Dates and times of events are subject to change. Please call ahead before making travel plans.
washington
Library of Congress, James Madison Memorial Building, Mumford Room, 101 Independence Ave., S.E.: Jane Austen 101: Why the World Loves Jane Austen. Joan Klingel Ray, English professor and president of the Jane Austen Society of North America, will give an illustrated lecture. April 12, noon. Free, no tickets required. 202/707-4606.
National Building Museum, 401 F St., N.W.: Smithsonian Crafts Show. Features 120 artists as they display and sell their museum quality creations. April 14-17. 888/ 832-9554.
National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.: Whatever Happened to Polio? This multimedia exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the polio vaccine and tells the story of polio from the perspective of the patient, tracing the development of the vaccine that ended polio in the United States. April 12-April 2006. 202/633-1000 or smith sonian.org.
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave., N.W.: M. L. Van Nice: The Library at Wadi Ben Dagh. Renowned for her imagination and her ability to create complex characters, M.L. Van Nice incorporates image and word in her installations, artist's books and sculptures. April 11-Nov. 6. 202/783-5000 or nmwa.org.
upcoming
Library of Congress, North Gallery, Great Hall, 101 Independence Ave., S.E.: The Cultures and History of the Americas. Highlights include an Olmec sculpture from 110-55 B.C., a letter from Christopher Columbus published in 1493 describing his first voyage, a classic Mayan carved jade plaque from A.D. 400-700, two paintings by Diego River and much more. April 20-July 23. Call 202/707-4606 or visit loc.gov/exhibits.
Various locations: WalkingTown DC: Stroll the City. This weekend of 55 free walking tours spotlights Old Anacostia, Deanwood, Marshall Heights, Downtown, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill and other areas. April 16-17. Call 202/661-7581 or visit walking towndc.org.
northern virginia
Alexandria: Gadsby's Tavern, 134 N. Royal St., 18th-Century Dance Classes and Grand Ball. Learn dances that were popular in George Washington's day in the very ballroom where he and Martha danced, with grand master Corky Palmer in preparation for the 18th-century grand ball. Classes run April 14 and 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $12 per class or $30 for the series. The grand ball will be held April 23. Tickets for the ball are $50 and include dances classes. 703/838-4242 or gadsbystavern.org.
Arlington: Rosslyn Westpark Hotel, 1900 N. Fort Myer Drive, Washington International Print Fair. Features 25 to 30 internationally regarded print dealers with contemporary and antique fine and rare prints, drawings, watercolors and more. $10 per day. April 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; April 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For details, visit washprintfair.com.
Fairfax: George Mason University Center for the Arts, Marine Band. April 10, 2 p.m. For details, visit marineband .usmc.mil.
Gainesville: Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club Ballroom, Fauquier Community Theatre Swing Into Spring Gala Benefit. Features dancing, music and dinner. April 9, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $35-$75. 540/349-2055.
Sterling: Sterling Middle School, 201 W. Holly Ave., Our Town. The Sterling Playmakers' production of Thornton Wilder's classic story about life in Grover's Corners. April 8-10. $10. 703/729-8902 or sterling playmakers.com.
Woodbridge: Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, just off I-95 on U.S. 1, The Pajama Game. It's love and labor vs. the management in this musical comedy from Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Through July 17. $20-$36.95. 703/494-6311.
upcoming
Alexandria: 72nd Annual Historic Garden Tour of Alexandria. Features six privately owned Old Town homes and gardens, one historic church and eight historic properties. April 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703/838-5005 or visit vagardenweek.org.
Alexandria: George Washington Masonic National Memorial Auditorium, 101 Callahan Drive, Marine Band Chamber Ensembles. April 17, 2 p.m. For details, visit marineband.usmc.mil.
Alexandria: Gadsby's Tavern, 134 N. Royal St., The Many Sides of George Washington Lectures Series. Peter Henriques, historian and professor emeritus at George Mason University, will discuss the many aspects of Washington and his impact on early America. The first lecture of the series is "His First Testing Ground: George Washington and the French and Indian War." April 19, doors open at 7 p.m. with light refreshments, lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. $12. Free to teachers and students with ID. Open to the public. Reservations recommended. Other lectures in the series run April 26, May 3 and 10. Call 703/838-4242 or visit gadsbystavern.org.
