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Brain Food
1. Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole: One of the most noted young talents to emerge in Cajun or Creole music in the past few years, Cedric Watson is a fiddler, vocalist, accordionist and songwriter.
Where: Millennium Stage, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Kennedy Center Chamber Players: The Chamber Players perform three of Brahms’ greatest sonatas — for violin and piano, viola and piano, and cello and piano.
Where: Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $35; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. Nature Lover’s Book Club: Meet for a friendly discussion of books or essays about the natural world. Essays will be mailed to registered participants in advance of meeting. Next discussion: “A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14
Info: Free; registration required at 703-228-4747; program 623504-D
4. The Honor of Your Company is Requested: This small exhibition celebrates Lincoln’s second inaugural ball, held on March 6, 1865, in what is now the museum’s historic home. The ball took place as Lincoln’s second term began, with the Civil War in its final stages, and only six weeks before Lincoln was assassinated.
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through Jan. 18
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; americanart.si.edu
5. Pandora’s Box: This exhibition examines the theme of the Greek myth of Pandora’s Box and how it relates to modern times. The exhibition is a visual interpretation of Pandora’s act of releasing woe (and hope) upon humanity.
Where: Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through Jan. 20
Info: Free; 703-838-4199; torpedofactory.org
Family
1. Family Day: Martin Luther King Jr.: Celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a performance by the Washington Chorus’ Outreach Singers, a reading of “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” (by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier), and a journey on the Underground Railroad with Schroeder Cherry and his puppets at noon. Have fun making a handprint wreath and a sampler in the style of quilts used to help slaves as they made their way to freedom.
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW, Kogod Courtyard
When: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; choral performance at 2 p.m.
Info: Free: 202-633-1000; americanart.si.edu
2. Holiday Festival of Trains: Ride the rails with Santa and Frosty the Snowman or check out the rotating displays of model trains. The museum houses the Western Hemisphere’s oldest and most extensive collection of vintage railroad equipment in its 40-acre complex.
Where: B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $12 to $14; 410-752-2490; borail.org
3. “The Snow Queen”: Classika Theatre presents Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about a young girl who attempts to save her brother from the clutches of the Snow Queen.
Where: Classika Theatre, 4041 S. 28th St., Arlington
When: Through Sunday
Info: 703-824-6200; classika.org
4. Winter Birds: For families with children ages 5 to 7. How do birds survive the winter? Take a walk outside to find winter birds, then warm up inside and make a holiday feeder for all your resident backyard birds.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sunday
Info: $5; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 623605-AA
5. Feeding Frenzy: Turtles and Toads: Create an afternoon picnic for the animals that live at Long Branch Nature Center. Learn about the adaptations these animals make for eating their food. At this session, you’ll learn about turtles and toads.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 13
Info: $1; registration necessary at 703-2284747; program 623605-BB
Galleries
1. One Life: Echoes of Elvis: More than three decades after his death, Elvis Presley’s influence on popular culture remains undimmed. This, the first of two exhibits the National Portrait Gallery will devote to the once and future King in 2010, features interpretive portraits of Elvis from all phases of his 24-year singing career, including standout works by Howard Finster, Red Grooms and others.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, Eight and F streets NW
When: Through Aug. 29
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; npg.si.edu
2. Jackie Milad: Inside Mouth: Baltimore artist Jackie Milad’s first solo Washington exhibit explores the emotional vocabulary of facial expression through line drawings, photos and an interactive installation.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Through Feb. 13
Info: Free; 202-315-1305; flashpointdc.org
3. Telling Secrets: Codes, Captions and Conundrums in Contemporary Art: You’ve only this weekend remaining to check out this collection of 39 paintings, drawings and photos, united only by their resistance to simplistic interpretation. Adriana Varejao, Shirin Neshat, and Jane Hammond are among the 23 artists featured.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: CLOSING Sunday
Info: $10 adults, $8 students and seniors (60-plus), free for members and visitors age 18 and under; 202-783-7996; nmwa.org
4. Timbuktu: During her 18 years in Africa, Kathleen Stafford seldom had access to the tools of printmaking, her primary venue. So she took up watercolors. This exhibit features prints made upon her return to the United States with watercolor detailing.
Where: The Art League Gallery, The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through Feb. 1
Info: Free; 703-683-1780; theartleague.org
5. What’s It All Mean: William T. Riley in Retrospect: William T. Wiley’s sophisticated sense of the absurd is celebrated in this, his first career overview in three decades.
Where: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through Jan. 24
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; americanart.si.edu
Gatherings
1. Abaji: The guitarist synthesizes Indian, Eastern and blues music, as heard on his recording “Origine Orients,” on which he sings in French, Greek, Armenian, Turkish and Arabic.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Jan. 11
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Introduction to Fencing: Learn the basics from a local, a certified Fencing Master with the United States Fencing Coaches Association. Under his leadership, the D.C. Fencing Club has grown into one of the best fencing clubs in the nation. Suggested attire: casual, loose athletic wear.
Where: Fencing Center, 9330 Fraser Ave., Silver Spring
When: 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Info: $30; thingstododc.com
3. Black: The Black Artists of D.C. hosts this juried exhibition in which artists are asked to think about the emotional and theoretical, the spiritual and cultural, the intellectual and physical aspects of their personal perceptions of blackness.
