Best Music 1. BSO SuperPops: Jack Everly conducts the Big Band Hit Parade with the Capitol Quartet, vocalist Judy McLane and Jon Manasse on clarinet.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $28 to 88 ; 410-783-8000, 877-BSO-1444; BSO.org
2. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and The Seldom Scene: Country and bluegrass icons play the songs that fans have loved for five decades.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $25 to 42; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
3. Roseanne Cash, John Wesley Harding, Kristin Hersh and Josh Ritter: The energetic foursome get together for “Singers Singing and Reading,”
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $29.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
4. Corey Harris: The guitarist serves up blues and reggae in his distinctive style.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
Info: $25; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
Best Galleries
1. Drive By: Kim Beck, Martyn Blundell, Zlatko Cosic, Sarah McKenzie, Michael A. Salter, and Gregory Thielker pool their talents to offer this nuanced examination of the psychological and spiritual characteristics that define urban living.
Where: Project 4 Gallery, 1353 U St. NW, 3rd floor
When: Through March 5
Info: Free; 202-232-4340; project4gallery.com
2. Freer & Whistler: Points of Contact: This two-room show of 23 James McNeill Whistler oil paintings has been culled from the 1,300 Whistler works in the Freer’s permanent collection to illustrate the artist’s lasting influence on founder Charles Lang Freer. His gallery’s union of Asian and Western artistic traditions is a continuation of Whistler’s own aesthetic sensibility.
Where: Freer Gallery, Jefferson Drive and 12th Street SW
When: Ongoing
Info: Free; 202-633-4880; asia.si.edu
3. ReSolve: New Works by Richard Siegman: Richard Siegman’s large-format acrylic-on-resin-board abstractions use thick brushstrokes, a subtle color palette, and hard angles to balance spontaneity with reflection and control.
Where: District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th Street NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: Free; 202-462-7833; dcartscenter.org.
4. The Dark and Humorous Mind of Heather Wilcoxon: These 50 sardonic cartoons offer caustic comment on last year’s Gulf oil spill, among other topics.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave.
When: Through March 13
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
5. A True North Britain: The Furniture of John Shearer, 1790-1820: Craftsman John Shearer’s handmade furniture is inlaid with imagery that would have been politically incendiary 200 years ago, when he was making it.
Where: Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, 1776 D St. NW
When: Through Feb. 26
Info: Free; dar.org/museum/default.cfm
Best Theater
1. Fuddy Meers: Everything seems fuzzy in this comedy by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, David Lindsay Abaire. Claire’s rare form of amnesia causes her to awaken each morning as a blank slate. Chaos arises as everyone tries to fill in the holes of her lost memory, while an ex-criminal and a fake cop add to this play’s zany amusement and dark comedic charm.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Springhill Rd., McLean
When: Friday to Feb, 27
Info: $15 to $25; 703-854-1856; [email protected]
2. La Candida Erendira/Innocent Erendira: The young Er?ndira is forced by her grandmother to sell herself to pay for accidentally burning down the family home. After traveling from town to town in the desert, Er?ndira is wed to a young man who loves her deeply. Based on a story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theater, 3333 14th St. NW
When: Thursday to Feb. 27
Info: $20 to $36; 800-494-8497; galatheatre.org
3. On the Razzle: Two curious shop clerks seize the day and caper off to Vienna to find adventure and excitement. Passionate romance, run-ins with the law, mistaken identities and mayhem ensue. This delightful comedy highlights the brilliant wit and wordplay of celebrated playwright Tom Stoppard.
Where: Constellation Theatre Company, 1835 14th St. NW
When: Friday to March 6; see Web site for times
Info: $21 to $31; 202-204-7800; constellationtheatre.org
4. Charming Billy: In a small Bronx bar, a funeral party has gathered to honor Billy Lynch. Through the night, his friends and family weave together the tale of a husband, lover, dreamer, and storyteller, but also that of a hopeless drunk whose immense charm was a veil over a lifetime of secrets and all-consuming sorrow.
Where: Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: February 3 to February 20; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $25 to $55; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
5. The Cripple of Inishmaan: The renowned Irish theater company DRUID presents “The Cripple of Inishmaan.” Written by Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh and directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes, the play chronicles a Hollywood film crew’s presence in a rural Irish town.
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to 12; 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12
Info: $25 to $69; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Outdoors
1.Touch Football and Bagel Brunch: Get yourself in the mood for the Super Bowl with this great American tradition. You’ll kick off the game with a traditional Sunday brunch tailgate complete with bagels, spreads and fresh orange juice. Then, after going over the rules and regulations, you’ll divide up into teams of equal ability and begin an invigorating game of touch football. Enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcome!
Where: Rock Creek Park, Grove Numbers 13 and 14; see Web site for directions
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20; thingstododc.com
2. Birding Trip: Point Lookout State Park: For adults. Take a trip to the southernmost point in Maryland. You’ll look for waterfowl in the Chesapeake Bay and brown-headed nuthatches in the woodlands. Information: 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday
Info: $30; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #622840-H
3. Civil War to Civil Rights: Follow the signs on this self-guided Cultural Tourism DC Neighborhood Heritage Trail to learn more about Washington’s downtown, just east of the White House. The trail’s 21 poster-sized, 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. Walkers are encouraged to follow the trail at their own pace, sampling neighborhood character, businesses, and restaurants along the way.
