Best Music
1. Il Divo: The Billboard-topping international quartet sings favorites from their multi-platinum albums.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $50 to $55 in-house, $30 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org.
2. ABBA — The Concert: The world’s best ABBA Tribute Band (as rated by fans) performs all the songs that captivated a generation long before “Mamma Mia!” hit the West End and Broadway.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: $38 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
3. Steve Miller Band: Rock and roll with a touch of smooth blues are reflected in the band’s latest album, “Let Your Hair Down,” featuring the last recordings of late harmonica legend Norton Buffalo.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $45 in-house, $30 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
4. National Youth Orchestra of Canada: The 95-member ensemble, ages 16 to 28, performs works by Dvorak and Shostakovich and the U.S. premiere of Canadian composer Adam Sherkin’s “Terra Incognita.”
Where: Music Center at Strathmore,
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Info: Free; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
5. Summer Steps with Step Afrika!: The nation’s leading professional step troupe performs with local students in a program of stepping and other percussive dance styles.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free
Best Family
1. Justin Roberts: Backed by his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, this award-winning favorite dishes out cleverly insightful lyrics that touch on all aspects of childhood.
Where: Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna
When: 10:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $10; 703-255-1868; wolftrap.org
2. “The Wizard of Oz”: Dorothy attempts to get home after she is displaced by a twister.
Where: Port Tobacco Players, 508 Charles St., La Plata
When: Through Sunday
Info: $14 to $17; 301-932-6819; ptplayers.com
3. “If You Give a Moose a Muffin”: What if a moose came to your house and asked for a muffin? Yikes. In this sequel to “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” a moose will almost always be a bigger problem than a mouse. If you give him some jam … you may wind up in a jam!
Where: Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: Through Sept. 2
Info: $18; 301-634-2270; adventuretheatre.org
4. “Wake Up, Brother Bear!”: This 40-minute show invites young children into the world of two bear siblings as they explore the seasons. Sitting on the floor around a circular playing area, children interact with Brother and Sister Bear while seeing a waterfall melt, meeting a butterfly, chasing an elusive fish and skating on an icy pond.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through August
Info: $10; $5 lap seat for children under 12 months. 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
5. Insect Orchestra Campfire: The whole family will enjoy this evening of song, stories and visits from animal friends. And don’t forget the s’mores!
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 South Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 7 to 8:15 p.m. Friday
Info: $5; registration required: 703-228-4747; Program #642952-E
Best Gatherings
1. “All Shook Up”: Songs made famous by Elvis Presley make up the storyline for this musical comedy.
Where: Francis Scott Key Auditorium, St. John’s College, 60 College Ave., Annapolis
When: Through Sunday
Info: $12; 410-956-0512; talentmachine.com
2. “Paints and Pots”: Painter-potter collaborations by Abbey Griffin and Ray Bogle.
Where: CalvART Gallery, 110 Solomons Island Rd., Prince Frederick
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Info: 410-5352; calvartgallery.org
3. “A Tribute to Margaret’s Garden”: Painting, photography, drawings, computer art and mixed media inspired by Margaret’s Garden.
Where: ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon
When: Through Sunday
Info: 703-956-6590; artspaceherndon.org
4. “Maharaja: The Splendors of India’s Great Kings”: More than 200 objects capturing the rich visual culture of India’s royal families, from the early 18th century to the mid-20th century.
Where: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Boulevard, Richmond
When: Through Aug. 19
Info: 804-340-1400; vmfa.museum
5. “Thinking Inside the Box”: Artists consider the limitations of a frame.
Where: Vienna Arts Society Gallery, 513 Maple Ave. West, Vienna
When: Through Aug. 25
Info: 703-319-3220; viennaartssociety.org
Best Outdoors
1. Howard County Fair: Agricultural displays, farm produce, pig races, amusement rides and games, pony rides and musical performances.
Where: Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd., West Friendship
When: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Saturday
Info: $2 to $5; 410-442-1022; howardcountyfair.com
2. Sidewalk Chalk-a-Thon: Create a colorful chalk masterpiece on the sidewalk.
Where: Annmarie Garden, 13480 Dowell Rd., Solomons
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free to $3; 410-326-4640; annmariegarden.org
3. Arlington County Fair: Who has the best-preserved honey in all of Arlington County? It’s a question that will be answered at the fair. Competitive exhibits (like honey, bees wax and food preservation, best herbs and best flower arrangements) take place while kids and teenagers enjoy carnival rides.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center and Park Grounds, 3501 Second St. South, Arlington
When: 2 to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Info: single ticket: $1; 703-358-5920; arlingtoncountyfair.us
4. Cunningham Falls: This moderate to difficult hike features 78-foot waterfalls along a 1.25-mile round trip. Approaching the trailhead you are confronted with two choices, the strenuous hike over the mountain via the Cliff Trail or the easy walk along the Lower Trail. The basalt is among the world’s oldest above-ground exposed stone formations and makes for some interesting exploration. The basalt formations are surrounded by magnificent maples, oaks, poplars and hickories. Where: Near Thurmont, Md. (see website)
When: spring, summer, autumn
Info: Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources; 301-271-7574; localhikes.com
5. Prince William County Fair: Agricultural and livestock exhibits, midway rides and games, entertainment, food vendors and other activities. Admission on Aug. 12: half price; Aug. 14: $2.
