Arts and Events: December 2008 Archives

Maybe you decided to say fuck it this year and not make any plans. Or maybe the host of the party you were going to attend got food poisoning. Or maybe you just moved to D.C. and need something to do last minute. At any rate, in a few hours the panic might start setting in as you feel the pressure to ring in the new year with at least a little pomp and/or circumstance. Here are a few options you could jump onto last minute. As far as we know, these are still all available, but some will likely fill up before the clock strikes midnight. Have a fun, safe and happy new year's eve, everybody!

Despite ccandumplins's protestations regarding her talent and experience at street photography, she caught something quite interesting here. The late afternoon orange tones; the line-up of spying shadow people; and the expression, posture, and slight overexposure of her subject all support her title: "Where are you gonna hide?"

It is, of course, the time of year for reminiscing about things past and looking forward to the new, and we like the way Flickr user erin m is going about it. Today her close-up of a vintage typewriter includes the five books "new to her" she discovered this year, while yesterday the look-back to her top five music acquisitions accompanied one of a turntable. Enjoy the photos along with some recommendations, and feel free to start your own. EXIF.

It's been a while since the D.C.-area was noted for dance music. Baltimore has stolen the District's thunder in part because of highly respected producers like Karizma. But Tamara Wellons has helped focus more attention on the local scene due to at least part of her latest release, Life Is.

You know the holiday slow down drill by now, but if you're into DJ nights then this week is up to its ears in things that will make you happy. If you've got any other suggestions, leave them in the comments.

DCist's guide to lectures and discussions in the D.C. area

Much as we did last year, we're devoting the last column of the year to a look back rather than a look forward. As recently as a few months ago, it seemed 2008 was going to end up an uneven year at the movies, at least lacking the sort of instant classics and works of mad genius that made 2007 such a thrill. But in the end, we had a lot of trouble assembling this list -- not out of a lack of great material, but more because there were so many titles which we were reluctant to not recognize.

FRIDAY:

The first shot of Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler is from behind, and throughout the opening, director Darren Aronofsky refuses to show his star from the front. He continues this tease, barely showing the edges of the actor's battered face before finally allowing us the chance to see it in all its wounded glory. Rourke doesn't need makeup to look this permanently damaged these days, and some of the emotional scars in his performance probably run painfully close to reality as well.

DCist palavered with Darkest Hour, those monopolists of shred, before their recent 9:30 Club appearance — and lived to tell the tale. What survives the encounter was captured on film and is presented here as a warning for all good Christian souls. Originally a D.C.–based conspiracy, Darkest Hour has spread its infernal tendrils throughout the realm.

She socialized with the Washington Social club, pulled together The Housemates for several years of DCist's entertainment -- including an Unbuckled performance and a recent interview -- and now Olivia Mancini is realigning her musical efforts yet again. She and her new lineup, Olivia and the Terrible Two, are playing a show at the Black Cat this weekend with Tereu Tereu and Revival ($10, 9 p.m.). Here's what she told us earlier this week about the new and old lineups and what she's got in store for us:

» Lenny Robinson, this week's Three Stars artist, already mentioned the annual Christmas Day Jazz Jam on the Millennium Stage. The show is always packed, so get there early if you want a seat. 6 p.m. Free.

by DCist contributor Dave Weigel

There's a tug of war going on throughout Benjamin Button's lengthy running time. On one side of the moat, there's director David Fincher, as always with an eye towards burrowing into the darker side of the human experience. Anchoring him is the ghost of F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose strange and somewhat clinical short story provides the inspiration for the film. Opposing those two is screenwriter Eric Roth, the writer of a couple of quite good films, but mostly of unwieldy junk with highbrow aspirations, the worst offender (and most appropriate to discussions of Button) being Forrest Gump. Giving him support is Alexandre Desplat, who provides an overbearing heartstring-tugger of a score, and, more importantly, a cadre of studio executives hell-bent on getting a weepy crowd-pleaser in the spirit of Titanic and Gump for their $150 million dollar investment. Who's going to win?

