FRIDAY:
>> Read our interview with locals Junior League Band, and then go catch their early show at the 9:30 Club. With Ted Garber and Shane Gamble. Tickets are available here for $12. 6 p.m. doors.
>> Stick around for the late show at 9:30, when the Blisspop Holiday Party kicks off with DJs Tittsworth, Nadastrom and of course, Will Eastman. $15, doors at 11 p.m.
>> The DC51 Jumpoff Party is at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight at 9 p.m. Featured acts will include Drop Electric, Christylez Bacon, Godisheus featuring Head-Roc, and the Cornel West Theory. $10. Read our interview with Drop Electric percussionist Ramtin Arablouei.
>> With a dress code described as b-boy or b-girl, it makes sense that DJ Dredd‘s “Close 2 The Edge” party at the Black Cat will feature old school hip-hop favorites, with a holiday twist. $6, 9 p.m., backstage.
SATURDAY:
>> Looking for Christmas concerts? Look no further than our guide to general holiday shows to performances of Handel’s Messiah and The Nutcracker.
>> You may not be surprised to learn that tickets to the District’s first ever college bowl game, the Eagle Bank Bowl at RFK featuring Wake Forest vs. Navy, are still readily available. Game time is 11 a.m., tickets are here and cost $45-$135.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest hosts a special lecture by legendary pianist Oscar Peterson, entitled Thinking About Jazz. 1 to 3 p.m. Free.
>> The Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market is being held outside Big Bear Cafe, on the corner of 1st and R streets NW, from 4 to 9 p.m.
>> X in DC and PULSE are at BeBar, with tons of music, art, and live performances. $7, but wear an ugly holiday sweater and get in for $5. 7-11 p.m.
>> The Old 97’s are about as influential as they come in the alt-country scene, so don’t pass up this opportunity to catch frontman Rhett Miller in the relatively intimate confines of the Black Cat. With Joe Pug, $15, 9 p.m.
>> Oasis is at the Patriot Center, with Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Tickets are $52.50-$72.50, and are available here. 7 p.m.
SUNDAY:
>> Don’t forget to consult our film picks of the week, including master filmmaker David Lean’s classic adaption of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, at the National Gallery of Art at 4:30 p.m.
>> Spike Mendelsohn of Good Stuff Eatery and Top Chef fame is hosting a latke-making party at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue. 6 p.m., $6, purchase tickets here.
>> The Black Cat hosts its annual Rock ‘n’ Shop event, a great place to score unique last minute gifts for the indie rocker in your life. 8 p.m. to midnight. Mainstage, free admission.
>> DC9 hosts their big holiday show, “The Nine at DC9”, featuring nine singer-songwriters from all over the Mid-Atlantic region, including D.C.’s own Rene Moffatt, Laura Tsaggaris and Molly Hagen and Arlington’s Justin Trawick. $8 or $6 if you bring a canned food item to donate to the Capital Area Food Bank, 7:30 p.m.
>> Comet Ping Pong plays host to Mary Timony’s newest effort, Pow Wow, and Felt Letters, which features an all-star line-up including Ian Svenonius, Brendan Canty and Tom Bunnell. The latter act will be offering up “a multimedia musical performance of ‘What is a Group?’ where they explore what happens when aliens visit earth and dissect rock-n-roll and capitalism.” Free, 8:30 p.m.
>> Soprano Alessandra Marc returns to the National Gallery for a free concert with the National Gallery Strings performing the music of Ernest Bloch and other composers. No ticket or reservation is required, but show up early for a good seat. 6:30 p.m.
Photo by volcanojw
