Brain Food
1. Shen Wei Dance Arts: The company performs works that combine dance, theater, painting, sculpture and Western and Eastern cultures. In this production, Shen Wei performs Re – (Parts I, II, and III), a choreographic journey through Tibet, Angkor Wat and the new Silk Road.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., N.W.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday
Info: $22 to $60; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “Isabelle Allende”: An evening of readings and conversation with the celebrated Chilean-American author. An internationally known writer of novels, stories, plays, young adult fiction, articles, “recipes, and aphrodisiacs,” Allende has authored 18 books, including “The House of Spirits” and “The Sum of Our Days.”
Where: The Washington Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $16 to $22; 202-537-2228; nationalcathedral.org
3. Ronald K. Brown and Evidence: This group blends ballet, hip-hop, West African and modern styles. This evening features the D.C. debut of Brown’s new work, “The Two-Year Old Gentleman,” plus other selections from the Evidence repertory.
Where: Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Info: $20 to $35; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
4. “Theatre of the First Amendment Celebrates 20 Years: Only the Beginning”: George Mason University’s Theater of the First Amendment celebration features a selection of scenes from the many productions that TFA has staged since 1990.
Where: theSPACE, 3955 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; reservations recommended; e-mail [email protected] to reserve seats
5. “CityDance2 in Concert”: Join CityDance2 as they partner with Dance/MetroDC’s “Dance is the Answer” to present Contact, a concert that will bring you up close and personal with a collection of dancers you don’t want to miss.
Where: CityDance Center at Strathmore, Education Wing, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
When: 8 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
Family
1. “The Red Balloon”: Based on the 1956 film, this is the tale of a young boy who discovers a stray balloon that seems to have a mind of its own. Wandering through the streets of Paris, the two become inseparable. The beguiling pair draws inquisitive looks from adults and other school children who wish for balloons.
Where: Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Ave., Glen Echo
When: See Web site for dates and times
Info: $12 to $15; 301-634-2770; adventuretheatre.org
2. “What’s the Buzz?”: Check out the nature center’s new bee colony and discover why the bees are so busy this time of year. Ages 5 and older.
Where: Nature Center, Rock Creek Park, 5200 Glover Road NW
When: 4 p.m. Thursday
Info: Free; 202-895-6070; nps.gov/rocr (look under “Ranger-led Programs”)
3. “Toadally Terrific Campfire”: The whole family is invited to join others at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. There will be stories, animal guests, games, songs and — of course — S’mores.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 7 to 8:15 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Info: $5; Info: 703-228-3403; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; programs 653510-03 and 653510-04.
4. “Sunrise Spring Walk”: Register now for hikes through mid-May. For adults and children ages 10 and older. Observe subtle changes throughout the month as you hike along the Gulf Branch trail down to the Potomac. Wear sensible shoes and dress for the ever-changing weather.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 6 to 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sunday, May 14, May 16
Info: $5; info at 703-228-3403; registration required at 703-228-4747; programs 643510-05, 643510-08, 643510-06 and 643510-09.
5. “Summer Safari”: Come visit the Zoo and check out the Cheetah Conservation station, home to Grevy’s zebras, scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelles and a cheetah. While you’re there, register for summer camps. Summer Safari campers at the National Zoo explore the lives, habitats and conservation of animals around the world. Weeklong sessions include exciting hands-on activities, craft projects, science experiments and walks through the Zoo.
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Info: Free; 202-633-4480; nationalzoo.si.edu/Education
Galleries
1. “Brian Jungen: Strange Comfort”: The first solo exhibition by a contemporary artist in the NMAI’s half-decade history is devoted to Brian Jungen, a Vancouver-based creator of monumental sculptures and mobiles that repurpose commonplace objects like baseball gloves or cafeteria trays into unforgettable provocations.
Where: National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW
When: Through August 8
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; nmai.si.edu
2. “Jenn Figg and Tricia Keightley”: Jenn Figg’s sculptures and Tricia Keightley’s paintings interrogate the assumptions of our culture of consumption, finding inventive new uses for machine parts (Figg) and machine manuals (Keightley) from different eras.
