MONDAY, DECEMBER 3
SHADY: Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer for President Obama and former Director of the White House Photo Office, has used his Instagram to provide a study in presidential contrasts. His new book, Shade, brings the critique to print. Ticket price includes book and signing. (Kramerbooks, 6:30 p.m., $30)
ALL THAT JAZZ: After a pause in 2017, the 2018 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Competition returns with a recording contract from Concord Music Group on the line. The evening, headlined by Institute chair Herbie Hancock, also features a memorial to Aretha Franklin. (The Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$125)
IN HER OWN WORDS: In January, the Wall Street Journal reported that Michael Cohen paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 ahead of the 2016 election to keep quiet on an affair with President Donald Trump. Now in her book Full Disclosure, Stormy Daniels details her childhood, career, and how her and the president’s paths ultimately crossed. She’s joined in conversation by Sally Quinn of the Washington Post. This one’s likely to be busy: We recommend getting there early. (Politics & Prose, 6:00 p.m. FREE)
MORE: Arthur Ashe: A Life: A Conversation between Ray Arsenault and Bill Rhoden (National Museum of African American History and Culture, 3:00 p.m., FREE), DC101’s Office Party (The Anthem, 6:00 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show, $55-$95), HAERTS with Vlad Holiday (DC9, 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show, $18-$20)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4
EXPLORE THE PAGES: Go behind the scenes of National Geographic with a conversation between contributing writer and editor Jamie Shreeve, editor in chief Susan Goldberg, investigative reporter Rachael Bale, articles editor Oliver Payne, and contributing writer Yudhijit Bhattacharjee. (Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., $25)
CHOO CHOO: This year’s Season’s Greetings at the Botanical Garden takes its thematic inspiration from trains. Thousands of blooms are on display, along with recreations of train stations from across the country. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Garden stays open and features live music; this week’s program includes jazz from Project Natale. (United States Botanical Garden, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., FREE)
TOUGH TALK: In observation of World AIDS Day, the American Society for Microbiology and Smithsonian convene a evening program. Imagining an HIV-Free Future features scientists, advocates, and experts working in Washington who will discuss research and policy around the disease. (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 6:45 p.m., FREE with required registration)
MORE: AdMo Run Club: Zoolights Edition (The LINE, 6:30 p.m., FREE) Polo & Pan with Otherfeels (9:30 Club, 7:00 p.m. doors, $20)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
CHEERY: Enjoy cookies, cocoa, carols, and a visit from Santa at the 17th annual DAR Christmas Open House. If you go, bring a new or gently used children’s book to support the group’s book drive. (DAR Memorial Continental Hall, 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., FREE)
LIMBER UP AND LISTEN: Forgo the pom for a reflective evening program featuring a performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil (Opus 37), followed by tea, anointings and sleep yoga (a much cozier term for restorative yoga). (All Souls Church, Unitarian, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. FREE)
WINE WEDNESDAY: Get through the week with a little Washingtonian’s Winter Wine Classic features live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and, of course, wine from City Winery, Cork Wine Bar, District Winery and more. (AJAX, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., $55-$65)
STORE-BOUGHT IS FINE: Want to impress guests with a stellar tablescape this holiday season? Get inspiration from local artists over light bites and drinks. Plus, pick your favorite display—the winning design walks away with a $1,000 donation to his or her charity of choice. (Room & Board, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Cirque du Soleil Crystal (Capital One Arena, 7:30 p.m., $55+), The Helio Sequence Keep Your Eyes Ahead Anniversary Tour with Wild Pink (Songbyrd, 7:00 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show, $20-$22), Justus Proffit and Jay Som with Outer Spaces (DC9, 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show, $13-$15), Breaking Boundaries in the Sky (National Air and Space Museum, 8:00 p.m., FREE with required registration)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
O, TANNENBAUM, PART III: The 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree comes from the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. Can’t make it for Thursday’s lighting? The tree will be lit from dusk until 11:00 p.m. each evening through the holidays. (West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, 5:00 p.m., FREE)
SKOL: December’s Phillips After 5: Nordic Holiday celebrates the winter traditions of Nordic nations. Dine on Denmark delights and Icelandic drinks and hear the Finnish sounds of Sanns Four—and don’t forget to peruse the exhibit Nordic Impressions. Wear a Nordic national costume and you’ll score a free drink. (The Phillips Collection, 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $10-$12, 18 and under FREE)
HITCH A RIDE: Throughout the band’s storied discography, Drive-By Truckers, led by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, have made rollicking music that speaks truth and untangles contradictions. The 21 and evening with Patterson Hood solo is part of the Smithsonian Ingenuity Festival celebrating American genius. (Pearl Street Warehouse, 7:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show, $30)
MORE: Dacha’s Annual Holiday Market (Dacha, 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., FREE), Pie, Squared: The Tasty Case for Slab Pies (S. Dillon Ripley Center, 6:45 p.m., $30 member, $45 non-member), The DC Moth StorySLAM (The Miracle Theatre, 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., $10), Kimbra: An Intimate, Reimagined Evening with DAWN (Sixth & I, 7:00 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show, $25 in advance, $30 day of show), Socks: A Christmas Rock’n’Roll Tour with JD McPherson and Eddie Angel’s Guitar Party (Black Cat, 7:30 p.m. doors, $25).
