Best music 1. Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard Quintet: Jazz saxophonist Marsalis, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Blanchard and their respective ensembles join forces for an evening of unsurpassed jazz.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $20 to $55; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
2. The Perlman Music Program: Violinist Itzhak Perlman introduces his proteges in a program of Mozart’s Divertimento for String Trio in E-Flat major, Osvaldo Golijov’s “Last Round” and Brahms’ String Quintet No. 2.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $50; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
3. Kevin Eubanks: The fusion guitarist and his sidekicks from “The Tonight Show” mind the store for the weekend.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday
Info: $30; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
4. Ashley Brown: Barbara Cook’s Spotlight shines on the actress/singer direct from her starring role in “Mary Poppins.”
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $45; 202-467-4600, 899-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
5. Tom Rush: The always provocative and amusing composer/singer performs “The Fish Story Song,” “The Remember Song,” and other folk and blues favorites from “What I Know” and other albums.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Best Galleries
1. Edgar Degas: Sculpture: To celebrate the publication of its tome “Edgar Degas Sculpture,” the National Gallery of Art rededicates its collection of the French polymath artist’s 3-D works, the finest in the world, with 52 pieces including the iconic “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen.” The NGA is also home to 19 paintings and 71 works on paper
Where: National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Ave. NW
When: Permanent exhibition
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. Coble / Riley Projects: A dilapidated house in the Maine woods is the setting of Mary Coble and Blithe Riley’s two-channel video “Ascension / Immersion,” wherein Coble repeatedly dives into a pool of water set up inside the decaying house. The use of split-screen to convey the action from two angles simultaneously explores the relationship between action and time.
Where: Conner Contemporary Art, 1358 Florida Ave. NE
When: Through April 30
Info: Free; 202-588-8750; connercontemporary.com
3. The Coronation: This three-panel video of now-divorced artists Nicholas and Sheila Pye slowly traversing their respective, outside frames references Lucas Cranach the Elder’s 1533 painting of Adam and Eve.
Where: The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW
When: Through May 7
Info: $12, $10 seniors and students, free for 18 and younger; 202-387-2151; phillipscollection.org
4. Juan Tejedor: Standing Atop the Ladder: These eight new sculptures and works on paper from Juan take their hypnotic contours from the human footprint and patters of transcontinental bird migration.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Closes Saturday
Info: Free; 202-315-1305; flashpointdc.org
5. Carnivale: Sculptor and Corcoran College professor David Page curated this exhibit of works embodying the concepts of rebirth and rejuvenation inspired by the season of revelry that precedes Lent.
Where: The Art League Gallery, The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through April 4
Info: Free; 703-683-1780; theartleague.org
Best Brainfood
1. “The Trip to Bountiful”: In Horton Foote’s play, widow Carrie Watts is trapped in a cramped Houston apartment with her soft-spoken son and self-absorbed daughter-in-law. She dreams only of returning to her home in the small Gulf Coast town of Bountiful, where she grew up and raised her own family. Fearing that she’s an imposition and chafing under her daughter-in-law’s watchful eye, she steals away and heads home.
Where: Round House Bethesda Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: Through April 3
Info: $25 to $60; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
2. “The Trials of Galileo”: Written and directed by Nic Young, this one-man show explores the events surrounding Galileo’s trial for heresy in 1634, and how he misjudged the politics and thinking of his age.
Where: TheaterSpace George Mason University, Braddock Road and Route 123
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $15 to $30; 703-993-4749; [email protected]
3. Siva Vaidhyanathan: The author, a professor of media studies and law at the University of Virginia, discusses and signs his new book, “The Googlization of Everything: (And Why We Should Worry).” In the book, he examines Google’s methods of capturing, storing and filtering information and raises flags about issues of intellectual property and the Google Books program.
Where: Mumford Room, Library of Congress, James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. SE
When: Noon Friday
Info: 202-707-2693; loc.gov/index.html
4. Sarah Vowell: “Unfamiliar Fishes”: Vowell’s latest tour of American social history takes her to Hawaii. With her trademark dry wit, Vowell, author of”The Wordy Shipmates,” retraces the steps of the 19th century missionaries who tried to turn the islands into another New England.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
5. “To Have to Shoot Irishmen”: A Druid Ireland commission featuring actors from Studio Theatre’s “Penelope” cast. Revered by Gandhi, Irish pacifist Francis Sheehy-Skeffington was executed during the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. This play provides a unique, penetrating view of the first anti-colonial struggle of the modern era.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
Best Gatherings
1. Cherry Blossom Festival: Youth Poster Art Exhibit: View all the entries from the Youth Poster Art Contest at this gallery show of D.C. public and charter school students as they express how they celebrate the season of the blossoms in their hometown.
Where: West Hall, Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE
When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through April 10
Info: Free; 877-44-BLOOM; cherryblossomfestival.org
2. “The Weir”: SCENA Theater produces of Conor McPherson’s poetic play that takes place in a pub in rural Ireland. Four men and one woman reminisce about their lives and the events that have brought them to the town.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NW
When: Through April 17
Info: $18 to $33; 202-684-7980; scenatheater.org
3. “Webmaster”: In ClancyWorks Dance Company’s world premiere, a Web-streaming video links two choreographically integrated dances being performed simultaneously in different cities.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $15; 866-811-4111; flashpointdc.org
4. Blue Man Group: The critically acclaimed show is best known for its widely popular, totally unique performances, a combination of comedy and multimedia technology designed to create an extraordinary party atmosphere.
