Hey everyone! This week’s pre-NYE edition of BEST WEEKEND BETS are, as always, hand selected from our revamped AGENDA HOMEPAGE and carefully calibrated for maximum fun and minimum stress, and will be punctuated with inspirational images of PITCH PERFECT (with a strong Rebel Wilson focus, duh) since no movie out on DVD this month makes for more inspirational getting ready viewing.

Before we start-a few PSAs…

UPCOMING BYT EVENTS

• For NYE we’re throwing a NYE FANCY SCHMANCY ball, which will be held at the former Spanish Ambassador’s Residence and will BE AWESOME. We are currently sold out but some more tickets may be released on the 29th so … hop on the waitlist RIGHT HERE.
• Plus: be on the lookout for INAUGURATION Parties, and other things as well.

MUST READS ON BYT THIS WEEK

• THE MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2013-a handy “get pumped” round-up
• HOW TO DRESS WELL: an interview and guide with custom suit guru Michael Andrews-a must read for all BYT male readers and women that love them.
• And as always-a gentle reminder we now how BYT NYC homepage too and publish a NYC Best Weekend Bets. So….tell yourself/ friends to subscribe to it + follow us over there on twitter @BYTNYC.
• And you can stay forever in the loop and follow us on facebook & twitter & pinterest too

OK, ready for the weekend now?

THURSDAY

• Lets face it-this week between Christmas and NYE is really all about recovery and energy preservation. So, for tonight, we recommend catching some movies in profoundly cultural settings:
• if you are in the mood to have your soul completely crushed before 2013 kicks in, Lars Von Trier’s BREAKING THE WAVES is playing @ The Phillips Collection
• providing this wintry mix of doom ends, weather wise, maybe you can combine the screening of The Visual Language of Herbert Matter  @ The National Gallery with a jaunt around the Sculpture garden Ice Skating rink (DJ Meistro is DJing tonight)
• also, George Smallwood is performing @ Tropicalia
• and for those looking to dance A LOT meet up with Tittsworth @ U Hall
• + ALL SORTS OF other stuff

FRIDAY

• 3rd annual Winter Wonderland at Malmaison combines photography, art, dance, well dressed people and, presumably, you.
• descend upon Red Palace for one of the last burlesque performances left at the venue before it (Sadly) closes doors in 2013.
• Hoodie Allen is @ Fillmore
• and Swedish House Mafia’s Steve Angello is @ Echostage, meaning most of our interns should be there too.
• PLUS: an honest to God dance old/new/whatever school contest over @ RED FRIDAYS
•  if you’re in the mood for some nostalgia-check out Beatles #1 covers over @ Hamilton
• OR cozy up with some whiskey at the annual Hank Williams tribute @ Birchmere
• Keith Sweat is @ Howard
• and-some of our favorite local DJs are at Velvet
• + ALL SORTS OF other stuff

SATURDAY

• during daytime: take yourself on a museum date, your soul deserves it. Check out the Lichtenstein show @ National Gallery of Art of Ai Wei Wei at Hirshhorn or Taryn Simon’s show @ The Corcoran… use our WINTER ART GUIDE for reference.
• you can still get in on the Drive By Truckers/Deer Tick 3 day pass @ 930 Club
• throwback good times: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas are @ Howard theatre
• more throwback good times: Million Dollar Quarter is @ Kennedy Center
• WARCHILD @ RNR Hotel throws the most intense party/show you can possibly handle before NYE
• + ALL SORTS OF other stuff

SUNDAY

• SEE A MOVIE (we recommend Django Unchained and This Is 40 and Zero Dark Thirty, all for very different reasons)
• get your laugh on with The Pajama Men over @ Woolly
• Stop by Black Cat for the SHAKE & SHOUT benefit for Norton Records
• + ALL SORTS OF other stuff

NEW YEAR’S EVE:

• Check out our handy guide to NYE IN DC: something for every mood, pocket etc.
• listen to this Volta Beaureau Mix or our “Songs That Made ME!ME!ME! Happy in 2012″ playlist to get adequately pumped for the night ahead.

NEW YEAR’S DAY:

• Please consult the BYT pro HANGOVER CURE Tip Guide. You’re welcome.

PLUS: THERE ARE A BAJILLION OTHER THINGS TO DO LISTED IN THE BYT AGENDA PAGES, so use it (to both post your events and search for them) and if you think we may have missed something, comment away–you know you want to.

• TILL NEXT TIME, REMEMBER to look on the bright side :