Where: The tour is divided into three loops; see Web site for details
When: Any day
Info: 202-661-7581; [email protected]
4. C&O Canal from Riley’s Lock to Swain’s Lock: Well maintained, open, spacious, easy trail. The towpath for the C&O Canal is an excellent jogging/bike-riding trail, offering beautiful views of the Potomac River. This particular stretch features the canal filled with water. The canal itself seems to follow along the base of a line of cliffs. Often you are within 30 ft. of the Potomac on your other side as well.
Where: Near Poolesville, Md. See Web site for directions
When: Year-round
Info: Contact: Canal National Park Headquarters: 301-739-4200; localhikes.com
5. Flying Squirrels: Lore and More!”: For families. Flying squirrels are found throughout the woods of Arlington, but are seldom seen. Gather to learn about these engaging nocturnal creatures then tiptoe outside to see them glide in for an evening meal.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 5:45 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #622950-G
Best Gatherings
1.”Frresh Produce: Festival of Live Art”: The Fridge hosts a month of performances of music, magic, comedy, storytelling, poetry and panel discussions about art.
Where: The Fridge, 516 8th St. SE
When: Friday to Feb. 27
Info: $15; 202-664-4151; thefridgedc.com
2. Washington Auto Show: Get a glimpse of the vehicles of the future at the Washington Auto Show, where you’ll see concept cars such as the BMW Active electric vehicle and a sea of 2012 production models from the world’s largest automakers.
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW
When: Until Sunday; see Web site for dates and times
Info: Free to $12; 202-237-7200; washingtonautoshow.com
3. “To Pay the Price”: Robert Kalfin directs Peter-Adrian Cohen’s theatrical biography, which depicts Jonathan Netanyahu, the only Israeli fatality of the 1976 rescue of Jewish hostages at the Entebbe airport in Uganda.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $10; 800-494-8497; theaterj.org
4. Black Watch: Hurtling from a pool room in Scotland to an armored wagon in Iraq, “Black Watch” is based on interviews with former soldiers who served in Iraq. Viewed through the eyes of those on the ground, “Black Watch” reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment, what it means to be part of the war on terror and what it means to make the journey home again.
Where: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St., N.W.
When: Until Sunday; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $40 to $70; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
5. “An Almost Holy Picture”: Heather McDonald’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated work follows one man’s odyssey from Massachusetts to New Mexico, and from despair to triumph, heeding a mysterious voice.
Where: Rep Stage, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
When: To February 20; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $12 to $30; 443-518-1500; repstage.org
Best Family
1. “Treasure Quest: A Pirate Comedy”: Captain Nobeard is a swash-buckling, bumbling scoundrel of a buccaneer who has lost his treasure and his “X-Marks-the-Spot” map. Cursed to search the seas, he employs a little magic, much amusement and lots of help from his audience mates to regain the gold.
Where: The National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-628-6161; nationaltheater.org
2. “Mirandy and Brother Wind”: The junior cake walk happens soon and Mirandy needs a dancing partner. Who can high step and kick the best? Why, Brother Wind! But how can Mirandy capture him? Come see Mirandy learn about freedom and kindness.
Where: Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo (Thereafter at Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE (Feb. 25-March 13)
When: Thursday through Feb. 13; see Web site for times
Info: $15; 301-634-2270, 202-399-7993; adventuretheatre.org; atlasarts.org
3. Wacky Animals: For children aged 5 to 10. In celebration of Charles Darwin’s birthday, you’ll learn about some fascinating animals he discovered in a few of his journeys around the world. You’ll also create your own creature to take home with you.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: $3; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #622920-N
4. Chinese New Year: Families with children 4 and older. We’re in the middle of the Chinese New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit and learn why the rabbit was given this honor. Info: 703-228-6535. Children must be accompanied by adult.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $3; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #622950-M
Best Brainfood
1.Maxine Hong Kingston: The award-winning writer, author of the memoir “The Woman Warrior” and the novel “Tripmaster Monkey,” reads from and discusses her new book, “I Love a Broad Margin to My Life,” a memoir that unfolds in free verse on the occasion of her 65th birthday.
Where: The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $10 to $15; 301-654-8664; writer.org
2. “Gulf Tolls: A Reading in Tribute to the Gulf of Mexico and Surrounding Regions”: Split This Rock and Poets for Living Waters are partnering to offer a poetic tribute to the Gulf of Mexico and environs.
Where: Langston Room, Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Streets NW
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5 suggested donation; 202-387-7638; busboysandpoets.com
3. American Art at Dumbarton Oaks: Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss, founders of Dumbarton Oaks, were not formally collectors of American art. Nevertheless, along with their parents, they acquired noteworthy paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures from living American artists. The pieces that remain at Dumbarton Oaks offer an important insight into the remarkable breadth of the Bliss family collecting vision.
Where: Dumbarton Oaks Museum, 1703 32nd St. NW
When: On view until Feb. 13; museum open 2 to 5 p.m.
Info: Free; 202-339-6401; doaks.org
4. M. L. Liebler and contributors: Working Words: Liebler, a Detroit poet and activist, has assembled a rousing anthology of songs, poetry, fiction, and memoirs about work. Celebrating the working class, unions, and labor itself, the book, with contributions from figures ranging from Woody Guthrie to Eminem, is a heartfelt tribute to a disappearing way of life.
Where: Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: Noon, Saturday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
5. Covering Katrina: A look at the hurricane through the eyes of journalists covering it, including artifacts used by them as well as photos and news clips.
Where: Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until Feb. 14
Info: Free to $22; 888-639-7386; newseum.org
