Brain Food
1. The Devil Music Ensemble: The enigmatic contemporary group performs a live score to the only surviving Chinese silent martial arts film, 1929’s “Hong Xia” (“Red Heroine”), about the rise of a female warrior.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., N.W.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Happenings at the Harman: Happenings at the Harman brings the community up close and personal with the performers and performances at the Harman Center for the Arts as well as throughout the D.C. community. This week the Arts Club of D.C. presents popular actors Cam Magee and Barbara Papendorp.
Where: The Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 24
Info: Free; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
3. Lincoln: As part of the Smithsonian-wide celebration of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the museum will bring together — for the first time — its unique and unparalleled Lincoln collection. Through a focused selection of nationally important Lincoln artifacts, visitors will explore the life and times of this extraordinary figure. Each highlighted object will be augmented with personal stories told by Lincoln and the people who knew him best. The exhibition will showcase more than 60 historical treasures associated with Lincoln’s life, from an iron wedge he used to split wood in the early 1830s in New Salem, Ill., to his iconic top hat he wore the night he was shot at Ford’s Theatre.
Where: National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, First Floor East
When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; ongoing
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; americanhistory.si.edu
4. Orchids: A Cultural Odyssey: This February, go on a journey with the U.S. Botanic Garden to explore the ways orchids have permeated the lives of people around the world. Discover orchids in arts, literature, exploration, jewelry, trade and business. Travel the world within our conservatory and discover how influential and magnificent orchids have been in our lives! As in previous years, the exhibit is a collaborative effort involving the collections of the U.S. Botanic Garden and the Smithsonian Institution Horticultural Services Division.
Where: United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave.
When: Through April 11
Info: Registration required; 202-255-8333; usbg.gov
5. IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas: This 20-panel banner exhibition focuses on the interactions between African-American and American Indian people, especially those of blended heritage. It also sheds light on the dynamics of race, community, culture and creativity, and addresses the human desires of being and belonging. With compelling text and powerful graphics, IndiVisible includes accounts of cultural integration and diffusion as well as the struggle to define and preserve identity.
Where: Smithsonian Institute Building, National Museum of the American Indian, National Mall
When: Through May 31
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; nmai.si.edu
Family
1. Get Into Hot Water: From Old Faithful in Yellowstone to Great Geyser in Iceland, geysers are one of nature’s most awesome spectacles. In this hands-on program, kids ages 7 to 10 will create spouting geysers and bubbling mud pots and learn about hot water as a geologic force.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program No. 623502-S
2. Chinese New Year: Families with children ages 4 and older celebrate the Year of the Tiger and learn why the tiger was given this honor.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $2; registration required at 703-228-4747; program No. 623605-GG
3. “Magical Stories Out Of Africa”: Long before children heard Mother Goose rhymes or “Jack and the Beanstalk,” stories were told in Africa about wise lions, wily snakes and how the world began. Anna Mwalagho, actor, singer, dancer and poet, brings alive colorful folk tales and the rituals, musical poetry and lessons they teach.
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org
4. “Peter and the Wolf”: The familiar musical story is expanded into a lively theatrical version, with bold movement and original songs. We meet the clever Peter and his friends, the starving Cat and the bickering Duck and Bird. Together they scheme to capture Wolf and make the forest a safer place. But Wolf is a wily trickster and will stop at nothing to capture his prey. There are mad chases, mysterious appearances and high comedy.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: 1:30 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. Saturday; through March 21
Info: $10 to $21; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
5. Trees Are Tree-mendous!: Children ages 6 to 8 learn why trees are necessary to our lives and what you can do to protect them and how you can tell one tree from another.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $3; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program No. 62350-J
Galleries
1. From Impressionism to Modernism: The Chester Dale Collection: Before strengthening the National Gallery’s holdings with their 1962 bequest, Wall Street banker Chester Dale and his wife, Maud, acquired a remarkable collection of French and American paintings from the 1920s through the 1950s. In this exhibit’s centerpiece gallery, dedicated to the concept of “monumental modernity,” Edouard Manet’s massive “The Old Musician” of 1862 appears opposite Pablo Picasso’s equally imposing 1905 “Family of Saltimbanques.”
