Summer Brain Food
1. Axis Dance Company: Dance Place and VSA present AXIS Dance Company, one of the world’s most acclaimed and innovative ensembles of performers with and without disabilities, who will change the way you think about dance and the possibilities of the human body forever.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: $8 to $22; 202-399-7993; atlasarts.org
2. “Enrique’s Olvera’s Design with Food”: The owner of Mexico City’s renowned restaurant Pujol discusses his inventive approach to traditional Mexican cuisine.
Where: Cultural Institute of Mexico, 2829 16th St. NW
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-728-1628
3. “Exploring Hawaii”: In celebration of King Kamehameha Day, the USBG is offering this informative lecture on the evolutionary forces that shaped Hawaii’s unique native plant communities. Highlights include how the arrival of humans and their animal companions affected the plants, and how the early Hawaiians used the plants to meet their food, fiber, shelter, tool, religious and medicinal needs. This lecture will be offered twice. Please register for only one time slot.
Where: Conservatory Classroom, United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free, registration required, program LH061210; 202-225-1116 or 202-226-8333; usbg.gov
4. Dave Jamieson: “Mint Condition: How Baseball Cards Became an American Obsession”: Before baseball cards were tucked into bubble gum packages, they were put into cigarette packs. Jamieson’s history of these quintessentially American collectibles begins in the 19th century. He shows how the cards helped sell their vehicle products and he reveals the odds of finding that priceless treasure in a dusty collection.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
5. Art Blooms: Satsuki Azalea Bonsai: This annual spring exhibit features miniature azaleas .
covered in full-sized flowers.
Where: National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; through Sunday
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
Summer Family
1. Dynamo Day of Dance: Bringing together artists from Central America and the nation’s capital, VSA Guatemala’s Youth Dance Company and Maryland’s Wild Zappers contrast the flash and spirit of traditional flamenco with the contemporary jazz/funk/hip-hop of the United States. Wild Zappers, an all-deaf male dance company, performs with an all-deaf female dance group from Guatemala. For ages 4 to 12.
Where: Discovery Theatre, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW
When: 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Friday
Info: $4 to $6; 202-633-6060; discoverytheater.org
2. Rolling Meadows Bridge Hike: Join a park ranger for this scenic, 2-mile hike to Rolling Meadows Bridge. Boots recommended. Ages 7 and older.
Where: Nature Center, Rock Creek Park, 5200 Glover Road NW
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $40; 202-895-6070, reservations necessary; nps.gov/rocr
3. Art a la Carte: Travel throughout the galleries to find interactive carts where kids can handle brushes, palettes, bison hide, bottle caps and quilt squares. Ages 7 to 12. Pick up your Art a la Cart map and passport at information desks located in the F Street and G Street lobbies.
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-633-7970; americanart.si.edu
4. 2020 International VSA Festival: “Giggles: The Girl Who Made the Whole World Laugh”: Giggles, the 10-year-old star of McDuffle’s Circus, takes center ring every night to share her contagious giggle with the audience. Born without a voice, but with the ability to giggle, Giggles was raised by the circus when her parents left to find a cure for Giggle’s giggles. Her life is forever changed when a big-time agent sees her act and hires her to share her talent with the world. “Giggles” is a show about how being different is OK and family is what you make it.
Where: Discovery Theater, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW
When: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $4 to $6; 202-633-6060; discoverytheatre.org
5. Story Time in the Garden: Visit the Botanic Garden for a Saturday morning story time and activities throughout the month of June. Each week will feature children’s stories that explore the world of plants and related topics. Following the reading, the audience will be invited to participate in a hands-on activity that illustrates the story’s main ideas and themes. Appropriate for ages 4 through 7 years.
Where: United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and June 19 and 26
Info: Free, no registration needed; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
Summer Gatherings
1. Cirque Dreams: Illuminations: Come be astonished by high-wire acrobatics, gravity-defying jugglers, mind-blowing contortionists and more as they transform an urban landscape into a dream world of infinite possibilities.
Where: Filene Center, Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20 to $48; 877-965-3872; wolf-trap.org
2. Potomac Hosta Club Show and Sale: Browse through hostas of every imaginable color, size and form at this judged show. Choose from an extensive selection of the popular small types and some brand-new varieties at the sale. Take an informal tour through the show with an expert grower who will explain the judging and answer questions.
Where: Administration Building, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NW
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
3. Mark Morris Dance Company: Led by a master of modern dance, this unique group performs “Visitation” set to Beethoven and “Empire Garden” with music by Charles Ives.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts, Route 123 and Braddock Road, Fairfax
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $22 to $44; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/184
4. Preserving Cultures for Our Children Through the Arts: The Lao Heritage Foundation and Teatro de la Luna are joining forces to present an extraordinary cross-cultural fusion, featuring music, theater, dance and food from Laos and Latin America, in an effort to help save their cultural heritages. Proceeds from the event will be used to support children’s programming of the two organizations.
Where: NRECA Conference Center, 4301 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $50; children under 12 free; teatrodelaluna.org
5. Ballet Across America II: The successful Ballet Across America returns, featuring Ballet Memphis, the Houston Ballet, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Ballet Arizona, the Tulsa Ballet, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theatre.
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. June 15 to 18, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. June 19, 1:30 p.m. June 20
Info: $29 to $79; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Summer Outdoors
1. Celebrate Fairfax!: This year’s featured musical performers are Rusted Root and KC and the Sunshine Band. Celebrate Fairfax! offers more than 25 acres of fantastic family entertainment. For more information, visit the Web site.
Where: Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
When: 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $7 to $12; 703-324-3247; celebratefairfax.com
2. Capitol Riverfront Market: Visit the new Capitol Riverfront Market, offering fresh
produce and locally prepared foods.
Where: Intersection of New Jersey Avenue and M Street SE
When: 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday; through October
Info: capitolriverfront.org
3. Horseshoe Crabs by Moonlight: Venture to the Delaware shore to witness the ancient rituals of the horseshoe crab spawning. Look for red knots and other shorebirds that rely on these eggs for survival. Begin Saturday with birding, check into a bed-and-breakfast in Milford, and after dinner head out to the beach at high tide to observe this prehistoric spectacle. Do some more birding Sunday before returning. Information: 703-228-6535; for adults.
Where: Van leaves from Lubber Run Center, 300 N. Park Drive., Arlington
When: 9 a.m. Saturday until 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $150 double occupancy/$200 single (includes transportation, accommodation, breakfast); registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 643610-14
4. The Food and Wine Festival: For those who love great food, wine, beer, music and fun.
Where: National Harbor
When: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free to $69, tickets required; buy online at nationalharbor.com
5. Movies: Thursday night Capitol Riverfront BID’s summer outdoor movies, shown on the giant 35-foot screen at the future site of Canal Park. Last year, more than 300 people attended the Best of the 1980s movies. Hula hoop classes, Trivia and Wii are available. Bring blankets and chairs. Dangerously Delicious Pies and Sauca trucks on site. This week: “Forrest Gump.”
Where: Second and M streets SE
When: 8:45 p.m. Thursdays; 7:30 p.m. Hoop Jams (hula hoop classes)
Info: Free; 202-465-7093; capitolriverfront.org
