Arts & Entertainment

2010 seemed, for a while, to be an underachieving year for the movies. Yet when I sat down and started making a list of the films that I really enjoyed this year, I quickly came up with a list that was thirty titles long. And whittling it down to 10 wasn't as easy as I expected. Hollywood struggled to combine quality with box office in a big way this year, so a look at the movies that were big was looking at a list of disappointments (Alice in Wonderland, for instance) and utterly awful failures (Clash of the Titans, Salt). Sure, there were notable exceptions like Inception and Toy Story 3, but many of the best films of the year weren't found in wide, or even mid-sized, release. It was the smaller indies, documentaries, and foreign films that were quietly released and had to be sought out that really shone. more ›

It's been another great year for DCist photography. We broke the 100,000 photo mark in the DCist Flickr Pool, hosted another successful Exposed and announced the coming fifth year (!) of the popular gallery exhibit featuring some of the very best we highlight here daily on Photo of the Day. more ›

DCist has never been shy about our passionate love affair with photography -- and over the last year, we've highlighted so many of our Flickr pool's images, it's easy to lose track. (And that reminds us: don't forget to submit your photos for next year's Exposed!) But DCist has a crack team of in-house photo contributors, too -- without whom our coverage of this city would be sorely lacking. Putting together a gallery of our favorite Click Clicks of 2010 proved to be a nearly impossible task, but we hope you enjoy this collection of some of our favorite images that our dedicated photogs captured during the year. more ›

PARTY: Party like it's New Year's a day early at the Eve of the Eve Dance Party at the Warehouse Theatre (645 New York Avenue NW). The event will include a DJ, lightshow and dressed up attendees (cocktail attire encouraged but not required). 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets: $25 (plus $2.37 fee). more ›

'Tis the season to party, and bogotron's warm-toned shot has put us in the mood for the next round tomorrow evening. more ›

Sometimes, there is no motivation so great as the threat of not going on. At Monday's projected start time of 9:00 p.m., three members of The Roots (keyboardist Kamal Gray, guitarist Kirk Douglas and MC Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter) had not yet arrived in Washington, D.C. Unsurprisingly, they were held up by the crazy snowstorm that hit everybody except us. Some bands would cite "act of God" and bag the performance, but The Roots took this opportunity to reaffirm their status as hardest working band in the business. Drummer ?uestlove acted as guest DJ during the delay until 10:47 p.m., when, nearly two hours later than advertised, Black Thought walked in the door. more ›

MUSIC: Dig out those clothes you don't mind getting stained with fake blood -- GWAR is coming to the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW) with The Casualties, Infernaeon and Mobile Deathcamp. 6 p.m. more ›

Yes, we are suckers for cute animal photos. And Ewilfong does have a cute pup in this image, but that's not what makes this shot so special. The great lines and use of light are beautiful, and the crossed lines in the middle make for a lovely composition. But the subject matter is priceless. How can you not fall for a dog just trying to get a bone? more ›

>> The great pianist Larry Willis leads his band for a New Year's Eve show at Twins Jazz. The special package to the 9 p.m. show is $85. Willis will stick around for 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Saturday. $20 + $10 food/drink minimum. more ›

There are rules around present-opening, and that's only right. No one likes the spoil-sport who tip-toes down the day before a major celebration to ravenously rent open their gifts with gluttony and glee. Mostly on Art 2010, I've exercised a great deal of restraint in waiting patiently until the decreed and agreed day when I could unveil a painted or sculpted thing to you: saints stuck fast to their official feasts days, festivals were fused to the correct calendar mark. It wasn't always easy, I'll grant you that (patience is not one of my most easy virtues), but there's no point pinpointing a year with higgledy-piggledy highlights. more ›

Here's a question for fans of the District's jazz scene. What do all of the following acts have in common? George Clinton's P-Funk. Prince. Maceo Parker. George Duke. Stanley Clarke. Alex Bugnon. Lynyrd Skynyrd. Chuck Brown. The answer is that, at some point, all of them have hired trombonist Greg Boyer, a local musician who may not be a household name, but who has certainly garnered a reputation as a top-notch musician. more ›

FOOD & DRINK: Belga Cafe (514 8th Street SE) presents tastings of seven Belgian beers, knowledge from Beer Sommelier Jens Piferoen and a three-course meal at their Belgian Beer Dinner. Call (202) 544-0100 to make reservations. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $49. more ›

The unidentifiable, hooded subjects in this image look like they're on a mission, aided with a spotlight and falling snow to provide a dramatic effect. While OlivierJD may not have been shooting cinematic stills, this scene looks like it could have been taken straight from a movie. ZooLights Undercover...coming soon. (EXIF.) more ›

Tuesday: >> The Roots' play a second show tonight at the 9:30 Club, but it's sold out. Craigslist may have purchasing options. 7 p.m. more ›

Monday: more ›

HIP-HOP: The Roots ditch Jimmy Fallon for two nights to perform at the 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW) tonight and tomorrow. Unfortunately, both shows are sold out. So, consult Craig. 7 p.m. more ›

Early next year D.C. will get its second Temporium, a pop-up arts space, this time in Mt. Pleasant. The D.C. Office of Planning awarded a $15,000 grant as part of its Temporary Urbanism Initiative to "transform vacant storefronts or spaces into a unique temporary retail shop for local entrepreneurs to exhibit and sell their work." The first Temporium on H Street NE was open last summer and welcomed over 1600 visitors. more ›

Well, we didn't get dumped on in that storm that wasn't. And that means I don't have reams and reams of winter wonderland to choose from. So it's off to situational and toilet humor, and thankfully christaki has the photo for our Monday. (EXIF) more ›

