Best Brainfood 1. Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre:”Romance of the West Chamber”: Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre performs China’s most popular romantic comedy,”Romance of the West Chamber,” about the power of young love to break traditional social barriers.
Where: Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $30; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “The Mandrake”: Faction of Fools’ interpretation of Machiavellian mischief in which a young scholar goes to Florence in search of a legendary beauty. The only problem is that she is married to a dithering old judge. With the help of a crooked friar, a shameless mother-in-law, some bumbling servants and a self-serving con man, a web of grotesque manipulations results in everyone getting exactly what they want!
Where: Eastman Studio Theatre, Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE
When: Through Oct. 8
Info: $20; factionoffools.org
3 “siGHt”: Kimmie Dobbs Chan and Enoch Chan of the Deviated Theatre performthe world premiere of their dance opera, which involves innovative contemporary dance on folding chairs and aerial silks.
Where: Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. You Say Tomato, I Say “Can It!”: Come learn the tips and tricks of the canning trade with Bernadine Prince as she exhibits the canning process for tomatoes. Bernadine will demonstrate the canning of both fresh tomatoes and fresh-packed tomato sauce to savor all winter long.
Where: Conservatory Terrace, Garden Court, United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: Noon to 1 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; no registration required; usbg.gov
5. “Wit”: We meet Vivian Bearing, a middle-age English professor as she comes to grips with a life-threatening disease.Her professional study of the poetry of John Donne, a contemporary of Shakespeare, provides illuminating counterpoint to her personal journey.
Where: Bay Theatre Company, West Garrett, Annapolis
When: Saturday; through Nov. 6
Info: $40 to $45; 410-268-1333; baytheatre.org
Best Family
1. “Aladdin’s Luck”: A clever street urchin called 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 Oct. 30
Info: $10 to $22; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
2. “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical”: This three-month tour, part of the Kennedy Center’s 19th annual Theater for Young Audiences on Tour, has an all-star cast, writer and composer. “Knuffle Bunny” tells the story of a toddler who has a beloved stuffed bunny, which she misplaces while on a trip to the laundromat. It will return to the Kennedy Center in December.
Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5 to $15; hyltoncenter.org
3. “Reptile World”: Exotic creatures star in this amazing presentation. Michael Shwedick and his beguiling animal friends teach kids some thrilling and invaluable lessons about the ecology and themselves. Adults will be awed by Shwedick’s ability to present alligators, snakes and other sometimes scary reptiles without frightening even the youngest children.
Where: The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org
4. “Amelia and Her Big Red Plane”: The story of Amelia Earhart is told through puppets. Best for ages 2 to 6.
Where: National Air and Space Museum, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW
When: Thursday and Friday
Info: $6 to $8; 202-633-8700; nasm.si.edu
Best Gatherings
1. “Economics Of Good And Evil: The Quest for Economic Meaning from Gilgamesh to Wall Street”: In his bold new approach, Tomas Sedlacek returns economics to its roots. Adam Smith was a philosopher before he wrote”The Wealth of Nations,” and Sedlacek frames questions of value in terms of ethics and morality, buttressing his arguments not with statistics but with myriad cultural phenomena, from epics to the Bible to films.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
2. “Handspeak”: The play, written by a high school student and professionally produced, explores the experiences of students who are hearing and deaf.
Where: Family Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. Autumn Ikebana Exhibit:Sogetsu School ofWashington: Sogetsu is one of the many schools in the art of ikebana, Japanese flower arranging. This highly creative school is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, yet embraces the modern age, its artists using plant materials and containers to create often surprising sculptural compositions. This year’s exhibition is dedicated to the victims of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. A master teacher will give a demonstration 1 p.m. Sunday.
Where: National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, Special Exhibits Wing, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
4. “The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World”: Former track and field athlete Carlos, forever famous for his controversial Black Power salute on the podium at the 1968 Olympics, is joined by Dave Zirin, sports editor for the Nation magazine, for a discussion of Carlos’ new autobiography. A book signing follows.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1
Info: Free; 202-387-7638
5. “Mad Forest”: Forum Theatre’s production of 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: 240-644-1300; forumtd.org
Best Outdoors
1. Before Harlem, There Was U Street: These Bite-Size Tours are perfect for a lunchtime journey. Explore the neighborhood that was shared by black intellectuals, business leaders, and families of all economic levels. U Street was dubbed “Black Broadway” for the numerous movie theaters, nightclubs and ballrooms frequented by jazz musicians like Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, Jelly Roll Morton and the Duke himself.
Where: Meet outside U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial Metro, 13th Street exit
When: Noon Friday
Info: Free; 202-661-7581; culturaltourismdc.org
2. Little Bennett Regional Park Perimeter Trail: This 9.5-mile hike, on well-maintained trails for hikers, bikers and dogs, goes around Little Bennett Park by using the trails closest to the perimeter. See website for trail details.
Where: Clarksburg, Md.
When: Any season
Info: Free; 301-972-6581; localhikes.com
3. Midcity at the Crossroads, Shaw Heritage Trails: Follow 17 illustrated signs on this self-guided Cultural Tourism D.C. Neighborhood Heritage Trail to learn more about Shaw, the crossroads neighborhood at the edge of downtown Washington. Shaw has always been “a place between places,” where races and classes bumped and mingled as they got a foothold in the city. It has been home to the powerful seeking a convenient location as well as immigrants and migrants just starting out.
