Events to Peep for the Month of January

On Wednesday, January 1st, tip off your New Year's Day cheering on the Washington Wizards in their first game of the year when they face off against the Orlando Magic. 6 p.m. Tickets: $10-$173. Capital One Arena. 601 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.capitolonearena.com

DC's own funnyman, Red Grant, kicks of a three-night set at the Improv on Friday, January 3rd, bringing all the funny you can stand. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $22. DC Improv. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30. DC Improv. 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. www.dcimprov.com

Warm up the month with a ray of Avery Sunshine on Thursday, January 9th, when she commands the Birchmere stage bringing your all of her "soulspirational" tunes from "Blessin' Me" to "All in My Head." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $65. The Birchmere. 3701 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. www.birchmere.com

Settle in for the opening night production of Pipeline on Wednesday, January 15th. Written by Dominique Morisseau and directed by Awoye Timpo, the play takes a deep and compassionate look at the ferocity of one parent’s love as she struggles to fight for her son's success and survival within a broken education system. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20-$80. Studio Theatre. 1501 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. www.studiotheatre.org

Prepare for a hip hop "high" with the one and only Snoop Dogg hits the Fillmore stage for a stop on his "I Want to Thank Me" tour on Sunday, January 19th. 8 p.m. Tickets: $59. The Fillmore. 8656 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910. www.fillmoresilverspring.com

On Monday, January 20th, celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through song when The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University present Grammy-winning artist Chaka Khan with the Let Freedom Ring Choir in a musical tribute to the great Peacemaker. 6 p.m. Tickets: Free (up to two available per person). John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Incomparable singer and actor Luke James heads to Union Stage for the DC leg of his "To Feel Love/D" tour on Thursday, January 30th, bringing fans a catalog of soulful tunes from "These Arms" to "Stay With Me." 8 p.m. Tickets: $18-$78. Union Stage. 740 Water Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. www.unionstage.com

Close out the month with the soulful sounds of balladeer Will Downing when he heads to the Birchmere on Friday, January 31st, to bring fans over three decades worth of hits from "A Million Ways" to "I Go Crazy." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $79. The Birchmere. 3701 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. www.birchmere.com

Restaurant of the Month: The long-awaited opening of the Imperial restaurant is finally over. The Adams Morgan, three-level complex from the owners of the Jack Rose whiskey bar offers customers an array of cocktails and vintage spirits, including a food menu delivering such eclectic dishes as sorghum risotto with black truffles, anchovy-bread crumb bucatini, and beef Wellington. Bon appetit. The Imperial. 2001 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. www.imperialdc.com. Opens daily 5 p.m.-11 p.m. 

Life's short. Be entertained...and Happy New Year!

Events to Peep for the Month of December

On Thursday, December 5th, break out your finest wear and head to the MGM where the "stars" will align for TVOne's Urban One Honors Awards, celebrating the likes of Missy Elliott, Jamie Foxx, Brandy, and more. 8 p.m. Tickets: Varies. The Theatre at MGM. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com

If you can't make it to the MGM on Thursday, fret not and head there on Friday, December 6th, when the iconic Patti Labelle hits the Theatre stage to bring fans over four decades worth of hits for a night you won't forget. 8 p.m. Tickets: $146+. The Theatre at MGM. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com

Check out funnyman Damon Wayans in Charm City on Sunday, December 7th, for his special three-night event that will be full of laughs as only a Wayans could bring. 7 & 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $40. Baltimore Comedy Factory. 5625 O'Donnell St, Baltimore, MD 21202. www.baltimorecomedy.com

On Friday, December 13th, get "harmonized" when you head to the Kennedy Center to experience Grammy-nominated soul trio and former backup vocalists to R&B/soul artist Anthony Hamilton—The HamilTones—in their debut at the famed performing arts center. 7 & 9 p.m. Tickets: $20. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Also on Friday, December 13th, hip hop legend Rakim heads to the Baltimore Soundstage to rip the microphone like a fiend for a one night only show hip hop heads won't want to miss. Opening acts include Eze Jackson, B.O.M.B, and Clif Love. 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $27-$75. Baltimore Soundstage. 124 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. www.baltimoresoundstage.com

Baltimore stays lit on Saturday, December 14th, with 92Q's Winterfest featuring Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, and more! 7 p.m. Tickets: $55-$250. Royal Farms Arena. 201 W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. www.ticketmaster.com

On Wednesday, December 18th, put a little midweek theater into your schedule when you check out "She the People," the all-female, all-funny blockbuster, that satirizes the reality of being a woman in this wild world, exploding the myths and misrepresentations surrounding body positivity, bachelorettes, Beyoncé, and the 2020 ballot. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20-$73. Woolly Mammoth Theatre. 641 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.woollymammoth.net

Looking for a musical for the holidays instead? Then head to the Signature Theatre on Sunday, December 22nd, for its closing night production of A Motown Christmas--a fun, musical treat reaturing restyled covers such as The Jackson 5’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town," The Supremes’ take on “Silver Bells,” and original songs like Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas." 2 & 7 p.m. Tickets: $38+. Signature Theatre. 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206 www.sigtheatre.org

Head to Annapolis on Monday, December 23rd, to gift yourself some sexy courtesy of R&B crooner Eric Benet when he takes command of the Rams Head Stage to deliver his hits and all of your favorite ballads. Rams Head On Stage. 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. 8 p.m. Tickets: $75-$145. www.ramsheadonstage.com

The incomparable PJ Morton returns to the Fillmore stage on Friday, December 27th, for a one-night only show, delivering his catalog of his jams and ballads from "Religion" to "First Began." 8 p.m. Tickets: $30. The Fillmore. 8656 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910. www.fillmoresilverspring.com

Close out 2019 on a high note on Tuesday, December 31st, when you laugh the year away and welcome in a new one along with Saturday Night Live cast member and funnyman Chris Redd. 7 & 9 p.m. Tickets: $25. Drafthouse Comedy Theater. 1100 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. www.drafthousecomedy.com

Restaurant of the Month: The Shaw area gives the former Bohemian Cavern space a new tenant in the form of restaurant /lounge Harlot DC. Adorned with chandeliers and velvet seating areas, the Harlot offers customers a whimsical "Alice in Wonderland" feel, yet keeps the vibe welcoming with such comfort food offerings as grilled cheese, crab fries, and southern fried chicken. However, it's 2 a.m. weeknight closing hours let's you know they're more than ready for your "turn up" as well. Harlot DC. 2001 11th Street, NW, Washington DC 20001. www.harlotdc.com

Life's short. Be entertained. Happy Holidays!

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