Freezing temperatures, check. Dual low pressure fronts, check. Snow storm, epic fail. For the snow averse, today's lackluster -- nay non-existent -- storm was a blessing. But for others, the dream of a repeat snowpocalypse was lost. At least we have plenty of ice, such as this lot found on the Potomac River. more ›

Sometimes fish deserve a special occasion, and today's photo is a reminder of the Southern Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes tradition. Several restaurants in the area have already executed their own pre-Christmas feasts -- of course they have a full kitchen staff at their disposal. Please, don't try this herculean feat at home, solo, unless you're a 80-year-old Italian grandmother or your name is Primo. more ›

erin m gives us this peaceful and reflective scene, perfect for the holiday. Here's wishing your weekend is just as quiet and lovely. (EXIF.) more ›

Yes, there are a few things happening this weekend, Washington! Click on through to see your options during this holiday weekend. more ›

An alternative Jewish Christmas Eve party is threatening to give the Matzo Ball a run for its money this year. more ›

MUSIC: Join voices with a 200-person choir, professional singers and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra at the Messiah Sing-along in the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall (2700 F Street NW). Free, but tickets are required and will be handed out (one per person in line) starting at 6 p.m. The sing-along begins at 8 p.m. more ›

Matt.Dunn's photo evokes thoughts of Sam Abell's philosophy to "compose...and wait". Dunn frames this walking "man with briefcase" quite nicely using one of D.C.'s old call boxes. more ›

The last time the Coen brothers attempted a remake, it was 2004's The Ladykillers, a remake of a beloved bit of a British comedy from 1955 featuring inspired performances from the likes of Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers. It was a spectacular failure, as graceless as the original was graceful, shockingly unfunny, and by far the worst film the pair had ever helmed. What followed was a three-year sabbatical during which they presumably regrouped and figured out where they'd gone wrong, since their next film was No Country for Old Men. more ›

There are two shots in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere that tell you pretty much all you need to know about its characters, and the way that she's decided to tell their story. Each one is about two minutes long and contains no action, focusing on their subjects in silent, motionless repose; the primary difference is that in one, Coppola pushes the camera slowly in, and in the other, she pulls away. more ›

FOOD & DRINK: The Big Hunt (1345 Connecticut Avenue NW) is tapping its last keg of Great Lakes Christmas Ale and holding a canned food drive for DC Central Kitchen. Bring a can (or more) of "shelf stable food" and you'll receive a raffle ticket for an attempt to win glassware, t-shirts, or even a Great Lakes Brewing Company Christmas Ale bar sign. 5 p.m. more ›

DCist Pop Quiz! Do you consider yourself any of the following:

• A lover of photography?
• A big supporter of community projects?
• In desperate need of a Christmas gift?
• Holding onto large wads of cash and have no idea what to do with it all?

Are you ready for a white Christmas? All the signs are pointing to a very good possibility that we'll see some snow this weekend, though it might start later on Saturday and continue into Sunday. BillKoplitz, though, seems to be recalling last year's snowmageddon with this beautiful close up of a snowflake. more ›

>> Local outfit Chaise Lounge plays a style of jazz that was popular among the college and hipster set in the coffee shops of the early 1960s. They will adapt their lounge style to present an evening of holiday music at Blues Alley on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. more ›

For all the hijinks and jolliness of this time of year, late December can be tension territory. Fun friends or family get-togethers can get altogether less fun when your cousin comments on something she shouldn't, or brother and sister start bickering about a thing over the brandy butter and mince pies. Putting lots of people into a space and filling them up on food and booze can sometimes add fuel to the fire of seasonal stress, and tips for taking the testiness down a notch are appearing everywhere right about now. The salient point to stick to, I suppose, is that a picture-perfect holiday gathering is a cheesy movie myth, and nothing more. And anyway, it seems that sometimes a little knife-edge tension can actually come out looking rather lovely: Knife Edge Mirror Two Piece (1976-1978) by Sir Henry Moore stands serene and shimming at the National Gallery of Art East entrance, and what an enveloping and evolving work it is. more ›

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

How much do we really know about this "Santa Claus" fellow anyway? Recluse, obsessed with kids, employs a massive force of diminutive slaves, annual violator of any number of international aerospace regulations; has Homeland Security checked this guy out? If they had, they might have uncovered some rather unsavory elements of the Santa mythology. (Sorry, under-10 readers, I meant Santa history.) In Finland, turns out he may have been the same character as the "Yule Goat", a horned creature that demanded offerings and was more of the tough love school when it came to getting the kiddies to behave. more ›

Last night, the Washington Jewish Community Center (DCJCC) hosted a packed house of over two hundred people for the highly-anticipated panel discussion "hide/SPEAK: An Evening with David C. Ward of the National Portrait Gallery." The panel also included Transformer director Victoria Reis, ARTINFO blogger Tyler Green and DCJCC Bronfman Gallery director Dafna Steinberg. But everyone was there to hear Ward, the National Portrait Gallery historian and co-curator of Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, explain his stance on the Smithsonian's controversial decision to pull the Wojnarowicz video and their subsequent rejection of AA Bronson's request, made in protest, that his work be pulled from the show and returned to the National Gallery of Canada. more ›

When heading to the theater to see a musical, you might, if you're lucky, get treated to one genuinely tear-jerking, show-stopping ballad. In South Pacific, you get two. more ›

BIKE: Throw on some warm gloves, reflectors and, of course, a helmet and join Greater Greater Washington, DDOT official Gabe Klein (in a Santa Suit) and other cyclists for a bike ride and happy hour. The ride meets at the Reeves Center (14th and U Streets NW) at 5 p.m., where they'll be collecting donations of winter clothing, and the happy hour takes place at 7 p.m. at Marvin (2007 14th Street NW). more ›

