Best Galleries 1. Oreen Cohen: Running Drill: Cohen’s photo collage is inspired by visits to the battlefields of Bull Run as well as by ongoing strife in Israel.
Where: Transformer, 1404 P St. NW
When: Through July 16
Info: Free; 202-483-1102; transformergallery.org
2. “Six Degrees of Separation”: The staged reading of John Guare’s 1990 play — which takes place predominantly at a dinner table beneath a painting by Wassily Kandinsky — accompanies the Phillips’ current exhibit, Kandinsky and the Harmony of Silence. The cast features some of the District’s most celebrated actors, including Rich Foucheux and Naomi Jacobson.
Where: The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $20, $8 for museum members; phillipscollection.org
3. A Tribute to Fiber Art DC: New work in malleable fibers from Ruth Gowell and Holly Kable.
Where: Gallery 555, 555 12th St. NW
When: Through Aug. 5
Info: Free; gallery555dc.com
4. Prints in Pieces: Views of the South County: Frances Borchardt photographs Maryland’s western shore, then turns her photos into mosaiclike patterns of images mounted in printers’ cases. A unique spin on landscape photography.
Where: The Art League Gallery, the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through Aug. 1
Info: Free; 703-683-1780; theartleague.org
5. CultureScape: Vibrant, vital new 2-D works by Mei Mei Chang, Elise Richman, Lisa Blas, Hedieh Ilchi, and Bridget Sue Lambert.
Where: Addison/Ripley Fine Art, 1670 Wisconsin Ave. NW
When: Through July 30
Info: Free, 202-338-5180; addisonripleyfineart.com/exh.html
Best Music
1. Three Broadway Divas: Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra and Debbie Gravitte, Jan Horvath and Christiane Noll in music from Broadway shows “Gypsy,” “The Music Man,” “A Chorus Line,” “My Fair Lady,” Wicked,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Evita.”
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8:15 p.m. Saturday
Info: $35 to $52 in-house, $20 lawn; 877-965-8727; wolftrap.org
2. Tcheers for Tchaikovsky!: Pietari Inkinen conducts the National Symphony Orchestra in an all-Tchaikovsky program that includes the composer’s “Festival Overture,” “1812 Overture” and Violin Concerto performed by Caroline Goulding.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8:15 p.m. Thursday
Info: $35 to $42 in-house, $20 lawn; 877-965-8727; wolftrap.org
3. Bela Fleck and the Original Flecktones: The original lineup of Fleck, Victor Wooten, Future Man and Howard Levy play bluegrass, jazz and fusion from their latest album, “Rocket Science,” and past favorites. Guests are the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Abigail Washburn & the Village.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $40 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-8727; wolftrap.org
4. Play! A Video Game Symphony: Andy Brick conducts the National Symphony Orchestra in music from “Super Mario Brothers,” “World of Warcraft,” “The Legend of Zelda,” “Battlefield 1942” and many other favorites, with visuals on screens in-house and on the lawn.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $35 to $52 in-house, $20 lawn; 877-965-8727; wolftrap.org
5. Marcus Johnson: The nimble smooth jazz genius of the keyboard sits in for four nights of musical bliss.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday to Sunday
Info: $27.50; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
Also worth noting:
6. Tin Cup Gypsy: The folk-pop band out of Nashville performs numbers from its full-length debut album, “Calico.”
Where: Hill Country Barbecue
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Friday; doors open at 7
Info: $10; 202-556-2050; hillcountrywdc.com
Best Brainfood
1. “The Importance of Being Earnest”: Scena Theatre remounts its production of Oscar Wilde’s timeless tale of class and marriage. The main character, Jack, creates an alter ego to indulge in pleasure outside of society’s mores. On one level, Wilde criticizes the moral hypocrisy of the British upper class; on another, he celebrates the inventiveness of creating a persona who is free to revel in pleasure.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NW
When: Through Aug. 14
Info: $16 to $40; 703-683-2824; scenatheater.org
2. Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company: An evening of Latin, modern and Indian dance.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $18 to $25; 202-234-7174; galatheatre.org
3. DJ Reyna, “La Farandulera”: Salsa Tuesdays at Artisphere
Where: Ballroom, Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. July 12
Info: $6 to $8; 888-841-2787; artisphere.com
4. “Nothing to Hide”: The ongoing war on terrorism seems to demand that we give up privacy to gain security. In his new book, Daniel Solove, the John Marshall Harlan research professor of law at George Washington University Law School, argues that this is a false premise. Exploring the history of privacy rights and the challenges of present technology, he shows how regulation and oversight can preserve both security and privacy.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
5. The Shakespeare Gallery: Explore the Folger through a visitor film, digitally leaf through a First Folio with a touch screen kiosk, and explore the Folger collection through special exhibitions that connect with current programs.
Where: Great Hall, Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: Ongoing; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday
Info: Free; 202-544-4600; folger.edu
Best Family
1. Hidden Pond 101: Butterfly species of the park will be the main focus, but a look at other species that live here will also be covered as participants search for insects in the wild. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Where: Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Drive, Springfield
When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: $6 to $8; registration required: 703-451-9558; program No. 3323841301; partakes.fairfaxcounty.gov
2. 3rd Annual Firefly Festival: Celebrate summer’s natural night lights with tons of activities all about the critters that light up the night. Events include bug hunts, games, crafts, walks, contests, talks about fireflies and much more. Bring your picnic blanket and dinner and enjoy waiting for the sun to go down and the lights to come out. For all ages.
