1. Kennedy Center Honors
#1 Art & Entertainment Event
Among the highest achievements in the arts, the 2011 honors went to Meryl Streep, singer Neil Diamond, actress and singer Barbara Cook, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and musician Sonny Rollins; the event was televised on CBS. Next: December 2012
Among the highest achievements in the arts, the 2011 honors went to Meryl Streep, singer Neil Diamond, actress and singer Barbara Cook, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and musician Sonny Rollins; the event was televised on CBS. Next: December 2012
Photo: Daniel Schwartz Photography
2. Ford's Theatre Society Annual Gala
#2 Art & Entertainment Event
Ford's Theatre Society Annual Gala mixed musical performances with tributes to luminaries such as Nobel Peace Prize-winner Elie Wiesel and actor Morgan Freeman, and the weekend of activities included a V.I.P. reception that President Barack Obama hosted in the White House. About 550 people attended the events, which raised $1.5 million. Next: Spring 2013
Ford's Theatre Society Annual Gala mixed musical performances with tributes to luminaries such as Nobel Peace Prize-winner Elie Wiesel and actor Morgan Freeman, and the weekend of activities included a V.I.P. reception that President Barack Obama hosted in the White House. About 550 people attended the events, which raised $1.5 million. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Margot Schulman
3. National Design Awards Luncheon
#3 Art & Entertainment Event
First Lady Michelle Obama hosted this year's event in the East Room of the White House, honoring innovators, including lifetime achievement winner TED Conference creator Richard Saul Wurman. Next: Summer 2013
First Lady Michelle Obama hosted this year's event in the East Room of the White House, honoring innovators, including lifetime achievement winner TED Conference creator Richard Saul Wurman. Next: Summer 2013
Photo: Richard Patterson
4. BET Honors Awards Ceremony
#4 Art & Entertainment Event
The fifth annual BET Honors at the Warner Theatre featured First Lady Michelle Obama along with honorees Maya Angelou, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Spike Lee, Olympic coach Beverly Kearney, and the Tuskegee Airmen, and the night before held a private, 250-guest dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Next: February 2013
The fifth annual BET Honors at the Warner Theatre featured First Lady Michelle Obama along with honorees Maya Angelou, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Spike Lee, Olympic coach Beverly Kearney, and the Tuskegee Airmen, and the night before held a private, 250-guest dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Next: February 2013
Photo: Davide De Pas
5. Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
#5 Art & Entertainment Event
Comedian Will Ferrell received the prize last year; this year's event will honor Ellen DeGeneres, who will be the fourth woman to receive the distinction. Next: October 22, 2012
Comedian Will Ferrell received the prize last year; this year's event will honor Ellen DeGeneres, who will be the fourth woman to receive the distinction. Next: October 22, 2012
Photo: Margot Schulman
6. Will on the Hill
#6 Art & Entertainment Event
This year Washington’s politicians, lobbyists, and journalists joined The Shakespeare Theatre Company for its 10th Will on the Hill and raised more than $400,000—a record high—for education, artistic, and community engagement programs. Next: May 2013
This year Washington’s politicians, lobbyists, and journalists joined The Shakespeare Theatre Company for its 10th Will on the Hill and raised more than $400,000—a record high—for education, artistic, and community engagement programs. Next: May 2013
Photo: Margot Schulman
7. SilverDocs Film Festival
#7 Art & Entertainment Event
More than 27,000 attendees celebrated the 10th anniversary of annual documentary festival this year with the screening of 114 films representing 44 countries, a free outdoor screening, live performances, and a five-day professional documentary conference. Next: summer 2013
More than 27,000 attendees celebrated the 10th anniversary of annual documentary festival this year with the screening of 114 films representing 44 countries, a free outdoor screening, live performances, and a five-day professional documentary conference. Next: summer 2013
Photo: Courtesy of SilverDocs Film Festival
8. DC Jazz Festival
#8 Art & Entertainment Event
The eighth annual festival expanded to more than 125 performances, including a tribute to the late godfather of go-go Chuck Brown at the Hamilton and a 15,000-person Jazz in the Garden concert at the National Gallery of Art. Next: spring 2013
The eighth annual festival expanded to more than 125 performances, including a tribute to the late godfather of go-go Chuck Brown at the Hamilton and a 15,000-person Jazz in the Garden concert at the National Gallery of Art. Next: spring 2013
Photo: Courtesy of DC Jazz Festival
9. Filmfest DC
#9 Art & Entertainment Event
The city's oldest festival—it marked 26 years in 2012—drew 23,000 people with a program of more than 80 features, documentaries, and shorts, with a special feature this year on films from the Caribbean. Next: April 11-20, 2013
The city's oldest festival—it marked 26 years in 2012—drew 23,000 people with a program of more than 80 features, documentaries, and shorts, with a special feature this year on films from the Caribbean. Next: April 11-20, 2013
Photo: Courtesy of Filmfest DC
