Best Music 1. “Guys and Dolls”: The evergreen Tony Award-winning Broadway musical based on Damon Runyon short stories is chock full of tuneful music by Frank Loesser. Nathan Detroit, his doll Adelaide, gambler Sky Masterson and missionary Sarah Brown populate a colorful cast.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $40 to $80 in-house, $20 to $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; tickets.com
2. “Tales of Hoffman”: Wolf Trap Opera Company presents a new production of Offenbach’s stories of three female heart-breakers. In French with super titles.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: $32 to $72; 877-965-3872; tickets.com
3. Steve Earle: The three-time Grammy Award winner with 14 nominations received a lifetime achievement award for songwriting from BBC Radio 2. In addition to composing and performing rock and roll, folk and country songs, he writes short stories and published his first novel this year. As an actor, the political activist has appeared in HBO’s “The Wire” and “Treme” and “30 Rock.” He is joined by The Dukes & Duchesses featuring Allison Moorer.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $59.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
4. Euge Groove: The smooth jazz saxophonist and Hagerstown native stops by to perform numbers from his latest album, “S7VEN LARGE” before winging off to the U.K.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 pm. Friday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
5. Dan Navarro: Ever since duo partner Eric Lowen has been slowed by Lou Gehrig’s disease, the acoustic guitarist has frequently performed solo. When he is not playing, he contributes voice-overs to film, TV shows and commercials.
Where: Jammin’ Java
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: $17; 703-255-1566; jamminjava.com
Best Brainfood
1. Smithsonian American Art Museum — Gallery Talks and Tours: This tour of highlights of the collection at the Smithsonian may include parts of the temporary exhibitions.
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F streets NW
When: 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. most days except the second Tuesday of each month
Info: Free; 202-633-7970; americanart.si.edu
2. Against All Odds: Rescue at the Chilean Mine: Last fall, the world watched as rescuers in Chile ferried 33 miners to safety after nearly two months trapped in a collapsed mine. See the actual rescue capsule in a special temporary exhibit featuring the complex rescue effort and the miners’ story. New video footage, mementos from the miners and rock samples from the mine help take you to the scene of this dramatic event.
Where: 1st floor, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Special Exhibits Gallery
When: Indefinite
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; mnh.si.edu
3. Wrhatnala USA: From the legacy of I Gusti Agung Ngurah Supartha SST, the internationally regarded Balinese dancer, composer and choreographer, comes Wrhatnala USA, the American Balinese dance counterpart. Wrhatnala USA is composed of elegant and exquisitely costumed dancers, and musicians playing the metallophones, drums, gongs, flutes and cymbals of the gamelan.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. Investigating Where We Live: A four-week photography and exhibit design summer program for middle and high school students from Washington metropolitan area. Participants use digital cameras and creative writing to explore, document and interpret the built environments in three D.C. neighborhoods.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
When: Through May 2012
Info: Free; 202-272-7448; nbm.org
5. Don Peck: Pinched: Following up and expanding on his article “The Recession’s Long Shadow: How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America,” which appeared inThe Atlanticlast March, Peck argues that although the peak of the financial crisis has passed, its effects will be many and lasting, especially on employment levels.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
Best Family
1. Sneak Preview — Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt: Get an early look at this exhibit that opens in November. It focuses on Egyptian burial ritual, its place within ancient Egyptian cosmology, and the insights that mummies, burial ritual and cosmology provide about life in ancient Egypt.
Where: National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: Full exhibit opens Nov. 17
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; mnh.si.edu
2. Piedmont to the Rockies: For Nature Loving Teens: For adults and children 16 and older: Much of the wildlife in the Piedmont and Coastal regions of Virginia have counterparts in the Rockies and Great Plains regions of Colorado. Hear a talk that highlights the similarities and differences between habitats, keystone species and niches.
Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 7 to 8 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; registration necessary; 703-228-4747; program No. 642941-B
3. Story Time: Flights of Fancy: “Dogs in Space” by Nancy Coffelt.
Where: National Air and Space Museum, 4th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Gallery 207
When: 11 a.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; nasm.si.edu
4. Hanssen Spy Talk: For families with children 14 and older. Spy and traitor Robert Hanssen worked in secret all around Washington for years. Some of his clandestine meetings were conducted in the woods of Long Branch Nature Center. Learn his dramatic story.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary; 703-228-4747; program No. 642841-F
5. Spider Campfire: Whether you like spiders or not, you’ll learn to love them at this campfire with stories, songs and s’mores!
Where: Long Branch Amphitheatre, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 7 to 8:15 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary; 703-228-4747; program No. 642951-M
Best Gatherings
1. Steve Abshire Trio: Live Jazz Happy Hour Thursdays: Steve Abshire’s modern jazz style and ease on guitar come from years of experience with jazz greats such as Charlie Byrd, Diane Shuur and Herb Ellis.
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Happy hour: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; music: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $3 to $5 drink and food specials; 703-875-1100; artisphere.com
2. Truckeroo: The owner of the Bullpen and Das Bullpen presents a daylong party with 20 to 25 food trucks and live music.
Where: Das Bullpen, 25 M St., S.E.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday
Info: thebullpendc.com
3. Green Genes Talk and Tour Series: Fabulous Fabaceae: Join botanist Kyle Wallick for a talk of this familiar group of economically important plants, looking at the unique flowers of the bean family while touring the summer terrace show.
Where: United States Botanic Gardens, Conservatory Classroom, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 12 to 1 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; pre-registration required, code: TH081211; usbg.gov
4. “F–king Up Everything”: Off The Leash Productions presents a rock musical set in Brooklyn.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $25; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net:
5. “Other People’s Poetry”: In addition to the regular Open Mic Poetry, the goal of this Monday reading is to focus on other people’s poetry. Reading other people’s poetry (published or not) is a creative way of learning about the world of poets. Wristbands for this event are sold all day in the Global Exchange store beginning at 10a.m.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Shirlington
When: 8 p.m. Monday
Info: $4; 703-379-9757; busboysandpoets.com
Best Outdoors
1. Mount Vernon Trail: Located just across the river from downtown Washington, this is a great multi-use recreation trail. Nearly 18 miles long, the Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac’s Virginia shoreline from Theodore Roosevelt Islandto George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon. The trail is abigfavorite of area cyclists and offers wonderful views of the Potomac and D.C. monuments.
Where: From Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon. See website for directions
When: Any day
Info: Free; bikewashington.org
2. Visit Anacostia Park: Anacostia Park is one of Washington’s largest recreation areas with more than 1,200 acres stretching along the Anacostia River from the Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge to the D.C.-Maryland border. The park has shoreline access, a swimming pool, ball fields, trails, picnic facilities and the Anacostia Park Pavilion with public space for roller skating and special events.
Where: See website for directions
When: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Info: Permits for certain activities; nps.gov/anac
3. Tour of Duty – Barracks Row Heritage Trail: Follow the signs on this self-guided Cultural Tourism DC Neighborhood Heritage Trail to learn more about the rich military and political history of Capitol Hill’s Barracks Row. Sixteen poster-sized, illustrated signs combine storytelling with historic images to let you discover the history of this neighborhood. The 90-minute, self-guided tour proceeds down Eighth Street, loops through the residential neighborhood and ends at Eastern Market.
Where: First sign is at Eastern Market Metro plaze (7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast)
When: Any day
Info: Free; 202-661-7581; culturaltourismdc.org
4. Huntley Meadows Park: A rich, natural island in the suburban sea of Northern Virginia. Its 1,424 acres harbor majestic forests, wildflower-speckled meadoes and vast wetlands. Some of the best wildlife watching in the D.C. area is enjoyed here: plenty of beavers, frogs, dragonflies and herons. 1.6 mile roundtrip on well-maintained trail.
