Best Music 1. Mary Chapin Carpenter: The Grammy Award-winning folk and country superstar and activist returns to her Washington roots with songs from her latest album, “The Age of Miracles,” and special guest Loudon Wainwright III.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $42 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org, tickets.com
2. Three Dog Night: The Vocal Group Hall of Fame rockers put on an over-the-top show for their fervent fans.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $69.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com; sold out, but tickets might be available through resellers
3. Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers: Virginia’s own eclectic Grammy winner and cohort of the Grateful Dead introduces songs from his upcoming release, “Bride of the Noisemakers.” With the Punch Brothers.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: $42 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org, tickets.com
4. John Prine: The singer-songwriter composes to please folk and country aficionados and picks up awards along the way. British folk/rock guitarist Richard Thompson brings added zest.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $42 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org, tickets.com
Best Galleries
1. Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter: This first major Smithsonian show devoted to contemporary Asian-American portraiture includes seven artists’ interpretations of their varied experience of being an American of Asian ancestry.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through October 2012
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; npg.si.edu
2. Morris Louis: Louis, a founding member of the Washington Color School in the ’60s, painted in his cramped dining room and could only see his monumental works after they were stretched for hanging. Here he gets a fresh appreciation as his 1959 painting “Seal” is presented for the first time at the Phillips along with four drawings and three classic paintings that complement the piece.
Where: The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW
When: Through Oct. 9
Info: $12, $10 seniors and students, free 18 and younger
3. Formation — Earth in Motion: Photography by Carsen Peter: The German photographer began his career documenting the most extreme environments on Earth at 17, when he descended the crater rim of an active volcano north of Sicily. Here you can see three decades of his pictures of places you’ll likely never go.
Where: National Geographic, 1145 17th St. NW
When: Through Sept. 20
Info: Free; 800-647-5463; nationalgeographic.com/museum
4. Green: The Color and the Cause: Green has traditionally represented life and fertility, and in recent times has become the emblem of the environmental movement. Only after the invention of synthetic dyes in the 19th century did it become relatively easy to create green fabrics. This collection of pieces spanning 1,700 years examines what green has meant to generations of disparate peoples around the globe.
Where: The Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW
When: Through Sept. 11
Info: Free, $5 donation suggested; 202-667-0441; textilemuseum.org
5. Drawing Analogies: Works on paper from some of the area’s most imaginative artists, including Victor Ekpuk, Mindy Hirt, Sarah Laing and several more.
Where: The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., Alexandria
When: Through Aug. 28
Info: Free; 703-548-0035; nvfaa.org
Best Brainfood
1. Our Peoples: Giving Voice to Our Histories: Historically, American Indian people have been portrayed in textbooks in narrow or inaccurate ways. Inthis exhibit,American Indians tell their own histories, and in this way the exhibition presents new insights into history.
Where: National Museum of the American Indian, 14th and V streets NW
When: Ongoing
Info: Free; 202-387-7638; nmai.si.edu
2. Partners in Evolution and the Butterfly Pavilion: Partners in Evolution is a free exploration into how insects and other animals have co-evolved with plants.
TheButterfly Pavilion is a fee-based, live butterfly experience. First discover how natural selection has shaped animals and plants together through their ancient and persistent dependencies. Then take a stroll among live butterflies and exotic plants.
Where: Second Floor, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: Indefinite
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; mnh.si.edu
3. The Building Zone: There is something for families to do every day at the National Building Museum.TheBuilding Zoneisopen daily, Family Tool Kits and the Amazing Arches activity are available most days, and visitors can participate inDiscovery Cartson weekends.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free, $5 donation appreciated; 202-272-7448; nbm.org
4. Paul Gilbert: The author discusses and signs his new book, “Lead Like a General: Modern Research on Leadership as Seen Through the Civil War.”
Where: Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 703-368-1873
5. “Word Freak” and Scrabble Night: It’s been 10 years since Stefan Fatsis wrote about the amazing world of competitive Scrabble. His book has become a classic. To mark the occasion, Politics and Prose is hosting the second of its Scrabble Nights. Come ready to play!
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
Best Family
1. Unraveling Genes (extracting DNA): One in a series of family workshops designed for kids 8 to 12 years old. Invention is more than the “eureka!” moment. Using hands-on activities and science experiments, kids and families can learn about the process of invention.
Where: Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW
When: 11 a.m. to noon Friday
Info: Freem but space is limited; preregistration required; 202-633-8490; preregister via [email protected]
2. Bat Fest Arlington: Enjoy a thoroughly batty evening and add to your knowledge of local nightlife. See a presentation with live bats, go on a walk to see bats flying and to hear their echolocation calls, then learn about foods that are pollinated by bats. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday (register for one of three bat talks)
Info: Free to $10; registration required: 703-228-4747; program Nos. 642851-L through 642851-N
3. Monarch Watch & Banding: Where do our monarchs come from? When do the first of these gorgeous butterflies arrive? Participate in Monarch Watch as you capture and band the monarchs visiting Virginia’s milkweed. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 2:30 to 3:30 Sunday
Info: $5; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 642841-C
4. Flights of Fancy, Stories for Children: “Going on a Plane” by Anne Civardi.
Where: Gallery 208, National Air and Space Museum, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW
When: 11 a.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; nasm.si.edu
5. “The Wizard of Oz”: Based on the original story rather than the movie, this “Oz” is designed to delight young and old.
