Best Music
1. Voices of History: Grammy and Tony winner Jennifer Holliday hosts singers representing the nation’s 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the HCBU National Concert Choir, in spirituals, original works from black composers, jazz and gospel with Grammy-winning jazz musician Kirk Whalum.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20 to $65; 202-467-5600; kennedy-center.org
2. David Krakauer and the Kronos Quartet: The clarinetist and the world-renowned string quartet unite for the premiere of “Babylon,” a chamber work with Jewish klezmer influences.
Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $9 to $45; 301-405-ARTS; claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
3. Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: A Beethoven Bonanza, first of a series of four concerts.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $19 to $35; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu
4. Kenny Garrett: The Grammy-winning master of the also sax, member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, colleague of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, leader of his own band, recipient of an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music and commencement speaker in May 2011 sits in for three nights.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday
Info: $27.50; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
5. The Flying Karamazov Brothers: The zany comedy troupe of four juggler-clowns puts on a program of music, comedy, dance and humor.
Where: George Mason University Hylton Center
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: $28 to $44; 888-945-2468; hyltoncenter.org
Best Galleries
1. Re-viewing Documentary: The Photographic Life of Louise Rosskam: Better late than never. Rosskam, an underrated pioneer of American documentary photography in the 1930s and ’40s, gets the most extensive retrospective of her work to date: some 150 photographs, including her images of Southwest Washington neighborhoods that were torn down for urban renewal. Her original Rolleiflex camera is here, too.
Where: American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
When: Through Dec. 14
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
2. Natural Selection: Paintings by Amy Lin and Sculpture by Paul Wolff: Lin’s intricate patterns of colored dots suggests strands of DNA, while Wolff’s bronze-or-stainless-steel-over-soapstone sculptures are, in the artist’s own words, “entirely abstract, solely done to please the viewer’s eye. There are no themes. Nothing is represented or alluded to. The quest is neither historical nor autobiographical.”
Where: The Heurich Gallery, 505 Ninth St. NW
When: Through Dec. 7
Info: Free; heurichgallery.com
3. Kay Jackson: Environmental Works: Jackson uses oil paint, graphite, watercolor, gold leaf and other materials to transform wooden boxes into vessels of discontent calling attention to the plight of endangered species around the globe.
Where: Second Floor, Luther W. Brady Art Gallery, Media and Public Affairs Building, 805 21st St. NW
When: Through Oct. 14
Info: Free; 202-994-1525
4. Meltdown: New Work by Tom Price: British designer Price’s latest collection of futuristic furniture and lighting design has all the optimism of the 1960s and imagined at the 1930 World’s Fair, but with a more pragmatic 21st century edge.
Where: Suite 200, Industry 21st Century Design Gallery, 1358 Florida Ave NE
When: Through Oct. 22
Info: Free; 202-399-1730
5. Ellington Robinson: In Quest of the Sun: The painter layers his compositions with maps, record sleeves, old magazine pages — whatever textural materials might hint at the temporal and spiritual destination he seeks.
Where: Third Floor, Project 4 Gallery, 1353 U St. NW
When: Through Oct. 15
Info: Free; 202-232-4340; project4gallery.com
Best Brainfood
1. “FELA!”: This musicalis the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation. Inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity. This tale of courage, passion and love is directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones.
Where: Shakespeare Theatre, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Through Oct. 9
Info: $45 to $115; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
2. “Cry for Peace: Voices from the Congo”: Georgetown University Theater and Performance Studies Program, in partnership with Syracuse University and in association with Ping Chong& Company, will host a presentation of this new documentary theater work-in-progress, which is based on interviews with refugees from the ongoing wars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, some of whom perform in the work.
Where: Gonda Theater, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW
When: performance 7 p.m. Sept. 19; reception 7:45 p.m.; panel discussion 7:45 p.m.
Info: Free, but tickets required: invite.syr.edu/cryforpeace; 202-687-2787; performingarts.georgetown.edu
3. Theo Dorgan and Paula Meehan: The two award-winning poets read their works.
Where: The Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Info: $15; register for tickets at folger.edu/poetry
4. “Cleopatra: A Life”: Stacy Schiff discusses her best-selling book on Cleopatra and why she continues to fascinate us.
Where: Baird Auditorium, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Info: $13 to $20; 202-633-1000; residentassociates.org; mnh.si.edu
5. “Two Dogs’ Opinions on Life”: This improvisational comedy from theNational Theatre of China, the country’s largest state-level performing arts organization, is a story of two brother dogs who leave their hometown for the city to pursue their dreams. Through this avant-garde contemporary theater piece, audience members will explore some of the big questions plaguing Chinese society.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday
Info: $25; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Family
1. Animal Fiesta: The National Zoo celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with an annual fiesta. With animal demonstrations, Latin music, costumed dancers, traditional crafts and Latin American foods, the event offers something for everyone.
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; nationalzoo.si.edu
2. Blacksmiths’ Guild of the Potomac: The Guild invites you to join them at the Gulf Branch Forge every first and third Friday of each month.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Forge, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; bgop.org
3. Lincoln-Thomas Day: Come learn about this historic day, designated to honor President Lincoln and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, “the owner of Fort Stevens.” Programs include Junior Ranger activities, living-history presentations about the battle, and ranger-led programs and lectures.All ages.