HOLIDAYS: Been meaning to go down and see the National Christmas Tree? Tonight is the last night of scheduled live music performances in President's Park. Tree viewing is open until 11 p.m.; tonight's performances include Revonda Roberts & Harvest Wind at 6 p.m., gospel singer Aliciadine at 7 p.m. and Maryland's Hearts of Gold at 8 p.m.

First off, DCist was happy when Grammy nominations were announced earlier this month and D.C.-area artists and producers were involved in six projects that will be up for recognition at the Recording Academy's February 8, 2009 ceremony. But when we heard that one of our May Three Stars artists, Wayna, was among those acknowledged in the "Best Urban/Alternative Performance" category for her performance on "Loving You (Music)," which also features D.C. native Kokayi, we were ecstatic.

With much of the city on hiatus for the holidays, you might as well take advantage of the area's museums this week. Flickr user ameschen gives us this soaring shot of Alexander Calder's Mobile in the National Gallery of Art. Refer to this week's Talk to Me Baby for special talks or lectures going on over the holidays, but remember that the Smithsonian museums will be closed on Dec. 25. EXIF.

Drummer Lenny Robinson is one of the busiest players in the District's jazz scene. Gigging regularly with the area's best for over 20 years, and also leading his own groups, he should be a familiar voice to any fan of local music. Combining formidable technique with an impeccable sense of swing, his playing retains a sense of individuality while staying true to the traditions of jazz drumming.

            

Forget everything you thought you knew about Oasis!

Good morning, Washington. It's still very cold out this morning, but temperatures are expected to creep back up above freezing by the afternoon, just in time to spoil any chance we might have had at snow when a winter storm rolls in tomorrow. Instead, it's looking like we're in store for some lovely cold rain. And by lovely, we mean pretty much totally crappy. Definitely no white Christmas this year, kids. Sad face.

Clubs and musicians take holidays too. As a result, it's a pretty quiet week around town. If you've got any other suggestions, let us know in the comments.

One of the good parts about cold weather? Between the graying clouds and the quick winds blowing them around, you can catch some really beautiful colors in the sky. For instance: rjs1322 caught this tree on Rhode Island Ave., stretching its limbs high into the cool wintry blue. EXIF.

Despite what Kyle from South Park said, it’s pretty darn good to be a Jew on Christmas. With Hanukkah underway and multiple Christmas Eve bashes to choose from, get ready for a week-long Jewish singles’ bonanza. The Matzo Ball and its myriad competitors are derided by some for their meatmarket vibe, but whether you're looking to bump into friends, find a mensch to take home for Passover, anxious to start a family, or just want to practice, there's sure to be a scene for you.

DCist's guide to lectures and discussions in the D.C. area

                 

Earlier this month the University of Maryland art department hosted its annual iron pour, in which students, faculty, and guests made molds and pour iron to cast metal sculpture. The sculptors arrived a day early with molds, which they build into the ground, and radiators, which they hack up and melt down for the metal. The acrid smell lingers for days; the iron sculpture, much longers. [Note: This writer teaches a graduate fine art colloquium at the University of Maryland.]

solupine snapped this awesome close-up of the wonderfully aged and in-transition brick facade of the old Waffle Shop location at 522 10th St NW.

Time travel stories can present all sorts of wonderfully mind-bending possibilities for the creative storyteller, but an awful lot of logical pitfalls. If Marty McFly accidentally keeps his parents from getting together and nullifies his existence, then he couldn't have hopped into that DeLorean and keep them apart, reinstating his existence, and around and around the wheel of folded time causality spins. Most filmmakers tend to try to skip over these inherent paradoxes in order to have their stories make some semblance of sense. But new quantum mechanics-influenced models of time travel posit that there are universal laws at work that prevent any such tinkering in time to occur. You can go back for a look-see, but you'll be prevented from engaging in any action that will alter a future that is established with certainty.

FRIDAY:

The argument has been made that a city's vibrancy is directly correlated with the strength of its artistic community. Borrowing from this sentiment is DC51, a progressive artist collective based in the District. Recently, DC51 expanded its ranks to include not only visual artists but also musicians. In celebration of this growth, they'll be holding a concert at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight at 9 p.m. featuring several hip-hop influenced acts: Drop Electric, Christylez Bacon, Godisheus featuring Head-Roc, and the Cornel West Theory.