Fairfax: George Mason University Center for the Arts, St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre. Features Fokine's "Chopiniana and Scheherazade," and Petukhov's "Capriccio Italien," April 16, 8 p.m.; and Petukhov's version of "Romeo and Juliet," April 17, 2 p.m. $25-$50. Children 12 and under admitted at half price. 703/218-6500.
Lake Ridge: Canterbury Woods Community Center, 12104 Chaucer Lane, Bill Harris Art Program. Harris presents a program based on his artwork and creative process. April 20, 8-9 p.m. For details, visit pwcweb.com/artsociety.
richmond
Agecroft Hall & Gardens, 4305 Sulgrave Road: Tea and Tulips at Agecroft Hall. Enjoy tea and sweets on the terrace overlooking the James River, followed by a tour of the gardens with a special emphasis on the spectacular tulip display in the sunken garden. April 12, 5:30-7 p.m. $7-$10. Advance registration required. Call 804/353-4241 or visit agecrofthall.com.
Best Western Governor's Inn, 9826 Midlothian Turnpike: Murder Came From Outer Space. Sci-fi film spoof murder mystery and dinner. $26.95-$36.95. Through June 11. Call 888/471-4802 or visit mysterydinner.com.
John Marshall House, 818 E. Marshall St., Calicoe, Cambrick and Casimir: Clothing for Work and Fashion in John Marshall's Richmond, 1790-1835. This exhibit features Marshall's judicial robes and waistcoat, dresses belonging to his niece, Susan Colston, and much more. April 8-July 31. 804/648-7998.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Virginia Daffodil Society Show, features hundreds of prize-worthy daffodils and experts available to talk about them, April 9, 1-5 p.m., April 10, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Spring Plant Sale, more than 40 vendors sell plants ranging from well-known favorites to rare exotics, April 14, 1-5 p.m., April 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., April 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 804/262-9887 or lewisginter.org.
Maymont, 1700 Hampton St.: Barn Days at Maymont. Visitors will find ducklings, piglets, lambs, chicks and other baby animals, as well as hay rides, tram tours, springtime crafts, face painting, sheep dogs, wool spinning and games. April 10, noon- 4 p.m. 804/358-7166.
Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 E. Clay St., Battle Flag Book Talk. Author and historian John Coski will discuss and sign copies of his new book, "The Confederate Battle Flag: America's Most Embattled Emblem." April 9, 3 p.m. Free. No reservations required. 804/649-1861 or moc.org.
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St.: Lunch Break Science, expand your knowledge about water quality, land conservation and environmental ethics, through April 27; Bones: An Exhibit Inside You, discover the ways that bones are used as tools, jewelry, art and musical instruments, through May 1; Gas Giants, planets so big they could swallow a thousand Earths, planets so light they could float on water, planets with 60 moons and more, through June 12; Mystery of the Nile, IMAX film follows the first team to conquer Africa's wildest river, as they confront rapids, dangerous crocodiles, charging hippos, gunfire from bandits, malaria and the fearsome Sahara sun, through May 20; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, IMAX film featuring the wonder, magic and excitement of Harry's world, though May 1; Bugs! IMAX film brings you face to face with the fascinating world of insects, through July 3. 800/659-1727 or smv.org.
Various locations: James River Film Festival. Through April 10. $12 in advance or $15 at the door. 804/232-7642 or rmicweb.org.
Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard: When War Came This Way: Women's Experiences During the Civil War in Virginia, this lecture describes how the upheaval of four years of war affected every Virginian, and the varied experiences that Virginia women endured, April 7, noon, $3-$5, bring lunch and a beverage; American Visions of Liberty and Freedom, this exhibition explores how generations of Americans have interpreted, symbolized and challenged the concepts of liberty and freedom, admission is free for the immediate families of military, fire and police personnel, through May 30. 804/358-4901 or vahistorical .org.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard: Third Thursdays. A monthly series of events about music, art, tours, food, drinks. Series tickets $40, single tickets $10. Through Dec. 15. 804/204-2704.
upcoming
Maymont, 1700 Hampton St.: Victorian Estate Tour. This walking tour explores the gardens, outbuilding and other estate features that made Maymont a showplace without equal in Gilded Age Richmond. April 20 and 22, 10:30 a.m. $4-$6, advance registration required. For details, call 804/358-7166, ext. 329.
