Brain Food
1. Green Community: The first exhibition in the United States to explore the complex process of creating and sustaining healthy communities. Focusing on sustainability in architecture, planning and design, the exhibit looks at how communities are changing their global impact.
Where: The National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
When: Thursday-Saturday
Info: Free; 202-272-2448; www.nbm.org
2. Hispanic Dance Festival: Five local Latino dance companies present a dramatic program including flamenco, salsa, tango and more.
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
When: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $10 to $25; 202-399-7993; www.atlasarts.org
3. ‘A Deposition on Water-Boarding’: Part of the Ethics and War Monday night readings presented by Journeyman Theatre and Theater J. This text is compiled from the government’s examination of the legality of water-boarding.
Where: Church Street Theatre, 1742 Church St.
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Info: Pay what you can; 202-669-7229; www.journeymentheater.org
4. Tai Soon Burgess & Co. ‘Exploring the Hyphen’: A dance piece that looks at the experience of being an American-Asian and explores whether hyphenated ethnic designations connect or separate us.
Where: Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW
When: Friday-Saturday
Info: Tickets $10 to $28; 202-994-6800; www.lisner.org
5. ‘Genius 2’: A program of works by eminent choreographers — including Twyla Tharp and Mark Morris — presented by the Washington Ballet.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Oct. 26
Info: Tickets: $83 to $120; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org
Family
1. “Halloween Magic” Smithsonian magic show: Interactive show of comedy and magic under the direction of magician Dave Thomen.
Where: Ripley Center, Smithsonian Museum, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW
When: 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday; special Family Show with face painting Saturday
Info: $4 to $10; 202-633-3030; www.discoverytheater.org
2. Boo at the Zoo: Calling all superheroes and princesses: Get your costumes on and head for the zoo’s safe Halloween, including animal encounters and treat stations. Appropriate for ages 2-12.
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Info: $15 to $25; 202-633-4800; www.nationalzoo.si.edu
3. Ghost tour: Explore the haunted past of the National Building Museum. Take a lantern-light tour led by the ghost of Mary Surratt, see mysterious faces in 75-foot Corinthian columns and plenty of other mysteries.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
When: 8 to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Info: $18; 202-272-2448; www.nbm.org
4. Burke Nursery: 14th Annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Playground. Pumpkins, hay rides, farm animals, pumpkin fort, tunnel slide.
Where: 9401 Burke Road, Burke, Va.
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends through Oct. 31
Info: $8 weekdays, $11 weekends, under 2 years free (includes small pumpkin and hay ride); 703-323-1188; www.burkenursery.com
5. Millennium Stage: Free international performances from Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Finland
Where: Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. tonight-Sunday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; www.kennedy-center.org
Galleries
1. ‘Wounded Cities: Photographs by Leo Rubinfien’: Though Leo Rubinfien witnessed the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center from nearby Tribeca apartment, his new series of photos — taken in London, Jerusalem, Madrid and 14 other cities — document the psychological, rather than the physical, ravages of terrorism on the psyche of an urban populace.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through Feb. 17, 2009
Info: $14; $12 seniors/military; $10 students
2. ‘Nicole Lenzi: Stop and Go’: Taoist-influenced artist Nicole Lenzi considers her three-dimensional improvisations to be “drawings” because they speak in the vocabulary of gestures and lines. Her materials, however, are tiles, tape and whatever else she might need.
Where: Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW
When: Through Nov. 15
Info: Free; flashpointdc.org
3. ‘Chris Anthony: The Most Normal Person I Know’: Los Angeles-based photographer Chris Anthony uses archaic equipment and stylized sets and props, perhaps to show us the dreams of the often-unconscious characters who populate his narrative still frames.
Where: Randall Scott Gallery, 1326 14th St. NW
When: Saturday through Nov. 22
Info: Free; 202-332-0806; randallscottgallery.com
4. ‘Return to Toyland’: This collection of vintage toys of the late 19th and early 20th century reveals a surprising artistry, in addition to examining the changing nature of gender roles from then to now.
Where: Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, 1776 D St. NW
When: Through Feb. 28
Info: Free; dar.org/museum/default.cfm
5. ‘Peter Max: POP to Patriotism’: The German-born pop artist and portraitist to six presidents (as well as Senators Obama and McCain) shows about 150 samples of his vibrant work, dating from the psychedelic ’60s to the present, in this special one-day exhibition.
Where: Wentworth Galleries; The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (noon to 2 p.m.), Tysons Galleria, 1731 M. International Drive, McLean (6 to 9 p.m.)
When: Saturday
Info: Free; 703-415-1166; 703-883-0111; wentworthgallery.com
Gatherings
1. 17th Annual Harvest Celebration: Food, raffle, children’s activities, dance.
Where: Market 5 Gallery, Historic Eastern Market, 7th Street and North Carolina Avenue SE
When: 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-543-7293; www.market5gallery.org
2. Cirque du Soleil: “KOOZA” takes audiences on a journey to distant and near, familiar and exotic places with The Innocent, a melancholy loner searching for his place in the world.
Where: The Plateau, National Harbor, 201 Harborview Ave. NW
When: Through Dec. 14.
Info: $38.50 to $125; 800-678-5440; www.cirquedusoleil.com
3. Tour of gymnastic superstars: Catch athletes and former Olympic gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson as Team USA performs with some of Disney’s top young musicians.
