Concerts
Camera Obscura – Jan. 22 @ 9:30 Club
Not to be confused with the California indie rock outfit of the same name, this Camera Obscura hail from the twee pop capital of the world: Scotland. Significant collaboration with indie pop heavyhitters Belle and Sebastian has led Camera Obscura to resemble their more famous partner’s airy vocals and relentless, bouncy optimism.
Red Hot Chili Peppers & Gnarls Barkley – Jan. 25 @ Verizon Center
The Red Hot Chili Peppers may be unequivocally lame, but who would give up an opportunity to see Gnarls perform “Crazy” live? In case you’ve been living under a rock and need a reality check, “Crazy” is supposedly this year’s “Hey Ya.” Is that reason enough to bear the Red Hot Chili Peppers? It’s your money.
Maxwell’s Demon & the Shining Seahorses – Jan. 13 @ 3614 T St.
These Voice-sponsored, sort-of-student indie rockers sound like every great band from New Jersey: Yo La Tengo, the Wrens, the Feelies, the Boss—well, maybe not him so much. Simpleton pop prodigies the Shining Seahorses will open.
Theatre/Dance
Romeo and Juliet – Jan. 16-21 @ Kennedy Center
The 200-years-old, St. Petersburg-based, world acclaimed Kirov Ballet Company will revive its groundbreaking 1940 production of Romeo and Juliet, choreographed to a Sergei Prokoviev’s seminal score. This production is part of Washington, DC’s citywide Shakespeare Festival, which will extend from January until June and will include over 100 lectures and performances by more than 60 art organizations.
Emilio and the Enchanted Cow – Jan. 12-14 @ the Kennedy Center
Poor, little Emilio is having family issues. Naturally, he attempts to deal with them by drawing cows. Little does he know, however, that one of his cows will magically come alive and help him work through his trials and tribulations. Bring your favorite freshman to this special children’s performance but, to avoid breaking Kennedy Center policy, make sure that he or she is over five years old.
War of the Worlds – through Jan. 14 @ the DC Arts Center
It’s 1938 and everyone is, of course, terrified of those crazy Germans. But the Americans should really be watching the skies instead of peering across the pond because much darker enemies have it out for the land of the free and the home of the Oscar Meyer wiener: The Men From Mars. The ever-quirky DC Arts Center hosts Scena Theatre’s revival and adaptation of this classic radio broadcast that terrified a United States that hadn’t yet discovered that it’s not true just because you hear it on the radio.
Gem of the Ocean – Jan. 26-Mar. 18 @ Arena Stage
Directed by the award-winning August Wilson and performed as a tribute to Wilson, who recently passed away, Gem of the Ocean takes an evocative look at 20th Century African American life by recalling the story of Aunt Ester, a supposedly 285-year-old matriarch who led spiritual journeys to the mythical City of Bones from her home in 1904 Pittsburgh. Apparently the city possessed the power to purify troubled souls. Arena Stage hosts the Washington premiere of this production.
Venue Info
The 9:30 Club is located at 815 V Street N.W.
The Verizon Center is located at 601 F Street N.W.
The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F Street N.W.
The DC Arts Center is located at 2438 18th Street N.W.
Arena Stage is located at 1101 6th Street S.W.
