Brain Food
1. Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company: One of the area’s leading dance troupes, the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, premieres its latest work in progress, “Island,” along with “Chino Latino” and “Hyphen” to kick off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Post-performance discussion.
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: 202-633-7970, americanart.si.edu
2. “With Malice Toward None — The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit”: To celebrate the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial, the library draws from its permanent collection of Lincoln-era memorabilia, including photographs, political cartoons and speeches written by the 16th president. Due to popular demand, the exhibit’s hours will be extended Friday and Saturday and it will be open Sunday, the closing day.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, 10 First St. SE
When: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-707-4604, loc.gov
Recommended Stories
3. “Women: Vis à Vis”: Teresa Roberts Logan uses a variety of media to explore the use of women as icons.
Where: Touchstone Gallery, 406 Seventh St. NW
When: Through June 7; opening reception: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Info: 202-347-2787, touchstonegallery.com
4. Dakshina/Daniel Phoeniz Aingh and Company: Two new works in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Where: Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $22; 202-269-1600, danceplace.org
5. Ethos Percussion Group: The Ethos Percussion Group presents classical chamber works for percussion as well as new works by Reich and Xenakis and traditional African pieces of the Degara people. Tickets required.
Where: Coolidge Auditorium, ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building
When: 8 to 10 p.m. Friday
Info: Free with tickets from Ticketmaster: 202-397-7328; for details: 202-707-5502, loc.gov
Family
1. International Children’s Festival: The Meridian International Center continues the global celebration with the International Children’s Festival. This interactive and educational fun fair introduces children and their families to embassies from around the world through unique hands-on activities.
Where: Meridian International Center, 1630 Crescent Place NW
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $10; $25 for families; no reservations necessary; 202-939-5591; culturaltourismdc.org
2. Civil War artillery: Learn to work as a team to load and aim a replica Civil War cannon. Learn about the different types of artillery used in the Civil War and “bombard” a replica fortification. For ages 7-12.
Where: Meet at Fort C. F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington.
When: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747
3. “The Birth of Monkey King”: A shadow theater adaptation of the Chinese classic, “Journey to the West,” in which the fantastic simian troublemaker Sun Wu Kung — aka Handsome Monkey King — gathers his superpowers and shakes the foundations of heaven, causing such a cosmic ruckus that Buddha eventually intervenes. Chinese Theatre Works performs with a lively original script and intricately carved shadow puppets. Participants then explore the visual arts of China throughout Freer’s Chinese galleries. For ages 5-12.
Where: Meyer Auditorium, Freer Gallery of Art
When: 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. today and Friday
Info: 202-633-8700; discoverytheater.org
4. Evening campfires: May-Apples Campfire: Meet at a local nature center to enjoy a fire ring and lots of old-fashioned fun: singing, stories, animal guests and games.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 7 to 8:15 p.m. Friday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program #632402W
5. NSO Teddy Bear Concerts: “The Tale of Teddy and the Ten Hats”: Little kids love dress-up, as do the playful musicians spinning this story about a teddy bear whose zany collection of hats represents a wide variety of music, from Haydn to Sousa and beyond. Children will be actively engaged as listeners in an atmosphere of fun. For ages 3 to 5. Kids can bring their favorite stuffed animal to these interactive programs and have their teddy bear friend join in all the fun.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday
Info: $18; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Galleries
1. “Jean Shin: Common Threads”: Jean Shin takes our trash — losing lottery tickets, discarded computer keys, old shoes — and renders it into fascinating contemporary art. The new “Everyday Monuments,” a collection of hundreds of trophies collected from denizens of the D.C. area, is a highlight of this collection of a half-dozen of her transformative installations, all created in the 21st century.
Where: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through July 26
Info: Free; 202-633-1000, americanart.si.edu
2. “Trevor Young: Non-Places”: Trevor Young presents 100 new paintings of the anonymous spaces — hotel rooms, airports, megastores — in which we spend unmarked, unremembered time. In attempting to be universally comforting, he suggests, these places exacerbate the alienation of all who visit.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Through June 6
Info: Free; 202-315-1305, flashpointdc.org
3. “PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God”: Four-and-a-half years ago, Frank Warren began distributing blank postcards to strangers all around Washington, inviting them to send him their private musings anonymously. This selection of some of the most intriguing of the 350,000 anonymous cards he’s collected so far relates their authors’ thoughts on religion and spirituality. Where: Hillyer Art Space, 9 Hillyer Court NW
When: Through June 26
Info: Free; artsandartists.org/artspace.
