The List: Nov. 12-18

Info: 202-333-1180; govindagallery.com

2. “The Art of Collecting Photography”: Gallery owner and arts dealer Kathleen Ewing discusses what to look for when collecting photography. Come early and enjoy a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. at Multiple Exposures Gallery, Studio 312, and peruse the fine art photography studios throughout the art center.

Where: Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Info: Free; 703-838-4565; torpedofactory.org

3. Washington National Opera: In conjunction with Opera Week (Friday-Nov. 22), the Washington National Opera presents an “informance” of how the orchestra accompanies singers, using excerpts from “The Marriage of Figaro.”

Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

4. Book lecture: NPR “Weekend Edition” resident literary detective Paul Collins reads from and discusses his new book, “The Book of William: How Shakespeare’s First Folio Conquered the World.” His book tells the story of Shakespeare’s First Folio — the first collected publication of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays — focusing on five copies and tracking them across centuries to their present-day homes in Asia, Europe and one very familiar location, the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Where: The Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE

When: 7:30 p.m. Monday

Info: $12; 202-544-7077; folger.edu

Family

1. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”: Join Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, the residents of Tarry Town and the Headless Horseman as they live out the famous Washington Irving tale. Theatre IV’s show is faithful to the original and will provide some not-too-scary thrills and chills.

Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday

Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org

2. Fossil Collecting Trip: Join the Northern Virginia Mineral Club and park staff member Barry Remer in finding 300 million-year-old fossils. You’ll travel to the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains and search for snails, pelycopods, brachiopods and more, and you get to keep whatever you find. 703-228-6535.

Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center parking lot, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Info: $25; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program # 613751-24

3. “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Golden Fish”: A pantomime re-creation of a Russian folk tale. Through poetry, music, mime and dancing, the cast tells the tale of a poor fisherman who catches a magical golden fish that promises him a great ransom if freed.

Where: Classika Theatre, 4041 Campbell Ave., Arlington

When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday; noon Sunday; additional performances 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 22 and 10 a.m. Friday

Info: $12 in advance ($15 at door); 800-494-8497; classika.org

4. “Barrio Grrrl!”: A newly commissioned musical about a lively 9-year-old inner-city girl named Ana, who is determined to change the world with the help of two imaginary friends: “Barrio Grrrl” (played by Ana Nogueira) and “The Amazing Voice” (played by Natascia Diaz). Book by Quiara Alegria Hudes and Bill Sherman.

Where: The Family Theatre, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW

When: 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 and 4 p.m. Sunday

Info: $18; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

5. “El Gato y la Gaviota” (“The Cat and the Seagull”): A Teatro de la Luna production by Jacqueline Briceno. An oil-covered seagull struggles from the ocean to find a safe place to save her egg. She flies to a balcony where a friendly cat promises to care for the baby bird until it hatches. In English and Spanish.

Where: Theatre Two, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington

When: 11:30 a.m. Saturday

Info: $10; children ages 4 and younger free; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org

Galleries

1. “Directions: John Gerrard”: Gerrard is an Irish artist in love with the visual iconography of Dust Bowl-era America. He repurposes computer-gaming programs to animate his still photos of oil derricks and fields, turning them into cinematic panoramas virtually indistinguishable from traditional motion pictures.

Where: Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW

When: Through May 31, 2010

Info: Free; 202-633-4674; hmsg.si.edu

2. “Laurel Lukaszweski”: New work from ceramics artist Laurel Lukaszweski, inspired by the Japanese phrase “ichi-go ichi-e.” The English translation is “one moment, one time.”

Where: Project 4 Gallery, 1353 U St. NW, third floor

When: Through Dec. 18

Info: Free; 202-232-4340; project4gallery.com

3. “Falnama: The Books of Omens”: These 60-plus massive, exquisitely detailed painted texts were made in Safavid Iran and Ottoman Turkey in the 16th and 17th centuries for the purpose of foretelling the future.

Where: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW

When: Through Jan. 24, 2010

Info: Free; 202-644-1000; asia.si.edu

4. “Launch”: “Embark, initiate, introduce and propel” were the organizing principles of the collection of images captured by female photojournalists. Presented in conjunction with Fotoweek DC.

Where: Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road SE

When: Through Saturday

Info: Free; 202-580-5972; honfleurgallery.com

5. “Portraiture Now: Communities”: Painters Jim Torok, Rebecca Westcott and Rose Frantzen explore the theme of community, depicting subjects they know personally.

