Brain Food
1. “Step Afrika!” The D.C.-based steppers celebrate their 15th anniversary and use their bodies to create rhythmically and visually stunning performances.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: Through May 31
Info: 202-674-7023; www.atlasarts.org
2. Virginia Bronze Handbell Ensemble: The group performs a series of unique afternoon handbell concerts celebrating the outdoor elements. You’ll hear about the sun (“Greet the Rising Sun”), the moon (“Moon Over the Ruined Castle”), the wind (“Spirit Wind”) and the clouds (“Cumulonimbus”).
Where: United States Botanic Gardens, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; vabronze.org
3. “Rent”: Award-winning musical that celebrates a community of artists in New York City as they struggle with the hope and realities of today’s world.
Where: Warner Theatre, 13th and E Streets NW
When: Through May 31
Info: 410-547-7328; warnertheatre.com
4. Francois Poulenc’s “La Voix Humaine”: With Carole Farley, soprano, and John Constable, piano. Acclaimed for her portrayals of the title roles in Lulu and Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, American Met Opera soprano Carole Farley has won several Grand Prix du Disque, Deutsche Schallplatten, and Gramophone Editor’s Choice awards.
Where: Library of Congress, Coolidge Auditorium, Ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building
When: 8 p.m. May 29
Info: 202-707-5502; Free, but requires ticket at ticketmaster.com; loc.gov
5. Pakistan Today: The ISI, India and What the Future Holds: With the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, the ever-tense relationship between Pakistan and its eastern neighbor was once again headline news. This panel discusses how the history of the ISI — and its partnership with the CIA during the 1980s — affects its actions and worldview? How do the United States and Pakistan look on their partnership in today’s circumstances?
Where: International Spy Museum, 800 F St. NW
When: 6:30 Wednesday
Info: $12 and $15; 202-292-7798; internationalspymuseum.com
Family
1. “Gray Matters”: The year is 2023 and the students of Gray Manor School are used to learning facts by boring memorization but a few feel there must be a different way to live and learn that would let them cultivate their particular strengths. Tension mounts between these two groups of students as arguments over intelligence rage through the classrooms of Gray Manor.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
2. “Night At Mount Vernon”: Hang out at the estate in the evening, and you’ll see characters from George Washington’s world stepping out of the exhibits.
Where: Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria
When: open 7 days a week through May 31
Info: $7 to $15; children under 6 free; 703-780-2000; mountvernon.org
3. Gemstone Club: “Pearl”: Budding geologists and gem lovers meet to learn about gems and uncut crystals. Learn about geology, mining, legends and literature. Take home a birthstone in a protective display box.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. June 3
Info: 703-228-3403; $8; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; programs #651D and #643651E
4. “The Pirates of Penzance”: One of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operettas, which such songs as “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General,” “Poor Wand’ring One” and “I am the Pirate King.”
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Wolf Trap Road, Vienna
When: Friday and Saturday
Info: 703-255-1900; wolftrap.org
5. “Goodnight Moon”: The cow jumping over the moon takes the stage in this theatrical version of Margaret Wise Brown’s famous children’s story, presented by the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Also “The Runaway Bunny.”
Where: Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
When: 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday; noon June 1
Info: 301-924-3400; www.olneytheatre.org
Galleries
1. “Luis Melendez: Master of the Spanish Still Life”: Spain’s greatest still-life painter of the 18th century gets his first U.S. exhibit in a quarter century. Some of the 31 paintings on view have never before been shown in public.
Where: National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: Through August 23
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. “Fresh: An Exhibition of Urban Contemporary Art”: Thirty vibrant samples of graffiti, pop art, contemporary figurative painting and unclassifiable pieces were culled from more than 400 entries from around the country for this juried show. CLOSING SUNDAY.
Where: The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through May 31
Info: Free; 703-838-4565; torpedofactory.org/galleries
3. “Chris Scarborough: Portraits from Aftermath”: Southern artist Chris Scarborough’s post-apocalyptic drawings and digitally enhanced photographs ask what remains of humanity following an unnamed cataclysm.