Where: Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW
When: Through April 3
Info: Tickets start at $32; 800-551-7328; livenation.com
Best Theater
1.”The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs”: With a wickedly funny tale of pride, beauty, lust and industrial design, monologist Mike Daisey reveals the truth about America’s most mysterious technology icon, while illuminating the human price we pay for our high-tech toys.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. April 17; through April 17
Info: Tickets start at $40; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net
2. “King Lear”: Irakli Kavsadze plays the title role in this great Shakespearean tragedy of love and loyalty, the story of an aging king whose test of his daughters’ love undoes him and his kingdom.
Where: Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; through April 24
Info: $40 to $55; 202-547-1122; synetictheater.org
3. “And The Curtain Rises”: This musical comedy marks part three of Signature’s American Musical Voices Project. Loosely inspired by true events surroundingthe creation of the first American musical in 1866, it features music by Joseph Thalken and lyrics by Mark Campbell.
Where: Signature Theater, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Through April 10
Info: $66 to $80; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
4. “Liberty Smith”: Ford’s Theatre presents the world premiere of”Liberty Smith,” a musical romp through Revolutionary America. A childhood friend of George Washington, apprentice to Benjamin Franklin and linked to Paul Revere’s remarkable ride, Liberty Smith weaves his way through familiar tales of a young nation.
Where: Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW
When: Through May 21
Info: $35 to $55; 800-982-2787; fords.org
5. “Photograph 51”: A funny and moving retelling of the life of Rosalind Franklin, one of the great female scientists of the 20th century, and her drive to map the contours of the DNA molecule. A chorus of physicists remembers the trailblazing, independent woman.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: Through April 24
Info: $25 to $60; 800-494-8497; theaterj.org
Best Outdoors
1. Civil War Van Trip: First Bull Run Battlefield Tour: One hundred and fifty years ago, the first major battle of the Civil War was fought in nearby Manassas as the Union army attempted to drive south to Richmond. The resulting Confederate victory showed that the war would be long and bloody. Follow the course of the battle and highlight the major factors that lead to the Confederate victory.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 632741-D
2. Catoctin Mountain Park: Hog Rock Nature Trail: This loop trail is an easy hike that takes in the nice view from Hog Rock. Before starting, be sure to stop in the visitor center for a copy of the trail guide. This guide will provide a lot of interesting information to go along with the marked posts you’ll encounter along the way. The trail leading to Hog Rock is wide and well-worn. It seems most people return via the same path, though, so the less traveled return portion of the loop is a bit narrower and sometimes a bit muddy.Hog Rock itself hearks back to times when hogs would feed on the abundant acorns. The view from Hog Rock is tranquil, and the rock itself offers a nice spot for a picnic lunch with the whole family.
Where: Near Thurmont, Md.
When: Year-round
Info: Free; 301-663-9388; see Web site for directions: localhikes.com
3. Bird-watching along C&O Canal: The towpath is an excellent bird-watching trail, offering beautiful views of the Potomac River. This particular stretch features the canal filled with water where, as the weather gets warmer, you may find nesting birds.
Where: Near Poolesville, Md.
When: Any day
Info: Free; see Web site for details; contact Canal National Historical Park Headquarters: 301-739-4200; localhikes.com
4. Sixteenth Street Corridor: Sixteenth Street is full of cultural hot spots. As you make your way north, be sure to stop by theWashington D.C. Jewish Community Center, where you can peruse the gallery, enjoy a kosher dinner and join the audience atTheater J. For a sample of international Washington, only a few blocks farther you can visit theMexican Cultural Institute, the Embassy of Kazakhstan and Meridian International Center. These institutions provide a ticket to the world by way of exhibitions, educational programs, tours, special events and more.
Where: Sixteenth Street Corridor, first sign at 16th and U streets NW
When: any day
Info: Free; culturaltourism.org
Best family
1. Cherry Blossom Family Day and Opening Ceremony: Join in the annual opening of Washington’s cherry blossom season at this sixth annual family festival featuring hands-on activities, interactive art demonstrations, and exciting indoor and outdoor performances that celebrate spring and explore Japanese arts and design.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday (family day), 4 to 5:30 p.m. (ceremony)
Info: Free; 202-272-2448; nbm.org
2. “The Trumpet of the Swan”: The National Symphony Orchestra offers two concert presentations starring John Lithgow and based on the book by E.B. White.
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $15 to $18; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. The Story of Wood: Learn all about wood and the forest. Follow the progress of wood from tree to furniture and bowls. See a sawmill and lathe in action. Learn about forestry, tree planting, wood lore and wood uses. Children 10 and older.
Where: Potomac Overlook Nature Center, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; registration necessary: 703-528-5406
4. Swamp Stomp: For families with children ages 6 and older. Join naturalists Rich Bailey and Rachael Tolman on a night hike and search for the fascinating amphibian life of Bull Run Regional Park. Find salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs and more. Rubber boots and warm clothes recommended.
Where: Bull Run Regional Park, call for directions
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; registration necessary: 703-528-5406
5. Long Branch Puppet Theater: For children ages 3 to 12. See an exciting show then stick around to meet the cast and live animal characters afterward. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 4 to 4:45 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $3; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 632821-A
