Theatre
1. ‘Romeo and Juliet’: Shakespeare’s classic drama of romance, in which two young lovers try to survive the animosities that exist between their families. Director David Muse presents the play as it would have been performed in Elizabethan times, with an all-male cast. The production emphasizes the play’s extraordinary poetry and the complicated social pressures that impacted Romeo and Juliet and highlights the rich inner lives of Shakespeare’s unforgettable characters.
Where: The Shakespeare Theatre; Sidney Harman Hall; 610 F St. NW, Washington
When: Through Oct. 12
Info: $20-$79.75; 202-547-1122; www.shakespeare-theatre.org
2. ‘Without You I’m Nothing’: Comedian Sandra Bernhard’s humorous take on modern culture is a mix of satire and rock ‘n’ roll, performed by her band The Rebellious Jezebels.
Where: Theatre J; Jewish Community Center; 1529 16th St. NW, Washington
When: Through September 28
Info: www.theaterj.org
3. ‘Dr. Cook’s Garden’: Like playwright Ira Levin’s “Stepford Wives,” his 1968 Broadway thriller takes place in a town that is not as perfect as it seems.
Where: American Century Theater; Theater II; Gunston Arts Center; 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Through Oct. 4
Info: www.americancentury.org
4. ‘POTUS Among Us’: Washington Improv Theater’s fall anchor show where the audience provides
the ideas regarding candidates, platforms and tactics.
Where: Source Theater; 1835 14th St. NW, Washington
When: Through Sept. 27
Info: www.washingtonimprovtheater.com
5. ‘Laundry and Bourbon’ and ‘Lone Star’: Two one-act plays by James McClure, both set in a
small town in Texas, both dealing with a veteran returned from Vietnam.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center; 1333 H St. NE, Washington
When: Sept. 12-13
Info: www.atlasarts.org
— Barbara Mackay
Music
1. Los Lobos: Direct from Spain, the three-time Grammy winners present a chili-hot evening of their Mexican-flavored Texas rock, with guest band Pistolera.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $49.50; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com
2. Washington National Opera: “The season opens with Verdi’s romantic “La Traviata,” the opera that shocked 19th century audiences. It stars two past winners of Plácido Domingo’s “Operalia” competitions, soprano Elizabeth Futral as Violetta and tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz as Alfredo. Conductor Dan Ettinger makes his company debut.
Where: Kennedy Center Opera House (opening night free live simulcast at Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE at 7 p.m. Sunday, gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
When: Sunday through Oct. 3
Info: $50 to $300 ; 202-295-2400; 800-876-7372; www.dc-opera.org
3. National Symphony Orchestra: Richard Kaufman conducts “Nights at the Movies: Classical Hollywood” accompanied by projected photos from “Sleeping Beauty, 2001,”
“A Space Odyssey,” “Alien,” “Forrest Gump” and more films, part of Prelude 2008: Arts Across America.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Info: $20 to $65; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; www.kennedy-center.org.
4. Kennedy Center’s 24th Annual Open House Arts Festival: Fun-filled family day, part of Prelude 2008: Arts Across America, with music by the National Symphony Orchestra, folk singer Lila Downs, percussion virtuoso Donald Knaack, ukulele guru Jake Simabukruo and dozens of other events closes with Dancing Under the Stars to the music of Chuck Brown, Go-Go Godfather.
Where: Kennedy Center
When: noon to 11 p.m. Sunday
Info: free; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org
5. Sonny Landreth: Blues guitarist famous for slide playing shares his latest, “From the Reach,” with guest Delta Moon.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com.
— Emily Cary
Galleries
1. “George de Forest Brush: The Indian Paintings”: The recent rediscovery of painter George De Forest Brush’s 1887 masterwork “An Aztec Sculptor,” believed lost for a century, drives this premiere exhibition of Brush’s works celebrating the nobility of the Native American people.
Where: National Gallery of Art; 4th Street and Constitution Ave. NW
When: Sunday through Jan. 4, 2009
Info: free; 202-737-4215; www.nga.gov
2. “Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power”: Just in time for election season to reach full steam comes this show of 250 Avedon portraits of politicians and men and women of influence, dating from the mid-1950s through the artist’s death in 2004.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art; 500 17th St. NW
When: Saturday through Jan. 25, 2009
Info: $14; $12 seniors/military; $10 students; www.corcoran.org
3. “Three American Masters”: Newly selected paintings from the estate of Gene Davis, new paintings from Sam Gilliam, and a newly editioned bronze sculpture from Nathan Olivera. That’s three good reasons to visit this Dupont Circle gallery, now in its 25th year.
