Thursday, December 30
Early-’90s duo Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth combine rapping and vintage musical samples, and they’re performing tonight at the Black Cat. 8 PM. Buy tickets ($22) here or at the door ($25).
Get your last history lesson of the year at the Folger Shakespeare Library’s “Vivat Rex!” exhibit. Closing today, the collection of handwritten letters, manuscripts, books, and other artifacts commemorates the 500th anniversary of the accession of King Henry VIII. Free.
Laugh about your holiday horror stories along with the Washington Improv Theater at “Seasonal Disorder,” which finishes its run this weekend. The show combines sketch comedy and improv by some of the best comedians in the area. Tickets ($12) are available here.
Friday, December 31
Still looking for something to do while counting down to midnight? Check out our guide to the best New Year’s Eve galas, parties, and more. Looking for a more laid-back atmosphere? See what Washington’s restaurants are serving to ring in 2011. Have a safe and happy New Year’s!
Saturday, January 1
Trombone Shorty is bringing his energetic jazz to the 9:30 Club. A New Orleans native, he plays the trumpet and trombone and mixes jazz with funk and soul. 8 pm. Buy tickets ($25) here.
Salute to Vienna, Strathmore’s annual New Year’s show, features the Strauss Symphony Orchestra with conductor Guido Mancusi as well as dancers from the National Moravian-Silesian Ballet. The performance is based on the famed New Year’s concert in Vienna, Austria. Tickets ($49 to $94) are available here. 2 PM.
Cure your hangover with more drinking at U Street Music Hall. Fourteen local DJs will be spinning, and each customer gets a free Bloody Mary and Pho Dog. 10 PM; no cover for those 21 and over.
Sunday, January 2
The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean the festivals have to stop. Head to Frostival, presented by Celebrate Fairfax, at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center. There will be winter-themed art and crafts, science activities, storytelling, moon bounces, and more. Local charities will also collect coats and canned food. Buy tickets ($4 to $18) here.
Today is the final day of the US Botanic Garden’s “Seasons Greenings,” a display of world monuments made out of plants, as well as a model train. 10 to 5; free. It’s also the last day to catch some great local theater, including Ford’s Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and Studio Theatre’s Superior Donuts and Mojo.
The legendary B.B. King is playing at the Birchmere. Local blues artist Daryl Davis is the opening act. Tickets ($117.50) are available here. King and Davis are also playing Saturday, January 1.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events
