Events to Peep for the Months of October & November PLUS December Holiday Events

Get your boarding pass stamped at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre when you settle in for a closing week performance of "Ain't No Mo" on Wednesday, October 5th. 8 p.m. In Jordan E. Cooper’s vibrant, no-holds-barred comedy, the lives of Black Americans are examined in the aftermath of the election of a Black president and before the fictitous final boarding call for African American Airlines’ Flight 1619 to Africa, where every Black person in the United States gets a free ticket and opportunity to leave it all behind. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35+. Woolly Mammoth Theatre. 641 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Purchase tickets here.  

On Saturday, October 8th, head to the Anthem for a night of nostalgia and straight up jams courtesy of R&B legends, Tony, Toni, Tone's dance & skate party. After the concert, watch roller skating legends dressed in tuxedos and gowns take to the main floor to show off their skills. Three R&B DJs will follow to help keep the party going until midnight! (The roller skating is a spectator only experience). 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $75+. The Anthem. 901 Wharf Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20024. Purchase tickets here.

Get ready for the ultimate battle when two pillars of academic excellence--Howard and Harvard--meet on the gridiron for the second annual Truth & Service Classic on Saturday, October 15th at Audi Field. 4 p.m. Tickets: $20+. Audi Field. 100 Potomac Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20024. Purchase tickets here. 

Let a little sunshine into your fall evening courtesy of songbird Avery Sunshine when she heads to the Birchmere stage on Thursday, October 20th, bringing her fans all of her ballads from "Call My Name" to "Blessin' Me." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $60+. The Birchmere. 3701 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. Purchase tickets here. 

In the aftermath of one of the most talked about events of the year, you don't want to miss comedy icon, Chris Rock, when he brings his long-awaited rebuttal and--as always--the laugther to his fans at Constitution Hall on Friday, October 28th courtesy of his Ego Death World Tour. 8 p.m. Tickets: $89+. DAR Constitution Hall. 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006. Purchase tickets here. 

Get ready for a night of sultriness and sexiness courtesy of one of the best to ever do it--Maxwell--when he kicks off the DC leg of his "The Night Tour" on Saturday, November 12th, bringing fans decades of hits from "Until the Cops Come Knocking" to "Sumthin' Sumthin'." 8 p.m. Tickets: $128+. Purchase tickets here.  

Head to th Hippodrome on Friday, November 18th, for a showing of the hit Broadway show, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, to celebrate the woman, the music, and the story we've all come to know, love, and celebrate. 8 p.m. Tickets: $48+. The Hippodrome Theatre. 12 N Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Purchase tickets here. 

On Saturday, November 26th, take a reprieve from Black Friday shopping and head to the DC City Winery to enjoy songbird Chrisette Michele as she delivers all of her chart-topping hits from "If I Had My Way" to "A Couple of Forevers." 6 p.m. Tickets: $58+. City Winery DC. 1350 Okie Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Purchase tickets here.

*DECEMBER/HOLIDAY 

BONUS EVENTS*

Kick off the month of December at the Bowie Performing Arts Center with its presentation of, Pooled: A Gospel Musical Drama on Friday, December 2nd and Saturday, December 3rd. Directed by Tony-nominated producer and Broadway veteran actor Valencia Yearwood and written by former Prince George’s County resident Moses T. Alexander Greene, POOLED is the story of Delsin Jacobs’ arrival to the Pool of Bethesda and his single-minded determination to be the next person to receive its healing. However, it is Delsin’s interactions with others there that causes him to question the purity of his quest. When his moment presents itself, he is made to confront whether he wants to be the only one healed now or not. 8 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. Tickets: $42. Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. 15200 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 20715. Purchase tickets here.

Head to the Kennedy Center on Thursday, December 8th, for the opening of the acclaimed, Tony Award-winning-musical, Wicked. If you think you know the story of the Wicked Witch of the East, you have no idea. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” 1:30 & 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $59+. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. Purchase tickets here.  

Also at the Kennedy Center on Saturday, December 10th, Questlove returns for another intimate, insightful discussion surrounding the themes in his book MUSIC IS HISTORY alongside a special guest. Best-selling author Ben Greenman joins as moderator of this captivating conversation. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $55. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. Purchase tickets here.

Tip T.I. Harris has made his name in hip hop. Now he's taking his talents to the comedy stage and making his comedy debut at the DC Improv on Sunday, December 11th. Put a little laughter into your holidays courtesy of the King of the South & the Haha Mafia! 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $40-$55. DC Improv. 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Purchase tickets here. 

It's that time again! Put a little hip hop in your holiday courtesy of The Hip Hop Nutcracker brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and the legendary MC Kurtis Blow kicking off on Monday, December 19th (and running through December 22nd) at the Strathmore. 8 p.m. Tickets: $34-$68. Music Center at the Strathmore. 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852. Purchase tickets here.

Head to the Birchmere on Thursday, December 22nd for a soulful dose of holiday cheer courtesy of songbird Maysa for her "A Very Maysa Christmas" one night concert featuring her spin on holiday classics as well as her roster of hits from "Deep Waters" to "Lovin' You is Easy." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $70. Birchmere. 3701 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. Purchase tickets here.

Close out 2022 and crank in the new year on Saturday, December 31st, courtesy of DC's own Secret Society at the DC City Winery's Loft. 11 p.m. Tickets: $55. DC City Winery. Purchase tickets here.

However, if you need a little more crank to usher out the old, you know what time it is. Roll into the new year with Rare Essence + Trouble Funk at the Howard Theatre for a NYE celebration on Saturday, December 31st that's sure to make you sweat. Howard Theatre. 9 p.m. Tickets: $50+. Howard Theatre. 620 T Street NW, Washington DC 20001. Purchase tickets here. 

Restaurants of the Month: 

There are holiday celebrations and then there are Motown holiday celebrations! Add some soul into the season courtesy of the Motown Christmas Popup Bar at Lydia On H. Featuring Motown Christmas songs themed cocktails and soundtracks playing in the background, as well as multiple installations including a Christmas tree room in the speakeasy, a Black Santa Throne room, Gingerbread Man Wall and much more. Classic African American Christmas movies will play on the tv throughout. Lydia on H. 427 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Make reservations here.

Island spiced prawns, reggae seafood pasta, crab cakes with roasted corn coulis, and more await you at Bowie's newest upscale, black-owned, restaurant offering, Blvckcow. With an array of steak offerings, paired cocktails, and dope music vibes to groove to, you'll be sure to get your fill and chill on. Blvckcow. 6133 Highbridge Road, Bowie, MD 20720. More information can be found here. 

Life's Short. Be Entertained...and Happy Holidays!