Best Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: Lori Maazel conducts works by Berlioz, Mussorgsky and Ravel, and pianist Simon Trpceski performs Grieg’s Piano Concerto.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
2. Cathedral Choral Society: J. Reilly Lewis conducts “Te Deum” by Dvorak and “Glagolitic Mass” by Leos Janacek under the patronage of the ambassador of the Czech Republic. This is the culminating performance of the Czech Embassy’s Mutual Inspirations Festival.
Where: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $25 and up; 877-537-2228; cathedralchoralsociety.org
3. Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Euan Morton, star of Ford Theatre’s “Parade” and winner of the Tony and other key awards for his portrayal of Boy George in “Taboo,” performs favorite Broadway and Scottish selections.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $45; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
4. Tedeschi Trucks Band: Singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi, her husband, guitarist Derek Trucks, and their new ensemble perform numbers from “Revelator,” their first full CD release together.
Where: Warner Theatre
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $45 to $75; 202-783-4000; warnertheatre.com
5. David Cassidy: The “Partridge Family” fan favorite sings his own songs and those that mark his career.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $49.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Best Brainfood
1. “Saturday Night”: Stephen Sondheim’s first musical. Four performances only.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $40 to $47.40; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
2. “After the Fall”: Arthur Miller’s most personal play explores one man’s quest to make peace with history — his own and that of the tumultuousworld around him. In the wake of the tragic death of his famous second wife, Quentin desperately tries to move forward in his life. Yet he is compelled to relive his childhood losses, failed marriages and the controversial politics of the 1950s blacklisting, which turned allies against each other.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: Through Nov. 27
Info: $15 to $60; 202-518-9400; theaterj.org
3. Peter DiMuro Curates: One of four special curated Happenings events in the 2011-2012 season. This event, curated by Dance/MetroDC’s director, will feature new work from local choreographers fresh out of the VelocityDC Dance Festival.
Where: The Forum, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Noon Nov. 2
Info: Free; reservations not required; 202-820-9771; shakespearetheatre.org
4. Teatro de la Luna’s International Festival of Theater: Teatro de la Luna’s 14th Annual presentation of drama and comedy from Central and Latin America, as well as the United States.
Where: Theatre Two, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Through Nov. 19
Info: $30 to $35, children free; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org
5. “Sex and Education”: Sex and syntax converge in this duel of wits between a graduating high school basketball star and his retiring English teacher.
Where: Doorway Arts Ensemble, Montgomery College, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
When: Friday through Nov. 20
Info: $5 to $20; 240-567-5775; doorwayarts.org
Best Family
1.”The Adventures of Don Quixote de la Mancha”: A bilingual adaptation by Argentine writer Patricia Suarez of the famous Cervantes novel. This story follows the adventures of the gentleman from La Mancha who is obsessed with chivalrous ideals.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW
When: 10:30 a.m. Monday to Friday; through Nov. 10
Info: $10; 202-234-7174; galatheatre.org
2. Black Cherry Puppet Theater: “Hansel and Gretel”: Bring the kids in their charming or wild Halloween getups for a parade. Afterward, kids will revel in the not-too-scary Brothers Grimm fairy tale, brought to life by the enchanting marionettes from Baltimore’s premiere puppet theater!
Where: The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org
3. “The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog!”: Fly through the solar system with Dr. Wonderful and her amazing team of Newton (the dog) and Ben (the human). Girl-detective meets science-geek in this supercool astronomical musical theater event. Ages 6-plus.
Where: Family Theatre, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Saturday
Info: $18; 202-267-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. Waste in Place: Ever wonder where your trash goes when it goes “away”? This program gives children an opportunity to do hands-on activities to explore the issues of the difference between trash and recycling, litter, and stream health. Stream cleanup after the program. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 2
Info: $3; Registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 612921-G
5. “Aladdin’s Luck”: A clever street urchin named Aladdin falls madly for the Princess Leilah when they meet by chance at the bazaar. Determined to impress the Princess, he embarks on a search for fortune and instead finds a dingy oil lamp. But this is no ordinary lamp; it houses a magical genie who helps Aladdin get what he wants.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: Through Sunday
Info: $10 to $22; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
Best Gatherings
1. “Hell Spawn”: Active Cultures presents three short plays inspired by “The Exorcist” and the local legendbehind the film.
Where: Rehearsal Hall, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, midnight Saturday
Info: $20, $29 for midnight show; activecultures.org
2. All New Cabaret Macabre: Inspired by Edward Gorey, Victorian nightmares and ill-fated twins, Happenstance Theater presents the all-new show, full of melodramatic music played live and Happenstance Theater’s witty, visual theatrical collage.
Where: Round House Theatre, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
When: Friday through Nov. 13
Info: $10 to $15; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
3. “Sharon”: This biography of Ariel Sharon by his youngest son, Gilad Sharon, a columnist for an Israeli newspaper and an adviser to his father before and during his term as prime minister, draws on the elder Sharon’s diaries from all phases of his political and military career, offering insight into Sharon’s decisions on events ranging from the Yom Kippur War to the Gaza settlements.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
4. Charles J. Ogletree: Ogletree is Jesse Climenko professor at Harvard Law School, the founder of the school’s Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, and the author of numerous books on legal topics.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday
Info: Free; 202-387-7638; busboysandpoets.com
5. Brown Bag Thursday: On the first Thursday of the month, gather in Signature’s Mead Lobby for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the current productions and events at the theater. You can enjoy your lunch while you engage in an informal discussion with some of the artists from our 2011/12 season. Costume Designer Kathleen Geldard’s work at Signature includes”Les Miserables,””Show Boat,””Sweeney Todd,””Chess”and”Sunset Boulevard.” She is currently working on the costumes for”Hairspray.”
