Brain Food
1. “Romeo and Juliet”: American Ballet Theatre returns with an evening-length production of Kenneth MacMillan’s “Romeo and Juliet” and a program of mixed repertory featuring works by Frederick Ashton, Alexei Ratmansky and Twyla Tharp.
Where: Opera House, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $29 to $99; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “The Hunter”: Award-winning writer and artist Darwyn Cooke will discuss his evocative graphic novel “The Hunter,” based on the 1962 crime classic by Donald E. Westlake. With a visual style that pays homage to 1960s style, “The Hunter” vividly depicts the film noir genre.
Where: McEvoy Auditorium (lower level), Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1661 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: Limited free tickets; 202-633-7970; americanart.si.edu
3. Book discussion: Barry Lynn, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, discusses and signs his book “Cornered: The New Monopoly Capitalism and the Economics of Destruction.”
Where: Politics & Prose Bookstore & Coffeeshop, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
4. 27th Annual Choreographer’s Showcase: Rising dance stars from the area get their chance to shine.
Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, College Park
When: 3 and 8 p.m. Jan. 30
Info: $25; 301-405-2787; claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
5. Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan: The company blends Asian folklore with modern dance, performing “Moon Water,” a piece in which the entire stage is flooded with water.
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $22 to $65; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Family
1. Magic and Beyond: The wizardry of David Garrity will delight children. Sunglasses appear in a flash of fire, a table floats mysteriously through the air, objects materialize and vanish, hula hoops perform Hawaiian magic!
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org
2. “Puss’n’Boots”: The classic fairy tale follows a clever cat who dons a pair of human boots and leads his poor homeless master to a life of luxury. When Puss puts on the boots, he becomes a fantastic dancer and uses his skills to amaze people to his master’s advantage.
Where: Classika Theater, 4041 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; extra shows at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 6, 14 and 20; through March 14
Info: For ages 4 and older; classika.org
3. Story Theatre: “Wake Up, Brother Bear!”: This new, experiential theater piece is an intimate introduction to live theater for children ages 2 to 5 and their teachers or caregivers. The audience is invited into the world of Brother and Sister Bear as they discover the seasons of the year. Children may join in the action throughout the show.
Where: Reeve Studio Theatre, Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Thursday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 2 to 5.
Info: $7; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
4. Puzzle Party: Bring the kids and get ready for National Puzzle Day. Cozy up by the fireside with your family and a big assortment of wildlife and nature jigsaw puzzles. You can bring your own puzzle or use the center’s. Families with children 3 and older.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Info: Free; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program Nos. 623505-F, 623505-G
5. Bringing Otters Back: Otters are among the most amazing and playful animals in the world. Could they return to Virginia on a permanent basis? See what you can do to make a difference.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Road, Arlington
When: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: Reservations required at 703-228-4747; program No. 623602-G
Galleries
1. Turner to Cezanne: Masterpieces from the Davies Collection: This set of more than 50 paintings and works on paper from the National Museum of Wales includes must-see works by Monet and Manet, along with pieces by Renior, van Gogh, and lots of other one-name masters. The majority of these paintings and drawings have never before been exhibited on U.S. soil.
Where: The Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through April 25
Info: $10, $8 students/seniors/military, $6 museum members and children 6 and under; 202-639-1700; corcoran.org
2. Yinka Shonibare, MBE: British-born Nigerian multimedia artist Yinka Shonibare, MBE’s, paintings, photos and sculptures consider the aftermath of European colonialism in Africa. Organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, Australia.
Where: SmithsonianNational Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. NW
When: Through March 7
Info: Free; africa.si.edu
3. Stories: Documentary photography from the embattled Eastern Congo by NBC news producer Antoine Sanfuentes, “Today” anchorwoman Ann Curry and International Lifeline Fund Vice President Deborah Terry.
