Best Galleries 1. Italian Master Drawings from the Wolfgang Ratgen Collection: This stunning collection of drawings and studies spanning roughly three centuries from the Renaissance up to the apex of the Neoclassicist movement in the early 19th century includes works from the most important Italian artists of this or any era.
Where: National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: Through Nov. 27
Info: Free, 202-737-4215 or nga.gov
2. History in the Making: Renwick Craft Invitation 2011: Silversmith Ubalo Vitali, ceramic artist Cliff Lee, and glass artist Judith Schaechter each represent the pinnacle of their craft.
Where: Renwick Gallery, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: Through July 31
Info: Free
3. Ryan Hoover, Jessica van Brakle and Lina Vargas De La Hoz: These three Hamiltonian fellows, furniture designer and computer engineer Ryan Hoover, painter Jessica van Brakle and sculptor Lina Vargas De La Hoz share only a taste for the unconventional.
Where: Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U St. NW
When: Through June 18
Info: Free, 202-332-1116; hamiltoniangallery.com
4. Jeremy Kost: Between the Lines: Kost’s new series of Polaroid and cibachrome photos explore the roles of constructed identities and adopted personas in modern club culture.
Where: Conner Contemporary Art, 1358 Florida Ave. NE
When: Through July 2
Info: Free, 202-588-8750; connercontemporary.com
Best Music
1. Choral Arts Society of Washington: Music Director Norman Scribner conducts the CAS and the Children’s Chorus of Washington in Northern Lights: Choral Illuminations from Scandinavia and Beyond with a world premiere commission from Finnish composer Olli Kortekangas exploring the relationship between man and nature.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $15 to $65 at 202-785-9727, 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or choralartssociety.org
2. National Symphony Orchestra: Thomas Dausgaard conducts “En Saga” by Sibelius, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 (“The Inextinguishable”) and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 performed by Nikolai Lugansky.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. May Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $20 to $85 at 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or kennedy-center.org
3. The Philadelphia Orchestra: WPAS presents Charles Dutoit conducting Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture,” Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Walton’s Violin Concerto performed by Gil Shaham.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $42 to $97 at 202-385-9727.
4. National Philharmonic: Stan Engebretson conducts the orchestra and chorus in Verdi’s Requiem with guest vocalists Arianna Zukerman, Patricia Miller, Don Bernardini and Kevin Deas.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $32 to $79 at 301-581-5100 or Strathmore.org
5. University of Maryland Chamber Singers: Ten-year reunion concert conducted by Ed McClary features Renaissance madrigals, choruses from Bach, Brahms, Handel and Haydn and 20th century works by Barber and Britten.
Where: Dekelboum Concert Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free
Best Brainfood
1. “Night and Day”: Washington Shakespeare Company’s production of Tom Stoppard’s rarely mounted 1978 play looks at a British newspaper strike through the prism of journalists covering a civil war in Africa, and introduces us to the a scintillating, witty ex-patriate wife of a British mine owner.
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd. NW
When: Through July 3
Info: $25 to $35; 888-841-2787; artisphere.com
2. Mary Gordon: The Love Of My Youth: Adam and Miranda seemed made for each other when they were teenagers during the 1960s. Then their passions turned to careers and they went their separate ways. Meeting again after 30 years, they walk around Rome and gradually relive the past.
Where: Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
3. “Trojan Women 2.0”: The Rude Mechanicals present an imaginative spin on the Greek classic “The Trojan Women.”
Where: D.C.Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW
When: Through May 21
Info: $12 to $15; 202-462-7833 dcartscenter.org
4. Lecture series — Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals: J. Russell Sale or Eric Denker.
Where: National Gallery of Art, Fourth Streeet and Constitution Avenue NW, East Building, ground level, information desk
When: Noon May 23, 24, 25
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
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5. Happenings at the Harman: The Congressional Chorus
Where: The Shakespeare Theatre, 610 F St. NW
When: Noon to 1 p.m. May 25
Info: Free; reservations not required; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
Best Family
1. First Annual Turtle Trot 5K: Run to help rehabilitate injured reptiles and support environmental education efforts. The race is on a certified 5K course. Register through Active.com or in person the day of event. First 200 participants will receive a T-shirt.
Where: Bluemont Park, Fourth and Manchester streets, Arlington
When: Registration begins at 9 a.m.; race starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Info: $15/kids; $30/adults; 703-525-0168; [email protected]
2. Bumbling Bees: Don’t be bee-wildered by all the different bees abuzz around you this summer. Learn which ones you should beware of and which you can bee-friend.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 4 to 5 p.m. May 25
Info: $3; Registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #632821-C
3. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”: When Snow White meets seven dwarves, she discovers that everyone has his or her own strengths and weaknesses and that friendship and teamwork make any challenge smaller. Kindergarten through grade 6.
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: see website for dates and times; through June 2.
Info: $10; 301-634-5380; puppetco.org
4. Discovery Theater: The Science of Bubbles featuring Josh Routh of Circus Kaput: In a top-secret laboratory in the Smithsonian, a zany scientist performs wild experiments seeking to unlock the mysteries of the bubble. Come along on this comedic, helium-filled, poptastic adventure exploring the basics of chemistry and physics — clown-style. Ages 6 and older.
Where: Ripley Center, Smithsonian, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW
When: 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Friday
Info: $3; 202-633-8700; discoverytheater.org
5. “George and Martha … Tons of Fun!”: Inspired by the stories by James Marshall, the musical shares the whimsy and camaraderie of George and Martha, who are the best of friends. Well, most of the time. For ages 3 and older
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: To May 28; see website for dates and times.
Info: $10 to $22; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
Best Gatherings
1.”Carmen”: The Washington Ballet’s Picasso-inspired sets couple with George Bizet’s original score to produce a balletic interpretation of the classic opera.