Where: National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: Through July 11
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. William Christenberry: Vintage Kodak Brownies: The great Alabama-born, D.C.-based found-object artist Christenberry started out using his Kodak Brownie camera — a cheap model first produced in the 50s for amateur shutterbugs — to take reference snapshots for his paintings. Eventually the Brownie pints became important objects in their own right, besides having been a critical step in the creation of Christenberry’s sculptures, wall constructions and large-format photos.
Where: Hemphill Fine Arts, 1515 14th St. NW
When: Through March 13
Info: Free; 202-234-5601; hemphillfinearts.com
3. Tom Green: Past and Present: This compilation of more than four decades of veteran D.C. artist and Corcoron College of Art and Design professor Tom Green’s ouvre tracks his role in helping pull the city’s art community out of the Color Field movement that dominated the mid-’50s through early ’70s, and into a more personal mode of expression.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave.
When: Through March 14
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
4. Warhol: Photographs Selected from the GW Permanent Collection: Portraits of Edward Kennedy, Truman Capote and other notables are among the highlights of this exhibit, culled from Andy Warhol’s gift of 152 black-and-white Polaroid photographs to the permanent collection of George Washington University.
Where: Luther W. Brady Art Gallery, Media and Public Affairs Building, 2nd Floor, 805 21st St. NW
When: Through March 5
Info: Free; 202-994-1525
5. Jennifer Dorsey: Alma Mater: Photographer Jennifer Dorsey’s milieu is interior architecture, finding unlikely beauty in utilitarian environments. Alma Mater documents the sparsely populated interiors of two local high schools during summer vacation.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Through March 27
Info: Free; 202-315-1305; flashpointdc.org
Gatherings
1. Latin flair: The George Washington University Latin band Los Gringos is a vibrant group of young musicians who have embraced the cultural diversity that exists in the nation’s capital. Cultural exploration is at the heart of the music the band performs. Here the students explore the nuances of playing samba, bossa nova and partido alto, music styles from Brazil.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Jason Garcia Ignacio and City Dance Ensemble: The Mountain: This Kennedy Center-commissioned work was created by the Philippine-born Garcia Ignacio and inspired in part by the 1998 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in Manila.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $15; 202-399-7993; atlasarts.org
3. Mark Russell: The piano man behind “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Capitol” pokes fun at politicians with his blend of music and stand-up comedy.
Where: Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: 202-347-4833; fords.org
4. Todd Barry: The bongo-playing “third Conchord” from “Flight of the Conchords” is a veteran stand-up comic has appeared on every late-night show you can name, plus a few more.
Where: Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
When: 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $5; 703-486-2345; arlingtondrafthouse.com
5. Forty-Plus Bowling and Pizza Party: Spend a fun night with your fellow professionals in an invigorating night of bowling. Casual attire suggested.
Where: Bowl America, 140 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church
When: 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $30; thingstododc.com
Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: James Gaffigan conducts guest pianist Denis Matsuev in Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, other works include Auerbach’s “Requiem for Icarus” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, part of Focus on Russia.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Simply Sinatra: Vocalist Steve Lippia joins the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra to pay tribute to Frank Sinatra’s songs and style.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $21 to $42; 703-993-2787; gmu.edu/cfa.org
3. A Baroque Requiem by Candlelight: The Choral Arts Society of Washington debuts at Dumbarton performing “Musikalische Exequien” by Heinrich Schutz and other Renaissance a capella works from England, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
Where: Dumbarton Concerts
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 20
Info: $32 general, $28 students; 202-965-2000; dumbartonconcerts.org
4. Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival: Produced by saxophonist Paul Carr, the scheduled artists include Mulgrew Miller, Bobby Watson, Lewis Nash, Terell Stafford and Marc Cary along with major local and regional artists.
Where: The Hilton Washington D.C./Rockville Hotel and Meeting Center
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to midnight Feb. 20, jazz brunch Feb. 21
Info: midatlanticjazzfestival.org
5. Eclipse Chamber Orchestra: Music Director Sylvia Alimena conducts the world premiere of National Symphony Orchestra cellist David Teie’s Flute Concerto featuring soloist Alice Kogan Weinreb, other works by Schumann and Schubert.
