Best Gatherings
1. Smithsonian Folklife Festival: At the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, you will find many exemplary practitioners of diverse, authentic, living traditions, both old and new. The goal of the festival is to strengthen and preserve these traditions by presenting them on the National Mall.
Where: National Mall
When: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday to July 1 and July 4 to 8; concerts almost every evening
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; festival.si.edu
2. “Nobody Walks Like My Daddy”: The influence of absent fathers is explored in this show staged as part of the DC Black Theatre Festival.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW
When: 8:30 p.m. through Friday
Info: $15; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net
3. LIVE! from Shirlington: This program is a platform for all performers: musicians, comedians, dancers, thespians, magicians.
Where: Robeson Room, Busboys and Poets, 4251 S. Campbell St., Arlington
When: 10 p.m. to midnight Friday
Info: Free; 301-779-2787; busboysandpoets.com
4. Step Afrika!: After a year of touring across the globe, Step Afrika! returns home to Washington to present its biggest production of the year, which explores hip-hop and technology with guest artist Kenny Muhammad, the “Human Orchestra.”
Where: Atlas Arts Center, 1333 H St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $20 to $39.50; 202-399-7993; atlasarts.org
5. Lunchtime Tour of the Conservatory: What do manila folders, Chanel No. 5, vanilla and fossil fuels have in common? The answer is that they all come from plants on permanent display in the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory. Take a tour with a knowledgeable guide who will connect the exotic plant world to everyday life. You might see bananas, cacao and coffee ripening on the tree or learn about the next big breakthrough in medicinal plant research.
Where: Conservatory Garden Court, United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: Noon to 1 p.m. Monday
Info: Free; no preregistration required; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
Best Family
1. Penguin Bob Reading and Drawing: Artist, author and illustrator Joe Jamaldinian enthralls kids with an exciting adventure featuring his children’s book character, Penguin Bob. With some help from the audience, Joe sketches a colorful story in which Bob follows his quest to teach children to pursue their dreams in a multicultural world of fascinating people.
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-783-3372; nationaltheatre.org
2. Nature Center Summer Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star: Visit the only planetarium in the National Park system. View the season’s brightest stars, planets and constellations and learn their stories.Ages 5 and older.
Where: Nature Center, Rock Creek Park, 5200 Glover Road NW
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-673-7647; nps.gov
3. Bats About Campfire: The whole family will enjoy this special campfire about bats, with visits from animal friends, stories, songs and s’mores.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5 per person, $20 maximum per family; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 642952-C
4. Sloth bears: The sloth bears moved to their new exhibit space along the Asia Trail and are getting used to their new home.
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: Grounds 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., exhibits 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Info: Free; 202-633-4888; nationalzoo.si.edu
5. “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe”: In collaboration with the Washington Ballet, this fusion of theater, dance and puppetry based on C.S. Lewis’s novel will have roles played jointly actors and dancers. Lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet.
Where: 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: Through Aug. 12
Info: $10 to $27; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
Best Outdoors
1. Fourth of July Celebration: With Washington monuments and the U.S. Capitol in the background, downtown D.C. forms a beautiful and patriotic backdrop to America’s Independence Day celebrations. This is an all-day event in the nation’s capital, beginning with a parade along Constitution Avenue and ending with a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument.
Where: Parade: Constitution Avenue Northwest from Seventh to 17th streets
When: Parade 11:45 a.m., fireworks about 9:15 p.m.; rain date July 5
Info: Free; dc.about.com
2. Fairfax Independence Day Parade: Celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade in the morning and a spectacular fireworks display at dark. There is limited parking in the Fairfax Historic District. Free shuttle buses are available to take you from parking areas to the parade and fireworks. Buses will run from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. from George Mason University, W.T. Woodson High School and Fairfax United Methodist Church.
