We’re bringing you a special To Do This Week edition before Thanksgiving. So kick back, enjoy that turkey, and catch a play about a toxic waste superhero, see a natural hair showcase, or a screening of a classic horror film. Stick around to the end of this newsletter to see the news and reviews you can use and the latest in ticket sales. —Kayla Randall
FRIDAY
The Toxic AvengerImagine, if you can, a place so vile that literal garbage rolls down the street like tumbleweeds in the desert. A place where the mayor is so morally bankrupt that she authorizes the dumping of toxic waste where people live just to make a few extra bucks. Welcome to New Jersey, the setting of The Toxic Avenger: The Musical. Read more>>> The show runs to Nov. 24 at the Greenbelt Arts Center, 123 Centerway, Greenbelt. $14–$25. (301) 441-8770. greenbeltartscenter.org. (Matt Cohen)
The National Museum of American History presents America’s Listening, an exhibition that tells the story of recorded sound featuring five innovative listening technological inventions. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.
The Birchmere hosts bluegrass bands The Seldom Scene and Dry Branch Fire Squad. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $39.50.
How to Catch a Star, author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers‘ beloved children’s book about chasing your dreams, comes to life with colorful projections and choreographed movement at the Kennedy Center Family Theater. 4 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. $20.
SATURDAY
Young and Natural Hair PageantWomen and girls are not their hair. They are so much more. But there’s something to be said for black and brown women and girls wearing the hair that naturally grows out of their beautiful black and brown heads—because society has tried to beat all of us into submitting to Western beauty standards. Read more>>> The show begins at 1 p.m. at the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Road SE. $15. (202) 631-6291. anacostiaartscenter.com. (Kayla Randall)
Folk pop artist Andy Shauf performs at The Miracle Theatre. 8:30 p.m. at 535 8th St. SE. $20.
Pearl Street Warehouse hosts guitar-driven quintet Slade Run‘s album release party. 8 p.m. at 33 Pearl St. SW. $12.
Los Angeles-based DJ and producer KSHMR performs at Echostage. 9 p.m. at 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE. $25–$30.
SUNDAY
Rosemary’s BabyAfter a struggling actor (John Cassavetes) and his young wife (Mia Farrow) move into a spacious new apartment, they are befriended by an elderly couple—cute, dotty, and more than a little bit nosy. This is the seemingly benign domestic setting for one of the greatest horror movies ever, Rosemary’s Baby, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Read more>>> The film screens at 6 p.m. at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $13. (301) 495-6700. afi.com/silver. (Pat Padua)
Jamaican reggae star Jesse Royal performs at Union Stage. 8 p.m. at 740 Water St. SW. $17–$20.
The Phillips Collection continues its run of Nordic Impressions, an exhibition featuring works by 53 artists and a major survey of Nordic art spanning nearly 200 years. 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 1600 21st St. NW. $10–$12.
Jazz pianist John Eaton performs at The Barns at Wolf Trap. 2 p.m. at 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. $25–$27.
MONDAY
Women Photojournalists of Washington IA&A at Hillyer is doing its best to promote photography in November with three strong exhibitions. Contributors to the Women Photojournalists of Washington’s 12th annual juried exhibition offer a mix of domestic news features (Erin Schaff’s awkward attendees at a pro-Trump “tea” and Evelyn Hockstein’s menacing image of the Charlottesville rally) and overseas reportage (Nora Lorek’s intrepid refugees in Uganda and Carol Guzy’s heartbreaking child sitting in a bombed-out street in Iraq). Read more>>> The exhibitions are on view to Dec. 16 at IA&A Hillyer, 9 Hillyer Court NW. Free. (202) 338-0325. athillyer.org. (Louis Jacobson)
Reggae and alternative rock artist Matisyahu performs at City Winery. 8 p.m. at 1350 Okie St. NE. $38–$55.
Folk rock icon Melissa Etheridge performs a special holiday show at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $115.
Songbyrd Music House hosts contemporary R&B artist Arin Ray. 8 p.m. at 2477 18th St. NW. $15–$17.
TUESDAY
Freddie GibbsFreddie Gibbs is your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper. The Gary, Indiana-bred, Los Angeles-based artist has been telling gangsta rap tales of guns and drugs for more than a decade, with a rugged, melodic rasp and a pristine, precise flow. Read more>>> Freddie Gibbs performs at 7 p.m. at U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St. NW. $25. (202) 588-1889. ustreetmusichall.com. (Chris Kelly)
Rock band Des Demonas performs at Black Cat. 7:30 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $10.
West Coast rapper Aminé performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring. 8 p.m. at 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $24–$75.
Ford’s Theatre presents its adaptation—with audio descriptions—of Charles Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol, a holiday staple in D.C. 7:30 p.m. at 511 10th St. NW. $32–$92.
WEDNESDAY
Julian Lage TrioHe’s a former child prodigy who’s not yet 31—which may explain why Julian Lage and his guitar show so much spunk. Don’t get him wrong, he’s got jazz chops and jazz vocabulary. That said, he also favors the same kind of pulsing rhythms that indie rockers rely on. Read more>>> Julian Lage Trio perform at 8 p.m. at Union Stage, 740 Water St. NW. $20–$40. (877) 987-6487. unionstage.com. (Michael J. West)
Tall Heights, a Boston electro-folk duo, perform at U Street Music Hall. 7 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $15.
Author Mia García discusses The Resolutions, her new book about four friends who make New Year’s resolutions for one another, at One More Page Books. 7 p.m. at 2200 N. Westmoreland St. #101, Arlington. Free.
Americana singer-songwriter Colter Wall performs at 9:30 Club. 7 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $20.
THURSDAY
Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalThe holiday season is upon us, as are visitors from out of town. What better way to entertain those loved ones whose interests may not completely overlap with our own than by sitting down and enjoying a big stage show? Christmas obsessives can seek out the many interpretations of The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, but those seeking something secular should consider a trip to The National Theatre to take in a performance of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Read more>>> The musical runs to Dec. 30 at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. $54–$119. (202) 628-6161. thenationaldc.org. (Caroline Jones)
Photographer Beowulf Sheehan speaks about his new book, Author: The Portraits of Beowulf Sheehan, a collection of 200 of his finest portraits of prominent writers, playwrights, historians, journalists, and poets, at Politics and Prose. 7 p.m. at 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
Jazz trio 5th Avenue performs at Twins Jazz. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. at 1344 U St. NW. $10.
Award-winning vocalist Stacey Kent performs at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. at 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. $45–$50.
NEWS & REVIEWS YOU CAN USE
Theater: Studio’s Cry It Out finds humor in the agony of early motherhood.
Theater: Arena Stage’s Anything Goes takes audiences on a toe-tapping sailing trip.
Museums and Galleries: At the Greater Reston Arts Center, Caitlin Teal aims her camera through her children’s lens.
Museums and Galleries: At Hemphill Fine Arts, a peek into the cosmic universe of Renée Stout.
Music: Here’s how Snoop Dogg came to record with Rare Essence and Backyard Band.
Music: On her new EP, Alison Crockett’s neo-soul songs employ bossa nova grooves.
Podcast: Culinary historian and D.C. native Michael Twitty talks about coming up in the city’s club scene.
Film: Chef Flynn is a delicious look at the rise of a teenage chef.
Film: Creed II is just a bad Rocky movie.
OFFICE OF FUTURE PLANNING
Artist presale tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. for electronic artists Dillon Francis and Alison Wonderland, performing together at The Anthem on Feb. 22, 2019. 8 p.m. at 901 Wharf St. SW. $45–$65.
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