Best Music
1. Cirque Chinois: The National Circus of the People's Republic of China, direct from Beijing, on its inaugural North American tour with spectacular acts and feats to thrill all ages.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax
When: 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $24 to $48; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu
Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $32 to $48; 888-945-2468; hyltoncenter.org
2. Cathedral Choral Society: Music Director J. Reilly Lewis conducts the opening concert, "The Glory of France," with works by Durufle, Dupre and Franck, with guest soloists mezzo-soprano Carla Dirlikov, baritone Michael Kelly and Todd Fickley playing the Cathedral's Great Organ in Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3 ("The Organ Symphony).
Where: Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: $27 to $57; 202-537-2228; 202-537-5527; cathedralchoralsociety.org
3. Mariinsky Ballet: "Cinderella," a romantic, contemporary take on the classic fairy tale as envisioned by choreographer Alexei Ratmansky.
Where: Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $29 to $150; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
4. The Heath Brothers: KC Jazz Club presents the legendary saxophonist Jimmy Heath, an NEA Jazz Master, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $26 to $30; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
5. Anat Cohen Quartet: The Israeli clarinetist makes her Kennedy Center debut with selections from her upcoming album that combines modern jazz, classical music, Brazilian choro and Argentine tango.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 and 9:30 Friday
Info: $26 to $30; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
Best Gatherings
1. VelocityDC Dance Festival: Immerse yourself in rhythm and movement at the fourth annual VelocityDC Dance Festival. Featuring the very best in dance from D.C. and around the world, this is an awe-inspiring, visceral experience. The festival is performed in mixed repertory.
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Thursday through Sunday
Info: $18; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
2. Mr. Crobs the Magician: This magic and clown show features jokes, tricks, poetry, games, ventriloquism and a bumbling magician's assistant, Mr. Crobs, who must try his best to replace his boss once he goes missing.
Where: The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
3. Poems and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe: The Georgetown Theatre Company brings to life the best-known poems and tales of Baltimore's morbid son, including "The Cask of Amontillado," "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee," in this night of eerie readings. A coffee and dessert reception follows the stories.
Where: Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., Alexandria
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: $10; 703-548-0035; nvfaa.org
4. "And God Created Great Whales": A composer struggles to finish his ambitious work: an opera based on "Moby-Dick."
Where: Kogod Theatre, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, College Park, at the intersection of Stadium Drive and University Boulevard
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Info: $10 to $35; 301-405-2787; claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
Best Family
1. Kids Euro Festival: Plays, dance, music, cinema and workshops by outstanding European artists will come to theaters, schools and libraries throughout D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
Where: Various venues
When: Through Nov. 14
Info: Free; 202-944-6558; kidseurofestival.org
2. Fabulous Fall Scavenger Hunt: Make a cool colorful craft after collecting everything you'll need for it on this hike/scavenger hunt. For families with children ages 5 and up. For more info, call 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-448-2727; program No. 612852-K
3. How 'Ten Timid Ghosts' Came to Be: Beloved children's author Jennifer O'Connell reads her popular book "Ten Timid Ghosts" and speaks to kids about the imaginative spark that triggers an idea for a book and collaborating with artists to produce a terrific story. Afterward, O'Connell will work with kids to create a character and setting for a unique on-the-spot tale.
Where: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free, but tickets required; 202-783-3372; see website for details; nationaltheatre.org
4. Let's Go Camping!: In this gentle introduction to camping out one step up from the backyard, you'll make camp, have time for lazing about or playing in the creek. After a delicious dinner cooked over the campfire, you'll enjoy song, story and s'mores. The next morning, you'll cook breakfast, before breaking camp. Bring your own tent if you have one. If not, some are available for a small fee. For families with children ages 6 and up. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more info, call 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday to 9:30 a.m. Sunday
Info: $20 per person; registration required: 703-228-4747; program No. 612852-L
5. Wild Ones: West Wind, West Wind: What happened to our summer weather? Join us to learn about highs, lows and the frontal systems that dominate our fall and winter weather. We'll make weather vanes for tracking the wind, too. For children ages 6 to 10. Register child only. For more info, call 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $5; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 612822-K
Best Outdoors
1. Haunted Limousine Scavenger Hunt: Visit some of Washington's scariest sites, where ghostly visitors may challenge you. Find yourself working with pumpkins, bobbing for apples, surprises with Halloween candy, and other items in heart-pounding, exciting contests. Win incredible prizes just in time for the Halloween season.
Where: Virginia and D.C.; starts at Rosslyn Metro Station and finished near Metro Center Station
When: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $69; thingstododc.com
2. Tarzan Training 101: Zip Lining and Other Swinging Adventures from Tree Tops: After a 30-minute training session, you will be equipped with harnesses, pulleys and carabiners and turned loose into the forest canopy 40 feet above the ground. Spanning across 6 acres, the course features various obstacles including five ziplines, Tarzan swings, rope ladders, bridges and trapezes.