Where: Curator’s Office, 1515 14th St. NW, Second Floor
When: Through June 6
Info: Free; 202-360-2573; curatorsoffice.com
4. “The Tsars and the East: Gifts from Turkey and Iran in the Moscow Kremlin”: This collection of some 60 equestrian accessories, jeweled vessels and exotic arms is compiled from gifts made by Iran and Turkey to their Russian neighbors in the early 16th through the late 17th centuries. The exhibit examines how these pieces contributed to the symbolic vocabulary of Russia and the Orthodox faith.
Where: Freer Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW
When: Through Sept. 13
Info: Free; 202-633-4880; asia.si.edu
5. “Foon Sham”: D.C.-based wood sculptor Foon Sham has lately made use of repurposed phone-book pages to comment on population growth and the elusive nature of identity.
Where: Project 4 Gallery, 1353 U St. NW, Third Floor
When: Through June 13
Info: Free; 202-232-4340; project4gallery.com
Gatherings
1. Herndon Memorial Day Festival: All weekend-long event with fireworks, food, music and fun.
Where: Herndon Municipal Center 777 Lynn St., Herndon
When: 6 to 10 p.m. tonight; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: 703-787-7300; herndonfestival.net
2. Sunset Concerts at National Harbor: A new concert series featuring performances by the Wailers, Jason Aldean, Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Little Feat.
Where: National Harbor, 6710 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Md.
When: 6:30 p.m. May 28-Aug. 8
Info: 866-707-2289; www.nationalharbor.com
3. Comic Art Indigene: Comics that reflect the contemporary American Indian experience go on display.
Where: National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW
When: Through Sunday
Info: 202-633-1000
4. Old Lucketts Antiques Store Spring Market: Live music, food and more than 100 antique dealers, many with great shabby chic finds.
Where: Old Lucketts Antiques Store, 42350 Lucketts Road, Leesburg
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $7; 703-779-0268; luckettstore.com
5. U. S. Air Guitar Championships: Come see who can claim the title of greatest guitar hero of all.
Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $15; 202-265-0930; 930.com
Movies
“Up”
Stars: Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger
Director: Pete Docter
Rated PG for some peril and action.
Running Time: 90 minutes
This is a comedy-adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. This hero, alongside his clueless sidekick, travels the globe, fighting beasts and villains, and eating dinner at 3:30 in the afternoon.
“Drag Me to Hell”
Christine Brown is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, professor Clay Dalton. Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Christine fatefully shames Mrs. Ganush and dispossesses her of her home. In retaliation, the old woman places the powerful curse of the Lamia on Christine, transforming her life into a living hell.
“Revanche”
In a ragged section of Vienna, hardened ex-con Alex works as an assistant in a brothel, where he falls for Ukrainian hooker Tamara. Their desperate plans for escape unexpectedly intersect with the lives of a rural cop and his seemingly content wife.
“Little Ashes”
A romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university, 18 years old and determined to become a great artist.
“Moscow, Belgium”
A fender bender sends a single mother and a much younger man on a collision course toward love in this comic drama. Set in Belgium’s blue collar neighborhood of Moscow, the film’s heroine, Matty, has nothing but harsh words for Johnny when the trucker inflicts a dent in her car. But soon she sees a whole different side of him. Can their relationship survive a secret about his past?
Music
1. Three Girls and Their Buddy: Country stars Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller collaborate in story and song for an evening filled with favorite memories and melodies from their long, successful careers.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: $42 in-house, $22 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
2. NSO POPS: Conductor Marvin Hamlisch welcomes The Temptations performing groovy, danceable music from “Legacy,” their latest R&B album.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. tonight, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20 to $80; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
3. National Philharmonic Orchestra: Maestro Gajewski conducts the Prelude from Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger,” Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and virtuoso violinist Soovin Kim performs works by Dvorák and Saint-Saëns.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $29 to $79 (kids 7 to 17 free); 301-581-5100; nationalphilharmonic.org
4. Joey DeFrancesco: The Hammond organ virtuoso from Philly revitalizes the instrument for the 21st century.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. tonight-Sunday
Info: $25; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
5. The Washington Chorus: Julian Wachner conducts the chorus and guest tenor Robert Baker in Rachmaninoff’s “Vespers” (All-Night Vigil), the greatest a cappella masterwork of Russian Orthodox sacred music.