Where: Rock Creek Park, 5200 Glover Road NW
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-895-6070; nps.gov/rocr
4. Arpas de America — Latin American Harp Festival: Teatro de la Luna presents Hildo Aguirre, of Colombia, Pedro Gaona, of Paraguay, and Angel Tolosa, of Venezuela, in performance.
Where: Theatre One, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $25 to $30; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org
5. Papermaking: Ages 5 to 9. Learn how to make paper with interesting textures, colors and designs for all types of uses.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21
Info: Free; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 612921-E; 703-228-6535
Best Gatherings
1. “Grand Pursuit: The Story of Economic Genius”: Sylvia Nasar follows her best-selling biography,”A Beautiful Mind,” by showing thinkers in action. From Alfred Marshall walking around Dickens’ London to Amartya Sen in today’s India, Nasar’s narrative history of political economics lays out the challenges society has faced since the Industrial Revolution proved that socioeconomic status wasn’t a given, but lay within humanpower to change.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
2. “The Country Girl”: Clifford Odets’ playtells the story of faithful, devoted Georgie Elgin, her alcoholic has-been actor husband, and the director who offers him an opportunity to resurrect his career.
Where: American Century Theater, Gunston Theater, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Through Oct. 8
Info: $27 to $35; 202-998-4555; americancentury.org
3. “Lithuanian Play Trilogy”: This three-play autobiographical collection by Paul Rajeckas was inspired by events in the author’s family and he traveled to Lithuania to learn more about his family’s history.
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Thursday through Oct. 2
Info: $25; 703-875-1100; artisphere.com
4. “Millennial Momentum: How a new Generation Is Remaking America”: Authors Morley Winograd and Mike Hais will sign and discuss their new title. In this timely analysis of demographic data, Winograd and Hais examine the habits, values and desires of the generation born between 1982 and 2003. The most racially diverse and ideologically tolerant population the United States has ever known, Millennials are also the most networked group of humans in history.
Where: Langston Room, Busboys and Poets, 14th and V streets NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: $4; wristbands sold from 10 a.m. on; see website for details; busboysandpoets.org
5. First Draft at Charter Theatre presents “She Said/She Said,” by Rebecca Gingrich-Jones, which follows the story of two women locked in a battle over their marriage, their sexual identities and the custody of their child.
Where: Theater on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Info: 703-228-1850; firstdraft.org; arlingtonarts.org
Best Outdoors
1. Under the Arbor: Revolutionary Herbs: Early Americans, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, depended on herbs for many essential needs. Learn about the uses and history of some of the most popular herbs used by colonists and American Indians for healing, cooking and more. Sample food and drink, explore the herbs, and pick up recipes.
Where: National Herb Garden, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE
When: 1 to 4 Sunday
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
2. Gourmet S’mores Campfire: For adults. Raise the sophistication of your campfire cuisine up a notch. Join around the campfire and experiment with new ingredients and create outrageous flavor combinations never dreamt of before! Traditionalists welcome too. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center Parking lot, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 7 to 8:15 p.m. Saturday
Info: $7; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 612941-E
3. Four Mile Run Cleanup: Held in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup and Clean Virginia Waterways Day. Join Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment to collect trash along Arlington’s biggest stream.
Where: Barcroft Park, 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; register at 703-228-6406; [email protected]
4. Washington Walks: The nouveau-riche crowd has made many an eyeball roll reflexively skyward. Call them robber barons or captains of industry, dub their heyday industrial or gilded, today we can revel in the Beaux-Arts grandeur of Washington’s Massachusetts Avenue, better known as Embassy Row.See their fabulous mansions on this two-hour walk, held rain or shine.
Where: Tour starts outside the Dupont Circle Metro (south exit)
When: 10 a.m. Saturday; through Oct. 29
Info: $15 (children under 3 free); no reservations necessary; pay in cash at beginning of tour or reserve through Zerve
5. Lapidum Rock Run Loop: Five miles round trip, hilly loop; 2 1/2 hours; moderately difficult; for hikers, dogs, horses. Best season: fall and spring.
Where: Jarretsville, Md.; see website for directions
When: Any season
Info: Susquehanna State Park; 410-557-7994; localhikes.com
Best Theater
1. “Fahrenheit 451”: Firemen in this futuristic world burn books and hunt down anyone who reads them. Free thought and intellectualism are discouraged, and questioning authority is dangerous.One man must choose between safety and intellectual honesty.
Where: Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: Through Oct. 9
Info: $25 to $50; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
2. “The Habit of Art”: In Alan Bennett’s fanciful text, a group of actors meet to rehearse a play called “Caliban’s Day,” about a fictitious meeting between W.H. Auden and Benjamin Britten.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Oct. 15
Info: 202-332-3300; studio-theater.org
3. “Stop Kiss”: Holly Tywford’s directorial debut with No Rules Theatre Company. When a first kiss provokes a violent attack, two lives are changed in ways they never could have imagined.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: Through Oct. 1
Info: $20; norulestheatre.org
4. “Trouble in Mind”: In this Alice Childress play set in 1957, a group of newly integrated actors show how little they understand each other as they prepare a Broadway opening of a play about race.
Where: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SE
When: Through Oct. 23
Info: 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
5. “Don’t Dress for Dinner”: Things are never what they seem inthis farce,as fidelity is thrown to the pigs and every lover belongs to someone else. Mistaken identity, feuding spouses and unwitting cooks make up a crowded table of cheating dinner guests in this hilarious comedy.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, McLean
When: Through Oct. 2
Info: $15 to $25; 703-8564-1856; 1ststagespringhill.org