4. “Chan T. Chao: Six Years and Eight Months”: Photographer Chan T. Chao documents the women of Santa Monica, a Lima, Peru, prison that houses nearly 200 foreign inmates arrested on drug-smuggling charges. The title refers to the standard sentence for narcotics trafficking under Peruvian law.
Where: G Fine Art, 1515 14th St. NW
When: Through May 23
Info: Free; 202-462-1601, gfineartdc.com
5. “Carlotta Hester: Fresh”: Carlotta Hester has often addressed the cycle of decay and rejuvenation in her work, but these new abstract paintings fairly explode off the canvas with life.
Where: Govinda Gallery, 1227 34th St. NW
When: Through June 14
Info: Free; 202-333-1180, govindagallery.com
Gatherings
1. Capitol Hill House and Garden Tour: The Capitol Hill Restoration Society will host its 52nd Annual House and Garden Tour, highlighting the Barracks Row neighborhood and including homes south of Pennsylvania Avenue. The Mother’s Day tour is followed by a tea held from 2:30-5 p.m. at Lola’s on Barracks Row.
Where: Buy tickets at table at Eastern Market Metro; meet at Seventh Street exit of Eastern Market Metro any time during tours to get tour shuttle bus.
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $25 to $30; 202-543-0425; chrs.org
2. Louise Bourgeois: This survey of the French-born artist’s works includes paintings, drawings and sculpture highlighting her varied avant-garde style.
Where: Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Avenue at Seventh Street SW
When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through May 17
Info: Free; 202-633-1000
3. Healthy pet, healthy you: What’s that heartworm medicine for anyway? Why do pets need vaccines? Meet veterinarian Heather Bair-Brake and learn how to keep pets and their owners healthy.
Where: Marian Koshland Science Museum, Sixth and E streets NW
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; koshland-science-museum.org
4. Defending Chain Bridge: Families with children ages 10 and above. Explore the remnants of Forts Marcy and Ethan Allen, built by the Union Army to defend the Chain Bridge. Learn about the design of the forts and the men who were stationed at them. Three-mile loop hike, over occasionally rocky and steep terrain. Info: 703-243-4342.
Where: Meet at Fort Ethan Allen Park, 3829 N. Stafford St., Arlington.
When: noon to 3 p.m. May 9
Info: $10; registration necessary: 703-228-4747: program #633102B
5. Nature Lover’s Book Club — “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson: If you love a great book as much as a great hike, this event is for you. Each month you can read and discuss a book or essay about the natural world and meet others for coffee and conversation.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 14
Info: Free; registration required; 703-228-4747; program #632404D
— Barbara Mackay
Movies
“Star Trek”
Stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Leonard Nimoy
Director: J.J. Abrams
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content
Running Time: 126 minutes
The greatest adventure of all time begins with “Star Trek,” the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the USS Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before.
“Tyson”
In this riveting documentary portrait of the controversial boxer, filmmaker and friend, James Toback lets Mike Tyson tell his own volatile story. As Tyson speaks openly about the ups and downs in his tumultuous life — alternating between moments of sincere introspection and animalistic rage — Toback employs a split-screen approach to further emphasize his emotionally unstable nature. Mixed into this talking-head interview is striking archival footage that shows Tyson in his prime, when he was one of the most feared and idolized athletes on the planet.
“Next Day Air”
When a misguided UPS driver inadvertently delivers a package containing concealed bricks of cocaine to the wrong address, it sets in motion a desperate search and battle for the coke between the furious dealer that sent it, the fearful intended recipients who missed it and the conniving accidental recipients that plan to flip it. Time is running out and everyone’s trying to get their hands on the package that’s been sent.
“Goodbye Solo”
On the lonely roads of Winston-Salem, N.C., two men forge an improbable friendship that will change both of their lives forever. Solo is a Senegalese cab driver working to provide a better life for his young family. William is a tough Southern good ol’ boy with a lifetime of regrets. One man’s American dream is just beginning, while the other’s is quickly winding down. But despite their differences, both men soon realize they need each other more than either is willing to acknowledge.
“The Limits of Control”
This is the story of a mysterious loner (played by Mr. De Bankole), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged.
His journey, paradoxically both intently focused and dreamlike, takes him not only across Spain, but also through his own consciousness.
“Outrage”
From Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick comes “Outrage,” a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community they covertly belong to. Boldly revealing the hidden lives of some of the United States’ most powerful policymakers, the film takes a comprehensive look at the harm they’ve inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media’s complicity in keeping their secrets.
