12-17 "FAME – THE MUSICAL" – The hit movie comes to the stage, Jan. 12-17 at Warner Theatre, 13th and E streets NW. Tickets are $25 to $62.50. Ticketmaster, 202/432-7328 (service charges).

13-17 MARK RUSSELL – The political satirist and comedian returns to Ford's Theatre, 511 10th St. NW, for performances Jan. 13-17. Tickets are $20 to $40; 800/955-5566 or 703/218-6500 (service charges).

15-21 EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION goes on display Jan. 15-21 from 10 to 5:30 daily at the National Archives, Eighth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202/501-5000.

15-17 GOOD COUNSEL ANTIQUES SHOW – Forty dealers will sell their collections of furniture, silver, jewelry and accessories, Jan. 15 from 11 to 8, Jan. 16 from 11 to 6 and Jan. 17 from 11 to 5 at the school, 11601 Georgia Ave., Wheaton. Admission $5, $3.50 seniors. 301/942-1155, Option 0.

15 KING BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE – Speeches, music and a replaying of the "I Have a Dream" speech, Jan. 15 at 11 at the Lincoln Memorial. Free. 202/619-7222.

16-MARCH 14 "ROMANCE OF THE ORCHID" – Joint show by the Smithsonian Institution and U.S. Botanic Garden, Jan. 16-March 14 daily from 10 to 5 at Brookside Gardens, 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Free. 301/949-8230.

17 LEES' BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – Birthday celebrations for Gen. Robert E. Lee and his father, Gen. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, will be held Jan. 17 from 3 to 5 in Alexandria at the Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee, 607 Oronoco St., and the Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. A joint admission ticket is $8, $4 for ages 11 through 17 (younger free). 703/548-1789.

22-24 PJ1 NATIONAL ARENA CROSS – High-flying motorcyclists compete at this motocross racing event, Jan. 22-24 at Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore. Times, ticket prices TBA. 202/432-7328 (service charges).

23-24 HUNT COUNTRY ANTIQUES FAIR – More than 65 dealers display their collections, Jan. 23 from 10 to 6 and Jan. 24 from 11 to 5 at this benefit for Oatlands Plantation, a National Trust for Historic Preservation property. This year, the fair moves to the Hill School, on Madison Street in Middleburg. Admission is $4.50. 703/777-3174.

5-7 WASHINGTON WORLD OF WHEELS – See custom cars, monster trucks, dragsters and other special vehicles, Feb. 5-7 at the Capital Expo Center on Willard Road in Chantilly. $10, $4 children 11 and younger. 703/802-0066, 202/296-7200.

5-6 U.S. HOT ROD MONSTER JAM – See the big trucks roar at this high-horsepower event Feb. 5-6 at USAirways Arena and March 5-7 at Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore. Times, ticket prices TBA. 202/432-7328 (service charges).

10-14 EAST COAST JAZZ FESTIVAL – Workshops, recitals and concerts by top local and national jazz artists, opening Feb. 10 at Walter Johnson High School, 6400 Rock Spring Rd., Bethesda, and continuing Feb. 11-14 at the Doubletree Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike. Performers include Charlie Byrd Trio, Marshall Keys Quintet, Keter Betts Ensemble, Buck Hill Quartet, Ernie Andrews, Buster Williams, Houston Person and Etta James. The Feb. 10 concert is free. Tickets to the Feb. 11-14 concerts are $30 and $35 in advance, $5 more at the door. 301/933-1822.

10-15 WALT DISNEY'S WORLD ON ICE – Join Mickey as he conjures up some famous scenes from classic Disney movies at this ice show, Feb. 10-15 at MCI Center. Tickets $11.50 to $18.50. Times TBA. 202/432-7328 (service charges).

11-15 WASHINGTON BOAT SHOW – See hundreds of powerboats, sailboats and luxury yachts at this show, Feb. 11-15 at the Washington Convention Center, Ninth and H streets NW. $8, $3 children 6 through 12 (younger free). 703/823-7960.