Where: Signature lobby, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 3
Info: Free; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
Best Outdoors
1. Pumpkin Patch at Ticonderoga Farms: The festival includes picking your own pumpkins, spooky fun zones, hayrides, hillside slides and tunnels, an enormous bouncing pillow, train rides, Noah’s Ark, petting animals and much more. Pie-size pumpkin free!
Where: 26469 Ticonderoga Road, Chantilly
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Nov. 6
Info: $8.95 to $14.95; 703-327-4424; ticonderoga.com
2. Local Bird Walk: Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for an informal walk through Long Branch and Glencarlyn Park. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 2
Info: Free; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 612941-C
3. Summers Farm Corn Maze: The maze is a part of Summers Farm Adventure, which includes a variety of farm activities from pig races to a 65-by-45-foot-long jumping pillow, giant mountain slides, pedal-cart derby, pig races, Little Farmersville, and pumpkin train. Try texting your way out of the maze at night!
Where: 5416 Butterfly Lane, Frederick
When: Through Monday
Info: Free to $9.50; 301-620-9316; summersfarm.com
4. Monocacy National Battlefield Trail: See a demonstration of the battle and pick up a brochure at the visitors center. 5.1 miles round trip. Easy, well-maintained loop. Beautiful scenery.
Where: Buckeystown, Md.
When: Year-round
Info: Ranger contact: 301-662-3515
5. Burke Nursery Fall Festival and Pumpkin Playground: Pumpkin patch and hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin forts, farm animals, pirate ship and much more!
Where: Burke Nursery, 9401 Burke Road, Burke
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Monday
Info: Free to $12; 703-323-1188; pumpkinplayground.com
Best Theater
1. “Othello”: In Shakespeare’s great tragedy of a love destroyed by jealousy, Othello, manipulated by Iago’s lies, begins to mistrust his loyal bride and eventually destroys her.
Where: The Folger Shakespeare Theater, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: Through Dec. 4
Info: $39 to $65; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
2. “ReEntry”: Based on hundreds of hours of interviews with returning combat veterans and presented without agenda, this play examines the effects of loneliness, fear and anger as well as possibilities for growth and inspiration.
Where: Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: Through Sunday
Info: $25 to $55; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
3. “Barrymore”: The faded glamour of 1940s theater comes to life as Rep Stage favorite Nigel Reed portrays stage legend John Barrymore as he rehearses a comeback of his triumphant”Richard III.”
Where: Rep Stage, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
When: Through Nov. 13
Info: $12 to $33; 443-518-1500; repstage.org
4. “The How and the Why”: Two brilliant women of two generations clash over evolutionary biology and what it means to be female.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, McLean
When: Friday through Nov. 20
Info: $15 to $25; 703-854-1856; firstsstagespringhill.org
5. “Golden Dragon”: In the cramped kitchen of the Golden Dragon, a pan-Asian restaurant, the orders keep flying as individuals in and around the restaurant are connected in odd ways. Dark, funny and startling, this play traces the isolation and unexpected connections of a globalized world.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Nov. 2 through Dec. 11
Info: $35 to $69; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
Best Galleries
1. Dan Flavin’s “untitled (to Helga and Carlo, with respect and affection)”: Flavin’s 75-foot-long “situational” fluorescent light sculpture bathes the Hirshhorn’s curved second-story gallery in blue light, redefining your sense of the familiar space. It’s a perfect complement to the Andy Warhol: Shadows exhibit, concurrently on view.
Where: Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW
When: Through January 2012
Info: Free; 202-633-4674; hmsg.si.edu
2. The Black List: Photographs by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders: Greenfield-Sanders’s large-format photos of 50 extraordinary African-Americams from the worlds of art, sport and politics came out of conversations with author Toni Morrison and critic Elvis Mitchell. Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, Serena Williams and the Rev. Al Sharpton are among those whose portraits Greenfield-Sanders captured.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW
Where: Through April 2012
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; npg.si.edu
3. Tokyo Night Office: Photography by Kermit Berg: Berg’s intimate, almost incriminating photographs captures the nocturnal life of buildings in a city of rampant workaholism — rather like this one.
Where: Gallery plan b, 1530 14th St. NW
Where: Through Nov. 20
Info: Free; galleryplanb.com
4. KABAROV: In 1998, Ilya and Emiliya Kabarov designed a giant metal house to sit on the bank of the Potomac River. Intended to replicate the contours of the suburban American home, the structure’s mansard roof would’ve rivaled the Washington Monument in height. It was never going to be built, obviously, but here you can marvel at architectural drawings and a scale model.
Where: Hemphill, 1515 14th St. NW
When: Closing Saturday
Info: Free, 202-234-5601; hemphillfinearts.com
5. Proximity to Practice: This Arlington Arts Center’s fall resident artist group show features compelling new work by Kathryn Lynch Thibault, Megan Mueller, Danielle Mysliwiec, and several more.
Where: Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Through Dec. 30
Info: Free; 703-248-6800; arlingtonartscenter.org/exhibitions.htm
