Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free for All, through Sept. 4 William Shakespeare is one of the all-time great wordsmiths of the English language. And there’s no better four-letter word than “free.”
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Free for All event started on Thursday, and this year features “Julius Caesar.” All performances are at Sidney Harman Hall.
“The goal from the start was to make Shakespeare accessible to everybody,” said Darby Lunceford, director of marketing and communications for the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
STC kicks off its 25th anniversary with this year’s Free for All. The Free for Fall tradition first started in 1991, and Lunceford estimates 600,000 people have enjoyed the deal over the last two decades.
When the folks at STC say free, they mean free. Tickets are available through an online lottery, at Sidney Harman Hall about two hours before show time, and to STC subscribers and members of Friends of Free for All. Sidney Harman Hall seats 774, and at least 200 tickets are available to the public through waiting in line, which starts to form around 4 p.m.
“It’s become a great summer tradition,” Lunceford said.
Info: Free, shakespearetheatre.org
When: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. (dark Mondays).
D.C. Restaurant Week, through Sunday
You know how this works. For one week twice a year, area restaurants offer discounted fixed-price meals. This 2011 Summer Restaurant Week features more than 200 establishments, with lunch costing $20.11 and dinner $35.11. Restaurant Week runs through Sunday, but some places extend the specials, so check in with your favorite eatery.
Info: $20.11 for lunch, $35.11 for dinner; www.restaurantweekmetrodc.org
When: Through Sunday.
American Idols Live at Verizon Center, Friday
Maybe the days of a Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood emerging from “American Idol” are long gone. But coming off one of its most successful seasons in ages, “American Idol” is still going strong. Fans will be happy to hear that the best from Season 10 are performing at the Verizon Center on Friday, including winner Scott McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina.
Info: $45 to $65, verizoncenter.com
When: 7 p.m., Friday.
Scott Thompson and Kevin McDonald from Kids in the Hall at the Arlington Drafthouse, Friday & Saturday
Dave Foley passed through town not long ago, so it’s fitting that Thompson and McDonald also perform locally. Catch two-fifths of the classic comedy troupe in their new two-person show.
Info: $25, arlingtondrafthouse.com
When: 10 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Ke$ha at the Patriot Center, Sunday
It’s difficult to explain the appeal of Ke$ha. Maybe its catchy hit songs like “Tik Tok” and “Blah Blah Blah.” Maybe it’s that identifying dollar sign in her name. Or maybe its the fact that her current series of concerts holds the classy title “Get $leazy Tour 2011.” What we can explain is that Ke$ha is at the Patriot Center this Sunday, with LMAO and Spank Rock.
Info: $49.50, patriotcenter.com
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday.