Where: Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $20-$87; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
2. “Swampdoodle”: Solas Nua presents this play about Washington’s long-forgotten Irish shantytown.
Where: Uline Arena, Third and M streets NE
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and May 24 through 28
Info: $20; solasnua.org
3. Building Bridges: Spanish and English Language Writers in Conversation: This event, sponsored by the Embassy of Spain and the Spain-USA Foundation, will consist of a roundtable/discussion among some of the best young Spanish language novelists (Javier Montes, Alberto Olmos, Andres Barba, and Antonio Ortuno) and renowned American writers Peter Manseau, Azar Nafisi and Marie Arana.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 14th and V streets NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-387-7638
4. Endangered Species Day Celebration: An opportunity to learn about the importance of protectingendangered species and everyday actions that can help protect our nation’s disappearingwildlife. There will be tours of the USBG’s endangered species and native plant collectionsand more than 20 booths focusing on endangered plants.
Where: Conservatory, United States Botanic Gardens, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; no pre-registration required; usbg.gov
5. Romeo Dallaire — They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children: In 1994, then Lt. Gen. Dallaire led U.N. peace-keeping forces in Rwanda. He was horrified at the use of children as soldiers, and his outrage has fueled this urgent call to action to end the practice — which has grown more extensive since the 1990s.
Where: Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. May 23
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.org
Best Outdoors
1. Manassas Battlefield Park contains about 20 miles of hiking trails that follow the campaign routes of such generals as P.G.T. Beauregard, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (who earned his nickname here), John Pope and George McClellan in the Civil War battles of First and Second Bull Run. For those wishing a more complete historical background, the visitors center has a movie and lighted battleground map.
Where: 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas
When: Battlefield open dawn to dusk
Info: $3; children under 16 free; 703-361-1339; nps.gov/mana
2. Celebrate the rose! Opening in 2006, the Margaret Hagedorn Rose Garden is a formal garden space dedicated to growing the rose without the use of fungicides or insecticides. The roses growing in the garden have been selected from many classes of roses grown today, both “Old Roses” and “Modern Roses.” Which rose did Teddy Roosevelt demand for his lapel? Which rose did pioneer moms tuck into barrels of flour as they headed West in covered wagons? Come see a beautiful organic rose garden!
Where: National Garden Lawn Terrace, United States Botanic Gardens, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 12 to 1 p.m. May 26
Info: Free; no registration required; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
3. Gabrill State Park, Black Locust Trail: This trail warmly invites the hiker as it opens to the northwest with a gentle rise and an abundance of magnificent mountain laurel. However, this initial impression belies some of the rougher terrain that awaits the less sure-footed explorer. While the northward trek toward Bootjack Spring is an easy to moderate jaunt, the gain and the sometimes very rocky path makes this portion of the hike less than pleasant for young hikers. Beginning at North Frederick Overlook the remainder of the hike is more leisurely with an overall descent back south toward the trailhead.
Where: Near Thurmont, Md.
When: Any day
Info: Contact: Maryland Department of Natural Resources; 301-271-7574; localhikes.com
4. Visit Gravelly Point: Take a picnic and enjoy the water, the wildlife and the planes zooming in and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at Gravelly Point, just north of Alexandria.
Where: Off northbound George Washington Parkway
When: any day, dawn to dusk
Info: 703-289-2500
5. Difficult Run: Variety is the word to describe this 4.8-mile round-trip hike. Descend to Difficult Run and follow it as it winds to the Potomac River. After a short, steep climb to the ridge, follow the rim of Mather Gorge toward Great Falls, a channel believed to be 180 million years old. Pass by remains of Matildaville, named by Lighthorse Harry Lee in honor of his wife, and the Potowmack Canal, planned by George Washington and operated for 26 years before being bought out by the Chesapeake and Ohio Co. Follow the trail as it winds along to Great Falls. For hikers, dogs, bikes, horses.
Where: McLean
When: Year round; localhikes.com
Info: Contact: Great Falls Visitors Center: 703-285-2965; localhikes.com
Best Theatre
1.”Old Times”: Memory and reality collide in Nobel laureate Harold Pinter’s nostalgic and haunting play when an old friend visits a married couple. What do their memories tell us and which interpretation of the past do we believe?”Old Times”is an intimate and highly charged exploration of whether we can ever really know another person, or even ourselves.
Where: The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW
When: Through July 2
Info: $38 through $89; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
2. “Como si fuera esta noche: (“As If It Were Tonight”). A magical work by Spanish playwright Gracia Morales, who examines the lives of a mother and daughter over two decades. In Spanish with simultaneous translation.
Where: Teatro de la Luna, Theater II, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays
Info: $20 to $30; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org
3. “By Jeeves”: A delightful dizzy musical romp inspired by the P.G. Wodehouse stories follows the midadventures of Bertie Wooster and his quick-witted and unflappable manservant Jeeves.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons Corner
When: Through June 19
Info: $15 to $30; 703-854-1856; 1stStageTysons.org
4.” The Green Bird”: Constellation Theatre Company presents thiscommedia dell’arte-inspired fantasiaabout a lovesick king, a greedy fortuneteller, an insatiable sausage maker, a sensual statue and a magical green bird. The vibrant world combines philosophical ideas about truth, love, sacrifice and compassion with inventive physical comedy.
Where: Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Info: $25 to $30; 800-494-8497; ConstellationTheatre.org
5. “Tennessee Continuum”: Washington Shakespeare Company’s production of a double bill of one-act plays by Tennessee Williams, “Portrait of a Madonna” and “Gnadiges Fraulein.”
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., NW
When: Through July 3
Info: $25 to $35; 888-841-2787; artisphere.com
