The List: June 4-10

Published June 3, 2009 4:00am ET



Brain Food

1. “Everyday Monuments”: Jean Shin’s most recent project consists of nearly 2,000 trophies donated by Washington, D.C.-area residents and projected images of the altered trophies. Inspired by the well-known historic monuments and heroic statuary displayed throughout Washington’s public spaces, Everyday Monuments venerates the accomplishments of ordinary Americans — stay-at-home moms, waitresses, janitors, postal carriers — whose everyday labors go unrecognized.

Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW

When: Through July 16

Info: Free; 202-633-7970; americanart.si.edu

2. “Shakin’ the Blues Away”: This lively and authentic 1920s and 1930s cabaret features Doug Bowles and Cindy Hutchins on vocals with the internationally acclaimed novelty and stride expert, Alex Hassan, on keys.

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

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

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

3. “The Last Steam Railroad in America: Photographs by O. Winston Link”: Winston Link captured the art of transportation and a dying industry during the last days of the Norfolk Railroad.

Where: Keck Center in Northwest D.C., 500 5th St. NW

When: By appointment, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through June 15

Info: Free; 202-334-2415; cpnas.org

4. Indoor performance of Dance Africa, DC 2009: DC’s 22nd annual festival celebrates the dance and music of the African Diaspora while honoring traditional heritage and its transformation into contemporary forms.

Where: The Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE

When: 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Info: $10 to $25; 202-269-1600; danceplace.org

5. Poetry reading: Aaron Taub reads from his new book of poetry, “What Stillness Illuminated.”

Where: Library of Congress, African/Middle Eastern Reading Room; Second floor Thomas Jefferson Building

When: noon to 1 p.m. today

Info: 202-707-3779; loc.gov

Family

1. Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days: As part of the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, this two-day event includes musicians interpreting paintings, an instrument petting zoo and storytelling.

Where: Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW

When: Saturday and Sunday

Info: Free; 202-387-2151; phillipscollection.org

2. Nipper’s Toyland: 200 Years of Children’s Playthings: The society exhibits toys that Maryland children have loved for two centuries.

Where: Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St., Baltimore

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays

Info: Free to $4; 410-685-3750; mdhs.org

3. Preschoolers’ Day at the Skate Park: A morning just for little ones to roll their scooters and trikes at the skate park — or to check out the fire truck and bulldozer on display.

Where: Gaithersburg Skate Park, 510 Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg

When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday

Info: $3; 301-258-6350; www.gaithersburgmd.gov

4. “Where the Wild Things Are”: Read Maurice Sendak’s beloved book and make a craft to bring home.

Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington

When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 10 Info: $3; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program #643751P

5. Graduate Gemologists: The Quartz Family: Learn about agate, carnelian and apple-green chrysolprase. Kids ages 8 to 12 who have completed 12 months of Gemstone Club can continue their studies and increase their collections at this monthly program.

Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington

When: 4:15 to 5 p.m. June 10

Info: Call 703-228-3403 to register

Galleries

1. “Jules Olitski: An Inside View — A Survey of Prints 1954-2007”: A half-century of the celebrated Color Field artist’s oeuvre comes together in this collection of about 40 prints, ranging from early self-portraits, to diaphanous 1970s screenprints, to brilliant monotypes from the final years of his life.

Where: Luther W. Brady Art Gallery, Media and Public Affairs Building, Second Floor, 805 21st St. NW

When: Through July 2

Info: Free; 202-994-1525

2. “Gift Exchange”: Curated by Laura Roulet, this pairing of six experienced artists with six apprentices results in collaborative mixed-media pieces as varied as the relationships that spawned them.

Where: District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW

When: CLOSING SUNDAY

Info: Free; dcartscenter.org

3. “Heaven on Earth: Manuscript Illuminations”: This collection of vibrantly illustrated medieval manuscripts, dating from the 12th through the 16th centuries, has not been exhibited since 1975.

Where: National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW

When: Through August 2

Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov

4. “Henry Allen: Faces”: Pulitzer Prize winning critic Henry Allen presents his own “facescapes” in pencil, oil, pastel and crayon, which reflect their subjects’ interior lives rather than the artist’s conceit.

