There are so many D.C.-area events and experiences in the arts world planned for the next year. Of course, COVID-19 has put all of these events in a state of limbo — a struggle directors, performers, stagehands, and audiences alike are used to by now. That said, be aware that any of these event dates can change or get cancelled altogether. (But we have our fingers crossed for safer days ahead!).

Here are the arts and entertainment events on DCist’s calendar in the new year.

Note: Please check each individual event organizer’s health and safety protocols in advance. Most venues require masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. And starting Jan. 15, patrons at indoor entertainment venues will be required to show proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccine.

Theater

Distance Frequencies: When Rorschach Theatre launched Distance Frequencies last year, artistic director Jenny McConnell Frederick says the H Street theater company thought about 60 people would sign up. Instead, she says, 500 locals signed up for the interactive, chapter book-like experience, in which the theater company mails a box of props and instructions to audience members’ doors each month. The immersive story takes participants to outdoor spots around the city, prompting Washingtonian to name it the best “theater pivot” of 2020. So, it’s no wonder the producers relaunched the project in October — this time, it’s called Chemical Exile: A Pscyhogeographies Project and features a whole new cast of characters and storylines. People can sign up any time, and when the season ends in July, it will culminate with a live in-person event. (Delivered to your home in seven installments, now though July, $175; includes ticket to live show)

Dear Mapel: In-person and streaming online, Mosaic Theater Company’s Dear Mapel is a theatrical compilation of letters to an estranged and now-deceased father, written and performed by Mosaic’s playwright-in-residence, Psalmayene 24. “Ultimately, I think it’s a story about forgiveness,” he tells DCist/WAMU. “It’s a vehicle for healing and a way for me to transform the demons in my life into my guardian angels.” The poetic exploration of Black fatherhood and masculinity is set to the percussion of Jabari Exum, the movement coach and drummer for Marvel’s Black Panther films.
(Atlas Performing Arts Center and virtual, Jan. 19-Feb. 13; $40-$70) 

Our Town/(Y)our Town: Shakespeare Theatre Company is putting on its rendition of Our Town, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece and one of the most-performed American plays in history, and the entire cast is from the D.C. area. Over on 14th Street at Source Theatre, the Washington Improv Theater will perform an improvised version of the classic production, called (Y)our Town. “We have a great mix of new and recognizable faces [in the cast],” says the show’s co-director Bill Nelson. “We found talented people able to manage the great balance between humor and heart … and just a little bit of seriousness.” (Shakespeare Theatre Company, “Our Town” new dates: May 12 – June 12, $35-$120 | Washington Improv Theater, “(Y)our Town” new dates: March 11-20; $15)

National Capital New Play Festival: In April, Round House Theatre will host the inaugural National Capital New Play Festival, when it will show two world premieres and invite audiences to view readings of four plays in development, alongside the playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs. The opening nights of it’s not a trip it’s a journey and “We declare you a terrorist…,” both hitting the stage during the festival, are on sale now. (Round House Theatre, April 5-May 8; festival ticket packages available in late January)

Oklahoma!: “How is it that the coolest new show on Broadway … is a 1943 musical usually regarded as a very square slice of American pie?” That’s what The New York Times‘ Ben Brantley wrote of director Daniel Fish’s Tony-Winning revival of Oklahoma!  With its newgrass orchestrations and unsettling, reimagined version of the original material, the production will likely find a welcome audience here in D.C. (Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater, April 5-10; $49-$139)

Othello/Desdemona: IN Series — the opera-focused nonprofit that’s been around since the ’80s — has been rather inventive throughout the pandemic, putting together everything from an opera formatted as a podcast to an animated film set in Columbia Heights. That’s why it’s not hard to imagine the organization pulling off its plans for next summer: a two-night theatrical experience blending the works of Shakespeare, Toni Morrison, Nina Simone, and visual art installations. (Performances will take place at Source Theatre, Dupont Underground, and an additional, to-be-announced location in D.C.; June 4-18; tickets included in subscription; For ticketing inquiries, email: christina@inseries.org‍)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Folger Shakespeare Playhouse is bringing the dreamlike classic to the atrium of The National Building Museum this summer. Audiences will be invited to “enter the dream” for one night in the woods, filled with “fairies, aspiring actors, and young lovers,” per the organizers. (National Building Museum, July 12-Aug. 28; $30-$85).

Hamilton: The last time the hip-hop-infused Broadway hit came to D.C., in 2018, it stirred up a ton of buzz as locals went #hamforHam — the show was so hot, it even broke an air conditioner at the Kennedy Center. (OK, OK, not exactly: A malfunctioning air conditioner shut down one night of the show’s run.) The show’s July 2022 run has been postponed by a few weeks due to previous pandemic-related delays, and it’s now scheduled to run in August for 10 weeks instead of the originally planned 12. Tickets go on sale in March, and get this, Hamilfans: there will be 40 orchestra seats sold at just $10 for each performance. (Kennedy Center Opera House, New dates: Aug. 2-Oct. 9; tickets go on sale to members at 10 a.m., March 8 and for the general public on March 22.)

