Galleries 1. In the Darkroom: Photographic Processes: This chronological examination of the various methods of capturing a photographic image is a showcase both for scientific ingenuity and aesthetic variety. Ninety photos date from a seminal Henry Fox Talbot photogenic drawing to an Andy Warhol Polaroid print.
Where: West Building, National Gallery of Art, Constitution Avenue between Third and Seventh streets NW
When: Through March 14, 2010
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. Telling Secrets: Codes, Captions and Conundrums in Contemporary Art: This collection of 39 paintings, drawings and photos by 23 artists emphasizes pieces that resist simplistic interpretation. Features work by Adriana Varejao, Shirin Neshat and Jane Hammond.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Through Jan. 10, 2010
Info: $10 adults, $8 students and seniors (60-plus), free for members and visitors age 18 and under; 202-783-7996; nmwa.org
3. Anne McLaughlin: Cones ‘n’ Tones: Annapolis printmaker Anne McLaughlin has dedicated this set of prints of ice cream cones to her grandfather, Robert A. Scott, who family legend holds invented the treat, and who definitely — says McLaughlin — sold the first cone in Pittsburgh.
Where: Washington Printmakers Gallery, 1732 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: Through Nov. 29
Info: Free; 202-332-7757; washingtonprintmakers.com
4. Michael Gross: Monochromatic: Kinetic paintings and prints by hometown artist Michael Gross bring a sense of color and movement to this office building lobby, open to the public from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday for the duration of the exhibit.
Where: 505 9th St. NW
When: Through January 2010
Info: Free; 202-223-1626
5. An Antiquity of Imagination: Tullio Lombardo and Venetian High Renaissance Sculpture: Don’t miss your last chance to take in this first-ever showcase for Venetian Renaissance sculptor Tullio Lombardo.
Where: West Building, National Gallery of Art, Constitution Avenue between Third and Seventh streets NW
When: CLOSING Nov. 1
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
Gatherings 1. “Color and Light” Reception and Gallery Talk: Richard Raiselis, painter and Boston University professor, discusses the role of color in painting: how painters quantify color, how color proportion and choice of medium influence how paintings look.
Where: The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30
Info: Free; reservations recommended; bu.edu/cfa/incite
2. “Zarzuela on the Avenue”: In Series presents two gems of the Spanish lyric stage: the perennial favorite “La Gran Via” by Chueca & Valverde (1886) and “El duo de La Africana,” a hilarious spoof on grand opera by Fernandez Caballero (1893). “Zarzuela on the Avenue” combines both into a tale of urban character and romance, with D.C.’s Columbia Heights neighborhood as the real-life backdrop for a show that poses questions of gentrification and cultural identity. English surtitles for the Spanish songs.
Where: GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Oct. 31, 3 p.m. Nov. 1, 8 p.m. Nov. 6 (for GLBT community), 7 p.m. Nov. 7, 3 p.m. Nov. 8.
Info: 202-204-7760; galatheatre.org
3. Elliott in the Morning’s Halloween Bash: Party in this large, smoke-free, Art Deco-style ballroom and show off your costume. This party, which features live music and disk jockeys, offers $3,000 for the best outfit.
Where: Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
When: Ballroom opens at 5 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. Oct. 30
Info: Before 10 p.m.: $10, after 10 p.m. $15; 703-469-2244; clarendonballroom.com
4. Annual Greater Washington Urban League’s Retro Party: Comedian Tommy Davidson hosts this retro party, which takes over several ballrooms at the Washington Convention Center, and features a Michael Jackson dance-off and a Best Afro contest. Costumes aren’t required, but attendees are encouraged to dress in the style of their favorite decade.
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W.
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 31
Info: $45, $80 couples; arrive before 8 p.m. for free drink tickets; dcconvention.com
5. “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Telltale Heart”: Scena Theater presents a double bill of Edgar Allen Poe tales adapted for the stage.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: Previews Oct. 29 and 30; opens 7 and 10 p.m. Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; through Nov. 29.
Info: $32; 703-683-2824; scenatheater.org
Music 1. National Symphony Orchestra Pops: Marvin Hamlisch conducts the orchestra and Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti for an evening of diversity, from pop and jazz to the classics.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 29, 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
2. Melissa Manchester: The dynamic and sensitive vocalist of Oscar-nominated movie themes devotes an evening to sentimental pop ballads that invade the heart with thoughtful joy.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 29 at 8 p.m. Oct. 29
Info: $35; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
3. Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women: See ’em together now or never. The Virginia-based ladies are “Havin’ the Last Word” and ending their 25-year odyssey on the road in a classy farewell filled with “Hot Flashes” and a heap of favorite “Old, New, Borrowed & Blue” songs.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 8 p.m. Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31
Info: $25; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
4. Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder: The bluegrass superstar performs some of the songs that merited 14 Grammy Awards, eight Country Music Awards and a string of hits.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Oct. 29
Info: $36 to $58; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
5. National Philharmonic: Piotr Gajewski conducts the orchestra, violinist Elena Urioste, cellist Zuill Bailey and pianist Brian Ganz in works by Bach, Brahms and Beethoven.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Oct. 31
Info: $29 to $79; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
Theater 1. “Full Circle”: In this work, indirectly inspired by Brecht’s “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” and its antecedents, a crotchety East German chancellor watches a play as students riot and profiteers swoop in. Amid the chaos, two women race to save an abandoned baby and outrun the vultures of both communism and capitalism. This play will journey throughout Woolly’s building and circle back to the stage. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Appropriate for ages 14 and older.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Nov. 10; no performance Nov. 14 or 26; through Nov. 29
Info: $32 to $57; 202-393-3939; 202-312-5261; woollymammoth.net
2. “Three Days of Rain”: Full of sharp and witty language and arresting images, this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Richard Greenberg examines three characters in the present day as well as their parents three decades earlier.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons Corner
When: 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; through Nov. 22
Info: $25 adults; $15 students; 703-854-1856; 1stStageSpringHill.org
3. “A Streetcar Named Desire”: Tennessee Williams’ incisive play involving the relationships between Stanley, an earthy, working-class young man deeply in love with his pregnant wife, Stella, and Stella’s pretentious, dissembling sister, Blanche, who comes to live with them. Cate Blanchett stars in the U.S. premiere of Sydney Theatre Company’s production of this Pulitzer Prize-winning play, directed by Liv Ullmann. Very limited seating.
Where: Eisenhower Theatre, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; through Nov. 21
Info: $25 to $110; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. “Three Fantasies”: Happenstance Theatre and Arts Alive Theatre present three plays by Don Nigro (“The Woodman and the Goblins,” “Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer,” “Dr. Faustus”) that deal with similar haunting themes: love, isolation and loneliness.
Where: Theater 2, Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
When: 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; thereafter 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 21; through Nov. 22.
Info: $20; 240-567-5775; montgomerycollege.edu/pac
5. “Angels in America: Part 2: Perestroika”: The second half of Tony Kushner’s two-part epic on national themes, the AIDS crisis, and spiritual and political morality. A colorful array of characters become intertwined as they grapple with identity, community, guilt, intimacy and forgiveness.
Where: Round House Theatre, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
When: Through Nov. 22; see Web site for performance times
Info: $25, discounts available; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