This pedestrian scene by dr_kim_veis is quite lovely. The tone and clarity of the composition help you focus in on some of the sharper details, like the cooking pans and the flour marks on the woman's shirt. EXIF.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

• Banita Jacks is receiving anti-psychotic drug treatments at St. Elizabeth's, but it's far from clear whether she's competent to stand trial for the murders of her four daughters. The Post's story contains this haunting paragraph: "Once she corrected a hospital facilitator who said she faced 10 criminal counts; actually, it was 12, she told him. Another time, the report says, she smiled while listening to a hospital staff member read charging documents that describe the decomposition of the girls' bodies."
• The AP reports that Queen Anne's County prosecutors have declined to file criminal charges against the 19-year-old woman involved in the Bay Bridge crash that killed a tractor trailer driver in August.
• Authorities seized about 500 chickens from two farms in Loudoun County as part of a cockfighting investigation.

If you head out anywhere for art this weekend, make it the Hirshhorn. As you enter you'll see the new installation of Louise Bourgeois' Crouching Spider, which the artist describes as "a defense against evil." (Bourgeois, who turns 97 on Christmas Day, has a retrospective coming to the Hirshhorn in February.) Inside, starting next Monday, see the exhibit in the Black Box new media space, featuring video work by Ori Gersht.

MUSIC: The Black Cat hosts a CD release party for rising locals Deleted Scenes (***). They'll be sharing the stage with Exit Clov and La Strada. $10, 8:30 p.m.

Since its formation in the fall of 2006, Junior League Band has graced numerous stages throughout the Metro area – and around the country – in an effort to introduce a new legion of fans to its unique blend of rock- and bluegrass-inspired music. Despite numerous changes in personnel, the band has produced three records in less than 18 months, solidifying their sound and making an indelible mark on the D.C. music landscape.

Flickr user erin_m is a real showoff, bragging about wrapping presents over a week prior to the big day.  Some of us still need to do our research on Bolivian pop music CDs, let alone purchase gifts and wrapping supplies. This will not be a good weekend to be a claustrophobic agoraphobe. EXIF.

Damn their warnings, damn their lies. Signature Theater has proven that it doesn't take a turntable stage and a National Tour to produce a dazzling and, more importantly, individualized production of one of the theater's most beloved musicals, .

JAZZ: The Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra will play Duke Ellington's 1960 jazz arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite, in its entirety, at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Blue Sky 5 is a traditional swing band that offers vintage jazz that's meant for dancing. Those who want to get their lindy hop on should head to the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. Free

In case you missed it, we opened the 2009 DCist Exposed Photography Show for entries a couple weeks ago. We've been enjoying seeing our Flickr pool fill up with potential winners. If you'd like to enter, please read our rules, then fill out our brief application and submit the $5 fee. After that, pick your three favorite photos that show us the vibrancy and cultural uniqueness of Washington, D.C. and throw them in the pool by midnight on January 7. If you have any questions regarding your submissions, check our Flickr discussion board first, and go ahead and ask if it hasn't already been answered.

MUSIC: Singer-songwriter Elliott Murphy has been living as an ex-pat in Paris for nearly two decades now, and though he's been better known as a novelist, journalist and producer in recent decades, he still manages to average nearly an album a year on the side. He's at the intimate Velvet Lounge as part of his first U.S. tour in eight years, likely making him the first artist to play the U Street club who has recorded with both Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. With Jann Klose, $15, 9 p.m.

             

Words and photos by DCist contributor Francis Chung

In a past Three Stars interview, DCist Music Editor Amanda Mattos called D.C./Brooklyn quartet Deleted Scenes "not a great local band, but a great band in general." Listening to their debut LP, Birdseed Shirt, it's difficult to challenge that assessment. Named after an invention dreamed up by Jonathan Safran Foer's protagonist in the novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Birdseed Shirt is brimming with ideas — much like Foer's book — and clearly the work of artists destined to exist outside of the "local" category.

Washingtonians certainly have enough options to take in a performance of Tchaikovsky's evergreen Christmas ballet The Nutcracker this month. Given the choice this weekend, the more traditional extravaganza version offered by the Joffrey Ballet at the Kennedy Center lost out to the Washington Ballet's revival of Septime Webre's re-imagining of The Nutcracker at the Warner Theater.