Nothing says Christmas in D.C. in 2010 like going shopping for presents and a tree on a Capital Bikeshare bicycle, at least according to pablo.raw. We wonder if Gabe Klein has sent out his holiday cards yet... more ›

Tuesday:
>> As could be expected, Wale sold out his show tonight at the 9:30 Club with UCB, Black Trel, Black Cobain and Tiara. Craigslist might be able to help you out, though. 7 p.m. more ›

Well before the first whistle, Saturday's bout at the Armory between the DC DemonCats and Scare Force One promised plenty. After the first two bouts of the D.C. Rollergirls' fifth season, these two teams each held 1-0 records. What's more, SF1 and DCDC have split the first four championship titles. more ›

In design, form has tended to follow function, even if only symbolically. With the advent of digital technologies, designers have moved toward a minimalist "black box" aesthetic (think iPhones, or external hard drives), where the plain exterior references internal complexities seemingly beyond our comprehension, rather than the functional principles of the object itself. Perhaps in response, a new American design aesthetic is emerging, one that is compared in significance to America's mid-century design heyday, and which emphasizes function and symbolic functionalism while paying homage to handcrafting and America's industrial past. D.C.-based designer Jonah Takagi works within this context, and we caught up with him to talk about living and working in D.C., as well as his first solo gallery show, New American Design, currently on display at Civilian Art Projects (in partnership with Apartment Zero). more ›

'Twas the week before Christmas, and nothing is stirring in the concert hall. Check out our roundup of Christmas concerts for what is left this week. There are a few options for New Year's concerts and the first week of January noted below -- with that, the Classical Music Agenda will go on a much-deserved hiatus for a couple weeks. Happy New Year! more ›

In the years since her landmark 1993 album Exile in Guyville launched her into indie-rock stardom, few artists have watched their critical reputations plummet quite as precipitously as Liz Phair. The 90s saw the release of two tepidly-received sequels on Matador Records, and she was widely excoriated for "selling out" on her ultra-commercialized 2003 major-label debut, only to be dumped by her label and management on account of her "batshit weird" new album, Funstyle. Phair has remained largely (and laudably) unapologetic about her career choices and aesthetic shifts, and if last Friday's concert at the 9:30 Club is any indication, navigating through such crests and troughs has relieved her of some of the pressures of her iconic status -- leaving Phair a refreshed, reinvigorated, and more self-assured performer. more ›

STORYTELLING: Cringe, giggle and feel touched by the true stories told live at Speakeasy D.C.'s "My So-Called Jewish Life" event at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I Street NW). The storytellers will include Emily Yoffe (Slate's "Dear Prudence" advice columnist), Alix Spiegal (founding producer of "This American Life"), Spencer Ackerman (Wired contributor) and others. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12. more ›

It is always a surprise to see what furcafe will add to the DCist flickr group, and this is no exception. It first appeared as if this guy was dressed up like Pan (you know the dude with the flute), but he is actually an Evil Tap Dancing Hate Monkey. Nothing says Happy Holidays like an Evil Tap Dancing Hate Monkey. more ›

The bar space at the Red Palace was warm and cozy last Thursday night, a haven when the rest of H Street was quiet, cold and covered in snow. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. members Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein sat at the bar, part of the crowd that came to escape the elements: Zott in a black sweatshirt, Epstein in a wool sweater. But later and upstairs, in the bar's performance's space, flashbulbs and makeshift flares illuminating their NASCAR suits, the two were a dynamic stage duo, commanding the room instead of fading into it. more ›

Whether the show is a classical rendition or a little bit satirical, the palpable anticipation from waiting in the wings is always the same. Here, Matt.Dunn uses the stage's stark lighting to obscure the face and characteristics of the performer in waiting -- whether child or adult. In this case, it's the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington's production of Men in Tights: A Pink Nutcracker. One can only suspect that after last night's activity on Capitol Hill, today's final performance will be extra jovial. more ›

As you probably know, the new lion cubs debuted to the select few yesterday: National Zoo members and press. Of course the Zoo and DCist photographers were there to document the event, and from their cameras to your screen: here they are in all their adorable glory. Stop by the Zoo Monday to see them in person yourselves. more ›

Apart from the deluge of photos of family outings, babies in reindeer antlers and holiday decorations, food porn reaches its lascivious heights during the holidays. Dainty sugar cookies and roast geese, teased and preened into submission. But in my book, the process is more beautiful than the product. And this shot by caroline.angelo captures all action and effort in making a simple cookie, much more than any staged shot. Without context, the blown out flash and natural vignetting -- focused on the ornate yet elegant ring -- imbues the photo with a vintage look, straight from a era decades ago. One can only guess that the other hand may be holding the other end of the rolling pin, or a three-olive gin martini. more ›

When he's not debating solutions to the district's budget deficit, Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) may be spending time being one of the hippest councilmen in the city. Sure he drinks Steel Reserve (in spirit). Yup, he loves him some urban chicken. And he wouldn't mind providing an easier route to revelry on H Street. more ›

It's been a few weeks since the National Portrait Gallery chose to take down David Wojnarowicz's "A Fire in My Belly" after conservative writers and Congressional Republicans complained. A few protests followed, various galleries are now showing the piece, the Andy Warhol Foundation threatened to withdraw its funding to the Smithsonian. Now the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation is threatening to do the same, if the Portrait Gallery does not reinstate the piece in its gallery. more ›