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., LiveSky, interactive planetarium show about the ever-changing night sky, with special emphasis on the upcoming Eta Aquarid meteor showers on May 4, April 15, 6 p.m., free; Sky Watch, join members of the Richmond Astronomical Society on the front lawn as they share their telescopes for a look at the night sky, weather permitting, April 15, 9 p.m., free; National Astronomy Day Celebration, touch a meteorite, find out your moon weight, watch telescope mirror grinding, participate in rocket building workshops and much more, followed by a special sky watch on the lawn, April 16, 1-4 p.m. 800/659-1727 or smv.org.
elsewhere
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Art Museum, 155 Rugby Road, From Mantegna to Matisse: Master Drawings From the Musee Des Beaux Arts et D'Archeologie, Besançon. This exhibition features more than 60 works on paper by European artists working from the 16th century to the early 20th century. April 9- June 5. Call 434/924-3592 or see story on Page 11.
College Park, Md.: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, intersection of Route 193 and Stadium Drive, The Return of Lot's Wife, this serves as a sequel to the Old Testament tale in which Lot's wife disobeys God by looking back to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. April 8-9, 8 p.m., $7-$30; Amadeus Trio: Russian Romance and Anguish, performance features the work of Arensky, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky. April 9, 8 p.m. $7-$40. 301/405-ARTS.
Leesburg: Oatlands Plantation, U.S. 15, Birds of Prey Lecture. Annual bird lecture led by bird enthusiast Peter Deahl and a representative of the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia. Adults and children welcome. Free. April 9, 9 a.m. 703/777-3174.
Middletown: Wayside Theatre, Main Street, The Complete History of America, Abridged. This play pokes fun at many of our historical legends, myths and facts that we hold dear. Through May 14. $10-$25. 540/869-1776 or waysidetheatre.org.
Millers Tavern: Aylett Country Day School grounds, 21st Annual Aylett Country Day School Oyster Roast and Music Festival. Highlights include a trap shoot, live music, fired oysters, raw oysters, oysters on the half shell and more. April 9, 12:30-7 p.m. Adults $30, under age 12 $5. 804/443-3214.
Stanardsville: Autumn Hill Vineyards, 301 River Drive, Focus on Cheese Open House. Activities include cellar tours, wine discussions, barrel tasting of 2004 wines, vertical Cabernet Franc tasting, and international cheeses. April 9-10. $6. Picnics are welcome. No reservations needed. Call 434/985-6100 or visit autumn hillwine.com.
Washington, Va.: The Theatre at Washington, Classical Piano Recital. Naoko Takao performs the work of Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Ravel and Chopin. April 9, 8 p.m. $5-$15. 540/675-1253 or theatre-wash ington-va.com.
Williamsburg: Ramada Inn & Suites, 5351 Richmond Road, Murder Rides Again. Become a patron of Miss Liddy's saloon and participate in solving this wacky Wild West excuse for a murder mystery. Through Sept. 10. $26.95-$36.95. 888/471-4802 or mysterydinner.com.
Williamsburg: Busch Gardens, Royal Palace Theatre, Jack Hanna Shows. Jungle Jack Hanna of "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures" introduces and educates guests about rare and exotic animals from around the world, including a variety of mammals and reptiles. April 8-9, noon and 2:30 p.m. 800/343-7946 or buschgardens.com.
Winchester: Shenandoah University Theatre, 1460 University Drive, The Tempest. William Shakespeare's story of Prospero, magician and philosopher who reigns over an enchanted island with his daughter Miranda. April 14-17. 877/580-8025.
upcoming
Ashland: Ashland Theater, 203 England St., Tribute to Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Family. Features Ronnie Williams and the Carter Family Sound, Lori Carter, Bob Stone and the Virginia Gospel Singers, Southern Sweethearts from Richmond and the West Hanover Boys from Montpelier. Concert benefits the Hanover Humane Society. April 15, 7-11 p.m. $7 in advance, $10 at the door. 804/227-9920.
Washington, Va.: The Theatre at Washington, Opera and Broadway Program. Broadway selections are taken from "Carousel," "The Sound of Music," "The King and I" and "Showboat;" the operatic music comes from Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and Puccini's "Tosca." April 16, 8 p.m. $5-$15. 540/675-1253.