At first glance this is quite the adorable scene: kiddies, pandas, winter celebrations. Except...what is going on here? Is that panda trapped inside that snow globe, with the dirty gym towel instead of snow, begging those kids to let him out? Couldn't they just let him prance around with some fake antlers so he could actually take photos with the kidlets instead of locking him away behind plastic where he can only longingly touch paws, like a monthly jailhouse visit? So many questions. Brian Knight Photography found this sweet, strange little scene at Zoo Lights, which starts again on Thursday and runs through December 30, except Christmas.

>> It's been a while, but "Beat Grinder" is back. Ten producers will battle at Liv over three rounds as this month's show tips its hat to Gil Scott-Heron. Grap Luva will serve as the host while Damu the Fudgemonk and Underdog the DJ will be on the turntables. $7, 9 p.m.

>> Kansas City isn't exactly known for its vibrant hip-hop scene. That fact, however, hasn't stopped Missouri MC Mac Lethal from planting his name on the map. Rapping over everything from harmonica loops to folky ballads and referencing Wilco and Nick Drake in his songs, it's no stretch to say that Lethal isn't your average hip-hop artist. That said, fans of acts like Atmosphere and Sage Francis will find plenty to love in his introspective, self-deprecating rhymes. At DC9 with Grieves and Soulcrate Music, $10, 9 p.m.

patters through the opening number, "Just Another Day," it's hard not to feel a little cynical – another testament to the mundane trappings of suburban life? Is there really anything more to say on the subject?

Let's face it. The main draw for this past weekend's shows at Bohemian Caverns was Roberta Flack. The legendary vocalist, who got her start here in the District, was not even the featured artist on the bill. Taking the mic prior to the start of Sunday night's early set, with her characteristic regal presence, Flack announced that she would not be performing that evening, and would only introduce her godson and protégé, the "Piano Prince of New Orleans," headliner Davell Crawford.

The American story isn’t just told by famous people. That's apparent at the National Portrait Gallery, which recently opened Feature Photography, the fourth installment of Portraiture Now, the series that showcases 21st century portrait artists. A nice departure from many of the other shows that the gallery presents, which focus almost exclusively on the more well-known members of our society, Feature Photography shows the work of six artists, who each give us their take on portraiture.

DCist's guide to lectures and discussions in the D.C. area

Karon caught this little bit of holiday decoration at the entrance to one of the ubiquitously drab parking garages around Farragut Square. When these cold concrete castles start overloading on the tinsel, well, you know that we're officially knee-deep into the holiday season. EXIF.

Produced by DCist contributor Meredith Bragg

Most of the concerts around town at this point of the year are holiday craptaculars and performances of Messiah. Here is the rest of what's left all the way through the first weekend of January, which is when the post-holiday edition of the Classical Music Agenda will resume. Enjoy the rest of your year!

One of the selling points many children's films strive for is appeal for adults. If parents are going to be convinced to sit through films with their kids, and especially if they're going to endure bits and pieces of the endless repeated viewings that are inevitable once the DVD is purchased, they figure they need to throw a little bone to the older crowd. Unfortunately, these usually come in the form of endless in-jokes and pop culture references that, even when they are sporadically funny, tend to be completely incongruous with the surrounding material. And you're left with green ogres delivering fart jokes and making references that are destined to be dated in a year, let alone 20, or 50.

FRIDAY:

Perhaps it's the dreary gray of the past couple of days that have helped draw me into this rusty window by christaki. The bright, saturated, rainbow colors really help the window pop. EXIF.

As you know, we at DCist are already huge fans of Flickr, the photo sharing site, and were excited to hear earlier this year when they launched a new pilot project called The Commons. Flickr paired with museums and organizations that held public photographic archives, like the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. Each of them have their own Flickr stream and periodically update from their treasure chest of history.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

Looks like everyone is gearing up this weekend to open one last show for 2008, and there is so much good stuff, we're not sure how we're going to get to it all. Be sure to go below the fold to find this weekends' holiday art markets around town.

