Best Music 1. Michael Feinstein: WPAS presents the vocalist/pianist/archivist entertaining with some of the songs and in the style that define his role as “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook.”
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $40 to $75; 202-785-9727; wpas.org
2. Dave Brubeck: The legendary jazz pianist returns to Washington with the distinctive style, engaging personality and gift of endless delights from his enormous catalog.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 p.m. Friday to Monday
Info: $150; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
3. National Symphony Orchestra POPS: Steven Reineke, the newly named Pops conductor, welcomes guest ensemble Pink Martini for a musical travelogue of styles and sounds from around the world.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
4. Eldar: The KC Jazz Club presents the young Russian-born pianist, a Grammy nominee, in an evening of music that reveals his sophisticated genius.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
5. Carrie Newcomer: The singer-songwriter is co-headlining. She will perform songs from her latest release, “Before and After,” and favorites from her repertoire.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Also worth noting
6. Ben Williams: The KC Jazz Club presents Williams, winner of the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition, and his own ensemble.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $16; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
Best Gatherings
1. “The Big Shift”: Retirement today doesn’t mean the end of work, only a shift from one role to another. Marc Freedman, a writer and social entrepreneur, has gathered the personal stories of people in their later years who have made the transition into a new and rewarding life.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
2. Shakespeare’s Birthday: Rain or shine! Enjoy jugglers and jesters, music, song and dance, stage combat workshops, and more. It’s the one day of the year when the Folger reading roomsare open to all — plus, birthday cake for everyone! Renaissance music, song anddance aboundthroughout the Folger.
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SW
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday; Queen Elizabeth cuts the cake at 3:30
Info: Free; charge for some food and drink
3. Tango Your Taxes off: This event promises tango demonstrations and lessons by Sharna Fabiano and Isaac Oboka (for Tango Mercurio), plus the unveiling of the Box O’ Art,” a traveling visual art and movement installation.
Where: North Hall, Eastern Market, 225 Seventh St. SW
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-746-6683, 202-698-5253; danceistheanswer.org
4. “DNA in the Twenty-first Century”: This Beyond the Stage discussion at Theater J, in association with the production of “Photograph 51,” looks at genetic testing, in partnership with Genetic Alliance.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: 202-777-3210; washingtondcjcc.org
5. “Debris”: Part of the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival, “Debris” is an odyssey of loss and love,”Debris”chronicles a bizarre, fantastic series of events resulting in betrayal and bloodshed. Over the course of an hour, two siblings take us on an unreal journey through their dysfunctional family life, the death of their mother, their relationship with their father, and, most critically, the appearance of the baby who changes their lives forever.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. April 19
Info: $10; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best outdoors
1. Native Plant Sale: Join other plant lovers to choose from spring and summer bloomers, along with ferns, vines and shrubs. Cardboard boxes will be provided for transporting your new purchases.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday; rain date: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: Payment in cash or check only; no credit cards; plant advice free; 703-228-6535
2. Remove Invasive Plants: Make a difference and help remove pernicious plants from Long Branch Nature Center. No registration required.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 703-228-6535
3. Rock Creek Park Horse Center: Truly a gem in our nation’s capital. You can go out on a trail or register for private or group lessons. Rides for equestrians at all skill levels on 13 miles of wide, dirt and gravel bridle trails crisscross the northern section of the park.
Where: Rock Creek Park, 5100 Glover Road
When: See website for dates and times
Info: 202-362-0117; nps.gov/rocr
4. Hike Difficult Run to Great Falls Loop: This 4.9-mile round trip offers beautiful views of stream, river and falls. There is abundant wildlife and lots of kayaks if the water is fairly high. Follow the directions below under trail head. After reaching the Great Falls Overlooks, enjoy the views and then head downriver on the blue-marked River Trail. After following the river for a couple of miles, the trail turns uphill and ends at the intersection with the Ridge Trail. Turn left and follow the trail to Difficult Run. At the run, turn left and follow the trail down to the view of the river. Then turn around and follow the Difficult Run trail, up the hill under the Georgetown Pike bridge and end up back at the parking lot.
Where: McLean
When: Year-round
Info: National Park Service: 703-285-2965
5. Midcity at the Crossroads: Shaw Heritage Trail’s 17 poster-size, illustrated signs combine storytelling with historic images. The Shaw neighborhood you will discover is one of the city’s oldest, where traces can be found of nearly every group that has called Washington home. The two-hour, self-guided tour proceeds north up Ninth Street, down Seventh Street and east along M Street, before returning to end a block from where it started. Walkers are encouraged to follow the trail at their own pace, sampling neighborhood character, businesses and restaurants along the way.
Where: First sign is at Seventh Street and Mount Vernon Place NW in front of the Washington Convention Center.
When: Any day
Info: Free; 202-661-7581; [email protected]
Best Family
1. Fishin’ Four Mile Run: Some pretty big fish make Arlington’s biggest stream their home. Come to a secret fishing hole and learn how and where to catch them.
Where: Four Mile Run; directions will be sent to participants on registration
When: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 632851-K
2. Turtles and Frogs Campfire: Long Branch Amphitheater’s program is for the whole family. There will be stories, songs, games, special animal guests and s’mores, of course! Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 N. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration required; program No. 632951-B
3. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”: When Snow White meets seven vertically challenged bachelors, she discovers that everyone has his or her own strengths and weaknesses and that friendship and teamwork make any challenge smaller. Based on the Grimm fairy tale, this production takes the Puppet Co.’s usual sideways view of the popular story, giving it timeliness and humor for adults, as well as kids.
