Brain Food
1. Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra: Comprised of the best high school and college jazz musicians in the Philadelphia and New Jersey regions, the ensemble has performed throughout the United States and in Italy and Greece.
Where: Terrace Theatre, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org
2. Heaven on Earth: Manuscript Illuminations: An exhibition of ornate illustrations dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries from France, Germany and the Netherlands, to name a few.
Where: National Gallery of Art, 600 Constitution Ave. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; through Sunday
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; www.nga.gov
3. “Best of Artomatic”: Selections from the 2009 Artomatic exhibition. Painting, drawing, sculpture.
Where: Fraser Gallery, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda
When: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; through Aug. 8
Info: Free; 301-718-9651; www.thefrasergallery.com
4. “Summer sounds at Strathmore”: Free outdoor concerts in the Gudelsky Outdoor Concert Gazebo on Wednesday evenings. Aug. 5: Afro-Bop Alliance: Latin-Jazz septet known for its mesmerizing tunes.
Where: Gudelsky Outdoor Concert Gazebo, Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda (see website for details regarding parking).
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 5
Info: Free; 301-581-5100; www.strathmore.org
5. National Theatre Monday Summer Cinema: A film series celebrating the illustrious career of Elizabeth Taylor. August 3: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
Where: The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3
Info: Free; 202-628-6161; www.nationaltheatre.org
Galleries
1. “Graphic Masters II: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum”: Watercolors, drawings, and pastels circa 1920-69, illustrating the depth and richness of SAAM’s permanent collection.
Where: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW
When: Through Jan. 10, 2010
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; americanart.si.edu
2. “Moving Perspectives: Shahzia Sikander / Sun Xun”: Chinese artist and animator Sun Xun ruminates on the concepts of mortality and collective memory and consciousness, while Pakistain’s Shahzia Sikander brings a modern charge to the form of miniature painting.
Where: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Jefferson Drive and 12th Street SW
When: Through Nov. 8
Info: Free; 202-633-4880; www.asia.si.edu
3. “Constructed Color: Amish Prints”: The striking overlap between Color Field painting and Amish quilt design gets an insightful look-in at this exhibit of 29 quilts on loan from the University of Nebraska’s International Quilt Study Center and Museum.
Where: The Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW
When: Through Sept. 6
Info: Free; $5 donation suggested; 202-667-0441; www.textilemuseum.org
4. “Finding Beauty in a Broken World: In the Spirit of Frida Kahlo”: Celebrated arts blogger F. Lennox Campello curates this multi-artist exhibit of pieces inspired by the art, writings, and biography of Frida Kahlo.
Where: Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U St. NW
When: Through Aug. 29
Info: Free; 202-483-8600; www.smithfarm.com/gallery/index.html
5. “Applicated, Fabricated & Cast”: Tapestry by Amanda Richardson and sculpture by Paul Martin Wolff.
Where: Zenith Gallery, 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: Ongoing
Info: Free; 202-783-2963; www.zenithgallery.com
Gatherings
1. Naval Academy Chamber Winds: The Chamber Winds group of the Naval Academy Band performs Mozart’s Seranade No. 10 in B flat Major, “The Gran Partita.”
Where: Millennium Stage, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; no reservations required; 202-457-4600; www.kennedy-center.org
2. “First on 1st” Art and Music Walk: Take in art, live performances and maybe even a free drink during this event co-hosted by North Capitol Main Street and the Pink Line Project.
Where: First St. NW between Florida Ave. and Rhode Island, NW
When: noon to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-905-6039; www.ncmsinc.org
3. “Becoming a Bonsai”: How a tree is made into a bonsai. See the steps necessary to create a miniature tree, as a common crepe-myrtle is transformed into a charming bonsai, through pruning, wiring and repotting.
Where: The National Arboretum, National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, Special Exhibits Wing, 3501 New York Ave.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through August 31
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; no reservation necessary; www.usna.usda.gov
Movie
“Funny People”
Stars: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann
Director: Judd Apatow
Rated R for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality.
Running Time: 146 min.
George is a very successful stand-up comedian who learns that he has an untreatable blood disorder and is given less than a year to live. Ira is a struggling up-and-coming stand up comedian who works at a deli and has yet to figure out his onstage persona. One night, these two perform at the same club and George takes notice of Ira. George hires Ira to be his semi-personal assistant as well as his friend
Music
1. “Blue Planet”: Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra in music from the award-winning BBC nature series projected on large screens with choral accompaniment by the Washington Men’s Camerata led by Frank Albinder.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $20 lawn, $32 to $48 in-house; 877-965-3872; www.wolftrap.org
2. NSO: Sarah Chang performs Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto; other works conducted by Emil de Cou are Beethoven?s Pastoral Symphony and Four Dances from Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo.”
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8:15 p.m. today
Info: $30 lawn, $32 to $48 in-house; 877-965-3872; www.wolftrap.org
3. Daryl Hall and John Oates: The rocking superstars from Philly in their Up Close and Personal Tour perform hits from their gold and platinum albums.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: $25 lawn, $42 in-house; 877-965-3872; www.wolftrap.org
4. Haromi Uehara and Sonicbloom: The Japanese jazz piano whiz in concert.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. today-Sunday
Info: $27.50 at (202) 337-4141 or www.blues alley.com.
5. Broadway Rocks!: Randall Craig Fleischer conducts the National Symphony Orchestra in a fusion of Broadway and rock and roll featuring soprano Christiane Noll, mezzo Capathia Jenkins, tenor Hugh Panaro and baritone Rob Evan.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8:15 p.m. Saturday
Info: $20 lawn, $32 to $48 in-house; 877-965-3872; www.wolftrap.org
Theater
1. “Seascape”: Edward Albee’s humorous, whimsical play is in part domestic drama and in part satire. On an East Coast beach, a troubled American couple, Nancy and Charlie, face tensions in their relationship as they contemplate retirement. They are joined by another couple-who just happen to be large, scaly, humanoid sea-lizards-who join them in wide-ranging discussions of trust, communication, human progress, evolution and more.
Where: American Century Theater, Theater II, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun. (except Aug. 23); through Aug. 22
Info: $25 to $32; pay-what-you-can 8 p.m. Aug. 5, 12 and 19; 703-998-4555; americancentury.org
2. “The Oresteia”: The ancient Greek tragedy gets an update and an infusion of rock music, turning Aeschylus’ tragedy into a rowdy, raucous production.
Where: Church Street Theater, 1742 Church St. NW
When: 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday; through Aug. 9
Info: $20-$25; 866-811-4111; www.keegantheatre.com
3. “Captain Drew on Leave”: It’s summer 1905 and Captain Drew–on leave from the Royal Navy and looking for some fun–finds himself falling in love with the shy wife of a local industrialist.
Where: Quotidian Theatre, The Writers’ Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda
When: Through Aug. 9
Info: $15 and $20; 301-816-1023; www.quotidiantheatre.org
4. “The Color Purple”: American Idol winner Fantasia reprises her starring role in the family saga that tells the story of a woman who triumphs over adversity.
Where: The Opera House, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; through Aug. 9
Info: $25 to $95; 202-457-4600; kennedy-center.org
5. “Barack Stars”: Perfecting the art of comedy revue with sketches, songs and a little improvisation, The Second City storms Washington to tackle partisanship, the politics of race and a host of headline-grabbing personalities.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; through Aug. 9
Info: $40; 202-393-3939; www.woollymammoth.net
