Ring in the New Year in the DMV
It is time to ring out 2017 and ring in 2018. Besides all the parties at most bars and restaurants on New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of other things to do in the DMV this weekend. Also, most of the DMV’s holiday displays wrap up on New Year’s Day. But it will be cold out there, so if you are going out to look at the lights, bundle up.
Metro is still in the holiday spirit with limited interruptions this weekend and extended hours on New Year’s Eve. Metro will run from 8 a.m.-2 a.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on Monday. Parking will be free and off-peak fares will be in effect all weekend. The Red Line will single track between Medical Center and Grosvenor with trains running every 15 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont and every 8 minutes between Farragut North and Silver Spring. Orange Line trains single track between Foggy Bottom and Clarendon on Saturday ONLY and will run every 24 minutes. Blue Line trains will single track between Foggy Bottom and Arlington Cemetery on Saturday ONLY and will operate every 24 minutes. Silver Line trains will run every 24 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston on Saturday ONLY All three lines will operate regularly on Sunday. Yellow and Green Line trains will be on regular weekend schedules.
First Night Alexandria
Ring in the New Year at First Night Alexandria, a family-friendly celebration. Retail stores, churches, museums and public buildings are turned into performance venues to showcase local and regional talent. Among the events are a tour of the George Washingotn Masonic Memorial at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. ($15); a Fun Hunt at the Torpedo Factory from 2-5:30 p.m. in which teams hunt for clues to win prizes in adult and children categories; and a mobile art lab at the Durant Arts Center from 2-6 p.m.. Beginning at 7 p.m., musicians including the Alexandria Singers, the Blue Moon Cowgirls, Curtis Blues, the Irish Breakfast Band, Lesson Zero, Razor Hill, The Grandsons and other. The night concludes with fireworks on the Potomac at midnight. Check the full schedule online. A free shuttle will run from the King Street Metro station to the Durant Arts Center and the George Washington Masonic Memorial from 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.-midnight at various locations around Alexandria. Admission badges are $30 and can be purchased online or at the Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King. St., from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St., from noon-10 p.m.; and the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., from 2-10 p.m.; as well as at any venue beginning 15 minutes before the first performance.
Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists
The Library of Congress dug into its vaults to present Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists, an enlightening and in-depth exhibit on the immense contributions made by North American women to the art forms of illustration and cartooning. The exhibit spans from the late-1800s to the present, showing how women’s roles in the private and public sphere gradually increased, allowing for incredible self-expression and creativity.
Daily through Oct. 20 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Painting Shakespeare
The Folger Shakespeare Library presents Painting Shakespeare, an exhibit that shows how Shakespeare has inspired artists from his time to today. It includes everything from oil sketches to grand masterpieces, with each piece a reflection of how important and influential the Bard’s plays and words have been throughout the last 400 years. You can see scenes from Shakespeare’s plays reimagined, portraits of the playwright and much more.
Through Feb. 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Tomb of Christ
Take a three-dimensional journey into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the Tomb of Christ exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. This sacred location in Jerusalem is believed to be the site of where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, as well as where he was buried and resurrected. The site recently underwent an extensive restoration, a process that is analyzed in-depth in this exhibit. The main feature is a 3-D tour of the location along with other displays.
Through Aug. 15 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students/military and $10 for children 5-12.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
This is the last weekend for kids 3 and older to be enthralled by the penguin puppets in this musical adaption of Richard and Florence Atwater’s popular children’s book, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, which was also turned into a Jim Carrey movie. The family-friendly story is all about a painter name Mr. Popper, whose predictable life is turned upside down when a package full of penguins arrives on this porch.
Dec. 29 at 1:30 and 4 p.m., Dec. 30 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 5 p.m. and Dec. 31 at 1:30 and 4 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $25-$30.
The Illusionists
Direct from Broadway, The Illusionists, the world’s best-selling magic show, returns to the Kennedy Center after sell-out shows in 2015.. Audiences of all ages will have their jaws drop when they witness the world’s greatest illusionists, who will perform sophisticated magic and outrageous acts that must be seen to be believed.
Though Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $69-$175.