There is a measured, careful pace to writer/director Tanya Hamilton's first feature, that belies the fact that is a lot of violence crowding in the edges. Every once in a while, that violence actually spills out onto the screen, and is all the more jolting for its intrusion into this otherwise somber piece. You knew it was lurking out there, she just lulls you into thinking it couldn't touch you. That sure directorial hand with tone, and the performances of the leads, are the strongest elements in a sometimes uneven, but fascinating debut. more ›

Boxing movies have been around nearly as long as movies themselves. The sweet science just lends itself to the cinematic treatment: all that physical conflict sets up nicely as a mirror to narrative conflict, and the rising action of the story parallels the intense training and building strength of a fighter preparing for a fight. It's a visceral, versatile combination that heightens the dramatic impact of any basic story. And in the hands of a skilled director, the controlled violence of the ring can be turned into a bludgeoning ballet of sweat, blood, and chiselled muscle. more ›

While there's no shortage of holiday films on tap this weekend (some less traditional than others), there are also plenty of beer, food, music and entertainment options to keep everyone satiated. Your map to the best stuff going on this weekend, right here. more ›

Arlington National Cemetery is a hauntingly beautiful place. KentonNgo shows us how the bare trees and freshly fallen snow adorning the wreaths adds a layer of quiet hush over the solemn grounds. (EXIF.) more ›

Will How Do You Know accurately represent the D.C. we know and love? Also: it's holiday time, so there's plenty of movies in search of your hype, your money or your Christmas spirit. Keep reading for this week's cinematic options. more ›

Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott form Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., a Detroit band that burst onto the scene this summer with their insanely catchy, slightly ethereal Horse Power EP. But those three pop originals and a Beach Boys cover have garnered raves praising more than the band's clever name. Don't listen to critics calling them chillwave -- theirs is a three-dimensional sound that doesn't rely on effects and loops for its power. Epstein took some time to talk with DCist about their upcoming LP, the NASCAR jumpsuits he and Zott wear onstage and trusting his instincts. more ›

COMEDY: Filmmaker, rocker of the pencil thin mustache and Baltimore's own John Waters brings his one-man holiday show, A John Waters Christmas, to the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria) tonight. 7:30 p.m. $45. more ›

Here's your chance to enjoy a holiday classic and do some good for the community at the same time. The National Symphony Orchestra is partnering with Capital Area Food Bank during its performances of Handel's this weekend (December 16 to 19). if you attend the performance — and even if you do not — you are encouraged to bring cans of food to the lobby of the Kennedy Center Concert Hall between Thursday and Sunday. We already tipped the NSO's performance as likely to be the most interesting one of a work that is performed way too much for its own good. Rinaldo Alessandrini, known for his fast-paced, hard-edged recordings with the Italian early music ensemble Concerto Italiano, will conduct, and he has four soloists of considerable promise. As reported before Thanksgiving, the Capital Area Food Bank has been hit by a double-whammy this year: the combination of much higher demand and far fewer donations. Give what you can! more ›

A long time ago, a television show presented us with a talking horse. But pablo.raw does the boob tube one better and gives us a hungover one. more ›

Did you guys forget about DCist Exposed? What if we tell you that the opening nights at Long View Gallery will be on March 15 and 16 and that the show will run through March 27? Will that nudge you into action? more ›

Deciding where to ring in the New Year is an annual dilemma. Finding something fun and fabulous that sets the right tone for the impending twelve months can be stressful. But don't despair! Whether your priorities are good food, entertainment, music, dancing or just spending time with the one you want to kiss, we've rounded up a number of picks to guide you. We've separated out a few especially intriguing options, and neatly categorized the rest. Our best advice, regardless of where you decide to party down: buy tickets soon -- these events tend to sell out. more ›

It might be cold enough to freeze your toes (and other more sensitive appendages) off, but that shouldn't stop you from getting out there and seeing some art this week. more ›

>> Drummer Nasar Abadey is a long time veteran of the local scene, and recently served as a cultural ambassador under the State Department's Rhythm Road program. He will team up with local all-stars James King (bass) and Allyn Johnson (piano) on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 minimum/surcharge. more ›

If you were trying to get anywhere on the Blue and Yellow Lines this morning, you probably got caught in the middle of a situation involving a suspicious package at the Pentagon. The FBI was called in, the station shut down and thousands of passengers routed around the area. Of course, when the suspicious package in question turned out to be a "battery-operated Christmas ornament," well, there's just no way we couldn't have some fun with that. We flipped through our Flickr pool and found that there were several examples of Christmas orna-threats all over this city. Consider it DCist's contribution to the "see something, say something" campaign. more ›

FOOD & DRINK: Rustico is celebrating Festivus at both its Alexandria (827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria) and Ballston (4075 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) locations. With each beer you buy (priced at $6 to $9), you'll receive a free glass from that beer's brewery (while supplies last). Some of the holiday beers available will include Tröegs Mad Elf, Delirium Noël, Schlafly Christmas Ale and Einbecker Winter-Bock. 6-9 p.m. No reservations or cover required. more ›

I can't see a Volkswagen microbus, vanagon or whatever you want to call it (the Type 2, as it was officially known), without smiling. Flickr user .lissa. captured this one near the Dupont Circle Farmers Market, looking happy and seemingly well-loved. more ›

It's that time of year, when sniffles and sneezes and snorts and wheezes are all around as people succumb to seasonal coughs and colds. If the passenger on the bus beside you isn't honking into a hankie, then your colleagues at work will be chugging hot tea with honey for their throats. It's a big job, battling to keep at bay all those bugs and bacteria being airborne as everyone is eventually felled by a fat bout of flu. Well, worry not, because to boost your immune systems today I've a peachy picture to make you feel all better. more ›

Wednesday:
>> "For the Love of DC 2.0" at District will feature some of the area's best artistic talent with performances by Christylez (***) and Alison Carney, among others. $10 in advance / $15 at the door. 8 p.m. more ›

