Best Bets
Best Events for October-December
By Justin Rude | Washington Post Staff Writer | Updated 11/21/2009
Two undeniable forces dominate the calendar for the next few months: sports and the holidays. And while we have sprinkled our list with pigskin, pumpkins, pucks and poinsettias, we have also striven to bring a mix of events that will give you an escape from Rudolph and the Redskins.
Edward Burtynsky: Oil
Washington, DC | 11/23 - 12/13
Man's relationship with this fossil fuel is a tricky beast. To get a handle on its complexities, Canadian artist Burtynsky spent a decade traveling the world and photographic the production, distribution and use of oil. His lens captured industrial landscapes, natural scenes forever altered and cities and surburban sprawl.
House of Cars: Innovation and the Parking Garage
Washington, DC | Through 7/11/10
Parking garages are easy to overlook as objects of architectural interest. But there have been interesting innovations in the structures, which have served as a training ground for some of the 20th century's most respected architects. The exhibition examines the relationship between parked cars and the environments built for them, as well as new directions in sustainable city planning.
Directions: John Gerrard
Washington, DC | Through 3/28/10
These days it seems video games have moved far beyond the family room, appearing not only in paperback novelizations and big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, but also in the world of high art. Recent work by Irish artist Gerrard uses customized 3-D gaming software to creatively forge new directions in landscape art.
Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor
Washington, DC | Through 3/31/10
The 1974 discovery of thousands of terra cotta soldiers buried in a field in China was one of the century's most starting finds. The largest collection of these life-size figures ever shown in the United States is coming to the District for the last stop of a touring exhibition. This is a rare chance to see these fascinating objects.
Washington Jewish Film Festival
Washington, DC | 12/3 - 12/13
In its 20th anniversary year, the festival screens the opening night piece, "A Matter of Size," a story of sumo wrestling in Israel, and "Jump," one of the late Patrick Swayze's final films, which recounts celebrity portrait photographer Philippe Halsman's 1928 trial in Austria for murdering his father. Tickets go on sale in November.
A John Waters Christmas
Alexandria, VA | 12/17
You can't go wrong with one of the area's more eccentric yuletide events: a night of cabaret comedy and music courtesy of Baltimore's favorite son.
Take Joy
North Bethesda, MD | 12/18 - 12/19
The original Strathmore production marries such music as rock, classical and holiday favorites with poetry by Dylan Thomas, Emily Dickinson and Langston Hughes.
Young Frankenstein
Washington, DC | 12/15 - 1/10/10
With the success of his last foray into musical theater, it was only a matter of time before Mel Brooks made his way back to Broadway. His film version is a recognized classic, and this reimagining of the 1974 comedy put together by the Tony-winning trio behind "The Producers" is heading straight to Washington from the Big Apple.
Eagle Bank Bowl
Washington, DC | 12/29
Do you miss football (of the American variety) at RFK? Lucky for us, we now have one guaranteed night a year of head-to-head gridiron action in our favorite rapidly aging stadium. Now in its second year, the Eagle Bank Bowl pits an Atlantic Coast Conference team against Army (assuming it is bowl eligible).
Jazz New Year's Eve
Washington, DC | 12/31
There's a dizzying array of entertainment options for the last night of the year. But if you want to lock down plans now and are looking for an especially classy way to ring in the new year, you can't go wrong with the Kennedy Center's celebration. John Pizzarelli presents the program "Dear Mr. Sinatra," a tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes.
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