Best Music
1. Brian Stokes Mitchell: The Washington Performing Arts Society and the Choral Arts Society present the Broadway Show-Stoppers, featuring the memorable leading man, conducted by Scott Tucker with CAS Chorus and an instrumental ensemble.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $29 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324, 202-785-9727; kennedy-center.org, wpas.org
2. Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio: The banjoist with nominations in more Grammy categories than anyone and 14 Grammy Awards joins forces with one of today’s greatest jazz ensembles.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $28 to $58; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
3. Underground Railroad: An Evening with Kathleen Battle: The soprano, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and the Heritage Signature Chorale directed by Stanley Thurston perform music expressed by enslaved Africans seeking freedom.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $55 to $95; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
4. Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Broadway veteran Adam Pascal, known for the role of Roger Davis in “Rent” on Broadway and in the movie, performs in a cabaret setting.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: $45; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
5. Grand Slam: Jim Hall, Joe Lovano, George Mraz, Lewis Nash (guitar, sax, bass, drums) are quartet of winners.
Where: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday to Sunday
Info: $42.50; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
Best Brainfood
1. “Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises”: The Washington Ballet unveils a new ballet based on Ernest Hemingway’s American classic, “The Sun Also Rises.” Considered by many to be his finest novel, the story follows American journalist Jake Barnes, a member of the “lost generation” of 1920s American expatriates, from the seedy caf? life of Paris’s Left Bank to the thrilling “running of the bulls”in Pamplona, Spain.
Where: Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $25 to $125; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2.”Adventures in Hemingway’s Cocktails”: Reception to coincide with Septime Webre’s new ballet adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises.” Light fare and 1920s music, hosted by Philip Greene, author of “To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion.”
Where: Kennedy Center Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar, 2700 F St. NW
When: 9 to 11:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $55 to $60; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. Buzz Aldrin and Leonard David: Aldrin and David will discuss their book, “Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration.” Aldrin was the second man to land on the moon.
Where: National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Info: 202-662-7522; press.org
4. “Thunder Knocking on the Door”: In a small Alabama town, a mysterious, blues-playing stranger named Marvell Thunder arrives at the door of the Dupree family. A mythic figure with supernatural powers, Thunder has come to challenge the son and daughter of Jaguar Dupree, the only man who ever outplayed him on the guitar in a “cutting contest.”
Where: ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church
When: Through May 26
Info: 571-239-5288; creativecauldron.org
5. “The Submission”: The story follows Danny, a gay white playwright, as his play gets accepted at the nation’s pre-eminent theater festival. Trouble is, everyone thinks his play — about an alcoholic black mother and her card shark son trying to get out of the projects — is written by Shaleeha G’ntamobi … and she doesn’t exist.
Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
When: Through June 9
Info: $32.50 to $65; 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org
Best Family
1. “Big Nate, The Musical”: Nate Wright, a detention-riddled sixth grader and drummer hopes to woo beautiful Jenny away from her boyfriend, Artur, by winning first prize in his school’s Battle of the Bands. But when Artur and Jenny team up with Nate’s arch-rival, Gina, to form a sap-pop band, he’s got to take his game to an all-star level.
Where: Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: Through June 2
Info: 301-634-2270; adventuretheatre-mtc.org
2. “Welcome Back Hummingbirds!”: The whole family will enjoy learning about these fabulous flyers with hands-on activities and games. Then each family will make a hummingbird feeder of their own, to provide a welcome feast for these tiny jewels as they migrate back to our area. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more information, call 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Road, Arlington
When: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 632853-J
3. “Cinderella”: Set in the beauty of the lush French countryside, the grandeur of 17th century royalty, and the chases, masquerades and mistaken identities of French comedy. Be whisked away by a glittering pumpkin coach, a magic ball and a very special hazelnut tree.
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: Through June 9
Info: $10; 301-634-5380; thepuppetco.org
4. Froggy Campfire: The whole family is invited to visit the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun — including s’mores! For all ages. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more information, call 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Road, Arlington
When: 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 632853-B
5. “Baobab”: African percussion turns into animals, masks and puppets become genies, and one courageous child’s quest changes the history of the world. For ages 5 and up.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Saturday through Sunday
Info: $18; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Gatherings
1. Arachne Aerial Arts & In-Flight Theater: The two aerial performing companies team up for a piece based on the Greek myth of Demeter and her daughter, Persephone.
Where: Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $8 to $22; 202-269-1600; danceplace.org
2. Bobby Lee: Best known as a cast member on “MadTV” and for his roles in films such as “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” and “Pineapple Express,” Bobby Lee brings his standup routine to DC Improv.
Where: DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: $22; 202-296-7008; dcimprov.com
3. “red, black & GREEN: a blues”: Protecting the environment and the Green movement are explored in this multimedia performance.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: Friday through Sunday
Info: $15 to $28; 202-399-7993; atlasarts.org
4. “A World Apart: Anna Ancher and the Skagen Art Colony”: Paintings and oil sketches by the Danish modern painter and her fellow Skagen artists, a close-knit artists colony in the country’s Jutland peninsula.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $8 to $10; 202-783-5000; nmwa.org
5. “Birds of Paradise”: The exhibit highlights the work of Edwin Scholes and Tim Laman, who documented all 39 species of birds-of-paradise in New Guinea.