Where: Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road SE
When: Through Feb. 26
Info: Free; 202-580-5972; honfleurgallery.com
4. Round the Corner: Jerusalem-born sculptor Shlomo Harush gets his first U.S. solo show, presenting 20 stainless steel and aluminum pieces that “examine different sculptural aspects of conventional seating units.” But are we allowed to sit in them? This new gallery boasts 4,300 square feet of industrial real estate.
Where: Industry, 1358 Florida Ave. NE, Suite 200
When: Through March 6
Info: Free; 202-399-1730; industrygallerydc.com
5. 3D: Contemporary Collage: Kyan Bishop, Leah Frankel and Elizabeth Kendall ruminate on space and time in these textured collages.
Where: Carroll Square Gallery, 975 F St. NW
When: Through March 26
Info: Free; 202-624-8643; carrollsquare.com/gallery
Gatherings
1. Winter Heat: Warm up with this combination of hip-hop, step, West African and contemporary dance performed by Coyaba, StepAfrika! And Gesel Mason Performance Projects.
Where: Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $22 to $65; 202-269-1600; danceplace.org
2. Linda Oh and Devon Sproule: Part of Songwriters: The Next Generation: Emerging songwriters and composers discuss and perform their own songs. Presented by the ASCAP Foundation.
Where: Millennium Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. Galileo Nights in the Observatory: Four hundred years ago this month, Galileo Galilei turned a telescope skyward. What he saw — stars around Jupiter — would revolutionize astronomy. The stars, which after further examination he identified as orbiting moons, proved that not everything in the sky revolved around Earth. Make telescopes and do some star-gazing to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first look at Jupiter.
Where: Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday
Info: 410-545-2999; mdsci.org
4. Readings: The Writer’s Center celebrates its 33rd anniversary with readings by Pagan Kennedy, author of “The Dangerous Joy of Dr. Sex and Other True Stories” and “Confessions of a Memory Eater,” and award-winning poet and translator Carolyn Forche, editor of “Against Forgetting: Twentieth-Century Poetry of Witness” and author, most recently, of the collection “The Blue Hour.”
Where: The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $20; 301-654-8664; writer.org
5. “The Sirens”: Mixing humor and sadness, Richard Wesley’s play uses interlocking vignettes to capture the inner-city African-American experience.
Where: Cramton Auditorium, Howard University, 2455 Sixth St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: 202-806-7050; howard.edu
Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: The Focus on Russia features Ivan Fischer conducting cellist Mischa Maisky in Lensky’s Aria from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” Tchaikovsky’s Variation on a Rococo Theme, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 and “Three Dances” from Bernstein’s “On The Town.”
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday; free AfterWords discussion with Fischer, Maisky and NSO Director of Artistic Planning Nigel Boon follows
Info: $29 to $85; 202-457-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Leon Fleisher: The virtuoso pianist joins National Philharmonic conducted by Piotr Gajewski for an evening of Russian music highlighted by the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 4. Other works featured are Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (“Pathetique”).
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $29 to $79; 301-581-5100
3. Aspen Ensemble: The Discovery Series features the five solo artists in works by Beethoven, Martinu and Brahms.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $35; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
4. John Eaton: The jazz artist and storyteller focuses on music of “The Fabulous ’50s, Beyond Elvis and Eisenhower.”
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
5. David Sanborn: The alto saxophonist returns to his roots in his upcoming 24th album, “Only Everything,” performed with his quartet featuring Joey DeFrancesco on organ.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $45; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Also worth noting:
6. WPAS Men, Women and Children of the Gospel Choir: Artistic Director Stanley J. Thurston and guest director Brandon J. Felder are joined by BET vocalist winner Y’Anna Crawley, adults and children from the area in songs of praise.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $15 to $48; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Outdoors
1. Tai Shan Farewell Celebration: Tai Shan, the zoo’s 4 1/2-year-old giant panda, will soon leave for China to be part of the breeding program that will help sustain giant-panda populations in the wild. Since his birth on July 9, 2005, Tai Shan has delighted millions of people from around the world. Wish the giant panda a fond farewell before he heads to China.