When it comes to things like personified stars, blind, tentacled beasts and disembodied brains, it's pretty hard to compete with the imagination. But Round House Theatre's production of A Wrinkle In Time is up for the challenge. more ›

STORYTELLING: Hear stories about "being a guest, having guests, and hospitality" at Mi Casa es Tu Casa, this month's storytelling event from SpeakeasyDC at the Town Danceboutique (2009 8th Street NW). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8. $10 admission; for an additional $10, you get access to an all-you-can-eat buffet provided by Nellie's. more ›

We love us some amusing signage here at DCist. Flickr contributor jsmjr paid a visit to the newly-opened NoMa Harris Teeter and snapped this little gem, bringing us a much-needed chuckle on this frigid Tuesday. (EXIF.) more ›

It's becoming quite the tradition -- at some point in mid-December, a whole bunch of people donning Santa Claus garb head out for the National Mall, the White House and occasionally have a spirited throw-down with people in banana suits. In 2008, we called it "Halloween in December"; last year, the city was "awash in slightly inappropriate and out of context holiday cheer." Of course, we could only be talking about Santarchy, the annual gathering of those whose Christmas cheer comes in the form of wearing big red coats, big red hats and pass out gifts and well wishes to passers-by. What did a pair of our Flickr contributors find this year? Click through to find out. more ›

Your one-stop shop for the best concerts around the area this week, featuring a solid Tuesday night local bill at the Cat, your chance to drink beer and do something good for the community and, of course, the Wu-Tang Clan invades Falls Church. more ›

By this point in December, most of the music to be heard will be accompanied by jingling bells: see our holiday concert roundup for those concerts. A few other options are available, though. more ›

MUSIC: Mike Green of the Washington Capitals hosts the Greenlife Rock for Charity event at the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW). There will be performances by G Love and Special Sauce and Billy Woodward and The Senders, with proceeds going to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) and So Kids Can for Kaboom. 8 p.m. $50-$500. more ›

Don't you hate when you leave the house and you realize you left your furry outfit on while wearing your leather headgear? Ugh, that is soooo last season. It is also totally inconvenient, as ep_jhu documents, when the little zipper holes get in the way of taking photos. Hopefully he isn't squinting because he zippered his eye ball. (EXIF.) more ›

Though it's only six years old, the DC Jazz Festival is well on its way to becoming a world class event, attracting top-notch talent and an increasingly large audience. Unfortunately, the weak economic climate has taken its toll on the festival, forcing its organizers to scale back on programming for the past two years. But things are looking up: there is a stable board of directors in place, and increased corporate sponsorship will allow the return of marquee events like the Jazz on the Mall concert and the closing performance held at Voice of America, both of which were cancelled in 2010. more ›

Why are you looking at me with such disdain alpaca? You don't have to worry about this winter weather with your warm coat. You don't have to stress over working through the holidays, navigating through D.C. traffic or paying rent. Hell, you even have an uber-trendy haircut. Please, just leave me alone to blog in my dark, rowhouse apartment. Maybe someday I'll be wearing you as a sweater. more ›

It's rainy, cold, and miserable out there, so if you were planning on visiting the Zoo Lights exhibit and your plans were dashed: here's a gallery of the exhibit so you can get an idea of the lights without heading out in the cold. more ›

Come this time next month, may very well change from 'Brickskeller' to 'Rock Creek'. But would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? Yes, if that rose smelled like hops, came in a can and had an ABV of 10%. Either way, reports indicate that what lies behind this door will, for the time being, remain the same: glorious sudsy beer. If all plans continue forward, thanks sssdc1 for taking one of the last photos of Brickskeller, in its current form, for the DCist Flickr pool. more ›

Four years ago, German director (and owner of the coolest name in all of cinema) Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck directed his first feature -- a complex, smart, completely engrossing examination of cultural repression and spying in Cold War-era East Germany. That film, The Lives of Others, skyrocketed von Donnersmarck into the arthouse spotlight, earning the director enough accolades and awards to require a mantle as long as his name to hold them all. He went to Hollywood to try to land a high-profile project to lift his star even higher, and ended up stuck with everyone else's leftover: a remake of a French romantic thriller that had already been dumped mid-development by two other directors and at least three stars. more ›

DCist photography contributor Kevin Carroll braved the chilly temperatures to bring us these images from the 2010 National Christmas Tree Lighting, in which President Barack Obama and family joined several performers in this annual Washingtonian tradition. more ›

When a movie spends as much time on the shelf awaiting release as I Love You Phillip Morris -- which has been in the can for a good two years now -- it's often safe to assume that there's something terribly wrong with it. Not so in this case, though: well-received in its worldwide release throughout the course of this year, the film's major stumbling block on its way to U.S. theaters was legal wrangling over its distribution that dragged on and on, delaying the film's release for months. Happily, it was worth the wait. more ›

FRIDAY

MUSIC: D.C. dance-punk band Ra Ra Rasputin hits the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE) with noise-rockers Imperial China, indie band Mon Khmer and hip-hop group AK Slaughter completes the bill. $10. 8 p.m. more ›

Why did the chicken, er, Great Blue Heron, cross the road? We may never know, as Synapped documented the journey and not the destination. (EXIF.) more ›

This week in film around D.C.: Godard at the West End, Bruce Lee and a documentary about arts funding in D.C.'s public schools. more ›