American Prophet: Frederick Douglass tells his own story in this new musical from Broadway director Charles Randolph-Wright, who co-wrote the show with Marcus Hutton. The abolitionist’s own words form the lyrics to his story, rounded out by appearances from Douglass’ wife Anna Murray-Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. Cornelius Smith Jr., known for roles on Scandal and All My Children, stars as Frederick Douglass. (Arena Stage, July 15-August 30, $66-$105)

Music

BSO at Strathmore: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is making its comeback — at Strathmore, that is. The BSO will be playing its first set of shows at Strathmore — its “second home” — for the first time since the pandemic began. The weekly performance series in January kicks off when guest conductor Ryan Bancroft leads the orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 (The Music Center at Strathmore, Jan. 6-29; $35-$90)

MLK tribute: The combined gospel choirs of Washington Performing Arts and the Choral Arts Society will perform Living the Dream … Singing the Dream, an annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The choir will feature the angelic voices of children and adults — here’s a sample. (Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Jan. 30; $25-$75)

Mavis Staples: For three nights in February, Mavis Staples, the civil rights activist and soul and gospel powerhouse, is performing at Wolf Trap in Vienna. Staples will no doubt provide some inspiration: She told Rolling Stone last spring that during the pandemic, she’s been praying, listening to Prince and Marvin Gaye, and spreading her wisdom. (Wolf Trap, Feb. 21-23; $85-$95))

Judy Carmichael Trio: It will be hard not to get up and dance — or at least bob heads along — with the Judy Carmichael Trio’s swing and jazz interpretations. The Grammy-nominated pianist and host of NPR’s Jazz Inspired is a master of “stride” piano — the physical playing style made famous by artists like Fats Waller and others — so much so, that Count Basie nicknamed her Stride. (Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center,  March 27; $15-$25)

HAIM: The Anthem’s calendar of shows is always impressive, and 2022’s box office offerings are no exception (think The War on Drugs; Action Bronson and Earl Sweatshirt; Bright Eyes). But the concert we’re most excited for is the “One More HAIM Tour” coming in May — perhaps that’s because of the rocking sister trio’s Lizzie McGuire-inspired announcement video. Or maybe because one of the band members — Alan Haim — is now a movie star. Or, could it be because when the world was on the brink of disaster, HAIM showed up in D.C. and showed their fans some love? Regardless, we can’t wait to rock out on more HAIM. (The Anthem, May 13; $55-$379)

Omar Apollo: This “blue-haired, gender-rebellious” 20-something crooner is known for producing bedroom soul — music, in English and Spanish, that he recorded from his bedroom, for you to play in your bedroom. (9:30 Club, May 14; $30)

Black Alley: Southeast D.C.’s own Black Alley is bringing its self-described “hood rock” — a mix of trap music, rock & roll, and go-go — to Union Stage for a soiree full of summer vibes. (Union Stage, June 19; $35-$550)

Bandhouse Gigs Tribute To WHFS Music (1969-75): Alongside some of the original WHFS DJs, rhythm and blues band BandHouse Gigs will perform a tribute to the D.C./Baltimore station that filled the airwaves with progressive rock for nearly half a century. (Warner Theatre, New date: Aug. 6; $25-$165)

Museums/Exhibits

Jeff Wall exhibit: Glenstone, the utopian, modern art museum in Potomac, Md., is displaying large-scale photographer and printmaker Jeff Wall’s first D.C. exhibit since the ’90s. His collection spans half a century, including his early black-and-white pieces and newer inkjet color prints. Plus, by the early spring, we’ll all be ready to enjoy the idyllic, 300 acres of meadows and forests Glenstone is known for. (Glenstone, open now, FREE with timed reservation)

Laurie Anderson: The Weather: Anything the Hirshhorn exhibits is bound to be interesting — even the exterior of the contemporary art museum on the National Mall is exciting (and a little bit creepy). The museum is displaying multimedia artist Laurie Anderson’s The Weather, the largest retrospective ever dedicated to her work, which features “video sculptures,” paintings, and a series of live performances. (You might know Anderson from her ahead-of-its-time, surprise hit “O Superman,” which reached No. 2 on the U.K. singles chart in 1981.) One of her works explores the story of Mohammed el Gharani, one of the youngest detainees at Guantanamo Bay. In addition, the Hirshhorn announced that the highly anticipated Kusama exhibit, “One with Eternity,” will open in April. (Hirshhorn, through July 31; FREE)