MUSIC: The "Piano Prince of New Orleans," Davell Crawford, starts a four-night stint tonight at Bohemian Caverns. His infectious and funky gumbo of gospel, R&B, and jazz will be on display with nightly 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets, and will, no joke, feature Roberta Flack as a special guest. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Kids these days have their Dora and their Bob the Builder to teach them Spanish and construction, but Kermit the Frog taught most of us how to stay calm in the midst of stalkers and teleporting scientists.  Flickr user philliefan99 captured the scene as Kermit's legacy is absorbed by future generations.  EXIF.

MUSIC: Rising stars Ra Ra Rasputin headline a line-up of local acts at DC9. FFFever, The Spiritual Machine, and Exactly also play. 8:30 p.m., $8.

              

If you’ve ever been inside Twin Oaks estate, that massive mansion in Cleveland Park on Woodley Avenue NW between Wisconsin and Connecticut avenues, you are in rare company: it’s the largest privately owned estate in D.C. that doesn’t house the president, and it’s only open to the public for special events. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) runs Twin Oaks now, using it to host Taiwanese diplomatic and cultural events. This year, TECRO is commemorating the 120th anniversary of Twin Oaks. DCist had the chance to visit Twin Oaks last Friday for the celebration and speak with Taiwanese Ambassador Jason Yuan about his experiences in D.C., Taiwan-China-U.S. relations, and Taiwan's connection with National Geographic.

Christmas music tends to be pretty polarizing, but we're firmly in the Love It camp. A bunch of local musicians have been keeping themselves busy in the pursuit of holiday music, too. Here are a few gems we've found from our local reserves — from bands that are still knocking around local clubs and those long gone by. Enjoy, and let us know if you know of any others.

Well oh geez. Flickr user william couch has embraced the scaled-back necessity of this particular holiday season with his earnest little tree. All he needs now is to dust off the old VCR and pop in some classic Christmas spirit. EXIF.

>> Tonight, the Millennium Stage will feature Norwegian Visions. The duo of bassist Eivind Opsvik and tenor saxophonist Håkon Kornstad produce their distinctive brand of avant-garde jazz. 6 p.m., Free.

MOVIE: The Black Cat hosts a series of documentary film screenings tonight featuring The Clash: Joe Strummer: Let's Rock Again, The Future is Unwritten: Joe Strummer and The Clash: Rudeboy screen back to back, for free, in the Backstage starting at 8:30 p.m.

We just loved this winter festival scene in Bethesda because of the hilarious look on the little girl's face, as if she's really witnessing some kind of chainsaw horror, and not the ice sculpting of a...well, what is that? Some kind of elf? Maybe Flickr user The Skipping Hippy can help us out with that. EXIF.

With all the lush romanticism going on over at Shakespeare Theater's Harman Center, you'd think it were Valentine's Day, not the Christmas season.

>> Teaming up for a performance at Constitution Hall will be John Legend and Raphael Saadiq, both of whom have released albums in the past several months (Evolver and The Way I See It, respectively). $71, 7 p.m.

>> Say what you will about aging legends of rock 'n' roll continuing to tour into their golden years, when you've got a catalog of songs as strong as Kinks frontman Ray Davies, we say let 'em go 'til they can't go anymore. Where the Stones and the Who depended upon a vitality and power that they just can't summon anymore, for the Kinks it was all about the songwriting, and those songs have aged quite well. With a well of tunes as deep as Davies has, plus the semi-recent release of an album of new material, don't expect a retread of just the hits. If reports from other solo shows this year are any indication, tonight's 9:30 Club show should be a mix of new stuff and older album cuts and b-sides. Brooklyn garage rockers Locksley kick off the evening. 7 p.m., $40.

Sure, snow in Washington is usually accompanied by insane rushes for toilet paper and milk, but amid the craziness, one shouldn't forget that the fluffy white stuff makes for some excellent photographic opportunities. Tyrannous used Saturday's light dusting for just this purpose, capturing a fantastically clean winter landscape. EXIF.

>> Unfortunately, tonight's and tomorrow night's 7 p.m. Annie Liebowitz lectures and book signings at the Corcoran and Sixth and I respectively are sold out, but perhaps if you head over there and look sad enough, someone will give you an extra ticket. Or, if you just want your book signed, Politics and Prose suggests you call (202) 364-1919.

