Washington's Top 100 Events 2013 - Art & Entertainment Events

#1 Art & Entertainment Event
After revamping its selection process to encourage diversity, the Kennedy Center Honors selected honorees Martina Arroyo, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel, Shirley MacLaine, and Carlos Santana. The distinction is among the highest honors in the performing arts, and a broadcast of the event will air on CBS later this month. Next: December 2014

#2 Art & Entertainment Event
Highlights of the Ford’s Theatre Society's annual gala included performances by Denyce Graves, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio of the ABC series Nashville. Actor Eric Stonestreet presented a tribute to Dennis and Judy Shepard, parents of gay college student Matthew Shepard who was murdered in 1998. The theater staged a production of The Laramie Project, about Shepard's death, this fall. Next: June 2014

#3 Art & Entertainment Event
First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a White House luncheon for winners of the National Design Awards. Among the guests was Tim Gunn, co-host and mentor of Lifetime’s Project Runway. Next: Fall 2014

#4 Art & Entertainment Event
The sixth annual BET Honors were awarded to Halle Berry, T.D. Jakes, Chaka Khan, Lis Leslie, and Clarence Avant in a ceremony at the Warner Theater. The night before, honorees and others gathered at an elegant dinner at the U.S. Library of Congress. Next: February 7, 2014

#5 Art & Entertainment Event
Carol Burnett received this year's Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at an event featuring tributes by comedians such as Tina Fey, a past recipient of the award. A broadcast from the evening later aired on PBS. Next: Fall 2014

#6 Art & Entertainment Event
A bipartisan cast performs Shakespeare—with some asides about modern politics—in the annual Will on the Hill performance, which benefits the Shakespeare Theatre Company. This year's cast included celebrity co-stars John Leguizamo and Anna Chlumsky. Next: May 2014

#7 Art & Entertainment Event
The past year saw major changes for the former SilverDocs Film Festival. It lost sponsor Discovery Channel, added Audi, and renamed the documentary film fest the A.F.I. Docs Film Festival. Although the 2013 event was two days shorter than previous years, it expanded to venues beyond its traditional home at A.F.I. Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland and plans to have a greater presence in the District. Next: June 18-22, 2014

#8 Art & Entertainment Event
Among the largest music festivals in the country, the DC Jazz Festival spans nearly 60 venues and attracted 3,400 fans to a show this year by the Roots. The fest claims an economic impact on the city of $2.9 million and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2014. Next: June 24-29, 2014

#9 Art & Entertainment Event
Filmfest DC is the city's oldest film festival—it marked 27 years in 2013—but its future is uncertain because of severe budget problems. While director Tony Gittens has set dates for the 2014 event, it may not continue after funding reductions from the city as well as main sponsor the University of District of Columbia. The fest has entertained more than 20,000 people annually with a program of more than 80 features, documentaries, and shorts. Next: April 17-27, 2014