Alif Ba Exhibition: The National Children’s Museum opened in its new downtown D.C. home in February 2020, right before a certain pandemic reared its ugly head over our region. If you haven’t gotten the chance to take the family yet, the time may be coming: Through February, the museum will feature the Alif Ba Exhibition for children ages 4 and older. The interactive exhibit introduces children to the Arabic language and will be punctuated with experiences like yoga sessions where kids can learn the names of animals and music lessons on the Darbuka, a goblet-shaped drum. (National Children’s Museum, Jan. 14-15; Feb. 12-13; Free-$15.95)

Lou Stovall: On Inventions and Color: The works of D.C.-based master printmaker Lou Stovall will be on display in an exhibit from January through April at The Kreeger Museum, a former private residence in upper Northwest. Stovall was recently profiled in Washington City Paper, after a tree fell and destroyed his backyard studio in Cleveland Park, threatening the work and legacy he’d built for nearly 50 years. Kreeger, a hidden gem of a museum, is filled with works by 19th and 20th century masters including Monet, Picasso, and Braque. (The Kreeger Museum, Jan. 20-April 16; FREE with timed reservation) 

Watergate, Portraiture and Intrigue: The political and societal impacts of the Watergate scandal have been widely documented and analyzed — but have you ever looked at the 1972 incident through an artistic lens? The National Portrait Gallery has curated an exhibit, coming in March, that will combine photographs, paintings, sculpture, and other documents to put the historic break-in at the DNC headquarters into perspective on its 50th anniversary. (National Portrait Gallery or virtual, March 25-Sep. 5; FREE)

Urban Food Adventures: Throughout the fall, the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum has been selling “adventure-in-a-box” food kits, curated by chef and TV personality Carla Hall. Those kits have sold out — but the ACM recommends that interested people should sign up online to receive info about the next urban food kit experience, which is launching in the spring and will be curated by none other than José Andrés. (Delivered to your home, spring dates TBD; FREE.)

Explore the Planets at the Air & Space Museum: Though the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall will be closed for renovations starting March 28, aspiring astronauts and Trekkies should look forward to its reopening. The museum will open a new exhibit space in the fall all about the history and current knowledge of space exploration. The “Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery” will not only reflect on research from scientists who are currently involved in planetary missions, but it will also feature the actual ears worn by half-alien, half-human Spock in the original Star Trek series, which have remained intact for 50 years. (National Air and Space Museum, date TBA, FREE. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia is open daily. The National Air and Space Museum in D.C. is currently open Thursday through Monday through March.)

Rubell Museum: In late 2022 (date TBA), D.C. is expected to welcome a new, contemporary art museum. The private collection of Miami art-collecting couple Don and Mera Rubell features pieces from Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, and Catherine Opie, among others. But the most interesting detail? The expanded Rubell Museum — along with a new 12-story apartment complex — will reportedly find its home at the old Randall School building site in Southwest D.C. (Details TBA)

Other

Classes for Theater Lovers: Theater J, the Dupont venue dedicated to exploring and expanding the Jewish theatrical tradition, hosts regular classes for theater lovers. That includes a series of online sessions that go behind the scenes, answering questions about theater workers who catch feelings out of character. Actress Erin Weaver (who’s married to the director Aaron Posner) discusses what happens when two actors fall in love off stage, or when an actor-director couple collaborates on a project. (Theater J, Jan. 4-25; $149-169)

Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club: A local cult classic, Astro Pop Events is throwing its 11th annual Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club, in which a surprise cast of pop culture figures boxes each other. “People brag about how many years they have been coming,” says Kate Taylor Davis, one of the show’s producers. “They email me months in advance of the event to confirm dates because their out-of-town friends want to come too.” Vaccinated guests can enjoy one of the most bizarre performance-art experiences across the region. Think: cartoon-like fighting and burlesque, co-hosted by “The King” himself and “Kittie Glitter.” (GALA Hispanic Theatre, New dates: July 15-16; $30-$40)

Film talk: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is broadcasting a virtual discussion in January with the actresses from Netflix’s Passing, a challenging film about two Black women living two different realities in 1929 New York: One is a leader in her community in Harlem and another is passing as white. (Virtual, Jan. 13; FREE)

Black Girls Rock: BGR!FEST is an annual gathering of Black women who are leaders in their fields — entertainment, business, activism, and more. The Kennedy Center is hosting the three-day festival in March, complete with panel discussions and after-hours DJ sets. (Kennedy Center, March 10-12; $45) *Note from The Kennedy Center: BGR!FEST’s speaker series events, scheduled for March 10-12, have been canceled with the hope of rescheduling. The festival’s collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra has been postponed until June 30-July 1.

Lotus and Water Lily Festival: The Cherry Blossom Festival gets its due attention and praise each year — but have you ever attended the annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens? Located within Anacostia Park, the National Park Service-hosted festival centers around summer lotus and lily blossoms during their peak blooming period in July. To get a sense of the festivities’ floral vibes, check out the virtual programming from the 2021 event. (Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, July TBD; FREE)