Where: National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW

When: Through July 5, 2010

Info: Free; 202-633-1000; npg.si.edu

Gatherings

1. “Quintango”: Gala Hispanic Theatre continues its 34th season with an evening of tango by the renowned QuinTango, a quintet of two violins, cello, bass and piano. The evening features acclaimed tango dancer and choreographer Carina Losano, who outlines the journey of tango from the immigrant neighborhoods along the Rio de la Plata to the gilded salons of Paris and then to the international stage.

Where: Gala Theatre, 3333 14th St. NE

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Info: $18 and $25; 800-494-8497; galatheatre.org

2. “IRAN Home (In America)”: This exhibit seeks to acknowledge Iranian-American art as an important emerging genre. Spend an evening with Pooneh Maghazehe as she shows the process of creating her unique art (“Bastani & Branding,” which consists of branding meat) and offers up Persian ice cream.

Where: The Fridge, 516 Eighth St. SE

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday; exhibit lasts through Nov. 29

Info: 202-664-4151; thefridgedc.com

3. Bowen McCauley Dance Performance: An evening of electrifying and inventive choreography that will showcase an array of powerful artistry.

Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW

When: 6 p.m. Sunday

Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

4. “A Conversation with novelist Stephen King”: The Shakespeare Theatre Company hosts the Washington, D.C., exclusive simulcasts of the TimesTalksLive series with famous authors. Simulcast live from New York to select movie screens across the country. The public is allowed to e-mail questions for the authors in advance of the simulcast.

Where: Shakespeare Theatre, Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW

When: 7 p.m. Monday

Info: $12 and $14; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org

5. “Sargent and the Sea”: The Corcoran Gallery of Art brings together for the first time more than 80 paintings, watercolors and drawings depicting seascapes and coastal scenes from the early career of John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), the pre-eminent American expatriate painter of the late 19th century.

Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday-Sunday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; through Jan. 3

Info: 202-639-1700; corcoran.org

Music

1. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa: Washington Performing Arts Society presents the remarkable Australian soprano accompanied by pianist Warren Jones for an unforgettable evening.

Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Info: $35 to $110; 202-785-9727; for reservations to the WPAS Fall Celebration following the performance, call 202-293-9325

2. National Symphony Orchestra: As part of the Focus on Russia, Andrew Litton conducts the brilliant Chinese pianist Lang Lang performing Beethoven and Prokofiev piano concertos, and the orchestra plays overtures by Glinka and Weber.

Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Info: $30 to $125; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org

3. The Choral Arts Society of Washington: Norman Scribner conducts the chorus in “Antiphonal Glories Through the Ages,” multi-choral works from Gabrieli, with the Washington Symphonic Brass and artistic director Phil Snedecor.

Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall

When: 4 p.m. Sunday

Info: $15 to $55; 202-467-4600, kennedy-center.org

4. Haochen Zhang: The Discovery Series presents the 2009 Cliburn Piano Competition Gold Medalist, the youngest participant at age 19, in his Wolf Trap debut. He performs works by Beethoven, Brahms, Liszt, Ravel and Mason Bates.

Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Info: $35; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org

5. Amanda McBroom: The exciting cabaret performer and composer of “The Rose” in an evening of pop and show tunes.

Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Info: $25; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org

Outdoors

1. “Fantasticks Voyage”: Arena Stage hosts a scavenger hunt in conjunction with the upcoming production of “The Fantasticks.” The hunt will take participants around D.C. looking for clues that will lead the winning team to a special prize: tickets to the opening night of “The Fantasticks” Nov. 27 and a restaurant gift certificate for dinner before the show. Along the way the teams will be greeted by “The Fantasticks” characters, who will provide clues to lead them to their next destination. Groups of up to four people are encouraged to preregister to receive pre-game updates and advance clues, which will be sent out through Twitter and Facebook.

Where: The starting location will be announced to people who preregister via Facebook and Twitter the day before the event. The day of the event, people who have not preregistered will be able to get the starting location through Twitter.