Where: The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, Bethesda

When: Through June 30

Info: Free; 301-581-5200; strathmore.org

5. “Word and Image: Collages by Mary Trent Scott”: Virginian Mary Trent Scott’s mixed-media collages take their inspiration from the Bible. In this new series, she interprets the Ten Commandments and the Book of Genesis.

Where: Touchstone Gallery, 406 Seventh St. NW

When: CLOSING SUNDAY

Info: Free; 202-347-2787; touchstonegallery.com

Gatherings

1. Kevin So: Reminiscent of James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Billy Joel, singer/songwriter Kevin So plays music from his recent solo acoustic recording Best Foot Forward.

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

When: 6 p.m. tonight

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

2. Capital Jazz Fest 2009: Three days of jazz at Merriweather, featuring top names such as Chaka Khan, Will Downing, George Duke and Al Jarreau.

Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pwy., Columbia

When: 7:30 p.m. June 5

Info: $39 to $100; 202-397-7328; merriweathermusic.com

3. Euroasia Shorts: Short films from three continents (the United States is included, despite the festival’s title) are paired by theme and topic to provide a multicultural perspective on such issues as “Fears and Phobias,” and”Getting Older.”

Where: Multiple venues including the Indian and Korean embassies

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

Info: 301-529-3456; euroasiashorts.com

4. Art Blooms: Satsuki Azalea Bonsai: Breathtaking blossoms cover these late-blooming azaleas, miniature in form, but covered with full-sized flowers. This annual spring exhibit showcases the most spectacular examples.

Where: National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NW

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through June 17

Info: 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov

5. Moves and Music: Welcome summer with great music and great moves. In this interactive two-part series, you’ll learn fun social dances from around the world — and then get on the dance floor and enjoy live music on the Millennium Stage.

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

When: 5:30 p.m. dance lesson; 6 p.m. performance and dancing, Friday and 12

Info: Free; kennedy-center.org

Movies

“Land of the Lost”

Stars: Will Ferrell, Danny R. McBride, Anna Friel, Jorma Taccone

Director: Brad Silberling

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and for language including a drug reference.

Running Time: 102 min.

Will Ferrell stars as has-been scientist Dr. Rick Marshall, sucked into one and spat back through time. Way back. Now, Marshall has no weapons, few skills and questionable smarts to survive in an alternate universe full of marauding dinosaurs and fantastic creatures from beyond our world — a place of spectacular sights and super-scaled comedy known as the Land of the Lost. Sucked alongside him for the adventure are crack-smart research assistant Holly (Anna Friel) and a redneck survivalist (Danny McBride) named Will.

 “Easy Virtue”

The ’20s have roared … the ’30s have yet to swing. John Whittaker, a young Englishman, falls madly in love with Larita, a sexy and glamorous American woman, and they marry impetuously. However when the couple returns to the family home, his mother has an instant allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law. Larita tries her best to fit in but fails to tiptoe through the minefield laid by her mother-in-law. Larita quickly realizes Mrs. Whittaker’s game and sees that she must fight back if she’s not going to lose John. A battle of wits ensues and sparks soon fly.

“The Hangover” Three buddies lose their best friend at his Vegas bachelor party 40 hours before his wedding … now they must attempt to retrace all their bad decisions from the night before and figure out where things went wrong.

“Adoration”

“Adoration” speaks to our connections — with each other, with our family history, with technology and with the modern world.

“My Life in Ruins”

A travel guide rediscovers her romantic side on a trip around Greece.

Music

1. Cirque Dreams: The “Jungle Fantasy,” a Florida-based musical production with original Broadway cast, swings into to the Vienna woods replete with aerialists, acrobats, contortionists and jugglers cavorting in a magical jungle.

Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center

When: 8 p.m. tonight

Info: $20 to $48; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org

2. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Marin Alsop conducts the BSO in Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 5 and Hilary Hahn performs Jennifer Higdon’s Violin Concerto.

Where: Music Center at Strathmore

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Info: $30 to $85; 877-276-1444

3. David Byrne: British superstar performs music from “Everything That Happens Will Happen Today,” his gospel-inspired latest album penned with Brian Eno to ease troubled times.

Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Info: $45 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org

4. John Prine with special guest Steve Earle: Grammy winning country and folk artist shows why he was named one of Greatest Living Songwriters.

Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Info: $42 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org

5. Freddie Jackson: Sophisticated singer of chart-topping romantic ballads and up-tempo jazz numbers continues to mesmerize audiences.