Holiday carolers would probably refer to the weather outside as "frightful." (I'd refer to it as...something else.) Regardless, with the sudden drop in temperature, warmer comforts are in high demand. So, as some people chose to warm up with space heaters and hot chocolate, Andrew Bird worked on warming up the Sixth & I Synagogue with his Gezelligheid performance. "Gezelligheid" which loosely translates from Dutch to "cozy," accurately represents Bird's goal with the performance: an intimate affair that let him loosen up and let the audience settle down. more ›

FOOD & DRINK: Sample winter beers at the Brickskeller's (1523 22nd Street NW) Holidaze Tasting Extravaganzee tonight. A number of brewmasters will be in attendance to talk about what you'll sample. This may be one of your last chances to stop by this D.C. institution, as it's rumored to be closing its doors soon. Doors open 6 p.m., tasting starts at 7 p.m. $35. more ›

As illustrated by Santa's quite casual dress with jeans and Texas-sized belt buckle, it's not yet time for him to go to work. Yospyn captures Mr. Kringle enjoying a Christmas parade in Old Town Alexandria during a pit stop on his road trip to the North Pole. (EXIF.) more ›

After two local artists were detained and "banned" from the Smithsonian museums for screening a recently censored video on an iPad in the lobby of the National Portrait Gallery, they're planning more long-term methods to get the artwork shown and provide some public shaming while they're at it. Mike Blasenstein and Michael Dax Iacovone are now working to obtain permits for a temporary structure to be erected outside the NPG which will screen David Wojnarowicz's A Fire in my Belly through next February – the run of the exhibit Hide/Seek, from which is was removed. more ›

Whether due to his rabid fan base or well-chronicled psychogenic vomiting, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy's psyche is plumbed every time he walks onto a stage. Judging by Tuesday night's performance at the Lincoln Theatre, things are going pretty well for the shaggy, self-effacing singer. After years of struggle and mid-level success, his band has outgrown the confines of critical-darling status, now enjoying the spoils of widespread recognition and the type of reliable, ever-increasing fan base that encourages a band to release its own brand of coffee. In short, Tweedy (the singer) is doing just fine. more ›

Pop quiz: what is January 12, 2011?

If you answered, "The deadline for submitting entries to the 2011 DCist Exposed Photography Show," you totally passed. The big news was announced yesterday. So mark your calendars, start sorting through photos and, if you don't think you have anything good, get out there and shoot a few more. There's plenty of time left! While you're at it, secure your early copy of our Exposed 5th Anniversary magazine by supporting our Kickstarter effort. There's so much going on this weekend, take your camera along so you don't miss anything good. You know, like a bad Santa or a fun art opening. more ›

MOVIES: Silverdocs presents a screening of By The People: The Election of Barack Obama at the AFI Silver Theater (8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring) tonight, followed by a panel discussion with Kevin Madden (National Press Secretary and Senior Communications Strategist for Governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in 2008), Candy Crowley (CNN Chief Political Correspondent) and moderator Don Gonyea (NPR National Political Correspondent). 8 p.m. $10. more ›

I like the symbolism in this picture. Flickr photographer mosley.brian snapped a shot of the under-construction Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, making a pile of stone and scaffolding look poignant. The statue looks out from behind bars into the hope that is the sun. (EXIF.) more ›

>> DCist was on hand to help celebrate NEA Jazz Master Benny Golson's 80th birthday last year at the Kennedy Center. The legendary saxophonist returns to the District this weekend, where he will perform in the historic and intimate club setting of Bohemian Caverns. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $38 in advance, $45 at the door. more ›

Wednesday:
>> In the last episode of "Master of the Mix," DJ Rap was voted off, leaving four contestants left in the competition. This week's viewing party will take place at Tabaq with DJs Stylus, Eurok and Roddy Rod providing the in-house sounds. Free with RSVP (21+). 8 p.m. more ›

Extensive travel is just one of the perks of art. During the course of this year, I've been to places I'm not sure I'll see again before I expire. Painted pictures at the National Gallery of Art have broadened my horizons, and I still have a few more pit-stops on the traveling train before my year profiling 365 works of art screeches to a halt on December 31. Today, we travel into the heart of America, with two artists who capture the charm of this country with disarming visions. Both Grant Wood (1891 - 1942) and Thomas Hart Benton (1889 - 1975) resisted the trend towards abstraction that dominated American art in the 1920s and 30s; instead, they stuck to the figurative convention, reflecting life in more realistic terms. more ›

FOOD & DRINK: The Tabard Inn (1739 N Street NW) is hosting a whiskey class hosted by David Perkins of High West Distillery, who will impart whiskey history and food pairing knowledge, and mixologist Chantal Tseng, who will create some delicious cocktails. Email Chantal Tseng to RSVP. 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 7-8 p.m. $45 includes tastings, 2 cocktails, food, tax and tip. more ›

We know you're busy finding your best photos to enter into the 2011 DCist Exposed Photography Contest. But we want to take a moment to commemorate not just a new exciting year of Exposed, but that 2011 marks five awesome years of our little photography show. Since 2006, DCist Exposed has featured some of the best local photography out there, showcasing images of Washington, D.C.'s unique culture, produced by the people who live and work here. So DCist, in collaboration with Ten Miles Square, are publishing a special Fifth-Year Anniversary magazine. more ›

Five. Five whole years. That's the length of time that Exposed has been running -- and we're pretty darn excited about hitting this milestone. more ›

If you are looking for music laced with sugar plums and roasting chestnuts, see my roundup of holiday concerts from last Friday. For music not for the holidays, here are some picks for the rest of the week. more ›

MONDAY

"Gezelligheid" -- a Dutch word loosely translatable as "cozy" -- is the term Andrew Bird uses to characterize the unique and intimate series of holiday concerts he debuted last December at churches in Minneapolis and his native Chicago. This week, the show comes to D.C. for a three-night stand at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, the dramatic architecture and superb acoustics of which should make it an sublime setting for Bird's captivating, loop-layered solo violin compositions. Julianna Barwick opens tonight and tomorrow night, with Marissa Nadler taking over the supporting slot on Wednesday. Sold out. 8 p.m. more ›