Where: Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Rd., Manassas
When: Through Aug. 18
Info: Wristbands $5-$20; 703-368-0173; pwcfair.com
Best Brainfood
1. “Kevin Krapf: Retratos Compartidos/Shared Portraits”: The artist presents an interactive performance/display project, where visitors participate by using a specially designed double-sided drawing table in the gallery to make and exhibit portraits.
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Through Aug. 18
Info: Free; 703-875-1100; artisphere.com
2. “Suprasensorial: Experiments in Light, Color and Space”: The five large-scale installations that comprise “Suprasensorial” capture viewers in a sensory experience that is at times overwhelming. The Light and Space movement emerged in the U.S. in the late 1960s and achieved maturity in Latin America. This collection includes installations by Carlos Cruz-Diez, Lucio Fontana, Julio Le Parc, Helio Oiticica and Jesus Rafael Soto.
Where: Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Independence Ave. at 7th St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: 202-633-1000; hirshhorn.si.edu
3. Cheryl Strayed: The author will discuss and sign her latest book, “Tiny Beautiful Things.” This book, which deals with those seeking help for workplace issues, personal dilemmas and severe crises, offers a look at the profound empathy possible between strangers.
Where: Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
4. “Atmospheric Front”: An environmental installation by Hana Kim and Shana Kim that incorporates pulleys, motors and light projections.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: 12 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays through Aug. 18
Info: Free; culturaldc.org
5. “The Last Five Years”: A couple tells their love story — from the first date to divorce — from two different points in time. Presented by the Rude Mechanicals as a benefit in honor of an injured actor.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Through Aug. 18
Info: Voluntary donations; 202-315-1305; culturaldc.org
Best Theatre
1. “The Maze”: A graphic novelist struggles to complete his 15,000-page comic book, a musician searches for the inspiration for his next hit and a young girl strives to recreate her identity after years in captivity in this highly theatrical examination of creativity, addiction, love and power.
Where: Rorschach Theatre, Atlas Arts Center, 1333 H St. NW
When: Friday through Sept. 9
Info: $15 to $25; 202-399-7993; rorschachtheatre.org
2. The Capitol Steps: The Capitol Steps put the “mock” in Democracy every Friday and Saturday night. With their unique blend of musical and political comedy, no person in power is safe as the Capitol Steps skewer everyone you voted for! Now performing songs from their latest release, Liberal Shop of Horrors, and more.
Where: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Info: $40.25; 202-312-1555; capsteps.com
3. “Big Love”: Charles Mee’s modern version of Aeschylus’s “The Danaids,” in which 50 brides flee their 50 grooms and seek refuge in a villa on the coast of Italy.
Where: The Hub Theatre, John Swayze Theatre, 9431 Silver King Court, Fairfax
When: Through Aug. 12
Info: $15 to $25; 800-494-8497; thehubtheatre.org
4. “Clown Cabaret”: Clown Cabaret produces monthly shows showcasing the ever-evolving Art of Clown. “Clown Cabaret” is a theatrical laboratory, a venue where variety performers experiment with new material and develop old routines.
Where: Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave. NW
When: 8 p.m. Aug. 13
Info: $12; 866-737-7230; clowncabaret.com
Best Galleries
1. “Elegance and Refinement: The Still-Life Paints of Willem van Aeist”: The 17th century Dutch painter Willem van Aeist is largely forgotten today, but in his time he was celebrated for his still lifes, particularly of fruits, fabrics and freshly killed animals. This first monographic exhibition devoted to van Aeist features 28 paints and his only known drawing.
Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building, 4th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: Through Oct. 14
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; .nga.gov
2. “Patrick Graham: Thirty Years — The Silence Becomes the Painting:” Arguably Ireland’s most influential contemporary artist, Patrick Graham’s landscapes point toward questions about the nature of reality and the meaning of life.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
When: Closing Sunday
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
3. “CTRL+P: New Directions in Printmaking”: Two guest curators, Kristina Bilonick and Jule Chae, offer concurrent exhibitions of print works, each exposing the bewildering variety of technique that exists within the printmaking medium, filtered through their personal aesthetic sensibility.
Where:Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington,
When: Through Sept. 16
Info: Free; 703-248-6800; arlingtonartscenter.org/exhibitions.htm
4. “Off the Wall: Street Art”: James Marshall, aka Dalek, exhibits a work that bridges the gap between his color fields and his space monkeys, Baltimore artist Gaia shows new work, and D.C.’s own Tim Conlon brings his spray-painted canvases and hand-painted freight trains.
Where: Contemporary Wing, 1412 14th St. NW
When: Through Aug. 25
Info: Free; contemporarywing.com
5. “The Shape of Things”: Curated by Jonathan Linton, this exhibit features works devoted to exploring all types of environments — rural and urban, industrialized and primitive.
Where: The Art League Gallery, The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through Sept. 3
Info: Free; 703-683-1780; theartleague.org