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: See website for dates and times
Info: $10; 301-634-5380; thepuppetco.org
4. “Junkyard Pirates”: Ahoy, mateys! Meet puppets made of recyclables, who discover that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
Where: Ripley Center, Smithsonian, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW
When: 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. April 19 to 22
Info: $3; 202-633-8700; discoverytheater.org
5. “George and Martha … Tons of Fun!”: Inspired by the stories by James Marshall, the musical shares the whimsy and camaraderie of George and Martha, who are the best of friends. Well, most of the time.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: Through May 28; see website for dates and times
Info: $10 to $22; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
Best Theater
1. New Ireland: The Enda Walsh Festival: In “The Walworth Farce,” a father forces his two sons to re-enact their troubled past through cross-dressing, slapstick and denial. In “The New Electric Ballroom,” two sisters live in a small Irish village and retell the story of a dance hall of their youth and a night that changed their lives.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: “Walworth Farce” through May 1; “New Electric Ballroom” through May 1
Info: $44 to $65; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
2. “The Color Purple”: An award-winning show based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Color Purple” tells the story of Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity. Special guest star: Lil’ Mo.
Where: National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: Through April 24
Info: Tickets start at $51.50; 866-276-2047; colorpurple.com
3. “Blues for an Alabama Sky”: In the summer of 1930 in Harlem, the creative euphoria of the Harlem Renaissance has given way to the harsher realities of the Great Depression, invoking the image of black expatriate extraordinaire Josephine Baker as muse and myth. Five characters struggle to look beyond 125th Street for the fulfillment of their dreams.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; through May 8
Info: $25 to $35; 202-399-7993; africancontinuumtheatre.com
4. “Divorciadas, Evangelicas y Vegetarianas”: In this comedy from Venezuela, three women on the verge of existential crises struggle with their inner demons but ultimately find comfort and salvation in each other.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW
When: Through May 1
Info: $32 to $36; 800-494-8497; galatheatre.org
Best Brainfood
1. Hip Hop Soul Society Festival: Presented by Urban Artistry, this celebration of hip-hop culture includes dance demonstrations, competitions, films and discussions that bring artists together from across the globe. Suitable for all ages.
Where: Ballroom at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $5 to $20; 703-875-1100; urbanartistry.org
2. “Chew On This”: Deborah Riley Dance Projects’ “Chew On This” prompts us to contemplate our relationship to food, nourishment and “eatertainment.” In 2010, audience members found themselves laughing, nodding in agreement and gasping in amazement as the performance revealed the pleasures and perils of the American diet.
Where: Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $8 to $22; 202-269-1600; danceplace.org
3. “Numancia”: Miguel de Cervantes’ historical tragedy is set at the siege of Numantia in 133 B.C. when Roman troops, led by Escipion, exterminated the people of Arevaco. Through allegorical characters, the play addresses themes of nationalism and freedom. Staged with young actors from Spain, the play is in Spanish with English surtitles.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theatre, 1333 14th St. NW
When: 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 21 and 22
Info: $10 to $15; 800-494-8497; galatheatre.org
4. “You Know Who You Are”: The author of “Zoology,” Ben Dolnick in his affecting second novel tells the life story, so far, of Jacob Vine. Over the course of 15 years, Jacob grows from child to young adult, experiencing first love, his mother’s death and college.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
5. Karen Reedy Dance: The artists of Karen Reedy Dance grace the stage with musicality, humanity, athleticism and virtuosic talent. KRD will perform selections from the company’s diverse repertory.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 K St. NW
When: 6 p.m. April 18
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Galleries
1. Gauguin: Maker of Myth: Organized by London’s Tate Modern, this first major Gauguin retrospective to visit the United States in decades made headlines two weeks ago when a 53-year-old Alexandria woman tried to rip the 1899 painting “Two Tahitian Women” off the gallery wall. Gauguin was no saint, but this 100-piece exhibit makes a compelling case for his genius.
Where: National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: Through June 5
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. Anne Rowland: Rowland’s photographs of her native Virginia farmland consider the ways in which human intervention is arguably making it harder for nature to feed us.
Where: Hemphill, 1515 14th St. NW
When: Through June 4
Info: Free; 202-234-5601; hemphillfinearts.com
3. The President’s Photographers: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office: Forty revealing images from nine White House photographers, with supplementary material explaining how the protect their access: These photographers adhere to an unwritten rule never to disclose what they hear while exercising their photographic eyes.
Where: National Geographic, 1145 17th St. NW
When: Through May 1
Info: Free, 800-647-5463; nationalgeographic.com/museum
4. Ouroboros: Sculptor William Newman forges representations of natural objects in various materials, forcing us to adjust our definitions of “organic” and “artificial” accordingly.
Where: Adamson Gallery, 1515 14th St. NW
When: Though May 4
Info: Free, 202-232-0707; adamsongallery.com
5. Impressions from the Press Room: A juried series of new prints from the likes of Margaret Adams Parker, K. King, Pauline Jakobsberg and Lila Oliver Asher.
Where: Washington Printmakers Gallery at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 3230 Georgia Ave., 2nd Floor, Silver Spring
When: Through April 24
Info: Free; 301-273-3660, washingtonprintmakers.com
