Baltimore native Ellen Cherry takes the stage tonight at Strathmore. Photograph courtesy of the artist’s website.

Wednesday, February 1

ART: Don’t miss opening night of Deborah Willis and Hank Willis Thomas’s new exhibition, “Progeny.” The mother-son duo’s show explores motherhood, memory, and family through photographs. “Progeny” runs through February 29 at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts.

MUSIC: Singer-songwriter Ellen Cherry performs at Strathmore tonight. The Emmy-nominated musician released her newest album, (New) Years, in 2010. You can listen to some of her songs here. Tickets ($12) can be purchased through Strathmore’s website. 7:30 PM.

If you’re in the mood for something edgier, Machine Head are dropping by the Rams Head. The Grammy-nominated band toured with Metallica in 2009. The group will be joined by Suicide Silence and Darkest Hour. Tickets ($20) can be purchased through the venue’s website. Doors open at 6 PM.

BOOKS: Barney’s New York creative ambassador Simon Doonan will sign copies of his new book, Gay Men Don’t Get Fat, at the W Hotel. Guests can enjoy drink specials and door prizes. E-mail whappenings@brandlinkdcrsvp.com to RSVP. 7 to 9 PM.

The American Ballet Theatre performs a scene from Thirteen Diversions. Photograph by Rosalie O’Conner.

Tuesday, January 31

BALLET: The American Ballet Theatre brings La Bayadére to the Kennedy Center. Tonight’s mixed repertory program features scenes from Black Tuesday, Manon, Don Quixote, and Thirteen Diversons. Tickets ($25 to $99) can be purchased through the KenCen’s website. 7:30 PM. The show runs through February 5.

WINE: Agora is hosting a French wine tasting tonight. Guests can sample a variety of wines from the Southwest region, including Domaine Laplace’s “Autour du Fruit” Madiran 2009 and “Les Sarments Rouge” Madiran 2008. Each tasting will be paired with a selection of canapés by executive chef Ghassan Jarrouj. Reservations ($30) can be made by calling 202-332-6767. 6 to 7:30 PM.

BOOKS: Historian Douglas Brinkley signs copies of his new book, The Quiet World, at the Barnes and Noble in downtown DC. The renowned author is also a Vanity Fair contributing editor and a history commentator for CBS News. Free. 6:30 PM.

MUSIC: R&B singer Marc Broussard performs at the Birchmere tonight. “His music radiates soulful Louisiana blues, but his songs blend those influences with raucous rock ’n’ roll to create unique and infectious music,” says NPR. You can listen to some of his songs here. Tickets ($35) can be purchased through Ticketmaster. 7:30 PM.

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.

Pulitzer Prize nominee Donna Britt. Photograph courtesy of the author’s Web site.

Wednesday, January 11

MUSIC: Bassist and producer Antone “Chooky” Caldwell is performing at Blues Alley tonight. The Grammy nominee has provided musical support for Mariah Carey,will.i.am, Snoop Dogg, and the Pussycat Dolls, to name a few. Tickets ($20) can be purchased through the club’s Web site. 8 and 10 PM. 

BEER: Old Town’s RedRocks Pizza is whipping up a seven-course Allagash beer dinner. The spread features a charcuterie plate, wood-roasted sea scallop salad, wood-fired eggplant Parmesan, gulf shrimp, lamb meatballs, a cheese pairing, and panna cotta. Each course will be paired with an Allagash brew. Tickets ($50) can be reserved by calling 703-717-9873. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. 

BOOKS: Former Washington Post columnist Donna Britt will sign copies of her new memoir, Brothers (and Me), at Politics and Prose. The journalist was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1990. Free. 7 PM. 

Strategist and president of Genuine Insights Gina Rudan will discuss her new self-help book, Practical Genius, at the Downtown Barnes and Noble. A signing will follow. Free. 6:30 PM.

COMEDY: Funnyman Todd Rexx brings his standup routine to the Riot Act. The Maryland native has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam All-Stars, VH1’s Baggin’, and more. Tickets ($15) can be purchased through the club’s Web site. 8:30 PM.

Georgetown Cupcake founders Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis will be signing copies of their new book at Tuesday's Book Fair and Authors' Night. Photograph courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake's Web site

Monday, November 14
BENEFIT: Raise awareness for multiple sclerosis in style during the second annual Fashion’s Fight Against MS Runway Show at the Liaison. Guests can sip cocktails before catching a full-scale runway show featuring Alexandria Hilfiger and Nary Manivong. A silent auction and rooftop afterparty will follow. Tickets ($75 to $300) can be purchased through the event’s Web site. Proceeds will benefit the National MS Society. Doors open at 6 PM, and red carpet arrivals begin at 6:30.

Tuesday, November 15
BOOKS: Literary buffs won’t want to miss the National Press Club’s 34th annual Book Fair and Authors’ Night. More than 90 writers will be signing copies of their books, including Georgetown Cupcake’s Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis, Stephen Carter, and Bob Edwards. Click here for a list of participating authors. Tickets (free for members, $5 general admission) can be purchased at the door. 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

Wednesday, November 16
FILM: For two nights only, E Street Cinema will screen Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview. Salvaged from the 1996 miniseries “Triumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires,” the film offers an unparalleled glimpse into the mind of Apple’s visionary genius. Watch the trailer here. Tickets ($11) can be purchased through the theater’s Web site. 7:15 and 9 PM.

Thursday, November 17
SIGNING: Martha Stewart will be signing copies of her new book, Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations, at the DAR Constitution Hall. Plus, she’ll be sharing tips on how to throw the perfect party. Tickets ($35) can be purchased through Ticketmaster. 7 PM.

Michael Pollan, author of the Omnivore's Dilemma, is coming to the Strathmore. Photograph courtesy of Alia Malley

Monday, October 24
MUSIC: For one night only, Washingtonians can catch a concert featuring the cast of Les Misérables at Town Dance Boutique. During “Signature Songs: An Evening of Broadway Showstoppers,” the cast members will perform hits from their favorite Broadway shows—including Wicked, West Side Story, Chicago, and Ragtime. Tickets ($15, $10 for students) can be purchased at the door. All proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a nonprofit that provides essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses. 8 to 10:30 PM; doors open at 7:30. 21 and up.

Tuesday, October 25
HORSES: Since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show has welcomed top horses and riders from around the world. This year, some 500 horses will compete in show jumping, hunter, and equitation events at the Verizon Center. The show runs through October 30. Tickets (starting at $15, free for children 12 and under) can be purchased through the show’s Web site. Today’s events run from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM.

Wednesday, October 26
FOOD: Sustainable-food advocate Michael Pollan is coming to the Strathmore tonight. The best-selling author of the Omnivore’s Dilemma will discuss topics such as the industrialization of food and its impact on Americans’ health. Tickets ($35 to $60) can be purchased through the Strathmore’s Web site. 8 PM.