Where: George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $25 general, $20 seniors, $5 students; 703-635-2770
Also worth noting:
6. Joshua Redman Trio: The saxophonist explores musical boundaries with Reuben Rogers, bass, and Gregory Hutchinson, drums.
Where: Dekelboum Concert Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: $42 general, $9 students; claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
Outdoors
1. Birding Trip: Occoquan Bay: Travel to Occoquan Bay’s grasslands, freshwater tidal marshes and bottom-land forests to search for winter waterfowl and winter birds. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars, drinks, bag lunch and snacks. Trips often include some walking over uneven terrain.
Where: Meet van at Lubber Run Rec Center parking lot, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 23
Info: $15; 703-228-6535; registration required at 703-228-4747; program No. 623604-M
2. Forts of South Arlington: Visit the locations and remaining earthworks of some of the forts built by the Union Army to protect Washington and Alexandria: Forts Scott and Barnard and the reconstructed earthworks at Fort Ward in Alexandria. Learn about the men and equipment stationed at the forts and the reasons behind each fort’s location. Dress for the weather. Walking will be on mostly flat unpaved surfaces.
Where: Meet van at Lubber Run Rec Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 20
Info: $15; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program 624304-C.
3. Dupont Circle/ Sheridan-Kalorama: In this vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhood, you will find some of the city’s finest museums and historic homes as well as an array of ethnic restaurants, unique bookstores, and Washington’s largest concentration of private art galleries. Dupont Circle, a lively urban park at the center of this community, attracts picnicking visitors, office workers, sun-bathers, mothers with strollers, bicycle messengers, chess players, and assorted passersby. The centerpiece of this busy space is the magnificent, white marble Dupont Memorial Fountain, designed by Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial.
Where: Begin at intersection of 19th Street NW and south side of Dupont Circle; see Web site for map
When: any day
Info: Free; culturaltourismdc.org
4. Ice skating: Bring your own skates or rent them at the Reston Town Center.
Where:1818 Discovery Street, Reston
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Info: $7 to $9; 703-689-4699; restontowncenter.com
5. Skate outdoors at the Harris Pavilion: Enjoy the easily accessible outdoor skating rink with superior sound system.
Where: 9201 Center St., Manassas
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3 to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $6 to $7; skate rental $3; 703-361-9800; harrispavilion.com
Theater
1. “Bus Stop”: In the midst of a terrible blizzard, a busload of travelers holes up in a roadside diner outside Kansas City. In this classic romantic comedy by Pulitzer Prize winner William Inge, those passengers come to know one another and themselves.
Where: Olney Theatre, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. March 2; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; matinees at 2 p.m. Feb 24 and March 10; through March 14
Info: $26 to $49; 401-924-3400; olneytheatre.org
2. “A Moon for the Misbegotten”: Heritage O’Neill Theatre presents one of O’Neill most lyrical plays, often considered a eulogy for his older brother, Jamie.
Where: Heritage O’Neill Theatre, 8011 ld Gallows Road, Bethsda
When: 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; through March 13
Info: 301-770-9080
3. “TempODYSSEY”: Dan Dietz’s wacky and touching dark comedy follows the life of young, temporary office worker through her first and only day in a new office.
Where: George Mason University Players, Black Box Theater, GMU, Fairfax
When: 8 p.m. Feb 18-20; 2 p.m. Feb. 20-21
Info: $6; 703-993-8888
4. “The Gdirl from Gdansk”: Keegan Theatre’s production of Liam Heylin’s new play tells the story of two brothers trying to survive beyond the shadow of their past in a changing Ireland. It is also a story of love — between a young Polish immigrant and one of these brothers, and between the boys’ mother and a local man, discovering love as wounded adults.
Where: Church Street Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; through March 7
Info: $25 to $30; 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.com
5. “The Atheist”: Keegan Theatre’s production of Nonan Noone’s one-man show, which tells the story of a callous American reporter for a Kansas newspaper who discovers dirt on a Congressman, controls the story, and in turn destroys the politician’s career and life. Brash, hysterical and in your face, this one-hander looks at one man’s answer to the question, “To what lengths would you go to be famous?
Where: Church Street Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; matinees Feb. 20 and 27; Feb. 21; through March 9
Info: $25 to $30; 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.com