Noon Yards Eve
If you or your kids can’t stay up until midnight to ring in 2018, celebrate 12 hours early at Noon Yards Eve. There will be interactive activities for children and adults including trackless train rides, an inflatable moon bounce, games, craft stations, balloon artists, glitter tattoo artists, music and more with a countdown and balloon drop at noon.
Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Watch Night New Year’s Eve
The City of Falls Church rins in 2018 with a free family-friendly event, Watch Night New Year’s Eve. Its wide array of live entertainment, performances, and interactive activities appeal to all ages. Just before midnight, the New Year countdown begins and the historic star that first lit the Falls Church sky in 1948—the year Falls Church became an independent city—is lowered. Highlights for kids include a Velcro wall, karaoke, face painting, puppet shows, caricature and balloon artists, inflatables and dance lessons. For adults, there will be live music from nine bands including the Alpha Dog Blues Band, Sudden M Pac, Eastern All-Star Jazz Quintet, restaurants will offer Walking Watch Night menus with foods that are easy to carry and food trucks will be on hand along with free popcorn, hot chocolate and soup while supplies last. There will also be free tours of historic Falls Church from 6-8 p.m., a scavenger hunt, firepits and free noisemakers for the countdown. The full schedule is available http://www.watchnightfallschurch.com/entertainment/ here.
Dec. 31 from 7 p.m.-midnight at 101 W. Broad St., Falls Church. All venues are within a four-block, pedestrian-friendly area. Free shuttle buses will run every 30 minutes from the East Falls Church Metro station from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. and free parking is available at Falls Church Presbyterian Church. Admission is FREE!
Ongoing Events
FINAL WEEKEND! Ai Weiwei: Trace from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Jan. 1 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
An American in Paris at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sundays through Jan. 7 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $59-$175.
Architecture of an Asylum: St. Elizabeths 1852-2017 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 15 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, students and children.
Beautiful Blooms: Flowering Plants on Stamps from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through July 14 at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Admission is FREE!
Crazy for You at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday through Jan. 14 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $40-$89.
Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 15 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice across Asia from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 29, 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
The First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald at 100 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Apr. 2 at the National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
The Faces of Battle: Americans at War, 9/11 to Now from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Jan. 28 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Ilya and Emilia Kabakov: The Utopian Projects from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Mar. 4 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
FINAL WEEKEND! An Irish Carol at 8 p.m. Dec. 28, 30 and 31 and 3 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $35-$50.
FINAL WEEKEND! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $45-$18 or $100 for a family fun pack of two adult and two children tickets.
In the Tower: Anne Truitt from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Apr. 1 at the National Gallery of Art East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Les Miserables at 2 and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays through Jan. 7 at National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $38.75-$228.75.
Making Room: Housing for a Changing American from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 16 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for seniors 60 or older, students, and children ages 3-17.
Mark Bradford: Pickett’s Charge from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 12 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Marlene Dietrich: Dressed for the Image from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Apr. 15 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Mural from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 11 a.m-6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 28 at the National Gallery of Art East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Murder Is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at the Renwick Gallery, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Nothing to Lose (But Our Chains) at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 31 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW. Tickets are $20-$76.
Parallax Gap from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily through Feb. 11 at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. Admission is FREE!
Portraits of the World: Switzerland from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 12 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Recent Acquisitions from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 4 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Remembering Vietnam from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 6, 2019, at the National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Rick Araluce: The Final Stop from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 28 at the Renwick Gallery, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Secrets of the Lacquer Buddha from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through June 10 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Subodh Gupta: Terminal from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
The Sweat of Their Face: Portraying American Workers from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Sept. 3 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Tamayo: The New York Years from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Mar. 18 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
FINAL WEEKEND! Twist Your Dickens at 8 p.m. Dec. 29-31 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 30 and 31 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $49-$79.
Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 21 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
What Absence Is Made Of from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through the summer of 2019 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 7th Street and Independence Avenue Sw. Admission is FREE!
Imaginary World of the Nutcracker from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (21+ only) through Jan. 7 except Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 at Artechouse, 1238 Maryland Ave. SW. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, senior and military and $8 for children 12 and younger.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.