TODAY (Friday) 

‘Okvango Delta’ is one of the paintings by Paula Lantz on display at Touchstone Gallery starting Wednesday. (Image courtesy Touchstone Gallery)

Busboys & Poets will be hosting ASL open mic poetry tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston Room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). Anyone with sign language knowledge may sign up to recite a poem or sign a song by e-mailing [email protected]. There is a $5 cover.

SAGE Metro D.C., D.C. Black LGBT Coalition, the Metropolitan Community Church of D.C. and other community partners are celebrating Kwanzaa at MCC (474 Ridge St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Cajun cellist Sean Grissom hosts “Holiday Vaudeville” at the Kennedy Center (2700 P St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. with Mallory Lewis, daughter of Shari Lewis, appearing with Lamb Chop, and the Alexandria Kleztet, a modern Klezmer quartet. This is a free performance. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Saturday, Dec. 31

Black Cat’s (1811 U St., N.W.) New Years Eve Ball will feature Peaches O’Dell and her Orchestra performing throughout the night as well as Tony Anthony and his Malvivants and DJ Dredd and Grap Luva on the Backstage. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at blackcatdc.com. Doors open at 8 p.m.

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents A Celtic New Year with Zan McLeod, New Century Dancers, Peter Brice and Rosie Shipley at 6 p.m. This is a free performance. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) will be showing the Washington Capitals take on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 7 p.m.

Omega Party, a new black gay entertainment company, presents “New Year’s Eve Extravaganza” at 901 Lounge (901 9th St., N.W.). Tickets are $15 in advance and only 100 are available. Tickets will be sold at the door as space permits. VIP packages are $50. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit omegapartydc.com.

A live big band called the Tom Cunningham Orchestra will perform tonight in the Spanish ballroom at Glen Echo Park (7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md.) tonight. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $25 with special kids’ rates available. Visit tomcunningham.com for more information.

The Lambda Sci-Fi group has a potluck video party tonight for LGBT fans of sci-fi, fantasy and horror films and stories. Bring your favorite DVDs, blu-ray discs or AVI files (on USB) to share along with food and non-alcoholic drinks. The group will meet at 1425 S Street, N.W. Contact Peter at 202-483-6369 or [email protected] for details. Or visit the group online at lambdascifi.org.

Sunday, Jan. 1

Black Cat (1811 U St., N.W.) presents the “Post Amateur-Hour” happy hour for everyone who had to work Saturday night. This is a free event and doors open at 8 p.m.

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents its production of “Billy Elliot: The Musical” directed by Stephen Daldry and featuring music by Elton John, today at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $150 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Monday, Jan. 2

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is having its monthly volunteer night tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tonight’s activities could range from sorting through book donations, cleaning up around the center and taking inventory for Fuk!ts, as well as socializing. Pizza will provided.

Busboys & Poets presents Monday night open mic poetry hosted by Rich Hanks tonight at 8 p.m. at its Shirlington location (4251 South Campbell Ave., Arlington). Wristbands are $4 and will be on sale starting at 10 a.m. in the Global Exchange store until sold out.

Tuesday, Jan. 3

The Chesapeake Squares, a gay square dancing group, are having a mainstream-through-advanced club night tonight at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathedral St.) in Baltimore from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit chesapeakesquares.org.

Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) presents its weekly trivia night, hosted by Ashley Linder and Lauren Zoltick tonight at 8 p.m. in the upstairs bar. There are also bonus question worth three extra points online atriotactcomedy.com.

Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at FUK!T’s packing location, Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W.

Wednesday, Jan. 4

Riot Act Comedy Theater’s (801 E St., N.W.) monthly gay and gay-friendly comedy show “Gay-larious” returns tonight at 8:30 p.m. with Jim David and co-founders Chris Doucette and Zach Toczynski. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at riotactcomedy.com.

Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor comes to the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) with her one-woman play “Ann,” tonight at 7:30 p.m. The show tells the story of Ann Richards, the second female governor of Texas. Tickets range from $54 to $95 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Touchstone Gallery’s (901 New York Ave., N.W.) newest exhibit, “Into the Wild,” featuring abstract paintings by Paula Lanta, opens today. There will be a reception on Jan. 13. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and the rest of the gallery’s hours, visit touchstonegallery.com.

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club, for gay bridge players, meets tonight for social bridge at the Dignity Center (721 8^th Street, S.E.). No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com for details and click on “social bridge in Washington.”

Thursday, Jan. 5

D.C. Lambda Squares, a local gay square dancing group, is having its plus with as-needed mainstream club night tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.). For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org.

Busboys & Poets presents Thursday night open mic poetry hosted by Regie Cabico tonight at 9 p.m. at its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104). Wristbands are $4 and will be on sale starting at 10 a.m. and until sold out.