Where: D.C. Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW
When: Through Sunday; artists’ talk from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: 202-462-7833; dcartscenter.org
4. Ole!: Learn about the marimba, guiros and other traditional Mexican musical instruments in this hands-on demonstration.
Where: Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-633-4844; anacostia.si.edu
Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: Former NSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin returns to Washington to conduct a performance of Holst’s “The Planets” by the Choral Arts Society of Washington and violinist Nikolaj Znaider playing Elgar’s Violin Concerto.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 7, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. The Folger Consort: Virtuoso performances of violin, brass, winds, strings, organ and choir re-create Claudio Monteverdi’s “Vespers of the Blessed Virgin,” published in Venice in 1610 with settings of Gregorian chants and sacred songs.
Where: Washington National Cathedral
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $30 to $50; 202-544-4600, 202-544-7077
3. National Philharmonic: Piotr Gajewski conducts a concert version of Bizet’s “Carmen” featuring mezzo-soprano Kendall Gladen with Dan Snyder as Don Jose and Dean Elzinga as Escamillo. Eliot Pfanstiehl is host.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday; free pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m.
Info: $29 to $79; children ages 7 to 17 are free; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
4. The Blind Boys of Alabama and Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Traditional and contemporary gospel and New Orleans jazz unite for songs from “Down by the Riverside,” the groups’ tribute to the city and survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
Where: Warner Theatre
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $28 to $58; 202-785-9727; wpas.org or 877-598-8696; livenation.com
5. Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder: The bluegrass legend, winner of 14 Grammy Awards and countless other honors, drives away the winter blues with two evenings of toe-tapping music.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8-9
Info: $35; 703-549-7500, birchmere.com
Also worth noting:
6. Mose Allison Trio: The incomparable pianist welcomes the new year with four evenings of his special treatment of Mississippi Delta blues and jazz that inspires fellow artists.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday to Sunday
Info: $25; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
Outdoors
1. Birding trip, Cape Henlopen: Join an excursion to the beaches along the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean and search for diving ducks and loons. Information: 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 12
Info: $30; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 623504-J
2. Full Moon Hike for adult groups: Sign up now, while there’s still room. This 4-mile-long, mildly strenuous hike is a magical trip through moonlit gardens, meadows and woods. Discover how the striking landscape of the arboretum changes under the moon and stars. This is a brisk walk over often hilly and uneven terrain, so wear good walking shoes. Held rain or shine. Not recommended for children. Maximum: 25 people. $550 per group. Registration required.
Where: National Arboretum grounds, 3501 New York Ave.
When: 8 to 10 p.m. Jan. 29
Info: 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
3. Mid-Winter Hike for families with children 6 and up: Join a hike to the Potomac, returning along the palisades and Pimmit Run, making a 3-mile loop.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 9
Info: Free; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 623505-D
4. Become an Anti-Invasive Plant Activist: Gulf Branch Nature Center needs help keeping the park free of destructive plants. During the winter, the center focuses on pulling ivy and periwinkle. Work parties are held every month.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 623604-H
5. Skate at Ice!: Bring your own skates or rent them to enjoy outdoor skating at the rink at Washington Harbor next to the Ice! display tent.
Where: Gaylord National Resort, 201 Waterfront St.; directions on Web site
When: Through Sunday
Info: $8, skate rental $4; 301-965-2000; christmasonthepotomac.com
Theater
1. “In the Red and Brown Water”: Tarell Alvin McCraney’s coming-of-age tale follows a young female runner of great promise who is forced to make devastating choices. The script focuses on Oya, a young girl from a poor family who can run like the wind and who must decide whether or not to give up an athletic scholarship when her mother falls ill. Like McCraney’s “The Brothers Size,” this play laces black culture with elements of Yoruba mythology.
Where: The Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; through Feb. 14
Info: $49 to $63; 202-332-7267; studiotheatre.org
2. “The Last Cargo Cult”: Mike Daisey tells of his travels to a remote South Pacific island whose people worship America and its cargo at the base of a constantly erupting volcano. Part adventure story and part memoir, the narrative examines an international financial crisis that gripped the globe. Using each culture to illuminate the other, Daisey wrestles with the largest questions of what collapse means.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW
When: Jan. 11 to Feb. 7
Info: $25 to $30; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net
3. “Stick Fly”: Complexities and confusion of class, age, race and sexuality are the background of Lydia Diamond’s humorous drama concerning a young black couple.
Where: Arena Stage, 1800 S. Bell St., Crystal City
When: Through Feb. 7
Info: $25 to $66; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
4. “The Solid Gold Cadillac”: This American classic comedy follows the trials and travails of Laura Partridge, who takes on the board of directors of a major corporation, asking simply: “Why does the Chairman of the Board get paid so much money?”
Where: The Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday; through Sunday
Info: $42 to $63, discounts available; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
5. “Camelot”: This famous musical takes you inside the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table where Arthur’s dream of creating a utopian kingdom is complicated by the love between Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot.
Where: The Olney Theatre, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
When: Through Jan. 17
Info: 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org
