City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
Can the Kennedy Center outlast Trump?
January 21, 2026 · 💌 Kaela
Morning! Washingtonian dropped its annual 100 Very Best Restaurants list yesterday. Albi took the number one spot — again. Sadly, a few personal favorites didn’t make the cut — Menya Hosaki? Chang Chang? Chicatana? C’mon!
What's CITY Talking About
Hogan Won’t Run For Mayor Again
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced he has no intention of running for office again despite party pressure to run against Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, who’s up for reelection in November. [WTOP]
McDuffie Staffer Tapped For Vacant Council Seat
The D.C. Council unanimously voted to appoint Kenyan McDuffie staffer Doni Crawford as interim at-large councilmember now that McDuffie has resigned to run for mayor. Crawford will hold the seat until the June 16 special election. [NBC4]
Batten Down the Hatches
A big winter storm is expected in D.C. this weekend says the Capital Weather Gang. Expect snow and record low temps starting late Saturday through Monday morning, which could potentially affect schools and businesses next week. Send us your snow pics! [Washington Post 🔒]
Can The Kennedy Center Outlast Trump?
The Washington National Opera announced this month that it’s leaving the Kennedy Center. It’s the most shocking departure yet since Trump’s takeover — and it could spell enormous changes for both the center and the opera, as well as Washington’s status as a high-culture city. [City Cast DC 🎧]
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Experience Revolutionary Music with Ruckus & Davóne Tines
Join bass-baritone Davóne Tines and early music band Ruckus for an exploration of American identity through centuries of song, presented by Washington Performing Arts. This performance at Sixth & I on Wednesday, January 28 reimagines hymns, ballads, and revolutionary music, asking questions about justice and community as America reaches 250.
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Folger Theatre’s Reading Room Festival is January 22-25
Don’t miss our fourth annual Reading Room Festival. Join us as we collaboratively re-envision Shakespeare’s works, explore the vibrant musicality of Shakespeare’s verse, and reimagine the stories crafted by other early modern playwrights in this four-day festival of staged readings, panel discussions, workshops, and community celebrations.
What To Do
Wednesday, Jan. 21
- ⭐ Astronomy on Tap DC at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🔥 Fireside Chat with Director William J. Burns at the Spy Museum (L’Enfant Plaza)
- 🎶 Tunes: Caleb Duval / Jeff Surak / Rumpus Room at Rhizome (Takoma)
- ✍️ Beginner Romance Writer Workshop at Friends to Lovers Bookstore (Alexandria)
- 🎞️ Movie Screening “McQueen” at the West End Library
- 🎸 Tunes: Magic City Hippies at 9:30 Club (Shaw)
Thursday, Jan. 22
- 🍷 New Years Wine and Tarot at Plntr (Dupont)
- 📚 Author Talk: Jennette McCurdy w/ Kelsey McKinney at Sixth & I (Chinatown)
- 🎲 Room and Board at The Board Room (Dupont)
- 🔮 2026 Vision Board Making at Flor. coffee + books (Georgetown)
- 🤔 90's Hip Hop/R&B Trivia Night at Benning Library
- 🖼️ Korean Treasures Symposium (Starts) at the National Museum of Asian Art (National Mall)
- 💘 Book Talk: “Like in Love With You” at East City Bookshop (Capital Hill)
How do you feel about the Las Vegas-style Sphere coming to National Harbor?
Free · 5 days a week