Dates and times of events are subject to change. Please call ahead before making travel plans.
washington
D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St., N.W.: Hannah and Martin. A new play exploring the relationship between Hannah Arendt and Martin Heidegger. Through June 5. 800/494-8497.
International Spy Museum, 800 F St., N.W.: Denial and Deception: An Insider's View of the CIA from Iran-Contra to 9/11. Features Melissa Boyle Mahle speaking on the many challenges of counterterrorism operations. May 12, noon- 1 p.m. Free. 202/393-7798 or visit spymuseum.org.
National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues, N.W.: Organ Recitals, recitals are played on the Cathedral's Great Organ Sundays immediately following Evensong, May 8, 22 and 29, 5 p.m., call 202/537-6200 or visit cathedral.org; Flower Mart--A Salute To Switzerland, features food, plants, flowers and arts and crafts for sale, musical entertainment, uniquely Swiss events, puppet shows, antiques and collectibles, Cathedral Tower Climb, tours, horticulture and landscape exhibits, antique carousel and children's activities, free, May 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; May 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Rain or shine. Call 202/537-3185 or visit cathedral.org/ahg.
National Geographic Society, Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St., N.W.: National Geographic Live! The Lost Amazon. A personal and evocative look at the Amazon through the photographs of botanical explorer Richard Evans Schultes. May 12, 7:30 p.m. $14-$16. 202/857-7700 or nationalgeo graphic.com/nglive.
National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.: Tiger Cub Birthday Party. Party celebrates the first birthdays of three Sumatran tiger cubs born at the zoo last May. Activities include tiger-related children's crafts, giant birthday card, ice cream cake, discussions and more. Free. May 7, 1 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 202/673-0127 or visit fonz.org.
S. Dillon Ripley Center, International Gallery, 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W.: Close Up In Black: African-American Film Posters. Exhibition recounts the extraordinary story of black film history through the graphic art of the American movie poster. May 7-July 28. 202/633-1000.
upcoming
Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St., N.W.: Peabody Trio and Reception. Performance features Beethoven piano trios. May 13, 8 p.m. $50-$60. Call 202/639-1703 or visit corcoran .org.
George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive: Marine Chamber Ensembles. Performance includes music by Mozart, Bartók and Arnold Schoenberg. May 15, 2 p.m. 202/433-6060 or mbw.usmc.mil.
National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues, N.W.: Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. The Cathedral Choral Society performs. May 15, 4 p.m. $20-$37. 202/ 537-5527 or cathedralchoral society.org.
The Octagon Museum, 1799 New York Ave., N.W.: The Initiated Eye: Secrets, Symbols, Freemasonry and the Architecture of Washington, D.C. This original exhibition focuses on the significant contributions of Freemasons to the design and architecture of Washington. May 18-Dec. 31. 202/ 638-3221.
National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.: Guppy Gala. This event features live performers, family-oriented activities, information booths, foods and children's activities. May 13, 6-8:30 p.m. $20-$28. Call 202/633-2922 or visit fonz.org.
northern virginia
Alexandria: Gadsby's Tavern, 134 N. Royal St., The Many Sides of George Washington, Peter Henriques, historian and professor emeritus at George Mason University, will discuss the many aspects of Washington and his impact on early America, May 10, 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; Mother's Day Tours, free tours for mothers, May 8, 1-5 p.m., other adults, $4; children 11-17, $2. 703/ 838-4242 or gadsbystavern.org.
Alexandria: Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., The Stony Road: Desegregating America's Schools. This exhibit chronicles the journey toward desegregating public schools in America. May 12-Aug. 5. 703/838-4356.
Fairfax: George Mason University Center for the Arts, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, the Acting Company presents this play based on Carson McCullers' heartbreaking 1940 novel, May 8, 7 p.m., $17-$34; Einstein: A Stage Portrait, award-winning play is a fascinating study of the human side of a brilliant and controversial mind, May 7, 2 and 8 p.m. Call 703/218-6500 or visit gmu.edu/cfa.
Manassas: R.C. Haydon Elementary School, 9075 Park Ave., The Rainmaker. The Prince William Little Theatre performs this romantic comedy about investing in dreams. May 6-21. Call 703/330-7796 or visit pwlt.org.
Mount Vernon: George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, Mother's Day With Martha Washington. "Mrs. Washington" presents a special Mother's Day program, taking guests back in time to the late 18th century to share her insights as mother to her children, grandchildren and her country. May 8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 703/780-2000 or visit mountvernon.org.
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.
richmond
Agecroft Hall & Gardens, 4305 Sulgrave Road, Music on the Lawn: Mother's Day Concert. The Richmond Concert Band performs their annual Mother's Day concert on the lawn at Agecroft Hall. Guests may bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics for this special free concert. May 8, 6:30 p.m. Call 804/737-3767 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.
Brazier Fine Art, 3401 W. Cary St.: Big Cities--Mark Lague. This unique collection of paintings provides a visual journey to some favorite big cities. Through May 31. Opening reception, May 6, 5-8 p.m. 804/359-2787.
Downtown Richmond, Shockoe Slip area on Cary Street, between Ninth and 14th streets: Ukrop's Richmond Race Fest. A fundraiser for the Victory Junction Gang Camp for critically ill children, this family-friendly street party features live music and entertainment on three stages, show cars, racing simulators, interactive displays and games, and a NASCAR driver autograph session. May 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Visit ukrops.com.
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 W. Broad St.: The Last Five Years. Jason Robert Brown's intimate, two-person musical about a nice Jewish boy who meets a good Irish Catholic girl. Through May 21. $10-$20. Call 804/355-2001 or visit firehousetheatre.org.
