Events to Peep for the Months of December & January

After a nearly two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Whoa Peep This is happy to return with a joint December-January issue to help get you back out and about! Enjoy and continue to be safe! Note: Please check each venue's COVID-19 Vaccination Protocols before purchasing tickets. 

Kickoff the month of December by taking in a showing of August Wilson's "Seven Guitars" at Arena Stage. A part of Wilson's 10-play cycle, "Guitars" explores the lives of seven friends who are irrevocably changed when their old friend and blues singer Floyd Barton reappears with a chance of a lifetime. Matinee and evening showtimes available. Runs through 12/26. Tickets: $56-$72. Arena Stage. 1101 Sixth Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. www.arenastage.org

Get ready for a "double double" on December 3rd when you head to the Capitol One Arena to see the Washington Wizards take on the Cleveland Cavaliers followed by an after-game concert featuring hip hop legend Ludacris. Tip off: 7 p.m. Tickets: $21+. Capitol One Arena. 601 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.ticketmaster.com

Since we're all overdue for some laughter, hit up the DC Improv December 4th-5th to check out comedian Ryan Davis. Davis' cutting-edge pop-culture commentaries generated more than 100 million Internet views in 2016 alone and his fan base growth shows no signs of stopping. 7 p.m.; 9 p.m.; and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $27. DC Improv. 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. www.dcimprov.com

Head to the Kennedy Center on December 15th for the opening night of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." The electrifying new musical follows The Temptations five-decades rise to the top of the charts, and showcases their signature dance moves and harmonies to the backdrop of such iconic hits as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $49+. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

There is no greater gift than that of the incomparable Maysa. Head to Rams Head on Stage December 19th to enjoy the Grammy-nominated, Soul Train Award Winning Soul/Jazz singer celebration of her 30th year as a recording artist with "A Very Maysa Christmas." 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $49.50. Rams Head On Stage. 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. www.ramsheadonstage.com

Grab the whole family and put a little hip hop in your holiday when you take in a showing of The Hip Hop Nutcracker brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow on December 20th-22nd at the Strathmore. 8 p.m. Tickets: $34-$68. Music Center at the Strathmore. 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852. www.strathmore.org

DC's famed singer and jazz pianist Marcus Johnson will also get fans in the holiday mood with a five-night residency at the famed Blues Alley December 21st-26th; no show December 25th. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35. Blues Alley. 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20007. www.bluesalley.com

"Find your way" to City Winery DC on December 31st and ring in the new year with the one and only Dwele as he brings fans hit and after hit from "Hold On" to "Let Your Hair Down." 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Bonus: Dwele also returns on New Years Day with a 7 p.m. show. Tickets: $65-$90. City Winery DC. 1350 Okie Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. www.citywinery.com/washingtondc 

On January 7th-8th, American pianist, record producer, songwriter and musical arranger Robert Glasper and the Robert Glasper Trio lands at Bethesda Blues & Jazz bringing fans two nights of hits from "Afro Blue" to "Better Than I Imagined." 7 & 10 p.m. Tickets: $59-$79. Bethesda Blues & Jazz. 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. www.bethesdabluesjazz.com

The one and only Musiq Soulchild heads to the Birchmere January 12th-13th to bring fans over two decades worth of hits from "Love" to "Halfcrazy" to "Dontchange." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $79.50. The Birchmere. 3701 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. www.birchmere.com

Grab a "buddy" and roll down to The Hamilton on January 16th when DC's own Rare Essence hits the stage with internationally known DJs Fort Knox Five for a hybrid show full of infectious grooves sure to make your body move. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$35. The Hamilton. 600 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Tickets can be purchased here.

Starz Power series bad boy turned crooner, Rotimi, brings his infusion of contemporary R&B, traditional Afrobeat, and dancehall to Baltimore Soundstage on January 22nd, proving his talents extend beyond the screen. 9 p.m. Tickets: $18-$30. Baltimore Soundstage. 124 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. www.baltimoresoundstage.com

Make way for a legend when iconic percussionist and singer Sheila E. commands the DC City Winery stage for one night only on January 28th. Sheila E.'s producing, arranging, and performance talents have been showcased throughout the music and film industry with appearances on, The Academy Awards, The Latin Grammy Awards, BET Awards, The American Music Awards, and The Kennedy Center Honors to name a few. 6 p.m and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $45-$65. City Winery DC. 1350 Okie Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. www.citywinery.com/washingtondc 

Restaurant of the Month: You'll be on cloud 9 when you take in happy hour, brunch, or a late night turn up at the newly opened Air Restaurant & Lounge in Adams Morgan. The black-owned, two-story restaurant lounge boasts 7,000-sq. ft. of space with a rooftop outdoor patio, over 6 LED TV's & projectors, and a state-of-the art sound system. Air also features a dinner menu with such items as grilled salmon and short ribs and a set $45 brunch menu featuring steak and eggs, beignets, and a waffle and omelet station. Air Restaurant & Lounge. 2473 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009. Open Friday - Sunday. theairdc.com

Life's Short. Be Entertained. Happy Holidays!

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