Galleries
1. “Paint Made Flesh”: This exploration of figurative painting from 1952 through 2005 shows us how 34 artists — from Pablo Picasso to Willem de Kooning — have accomplished the remarkable feat of depicting lifelike flesh in paint. No two of them do it in the same way.
Recommended Stories
Where: The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW
When: Through Sept. 13
Info: $12 / $10 for students and seniors 62+; phillipscollection.org.
2. “Washington Printmakers”: Some the District’s most exciting printmaking talent gets a showcase at one of the region’s overlooked museums.
Where: The Dennis & Phillips Ratner Museum, 10001 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda
When: Through July 29
Info: Free; 301-897-1518; ratnermuseum.com
3. “The Welsh Table”: Ceramics by ten contemporary Welsh artisans offering a contemporary spin on traditional styles.
Where: Smithsonian International Gallery, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW
When: Through Sept. 21
Info: Free; si.edu/ripley
4. “Nami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits and its Diasporas”: The exhibit from UCLA’s Fowler Museum explores the iconography of water deities.
Where: National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. NW
When: Through July 26
Info: Free; africa.si.edu
Gatherings
1. “They Have Killed Papa Dead!”: In April 1865, at the close of the Civil War and at the peak of his fame, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by an assassin while watching a play at Ford’s Theater. In “They Have Killed Papa Dead! The Road to Ford’s Theater, Abraham Lincoln’s Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance,” author Anthony Pitch used unpublished diaries, letters and journals to tell the story of Lincoln’s assassination. In this meeting, Pitch discusses Lincoln’s assassination. A book signing follows the program.
Where: William G. McGowan Theater, National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: noon July 22
Info: Free; reservations not required; doors open 30 minutes prior to program; archives.gov
2. “Kind Favors, Kind Letters”: A collaborative, site-specific installation by artists Tatiana Ginsberg, Lee Emma Running and Kate Carr utilizing handmade paper and an array of printmaking techniques.
Where: Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 8230 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
When: Today and Friday
Info: Free; 301-608-9101; pyramidatlanticartscenter.org
3. The National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute: A four-week festival of orchestral and chamber music for young people ages 14 to 21. On July 21, participants 15 to 20 years old perform chamber music.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
When: 6 p.m. July 21
Info: Free; 202-457-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. Bill Kirchen & The Hammer of The Honky-Tonk Gods: The King of Dieselbilly powers through his no-nonsense American tunes.
Where: Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com
Music
1. Maestro Loren Maazel’s inaugural Castleton Festival presents “Albert Herring” by Benjamin Britten: Maestro Maazel conducts musicians from the Royal College of Music, London and guest artists in Britten’s comic opera, 7:30 p.m. Friday; Timothy Myers, Castleton Conducting Fellow, conducts at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Theatre at Washington, 291 Gay St., Washington, Va.
When: Various times
Info: $80 (Friday), $70 (Saturday-Sunday); 540-937-4969; castletonfestival.org.
2. National Symphony Orchestra: Come out of the heat and enjoy a cool evening of great music as Associate Conductor Emil de Cou leads the orchestra in a free concert saluting NASA.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; nationalsymphony.org
3. Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band: Dance and gyrate along with the most unique ensemble in Washington to a hefty serving of rumba, salsa, ska and jazz seasoned with Afrofunk.
Where: Strathmore Friday Nights Out Back
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: $10, cash only at gate; bring blankets or low beach chairs, under the tent on a first come, first served basis; no pets; light snacks available; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
4. Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers: The Library of Congress American Folklife Center presents Eric Riley, Ric Jennings, Greg Page Stace Darden and Demetrius Davenport singing four-part harmony in “Jubilee” a cappella style, part of “Homegrown: The Music of America” concert series.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: 6 p.m. today
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Theater
1. “Space Panorama”: In this absorbing, humorous theatre piece, acclaimed British director and performer Andrew Dawson recreates the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, using only a black-draped table for a stage and his hands. Accompanied by Shostakovich’s 10th symphony and a lively dramatic narration, Dawson takes the audience from Houston to the moon and back, conveying the colossal distance and risks through his skilled hand movements.
Where: Terrace Theatre, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 18
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “Barack Stars”: Second City celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a tribute to politics. In “Barack Stars,” Chicago’s favorite son is given his satiric due, introducing an economy on the ropes and maybe just a touch of swine flu. Perfecting the art of comedy revue with sketches, songs and a little improvisation, The Second City storms Washington to tackle partisanship, the politics of race, a terrifyingly tiny Rahm Emanuel, and a host of other headline-grabbing personalities
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St., NW
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; through Aug. 2
Info: $40; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net
3. “F-ing A”: In a modern take on “The Scarlet Letter,” Suzan-Lori Parks’ play with comic songs swirls through a post-apocalyptic future, where an outcast abortionist will do anything to reclaim her lost son.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday; through Aug. 9
Info: $33 to $38 (discounts available); 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
4. “El Canuto Del Rock”: Quique Aviles’ newest theater work, with music by Machetres and Cherie Latson. In this musical, set in El Salvador and Columbia Heights, an elder Salvadorean peasant realizes his dream to bring rock and roll to the countryside.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 24-25
Info: $20, $15 (students); 202-234-7174; galatheatre.org
