Patrick Heusinger and Patrick Breen in the Broadway production of Next Fall. Photograph courtesy of the show’s website.

Monday, January 30

ART: The National Gallery of Art’s new exhibition, “Picasso’s Drawings, 1890–1921: Reinventing Tradition,” opened yesterday. The collection, which features some 55 works, explores Picasso’s artistic development over a 30-year period. “What’s fascinating is how distinctly the exhibition traces the evolution of a style, from inconspicuous early drawings to fully fledged experiments” says arts editor Sophie Gilbert. Read the full review here. The exhibit runs through May 6. Free.

Singer-songwriter Marc Broussard performs at the Birchmere Tuesday. Photograph by Flickr user Stephanie Moore.

Thursday, January 26

Considering its rock offerings in the past have included Kid Rock and Kiss, we’re not sure how great of an honor it is to be named “best band in Detroit.” Nevertheless, Prussia have made a name for themselves by being more interesting than their Motor City forerunners. The five-piece employs sudden tempo shifts, a frenetic stage presence, and multiple vocalists to keep things interesting live—without resorting to Halloween costumes. They’re at DC9 tonight.

Prussia, doors at 8:30 PM at DC9, $8.

Adam Green and Euan Morton star in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s staging of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Photograph by Scott Suchman.

Thursday, January 26

ART: Art Soiree hosts Apocalyptoon 2012’s opening reception at the Artisphere. The pop-up exhibit will feature works from the country’s top cartoonists, including the Washington Post’s Tom Toles, the Economist’s Kal, and MSNBC’s Daryl Cagle. Guests can enjoy live music, complimentary snacks, and a cash bar. Tickets ($25) can be purchased through the Artisphere’s website. 6 PM. The exhibition runs through January 29.

THEATER: Don’t miss opening night of Josephine Tonight! at MetroStage. Directed and choreographed by Maurice Hines, the musical follows Josephine Baker’s journey from small-town girl to French movie star. Tickets for tonight’s pay-what-you-can performance are available at the door; tickets for future performances ($45 to $50) can be purchased through Box Office Tickets. 8 PM. The play runs through March 18.

MUSIC: Clarinetist Jörg Widmann joins the National Symphony Orchestra in “Armonica.” The program will also feature works by Mozart and Schubert. Tickets ($20 to $85) can be purchased through the Kennedy Center’s website. 7 PM. The show runs though January 29.

Jazz-funk artist Roy Ayers performs at Blues Alley tonight. The venerable musician has brought us hits including “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” “Running Away,” and “We Live In Brooklyn, Baby.” Tickets ($40) can be purchased through the club’s website. 10 PM.

Follow @AfterHoursBlog on Twitter to win tickets to William Fitzsimmons’s concert in February. Photograph by Erin Brown.

We have two tickets to give away for William Fitzsimmons’s February 23 concert at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue. Fitzsimmons, who’s fresh off the release of his 2011 album, Gold in the Shadow, is a haunting, folk-influenced singer-songwriter whose music the Wall Street Journal once described as “achingly romantic.” He’s often compared to Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, and Iron & Wine, and his songs have been featured in episodes of One Tree Hill, Private Practice, and Brothers & Sisters.

To win tickets, all you have to do is follow After Hours Blog (@AfterHoursBlog) on Twitter between now and February 20. We’ll select a winner at random and notify them February 21.

Red Hot Chili Peppers play the Verizon Center Thursday, May 10, at 7:30 PM. Photograph by Ellen von Unwerth, courtesy of redhotchilipeppers.com.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers make a rare stop in DC on their “I’m With You” world tour. They play the Verizon Center on Thursday, May 10. Get your tickets ($42.50 to $62.50) beginning Friday, January 27, at 10 AM through Ticketmaster.

Rock all-star Bruce Springsteen comes to the Verizon Center with his legendary E Street Band on Sunday, April 1. Springsteen’s 2009 Working on a Dream was his ninth number one album. Tickets ($71 and $101) go on sale Saturday, January 28, at 10 AM through Ticketmaster.

Renowned rapper Lauryn Hill comes to the Warner Theatre on Wednesday, February 29. The former Fugees singer will be performing music from her iconic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Tickets ($75 to $150) are on sale now through LiveNation.

Alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie come to Strathmore on Monday, April 30. They will be collaborating with the Magik*Magik Orchestra, a modular orchestra from San Francisco. Tickets ($45 to $75) go on sale Friday, January 27, at 10 AM through Ticketmaster.

Synth-pop group Ladytron. Photograph courtesy of the group’s Facebook page.

MUSIC: Mike Flaherty’s Dixieland Direct Jazz Band are giving a free performance at the Kennedy Center. The group fuses traditional New Orleans Dixieland music with swing and blues. You can listen to some of their songs here. 6 PM.

Synth-pop band Ladytron are dropping by U Street Music Hall tonight. The European imports’ “shadowy sound has been compared to that of electroclash groups like Fischerspooner and to the darker work of New Order,” says NPR. Ladytron will be joined by deejays Reuben Wu, Shea Van Horn, and Cale. Tickets ($5; free for 21 and up) can be purchased at the door. 9 PM.

BALLET: Washington’s own Ballet Teatro Internacional presents a free lunchtime performance at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. The show will feature classic and contemporary ballet. Free. Noon.

WINE: Red Rocks in Columbia Heights is whipping up a five-course wine dinner. The spread includes passed appetizers, wild boar meatballs, antipasto, pizza, and poached pears. Each course will be paired with a wine from Siema Wines. Reservations ($50) can be made by calling 202-506-1402. 6:30 to 9:30 PM.

Fritz Karl and Clare-Hope Ashitey star in Black Brown White. Photograph courtesy of Allegro Film.

Tuesday, January 24

FILM: The 20th annual Film Neu festival, a showcase of German, Swiss, and Austrian films, returns to E Street Cinema. In today’s screening of Black Brown White, a truck driver aids a young Nigerian woman on the run. Complimentary Austrian treats will be served between screenings. With English subtitles. Tickets ($11) can be purchased at the box office. 7 and 9:15 PM.