Best Music 1. National Symphony Orchestra: John Storgards, chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic, conducts Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain,” “The Enchanted Lake” by Liadov, and Nielsen’s Symphony No. 5. Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer performs the Violin Concerto by Sibelius.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
2. Linda Eder: The Broadway leading lady presents songs from her latest album, “Now,” and highlights from her versatile solo albums and career.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $31.60 to $68.40; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
3. Steve Wilson: The popular saxophonist, bandleader and songwriter returns to KC Jazz Club with his trio and a string quintet to perform music from Charlie Parker’s 1950 recording “Bird With Strings.”
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $26 to $20; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
4. David Balakrishnan: “Force of Nature” composed by the violinist and founder of the Turtle Island Quartet will be debuted by TIQ cellist Mark Summer at the Alexandria Symphony opener. Balakrishnan also performs his “Little Mouse Jumps” for jazz violin and orchestra.
Where: Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $5 to $80; 703-548-0885; alexsym.com
5. Roy Hargrove Quintet: The Grammy-winning trumpeter swings in jazz, soul and bop.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
Info: $48.50; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
Also worth noting:
6. Brian Culbertson: The jazz and R&B multi-instrumentalist makes his presence known in both Alexandria and Annapolis. The Birchmere, 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $53.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Where: Rams Head, Annapolis
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $55; 410-268-4545; tickets.ramsheadonstage.com
7. Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone: The Brits are back!
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 Saturday
Info: $48; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com.
8. Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass”: The George Mason University School of Music presents a concert version in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the premiere with baritone Douglas Webster as the Celebrant and the director, soprano Abby Hendricks, as the Acolyte.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $15, seniors $10; cfa.gmu.edu
Best Brainfood
1. Erica Rebollar/Rebollar Dance: Erica Rebollar/Rebollar Dance performs the world premiere of”Tinsel and Bone,” which explores various identities of movement within a person’s external, social body (Tinsel) and their internal, spiritual state (Bone).
Where: Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “Blithe Spirit”: Noel Coward’s delightful comedy that makes a farce of love, marriage and even the Grim Reaper.
Where: Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $12 to $15; 540-338-6776; franklinparkartscenter.org
3. Leela Samson: The bharata natyam performance to open the eighth Annual Fall Festival of Indian Arts by one of India’s most dynamic and technically brilliant dancers, the director of Kalakshetra, Chennai, the oldest dance/theater institution in India.
Where: Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $22.50 to $62.50; 202-328-6000; lincolntheatre.org
4. “Landscape for Life Brown Bag Lecture: Sustainable Gardening for Homeowners”: A sustainably built and maintained garden need not compromise aesthetics or great plant material. Learn how your home garden can follow sustainable guidelines to be beautiful and regenerative.
Where: Conservatory Classroom, Conservatory Terrace, United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: Noon to 1 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; registration required; code: LH100711; usbg.gov
5. The Suzanne Farrell Ballet: The Kennedy Center’s own Suzanne Farrell Ballet celebrates its 10th anniversary with two mixed programs, each featuring Balanchine’s”Diamonds” in an artistic partnership with the Sarasota Ballet.
Where: Eisenhower Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Oct. 12 to 16
Info: $29 to $84; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Family
1. Dogtober Day & Barker’s Bash: Get together for a just-for-dogs day filled with laughs. Ribbons are awarded for each category except Best in Show, which is judged by the audience. Come root for your favorite pooch or bring your own pup. Categories include: Best Kisser, Old Dog New Tricks, Terrific Tricks, and Fastest Small, Medium and Large Pooch. Also, there are games you and your dog can compete in as a team.
Where: Lacey Woods Park, 1200 N. George Mason Blvd., Arlington
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday
Info: Preregistration necessary: 703-525-0168; or register on site at 12:30 p.m.