Where: Project 4 Gallery, 1353 U St. NW, Third floor
When: Through May 29
Info: Free; 202-232-4340; project4gallery.com
3. “Drawing Toward Home: Designs for Domestic Architecture from Historic New England”: More than 100 drawings demonstrate the outsized influence of the houses of historic New England on the evolving design of the American family home over the last two centuries.
Where: National Building Museum, 400 F St. NW
When: Through Aug. 15
Info: Free, $5 per visitor donation suggested; 202-272-2448; nbm.org
4. “Mythical Scenographies”: The contemporary art and design of Montevideo, Uruguay, comes to the District in curator Alfredo Torres’ introduction to the work of the four artists who comprise Salamandra Studios.
Where: District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW
When: Through May 9
Info: Free; dcartscenter.org
5. “YN FY NGWAED / In My Blood”: Arresting contemporary art from Wales, featuring an installation by Carwyn Evans, sculpture by Jessica Lloyd-Jones, paintings by Darren Hughes and Iwan Gwyn Parry, photos by Andrew Johnson and video work by Helen Grove-White.
Where: Frasher Gallery, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E, Bethesda
When: Through May 22
Info: Free; 301-718-9651; thefrasergallery.com
Gatherings
1. “The Seven Ages of Mime”: Happenstance Theater takes a look at the art of miming, with riffs on everything from Italian commedia dell’arte to the Marx Brothers.
Where: Takoma Park/Silver Spring Performing Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $5-$10; 240-567-5775; happenstancetheater.com
2. “NSO Youth Fellows”: Classical works will be performed by participants in this 28-year-old program, which gives high school-aged musicians the opportunity to study and take master classes with National Symphony Orchestra members. Note: The NSO does not play in this performance.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. “Robert Remini — At The Edge Of The Precipice”: This venerable scholar of American history discusses his latest work, which recounts the Compromise of 1850, focusing on Henry Clay’s pivotal role. Though it held off Southern secession and the Civil War for just a decade, the agreement was a master stroke of bipartisan politics in an unsettled and deeply divided time.
Where: Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
4. “National Herb Day”: Spend the day in the Conservatory celebrating herbs. Discover the significance of herbs in our lives and the many ways they can be used safely and creatively for health, beauty and culinary enjoyment.
Where: Conservatory, United States Botanic Gardens, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; no pre-registration required; usbg.gov
5. “Millennium Arts Salon”: The Millennium Arts Salon hosts an illustrated lecture by art collector and philanthropist Walter O. Evans, “10 Favorite Books and Manuscripts in My Collection,” in the Mumford Room. Evans, a retired surgeon, is renowned for his collection of 19th and 20th century African-American art as well as a treasure trove of more than 100,000 books and manuscripts.
Where: Mumford Room, Library of Congress, James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. SE
When: Noon Monday
Info: 202-707-4622; loc.gov; millenniumartssalon.org
Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: Hans Graf conducts an all-French program featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. The orchestra presents the U.S. premiere of an NSO co-commission, Guillaume Connesson’s “The Shining One,” a Cosmic Trilogy and other works by Debussy and Ravel.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. National Philharmonic: Soprano Audrey Elizabeth Luna, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Wor and the orchestra perform Makris’ “Symphony for Soprano and Strings,” Barber’s “Agnus Dei” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” The program opens with Barber’s “Adagio for Strings.” Conductors are Piotr Gajewski and Stan Engebretson.