12-13 BUD LIGHT CUP – Professional bull riders compete Feb. 12-13 at USAirways Arena. Times, ticket prices TBA. 202/432-7328 (service charges).

12-15 DESIGN FOR LIVING – Washington's Home Show, featuring the latest in building and remodeling tips, landscaping advice and other hints for the home, Feb. 12 from noon to 8 and Feb. 13-15 from 11 to 7 at the Washington Convention Center, Ninth and H streets NW. $8, $4 seniors and children 10 to 16 (younger free). 301/261-2180.

12 LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE – Concerts by military bands, wreath-layings and a dramatic reading of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address mark this event Feb. 12 at noon at the Lincoln Memorial. Free. 202/619-7222.

12 FREDERICK DOUGLASS'S BIRTHDAY – A wreath-laying ceremony, musical tributes and other activities to commemorate the birthday of the civil rights leader, Feb. 12 at the Frederick Douglass Memorial Site, 1411 W St. SE. In conjunction with Black History Month. Time TBA. Free. 202/426-5961.

12-15 NATIONAL CAPITAL BOAT SHOW – More than 120 exhibitors, including 35 boat dealers, Feb. 12-15 at Capital Expo Center on Willard Road in Chantilly. Admission $6, $2 children 6 through 16 (younger free). 800/441-0013, 804/288-5653.

13 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DAY – Travel writers, foreign students and other veteran travelers will give tips in workshops, seminars and information booths, Feb. 13 from 10 to 6 at the Washington Convention Center, Ninth and H streets NW. $4 in advance, $5 at the door. 202/783-0717.

15 GEORGE WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL – Mount Vernon celebrates the presidential holiday Feb. 15 with the opening of a completely redressed mansion, featuring more than 100 artifacts from Washington's time at Mount Vernon in honor of the bicentennial of George Washington's death. Activities include a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington's tomb and performances by the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps ("The Old Guard"). Admission is free all day (9 to 4). 703/780-2000.

15 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY PARADE – Alexandria holds the nation's largest parade celebrating the birthday of George Washington on Feb. 15, starting at 1 at Wilkes and St. Asaph streets and proceeding through Old Town to Gibbon and South Fairfax streets. Free. 703/838-4200, Option 4.

18-21 CAPITAL SPORT FISHING, Travel & Outdoor Show – More than 400 exhibitors display the latest in fishing tackle, gear, boats and accessories Feb. 18-21 at the Capital Expo Center, on Willard Road in Chantilly. $8, $3 for children 5 through 12 (younger free). 202/296-7200.

19-20 "THE COLOR OF JUSTICE" – Theatreworks/USA presents this drama about Thurgood Marshall's legal struggle against school segregation, Feb. 19-20 at the Kennedy Center. Times, prices TBA. 202/467-4600 (TDD: 202/416-8524).

21 CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE – Marching bands, lion and dragon dancers, clowns and others, Feb. 21 at 2. It starts at Fifth and H streets NW and winds through Chinatown and around MCI Center. Before the parade, lion dancers and drummers will entertain outside the National Museum of American Art, Eighth and G streets NW. Free. 202/357-2700 (TDD: 202/357-1729).

21 INTERNATIONAL TOURIST Guide Day – Four-hour motorcoach tours of Washington during the 10th annual International Tourist Guide Day, Feb. 21 from 1 to 5. The buses depart from the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The tours are $2; children over 10 welcome if accompanied by an adult. First-come, first-seated. 703/757-0194.

22 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY CEREMONY – Observance with speeches and music Feb. 22 at 11 at the Washington Monument. Free. 202/619-7222.

24-MARCH 14 "THE WIZARD OF OZ" – Mickey Rooney stars in the stage version of the beloved movie Feb. 24-March 14 at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $25 to $57. 800/447-7400 (service charges).

26-28 ACC CRAFT FAIR – Huge annual craft show features more than 700 artisans, Feb. 26 from 10 to 9, Feb. 27 from 10 to 6 and Feb. 28 from 10 to 5 at the Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. $8.50, children 11 and younger free. 410/962-1122.

26-28 SPRING CAPITAL HOME & Garden Show – Acres of ideas and advice for the home and garden, Feb. 26-28 at Capital Expo Center, on Willard Road off Route 28 in Chantilly. $8, $2 children 6-12 (younger free). 800/274-6948.

27 CARNIVAL '99 – A Black History Month Masquerade Ball, Feb. 27 from 8 to midnight in the Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Jefferson Dr. SW. Tickets are $125 per person, $225 per couple. 202/287-2061.

27 HARAMBEE CARNIVAL – Explore an African expo and marketplace and enjoy music, art and children's entertainment at this festival, Feb. 27 at 6 at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE. $25 in advance, $35 at the door; $10 children 14 and younger. 301/530-3697, 301/530-4073.

4-7 WASHINGTON FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW, featuring 2 1/2 acres of display gardens, a florist competition, demonstrations, lectures and exhibits, March 4-7 at the Washington Convention Center, Ninth and H streets NW. $8, $3 children 6 through 12 (younger free). 703/823-7960.

6 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS – The magicians and jesters of the court perform twice on March 6, once at the Patriot Center and also at MCI Center. Times, ticket prices TBA. 202/432-7328 (service charges).

6 ALEXANDRIA ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE – The parade of floats, bands, Irish dancers and more takes place March 6 from 10:30 to 12:30 along King Street and will be followed by parties in local restaurants. Free. 703/549-4535.

13-14 and 20-21 MAPLE SYRUP HERITAGE FESTIVAL – Watch park rangers tap maple trees and boil sap March 13-14 and March 20-21 from 10 to 3 at Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont, Md. Admission is $1. 301/271-7574.

14 WASHINGTON ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE – Dancers, bagpipers and bands will parade March 14 at noon along Constitution Avenue, from Seventh to 17th streets NW. Free. 301/879-1717.

20-21 SEAL DAYS – The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, celebrates Seal Days on March 20-21 with seal and sea lion feeding and training, face painting for children and special exhibits. Details, times TBA. Free. 202/673-4717.

21 GUNSTON HALL KITE FESTIVAL – The kite fest features kite-flying opportunities, a puppet show, food from vendors and more March 21 from 11 to 4. $5, $4 seniors, ages 18 and younger free. 703/550-9220.

21-28 JEWISH BOOK FAIR – Books on Judaism and Israel, music and children's activities will be featured at the Book Celebration, March 21-28 at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. Details TBA. Free. 202/518-9400.

25-APRIL 18 RINGLING BROS. and Barnum & Bailey Circus – The Greatest Show on Earth comes to the Washington area for almost four weeks of shows. The circus opens March 25 and runs through March 28 at MCI Center, then moves to the D.C. Armory, 2001 East Capitol St. SE, for shows March 30-April 11 and winds up at USAirways Arena for performances April 15-18. Times, prices TBA. 202/432-7328 (service charges).

26 DISCOVER STARS ON ICE – Tara Lipinski, Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton, Ekaterina Gordeeva and other champion skaters take to the ice March 26 at 8 at Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University, Route 123 and Braddock Road in Fairfax. Tickets are $45 and $55. 202/432-7328 (service charges).

27 SMITHSONIAN KITE FESTIVAL – The Smithsonian's annual Kite Festival takes place March 27 at 10 on the grounds of the Washington Monument with competitions in design, performance and other categories (service charges). Free (rain date March 28). 202/619-7222, 202/357-2700.

27-28 MARYLAND DAYS – Historical reenactments, music, crafts, militia drills and other activities mark Maryland's founding March 27-28 from 10 to 5 at historic St. Mary's City, approximately 70 miles from the Beltway off Route 5. Details TBA. 301/862-0990, 800/762-1634.

28-APRIL 11 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL – The blooming cherry trees around the Tidal Basin are the centerpiece of this two-week festival of music, special events and the annual National Cherry Blossom Parade, which takes place April 10 on Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets NW. For parade information, 202/728-1135; for general information, 202/547-1500.

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