FRIDAY >> The legendary Patti Smith is at the 9:30 Club tonight, and tickets are incredibly still available for $25. Doors at 9, show at 10 p.m. >> The idea of attending a lighting display, particularly after Christmas, might sound a bit cheesy. But the Garden of Lights in Wheaton might just change your mind. The designer tours the county gardens each year for inspiration for his display; this year, it invokes the four seasons….

There is only one way to describe today’s entries in the DCist photo pool: adorable. Whether it’s the photo above from Tracy Lee, doe-eyed toddlers, or even a somewhat off-topic picture of some Magellanic penguins in Chile. The photo above takes the win because it oozes a bright artistic future for the child pictured; you’d half-expect to see the photo as a poster for increased NEA funding or one decrying the decay of arts…

Let’s take a look back at a week that raised this Zen koan: if Kevin Federline got into a wrestling ring with a wrestler, who would you root for? Austinist was in an entertainment state of mind as they covered the dickens out of the Austin Film Festival, depicted all the Big 12 football coaches as South Park characters, and interviewed Jose Gonzalez. Chicagoist talked about the passion as they bid adieu to Bell’s Beer,…

The mythical city of Camelot bears a striking resemblence to Las Vegas’ Excalibur hotel. The legendary Lady of the Lake is accompanied by a team of cheering “Laker Girls.” When our heroes get to France, they’re greeted by everyone from a mime to Les Miz’s Eponine. These are just a handful of the gags scattered throughout the appealing Spamalot!, now playing to eager crowds at the National Theatre. Full disclosure: This reviewer is not a…

Oh sure, everyone gets devastated when Belle & Sebastian or the Foo Fighters sell out, but we all know the REAL tickets to have this summer are going to be to Monty Python’s Spamalot!, opening June 6. According to the National Theatre’s own brand of spam – that is, its courtesy alert list – those anxious to get tickets before the rush Feb. 26 can visit BroadwayOffers.com or call 800-872-8997 and mention the code “SLTCX44″….

February’s theater scene brings a month of insomnia and exorcisms, dames and deaths. But before we outline the month’s offerings, allow us to say thanks to DCist reader Jeffrey, who reminded us that tickets for the Monty Python spectacular, Spamalot, coming to the National Theater in June, go on sale Februrary 26. They’ll be gone faster than you can say “shrubbery,” so mark your calendars. In the meantime, how far would you go to protect…

Well, they just won’t go away, will they now? In winning their last two straight against the Mets, your Washington Nationals have made up a little ground in the Wild Card standings. Hector Carrasco took the baton from an ailing John Patterson on Tuesday night, coming through with four solid innings and setting the tone for a 4-2 win (Rauch, Eischen, Majewski, and Cordero combined for five scoreless innings). Last night, Esteban Loaiza gave most…

Here’s a quick sampling of what’s going on around town this weekend. Stay dry! TONIGHT: Music. Local bands you probably haven’t heard of: The Routineers, Two If By Sea, People Who Know People 9:30 @ Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW Movie. Monty Python and the Holy Grail Midnight @ Visions Cinema Bistro (repeats Saturday at midnight) Help Visions kick the keg. $10. SATURDAY: Book Sale Starts 9 a.m. @ Radisson Barcelo Hotel, 2121 P…