Where: Marsha Mateyka Gallery; 2012 R St., NW
When: Through Oct. 11
Info: free; 202-328-0088; www.marshamateykagallery.com
4. “Julia Fullerton-Batten: In Between”: London-based photographer Julia Fuller-Batten examines the mystery of female adolescence in her first North American solo exhibition.
Where: Saturday through Oct. 18
When: Randall Scott Gallery; 1326 14th St. NW
Info: free; 202-332-0806; www.randallscottgallery.com
5. “Edward J. Reed: Presence”: Painter Edward J. Reed presents his psychologically complex portraits of subjects in states of contemplation.
Where: The Art League Gallery; The Torpedo Factory; 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through Oct. 6
Info: free; 703-683-1780; www.theartleague.org
— Chris Klimek
Movie
‘Burn After Reading’
Critic’s grade: Three stars out of four
Rating: R Running time: 96 minutes
“Burn After Reading,” the latest offering in the eclectic filmography of Joel and Ethan Coen, is not to be taken seriously — one look at Brad Pitt’s blond-streaked pouf of hair tells you that — and it’s certainly not to be compared to their starkly violent Academy Award-winner from last year, “No Country for Old Men.” Having said that, it is by no means a letdown as a follow-up. — AP
Gatherings
1. Arts On Foot: Downtown Washington’s free arts festival of music, theater, dance, film, the visual arts and cuisine. Area restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, and 80 visual artists will participate in this annual celebration of the arts in the region’s most dynamic cultural destination. Exhibits include 33 culture indoor venues with events, activities, performances, tours and exhibits between Third and 14th Streets, Pennsylvania Avenue and L Streets; restaurants and wine samplings and cooking as art on F Street between 7th and 9th; 8th Street south of F Street between 6th and 7th.
Where: Penn Quarter, Washington
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: rain or shine; www.artsonfoot.org
2. DC Grooves: Evelyn Champagne King opens for the Commodores and they prepare to funk up the stage with songs like “Brick House” “Nightshift” and “Easy.”
Where: Woodrow Wilson Plaza; 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: free; 202-724-5615; dcarts.dc.gov
3. Adams Morgan Day: Travelers and city-dwellers alike flock to this popular cultural festival, based on Adams Morgan’s international character and famous murals. Hear live music and sample international food from around the world. Enjoy fall fun, sidewalk cafes, colorful vendors, and cultural demonstrations and dances. Children’s activities available.
Where: 18th Street NW between Florida Avenue & Columbia Road
When: noon to 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: free; 202-232-1960; www.adamsmorgandayfestival.com
Brain Food
1. Arts on Foot: Create your own accordion or diamond-fold book at the annual Arts on Foot Festival in D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood! Incorporate stories, poems, and artwork to complete your own unique artist’s book. All materials provided.
Where: Cultural Corridor on 8th Street, Arts of Foot festival
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: www.nmwa.org; www.artsonfoot.org
2. AATG/Goethe-Institut Immersion Weekend: Join the Goethe-Institut Washington, the Maryland/DC Metro Chapter of the AATG and the Concordia Language Villages for the exciting weekend seminar “Bringing Nature and the Environment into the German Classroom.” Participants will be immersed, both as learners and teachers, in a variety of environmental and nature-based projects, activities and games from the seminar leaders’ manual on bringing nature and the environment into the German-language classroom.
Where: Goethe-Institut Washington; 812 7th St. NW
When: Saturday and Sunday
Info: 202-289-1200; www.goethe.de/washington
Family
1. Carnaval del Corazon! Family Day: Bring the whole family to the Smithsonian American Art Museum for an afternoon of celebrating Latino art and culture. Hands-on activities include learning how to compose a plena and creating a traditional mask and poster inspired by Puerto Rican artworks in the Smithsonians collections. Enjoy Latino dance and musical performances, join a bilingual guided tour of Latino art in SAAMs collection, and play an art-inspired Loteria.
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum-Kogod Courtyard; 8th and F Streets NW
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: free; www.americanart.si.edu
2. Sunday Brunches: Join friends and family for what is sure to become a tradition: Brunch at the Museum Café on the first Sunday of every month. Eggs any style, omelets, French toast and waffles cooked to order; fine pastries, fruit, juices, coffees, and tea. FREE admission to the museum.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts; 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $25; reservations required; 202-628-1068; www.nmwa.org
