Suzanne Farrell’s departure, in 1993, from the New York City Ballet, was not what one would call smooth. It played out in the pages of the New Yorker and the New York Times, as Farrell and NYCB ballet master-in-chief Peter Martins fought over who was the rightful heir to the legacy of George Balanchine, the company’s co-founder. After her dismissal, Farrell went on to teach a new generation of dancers at universities around the world and build a company of her own at the Kennedy Center. When her ensemble wraps up its nearly two decade run this weekend, there will be plenty of beautiful Balanchine choreography but, one hopes, significantly less drama. Its final shows will include dynamic solo pieces that Balanchine originally created for (and literally bequeathed to) Farrell, as well as grand compositions featuring more than a dozen dancers. Each piece celebrates the human form, as the artists extend their limbs and express the music of Ravel, Tchaikovsky, and Gounod. Forget The Nutcracker: This is the ballet performance of the season. Read more>>> The Suzanne Farrell Ballet performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F St. NW. $29–$89. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. (Caroline Jones)
EAT THIS
Every Thursday and Friday in Petworth Citizen‘s reading room, bartender Chantal Tseng pours cocktails inspired by a famous author. Tonight and tomorrow that author is Hans Christian Andersen. Tseng has teamed up with the founder of Aquavit Week, Jacob Grier, to showcase the spirit, which, like Andersen, has Scandinavian origins. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Petworth Citizen & Reading Room, 829 Upshur St. NW. (202) 722-2939. petworthcitizen.com. (Laura Hayes)
OH AND ALSO
Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman present a live version of POLITICO Playbook, the popular political newsletter they author together, at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. 7 p.m. at 600 I St. NW. $18.
Busty and the Bass, a group that blends hip-hop and R&B vocals with brass and synths, performs at U Street Music Hall. 7 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $15.
New Orleans soul singer Aaron Neville performs his holiday hits at the Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $89.50.
Want To Do Today sent to your inbox five days a week? Sign up here.