At this point in December, holiday concerts and Handel's Messiah have completely hijacked the classical music schedule. Here are a few other events, not all of which avoid the spirit of the season. After this post, the Classical Music Agenda will take its end-of-the-year hiatus, to return in the New Year. >> On Tuesday, the final concert sponsored by Washington Performing Arts Society this calendar year features young violist Jennifer Stumm and Finghin Collins at......

D.C. Cops are asking for your help in catching a man they say raped a woman in an alley on April 4. The attack happened in the 1300 block of G St., NE as the victim was taking her daughter to dinner. The 33-year-old woman was forced into the alley at knife point by two men. One man held her three-year-old daughter while the other man sexually assaulted her. Afterwards the men fled the scene.......

We always tell you where the free concerts are, but just because a concert is free does not mean that it will be good. This week, we are leading with the free concerts because they are so good. Other than the free stuff, there is so much to hear, we have selected a few options from what is less expensive, not sold out, and likely to be good. FREE, FREE, FREE: >> The Washington Bach......

The weather had better start behaving normally: we want a snow day! Now that there is a reason to be inside again, here are some places with interesting things lying around or hanging from the walls. The new season has officially begun. Make sure to check the gallery's Web site for specific hours before visiting. THURSDAY: >> Baltimore artist Cara Ober will open a show of new work, Prayers and Joking, at Flashpoint (916 G......

My mother has her own non-profit "recycling project." It's called the holiday gift closet, filled with girly lotion sets and hand-held electronic poker games, ready to re-gift. It's perfect for those fake friends who are clearly not worth the shopping trip. These are just the kind of age-old holiday traditions that Washington Improv Theater wants to know about for their annual show, Seasonal Disorder. Each December, Washington Improv Theater hosts the yuletide-themed spectacle Seasonal Disorder,......

Usually I recommend concert experiences I have actually heard or at least of which I have a fairly good idea what to expect. However, sometimes I recommend things that sound interesting but may be even stranger than I could have foreseen. This week I am leading with one of those. COLLEGE PARK: THE OPERA >> The interdisciplinary art collective called Squonk Opera got its start in Pittsburgh. Their latest project is Put Your Hometown's Name......

We know, we're totally buying into a PR stunt for the film adaptation of chick lit phenom The Devil Wears Prada by posting this. However, we also know that DCist readers love getting stuff for free. We're torn between our love for you, and our high moral principles. Okay, stop laughing now. Stop. We mean it. Suggesting that we have principles is not that funny. Alright it's a little funny. Without further ado, the people......

There is little doubt about the major event in classical music this week in Washington. On Tuesday (April 4, 8 p.m.) renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will play a recital in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Not only that, but he will be playing three of the solo cello suites by J. S. Bach, works with which he is widely identified, to the point that when he appeared on The West Wing, he was playing one......

Today, we're going to broaden our crime report horizons and examine the misdeeds of our suburban neighbors, along with the District. Thanks, as always, to the Post and the MPD. Washington, home of the world's strongest thieves: G ST., 1400 block, 9 p.m. March 13 to 12:10 p.m. March 15. A refrigerator was stolen from a residence. ADAMS ST., 1-99 block, 6:30 p.m. March 14 to 8 a.m. March 15. A bathtub and related materials......

Last week, we announced the beginning of Washington's orgy of Christmas and non-specific winter holiday concerts, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. However, there are some good concerts this week that are not specifically for the holidays, and that's where we'll start. WE LIKE FREE: >> We have three good free concerts for you this week. On the first Tuesday of most months, the Washington Bach Consort performs a noontime cantata, at......

This DCist suggests that we just write off this week as far as classical music goes. We prefer to think about the month of September, and you can plan out your much more exciting schedule next month with our Classical Month in Washington at Ionarts. Once again, it's all free this week, but there's just not that much of it. PIANO RECITALS: >> The Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St. NW) continues to host......

This DCist has managed to satisfy those persistent classical music cravings from time to time lately, but August is a slow month for concerts. In fact, we took our passport to make the trip all the way out to Wolf Trap last night, on a dangerous quest to see Rossini's La Cenerentola in a semistaged version by the Wolf Trap Opera Company (reviewed at Ionarts). The big party resumes in Washington next month, of course,......

We were a bit alarmed with a tipster wrote to us that "there is a huge freaking fire burning in front of the World Bank. Plumes of smoke, people running, the whole enchilada." D.C. government's emergency alert system has issued two alerts, one reporting a "Man hole cover explosion at 18th & G St., NW." and a follow-up sent minutes later reporting "Several street closures surrounding area of man hole cover explosion." After snooping around......

>> This Friday, Artomatic – a conglomerate of visual art, live music, poetry readings, films and more – opens at 800 Third St. NE. The opening reception kicks off at noon this Friday and lasts until 1 a.m. It’s up through Dec. 5. >> Also new this week is "Cuban Artists: Three Generations" at the Fraser Gallery in Bethesda. Stop by on Friday from 6-9 p.m. to sip mojitos (or sangria) while viewing new work......

Washington's Pacifica Radio station, WPFW 89.3 FM is sponsoring a "People's Commission On 911" this Saturday, Sept. 11 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the First Congregational Church at 945 G St. NW. The event, which intends to "honor the victims of 9/11 by seeking the truth" features FBI whistle-blower Coleen Rowley, who was named one of TIME magazine's People of the Year in 2002, Spencer Ackerman from the New Republic, a representative from......

The D.C. Public Library will feature Ronald McDonald as part of its "Summer Quest: Readers Rule" summer reading program for schoolchildren. Is this an innocent tactic to get young children excited about reading, or an evil ploy by the McDonald's corporation to hook kids on their fatty foods? After seeing Super Size Me, DCist isn't slightly suspicious ...Ronald McDonald at DC Public Library Ronald McDonald will visit children participating in the D.C. Public Library's Summer......