Events to Peep for the Month of October

The sexy and soulful Maxwell kicks off a two-night engagement at the MGM National Harbor on Thursday, October 4th, for his 50 Intimate Nights Live tour bringing audiences over two decades worth of slow jams and smooth grooves. 8 p.m. Tickets: $90-$150+. The Theater at MGM National Harbor. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com

DC's newest Entertainment & Sports Arena offiically kicks off its grand opening with a concert from the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, on Saturday, October 6th, thrilling audiences with a career's worth of hits from "Real Love" to "Not Gon' Cry." 8 p.m. Tickets: $59-$199+. Entertainment and Sports Arena. 1100 Oak Drive, SE, Washington DC, 20032. www.esaontherise.com

Get your "crooked smiles" ready. All the way from Forest Hills Drive, hip hop's own J. Cole makes his way to the Capital One Arena on Monday, October 8th, for the DC stop on his KOD Tour 2018. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $29-$149+. Capital One Arena. 601 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.ticketmaster.com

If you have not experienced the music of Grammy nominated  singer-songwriter and guitarist Raul Midon, do yourself a favor and head to the AMP on Friday, October 12th, for a musical expose you won't forget. 8 p.m. Tickets: $29-$42. AMP by Strathmore. 11810 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852. www.strathmore.org

Honorary "cookout guest" and funnyman Gary Owen also heads to the MGM stage on Saturday, October 13th, bringing you all his funny so you can bring all your laughter. 8 p.m. Tickets: $38-$72+. The Theater at MGM National Harbor. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com

The MGM will stay hoppin' in October as hip hop songstress, Lauryn Hill, prepares to "kill audiences softly" with her many hits from "Doo Wop" to "Ready or Not" on Thursday, October 18th, for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour. 8 p.m. Tickets: $85-$135+. The Theater at MGM National Harbor. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com

He's baacckk. Comedian and late night host extraordinaire, Trevor Noah, brings his comedic insights to Constitution Hall on Friday, October 19th, kicking off a four-show engagement that will make audiences both laugh and think. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $63-$93. DAR Constitution Hall. 1776 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. www.dar.org/constitution-hall

Legendary jazz saxophonist, Najee, also kicks off a four-night engagement at Blues Alley on Thursday, October 25th, bringing jazz enthusiasts several soulful evenings of unforgettable jams. 8 & 10 p.m. Tickets: $50-$55. Blues Alley. 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007. www.bluesalley.com

Calling all ghouls and goblins: head to DC's newest late night offering, the Abigail, on Wednesday, October 31st, to kickoff its grand opening and celebrate Halloween "boo"zy style. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Abigail. 1730 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Register free here.

Restaurant of the Month: The ever-evolving U Street corridor welcomes The Smith's newest location and brings the neighborhood more "flava" in the form of bistro classics, an expanded raw bar, spicy fried chicken to share, pizzas, house-made pastas, boozy punch bowls, and slushys. Cheers! The Smith. 1314 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. www.thesmithrestaurant.com



Life's short. Be entertained.