Where: Start at Seventh Street and Mount Vernon Place NW
When: Any day
Info: Free; 202-661-7581; [email protected]
4. Boo at the Zoo: Halloween may seem very far away, but the tickets to this event sell out every year, so get yours now. It’s the wildest trick-or-treat party in town! Princesses, superheroes, wizards and all costumed guests are invited to get together. It’s also the safest way to enjoy Halloween with your children ages 2 to 12. Candy, snacks, treats.
Where: National Zoo, 3100 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and 23
Info:$20 to $30; 202-397-7328; nationalzoo.si.edu
5. Capital Sites Bike Tour: Experience D.C. by bike. This tour provides an overview of the city as you bike the major sites, and is good for kids ages 9 and older. Many kinds of bikes are available. Free: helmet, lock, bike rack, map.
Where: Pick up bike outside Old Post Office Building, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Info: $30 to $40; bikeandroll.com
5. Terrific Travelers: Columbus traveled across the ocean blue. So do plants and animals. Come find out how. Learn which ones were here before Europeans arrived, which ones were brought on purpose and which snuck over on this hike/scavenger hunt. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $3; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 612851-I
Best Theater
1. “Les Miserables”: The epic saga that sweeps through three turbulent decades of 19th century French history. The show is also the story of one man, the fugitive Jean Valjean, who is pitted against the self-righteous Inspector Javert in a lifelong struggle to evade capture.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 K St. NW
When: Through Oct. 30
Info: $39 to $135; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Beijing People’s Art Theatre:”Top Restaurant”: This immensely popular play, from China’s premier professional theater company, chronicles the comic ups and downs of a Peking roast duck restaurant over half a century.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $25 to $60; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. “Witness for the Prosecution”: In this classic whodunit, Agatha Christie’s plot twists will keep you guessing.
Where: Olney Theater Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
When: Through Oct. 23
Info: $34 to $54; 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org
4. “Lungs”: Duncan Macmillan wanted to write a play about serious concerns in life where “two really good actors … could tell a story unmediated by props, scene changes, costume changes, mime, lighting or sound queues, just two bodies in space, letting the audience fill in the gaps.”
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Oct. 16
Info: $20; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
5. “The Habit of Art”: In Alan Bennett’s fanciful text, a group of actors meet to rehearse a play called “Caliban’s Day,” about a fictitious meeting between W.H. Auden and Benjamin Britten.
Where: Studio Theater, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Oct. 15
Info: 202-332-3300; studio-theater.org
Best Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos conducts the Choral Arts Society, the Children’s Chorus of Washington and soloists in Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” The program also includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org.
2. National Philharmonic: JoAnn Falletta, music director of Buffalo Philharmonic, makes her Strathmore debut conducting the orchestra and soloists in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”). Violinist Michael Ludwig performs Corigliano’s “Red Violin” Concerto.
Where: Strathmore Music Center
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m. Saturday and 1:45 p.m. Sunday
Info: $32 and up, 7 to 17 free. 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
3. John O’Conor: The Irish pianist, winner of many awards, professor of piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and acclaimed Beethoven interpreter plays works by Haydn, John Field, Beethoven and Schubert. He is presented by the Washington Conservatory of Music.
Where: Westmoreland Congregational Church, Bethesda
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: Pay what you can; no tickets required
4. Till Fellner: The Washington Performing Arts Society presents the highly acclaimed pianist performing works by Haydn, Armstrong, Schumann and Liszt.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $40; 202-785-9727
5. Jerry Jeff Walker and Band: The country music artist, composer of “Mr. Bojangles,” plays songs from his latest recording, “Moon Child,” and earlier hits.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $55; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Best Galleries
1. 30 Americans: The progression of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s graffiti-style paintings into the present-day multimedia pieces of Mark Bradford and Shinique Smith is but one of the narratives to be culled from this smartly curated study of contemporary work by black artists of the last three decades.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Saturday through February 2012
Info: $10, students and seniors (62-plus) $8, 12 and under free; corcoran.org
2. Site Aperture: This series of installation pieces by Margaret Boozer, Mia Feuer, Talia Greene and Mariah Anne Johnson challenges the confines of Flashpoint’s white-cube gallery space, each creator bringing a completely new texture and atmosphere to her corner using minimal tools.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Through Nov. 5
Info: Free, 202-315-1305; flashpointdc.org
3. Something of Splendor: Decorative Arts from the White House: White House Curator William G. Allman has chosen 95 objects from the permanent collection of the White House — many of them never exhibited outside of it — that tell of the story of “the People’s House” over the last two centuries.
Where: Renwick Gallery, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: Saturday to May 2012
Info: Free
4. Paintings by Kevin H. Adams: Adams’ landscapes recall Edward Hopper’s outdoor scenes of New England, conjuring a sense of pastoral majesty with an edge of melancholy.
Where: Gallery plan b, 1530 14th St. NW
When: Through Oct. 16
Info: Free, galleryplanb.com
5. Susan Swartz: Seasons of the Soul: It’s your Last chance to see these 13 large-scale works expressing Utah painter Swartz’s humble admiration of the natural world, reportedly inspired by her battle with environmentally bred illness.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Closing Sunday
Info: $10, students and seniors (62-plus) $8, members free; 202-783-5000; nmwa.org