2. Columbus Day Camp Out: Families with children 6 and older. A gentle introduction to camping. You’ll make camp, eat dinner cooked over a campfire, and enjoy the embers with song and story. The next morning you’ll hike and cook breakfast before breaking camp. Bring a tent if you have one.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 5 p.m. Sunday to 10:30 a.m. Monday
Info: $80 per family; 703-228-3403; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 612851-M
3. Pamela Duncan Edwards. Beloved children’s author Edwards will make a special guest appearance and enchant children of all ages with an imaginative “spooky” story. Kids will be encouraged to help tell this morning’s tale, and afterward Edwards will answer questions on how she creates her delightful stories.
Where: The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org
4. Gemstone Club — The Opal: Budding geologists and gem lovers ages 7 to 11 are invited to join for a month or a year of learning. Examine polished gems and uncut crystals. Learn about geology and mining. Take home each month’s birthstone. 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: $8; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 612821-D
5. “The Tales of Beatrix Potter”: Set in an old-fashioned nursery, this performance includes three favorite Potter stories as seen through the eyes of a young English girl growing up at the beginning of the 20th century. As she pursues the everyday activities of playing and learning, the tales seem to grow from her imagination.
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: Through Sunday
Info: $10 (discounts available); 301-634-5380; thepuppetco.org
Best Gatherings
1. Authors’ Open House: Five local writers will be stopping in to discuss and sign their books.
Where: One More Page Books, 2200 N. Westmoreland St., No. 101, Arlington
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: 703-300-9746; onemorepagebooks.com
2. “Nine on the Ninth”: Open Mic Poetry, the legendary monthly poetry series that falls on every ninth day of the month at 9 p.m. This month it features Carolyn Malachi, songstress, musician, dancer, spoken-word artist, philanthropist, 2011 Grammy nominee.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW
When: 9 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-387-7638; busboysandpoets.com
3. “The Third Industrial Revolution”: The latest book from the visionary author of “Empathic Civilization,” “The European Dream” and others presents an innovative outline for energy self-sufficiency. Based on projects already under way in Europe, Jeremy Rifkin’s plan uses the way information is generated and shared on the Internet as a paradigm for how individuals will form a new green-energy grid.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
4. Birthday Party Open House: Art lovers of all ages are invited to Artisphere’s Free Birthday Open House. See films, witness art creation, feel the beat in a drum circle, watch shadow puppetry and, of course, enjoy birthday cake!
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 703-875-1100; artisphere.com
5. Beer and Ballet: Watch professional dancers at work in the studio, then gather with friends for a microbrew.
Where: Washington Ballet Studios, 3515 Wisconsin Ave.
When: Oct. 12
Info: 202-362-3606; washingtonballet.org
Best Outdoors
1. Oktoberfest at the Kentlands: Amid horse-drawn wagon rides and pumpkin painting, visitors to the festival can enjoy authentic Bavarian food and beer and lively performances by the Alte Kameraden German Band and Alt-Washingtonia Bavarian dancers on the Main Stage.
Where: Kentlands Village Green; parking at Orchard Ridge Drive, off Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 301-258-6350; [email protected]
2. 31st Annual Pumpkin Festival: Butler’s Orchard holds its annual pumpkin festival weekends throughout October. The 300-acre, family-owned farm is a local favorite with special activities geared toward young children: pony rides, crafts and face painting. Come pick your own pumpkins!
Where: 22200 Davis Mills Road, Germantown
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $10 (children under 2 free); 301-972-3299; butlersorchard.com
3. Reston Oktoberfest: Grab your beer steins and polka dancing shoes because Oktoberfest is returning to the Reston Town Center.Come check out this celebration of the traditional Bavarian festival and experience the best in fall brews, delicious Oktoberfest fare from area restaurants, live entertainment, a carnival, and enough bratwurst to take you back to the Old Country.
Where: Market Street, Reston Town Center, Reston
When: Friday to Sunday
Info: Food and beverage tickets $1 each; oktoberfestreston.com
4. Local Bird Walk: Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for an informal walk through Long Branch and Glencarlyn parks. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet in Long Branch Nature Center parking lot, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 12
Info: Free; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program No. 612941-C
5. Green Spring Gardens: Visit Green Spring Gardens while the weather is still good. It’s a year-round gold mine of information and inspiration for the home gardener, anoutdoor classroomfor children and their families to learn about plants and wildlife, and a national historic site that offers glimpses into a long history with Colonial origins.
