And check back here Monday, when we'll have some analysis.

Jeremy Denk performs at Sixth and I Synagogue May 19

The Washington Performing Arts Society has officially released its 2011-2012 season, and few would say the suspense has been killing them. Classical fans will be not terribly surprised to see that it looks a lot like the 2010-2011 season—with, in fact, some of the exact same lineups: Joshua Bell with Sam Haywood on Jan. 23, and Itzhak Perlman with Rohan De Silva on May 14.  Neither pair exuded much chemistry together last year, but Bell and Perlman’s star wattage alone is sufficient to pack the Kennedy Center’s concert hall regardless of whom they play with.

WPAS is also wisely bringing back the Philadelphia Orchestra, which put on one of D.C.’s standout symphonic concerts by an out-of-towner last season.  This year they will be joined by violin great James Ehnes for a program of Debussy, Shostakovich, and Mendelssohn at Strathmore on May 11.

Other concerts to watch out for include a 130th birthday tribute to Béla Bartók performed, appropriately, by the Budapest Festival Orchestra on Oct. 26 at the Kennedy Center. The Emerson String Quartet, one of the best chamber groups currently playing, comes to Strathmore on Feb. 15, accompanied by pianist Wu Han. Former New York Philharmonic director Lorin Maazel will emerge from his horse farm in Virginia to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic on Feb. 29 for a program featuring Mozart, Sibelius, and the wicked Richard Strauss. And the multi-talented violinist-violist Pinchas Zukerman will join the European Union Youth Orchestra for Bruch’s breathtakingly beautiful violin concerto in G, on April 15. Both concerts are at the Kennedy Center.

WPAS also organizes a “Jazz Legends” series at the Kennedy Center.  This season has luminaries such as Sonny Rollins (Oct. 10), Wynton Marsalis (Feb. 26), and Herbie Hancock (March 11), as well as others whom I’m sure someone who knows more about jazz than me could recommend.  Someone page Michael West.

The official release, from Aug. 19, largely reflects the preview WPAS unveiled in June. Performances are generally set years in advance, however, especially for high-roller institutions like WPAS, which bankrolls D.C.'s biggest classical concerts with its wealthy donor base (and pricey tickets). You can see the full season lineup at the WPAS website.

Through Jan. 31 at the 6th and I Historic Synagogue, 6th and I Streets NW. (202) 408-3100. Open Mon-Thu  9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Fri 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

*Cirque du Soleil announces it'll be making a Michael Jackson-themed show for next year's tour. The show may feature unreleased songs and remixes (though God only knows what the masks and makeup will look like.)

*Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert extend their contracts with Comedy Central through 2012 and 2013, respectively. Stewart and Colbert remaining on TV, Conan O'Brien back in November of this year... my faith in television comedy is restored.

*WaPo's Going Out Gurus report Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is adding a music venue in its downstairs area (literally called "Downstairs"), complete with cash bar. The venue won't be in full use until after the summer, but the soft launch is this week.

*Alan Cumming drops out of the Green Goblin role for the Spider-Man Broadway musical, further confirming my belief that Julie Taymor's long-awaited adaptation of the movie for the stage will either be amazing or suck really hard (...emphasis on the latter).

*With Sam Mendes out of the picture for the new James Bond movie, he's now reportedly in talks to direct the Oz The Great and Powerful movie, an offshoot of The Wizard of Oz stories. Robert Downey, Jr. is currently the first choice to play the Wizard. So. freaking. awesome.

*Legendary Gang Starr MC Keith "Guru" Elam loses his battle with cancer at the age of 43.

*Several Hispanic musicians including Shakira, Juanes, and Alejandro Sanz release a song and music video to raise awareness about Haiti entitled "Ay Haití!" (And it's much better than the "We Are the World" remake.)

Read the full City Lights pick here; deets below the jump.

JACOBS SPEAKS AT 7 P.M. AT SIXTH & I HISTORIC SYNAGOGUE
600 I ST. NW.
6 IN ADVANCE, $8 AT DOOR
(202) 408-3100.

Brooklyn-based trio Vivian Girls opened the show, throwing most of the crowd for a loop–the love-child-band of the Jesus and Mary Chain and the Shangri-Las is an interesting tour mate for a vintage Americana act. But after charming the crowd with awkward between-song banter (would “Obummer” or “Obomber” make a better New York Post headline?) people of the pews loosened up and went along for the shoegaze/surf punk ride.

But when Ward took center stage, acoustic guitar in hand, harmonica in mouth, the crowd tightened up, listened up and sat rapt as he played a few songs before addressing them, thanking them for being there. When he did, they exploded until Ward’s restless digits returned to their strings and frets, wasting little time on monologue and polite conversation.

Instead, Ward looked at his fans, scanned the synagogue, and made all eyes who stared back feel his haunting cover of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” like no album version ever could. So too with a more lilting than shuffling “Fuel For Fire.” Ward seemed as invested in his D.C. fans as they were in him.

Ward played fan favorites from all four albums of his pre-Deschanel duo days, the most audience-appreciated being “Chinese Translation,” “Poison Cup” and concert-closer “Magic Trick” from his 2006 album Post-War. But compositions from Ward’s recent release Hold Time held their own among the favorites, and in comparison Ward played them with all the fervor of a gifted musician somewhat bored with playing the same old songs from his past tours. “Never Had Nobody Like You,” the reinvigorated Buddy Holly tune, “Rave On,” and “Fisher of Men” (which Ward, beaming at the crowd, seemed most pleased to play) were as well received as the “classics,” even if the applause followed the song instead of kicked it off.

Of course, Ward’s prolific plucking shone in a requisite cover from his personal guitar hero, John Fahey. And of course, fans had to peel themselves off the floor, after the encore, before exiting Sixth & I. But quite surprisingly, for such realizations are most always so, Ward solidified himself on stage Saturday night as this generation’s folk-guitar icon.

...but do you know about the supporting band for her current tour, Wildbirds & Peacedrums?

If not, you should – combining minimalist folk, Bjork-like caterwauling vocals, unusual instrumentation (lots of kalimba and whatever that stringed contraption is in the photo above), and insanely propulsive percussion, this duo were a pleasant if slightly misplaced surprise at Nordic Jazz 08 last year. At that show atop the House of Sweden, Wilbirds & Peacedrums opened for folksy jazz group Kristian Blak & Yggdrasil. That was a odd pairing; the pairing with Lykke Li, on the other hand, is downright inspired. Both are kind of spastic and mostly high-energy indie pop, but in completely different ways that I expect will complement rather than conflict with each other.

Unfortunately the show tomorrow at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is sold out, but if you're going, get there early enough to see the openers.