Where: National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: Free; 202-857-7588; nationalgeographic.org
Best Theater
1. “The Full Monty”: A group of unemployed steelworkers desperately seeks employment to support their families until they come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. They discover they are stronger as a group, and that the strength they find in each other gives them the courage to bare it all.
Where: The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW
When: Through June 1
Info: $30 to $35; 703-892-0202; [email protected]
2. “The Three Musketeers”: “All for one and one for all” springs onto the stage with Synetic’s fiery, bombastic ensemble of lovers and fighters as they fence, wine, dance and fling their wit across the stage in the ultimate cross between physical and romantic comedy.
Where: Synetic Theater, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington
When: Through June 9
Info: $35 to $55; 800-494-8497; synetictheater.org
3. “A Winter’s Tale”: Traveling through time, visiting the austere court at Sicilia and the bright sea shore of Bohemia, two generations transcend torment and obsession in this dazzling Shakespearean saga of friendship and love.
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company, Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW
When: Through June 23
Info: $55 to $95; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
4. “The Golem”: Direct from the T-Punk Generator, this one-man adaptation of Gustav Meyrink’s legendary 1915 novel conjures the dreamlike world of “The Golem” with a single actor and music by cyberpunk electronica artist Jupiter Rex. The world premiere of a Taffety Punk original.
Where: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE
When: Through May 18
Info: $15; 202-355-9441; taffetypunk.com
5. “Gilgamesh”: Part god and part man, King Gilgamesh journeys to the ends of the earth on his epic quest for immortality.
Where: Constellation Theatre Company, Source, 1835 14th St. NE
When: Through June 2
Info: $20 to $45; 202-204-7741; constellationtheatre.org
Best Outdoors
1. Whitewater Rafting with Dinner Picnic: The Shenandoah River provides an excellent venue for a whitewater rafting trip. Travel on two rivers through three states (Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia) on an unforgettable 2 to 4 1/2 hour trip (the length of the rafting depends on the speed of the rapids on that particular day). A riverside picnic (chicken, potato salad, watermelon and beverage) is included.
Where: Knoxville, Md. (see website for directions)
When: 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: $79; thingstododc.com
2. Trillium Trek: Travel to Linden, Va., to see millions of Great White Trillium. This area is resplendent with many rare wildflowers and trees, and a variety of wildlife. On the somewhat rocky two-mile trail, you’ll hear a discussion about plant folklore, natural history, identification and ethnobotany. Before you head home, you’ll stop to purchase local country crafts and apple products. Dress for hiking; bring water and a bag lunch to eat on the trail. For adults.
Where: Lubber Run Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington or Ballston Metro (call 703-228-6535)
When: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $30; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 632943-F
3. Birding Trip Along the C&O Canal: Come look for spring migrants along the canal in hopes of spotting nesting Prothonotary Warblers and others. You’ll walk between two and three miles. Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, a bag lunch and drinks and snacks for the day. For adults. For more information, call 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Rec Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 14
Info: $30; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 632943-J
4. Occoquan Bay Wildlife Refuge: A three-mile round-trip hike through marshlands. The trail system consists of a series of gravel roads based on the old patrol routes from when the area was a military research facility. Most are compacted and level but portions are not easily traveled by strollers or wheelchairs. Pets are prohibited in the refuge. This area is primarily used by bird watchers, and is a quiet respite from the crowded local area. Call ahead for time changes.
Where: Woodbridge
When: Thursdays through Sundays
Info: Free; Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex: 703-490-4979; localhikes.com
Best Galleries
1. “Poetic Visions: Paintings by Brenda Kingery”: This collection of visionary mixed-media paintings from Brenda Kingery is informed by her heritage as a member of the Chickasaw nation who grew up in rural Oklahoma, as well as her more recent travels to Japan, Mexico, Central America and Uganda.
Where: Susan Calloway Fine Arts, 1543 Wisconsin Ave. NW
When: Through June 8
Info: Free; 202-965-4601; callowayart.com
2. “Matthew Mann + Milana Braslavksy: The Salon of Little Deaths”: Mann’s paintings of dead birds and deserted landscapes draw on disparate imagery ranging from Dutch still lives to Ming Dynasty landscapes, while Milana Braslavsky’s photographic still lives of fruit and household objects somehow conjure an atmosphere of foreboding.
Where: Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U St. NW
When: Through June 15
Info: Free; 202-332-1116; hamiltoniangallery.com
3. “Unreal”: This exhibition of new work from sculptor and draftsman Allen Linder, painter Benedict Oddi and ceramic sculptor Christina Osheim features ink drawings, monochromatic fantasy landscape paintings and biomorphic sculptures, respectively, from this trio of artists.
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, Md.
When: Through June 29
Info: Free; 301-277-2863; arts.pgparks.com
4. “Of Place and Time: Photographic Memories and Imaginings”: Family histories explored through old photographs, precious heirlooms and other objects contextualized by artists Rebecca D’Angelo, Gloria Kirk, Muriel Hasbun, Michael Platt, Charles Sessom and Susanna Thornton.
Where: Hillyer Art Space, 9 Hillyer Court NW
When: Through May 31
Info: Free; artsandartists.org
5. “Signs and Seasons”: Etchings, drawings and sculpture from Margaret Adams Parker.
Where: Washington Printmakers Gallery, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, second floor, 8230 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
When: Through May 26
Info: Free; 301-273-3660; washingtonprintmakers.com