          

Nada Surf's fifth album is the aptly titled Lucky. After their label refused to release their sophomore record because it "didn't hear a single" -- thereby refusing the band an opportunity to follow up on their mega-hit "Popular" -- many bands would have just walked away. Nada Surf, however, refused to cave and turned their focus to Europe, where The Proximity Effect became a small hit -- eventually allowing the band the buy back the album's Stateside rights and release the record themselves. A recording contract with Barsuk Records arrived shortly thereafter, and the group's been able to release three more records.

               

Q: What do you call a couple hundred Santas running around the National Mall in broad daylight, singing Christmas carols, stopping traffic, and bringing a healthy amount of Season's Greetings wherever they go?

The guy born on December 25 is not the only one to celebrate this month. American composer Elliott Carter was born on December 11, 1908, and musicians around the world are marking the occasion. As he has for 70-some years, Carter continues to create music of sometimes dizzying complexity, and Washingtonians will have many opportunities this week to get to know it, almost all of them for free. If you are looking for holiday concerts or performances of Messiah or The Nutcracker, we have already done that.

Via a press release and their blog, we've received news that the Nevin Kelly Gallery has moved from their U Street location to the Highland Park complex in Columbia Heights, just above the Green Line Metro stop at 14th and Irving Streets NW. We spoke with the gallery today, and they noted that they will be open by appointment only until the new year, when they'll host an open house to introduce everyone to their new digs, followed by regular business hours again.

Emmanuel Jal is a supremely charismatic young man with a gentle way of carrying himself, always ready with an infectious smile, and always willing to talk to a group of strangers about his music and the path that led him to be on a stage or at a podium in front of them. The simple fact of his standing anywhere is a triumph; at the age of seven he was transformed into a child soldier to fight in the Sudanese civil war, and spent five years with an AK-47 at the ready until a British humanitarian helped him sneak out to a better life in Kenya. His difficult path is an inspirational example of just what can happen when a little luck combines with a lot of talent, charisma, and positive attitude, as he now finds himself an international star, both for his story, and for the hip-hop he now performs, much of which is informed by the events that shaped him. He's a natural subject for a documentary, an unlikely and fascinating story of triumph over adversity, and that alone is enough to recommend War Child. On top of that, five percent of the grosses for the film go directly to Gua Africa, a group that works to help out war and poverty devastated communities in Sudan and Kenya through education. How often do you actually do some good when you spend your entertainment dollars?

FRIDAY:

Maybe it's the kid in me that thinks glitzy-cheesy lights strewn about animal displays at the National Zoo signal it's time to celebrate the holidays. Perhaps this little fella, captured by sarawithoutanh001, will be equally amused by the gaudiness, but probably not. Get your animal and light fix at Zoo Lights, which starts tonight at 6 p.m. EXIF.

              

Words and photos by DCist contributor Francis Chung

To mark the recent anniversary of Redskins safety Sean Taylor's murder, 93.9 WKYS brought together several local hip hop and R&B talents to collaborate on a tribute song. The radio station's afternoon drivetime DJ, EZ Street said, “The idea for doing this song is simple. To honor # 21 Sean and to send a message that to the community that we must never forget that there is still much work to do stop the violence in our community. Sean’s tragic death acts a reminder."

The philosophy behind The Points is deceptively simple: give the people down and dirty, straightforward, gut-punching rock 'n' roll. The deception lies in that very few bands who have discovered the complexities and twists of modern rock actually choose such a no-fuss approach. The Points know what kinds of bands probably got their fans into rock in the first place: wicked drum beats, head-banging guitar riffs, catchy hooks and a need to take out that anger against your girlfriend. When singer/guitarist Geo White growls lines like, "I don't like you, don't care what you say," you truly believe that you wouldn't want to catch this guy on a bad day.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

As we noted last week, most galleries are headed to Miami for the weekend of debauchery art parties known as Art Basel. Though some galleries have shows ongoing, it would be wise to call and make sure they're open this weekend if you plan to visit. In the meantime, we have plenty to keep us busy, especially as many venues turn into markets for the holiday gift-buying season.