Where: Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington
When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-6535; cancelled if raining
3. Falconry: Families, ages 10 and older. Members of the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia spotlight the 4,000-year-old hunting sport of falconry. They’ll show several live falcons to help you learn about the unique partnership between man and bird of prey and how falconry survives today. Information: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free, but donations to Raptor Conservancy are appreciated; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 642951-D
4. Wild Ones: Lil’ Critters in Leaf Litter: Ever wonder who lives under leaves in the forest? Come learn how to make an invertebrate trap and how to safely treat these creatures and return them back to their habitats. Everyone gets a trap to take home. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 642921-F
5. Who Dwells in Seashells?: Learn about seashells and the animals (mollusks) that live in them. Then make your own Atlantic seashell identification guide. Bring along your favorite shells if you like. Ages 8 to 12.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 642921-E
Best Gatherings
1. “Audio Files” & “iTune-sical”: Washington Improv Theater: Laugh your way from the Golden Age of radio to the modern age of iPods in this double bill combining the Score and Washington Improv Theater.
Where: Source, 1835 14th St. NW
When: Through July 23
Info: $17; 202-204-7770; washingtonimprovtheater.com
2. “Fat Men in Skirts”: Molotov Theatre’s version of the dark comedy with a humorous and horrendous take on human fragility.
Where: 1409 Playbill Cafe, 1409 14th St. NW
When: Through Aug. 6
Info: 202-265-3055; molotovtheatre.org
3. “The Oregon Trail: The Quest for the West”: An interactive musical comedy about five brave pioneers as they journey westward to fulfill their manifest destiny, crossing dangerous rivers, hunting buffalo and outsmarting thieves.
Where: Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave.
When: Friday to July 13
Info: $17; 866-811-4111; part of Capital Fringe Festival
4. Nine on the Ninth Open Mic Poetry: The now legendary monthly poetry series that falls on every ninth day of the month at 9 p.m.Featuring LOVE the poet.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 14th and V streets NW
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; 202-387-7638; busboysandpoets.com
5. Green Genes Lecture Series — Living in the Penthouse: Orchids and Bromeliads: Orchids and bromeliads are a delight to the eye and generate a passion like almost no other plant. Join a Botanic Garden volunteer to learn about these plants’ natural history and see how “green genes” are being used to understand the relationship of these plants to their environment.
Where: The National Botanic Garden, Conservatory Classroom, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: Registration required; program No. LH070911; usbg.gov
Best Outdoors
1. Friday Evening Concerts: Wind down your week on the river, listening to live music, enjoying food and drinks, and relaxing on the boardwalk.Theconcerts will be held on the Boardwalk Stage and feature avariety of bandsranging from reggae to pop to salsa!
Where: Yards Park, N and Third streets SE
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday to Aug. 19
Info:Free; 202-465-7080; yardspark.org
2. Atlantis Waterpark : Discover all the fun of the fabled lost continent at Atlantis Waterpark, Centreville’s biggest and best water park! Loaded with fun features, Atlantis includes a 1,000-gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls and squirters.Visitors will find themselves amid mermaids, dolphins, Greek architecture and images of the deep. And keep your eyes peeled for the mighty Neptune himself!
Where: 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Info: $7 per vehicle; 703-631-0550; nvrpa.org
3. Bull Run Marina: Located on the waters of the Occoquan Reservoir, Bull Run Marina is part of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s 5,000 acres of preserved Bull Run-Occoquan Stream Valley land.The water at this location offers opportunities for fishing and boating.
Where: 12619 Yates Ford Road, Clifton
When: Dawn to dusk
Info: See website for launching fees; 703-250-9124
4. Hashawha Perimeter: An easy 4.5-mile hike with gentle hills, pine woodlands, open fields, streams, a lake and plenty of areas for child-friendly exploration. Along the hike, you’ll see all sorts of wildlife, from wildflowers to water snakes, tadpoles and herons.Enjoy the diversity of the local ecosystems as you hike along forest edges, into the forests, alongside streams, and through wetlands and fields. For hikers, dogs, bikes.
Where: Westminster, Md.
When: Summer, spring, fall
Info: Hashawha Environmental Center; 410-848-9040; localhikes.com
5. Front Flicks Outdoor Movies: Come see outdoor movies every Thursday night at sundown. This year: Best of the Oscars. Tonight: “The Social Network.”
Where: Tingey Plaza behind the Department of Transportation, Third and Tingey streets SE
When: 8:45 p.m. Thursday
Info: Free; capitolriverfront.org
Best Theater
1. “The Complete World of Sports (abridged)”: The Reduced Shakespeare Company, aka “The Bad Boys of Abridgement,” continue their satirical look at the world, this time turning to the history of athletic competition.
Where: Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through July 24
Info: Tickets begin at $39; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “Oklahoma!”: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical will once again return to the Fichandler Stage, featuring many of the same cast members as were in the original production.
Where: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW
When: Friday to Oct. 2
Info: $61 to $106; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
3. “Visit to a Small Planet”: Gore Vidal’s comic satire was written to lampoon the Cold War and humanity’s self-destructive preoccupation with world domination. In an ill-conceived solo alien invasion, the extraterrestrial Kreton lands his space ship in the middle of a suburban rose garden and innocently announces his intention to conquer the world.
Where: American Century Theatre, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Friday to Aug. 6
Info: $27 to $35; 703-998-4555; americancentury.org
4.”The Cherry Orchard”: Chekhov’s play sensitively examines love, loss and societal changes in Russia in the early 20th century.
Where: Quotidian Theatre Company, Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. Aug. 6; through Aug. 7
Info: $12.50; 301-816-1023; quotidiantheatre.org
