Thursday, December 18
CATS: Rock & Roll Hotel is a bar, but it’s also, for one day only, a house for cats. The Washington Humane Society is hosting a Pop-up Christmas Cat Cafe, where you can play with and adopt cats. The bar will also still be a bar, thankfully. Free. 5 to 8 PM.
IMPROV: Washington Improv Theater continues its holiday madness with performances from four local improv troupes. I don’t know too much about Until One Day, Neighbors, Madeline, and We Should Talk, but I do know that they will make up their jokes on the fly, and their performances will probably be pretty funny. Tickets ($12) are available online. 8 PM.
Friday, December 19
DANCE: Little Miss Whiskey’s formula of no-frills dance music every weekend has been happening for years and still works wonders. Tonight you’ll hear from a brand new group of deejays called Citizen Select, who will be playing their first set at the bar. They spin disco, house, indie dance music, and everything in between. Free. 10 PM.
COMEDY: Don’t Block the Box is at Wonderland for its 38th show. The headliner of the long-running standup show is Subhah Agarwal, a New York comedian who has been on PBS and TruTV, and was featured on the New York Comedy Festival. You’ll also get performances from three other local comedians. $3. 7:30 PM.
BURLESQUE: Black Cat hosts Grab My Junk: Resolutions & Regrets, an end-of-the-year burlesque/game show that sounds quite out there. It’s part year-in-review and part looking forward to 2015, and it’s also, well, a burlesque show. Tickets ($12) are available online. 9 PM.
COMEDY: If that’s too weird for you, head upstairs to Black Cat’s mainstage for Church Night, which features comedy, music, and, okay, also burlesque. Tickets ($12) are available online. 9 PM.
Saturday, December 20
FITNESS: SoulCycle has a cult following, so if you’re into it already, you probably already know about the grand opening event in Bethesda. If not, maybe now’s your chance to drink the Kool-Aid. If you’re into spinning, the grand opening features a deejay, a photo booth, and food and drink from Sweetgreen. 8 AM to 6 PM.
BAR CRAWL: I have my doubts that it’s going to snow on Saturday, but the Snow Day Bar Crawl will go down regardless. It hits all the usual Dupont Circle bars (seriously, you can bar crawl in Dupont, like, every weekend), and starts at Front Page or BlackFinn. You’re supposed to wear a onesie, like you’re stuck at home on a snow day. But you’re bar crawling instead! Be safe and stay warm out there. Tickets ($15) are available online. 2 to 10 PM.
VARIETY: The DC Arts Center is hosting Christmahanakwanzakah, an artists night that, much like the made-up holiday of that name, features a little bit of everything. You’ll see comedy, music, and musical comedy from six performers. Tickets ($10) are available online. 7:30 PM.
1920s: Too many ’20s-themed parties happen in the middle of summer (I think it’s an excuse for people to use a parasol). The Great Roar, however, knows that people also had to stay warm back in the days of the flapper (probably with the help of some bootleg liquor). Head to the Manor for a little bit of fashion, a little bit of art, some drinks, and the chance to pretend you’re living in a bygone era. Tickets ($20) are available online. 8 PM.
DANCE: The No Scrubs ’90s dance party at 9:30 Club is an institution, and is deejayed by U Street Music Hall’s Will Eastman and Brian Billion. If you like dancing and you like the ’90s, go to it. Tickets ($15) are available online. 9 PM.
Sunday, December 21
HANUKKAH: It’s Hanukkah, and Bethesda Row is going to make sure you know it, with a giant techno menorah, musical performances from Hassidic groups, latkes, chocolates, jelly doughnuts, and free gifts for the kids. Free. 5:30 PM.
VIDEO GAMES: The Blind Whino arts space is hosting a pop-up arcade, which features lots of free video games dating all the way back to the NES, video game-inspired art, live paintings, a Super Smash Brothers Brawl tournament ($10 entry, cash prize) and lots more. Free. Noon to 8 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter at @jason_koebler.