Where: Strathmore Music Center
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $29 to $79, children ages 7 to 17 free; 301-581-5100
3. Nobuyuki Tsujii: Washington Performing Arts Society presents the 2009 Van Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist, blind since birth, performing works by Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Verdi and Mussorgsky.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: 202-785-9727
4. John McCutcheon: With 30 albums and six Grammy nominations, the folk singer/songwriter performs on multiple instruments to enchant both children and adults.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $20; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
5. Bonnie Rideout: The Scottish fiddle champion and Dr. John Purser of the BBC present a program of Pibrochs, solo fiddle music from the Highlands.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $22; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
Also worth noting:
6. America: The 40th anniversary tour of the British-American band that keeps on rocking.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Info: $69.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
7. Laura Benanti: Barbara Cook’s Spotlight falls on the Tony Award-winning singer/actress of Broadway, TV and film performing numbers from her winning repertoire.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $45; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Outdoors
1. “Azalea Garden Festival”: An annual family festival in celebration of spring.
Where: Landon School, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda
When: Friday-Sunday
Info: Free; 301-320-1060; landon.net
2. “Fitness in the Front”: A morning of a variety of free workout classes open to all. The classes will include everything from hula hooping to Pilates to boot camp to Zumba taught by local instructors. In addition, local gyms and fitness studios will have tables set up with giveaways, sign-up sheets, etc. The Trapeze School will be doing demos from 11 a.m. to noon. The program will continue through the summer for a fee.
Where: Canal Park, Second and M streets, SE
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday
Info: Free; 202-465-7093; capitolriverfront.org
3. “Introduction to Birding”: Adults and families with children ages 10 and older. Learn the basics of birding and the common birds found in our area. No experience necessary. You’ll review the basics of binoculars, field guides and field marks for our common birds. On this walk, sparrows and warblers are two types of birds you may see in the mix of woodland and open meadow at this historic site. Dress for the weather.
Where: Meet at Hendry House, Fort C. F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $7; 703-228-3403; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 644410-01
4. “Trillium Trek”: For adults. Travel to Linden, Va., to see one of the largest Great White Trillium displays in the world. This area is resplendent with wildflowers and trees, including native orchids and a variety of wildlife to observe. On the somewhat rocky two-mile trail, you’ll discuss plant folklore and ethnobotany. Dress for hiking. Bring water and bag lunch.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Center parking lot, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington, or arrange to be picked up from Ballston Metro Station by calling 703-228-6535
When: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday
Info: $30; 703-228-6535; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 643610-09.
5. Bird Walk: Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for an informal walk through Long Branch and Glencarlyn Parks in search of resident birds. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday
Info: Free; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 643610-07
Theater
1. “The Graduate”: The Keegan Theater promises it’s “not about ‘plastics,’ not about the nylons, not about Simon & Garfunkel” but a different look at the iconic story about a boy learning to be a man.
Where: Church Street Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW
When: Opens Friday; thereafter 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; through May 23
Info: $25 to $30; 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.com
2. “Gilgamesh”: Ancient and modern Japanese movement, masks and puppetry are fused in this avant-garde interpretation of the 4,000-year-old Mesopotamian epic. As Gilgamesh hunts for the secret to eternal life, he struggles with love, power and death in his quest for immortality. Post-performance discussion with the cast and designers on Friday.
Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, College Park
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Info: $9 to $26; 301-405-2787; claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
3. “Sportaculture”: Active Cultures Theatre presents six short plays by local writers about sports, including “Opening Day,” which follows two hapless Nats/Orioles fans on Opening Day 2050, and “Bocce Operetta,” in which Nancy Pelosi learns from her father how to play bocce and score in politics.
Where: Riverdale Park ArtsFest, Riverdale Town Center, 4650 Queensbury Road at Rhode Island Avenue, Riverdale Park, Md.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 301-526-9921; activecultures.org
4. “Wattage”: Get a little dose of Fringe Festival in the off-season with three productions that examine three aspects of global citizenship: tradition, environment and identity.
Where: Fort Fringe, 612 L St. NW
When: Through May 9
Info: $20, discounts available; 866-811-4111; capfringe.org
5. “Public Enemy”: Scena Theatre presents Kenneth Branagh’s play set during the Troubles in Belfast.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; through May 16
Info: $25 to $33; 703-683-2824; scenatheater.org