Where: Fairfax Historic District, 10209 Main St., Fairfax
When: Parade 10 a.m. to noon July 4, fireworks at dark; rain date for fireworks July 5
Info: fairfaxva.gov
3. Celebrate the Fourth in Manassas: The city of Manassas celebrates the Fourth of July with an Independence Day party with live music, rides, an apple pie baking contest, funnel cake and other favorite carnival foods, face painting, a red, white, and blue hayride, and fireworks.
Where: Old Town Manassas Train Depot and the Manassas Museum Lawn, 9431 West St., Manassas
When: Entertainment begins at 4 p.m., fireworks 9:15 p.m.
Info: manassascity.org
Best Music
1. “The Pirates of Penzance”: The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players return with the witty, fun-filled musical overflowing with favorite ditties.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $32 to $50 in-house, $12 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
2. Gershwin and Company: An All-American Evening: Lorin Maazel conducts works by the Gershwins and other popular composers, and pianist Kevin Cole performs “Rhapsody in Blue”; part of the Castleton Festival.
Where: Merchant Hall, Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $30 to $60; 888-845-2468; hyltoncenter.org
3. “Don Giovanni”: The definitive womanizer is the first of the bad boys of summer celebrated by the Wolf Trap Opera Company and the women who love them.
Where: The Barns of Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. July 5, 7 p.m. July 7
Info: $32 to $85; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
4. En Vogue: The female R&B group that was born to sing returns with its top hits and more.
Where: The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $59.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
5. The Seldom Scene; The Grammy-nominated bluegrass favorites bring along favorite guests the Boxcar Lilies to add to the festivities.
Where: The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Best Galleries
1. Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series: The Corcoran is the only East Coast venue for this retrospective of nearly 80 grid-based paintings and drawings Diebenkorn made between 1967 and 1988, comprising one of the most significant series in the history of abstract painting.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through Sept. 23
Info: $12, students and seniors 62-plus $10, ages 12 and under free; 202-639-1700; corcoran.org
2. One Life: Amelia Earhart: This exhibit recognizes the 75th anniversary of pioneering aviator Earhart’s disappearance by collecting memorabilia and artwork emphasizing her career as a pilot as well as her work lobbying for women’s rights. Her pilot’s license and leather flight helmet are among the items included.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through May 27, 2013
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; npg.si.edu
3. The Constant Artist: Paul Feinberg’s photographs of nine Washington artists from the early and late stages of their careers are displayed along with samples of each artist’s early and late work. Haunting.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave.
When: Through Aug. 12
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
4. Three Figurative Printmakers: New pieces from printmaking dynamos Jack Boul, Robert D’Arista and Lee Newman.
Where: Washington Printmakers Gallery, 2nd Floor, 3230 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
When: Through July 29
Info: Free; 301-273-3660; washingtonprintmakers.com
5. Click: Time & Space: A dozen artists contribute works that freeze and deconstruct time.
Where: Addison/Ripley Fine Art, 1670 Wisconsin Ave. NW
When: Through July 14
Info: Free; 202-338-5180; addisonripleyfineart.com
Best Theater
1. “Memphis”: Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and inspired by actual events, “Memphis” introduces a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $39 to $115; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. “Puerto Rico…fua!”: In this hilarious and satirical take on the most notorious times in the history of the island, the author spins tales of the Taino natives, the many invaders from the conquistadores to the United States, and the ups and downs of contemporary life in the Enchanted Island.
Where: GALA Hispanic Theater, 3333 14th St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $20 to $40; 800-494-8497; galatheatre.org
3. “First You Dream: The music of Kander and Ebb”: The music of the men who created “Cabaret,” “Chicago” and many more fabulous musicals.
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $65 to $125; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. “The Animals and Children Took To the Streets”: Part Charles Dickens, part Tim Burton, the Bayou is a dystopian metropolis squirming with cockroaches and unrest. With live music, witty performances, and stunning interaction between animation and live actors, acclaimed London company 1927’s show is a graphic novel burst to life.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $35 to $60; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
5. Source Festival: This annual summer festival presents full-length plays, 10-minute plays and three Artistic Blind Dates.
Where: Source, 1835 14th St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $10 to $20; 202-315-1305; sourcefestival.org