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Info: Registration necessary; preregister by 6 p.m. Thursday to get advanced tips abut the clues; all rules are available at arenastage.org/about/news/fantasticks-voyage.shtml

2. Visit Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve: Visit one of the last remaining freshwater tidal marshlands in the District of Columbia, which gets its name from the dykes that were built up around it in the 1800s. Located along the west bank of the Potomac River, the preserve consists of approximately 485 acres of tidal marsh, floodplain and swamp forest, providing a habitat for a diverse array of plants and animals. The trail that leads visitors into the marsh is a favorite of area birdwatchers, hikers, photographers and nature lovers. In addition, the waters in and around the marsh are popular fishing areas.

Where: Access from George Washington Memorial Parkway (see Web site for maps)

When: Daily throughout the year; park closes at dark

Info: Free; 703-289-2500; nps.gov/gwmp/dyke-marsh.htm

3. Photo Safari: How to Photograph the Illuminated Presidential and War Memorials at Night: Bring your sturdy tripod to capture Washington’s most famous nighttime view down the Reflecting Pool from the Lincoln Memorial, along with close-up photographs of the illuminated Lincoln statue, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Three Soldiers Monument, the Vietnam Womens’ Memorial and the Albert Einstein Memorial. Architectural photographer E. David Luria leads this safari.

Where: Meet at entrance to visitors’ center of Lincoln Memorial at lower left corner of memorial building

When: 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday

Info: $40; thingstododc.com

4. Adams Morgan Farmers Market: One of the oldest farm markets in Washington, functioning since 1972, this market offers sustainably grown, affordable produce.

Where: 18th Street and Columbia Road

When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 19

Info: localharvest.org

5. The DaVita Kidney Awareness Run/Walk: A nationwide series of family-friendly 5K run/walks. The 2009 events will feature free screening for kidney disease, entertainment and games for the whole family. The funds raised for this year’s events will benefit The Kidney TRUST, a nonprofit organization working to prevent kidney disease through public education and awareness.

Where: RFK Stadium, 2400 E. Capitol St. SE

When: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday

Info: Free in advance, $20 on site; 866-859-9255; register at kidneyawarenesstime.org

Theater

1. “Show Boat”: Signature Theatre reinvents the 1927 classic American musical “Show Boat.” With Jerome Kern’s and Oscar Hammerstein’s score, which includes such classics as “Ol’ Man River,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man,” “Make Believe” and “Bill,” this show is a lyrical masterpiece about the loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi River. Spanning the years 1880-1927, this sweeping tale of love and hatred, prejudice and romance will be presented in an intimate new staging in Signature’s MAX Theatre.

Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; through Jan 17. No performance 2 p.m. Nov. 14; no evening performance Nov. 17, Nov. 26, Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Additional performances: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28.

Info: $52 to $76; 703-573-7328; signature-theatre.org

2. “Disco Pigs”: Pig and Runt set out to celebrate their 17th birthdays through the streets of Cork, a city overwhelmed by dance and rave rhythms. Enda Walsh’s play explores the lives of these two inseparable creatures on the cusp of growing up.

Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW

When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 p.m. Thursday; 7 and 10 p.m. Friday and Nov. 27; 8 p.m. Nov. 14; no show Nov. 26; through Dec. 5.

Info: $10 to $20; 800-494-8497; solasnua.org

3. “Dra. Sexo” (“Dr. Sex”): Ff Theatrical Productions Inc. from Venezuela presents this comedy about the Lady Doctor (Flor Nu?ez) who offers her humorous consultations designed to cure her patients with laughter.

Where:Theater Two, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington

When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday

Info: $25 to $30; festival pass: $60 to $150; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org

4. “Cabaret Evenings”: Signature Theatre continues the celebration of its 20th anniversary season with a series of cabaret evenings starring the award-winning actress/singer Natascia Diaz and the acclaimed Scottish singer Euan Morton. The smaller performance space at Signature is transformed into a club with tables and candlelight. Patrons are invited to bring drinks and light fare into the theater during the performance.

Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington

When: Nov. 17-22; 8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Info: $33; 703-573-7328; signature-theatre.org

5. “LuLu”: The Washington Shakespeare Company presents Franz Wedekind’s original girl gone wild. Abused, debased and maligned, Lulu climbs through German and Parisian high society, leaving a trail of dead lovers behind her, only to find herself crashing onto the streets of Jack the Ripper’s London.

Where: Clark Street Playhouse, 601 Clark St., Arlington

When: Through Dec. 13

Info: 800-494-8497; washingtonshakespeare.org