MUSIC: The original draw for tonight's Velvet Lounge show, Brooklyn's Skeleton$, had to cancel, so we're sure the rest of the bill will be grateful if you show up to listen. Check out Kuschty Rye Ergot, Max Ochs and Chris Grier starting at 9:30 p.m., $8, 18+.

Jazz guitarist Jostein Gulbrandsen's career has been on the upswing since the 2007 release of his debut, Twelve. The album was named one of the year's top five by The Village Voice and as a result, Gulbrandsen is slowly making a name for himself in New York's crowded jazz scene. He is also a friend of the District, coming to the city several times a year to perform with local musicians. Gulbrandsen will return to our fair city with performances on Sunday at the vibrant Bossa Bistro & Lounge and Monday at Blues Alley, a performance sponsored by the Norwegian Embassy.

We've been seeing a lot of really nice sunset photos in the pool lately. This one by Flickr user sixoneseven struck us because of the amazing, minature-looking skyline. The off-colors from the Polaroid (RIP) are fun for the eyes, too.

Chestnuts are not only for roasting on open fires. Each December, arts organizations cash in on the unfathomable frenzy for certain holiday favorites, Messiah and The Nutcracker. The former is Handel's most performed — let's face it, disturbingly over-performed — oratorio. It is without doubt a work of great beauty, which I could probably learn to love again in a few years if I had not had to perform in some version of it every year since I was a freshman music major. Still, if you just cannot face the holiday season without hearing it yet again, worry not: you have a bewildering array of opportunities.

By DCist contributor Dave Weigel

ART: Head over to the Smithsonian American Art Museum to watch a screening of one of the best (only?) shows about contemporary art. At 6 p.m. watch the episode Identity from PBS' excellent series Art:21, featuring William Wegman, Maya Lin, Louise Bourgeois and more. Free.

          

Words and photos by DCist contributor Martin Locraft

It's that time of year again! The third annual DCist Exposed Photography Show is now officially open for entries. After two successful years, at Warehouse in 2007 and Civilian Art Projects in 2008, we're proud to announce the 2009 show will be held at The Gallery at Flashpoint, located at 916 G Street NW. Flashpoint, a project of the Cultural Development Corporation, is a nonprofit art gallery dedicated to new and emerging artists — a perfect partner for our show.

>> Smooth jazz supergroup Pieces of a Dream comes to town tonight for the start of a five night stand at Blues Alley. Tickets to the daily 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $30 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

MUSIC: Desperate to find Vampire Weekend tickets for their sold out show at 9:30 Club? This guy is offering two tickets for $70. Each. Jeebus.

Washington's museums are atwitter with the season, offering many holiday themed events great for visiting family and friends in among other non-holiday themed exhibits.

Most of this month's endless series of holiday concerts rely on familiar formulas to cash in on the spirit of the season. At the same time, there are some genuinely interesting Advent and Christmas programs out there for those who want to receive their dose of December cheer without falling asleep.

I bet if you walked into the P2 elevator lobby at the National Geographic headquarters you wouldn't think, "Wow, what a room!" Lucky for us, we have people like Flickr user Hoffmann and his camera to transform an otherwise dull place into one with surprisingly rich color tones that seems, as commenter maxedaperture says, straight out of a movie scene. EXIF.

>> The monthly "Disco City" event at the Rock and Roll Hotel is back with Chris Burns and Max Dunbar playing host to guests Deep Sang and Ed Dudes. They'll be featuring the underground dance sounds of the 1970s and '80s. Free, 9:30 p.m.

>> Vampire Weekend at 9:30 Club is sold out for both Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are on Craigslist for $40, $50, $70. Good luck with that.

Still think Christmas is only for Nutcrackers and Dickens fans? Check out the D.C. theater scene this month, when you can storm the barricades, giggle with Elle Woods or just keep cool, boy.

We see a lot of beautiful pictures of the new Air Force Memorial in the DCist Flickr pool, but rarely do we get to see such a nice shot of the (somewhat similar) sculpture at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center. This is John Safer's Ascent, which sits in the Center's parking lot and was captured by Flickr user lorigoldberg with the luck of some crystal clear skies and a happy accident of slightly-off white balance. EXIF.

DCist's guide to lectures and discussions in the D.C. area