"Ruin porn" is the trend -- fed in part by the recession -- in which decaying, abandoned buildings have become a popular photographic subject, not just for architectural studies, but for fashion shoots. The latest installation of the Hirshhorn's Directions series focuses on the work of two artists whose work "explores the ruins of the 20th century." But the work of Mario Garcia Torres and Cyprien Gaillard is not just ruin porn: their art traffics not only in decaying structures but in obsolescent art forms as well. more ›

On the heels of a successful European tour in support of their widely-praised sixth LP, Lisbon, The Walkmen capped off a banner year with a pair of homecoming concerts, one in New York City and one last Friday night at the 9:30 Club in D.C., from which all five band members originally hail. With family and friends watching alongside a rapt capacity crowd, the St. Albans and Maret alums delivered a sterling ninety-minute performance during which they easily lived up to their reputation as one of indie-rock's preeminent live acts. more ›

During this economic downturn, DCist has reported on several arts institutions that are facing financial challenges as a direct result of the crisis. Unfortunately, there is yet another addition to that list -- BloomBars, the non-profit community gallery and performance space located in Columbia Heights. more ›

FOOD & DRINK: It's an epic battle of cheap beers tonight with the PBR vs. Natty Boh event at Bourbon (2321 18th Street NW). Along with $3 cans of each beer, munch on free house-made corn dogs and sling back $4 Jim Beam Rye shots. There will be prizes given to patrons whose cans have stars on the bottoms. All the empty cans will be stacked in two competing pyramids: the highest one at the end of the night wins! 7-10 p.m. more ›

It's December, and the annual avalanche of year-end lists, best-ofs, and awards for music, movies, books, and anything else that anyone on the internet can think of to rate is getting underway. As is its habit, the National Board of Review kicked off the season for film, releasing its picks of the best of the year at the end of last week. The Washington Area Film Critics Association, a collection of TV, radio, print, and internet film critics in the area with 39 voting members (full disclosure: I'm one of those members), is usually second to the plate -- and this morning WAFCA released its nominees and award-winners. more ›

Flickr user philliefan99 shows us this fun example of the ability to show movement in a static medium. We love the captured forward momentum of the duckling precariously poised to enter the water, one webbed foot committed to the jump in anticipation of completion. Notice the small indentation and white water wake around the sibling, who already made the leap and is about to comfortably paddle away. (EXIF.) more ›

Yesterday, four members of the Washington Capitals -- forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson, and defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson -- took a break from their usual weekend routine to get back to basics on the National Mall. more ›

The recently maligned National Portrait Gallery was the setting Thursday night for a protest over its controversial removal of a video piece, A Fire in My Belly by artist David Wojnarowicz, from its GLBT-focused exhibits. TBD reports that a crowd of about 100 people showed up, walking from the Transformer Gallery, which started displaying the 4-minute segment in question the day before, near Logan Circle to the front steps of the National Portrait Gallery on 8th and F Streets where the film was projected onto its northside walls by performance artist Adrian Parsons. From the NPG, they moved on to the steps of the Capitol Building, all the while protesting with "mouths tied." In addition to other local media outlets, several of our Flickr photographers were on hand and in the crowd to document the demonstration. more ›

Why do kids always seem to ride in Metro cars staring backwards through the backrest metal handrails; what could be so fascinating to them? This POV shot by coxen00 shows some of the whimsy and imagination a kid could have amongst the metal jungle of our daily commutes. A zombie invasion perhaps? Or giant fluffy marshmallow bunnies? more ›

Eric Fischer, the man who brought us the fascinating map showing the racial divides of the District, has made a geotagged map of the most photographed parts of the city. He's done the same in many cities, so check out the set. more ›

When it comes to unflaggingly emanating funk and style in D.C., Chuck Brown, otherwise known as the Godfather of Go-go, is sui generis. And there should be no surprise that while not signing autographs, Brown continues to perform, earning him a Grammy nomination for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals." Congrats and good luck. more ›

This is the kind of thing that can quite easily become an insufferable mess. Quarter-life crisis stories, with angsty twenty-somethings trying to figure out just who they're going to be now that all the externally imposed structure has suddenly vanished from their lives, can easily become self-indulgent exercises in solipsism. In the premise for her second feature, Tiny Furniture, writer/director Lena Dunham practically sets herself up for just such an exercise: the young director, a recent film school grad herself, casts herself as Aura, also a recent film school grad, just moved back into her old room in the Tribeca apartment where her artist mother and high school student sister live. The self-reference goes even deeper, though, since the actors who play Aura's mother and sister are Dunham's actual mother and sister, and the apartment that serves as the set for the film isn't just a set: it's their actual apartment. more ›

Omnipresent Christmas music assaults one's ears throughout the month of December. If it does not push you over the edge, you may be the sort of person who actually wants to hear a Christmas concert at this time of the year. Our picks for the season's most interesting holiday concerts follow, mostly free of Christmas chestnuts: much more of the best of the rest after the jump. more ›

The name "Shat Shorts" sounds like an indicator of a joke, especially considering that the single they premiered on One Track Mind was called "Liveblogging the Loss of My Virginity." But Shat Shorts is not so much a joke as it is a good time. more ›

One of the cool things about living in D.C. right now is that there are still movers and shakers around who have been instrumental in coaxing the city from its sleepy period a few decades back to its current status as an increasingly cosmopolitan place. Carla Perlo is one of those folks. A Washington-area native, she founded Dance Place in 1980 in an effort to give the region's few modern dancers another venue for classes and performances. That was back in Adams Morgan, before the rents in that neighborhood went sky high and she was forced to leave. more ›

