Best Music
1. Diana Krall: Winner of three Grammy Awards, the jazz pianist/vocalist performs hits that made her a crossover star; with special guest Canadian jazz vocalist Denzal Sinclaire.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $50 in-house, $35 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
2. Ringo Starr: The former Beatle and his All-Starr Band of six top musicians perform music from their solo and ensemble careers.
Where: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $59 to $250; 410-547-SEAT (7328); ticketmaster.com
3. Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles: The multimedia spectacular, winner of the 2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue, revisits the Fab Four in uncanny likenesses.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $42 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
4. The Washington Chorus: Julian Wachner, music director, conducts Paola Prestini’s “Oceanic Verses,” commissioned by Carnegie Hall, with guest vocalists and accompanying multimedia effects.
Where: Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Brainfood
1. “A Nation of Wusses: How America’s Leaders Lost the Guts to Make Us Great”: Noting that when politicians call for sacrifice, they don’t mean their own, Ed Rendell, former Pennsylvania governor and current MSNBC senior political analyst, delivers a blistering critique of self-serving officeholders.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
2. “SOLE Defined”: The electrifying, challenging and excitingly rhythmic D.C.-based tap dance company Just Tap presents a thrilling performance.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. “Ballet 360°: What Ballet Does Best IV: Pursuit of Perfection”: Dance critic Alexandra Tomalonis uses video of well-known ballets to take you beyond the steps and into the fine craft of making a ballet.
Where: Atrium, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Info: $15; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. “Chirping Hill” (“Grillenparz”): Join the Shakespeare Theatre Company and the Austrian Cultural Forum Washington for a free staged reading of Thomas Arzt’s Chirping Hill (Grillenparz), as part of the series Zeitgeist: New Playwrights from Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Where: Austrian Embassy, 3524 International Court NW
When: 7 p.m. June 25
Info: Free; 202-895-6776; shakespearetheatre.org
5. WPAS Men and Women of the Gospel Choir: Since 1991, the Washington Performing Arts Society Men and Women of the Gospel Choir has demonstrated artistic excellence in this art form through performance of works by local and national composers.
Where: The Forum, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Noon June 27
Info: Free; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
Best Family
1. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”: In collaboration with the Washington Ballet, this fusion of theater, dance and puppetry based on the C.S. Lewis novel will have roles played jointly by actors and life-size puppets.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: Through Aug. 12
Info: $10 to $27; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
2. “If You Give a Mouse a Muffin”: What if a moose came to your house and asked for a muffin? Yikes! In this sequel to “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” a moose will almost always be a bigger problem than a mouse. If you give him some jam … you may wind up in a jam!
Where: Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: Friday through Sept. 2
Info: $18; 301-634-2270; adventuretheatre.org
3. “Goldilocks”: The porridge has been eaten, and Baby Bear’s chair is broken. But who is really responsible? Goldilocks and Papa Bear meet face to face in a makeshift courtroom in the woods to settle once and for all whether or not Goldilocks is the criminal the storybooks make her out to be. The audience gets to decide where the truth lies. Fur will fly!
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: Through July 15
Info: $10; 301-634-5380; thepuppetco.org
4. Cool Creek Critters: School’s out! What better way to welcome summer than by playing in the creek? Dress to get wet as we spend some time exploring waterfalls, building dams, trying to catch water striders and taking a closer look at some creek critters. Be prepared for your kids to want to keep playing in the creek when the program ends — so why not pack a picnic lunch? For families with children ages 5 and up. For more information, call 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 642852-B
5. Creative Opera Ensemble: “Hansel and Gretel”: The classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, of two lost waifs who stumble upon a delicious gingerbread house deep in the woods, is brought to life in an imaginative musical production set to Engelbert Humperdinck’s enchanting score. Kids are invited to sing, dance and even act in this fun-filled performance that introduces opera in a friendly and engaging atmosphere guaranteed to entertain the entire family!
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org
Best Gatherings
1. George Pelecanos: The best-selling writer reads from and discusses his latest books, “What It Was” and “The Cut.” A book signing follows.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 5331 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 301-779-2787; busboysandpoets.com
2. “Being Superman: A Psychological and Legal Look”: This post-show discussion takes place after “The History of Invulnerability.” In partnership with the Washington Psychoanalytic Society, it’s moderated by Dr. Marc. S. Levine and features Mark Said, operator of EsquireComics.com.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: 5:15 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; washingtondcjcc.org
3. Summer Bounty Cooking Demonstration: Wondering what to do with allthose wonderful summer veggieslike eggplant, peppers, squash andtomatoes? Gardening specialistAdrienne Cook, along with her sister,nutritionist Danielle Cook Navidi, willtalk about growing your own gardenof bounty and demonstrate threerecipes that include summer’s favoritevegetables. No registration necessary.
Where: Conservatory Terrace, United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
4. “We Learn Nothing”: Tim Kreider discussed his latest book.