Where: Trailhead: Beltway Exit 1; see website for details
When: Year round
Info: localhikes.com
5. Gravelly Point: Located just across the river from downtown Washington, Gravelly Point is a great park for children and dogs (though dogs do need to be on leash). Wonderful spot to watch the planes take off and land.
Where: On George Washington Parkway near Ronald Reagan Airport
When: Daylight hours year round
Info: Free; 703-289-2500
Best Theater
1. “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, Callan Theatre, 3801 Harewood Rd. NE
When: Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 4
Info: $12 to $18; 202-460-2188; longacrelea.org
2. “La Familia Lobato” and “Young and Corrupted”: GALA Hispanic Theatre’s Paso Nuevo and Summer Youth Program present a two-part performance. “La Familia Lobato” focuses on a fourth-generation Salvadorean family living in Washington. “Young and Corrupted” features several short pieces that address making tough decisions and resolving conflict.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-234-7174; galatheatre.org
3. “The Ramayana”: Based on the ancient Sanskrit epic, the story teaches its audience how to approach relationships of love, family, power and servitude. There are beautiful goddesses, fearful demons, playful monkeys, kidnappings and daring rescues.
Where: Constellation Theatre, Source, 1835 14th St. NW
When: Through Aug. 21
Info: $20 to $35; 800-494-TIXS; constellationtheatre.org
4. “Steel Magnolias”: Six women of various ages meet in a beauty salon in a small town in Louisiana. The play is a touching meditation on the bonds between friends and the special bonds between women.
Where: Keegan Theatre, Church Street Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW
When: Saturday through Aug. 21
Info: $35; 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.com
5. ” ‘POP!’: Who shot Andy Warhol?”: A musical murder-mystery extravaganza that peeks inside the tumultuous artistic revelry of Warhol’s infamous Factory.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $38 to $43; studio-theatre.org
Best Galleries
1. The Great American Hall of Wonders: This fascinating collection of 19th Century works of art and mechanical inventions is built around the notion of the United States as a laboratory for political and industrial innovation whose people were likewise blessed with a genius for experimentation and discovery.
Where: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW
When: To January 2012
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; americanart.si.edu
2. Pressing Ideas: Fifty Years of Womens’ Lithographs from Tamarind: June Wayne founded the Tamarind Lithography Workshop in Los Angeles in 1960. Though it’s since relocated to Albuquerque, N.M., the institute has continued to influence dozens of artists, as this show of some 75 prints by the likes of Louie Nelson, Polly Apfelbaum and Kiki Smith eloquently demonstrates.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Through Oct. 2
Info: 202-783-5000; nmwa.org
3. To Make a World: George Ault and 1940s America: Only after his death in 1948 were the eerie paintings Ault made during the war and its preamble recognized for the way they captured the queasy tenor of the times. The works of 22 artists bearing Ault’s influence, from famous names such as Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth to lesser-known creators like Dede Plummer and Edward Biberman, cast Ault’s own pieces into sharp relief.
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through Sept. 5
Info: Free; 202-633-7970; americanart.si.edu.
4. Rachel Schmidt: Damsels & Daemons: Two women and their pet monsters are the subject of D.C. artist Rachel Schmidt’s multimedia tableau, which brings together photos, drawings and sculpture in an unlikely and imaginative way.
Where: Wyatt Gallery, Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Through Sept. 25
Info: Free; 703-248-6800; arlingtonartscenter.org/exhibitions.htm
5. Recent Photography Acquisitions: A anonymous donation from last year as well as a donation from Washington Center for Photography founder Sharon Keim has given the Corcoran important new pieces by Henri Cariter-Bresson, Leonard Freed and Alex Webb among other notables.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through Aug. 28
Info: $10, $8 students and seniors (62+), free for ages 12 and under; corcoran.org