Where: National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-633-4470; nationalzoo.si.edu
2. Insects in the Deep Freeze: For adults 16 and up. What happened to all those bugs that were around during the summer? Through field exploration to search for over-wintering insects and their signs, you’ll find out how they survive winter in some surprising ways.
Where: Meet at Fort C. F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $7; information at 703-243-4342; registration necessary at 703-228-4747; program No. 624304-A.
3. Adventures in Winter Paintballing: Instruction, Lunch and High-Energy Games: First get a thorough safety training class given by an expert, then play capture the flag, hide-and-seek, and seize and conquer on forts, bunkers, bridges, treehouses and a castle. Private referees and team coaches available all day. Suggested attire: camouflage or darker clothing. Hiking or work boots preferred.
Where: 800 Batavia Farm Road, Rosedale, Md. See Web site for directions.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $55; thingstododc.com
4. Brookland: The area called Brookland evolved in the early 1870s, when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad opened its western branch line in this area. The rail line was situated alongside the fine 1840 Greek Revival farmhouse, Brooks Mansion, home of Col. Jehiel Brooks. As you walk there now, you can savor the solemn beauty of the Franciscan monastery and the grandeur of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, as you explore this neighborhood nicknamed “Little Rome,” home of Catholic University and more than 60 Catholic institutions — and don’t forget the magnificent gardens of the U.S. National Arboretum.
Where: Visit Web site for a map of area
When: Any day
Info: Free; culturaltourismdc.org
5. Power Plants: Walk through the Power Plants exhibit to discover the wide variety of plants that offer alternative energy possibilities. This garden exhibit showcases living plants and provides educational signage about how they can serve as sustainable agriculture-based energy sources (note that during the winter, most of the crops are dormant or, if annuals, gone for the season). A scavenger hunt activity available at the information desk in the administration building will help school-age children explore the exhibit. No registration required.
Where: United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NW; adjacent to the National Herb Garden.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; through 2010
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
Theater
1. “Orestes: A Tragic Romp”: Anne Washburn’s updated version of Euripides’ “Orestes.” Like the original, it takes place after the Trojan War, when Clytemnestra has murdered her husband, Agamemnon, who is Orestes’ father. In revenge, Orestes kills Clytemnestra, is punished by the Furies and supported by his sister, Electra. Jay Sullivan plays Orestes; Holly Twyford appears as Electra.
Where: The Folger Theater, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 2 and 8 p.m. most Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; through March 7
Info: $30 to $60; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
2. “Permanent Collection”: With its extraordinary collection of works by Cezanne and Matisse, eccentric millionaire Alfred Morris’ art museum has long flourished in quiet obscurity. When its new, black director discovers eight remarkable African sculptures tucked away in storage, he proposes to add them to the public galleries but is opposed by the foundation’s longtime education director, who believes absolutely nothing can be changed.
Where: Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $25 to $60; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
3. “The Miser”: A ruthless money-grubber controls the strings to his purse as tightly as the reins of his household. But can this most famous of Moliere’s characters keep his children in check as well as his own desires when love is added to the mix? Washington Shakespeare Company’s “The Miser” examines the frailties and foibles of one man’s quest to secure his fortune at the expense of those he loves.
Where: Washington Shakespeare Company, Clark St. Playhouse, 601 S. Clark St., Crystal City
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $36.50 to $51.50; 703-418-4808; washingtonshakespeare.org
4. “Antony and Cleopatra”: Synetic Theatre’s wordless production of Shakespeare’s play in which the hunger for power and political control is intertwined with desire, love and sexual politics.
Where: The Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW
When: Through Feb. 28
Info: $40 to $55; 202-547-1122; synetictheater.org
5. “The Constellation”: A love-struck, ambitious and just-this-side-of-crazy homeless man sets out to win his beloved’s heart by making her believe in his magnificent and completely impossible dream. Set in Baltimore on the USS Constellation, this comedy explores the unpredictable role an urban historical monument can play in the formation of a community’s values and dreams.
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Road, Mount Rainier, Md.
When: Through Feb. 14
Info: 301-699-1819; joesmovement.org