Where: Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria
When: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: fairfaxcounty.gov
Best Theater
1. “Norman”: The Montreal company Lemieux Pilon 4D Art presents”Norman”, a tribute to pioneer filmmaker Norman McLaren, where film and theater collide as projected holograms inhabit the stage with live actors.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Thursday to Saturday
Info: $30 to $50; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “Barefoot in the Park”: George Mason University’s Department of Theater and the Mason Players kick off their 2011-2012 season with Neil Simon’s classic romantic comedy.
Where: TheaterSpace, Performing Arts Building, George Mason University, Route 123 and Braddock Road, Fairfax
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $8 to $12; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu
3. “Mad Forest”: Forum Theatre produces Caryl Churchill’s play. On the eve of the Romanian Revolution, and under the eternal watch of the secret police, two families (one poor and one wealthy) struggle to retain their friendship. But once the violence has ceased, will anything have changed?
Where: Round House Theatre, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
When: Through Oct. 15
Info: $15 to $25; 240-644-1100; forum-td.org
4. “The Importance of Being Earnest”: Oscar Wilde’s play detailstheescapadesofJack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, two wealthy young men who are membersofBritain’s fashionable upper crust. Bored with their lives intheEnglish countryside, they invent new personas asthefictitious Ernest and Bunbury to add excitement to their lives. However, their deceptions eventually cross paths, resulting in a seriesofhilarious discoveries that threaten to spoil their romantic pursuits.
Where: Performing Arts Building, George Mason University, Route 123 and Braddock Road, Fairfax
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20 to $40; cfa.gmu.edu
5. Teatro de la Luna’s 14th International Festival of Hispanic Theater: Five theater troupes from Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and the United States performdramas, comedies and zarzuelas.
Where: Theatre Two, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Tuesday to Nov. 19
Info: $30 to $35, children free; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org
Best Galleries
1. Inner Piece: Works from the Heather and Tony Podesta Collection: Lobbyists Heather and Tony Podesta are a Washington power couple if ever there was one, but they’re as respected for their taste in art as for their influence. This exhibition, drawn from the Podestas’ personal inventory, culls landscapes from Irish artist/filmmaker Clare Langan, pleas for social justice from British painter Julie Roberts, and photos from American video artist Laurel Nakadate. Spanish artist Pilar Albarracin’s work calls attention to violence against women and their ongoing repression.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave.
When: Through Dec. 14
Info: Free, 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
2. Degas’ Dancers at the Barre: Point and Counterpoint: A Phillips Collection exclusive, this show brings together roughly 30 paintings, works on paper and bronzes created over a four-decade period documenting Edgar Degas’ lifelong fascination with ballet. He made at 1,500 ballet-themed pieces in all.
Where: The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW
When: Through Jan. 8
Info: $12, seniors and students $10, 18 and younger free; 202-387-2151; phillipscollection.org
3. Gustavo Diaz Sosa: Mixed-media work from the Cuban-born and -trained Sosa, who reflects the influence of the German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer without compromising his unique voice.
Where: Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road SE
When: Through July 22
Info: Free; 202-580-5972; honfleurgallery.com
4. Sam Gilliam: Recent Drapes: A half-dozen new midsize drape paintings from arguably Washington’s most renowned living artist
Where: Marsha Mateyka Gallery, 2012 R St. NW
When: Through Oct. 29
Info: Free, 202-328-0088; marshamateykagallery.com
5. Exercise Your Mynd — BK Adams I Am Art: Storied District entrepreneur and “Art Man” BK Adams gets his largest retrospective to date, with more than 50 of his sculptures, paintings, photos and video assemblages documenting the “other way of seeing” that has served as his compass throughout his eventful life.
Where: Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE
When: Through Nov. 27
Info: Free; 202-633-4820; anacostia.si.edu
