Best Music 1. National Symphony Orchestra: Christoph Eschenbach conducts the world premiere of Zakir Hussain’s Concerto for Four Soloists and selections from Albert Roussel’s opera-ballet “Padmavati,” part of the maximum INDIA celebration.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or kennedy-center.org
2. Evgeny Kissin: Washington Performing Arts Society presents the celebrated pianist in an all-Liszt concert.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $65 to $125; 202-785-9727
3. Imani Winds: The Discovery Series presents the Grammy-nominated wind quintet, known for its dynamic playing, inspirational outreach programs and unique cultural programming.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $35; 800-WOLFTRAP (965-3872) or wolftrap.org
4. Arlo Guthrie: “Journey On” with special guests Abe Guthrie & the Burns Sisters.
Where: Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $55; 703-549-7500 or birchmere.com
5. Mike Stern: The innovative Grammy-nominated guitarist showcases his latest release, “Big Neighborhood” with David Wecki, Bob Franceschini and Tom Kennedy.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Info: $30; 202-337-4141 or bluesalley.com
Also worth noting:
6. The Bach Sinfonia: A Whole Lot of Bachs, a concert presented on period instruments featuring works by Johann Sebastian, his second cousin Johann Bernard, his sons WF and CPE, and a witty work by PDQ Bach.
Where: Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Silver Spring
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $30 adult, $27 seniors. $15 ages 15 to university, Free ages 14 and under at 301-362-6525 or bachsinfonia.org
7. SingStrong: Three-Day a Cappella Music Festival, March 4 to 6, featuring Street Corner Symphony, runners-up on NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” the Bobs, the Essentials, the Glue, Blue Jupiter and local groups sing pop, jazz, rock, barbershop, reggae, beatbox and more. Four concerts and 20 master classes featuring the human voice. $1,000 first prize, celebrity judges.
Where: South Lakes High School and Reston Community Center
When: 8 p.m. Friday, “A Cappella Idol”; 8 p.m. Saturday, main event concert; matinees 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday High School competitions.
Info: Profits will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association; $10 to 65 at SingStrong.org
Best Galleries
1. Eye Wonder: Photography from the Bank of America Collection: Dorothea Lange’s iconic image of the Great Depression, “Migrant Mother with Three Children, Nipomo, California,” is among the many treasures included in this surprisingly diverse and moving exhibit of (mostly) 20th century photography.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Through May 22
Info: $10 adults, 8 students and seniors (60+), free for members and visitors age 18 and under; 202-783-7996 ornmwa.org
2. Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals: Twenty of the 18th century master’s finest paintings of Venice are exhibited in context with 33 from his most notable contemporaries, including Bernado Bellotto, Francesco Guardi and Gaspar Vanvitelli.
Where: East Building, National Gallery of Art, Constitution Avenue between Third and Seventh streets NW
When: Through May 30
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
3. Bordering on Painting: New Work by Seth Adelsberger: In his own words, Adelsberger’s textured, often three-dimensional but still well-hung pieces represent his shot at “creating a body of work that references painting but in many cases doesn’t involve painting directly.”
Where: Civilian Art Projects, 1019 Seventh St. NW
When: Through April 9
Info: Free; 202-607-3804; civilianartprojects.com
4. Paint Mix: Five emerging painters fill you with anticipation for their contributions to come.
Where: District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW
When: Through March 13
Info: Free; dcartscenter.org
5. Nicole Cohen: Driving in Circles: These massive video projections, prints and drawings use D.C. traffic circles as portals to warp and compress geography and time.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
When: Through March 13
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
Best Brainfood
1. “The Comedy of Errors”: The award-winning Acting Company comes to town with Shakespeare’s farce involving two sets of twins whose efforts to find one another lead to endless hilarious situations.