Where: Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Potomac, Md.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday (National Presbyterian Church)
Info: $25 to $40; 202-342-6221; thewashingtonchorus.org
Also worth noting:
6. Soprano Carole Farley and pianist John Constable: For the season’s finale, the duo perform Francis Poulenc’s “La Voix Humaine.”
Where: Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: Free, but tickets required with service charge of $2.75 at ticketmaster.com; information at 202-797-5502 or loc.gov.
7. Poco & Firefall: An acoustic evening with two great country rock ensembles features songs from “The Wildwood Sessions” and other albums.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Outdoors
1. Springtime Nature Trail Biking: Explore Savage Park and Lake Elkhorn along the Little Patuxent River for an approximately 2-hour trail biking nature tour. Savage Park and the Little Patuxent River is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, birds, beavers and rabbits as well as blooming trees, bushes and flowers. Bikes and guides provided. Bring sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellant, water.
Where: Savage Mill Mall, 8600 Foundry St., Savage, Md.
When: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $56; www.thingstododc.com
2. Space Cadets: On a clear Wednesday night in June, you can star gaze with others and study the Summer Triangle, from the Swan’s tail to the Eagle’s eye. Sign up now and be called when the skies are clear. For families with children 7 and up.
Where: Fort C. F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington
When: date TBA, 8 to 9 p.m.
Info: Call 703-228-3403
3. Birding Trip: Flag Ponds and Battle Creek Cypress Swamp. Go to Calvert County Md. to see nesting summer residents such as summer and scarlet tanagers and hooded and Kentucky warblers.
Where: Vans leave from Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 2
Info: $25; info: 703-243-4342; registration required at 703-228-4747; program #644341C
4. River Farms to Urban Towers: Southwest Heritage Trail: Follow the signs of this self-guided tour to learn more about Washington’s Southwest waterfront. 17 poster-sized illustrated signs combine story-telling with historic images. The two-hour tour proceeds up the historic main street and heads west toward the Washington Channel Waterfront, to Fort McNair and back to Waterside Mall.
Where: First sign at Waterfront/SEU Metro Station, Fourth and M streets SW
When: any day
Info: Free; 202-661-7581; culturaltourismdc.org
5. U. S. Botanic Gardens: Come stroll through and sit in the exquisite gardens of the U.S.B.G., to refresh your spirit after a hard day of sight seeing.
Where: 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10 to 5 p.m. daily
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; www.usbg.gov
Theatre
1. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Synetic Theater’s fourth installment of its “Silent Shakespeare” series now tackles one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, a playful game of love, mistaken identity, fantasy and the supernatural.
Where: Family Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday through June 14
Info: $40 to $45; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “The Glass Menagerie”: Tennessee Williams’ powerful memory play examines loneliness, isolation, dreams, hope and love.
Where: Olney Theatre, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Md.
When: 7:45 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday (except May 31); 7:45 June 16 and 30; 1:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and June 10, June 24, July 1 and July 3. No performance July 4. Both performances May 29 are Pay-What-You-Can.
Info: $26 to $49; 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org
3. “A Sleeping Country”: Melanie Marnich’s comedy about a sleepless woman who is convinced she has the worst insomnia in the world and travels to Venice to find someone to cure it.
Where: Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: Through June 21
Info: 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
4. “Mother Courage and Her Children”: Bertolt Brecht’s brilliant study of war, inspired by Hitler’s invasion of Poland, which examines war’s horrible effects and inability to help even those camp followers who believe they profit by it.
Where: Scena Theatre, Clark Street Playhouse, 601 Clark St., Crystal City
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sun.
Info: $25 to $35; www.scenatheatre.org
5. “Men Fake Foreplay”: Emmy Award-winning writer Mike Dugan considers the influences that shape a man’s character in this comic, one-man show.
Where: Bethesda Theatre, 7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda
When: Through June 7
Info: $25 to $50; 301-657-7827; bethesdatheatre.com
Compiled by Emily Cary, Chris Klimek and Barbara Mackay