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo Park
When: Through Sept. 9
Info: $10; 301-634-5380; thepuppetco.org
Best Gatherings
1. Mystery-themed Scavenger Hunt: In association with their production of “The Boy Detective Fails,” Signature Theatre is hosting a scavenger hunt. Teams of up to four people (over 18 years old) must sign up by Friday at 5 p.m. Grand Prize includes tickets to Signature’s “The Boy Detective Fails” and “The Hollow.”
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Info: Register at [email protected]; signature-theatre.org
2. Lunchtime Tour of the Conservatory: What do manila folders, Chanel No. 5, vanilla and fossil fuels have in common? They all come from plants on permanent display in the USBG Conservatory. Take a tour with a knowledgeable guide who will connect the exotic plant world to the everyday.
Where: Conservatory Classroom, United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: Noon to 1 p.m. Monday
Info: Free; no preregistration required; usbg.gov
3. Dedication of Martin Luther King Memorial: The official dedication ceremony of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
Where: Northwest corner of Tidal Basin; see website for directions
When: 11 a.m. Sunday
Info: Free; dedicatethedream.org
4. Music in the Movement: A soulful evening with Ayanna Gregory, in celebration of the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. To purchase tickets, visit musicinthemovement.com
Where: Langston Room, Busboys and Poets, 14th and V streets NW
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: busboysandpoets.org; musicinthemovement.com
5. The Golden Age of Fania: Part of Salsa Tuesdays Series. Every Tuesday, Artisphere presents dance lessons followed by DJs spinning the best in salsa. On Tuesday, celebrate the record label and the artists that embodied salsadura (hard-hitting salsa)with DJ Bruno. Come early to view a Fania video played in the ballroom beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Info: $6 to $8; artisphere.com
Best Outdoors
1. There is still plenty of time for summertime adventures in the park.OnSaturday,find out what lives under the water at the edge of Walney Pond in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Bring boots that can get wet and get ready to catch tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs, water scorpions and other interesting critters!
Where: Walney Pond, Ellanor Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly
When: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: $2.50; 703-222-4664; register online with Parktakes; fairfaxcounty.gov
2. Rock Creek Park Planetarium: Enjoy the August night sky; see Andromeda rising and Sagittarius due south. Exploring the Sky is an informal program that for nearly 50 years has offered monthly opportunities for anyone in the Washington area to see the stars and planets through telescopes from a location within the District of Columbia.
Where: Field just south of the intersection of Military and Glover roads NW near the Nature Center
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: 202-895-6070; nps.gov/rocr
3. Civil War to Civil Rights: Downtown Heritage Trail’s 21 poster-size illustrated signs combine storytelling with historic images. Discover the little-known sites that link the history of the city to the history of the nation.
Where: See website for directions
When: Any day
Info: Free; 202-661-7581; [email protected]
4. Lake Accotink: Great 4-mile hike around a 77-acre lake. Well-maintained trail, good for jogging. Rest benches along the way and plenty of opportunity to sit and watch the wildlife. Get directions at website.
Where: See website
When: Year-round
Info: Fairfax Park Authority: 703-569-0285; localhikes.com
5. Visit everything from Amazonia to the African Savannah, where the lions and Sumatran tigers roam and where you can see 2000 animals.
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Info: Free; nationalzoo.si.edu
Best Theater
1.”The Hollow”: Based on Washington Irving’s classic “Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” this production has music and lyrics by Matt Conner and book by Hunter Foster.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Through Oct. 16
Info: $67 to $81; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
2. “The Boy Detective Fails”: In this play based on the popular novel by Joe Meno, Billy discovers a world of unimaginable strangeness.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Through Oct. 16
Info: $67 to $81; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
3. “Happy Days”: Washington Shakespeare Company’s production of Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece, in which Beckett pursues his search for the meaning of existence, probing the tenuous relationships that bind one person to another, and each to the universe.
Where: Black Box Theatre, Artisphere,
When: Through Sept. 25
Info: $25 to $30; 703-875-1100; artisphere.com
4. “Uncle Vanya”: The Sydney Theatre Company brings an exclusive U.S. engagement of Anton Chekhov’s enigmatic tale of a love, hope and sometimes poignant, sometimes funny events on a dilapidated Russian family estate.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Saturday
Info: $59 to $135; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
5. “Something Past in Front of the Light”: What would you do if the devil wanted to collaborate with you on a documentary about himself? A world premiere by Kathleen Akerley.
Where: Longacre Lea, Catholic University Drama Complex, Callan Theatre, 3801 Harewood Road NE
When: Thursday to Sunday; through Sept. 4
Info: $12 to $18; 202-460-2188; longacrelea.org
