Award-winning pianist Orion Weiss performs at the Kennedy Center Saturday. Photograph by Scott Meivogel.
Thursday, January 5
MUSIC: For one night only, Broadway star Judy McLane will join the BSO SuperPops at Strathmore. The performance will feature selections from the Gershwin songbook, including “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” Tickets ($28 to $88) can be purchased through the Strathmore’s Web site. 8 PM.
THEATER: The Civil War drama Amelia opens tonight at the Washington Stage Guild. Written by Alex Webb, the love story depicts a woman’s journey to rescue her wounded husband. Tickets ($40 to $90) can be purchased through the theater’s Web site. 7:30 PM. The play runs through January 29.
COMEDY: Funny man Tony Woods is bringing his standup show to the Riot Act. Woods has appeared on Comedy Central, HBO’s P. Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy, and NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Tickets ($17 to $20) can be purchased through the theater’s Web site. 8:30 PM. The show runs through January 7.
BOOKS: Washington Post writer Eli Saslow will be signing copies of his new book, Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their President, at the Woman’s National Democratic Club. The signing includes a lunch, a presentation, and a Q&A session. Tickets ($30) can be purchased through the event’s Web site. 11:30 AM to 2 PM.
Friday, January 6
ART: The Washington Winter Show returns to American University’s Katzen Arts Center with more than 40 antiques exhibitions. Today’s events include a luncheon with former White House chief florist Nancy Clarke at 10:30 AM and a guided tour with Frank Randolph at 7 PM. Tickets for the luncheon ($125) can be purchased through the event’s Web site. The show runs through January 7.
MUSIC: Stop by the Black Cat for a night of deejays, $4 drinks, and staff bands. During the Workers’ Party, guests can catch performances by Mean Season, Booze Riot, the Red Moon Preachers, Raindeer, and more. Tickets ($5) can be purchased through the club’s Web site. Doors open at 9 PM.
BALLET: The Moscow Festival Ballet of Russia is bringing its North American tour of Cinderella to the Prince George’s County Publick Playhouse. Tickets ($20) can be purchased at the door. 8 PM.
KID-FRIENDLY: Families can catch a double feature at Encore Stage and Studio with Darius the Dragon and Rap-Punzel. In Darius the Dragon, a homeless dragon must brave the 21st century during a quest to find the king. Rap-Punzel puts a modern spin on the beloved tale through rhythms and rhymes. The show runs through January 15. Tickets ($12) can be purchased through the theater’s Web site. 7:30 PM.
Saturday, January 7
PHOTOGRAPHY: The National Museum of Natural History’s latest exhibit, “The Beautiful Time,” opens today. The collection, which highlights the Democratic Republic of Congo’s heritage, features photographs and video by Congolese artist Sammy Baloji. Free.
MUSIC: Pianist Orion Weiss is performing at the Kennedy Center tonight. The 30-year-old won the Gilmore Young Artist Award in 1999 and was named the Classical Recording Foundation’s Young Artist of the Year in 2010. The performance will include works by Bach, Dutilleux, Liszt, and Schumann. Tickets ($38) can be purchased through the KenCen’s Web site. 2 PM.
OPERA: Don’t miss opening night of Barber & Barberillo at In Series. The pocket opera combines Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge with Francisco Barbieri’s The Little Barber of Lavapiés (El Barberillo). The show runs through January 22. Tickets ($40) can be purchased through the theater’s Web site. 8 PM.
PARTY: Pay tribute to the king of rock and roll during Elvis’s Birthday Fight Club at the Warehouse. Last year’s celebration featured Elvis impersonators, burlesque dancers, drag queens, and choreographed fights. Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets in advance for $16, or at the door for $20. 8 PM.
Sunday, January 8
MUSIC: The National Symphony Orchestra is joining forces with hip-hop vocalist Asheru and jazz singer Tamika “Love” Jones for a free performance at BloomBars. The collaboration will honor Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an 18th-century African-American violinist. 7 to 8:30 PM.
ART: Today’s your last chance to see “Degas’s Dancers at the Barre” at the Phillips Collection. Some 30 works—including paintings, bronze castings, linotypes, and charcoal sketches—explore the study of dancers and their movement. Click here to read our review. Tickets ($12 adults, $10 students) can be purchased at the door.
POETRY: The Iota Club Poetry Series kicks off its winter 2012 season with readings by authors Gregory Luce and Anne Harding Woodworth. Free. 6 to 8 PM. Stick around for a concert by Jonny Grave and the Tombstones at 8:30 ($10).
KID-FRIENDLY: Imagination Stage’s production of Dr. Dolittle ends today. Inspired by Hugh Lofting’s beloved children’s book, the story is about an eccentric doctor who can talk to animals. Tickets ($10 to $22) can be purchased through the theater’s Web site. 1:30 PM.