It turns out that ballet isn't so different from professional wrestling: both are choreographed, both take enormous physical tolls and both can make you a little crazy -- the former just has much smaller performers and far better music. It's odd to think of Darren Aronofsky's new film, Black Swan, a backstage thriller about professional ballet, as a companion piece to his last film, The Wrestler, a backstage melodrama about professional wrestling, with Natalie Portman playing a diminutive version of Mickey Rourke, only in less gaudy tights. But it's not entirely inaccurate. more ›

FRIDAY

FOOD & DRINK: The Black Squirrel (2427 18th Street NW) is throwing a Great Lakes Christmas Party tonight, complete with Christmas Ale and cookies. Chef Gene Sohn is also incorporating the Christmas Ale into two desserts: a bread pudding and eggnog custard. 6:30 p.m. more ›

Sometimes the line between what's real and not real can be hard to find. While the break in this composition by Bogotron is obvious, the monochrome colors, solitary figures, geometric patterns and film treatment make it only just. more ›

This week at the movies: a preview of the Capital Irish and Washington Jewish film festivals, the chance to revel in Tom Savini's mega-gory effects work, and more. more ›

With the end of the year approaching, museums are mostly holding new exhibits until the upcoming year, but many are offering holiday festivities. But keep in mind if you're entertaining relatives in town this month: the Smithsonian museums are closed on December 25. more ›

Singer/songwriter Aaron Thompson's bio on the Sockets Records website states that he can evoke "the sound and feeling of winter." This speaks the truth: Thompson's voice can be whispery, casting a shadow over an already ambient soundscape with echoes of Sigur Ros' arctic glow (as on "Vals") or it can howl over noisy, squeaky cello samples for a haunting sound that recalls rushing winds and lonely coyotes (as on "Den of the Wolves.") more ›

This Friday, December 3, the National Zoo kicks off its annual Zoo Lights, which fills the Zoo's exhibits with holiday lights and decorations. As a holiday gift to the city, admission to the event is free (although parking is $8 for FONZ members and $15 for nonmembers). The lights come on between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday until December 12, and daily from December 17-January 1 (except December 24, 25, and 31). more ›

VARIETY SHOW: Grab your My Little Ponies and head to "Show & Tell: An Evening of Nostalgery From The 80's and 90's" at Wonderland Ballroom (1101 Kenyon Street NW) for "original music and stories on everything from Ghostbusters to Mr. Belvedere." There will also be an 80's/90's Dance Party, TV show theme-song sing-along, trivia and snacks. Check out host Hillary Buckholtz's site, I'm Remembering, for a montage of 80's and 90's awesomeness (damn, now I want Dunk-a-roos). $12. more ›

Written by DCist contributor Amanda Abrams

Onstage, Edwin Aparicio is all fire and precision: with his proud snapping shoulders and fast-moving feet, he fully embodies Spain’s best-known dance style, flamenco. But offstage, the man who has done much to increase flamenco’s presence around the city is a D.C. boy through and through. Born in El Salvador, he grew up in Mount Pleasant and attended the city’s public schools and dance studios before seriously turning his focus to flamenco. Eventually, Aparicio widened his perspective – and embellished his movement style – by traveling abroad to study in Spain, the center of the flamenco world. more ›

Last year, the District was lucky enough to have representation at the Grammy Awards from two talented residents, Muhsinah (now saƒia) and Christylez. This year, we're proud to see that three local artists have received Grammy nods. more ›

We've all either donated to, stopped and listened or completely ignored street performers practicing their crafts near Metro stations around the city. But how many of us, like yonas1, have engaged in a game of peek-a-boo instead? more ›

Much of what local theaters are offering this month is holiday-themed fare, but there's a touch of time travel, a hint of politics and a bit of mystery thrown in for good measure. Here are the highlights. more ›

As we mentioned earlier today, in honor of World AIDS Day and Day With(out) Art, Transformer Gallery is showing the video work A Fire in My Belly by David Wojnarowicz, the now-controversial video removed from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. Outraged by the censorship? Join in a protest tomorrow evening, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Transformer. more ›

TALK: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Neko Case speaks at National Geographic Live! (1600 M Street NW) as part of the Music on Photography series. 7:30 p.m. $20. more ›

Was this your view as you trudged into work this rainy morning? Despite the dismal conditions and almost monochromatic landscape, Bogotron adds interest with clever framing of his subject. more ›

Former DCist editor Kriston Capps reports that Transformer Gallery will pick up the slack and publicly screen David Wojnarowicz's A Fire in My Belly, the video which the National Portrait Gallery removed from an exhibit after several conservatives and Congress members deemed it offensive. The gallery, located at 1404 P Street NW, will begin screening an abridged 4-minute cut of Wojnarowicz's 1987 work in its front window by 1 p.m. this afternoon; Capps also notes that gallery management is attempting to secure the rights to show the full thirty-minute video, as well. (UPDATE: City Paper now passes along word that Transformer is organizing a protest in which people will walk from 1404 P Street to the National Portrait Gallery tomorrow evening with "their mouths bound.") Can't wait? You can view A Fire in My Belly here. (Note: the imagery could be considered NSFW in some environments.) more ›

>> A long time protégé of late great saxophonist Jackie McLean, pianist Alan Jay Palmer is an established educator, composer, and performer based out of New York. His more recent credits include stints with trumpeter Roy Hargrove's quintent and work as music director for rapper Common. Palmer will lead his band, New Soil, on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $18. more ›