Kanawha Plaza, Eighth and Canal streets: Fridays at Sunset Program. Music includes jazz, pop, blues R&B, soul, reggae and hip-hop. Fridays through Aug. 19. Doors open at 6 p.m. $15-$20. Season passes available. Call 888/301-4102 or visit fridaysatsunset.com.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave.: Mother's Day Concert and Teahouse Brunch, free concert features the popular jazz ensemble, the Tommy Witten Trio, brunch is available, reservations are suggested, no picnicking, May 8, concert hours, 1-4 p.m., Tea House brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Groovin' in the Garden, get together with friends and enjoy live music in a garden setting, Thursday evenings, May 5, 12 and 19 and June 2 and 9, doors open at 6 p.m., concerts begin at 6:30 p.m., rain or shine, no coolers, $15-$18. 804/ 262-9887 or lewisginter.org.
Maymont, 1700 Hampton St.: Dooley Noted Society's Cocktail Classic. Swing, shake and stir under the stars with the jumping jazz of Chez Roue. May 6, 7-10 p.m. $10-$18. 804/358-7166, ext. 341.
Museum District, West of the Boulevard: A Monumental Mother's Day House and Garden Tour. Highlights 10 homes and gardens in the 3200 block of historic Monument Avenue, the gaslight block of West Franklin Street and adjacent Tilden Street. May 8, 1-6 p.m. Parking, tickets sales, tours and restroom facilities available at Immanuel Baptist Church, 3601 Monument Ave. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 804/257-9622 or visit museumdistrict.org.
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St.: Kicked Back Classics. May 8, 5 p.m., $5-$15, call 804/788-1212 or visit richmondsymphony.com; 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 Sahara sun, through May 20. Call 800/659-1727 or visit smv.org.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard: Third Thursdays. A monthly series of events about music, art, tours, food and specialty drinks. Series tickets $40, single tickets $10. Through Dec. 15. 804/204-2704.
elsewhere
Brentsville: Brentsville Historical area, next to the Old One Room School House, Chili Cook-Off Art Show. Presented by the Prince William Art Society. May 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For details, visit brentsville.org.
Charlottesville: Live Arts Upstage Theater, 123 E. Water St., Lattehouse VII: Consumed. May 5-21. $7. 434/977-4177, ext. 108.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Art Museum, 155 Rugby Road, The Naked and the Clothed: Photographs from the Collection. Features a presentation of clothed and unclothed figures in the work of artists such as Richard Avedon, Edouard Boubat, Nan Goldin, William Klein, Edward Roseberry, Edward Steichen and Holly Wright. May 6- June 29. Opening reception, May 8, 2 p.m. 434/924-3592.
College Park, Md.: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, State Route 193 and Stadium Drive, Curse of the Starving Class, this funny and lyrical dark comedy involves a dysfunctional family living on a farm in California where they fight developers, loan sharks, the elements and each other for control of the land and their share of the pie, through May 7, $7-$20; Yacub Addy, features African percussion, rich vocals, high energy dance and lush costumes. May 7, 8 p.m., $7-$30; University of Maryland Pops Concert, program includes "The Feel of a Vision" by Chuck Mangione, "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" by J.S. Bach and more, May 7, 8 p.m., $7-$20; Bach Mass in B minor, The University of Maryland Chamber Singers and Symphony Orchestra perform, May 6, $7-$20. 301/405-2787 or claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.
Crozet: Claudius Crozet Park, 12 miles west of Charlottesville, Spring Arts and Crafts Festival. A juried fine arts and crafts show with 125 exhibitors, food and entertainment. May 7-8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $1-$4. 434/823-2211.
Frederick, Md.: National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. A discussion of the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Lincoln, presented by Sue Ketron. The program includes a look at the medical aspects of Lincoln's injuries. May 7, programs begin on the hour, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. $4-$6.50. Children 9 and under admitted free. Call 301/695-1864.
Middletown: Wayside Theatre, Main Street, The Complete History of America, Abridged. This play pokes fun at many of the historical legends, myths and facts that we hold dear. Through May 14. $10-$25. Call 540/869-1776 or visit waysidetheatre.org.
Montpelier: Montpelier Center for Arts and Education, 17205 Mountain Road, Gypsy Roots. An evening of swing jazz fused with gypsy folk music. May 7. Swing dance lesson, 8-9 p.m.; free form swing, 9-11 p.m. $7 in advance, $10 at the door. For details, call 804/874-9135, or visit gypsyroots.com or montpeliercenter.org.
Ruther Glen: Frog Level Volunteer Fire Department, 30240 Richmond Turnpike, Spring Bazaar. Features craft and yard sale vendors, baked goods, hot dogs and more. May 7, 8 a.m.-2 p.m Call 804/994-5559.
The Plains: Great Meadow, Virginia Gold Cup. One of steeplechase racing's most popular events. Also includes prerace entertainment featuring the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, "The Leapfrogs," and more. May 7. Gates open at 10 a.m. for prerace entertainment. First race begins at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per car in advance, $85 the week of the race, allows entry of car and six occupants. 540/347-2612 or vagoldcup.com.
Washington, Va.: The Theatre at Washington, Laurence Juber Performance. Juber is one of the world's foremost acoustic guitarists and a renowned practitioner of finger style guitar. May 7, 8 p.m. $5-$15. Call 540/675-1253 or visit theatre-washington-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. Call 888/471-4802 or visit mysterydinner.com.