Where: One More Page Books, 2200 N. Westmoreland, No. 101, Arlington
When: 7 to 8 p.m. June 27
Info: Free; 703-300-4746; onemorepagebooks.com
5. Nature Lover’s Book Club: Adults, come read and discuss works every month, starting with essays by E.O. Wilson. You’ll also enjoy a little extra experience inspired by the reading each time.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 7:30 to 8:30 June 28, July 26, Aug. 23
Info: Free; call to register: 703-228-3403
Best Outdoors
1. Friday evening concert: Memphis 59: Come enjoy the outdoors and listen to alternative country music.
Where: Yards Park, Third and Water streets SE
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Info: yardspark.org
2. Sailing Picnic Aboard the American Spirit: The perfect pleasant afternoon sailing on the Potomac with a tasty picnic and beautiful scenery, this three-hour adventure aboard the American Spirit sails along the river with a private captain and crew. Those interested can help hoist and man the sails, while others can feel free to relax. Light picnic food provided (feel free to supplement). Alcohol is also permitted (BYOB), but you must be 21.
Where: Meet at 600 Water St. SW
When: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $58; thingstododc.com
3. All You Can Eat Crab Feast Cruise on the Potomac: Take a crab feast and combine it with a memorable cruise on the Potomac River, and you’ve got a wonderful way to enjoy a meal of world-famous Maryland crab while taking in sweeping views of the Washington skyline and monuments. Margaritas available for cash; captain does not accept credit cards for drinks. The boat will be docked across from Nick’s Riverside Grille on the dock. The boat is called the Nightingale.
Where: At the end of 31st Street NW in Georgetown by the water
When: 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $65; thingstododc.com
4. Magical Minerals Campfire: The whole family will enjoy this celebration of story, song, animal friends and s’mores!
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 642852-B
5. Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock Circuit: Catoctin National Park boasts some excellent hiking trails with multiple interconnects allowing a lot of flexibility. This particular circuit, a wooded mountain hike of moderate difficulty, gives you a taste for the geology of the area and treats you with some spectacular views.
Where: Thurmont
When: Year-round
Info: Free; National Park Service: 301-663-9388; localhikes.com
Best Theater
1. “The Merry Wives of Windsor”: This bawdy and riotous romp stars the most beloved comic character of Shakespeare’s”Henry IV,” Sir John Falstaff, who decides to simultaneously pursue two of the town’s wealthy wives.
Where: The Shakespeare Theatre, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Through July 15
Info: $20 to $100; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
2. “The Lost Songs of Broadway: 1960s”: The 1960s transformed musical theater. Starting with traditional greats like “Camelot,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “Carnival,” the 1960s concluded with Kander and Ebb’s haunting “Cabaret” and the anti-war flower-power anthem “Hair.” In the vein of last season’s “The Lost Songs of Broadway: 1950s,” this cabaret showcases the best songs that got away.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: June 26 through 30
Info: $35; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
3. “Sty of the Blind Pig”: An uprooted African-American family is forced to confront its traditional values and ponder the effect that the emerging civil rights movement will have on family members’ lives after they relocate from the Deep South to Chicago.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: Through June 30
Info: $25 to $35; 202-529-5763; atlasarts.org
4. “The Animals and Children Took to the Streets”: Part Charles Dickens, part Tim Burton, the Bayou is a dystopian metropolis squirming with cockroaches and unrest. With live music, witty performances and stunning interaction between animation and live actors, acclaimed London company 1927’s show is a graphic novel burst to life.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through July 1
Info: $35 to $60; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
5. Source Theatre Festival: This annual summer festival presents 24 shows this year: three full-length plays, 18 10-minute plays and three Artistic Blind Dates.
Where: Source, 1835 14th St. NW
When: Through July 1
Info: $10 to $20; 202-315-1305; sourcefestival.org
Best Galleries
1. Joan Miro: The Ladder of Escape: The National Gallery of Art will be the only U.S. venue for this extraordinary overview of the Catalan painter’s most politically charged work. About 120 paintings and works on paper capture his response to two World Wars, the Spanish Civil War and life under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.
Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building, Fourth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: Through Aug. 12
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. African Cosmos: Stellar Arts: This collection of about 100 objects considers the way African “cultural astronomy” — the way artists of the last two centuries have reacted to the sun, moon and other celestial objects — influences and reflects traditional and contemporary African art.
Where: National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW
When: Through Dec. 9
Info: Free; africa.si.edu
3. The McCrindle Gift: A Distinguished Collection of Drawings and Watercolors: This collection of 71 works on paper spans five centuries and includes a sketch by the official draftsman of the first British diplomatic mission to China as well as three superb John Singer Sargent watercolors.
Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building, Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: Through Nov. 25
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
4. S.C.A.M.P.: New work by painters Susan Engle, Carl Amt, Aster da Fonseca, Mark Palmer and Paula Amt.
Where: Gallery plan b, 1530 14th St. NW
When: Through July 22
Info: Free; galleryplanb.com
5. Le Temps Devant: This exhibit by French photographers is built around the premise of “anachronism and utopia in the French countryside,” exposing a pleasant collision of a quaint past and an optimistic future.
Where: Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road SE
When: Through June 29
Info: Free; 202-580-5972; honfleurgallery.com
