Brain Food
1. Monumental Brass Quintet: Winners of the 1996 Baltimore Chamber Award and the Rafael Mendez Brass Quintet Competition, MBQ performs an amazingly versatile repertoire that spans the centuries. The ensemble is equally at home performing all styles of classical music, both early and contemporary, as well as Dixieland jazz, ragtime, movie music, show tunes and big-band numbers.
Where: Millennium Stage, The Kennedy Center
When: Thursday; concert begins at noon
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Norwegian Christmas: Celebrate the season in the best Nordic style at this festive annual event, with a 32-foot-tall tree and train exhibit.
Where: Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE
When: Through Jan. 3
Info: Free; 202-333-6000; norway.org
3. Gefilte Fish Gala: Eat, drink and dance. Kosher pizza. Sponsored by Professionals in the City and the Jewish Sports and Social Network. Profits donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Casual attire.
Where: K Street Lounge, 1301 K St. NW
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday
Info: Suggested $5 donation; 202-686-5990; prosinthecity.com
4. Hawaii: The newest permanent exhibit at the United States Botanic Gardens. The display includes rare and endangered plants from our 50th state, as well as a “lava flow,” waterfall and other typically Hawaiian land features.
Where: United States Botanic Gardens on the National Mall; First Street Southwest between Maryland and C streets
When: 10 to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
5. Asian Tradition of Stone Appreciation: Exhibit and Lecture: For centuries in Asia, certain stones have been revered and appreciated as natural works of art. Members from the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, a regional organization dedicated to stone appreciation, present an exhibit of Chinese and Japanese stones from their collections. A member of their group offers a lecture on traditional stone appreciation Feb. 7.
Where: National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NW
When: Exhibit on view 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 7
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
Family
1. Christmas at Mount Vernon: Tour the decked-out halls of George Washington’s home, visit the rarely seen third floor and pet a camel.
Where: Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 6
Info: $7 to $15; 703-780-2000; mountvernon.org
2. Wild Ones: Fine Pines: These narrow-needled trees have some cool roles to play in our ecosystem. Practice identifying our most common pines … and more.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 30
Info: $3; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 623502-A
3. “The Snow Queen”: Adapted from a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Gerta’s quest to find her brother takes you all the way to Laplandia.
Where: Classika Theatre, 4041 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: 12:30 Saturday and Sunday until Jan. 10; 3:30 p.m. Dec. 26, 27, Jan. 1, 2, 3, 9, 10; 12:30 p.m. Dec. 24, 30, Jan. 1.
Info: $15; 800-494-8497; classika.org
4. ZooLights: Don’t miss your chance to meander through the zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling, environmentally friendly lights. Hear zookeepers give talks, listen to live entertainment and — best of all — see lots of animals.
Where: National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave., Washington
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. through Jan. 2, except Dec. 24, 25, 31.
Info: $5 to $8; 202-633-4800; nationalzoo.si.edu
5. Build a Fort: The program begins by investigating how and why fortifications were built in Arlington during the Civil War. Then using paper and pencil, you’ll work in teams to design forts to protect Arlington.
Where: Fort C.F. Smith, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington
When: 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 30
Info: $5; registration necessary (program No. 624302-A); 703-228-4747
Galleries
1. Editions With Additions: Working Proofs by Jasper Johns:Culled from the pioneering painter and printmaker Jasper Johns’ archive of about 1,700 preliminary works, this collection of 45 proofs for finished drawings, paintings and prints from the 1960s through the 1990s offers a rare and fascinating glimpse of the artist’s method.
Where: National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: Through April 4
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. Sargent and the Sea: Centered around the Corcoran’s “En Route pour la peche (Setting Out to Fish)” and featuring about 80 works in all, this is the first show to collect the marine paintings and drawings that established the young John Singer Sargent’s reputation.
Where: The Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through Jan. 3
Info: $10, $8 students/seniors/military, $6 museum members and ages 6 and under; 202-639-1700; corcoran.org
3. Moving Perspectives: Yeondoo Jung: This pair of videos by Korean artist Yeondoo Jung explores the unreliability of memory.
Where: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW
When: Through March 14
Info: Free; 202-644-1000; asia.si.edu
4. Ads vs. AIDS: 25 Years of Communications for the Cause: This look back at advertisements created to promote awareness of AIDS and encourage safe sex reveals how our thinking about the disease and its victims has evolved since the 1980s.
Where: Long View Gallery, 1302 Ninth St. NW
When: Through Dec. 31
Info: Free; 202-232-4788; longviewgallery.com
5. Telling Secrets: Codes, Captions and Conundrums in Contemporary Art: Thirty-nine paintings, drawings and photos by 23 artists, every one them an enigma wrapped in a riddle shrouded in a mystery related in code.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Through Jan. 10
Info: $10 adults, $8 students and seniors (60-plus), free for members and visitors ages 18 and under; 202-783-7996; nmwa.org
Gatherings
1. “Good for the Jews”: An evening of comedy and music from “What I Like About Jew” founder Rob Tannenbaum.