Where: Blues Alley

When: 8 and 10 p.m. tonight-Sunday

Info: $45; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com Also worth noting:

6. Road Trip!: Musical tour of America with pianist Steven Blier and singers of the Wolf Trap Opera Company.

Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Info: $38; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org

7. Washington Men’s Camerata: Frank Albinder conducts the ensemble in “Thanks for the Memories,” a celebration of 25 years of glorious voices raised in song.

Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Info: $30; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org

Outdoor

1. National Harbor Wine and Food Festival: This festival has special cheeses, boutique wines and big-name chefs, including local “Top Chef” favorite Carla Hall.

Where: National Harbor, 6710 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill

When: Saturday and Sunday

Info: nationalharbor.org

2. Ice Mountain Foray: Celebrate National Trails Day in a unique preserve, sometimes called “nature’s refrigerator.” The geology of the area allows ice to accumulate even into hot summer months. A Nature Conservancy guide will share the secrets of the place. Dress for hiking; bring water and lunch. 16 years and older.

Where: vans leave from Lubber Run Recreation Center or Ballston Metro on request.

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Info: 703-228-6535; registration required at 703-228-4747; program #64374Jay Ambrose,Conservatives,Liberals,Democrats,Politics,Republicans

3. “Kelly Bell: Phat Blues”: Capitol Riverfront Concerts: Every Wednesday, noon until 2 p.m., until Sept. 30, the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District presents free concerts. On June 10 Kelly Bell will perform.

Where: Plaza behind U.S. DOT located at New Jersey Avenue and Tingey Street SE

When: noon to 2 p.m. June 10

Info: Free; www.capitolriverfront.org

4. Columbia Heights Self-guided Walking Tour: The 1999 unveiling of the Columbia Heights Metro station has spurred massive redevelopment, and exciting new structures are already drawing activity to the area. You’ll find a lot to explore in Columbia Heights. Check out a GALA Hispanic Theatre production en espa–ol, with simultaneous English translation, or catch a concert at the Dance Institute of Washington’s brand new, state-of-the-art facility.

Where: Columbia Heights, 14th Street Corridor

When: any day

Info: www.culturaltourismdc.org; click on

“Historic Neighborhoods” Theater

1. “Mommy in the Closet: The Return of Eva Peron”: With book by Gustavo Ott and music by Mariano Vales, this musical comedy follows Eva Peron’s corpse around the world as political puppeteers manipulate her legacy. After Evita dies in 1952, the government erects a mausoleum in her honor, but 2 years later, her mummified corpse is found abandoned at the central offices of the worker’s union and eventually winds up in Italy. This production brings the sprit of Evita back to life.

Where: Gala Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW

When: 8 p.m Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday through June 28

Info: $26 to $38; 202-234-7174; galatheatre.org

2. “Fever/Dream”: Woolly Mammoth presents Sheila Callaghan’s imaginative reinvention of Calderon’s “Life is a Dream,” in which the protagonist suddenly finds himself liberated from customer-service hell and set free in a CEO’s penthouse. Is it a dream-or reality?

Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D Street NW

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday (no performance June 5 and 7) through June 28.

Info: 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net

3. “Looped”: The pre-Broadway run about an American icon, Tallulah Bankhead, played by Valerie Harper. A Southerner, but by no means a shy, retiring belle, Bankhead was known for her wild parties and outrageous behavior.

Where: Arena Stage, Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St., NW

When: Through June 28

Info: $25 to $66; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org

4. “Lincolnesque”: In the nation’s capital, two brothers — a speechwriter and a psychiatric outpatient convinced he is Lincoln — collaborate in a comic look at love and strategy.

Where: Keegan Theatre, Theatre on the Run, 3700 South Four Mile Run, Arlington

When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday through June 28

Info: $20 to $25; 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.org

5. “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”: Rock musical about a fictional rock-and-roll band starring a German trans-gendered singer. The music is reminiscent of the androgynous 1970s glam rock work of David Bowie as well as the music of John Lennon.

Where: The Warehouse, 1021 Seventh St. NW

When: 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Sunday, June 11, 12 and 14; 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and June 12

Info: Student rush tickets ($15) available one hour prior to each performance; hedwigdc.com

— Compiled by Emily Cary, Chris Klimek and Barbara Mackay