Where: George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, Braddock Road and Rt. 123, Fairfax
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $18 to $36; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu
2. Charles King: Odessa: The great port city on the Black Sea was founded in 1794 and by 1940 had survived plagues and wars to become a thriving cosmopolitan metropolis with a large Jewish population. But by 1944 only a few dozen Jews remained there. In charting Odessa’s dramatic rise and fall, King focuses on the brilliant figures, such as Isaac Babel and Sergei Eisenstein, who made it what it was.
Where: Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
3. Ken Ludwig’s New Book Launch: The release of “Lend Me a Tenor and Other Plays” by D.C. playwright Ken Ludwig will be celebrated with readings from his plays by local favorites Holly Twyford, Ian Merrill Peakes, Valerie Leonard and Hugh Nees.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; signature-theatre.org
4. Woolly Mammoth forum: Guests from organizations working to break cycles of violence, poverty and injustice will speak. Featured guests: Penelope Spain, co-founder and chief executive officer, Mentoring Today; Wilbert Avila, Free Minds Book Club Member.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theater, 641 D St. NW
When: 4:45 p.m. Saturday (after performance)
Info: $40 to $50; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net
5. Aliens, Immigrants & Other Evildoers: Performance artist Jose Torres-Tama creates this sci-fi noir, multimedia solo piece that explores the rise in hate crimes against Latinos across the United States.
Where: GALA Theater, 3333 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $18 to $20; 202-234-7171; galatheatre.org
Best Family
1.Comedian Uncle Ty-rone and a Box Full of Fun: Jazzy guests at this zany party include Raggz, Baby T-Rex and Ty-rone’s son Ty-J, with other surprise arrivals. The party is on with rousing music, singalongs, comedy and ventriloquism.
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; nationaltheatre.org
2. A Tree to Grow up With: You’ll learn about the challenges a young tree faces as it goes from seed to forest giant. Then you’ll head to the woods where everyone will pick a young tree to visit in the seasons and years ahead.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; Registration required: 703-228-4747; Program #632851-I
3. Mem Fox Storytime: Koin a naturalist and read some favorite stories. For children 3 and older. J
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 4 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; Registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #632921-E
4. “Perseus Bayou”: To save his beloved homeland, Perseus Bayou must journey to the edge of the known world, past giant alligators and swamp ghosts,
to battle the evil snake-headed Medusa. This Helen Hayes Award-winning musical sets the Greek myth of Perseus in the Louisiana bayou for an epic, magical adventure. For children 6 and older.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: See Web site for times; Saturday through March 13
Info: $10 to $22; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
5. “Mirandy and Brother Wind”: The junior cake walk happens soon and Mirandy needs a dancing partner. Who can high step and kick the best? Why, Brother Wind! But how can Mirandy capture him? Come see Mirandy learn about freedom and kindness.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: Friday to March 13
Info: $15; 301-634-2270; 202-399-7993; atlasarts.org
Best Gatherings
1. “maximum INDIA”: This massive celebration of India packs hundreds of events into three weeks and brings dancers, artists and cuisine from India to the shores of the Potomac.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Daily through March 20
Info: Free to $85; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Story/Stereo Series: The Story/Stereo Series hosts readings by Matthew Pitt, author of the story collection “Attention Now Please,” and James Hannaham, author of the novel “God Says No” (both are Emerging Writer fellows), with special musical guest, the Caribbean.
Where: The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda
When: 8 to 11 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 301-654-8664; writers.org
3. The D.C. Irish Writers Festival: The festival returns with a five-day lineup of Ireland’s top poets, novelists, literary editors and bloggers. Produced by Irish arts organization Solas Nua, this eclectic mix of performance art, new media and traditional writing opens discussion up for a new interpretation of what defines Irish writing.
Where: Langston Room, Busboys and Poets, 14th and V streets NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-387-7638; busboysandpoets.com; solasnua.org
4. “The Seagull”: The University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies presents Anton Chekhov’s play about a community of people and their romantic and artistic perceptions and conflicts.
Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, College Park
When: Through Saturday
Info: $22 to $27; 301-405-2787; claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
5. “Intersections: A New America Arts Festival”: What do you think of when you think of an intersection? An image of two crossing roadways probably comes to mind. That’s the point of the Intersections festival, a multidisciplinary arts showcase featuring more than 600 individuals from Washington’s diverse arts community. Expect aerial acrobatics, spoken word confessionals, hip-hop dance showdowns, classical recitals and more. Visit intersectionsdc.org for a complete schedule.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: Through March 13
Info: Free to $20; 202-399-7993; atlasarts.org
Best Outdoors
1. Bluebird Box Project: Join Master Naturalist Jerry Schrepple as you re-purpose a wooden wine crate to make a bluebird box. You’ll deconstruct two crates, one to take home and attract bluebirds to your backyard and a second to make a bluebird box kit that kids 6 and older will assemble and paint in a program next week. Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; Registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #632941-B
2. Woodcock Watch: Adults. This secretive, well-camouflaged bird performs a spiraling flight, accompanied by distinctive wing twittering and calls. Come search for the elusive male woodcock’s mating display and other sights and sounds of nature at night.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; Registration required: 703-228-4747; Program #632941-F
3. Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock Circuit: Wooded mountain hike, rock outcrops, scenic
overlooks. 3.36 miles round trip. Moderately difficult. Catoctin National Park boasts some excellent hiking trails with multiple interconnections allowing a lot of flexibility. This particular circuit gives you a taste for the geology of the area and treats you with some spectacular views.
Good for hikers, dogs.
Where: Near Thurmont, Md. See Web site for directions.
When: Year-round
Info: Ranger contact: National Park Service: 301-663-9388; localhikes.com
4. Now that the weather is warming up, get out and bike. BikeWashington.org provides details about all the great recreational bicycle facilities around the Baltimore/Washington area. Listed here are many area recreation trails and bike routes. These routes attempt to avoid heavy traffic areas by making use of various recreational paths, rail-trails, and back streets.
Where: Trails everywhere near Washington
When: Any day
Info: Free; BikeWashington.org
Best Theatre
1.”Del Uruguay con Humor”/”From Uruguay With Laughter”: Two plays (“How to Avoid Falling in Love with the Wrong Man” and “Three Rascals”) acted by Graciela Rodriguez and Petru Valenski. Adapted from Marcelo Puglia’s book, “How to Avoid” provides a superb framework for Rodriguez to riff on relationships. “The Three Rascals” is a musical revue that includes a history from the 1960s to the present through song, poetry and monologues. In Spanish with live English dubbing.
Where: Teatro de la Luna, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays through March 26
Info: $20 to $30; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org
2. “INTERSECTONS”: WAM 2! The young dancers of the Washington Ballet
Studio Company and the opera singers of the In Series reunite in a unique double bill of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and “Cosi fan tutte.”
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. March 11; 2 p.m. March 12
Info: $10; 202-399-7993; intersectionsdc.org
3. “Red Herring”: Washington Stage Guild’s production of Michael Hollinger’s irreverent farce of spy versus counterspy, set in the Cold War and involving everything from the H-bomb to the FBI to Joseph McCarthy’s daughter.
Where: Undercroft Theatre, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Info: $40 to $50; 240-582-0050; stageguild.org
4. “Morgue Story”: Molotov Theatre Group, America’s second-oldest Grand Guignol theatre, is proud to present the English-language, U.S. premiere stage adaptation of the Brazilian underground film hit “Morgue Story,” from March 3 through April 2. In the script, a famous comic book artist, frustrated with her personal relationships, meets two weird men with equally weird lives. One is a perverted sociopathic coroner; the other is a chronically cataleptic insurance agent. They could only meet in one place: the morgue.
Where: Playbill Cafe, 1409 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through April 2
Info:$20; 202-265-3055
5. “Equus”: Based on a real-life incident that took place in rural England, this play follows the story of a child psychologist who takes on the case of a disturbed 17-year-old, who blinded six horses in one evening.
Where: TheaterSpace, George Mason, Fairfax campus
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to 5; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $12; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu
