Events to Peep for the Month of April

On Thursday, April 5th, Black Violin joins musical forces with the National Symphony Orchestra Pops at the Kennedy Center for the DC stop of their "Classical Boom Tour." Raised on a steady diet of both Hip Hop and classical music, violinist Kevin Sylvester (“Kev Marcus”) and violist Wilner Baptiste (“Wil B”) have built a musical style all their own—often described as “classical boom”—that shares one common theme from both genres: bringing people together. 8 p.m. Tickets: $39-$69. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Soul diva extraordinaire Patti LaBelle heads to the Warner Theatre on Saturday, April 7th, to bring the audience 40 plus years of hits from "Lady Marmalade" to "New Attitude" to "On My Own." 8 p.m. Tickets: $98. The Warner Theatre. 513 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.warnertheatredc.com

Literature meets jazz on Saturday, April 7th, when acclaimed author Ta-Nehisi Coates reads monologue-style excerpts of his autobiography, Between the World and Me, accompanied by award-winning jazz pianist Jason Moran and directed by Apollo Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes. 2 p.m. Tickets: $29-$89. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Get ready to laugh on Friday, April 13th, when actor and comedian, Lil Rel, from "The Carmichael Show" and "Get Out" heads to Arlington to tickle funny bones. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20. Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204. acdh.arlingtondrafthouse.com

Get a soul'd-out night of music on Tuesday, April 17th, when jazz super group Incognito takes to the Birchmere stage with its original lead singer, Maysa, for a night of classic grooves from "Deep Waters" to "Friend of Mine." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $60. The Birchmere. 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22305. www.birchmere.com

Throw up the W's when Wu-Tang Clan member, RZA, heads to The Warner Theatre on Wednesday, April 18th, to present "Live from the 36th Chamber of Shaolin." During the screening of the film, RZA, will be performing his own live score from a collection of over one hundred instrumental tracks, beats, and effects to create an impressive audio-visual experience transcending cultures, genres, and eras. 7 p.m. Tickets: $35-$45.  The Warner Theatre. 513 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.warnertheatredc.com

Pick up your tickets then "pick up the pieces" on Thursday, April 19th, with Grammy-nominated soul funk group Average White Band delivers a night of jams performing all of their hits from "Schoolboy Crush" to "A Love of Your Own." 8 p.m. Tickets: $45. Rams Head On Stage. 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. www.ramsheadonstage.com

He's back! Saturday Night Live veteran and comedian extraordinaire, Tracy Morgan, heads to the Kennedy Center on Friday, April 20th, for a one-night only show bringing laughs and hilarious social commentary. 8 p.m. Tickets: $39-$79. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Calling all brunch lovers! BrunchCon is making its way to the National Harbor on Sunday, April 22nd. A ticket to the acclaimed food + drink festival that's all about brunch grants you a brunch bite from each of its 30+ vendors plus an open mimosa bar and an open Bloody Mary bar. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets: $45-$85. National Harbor. 165 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745. To purchase tickets, click here.

On Thursday, April 26th, visionary vocalist and bassist, Meshell Ndegeocello, returns to the Kennedy Center with music from her new album, Ventriloquism--heralded as an imaginative recording of covers that redefines the musical experience. 7 & 9 p.m. Tickets: $55. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Close out the month with a night of praise on Friday, April 27th, when the Festival of Praise Tour presents "Texture of a Man" at the Warner Theatre featuring renowned gospel artists Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Take 6, Charles Jenkins, and James Fortune. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $43-$123. The Warner Theatre. 513 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.warnertheatredc.com

Restaurant of the Month: For those who enjoyed Tabaq on U Street back in the day, you'll love its new transformation into Hawthorne--a still four-story restaurant with five bars including an incredible rooftop overlooking the city. The dinner menu includes classic staples such as grilled salmon, wings, and burgers, while its Saturday and Sunday bottomless brunch menu includes breakfast favorites such as chicken & waffles, French toast, and Chesapeake eggs Benedict. Open nightly at 5 p.m.; weekends at 11 a.m. Hawthorne. 1336 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. www.hawthornedc.com

Life's short. Be entertained. 

Events to Peep for the Month of March

On Friday, March 2nd, get cozy with "Familar": Danai Gurira's hit stage play, which follows an immigrant Zimbabwean family as it prepares for the wedding of their eldest daughter. But when the bride insists on observing roora, a traditional bride-price ceremony, it opens a deep rift in the household. Rowdy and affectionate, Familiar pitches tradition against assimilation among the members of one devoted family. 8 p.m. Tickets: $84. Woolly Mammoth Theatre. 641 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.woollymammoth.net

Neosoul crooner and Motor City native, Dwele, heads to the Birchmere on Sunday, March 4th, to deliver all of his smoothed-out jams from "Find A Way" to "I Think I Love You" to "Take22Tango." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $60. The Birchmere. 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22305. www.birchmere.com

Travel back to the 90s on Friday, March 9th, to dance the night away when some of that decades biggest R&B acts including Guy, Teddy Riley, Ginuwine, Jagged Edge, 112, and Next hit the stage for the DMV 90s Block Party concert. 8 p.m. Tickets: $59-$125. DAR Constitution Hall. 1776 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. www.ticketmaster.com

Catch a rising star when everyone's favorite new funny lady, Tiffany Haddish, makes a DC stop on her "She Ready Tour" at the Warner Theatre on Saturday, March 10th, for what is certain to be a night of laughs. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets: $150+. Warner Theatre. 513 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Note: These shows are sold out but tickets may be available through third party vendor seatgeek.com

There's the Wizard of Oz...and then there's The Wiz! On Monday, March 12th, the African-American revamp of the classic movie makes its debut at the Ford Theatre. So, grab the kids and "ease on down the road" for a night that will be nothing short of magical. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $28-$64. Ford's Theatre. 511 10th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004www.fords.org

It's been 35 years since the iconic hip hop film, Wild Style, made its debut. On Friday, March 16th, head to the Kennedy Center for a special screening, discussion, and demo in celebration of the film. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Singer/songwriter/producer extraordinaire, Kem, heads to the MGM on Sunday, March 18th, for a one night only show performing a decade's worth of jams and ballads from "Love Calls" to "I Can't Stop Loving You." 8 p.m. Tickets: $285. The Theater at MGM National Harbor. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com

Common heads back to the Kennedy Center on Thursday, March 29th, but this time with his new supergroup August Greene, comprised of himself, and producers Robert Glasper and Karriem Riggins, to perform cuts from their self-titled debut album. 8 p.m. $39-$149. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

On Friday, March 30th, head to Arena Stage for opening night of the classic "Two Trains Running," from late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, August Wilson. Trains, set in 1969 during the Civil Rights Movement, follows the patrons at Memphis Lee's diner in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. When it is learned that the diner is slated to be demolished as a casualty of the city’s renovation project, the patrons, confronted with a rapidly changing world, struggle to maintain their solidarity and sense of pride. 8 p.m. $81. Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. 1101 6th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. www.arenastage.org

Restaurant of the Month: Named for his niece, Chef Haidar Karoum’s brings notes from his personal culinary journey to the newly opened Chloe, including his Lebanese roots and extensive travel around Western Europe and Southeast Asia. The new Yards  Park restaurant, features such indulgent dishes as Seafood Gumbo, Broiled Oysters, and Quinoa Crusted Norwegian Salmon. Chloe (located in the Arris building). 1331 4th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. www.restaurantchloe.com


Life's short. Be entertained.