Where: Go Ape!, 6129 Needwood Lake Drive, Rockville
When: 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $65; 800-971-8271; thingstododc.com
3. Visit the Giant Panda Mei Xiang: Mei Xiang is choosing to go outside in the mornings, at last. In the afternoons, she can usually be found napping on her indoor rock work. The David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat is open, and visitors can see Tian Tian and Mei Xiang outdoors and indoors, though the area directly around Mei Xiang's den is still closed.
Where: National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, weather permitting
Info: Free; 202-633-4462; nationalzoo.si.edu
4. Remove Invasive Plants!: Help improve wildlife habitat. Join a monthly work party to remove destructive invasive plants and make a real difference in the return of wildflowers and young trees in areas once covered in ivy. For adults, families and teens. No registration required.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 703-228-6536
5. Birding at Antietam Battlefield: This visit, just after the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, will follow the course of the battle as it occurred in 1862. You'll also hike other parts of the battlefield, searching for more birds and wildlife. Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, a bag lunch, a drink and snacks for the day. For adults. For more information, call 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 23
Info: $40; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program No. 612842-F
Best Brainfood
1. Very Like a Whale: This exhibition of rare books and manuscripts are juxtaposed with natural objects and with contemporary photography to evoke the world of Shakespeare's imagination.
Where: The Folger Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE
When: Through Jan. 6
Info: Free; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
2. "My American Revolution": Robert Sullivan offers a fresh look at the American War of Independence. Setting out to see the fields of battle, Sullivan traveled by boat, camped out, and observed tides and stars, calculating the effect of nature on the war.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
3. "Presto!": This interactive musical magic show, from the Society of Estonian Magicians, features Charlekas, one of the most unique and sought-after magicians in Estonia.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
4. "Songs of Migration": Created by internationally acclaimed South African trumpeter, composer and lyricist Hugh Masekela, "Songs of Migration" is a musical tribute to the great songs of migrants across the African continent.
Where: Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Saturday
Info: $30; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Theater
1. "I Love to Eat": Before Julia Child, Emeril Lagasse and the Food Network, there was television's first chef, James Beard, who brought fine cooking (and his jolly presence) to the small screen in 1946. The author of 20-plus cookbooks, he promoted a message of good food, honestly prepared with fresh ingredients, that helped establish an American cuisine.
Where: Round House Theater, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: Through Nov. 4
Info: $26 to $53; 240-644-1100; roundhousetheatre.org
2. "Dirt": In this play by Bryony Lavery, a woman named Harriet is about to die. Ellie is the waitress who last served her and her boyfriend. Mesmerizing, funny and stylish, this world premiere explores the ways that modern life is suffocating us emotionally and physically.
Where: Studio Theater, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Nov. 11
Info: $20; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
3. "The Conference of the Birds": This allegorical 12th-century Persian poem has engaged readers and listeners for hundreds of years. It charms with its wisdom, its gentle humor, its understand of psychological truth and its theatricality. Aaron Posner directs this adaptation, originally by Peter Brook and Jean-Claude Carriere.
Where: The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: Tuesday to Nov. 25
Info: $30 to $68; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
4. International Festival of Hispanic Theater: Teatro de la Luna presents theater from Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, Spain and the United States (children's theater). In Spanish with simultaneous translation.
Where: Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
When: Through Nov. 17
Info: $30 to $35; 703-548-3092; teatrodelaluna.org
5. "DruidMurphy": Three plays by Ireland's premiere playwright, Tom Murphy, will be shown on separate nights or all at once on Saturday: "Famine," "A Whistle in the Dark" and "Conversations on a Homecoming.").
Where: Eisenhower Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Saturday
Info: $35 to $65; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Best Galleries
1. Jill Townsley: Toil: British artist Townsley's sculpture, drawings and video reveal the role of repetition in art-making in her first U.S. solo exhibition.
Where: Project 4 Gallery, 1353 U St. NW, third floor
When: Through Saturday
Info: Free; 202-232-4340; project4gallery.com
2. Call Collect: This collector-focused exhibition features pieces from 100 of the region's emerging and established contemporary artists, including rising stars Linn Meyers and Renee Stout.
Where: Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U St. NW
When: Saturday through Nov. 9
Info: Free; 202-332-1116; hamiltoniangallery.com
3. Fabulous! Portraits by Michele Mattei: Large-format portraits of female sculptors, painters, designers, musicians, dancers and other artists who've shaped contemporary culture, from the eye of photographer Mattei.
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
When: Through Jan. 13
Info: $10, seniors and students $8, members and youth under 18 free; 202-783-5000; nmwa.org
4. Detroit Is No Dry Bones: Sociologist and photographer Jose Vergara has documented Detroit's precipitous population drain over the course of the last 25 years through his indelible pictures, which capture a city teeming with vibrant cultural life even as people continue to flee in droves.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
When: Through Feb. 18
Info: $8, youth, students and seniors $5; 202-272-2448; nbm.org
5. 40 Under 40: Craft Futures: Forty artists born since 1972 showcase their post-9/11 pieces in mediums as varied as sculpture, ceramics, fashion, installation art and even mathematics.
Where: Renwick Gallery, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: Through Feb. 3
Info: Free; 202-633-7970; americanart.si.edu/renwick
