H Street Singing a New Tune

More than a year after the openings of a handful of bars, a music venue and the Atlas performing-arts space on H Street NE, the strip has emerged as a place to see a concert, a play, perhaps a flea circus.

But when one thinks of jazz or cabaret in Washington, H Street -- having had no golden age, no Duke Ellington to claim as its own -- isn't the first place that comes to mind.

For the past month, however, a little scene has been incubating at the bustling Atlas. Okay, it's a micro-scene, in that this hangout for cabaret fans and jazzheads is contained to a single venue, a solitary floor, just 20 tables.

The regular Friday and Saturday night gig is called Indigo, and it brings in local and national performers (packing the house in early weeks with such performers as Rory Stitt). The setup is casual -- and ideal for a date -- with cocktail tables and drink service.

This weekend the shows continue with "Planet Michael," a contemporary cabaret show featuring singer Michael Miyazaki (recently of "Primary Urges," over at the Warehouse Theater). He'll perform works by Shelly Markham, Judith Viorst, Stephen Sondheim and others. Tonight at 9 p.m.

Tomorrow there are two shows: a jazzy holiday-themed show sung by Joanne Schmoll at 7:30 p.m. and "That's the Way I Remember It," sung by local musical theater vet Joe Peck (recently of "State of the Union" at Ford's Theatre and Open Circle Theatre's Iraq-war take on "Songs for a New World") at 9.

$22.50 per show (with a two-drink minimum); students and seniors, $17.50. Atlas Performing Arts Center, the Loft, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993.

Save the Date

ON STAGE Disney's Touring "High School Musical" The community productions are many, but the upcoming touring show of "HSM," with a live orchestra and packed cast, has the backing of Disney -- in particular, the people who put together the Broadway version of "The Lion King." It will land at the National Theatre Feb. 5-17 (sans Zac, Vanessa and the rest of the TV crew), and we'd say it's a fair compromise for the kids (you don't clean out the college fund to buy $350 Hannah Montana tickets on eBay, and they stop whining . . . for a minute). Seats go on sale Sunday at 10 a.m. $41.50-$126.50. National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 800-447-7400.

ON STAGE Michael Ian Black, Giving It Up for Baltimore The last time Black, the hilarious deadpan comic from comedy troupes the State and Stella, was in our area last fall at the Black Cat, a line of skinny dudes in vintage plaid shirts and hoodies waiting to get in stretched down 14th Street NW. This time, Black and co-conspirator Michael Showalter are skipping D.C. altogether, stopping in Baltimore instead. But that snub just wasn't enough. Black explained it thusly on his Web site: "A lot of people would have gone to DC instead, but not us. DC is the home of hypocrites and Fugazi. Baltimore, you are home to 'The Wire' and Cal Ripken." Defend our honor when he's at Ottobar on Dec. 16. $17. 2549 N. Howard St., Baltimore. 410-662-0069 or visit http://www.missiontix.com for advance tickets.

LITERATURE The Annual Emily Dickinson Birthday The Folger Shakespeare Library has made an annual tradition of celebrating the birth of Dickinson by inviting contemporary poets to read from her work. This year the event is Dec. 10 and Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Howard talks about 1862, the well-documented year in which Dickenson wrote more than 200 poems. Afterward, there's a reception with black cake from the poet's own recipe. $12. 7:30 p.m. Folger Elizabethan Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE. 202-544-7077.

The District

Today

HOLIDAYS "Seasonal Disorder" Washington Improv Theater offers six compact, audience-driven antidotes to holiday stress with this series of unstructured improv plays perfect for the season. The performances (of "Seasonal Disorder," "Forgotten Holidays," "Best Year Ever," "Workin' Overtime," "Yes, Season Six, There Is a Santa Claus" and "Reindeer Games") begin today. $5-$12. Various times through Dec. 29. Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW. 202-315-1318 or http://www.washingtonimprovtheater.com for schedules.