16

FRIDAY

According to Wordorigins.org, the word “vaudeville” “comes from the French vau de vire, or valley of the Vire river (in Calvados, Normandy), or in full chanson du Vau de Vire, song of the valley of Vire.” How this translates to precision knife-throwing, rim-shot-embellished comedy duos, or Cajun cellists is anyone’s guess. Regarding the last: Texas native Sean Grissom, who’s been busking in the New York subway system since 1979, is “the world’s preeminent Cajun cellist,” according to the New Directions Cello Association, though he’s probably not fighting off contenders for the title. In addition to running his musical skills bayou (heh), he’ll be the host for “Holiday Vaudeville,” featuring “rhythmic tap dancer” (is there another kind?) and physical comedian Rod Ferrone as well as the Alexandria Kleztet. Leave that long hook at home, now. The show starts at 6 p.m. (see City List for other dates) on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. (202) 467-4600. (Pamela Murray Winters)