Welcome to the last full week of November, DCist readers! If you’ve got family in town, we’ve got plenty of good ideas on how to get them out of the house including a talk about the origins of the holiday, a live karaoke event, a special new take on a beloved ballet, and much more.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25

COOK: The Thanksgiving edition of Profs & Pints will turn its gaze to the institution of American cooking this week. Professor Allen Pietrobon will tell the story of what people have been eating and cooking since the pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower. Covering everything from turkey to TV dinners and Jell-O salads, this is the culinary deep dive you never knew you needed. Just don’t come hungry. (Bier Baron Tavern, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $15)

ROCKY: Beloved band Tool will headline the Capital One Arena on Monday evening. The rock band is back to … well, rocking, after a 13-year hiatus. Their fifth studio album, August’s Fear Inoculum, topped the Billboard 200 albums chart the week of its release, the band’s third album to do so. (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $75)

ART INTIMATES LIFE: If everyone you know is already out of town for the holiday, it’s a good time to try something new. Might we suggest a good drawing event? Hillyer’s weekly live art event offers a chance for artists of all levels to practice their skills with a live nude model to sketch. You’ll need to bring your own materials, but otherwise, you’ll have plenty of time and space to work on your skills. (Hillyer, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $15)

CARDS AND COCKTAILS: Want to know what your future holds as we head into the last month of the decade? Slash Run in Petworth is having a cocktail and tarot card reading for those who are looking to get a sense of what’s next. You can get a 15-minute reading while sipping on a delightful cocktail—or, depending on what your reading reveals, several cocktails. (Slash Run, 8 p.m.- 11 p.m., Suggested donation of $10)

MORE: Brockhampton (The Anthem, 8 p.m., $40), DC Run Crew “HIIT and RUN” November Sessions (Potomac River Running, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., FREE)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26

MOODY BLUES: The French Embassy’s series on director Michel Gondry continues this week with a screening of his 2013 movie Mood Indigo. An adaptation of the 1947 novel Froth on the Daydream, the movie details the stories of two couples dealing with a series of illnesses and tragedies, all told through the distinctive visual style of Gondry. (Embassy of France, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration)

SING IT: Bier Baron Tavern’s weekly live karaoke event in partnership with District Karaoke is still on this Thanksgiving week. Go ahead and think about which song you want to perform to either embarrass or impress your family accordingly. (The Bier Baron Tavern, 7 p.m.-11 p.m., FREE)

THINK ON IT: If your holiday is more stressful than anything else, perhaps helping to have a night with your thoughts could be helpful. The Art of Living Foundation’s Tuesday Night Meditation class will provide a space for you to sit, relax, and work through your thoughts in a positive and constructive manner. (2401 15th St. NW, 7 p.m.- 8 p.m., FREE)

CAN YOU KICK IT: You may remember Shaolin Jazz’s “Can I Kick It?” event from this summer: It’s the atypical screening where a live DJ scores the film with a blend of different musical genres. Since it’s too cold to watch movies outside, the collective has moved to showing movies at Songbyrd and this week’s movie will be the anime Fist of the North Star, a perfect companion for a high-intensity musical accompaniment. (Songbyrd, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Marilyn at the LGBTQ Film Series (Embassy of Argentina, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE with registration), Underground Comedy (The Big Hunt, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE), Love, Live Jazz & Soul (Coffy Cafe, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY: Sauf Haus will open their doors on Wednesday to offer up a free salsa class. Veterans can perfect their moves, while newcomers will be able to learn the basics. The floor opens up for social dancing afterwards. (Sauf Haus, 7 p.m., FREE)

ARTFUL: Whether you’ve seen every single portrait or have never been before, there’s surely something new to be learned at the National Portrait Gallery when an expert guide is leading the way. The organization Washington DC History & Culture will offer up a two-hour guided tour of one of D.C.’s most popular museums on Wednesday evening, so break out your walking shoes and come prepared to learn. (National Portrait Gallery, 5 p.m.- 7 p.m., $10)

SUGAR PLUMS: Even Grinches like me have to admit that the holiday season is about to be in full swing. If you’re already decked the halls or can’t stop wearing green and red, perhaps a visit to see The Nutcracker is in order. The Kennedy Center will present the beloved classic as performed by the Atlanta Ballet’s new and inventive staging. (Kennedy Center, 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m., $9)

BOOKISH: For voracious readers out there, there never seem to be enough hours in the day for their favorite new book. Luckily Petworth Citizen hears you loud and clear and is hosting a Silent Book Club event which provides a totally quiet space for readers, whilst still being in the company of others. Bring your favorite page-turner and get to reading! (Petworth Citizen, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., FREE)

MORE: The Augment VR Arcade & Bar Experience (Augment VR Arcade & Bar, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE),  Dubfire (Soundcheck, 10 p.m., $20), Doc Pine & The Respect He Deserves (Pearl Street Warehouse, 8 p.m., FREE)