This Week & Next

This Week & Next

The District

Today

Exhibit "First Ladies at the Smithsonian" If you've been in Washington for a while, you might know that the gowns worn by first ladies (and the tales behind them) were among the highlights of the Museum of American History. Who knew Eleanor Roosevelt wore rayon to the 1945 inauguration? This exhibition, with 14 dresses and more than 90 other objects, is an updated version of the one that was up for nearly 15 years before it closed for the museum's renovation. Free. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily (closed Christmas Day). National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-633-1000.

Tomorrow

The Scene Chef Spike's Latke Mania The former "Top Chef" competitor and current owner (with his family) of Capitol Hill burger joint Good Stuff Eatery wants you to be prepared this Hanukkah. He drops in at Sixth & I tomorrow for a celeb-chef lesson in unconventional latkemaking; you can even take home recipes. $6. 6 p.m. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202-408-3100 or get tickets online at http://www.sixthandi.org.

Film The Early Films of Sir David Lean Lean was best known for his epics, including "Doctor Zhivago" and "Lawrence of Arabia," but in honor of the 100th anniversary of the late filmmaker's birth, the National Gallery is screening his early works, including the retelling of the Dickens classic "Great Expectations." The movies were recently restored by the British Film Institute and Granada International in a four-year undertaking that was unveiled this year; two of the films were screened this past May at Cannes. "Great Expectations" is tomorrow; the series continues Dec. 26-28. Free. 4:30 p.m. National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

Tuesday

The Holidays Jewish Singles: It's Time for the Ball Letmypeoplego.com teams up with JDate to throw a party intended both to celebrate the season and, yes, get you paired up with a life partner. This year, the party is at Love, and it will feature DJs, drink specials and lots and lots of possibilities. (The target crowd, by the way, is ages 21-39.) $25 in advance; $30 at the door. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Love, 1350 Okie St. NE. 202-636-9030 or get tickets in advance at http://www.theball2008.com.

Maryland

Today

Closing "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" Today is the last chance to catch Sandy Spring Theatre Group's family-friendly production that turns Frank Capra's classic film into a radio-style broadcast set on Christmas Eve 1946. $14; Gaithersburg residents, $12. Today at 2 and 7:30 p.m. 311 Kent Square Rd., Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394 or visit http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.

Wednesday

The Holidays A Mahalia Jackson Christmas The AFI Silver's annual event featuring concert footage of the absolutely captivating gospel star performing holiday classics returns on Christmas Eve. Free. Tickets (limit five per person) available at the box office Wednesday beginning at 11:30 a.m.; show at 3 p.m. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. 301-495-6720.

The Holidays One Last Light Show? Sure, it's going to be crowded, but Christmas Eve seems like the perfect time to head to Gaithersburg's Winter Lights Festival, a 2.2-mile drive-through light display at Seneca Creek State. Admission is $10-$12 per car. Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg, through Jan. 3. 301-258-6350 or visit http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights.

Northern Virginia

Today

The Holidays The City Choir of Washington's "Music for Christmas" Today is the second and final show of holiday anthems from the baroque to the contemporary. $15-$55. Today at 3 p.m. Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. 301-572-6865 or get tickets at http://www.thecitychoirofwashington.org.

Monday

Concert Evan Dando We're not going to waste valuable newsprint explaining the appeal of Dando, the sometime frontman of indie-pop act the Lemonheads (whose heyday was yes, in the early 1990s). He once wrote a pretty catchy record that everyone owned ("It's a Shame About Ray") and he's pretty cute. Yes, still. Relive your teenage obsessions Monday when Dando performs solo at Iota. With Vandaveer. $20. (21 and older only.) 8:30 p.m. 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-522-8340. (Marylanders: He's at Rams Head in Annapolis on Sunday playing an all-ages matinee show at 1 p.m. Get tickets at http://tickets.ramsheadonstage.com.)