Where: Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Info: $20; 703-255-1566; jamminjava.com
2. All Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam: Celebrate this festive Millennium Stage tradition — now in its 12th year — with host and vibraphonist Chuck Redd, pianist Robert Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King and vocalist Delores Williams.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. National Harbor Christmas Tree: A 65-foot-tall tree sparkles to life every night. Followed by a light show timed to music.
Where: Washington National Harbor Arena; see Web site for directions
When: 5:30 to 10 p.m.; every half-hour; nightly through Dec. 31
Info: nationalharbor.com
4. Kwanzaa Celebration at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum:
Special programs include storytelling and music to demonstrate the seven principles of living that make Kwanzaa an important African-American holiday.
Where: Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE
When: Saturday to Dec. 30
Info: 202-633-4844
5. Holiday Vaudeville: Cajun cellist Sean Grissom hosts an evening of holiday vaudeville featuring modern-Klezmer quartet the Alexandria Kleztet and magician Mark Mitton.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Music
1. All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam: For 12 years, this concert has been a zestful holiday tradition, hosted by vibraphonist Chuck Redd with pianist Robert Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King and vocalist Delores Williams.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free, no tickets required.
2. Sharon Isbin: Called “the pre-eminent guitarist of our time” by Boston magazine, she performed at the White House last month and received Grammy Awards in 2001 for her CD “Dreams of a World,” becoming the first classical guitarist to win a Grammy in 28 years, and in 2002 for her recording of concertos written for her by Christopher Rouse and Tan Dun. Featured on honored film scores, she appears as soloist and chamber musician worldwide and is director of guitar departments at Aspen Music Festival and Juilliard.
Where: National Gallery of Art, West Garden Court
When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; first-come, first-seated
3. Ahmad Jamal: The legendary pianist puts the perfect finishing touches on the holiday period with five days of sublime music, topped off with a New Year’s Eve extravaganza.
Where: Blues Alley
When: Saturday to Dec. 30
Info: $40; 202-237-4141; bluesalley.com
4. Monumental Brass Quintet: The award-winning ensemble performs a potpourri of music, from classical to Dixieland, jazz, ragtime and traditional holiday favorites.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: Noon Thursday
Info: Free, no tickets required.
Outdoors
1. U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree: This year’s tree is an 85-foot blue spruce from Arizona decorated with 5,000 ornaments.
Where: U.S. Capitol at First Street Northwest
When: Through Jan. 1
Info: 202-208-1631; nps.gov
2. Water Skiing Santa: Enjoy this one-of-a-kind favorite. Also featuring Knee-boarding Reindeer, Flying Elves, a Jet-Skiing Grinch and Frosty the Snowman in a dinghy. Sing-along to follow.
Where: Washington National Harbor Arena; see Web site for directions
When: 1 p.m. Thursday; rain, snow or shine
Info: nationalharbor.com
3. National Christmas Tree and Pageant of Peace: See free performances, trains and 56 smaller trees along with the National Christmas Tree, a Colorado blue spruce that lives on the Ellipse year-round.
Where: The Ellipse, 1600 Constitution Ave. NW
When: Through Jan. 1
Info: 202-208-1631; nps.gov
4. New Year’s Eve Stroll and Campfire: Register now for this popular event. Bring the family to explore Gulf Branch park as the last night of the year settles in. Then ring out the old with edible noisemakers and bring in the new by tossing your resolutions into a “wishing campfire.” Bundle up and bring a flashlight.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31
Info: $5; registration necessary (program No. 623505-A)
5. Visit the National Arboretum’s famed Gotelli Collection of Dwarf and Slow Growing Conifers: Although many of the plants are more than 50 years old, they grow extremely slowly; the smallest plant of those that date back to the start of the collection is a Hinoki false cypress that is about 10 inches in height with a spread of 16 inches. This fascinating collection contains a range of colors, forms and textures that is sure to leave you in awe of the diversity of conifers.
Where: National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day except Friday
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
Theater
1. “Black Nativity”: Theater Alliance’s production of this mix of gospel, poetry and dance by Langston Hughes gives a fresh view of the traditional Nativity story.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 2; 8 p.m. Dec. 30, Jan. 1; 2 p.m. Jan. 3
Info: $15 to $20; 202-399-7993; theateralliance.com
2. “Miracle on 34th Street”: The familiar, heartwarming holiday classic, set to music.
Where: Wayside Theatre, 7853 Main St., Middletown, Va.
When: Through Sunday
Info: 540-869-1776; waysidetheatre.org
3. “A Christmas Carol”: Join the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Michael Baron directs a new staging of the story that captures the joy of Dickens’ classic in music and song.
Where: Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW
When: Through Jan. 3
Info: $30 to $56; fordstheatre.org
4. “The Screwtape Letters”: This “Screwtape Letters” is based on C. S. Lewis’ novel, which looks at spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view. It is written and performed by Max McLean.
Where: Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW
When: Through Jan. 3
Info: $29 to $49; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
5. “Mommy Queerest”: Judy Gold’s coming-of-age memoir about the comedienne’s lifelong love affair with sitcoms and her professional quest to land a TV show of her own.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: Through Jan. 3
Info: $27.50 to $55; 800-494-8497; washingtondcjcc.org
