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.