On
Saturday,
December 1st, head to the historic Lincoln Theatre and kick off the month experiencing the beautiful sounds of American jazz bassist, singer, and four-time Grammy award winner Esperanza Spalding. 8 p.m. Tickets: $45. The Lincoln Theater. 1215 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009. www.thelincolndc.com
Calling all poppers, lockers, hip-hop and house dancers: Juste Debout, the hip-hop dance event of the year, is coming to DC's union market district on
Sunday,
December 2nd. Enjoy a day of high intensity preselection dance battles featuring dance duos competing for an all-expenses paid trip to Paris, France and the chance to compete at the Juste Debout world finals. Presented by Words, Beats, & Life. Noon-7 p.m. Tickets: $30. Dock 5 at Union Market. 1309 5th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. www.wblinc.org. For tickets, click
here.
No time for half steppin'. Grab your tickets and check out the one and only Big Daddy Kane when he heads to B-more on
Thursday,
December 6th, to tear down the stage with an arsenal full of classic hip hop cuts. 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $27. Baltimore Soundstage. 124 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. www.baltimoresoundstage.com
Put a little sunshine in your cool winter night when you take in an evening of soul courtesy of songbird and pianist, Avery Sunshine, on
Wednesday,
December 13th, for a one-night only show you'll be "pinin'" for. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $65. The Birchmere. 3701 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. www.birchmere.com
DC's own Oddisee & Good Compny team up with Phonte of Foreign Exchange and Little Brother fame as well as Berlin-based singer/songwriter Olivier St. Louis at the Kennedy Center on
Thursday,
December 13th, for an unforgettable evening of hip hop, jazz, R&B, and soul. 8 p.m. Tickets: $19-$35. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org
On
Friday,
December 14th, jazz up your holiday season with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, helmed by legendary music director and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. The evening of music will blend classical, jazz, and holiday favorites, featuring 15 of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players today, including spectacular young vocalists Sotashe and Swift. 8 p.m. Tickets: $58-$108. Strathmore. 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852. www.strathmore.org
Calling all the nieces and nephews: Uncle Charlie is coming to town! Head to the Theater at MGM on
Wednesday,
December 19th, and enjoy over four decades of soul stirring hits and dope jams courtesy of the one and only Charlie Wilson. 8 p.m. Tickets: $72+. The Theater at MGM National Harbor. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com
If you don't know the name Zainab Johnson, do yourself a favor and get acquainted by catching the rising star at Drafthouse Comedy on
Friday,
December 21st, for a night full of laughs courtesy of the funny lady who's already made appearances on HBO’s All Def Comedy, Arsenio, BET's Woke AF, and MTV's Acting Out. 7 & 9 p.m. Comedy Drafthouse. 1100 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. www.drafthousecomedy.com
If you haven't caught legendary songstress, Anita Baker, at a stop during her farewell concert series this year, don't miss your last chance to do so in the DMV area when she blesses the Theater at MGM with a three-night appearance kicking off
Wednesday,
December 26th, bringing her fans "joy" and the best that she's got! 8 p.m. Tickets: $155+. The Theater at MGM National Harbor. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com
You don't funny if you don't know Sinbad. The legendary comedian will take the stage at Rams Head on
Thursday,
December 27th, for a night of real talk and loads of laughter. 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $45. Rams Head On Stage. 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. www.ramsheadonstage.com
Round out the month with rejoicing and song on
Friday,
December 28th, courtesy of the Holiday Praise Celebration featuring gospel greats Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, and Charles Jenkins bringing both gospel sounds and sounds of the season. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $49+. DAR Constitution Hall. 1776 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20006. www.ticketmaster.com
Say goodbye to 2018 and hello to 2019 Casino Royale style at the Social Architects 8th annual
New Years Eve celebration featuring 10 rooms of entertainment on 5 levels, 8 DJs, casino games, a live TV feed from Times Square and more! Featuring DJ Biz Markie and national recording artist Marcus Johnson performing live. 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Tickets: $60-$75. Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal City, VA 22202. For tickets, click
here.
Restaurant of the Month: An end of a era has come. Long-standing Cajun cuisine specialty restaurant, Acadiana, will be closing its elegant doors on Monday, December 31st. To celebrate its years of serving up delectable portions of fried green tomatoes, Louisiana seafood gumbo, fried catfish, and shrimp & grits, Acadiana is holding a month-long "Pardi Gras" farewell celebration featuring special menu bites and will culminate the celebration with a New Year's Eve bash. Thanks for bringing DC some of the "easy life," Acadiana. Job well done; you'll be missed! Acadiana. 901 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001. www.acadianarestaurant.com
Life's short. Be entertained...and Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
