MONDAY, JAN. 8
PROFS AND PINTS: Thor isn’t the only Norse god you should know about. Lilla Kopár, a professor of medieval literature and culture at Catholic University, will be giving an overview of the Norse pantheon, and their associated mythology. (Penn Social; 6 p.m.; $14.31)
YOGA IN THE GALLERIES: Need to unwind after the first work day of the week? MoCA of is back with their yoga in the galleries series. Monday night’s class will be gentle and suitable for all practice levels. (Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington; 6:30 p.m.; $10+)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS: Celebrate the king of rock and roll’s birthday at the Hard Rock Cafe. Elvis tribute artist Alex Presley will be performing some of the star’s greatest hits. There’s no cover — but tips for the artist are appreciated. (Hard Rock Cafe; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
PRAYER, SONG, AND REFLECTION: Although the holiday is next week, some MLK day festivities kick off a week in advance. Pastor Cliff Beckford leads a service called Bending Toward Peace, Truth and Justice to commemorate the civil rights activist. (Living Word Church; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: A Man Called Ove screening (Georgetown Public Library; 5 p.m.; FREE), Music Trivia: Happy New Year Edition (Songbyrd; 7 p.m.; FREE), Coquito Wars (La Cosecha; 6:30 p.m.; $25+), King: A Life book discussion (National Museum of African American History and Culture; 7 p.m.; FREE)
TUESDAY, JAN. 9
PETER BRESLOW: Ever wondered what it’s like to report for NPR? NPR’s Scott Simon chats with senior producer Peter Breslow about his experiences working for NPR over the past four decades, as chronicled in his book Outtakes. (Politics and Prose Connecticut Avenue; 7 p.m.; FREE)
MORE:Profs and Pints DC: When Pirates Prowled the Chesapeake (Penn Social; 6 p.m.; $14.31), Kitchen 101: Knife Skills w/ Chef Wendi James (Hill Center; 6 p.m.; $45), The Musical Box (The Birchmere; 7:30 p.m.; $55), Acoustic Hour (The Square; 5 p.m.; FREE)
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 10
IN PARADISUM: ‘Tis the season for the Post Classical Ensemble’s Amazing Grace performance. This year, the performance will feature artists George Walker, Gustav Mahler, Margaret Bonds, Luciano Berio. A new cello concerto by Jeffrey Mumford will also make its D.C. premiere with soloist Annie Jacobs-Perkins. (Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; $45+)
BLACK SKINHEAD: Brandi Collins-Dexter, former senior campaign director for Color Of Change, speaks at Busboys and Poets about her book Black Skinhead. Published in September 2022, the book consists of a series of essays that explore Black votership and electoral politics.(Busboys and Poets at 14th and V; 6 p.m.; FREE)
FLATSTYLE PAINTING:Muscogee artist George Alexander (also known as Ofuskie) leads a virtual class on Flatstyle painting. One of the first contemporary Native American art forms, Alexander will discuss how he utilizes this style in his work, and practice with attendees. Alexander’s work is also on display at The Land Carries Our Ancestors: Contemporary Art by Native Americans until January 15. (Virtual; 5:30 p.m.; FREE)
THE WASHINGTON ROAST: Some of the district’s best comedians will face off in an interactive roast battle. Performers will take on the roles of important political figures (think: Trump, Biden, Kamala, DeSantis) and the audience will pick the winner. All proceeds go to the nonprofit Comedy Gives Back. (DC Improv; 7:30 p.m.; $20+)
MORE:Alfred Yun (AMP at Pike & Rose; 8 p.m.; $18+), Violent Cop screening (Suns Cinema; 7 p.m.; $12), An Evening w/Author Michael Crupain and The Creative Team of THE POWER FIVE (Bold Fork Books; 7 p.m.; $7.61+), Jazz at the Kramer (Betty Mae Kramer Gallery; 6 p.m.; FREE)
THURSDAY, JAN. 11
FREEDOM STORIES: As part of Prince George’s County’s Freedom Stories Initiative, historians, writers and professors lead a forum on historical ramifications of slavery. The event will explore both the history and tools of resistance used by the Black population living in Prince George’s County in the 1700’s (Joe’s Movement Emporium; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
PERFORMED PLACES: Artists Mariam Ghani and Erin Ellen Kelly will take a choreographic journey around the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The performance pays homage to Walt Whitman’s Civil War commentary and the role the historic building in downtown D.C. played in the conflict. (SAAM National Historic Landmark Building; 6 p.m.; FREE, currently only waitlist available)
KNITS AND YARNS: Is your new year’s resolution to finally finish that scarf you’ve been working on for years? Join other crafters Thursday for Solid State Books’ knitting session. (Solid State Books; 6 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Alfred Yun Group / Jaden Shahin Group / Keith Butler Jr. (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $20+), Terraforming the Gallery: Brown Matters in Art of the Americas (National Gallery of Art; 4 p.m.; FREE), Rabbi Sharon Brous (Sixth & I and Virtual; 7 p.m.; $12 and $18), Singlefin: Yellow screening (Gateway Arts Center; 7 p.m.; FREE), The Young Dubliners (Pearl Street Warehouse; 8 p.m.; $25+)
