2. “Man Seeks God”: A journalist, avid traveler and author of the best-selling “The Geography of Bliss,” Eric Weiner has witnessed myriad religious observances in the course of his career. Only after a serious illness, however, did he consider his own beliefs. In this lively travelogue, Weiner recounts the spiritual quest that took him to Nepal, Turkey, China, Israel and even Las Vegas.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
3. Haitian Art: A show of paintings by Haitian artists.
Where: The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. NW
When: Through Saturday
Info: 202-338-4488
4. Hector Del Curto Tango: The Argentine performer shows how he has captivated audiences around the world as a soloist and chamber musician.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Monday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
5. Momentum: A juried exhibition of emerging artists with disabilities.
Where: Smithsonian Institution’s S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW
When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Jan. 22
Info: Free; 202-416-8898
Best Outdoors
1. 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]
2. Birding Outing: Cape Henlopen State Park: Adults are invited to join an exciting excursion to view the beaches along the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean to search for diving ducks and loons. Bring drinks, bag lunch and snacks for the day, as well as binoculars and field guides if you have them. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday
Info: $35; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 622842-B
3. Ice Skating: Skate at the National Gallery and enjoy great art as you circle the rink.
Where: National Gallery, Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: See website for dates and times
Info: $7 to $8; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
4. Patuxent NWR Cash Lake Loop: The hike is short, just 1.9 miles, but rich in wildlife. You may see great blue herons, egrets, bald eagles and much more. Trails well-marked. For hikers, dogs. Good family hike.
Where: Laurel
When: Year-round
Info: Free; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; localhikes.com
5. 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 2 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.
Where: National Harbor
When: Through Sunday
Info: gaylordhotels.com
Best Theater
1.”Hedda Gabler”: SCENA Theatre examines Ibsen’s character, asking if she is a feminist heroine, a victim or a manipulator.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: Saturday through Jan. 29
Info: 703-683-2824; scenatheater.org
2. “Barber & Barberillo”: Hearts and clubs, forgotten love, new love and enchantment. This is the core of the In-Series’ unique pocket-opera double bill, which melds an American operatic gem into a Spanish zarzuela classic.
Where: Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NE
When: Saturday through Jan. 22
Info: $20 to $40; 202-204- 7763; inseries.org
3. “Hairspray”: When she wins a coveted spot on “The Corny Collins Show,” Baltimore’s most popular teen dance program, the high school loser with the big heart, big personality and big hair proves everyone wrong and becomes a local TV celebrity.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Through Jan. 29
Info: $63 to $87; 703-573-7328; signature-theatre.org
4. “Ann”: Gov. 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 Jan. 15
Info: $54 to $95; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
5. “Parfumerie”: This romantic comedy inspired the movies”You’veGotMail” and the musical”SheLovesMe.”
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Springhill Road, McLean
When: Through Sunday
Info: $15 to $25; 703-854-1856; 1ststagetysons.org