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30
Info: $29.50 to $125; 202-397-7328; www.verizoncenter.com
4. National Treasure Tour: Back by popular demand after last winter’s “Basement Tours,” Mount Vernon is again offering behind-the-scenes tours of areas where “National Treasure 2” was filmed.
Where: Mount Vernon, at southern end of George Washington Parkway
When: Facility open every day; tours at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.; 1 and 3 p.m.
Info: $6 to $13; www.mountvernon.org
5. Washington International Horse Show: 50th annual show featuring top horses and riders from the United States, including Olympic champions. 500 horses compete in show jumping, hunters, equitation and dressage events.
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW
When: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10:30 p.m. through Saturday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: $15 to $70; 202-397-7328; www.verizoncenter.com
Movie
‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year’
Critic’s grade: Two and a half stars out of four
Rating: G Running time: 108 minutes
Someday, Troy and Gabriella will actually open their mouths when they kiss. Someday, Sharpay won’t have backup dancers magically appear out of nowhere during her self-glorifying production numbers. But for now, everything remains safely wholesome and intact in “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” even as the series leaps from television to the big screen. – AP
Music
1. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Marin Alsop honors her mentor’s 90th anniversary by conducting the BSO in Bernstein’s Mass with a cast of more than 200 soloists, choirs and a marching band.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $25 to $78; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
2. National Symphony Orchestra: Iván Fischer conducts the NSO in Leo Weiner’s “Serenade” and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. Stephen Isserlis performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C major.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 tonight, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20 to $80; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
3. Christopher Taylor: The pianist celebrates Messiaen’s centennial by performing his “Vingt regards de l’enfant Jésus,” contemplations on mystical love. Pre-concert presentation, “Messiaen in war and peace,” at 6:16 p.m.
Where: Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free, tickets on first come, first served basis; 202-707-5502; loc.gov
4. Allan Harris: The KC Jazz Club welcomes back the jazz vocalist and his Cross That River Band for the second installment from his “Cross That River” trilogy project, a song cycle telling the story of former slave Blue, a black cowboy.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $25; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
5. The Del McCoury Band: Grand Ole Opry favorites please bluegrass fans down home and “Del-Heads” from the city with their picking pyrotechnics.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Also worth noting:
6. Vesta Williams: The multitalented R&B singer/composer/recording star/ producer/actress/radio personality/comedian shares her many talents and excerpts from her latest CD, “Distant Lover.”
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com
Outdoors
1. Capital hauntings: An outdoor walking tour of the seven acres that comprise Lafayette Park, which abounds in mystery and tales of violence, murder and suicide.
Where: Embarks from the MacPherson Square Metrorail station.
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27-31.
Info: $10, no reservations necessary; 800-979-3370; www.washingtonwalks.com
2. 5K Run for the Arts/Wolftrap Howl-o-ween Fun Run: This event matches fun with health. You’ll find music, theater and a costume contest after crossing the finish line.
Where: Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: $15 to $25, teams: $65 to $200; 703-255-1900; www.wolftrap.org
3. Fall frolic: Get into the swing of the season with painting pumpkins, decorating trick-and-treat bags and parading your costume around. Trick-or-treating and children’s theater ($12 to $15). Swing dancing in the Spanish Ballroom ($15).
Where: Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: 301-634-2222; www.glenechopark.org
4. Ghost and Graveyard Tour: Explore Old Town Alexandria with a guide, walking through eerie streets, visiting a cemetery while hearing ghost stories, legends and unsolved mysteries. Reservations recommended.
Where: Southeast corner of King and Fairfax streets, Alexandria
When: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31, Nov. 1
Info: Free for those under 6; $7 to $13; 703-519-1749; www.alexcolonialtours.com
5. Pumpkin festival: Pumpkins up to 80 pounds, hay rides, mazes, tube slide, hayloft, music, food.
Where: Butler’s Orchard, 22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown
When: Through Oct. 31.
Info: Under 2 free; $6 weekdays; $10 weekends; 301-972-3299; www.butlersorchard.com
Theatre
1. Druid/Synge: Galway’s renowned Druid Theatre Company celebrates the works of Ireland’s famous playwright, John Millington Synge. In a rare visit to the United States, Druid will present Synge’s “The Playboy of the Western World,” in which a man who boasts that he killed his father becomes a local hero, and “The Shadow of the Glen,” in which a farmer tests his wife’s fidelity by feigning death.
Where: The Terrace Theatre, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Today through Saturday
Info: $65; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. ‘Honey Brown Eyes’: In two kitchens in Bosnia in 1992, two soldiers — a Bosnian resistance fighter and a Serbian paramilitary — come to terms with the horrors of war.
Where: Theater J, Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW
When: Through Nov. 25.
Info: theaterj.org
3. ‘Hijos del Limbo’ (‘Children of Limbo’): Las Jamonas’ movement/music/song/dance work deals with many issues facing those who no longer live in the land of their birth.
Where: Gala Hispanic Theatre, 1333 14th St. NW
When: Through Saturday
Info: galatheatre.org
4. ‘As American As’: Ken Prestininzi’s dark comedy finds a man in his own basement, bound and hooded by men who control the fate of his son.
Where: Journeymen Theater, Church St. Theater, 1742 Church St.
When: Through Nov. 15
Info: www.journeymentheater.org
5. 11th International Festival of Hispanic Theatre: Drama and comedy from Spain, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Venezuela. In English with simultaneous translation.
Where: Theatre 2, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Through Nov. 15
Info: teatrodelaluna.org
— Compiled by Emily Cary, Chris Klimek and Barbara Mackay