Music
1. Natalie MacMaster: High-octane fiddler and Grammy Award nominee from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, melds Celtic, bluegrass, jazz, rock, classics and contemporary acoustic music for a nonstop performance. Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts When: 8 p.m. Saturday Info: $22 to $44; 888-945-2468, tickets.com
2. National Symphony Orchestra: The Crosscurrents Series presents violinist Leila Josefowicz performing Oliver Knusson’s Violin Concerto; Knusson conducts the orchestra in other works by contemporary composers Julian Anderson, Augusta Read Thomas and Gunther Schuller.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 tonight, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20 to $78; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324, kennedy-center.org
3. KC Jazz Club: Pianist Roger Kellaway performs a tribute to Oscar Peterson.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Monday
Info: $25; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324, kennedy-center.org
4. Bach Sinfonia: Daniel Abraham conducts Purcell’s large semi-opera “King Arthur,” featuring soloists, chorus, actors and orchestra.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $21 to $25; 301-581-5100
5. Dr. John & The Lower 911 with South Memphis String Band: The Night Tripper and friends remember the displaced people from the New Orleans hurricane disaster in an evening of music from the heart.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $39.50; 703-549-7500, birchmere.com
Also worth noting:
6. Mother’s Day Special: Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Peggy Seeger and Deborah Tannen share the stage in “A Night of Song and Story.”
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $29.50; 703-549-7500, birchmere.com
Outdoors
1. DogTag Boot Camp: For those looking for a unique fitness opportunity where you can have fun and work out with your dog, DogTag Adventures presents the DogTag Boot Camp! This is a unique fitness program where people have fun working with their dogs to help them exercise, play and stretch, also deepens the bond between human and canine companions.
Where: locations in Virginia, Maryland and D.C.
When: see Web site for details.
Info: 410-241-0692; dogtagadventures.com
2. Nature for beginners: Adults: Would you to like to know the name of the tree that has those helicopter seeds? Ever wonder which bird makes that wolf whistle? This program is for you.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; registration required: 703-228-4747; program #632404G
3. Birding trip: Go to the Thompson Wildlife Management Area and search for Cerulean and Kentucky warblers along wildflower laden trails. Bring binoculars, a bag lunch and drinks for the day. Trips often include some walking over uneven terrain.
Where: Meet the van at Lubber Run Center parking lot, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday
Info: $25; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program #632404J
4. Summer full moon walks: Sign up now, because the spaces go fast. Call to reserve your space at a spectacular, 5-mile-long moon walk through the National Arboretum’s gardens, meadows and woods.
Where: National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NW
When: dates to be announced; check Web site for details.
Info: 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
Theatre
1. “Arcadia”: This modern masterpiece by Tom Stoppard is part history, part mystery. It studies the relationship between the past and the present in the lush setting of an English country house. Encompassing many endeavors of the mind — from the relationship of mathematics and physics to poetry and landscape architecture — Stoppard’s play is wildly intelligent, poignant and extremely humorous.
Where: The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, 301 E. Capitol St. SW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; through June 14
Info: $25 to $55; folger.edu
2. “Legacy of Light”: Local playwright Karen Zacarias presents this humorous, moving piece about the passion for truth as lived by two women, both brilliant scientists, who lived in separate eras and tried to balance the drives for motherhood and career.
Where: Arena Stage, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday (no evening show May 26), 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (no matinee May 9, May 24 and June 7). Weekday matinees noon May 20, May 26 and June 3.
Info: $25 to $66; 202488-3300, arenastage.org
3. “As You Like It”: National Players’ 20th Annual Free Summer Shakespeare Festival. Olney Theatre Center celebrates its annual Shakespeare Festival with the return of National Players’ production of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.
Where: Root Family Stage at Will’s Place, Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: Free; 301-924-3400; reservations recommended. Lawn chairs and blankets encouraged, some bleacher seats available; olneytheatre.org
4. “Woman and Scarecrow”: Solas Nua presents the American premiere of a play that is part horror story, part philosophical musing on life.
Where: Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; through May 31
Info: $20; 800-494-8497, solasnua.org
5. Daytime Programming at Ford’s Theatre: “One Destiny” and “The Road From Appomattox,” both by Richard Hellesen, are performed from May through August.
Where: Ford’s Theatre, 514 10th St. NW
When: “One Destiny” performed at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. selected dates, “The Road From Appomattox” performed 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. selected dates; see Web site for details.
Info: Free, with ticket; 202-397-7328, fords.org