Galleries
1. “An Evening with Philip Glass”: The versatile and prolific composer of operas, film scores, symphonies, and experimental collaborations with more notable American artists than we’ve space to name speaks about his 40-plus year friendship with Chuck Close, his memories of growing up and making art in SoHo in the late 60s and early 70s, and more.
Where: The Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $25, $20 for museum members; 202-639-1700; corcoran.org
2. “Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration”: American portraitist Chuck Close’s 30-year career in printmaking is explored through more than 100 images, proofs, and objects. It’s the first-ever comprehensive survey to isolate his printmaking for serious inquiry, and it’s not to be missed. (Admission to this exhibit is included in the price of a ticket to Thursday night’s Philip Glass lecture.)
Where: The Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through Sept. 26
Info: $10, $8 for seniors 62 and older and students with ID, free for members, age 12 and under and military personnel with ID; 202-639-1700; corcoran.org
3. “Allen Russ: City of Trees”: Allen Russ’ dramatic photos will make you appreciate trees in a whole new way.
Where: Carroll Square Gallery, 975 F St. NW
When: Through Nov. 19
Info: Free; 202-624-8643; carrollsquare.com/gallery
4. “Beau Chamberlain”: Beau Chamberlain’s vivid acrylic paintings appear to teem with life, generations and species evolving before your eyes as you stare into his hypnotic colorscapes.
Where: Project 4, 1353 U St. NW
When: Through Oct. 16
Info: Free; project4gallery.com
5. “Director’s Cut”: Annie Turner selects five of her favorite member artists and five outside artists to celebrate the first anniversary of her tenure as WPG director. Works from Yolanda Frederikse, Mike hagain, Fleming Jeffires and Julie Niskanen are among the highlights.
Where: Washington Printmakers Gallery at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 8230 Georgia Ave., Second Floor, Silver Spring
When: Through Sept. 26
Info: Free; 301-273-3660; washingtonprintmakers.com
Music
1. The Lord of the Rings — The Return of the King: The U.S. premiere of the epic finale on HD screens accompanied by a live symphony orchestra, chorus and soloists; winner of 11 Academy Awards, four Golden Globe awards and two Grammy awards.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Info: $45 to $55 in-house, $25 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
2. OVO: The Cirque du Soleil spectacular is the love story of a ladybug and a fly in a world filled with acrobatic insects performing to music with a Brazilian flair.
Where: Plateau at National Harbor
When: Saturday through Oct. 24
Info: $38.50 to $130; cirquedusoleil/en/shows/ovo.tickets.aspx
3. Washington National Opera: Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera” based on the assassination of Swedish King Gustavus III features Italian tenor Salvadore Licitra and American soprano Tamara Wilson.
Where: Kennedy Center Opera House
When: Saturday through Sept. 25
Info: $25 to $300; 202-295-2400; dc-opera.org
4. Jackson Browne: The singer-songwriter performs his folk-rock classics that put him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and his latest album, “Love is Strange,” with David Lindley.
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: $50 in-house, $30 lawn; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
5. Roy Hargrove: The Grammy-winning trumpeter with a diverse repertoire that includes Afro-Cuban, jazz and funk prevails as a sideman, soloist and master leader of a trio, quintet and big band.
Where: Blues Alley
When: 8 and 10 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
Info: $35; 202-337-4141; bluesalley.com
Theater
1. “Circle Mirror Transformation”: Annie Baker invites the audience into an amateur theater class in rural Vermont where theater games and acting exercises mirror the real drama taking place between the students.
Where: The Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Oct. 17
Info: $35 to $65; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
2. “Glimpses of the Moon”: A sparkling romantic musical based on the Edith Wharton novel follows the jazzy whirl of New York society in 1922.
Popular but penniless, Suzy Branch and her friend Nick Lansing decide to marry and live off the wedding presents, while they help one another look for suitable millionaires. The plan works perfectly — until they fall in love.
Where: MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 7 p.m. Sunday
Info: $25 to $48; 703-548-9044; metrostage.org
3. “Mauritius”: Danger, betrayal, deceit and unimaginable wealth figure into this mystery play. After their mother’s death, two estranged half-sisters discover a book of rare stamps. But its discovery is accompanied by three seedy, high-stakes collectors.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons Corner
When: Through Oct. 3; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $15 to $25; 703-854-1856; 1stStageTysons.org
4. 18th Annual “Arts on Foot”: Over 25 performances showcasing D.C.’s fall performance season. The showcase will consist of performances from various local performing arts organizations and will include a scene from the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “All’s Well That Ends Well.”
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; Tickets available at Harman Hall Box Office one hour before each performance; shakespearetheatre.org
5. “The Great Game: Afghanistan”: This internationally praised production is an exploration of Afghan culture and history. In 12 short plays arranged into a three-part series, the unique event studies what has happened in Afghanistan, from Western involvement in 1842 to the present day. All three parts can be experienced together as one event or as separate productions.
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Sept. 15-25; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $50 to $60; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
