D.C. community calendar, Sept. 20 to 27, 2012

Thursday, Sept. 20

Cathedral bird walk and woods exploration,birder Sheila Cochran leads a walk and discusses how native ground covers, shrubs and trees attract birds and other wildlife; take binoculars and wear sturdy shoes; meet at the George Washington statue on Pilgrim Road, 8:30 a.m.; and Deanne Eversmeyer, cathedral horticulture manager, leads a tree identification program, 10 a.m., Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. Free. 202-537-2319.

Irish Aran Islands music lecture, by Deirde Ni Chonghaile. Noon, Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, Whittall Pavilion, 10 First St. SE. Free. 202-707-0213.

“Gesture and Movement: Degas’s Sculptures,” practicing artists lead a workshop on sketching and conversation using observation, drawing and discussion, all materials provided. 1-3 p.m., National Gallery of Art, 600 Constitution Ave. NW. Free, registration at 12:30 p.m. 202-737-4215 or drawingsalon2nga.gov.

Teen game night, for ages 12-19, participate in playing video games, board games, trading card games and more. 4-6 p.m. Thursdays, Lamond-Riggs Library, Meeting Room No. 1, 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE. Free. 202-541-6255.

“Sancho, Dulcinea, Their Knight and His Quest,” Company E, a D.C.-based contemporary repertory dance company, uses puppetry, projection, song, film and shadow to present Cervantes’s tale “Don Quixote.” 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

Sculpture opening reception, for an exhibit of works by Hary Annella “Mimi” Frank, Linda Hesh, Damien Yannessa and other, juried by Jeff Spaulding, sculptor and artist-in-residence, American University. Reception. 6-9 p.m. Thursday; exhibit continues, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays through December 16 and one hour before Katzen events. Free. 202-686-8696 or www.washingtonsculptors.org.

Blair House, the president’s guest house, Blair House curator Candace Shireman discusses the history of the house on Lafayette Square. 6:45 p.m., S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. $40. 202-633-3030.

Charles Dickens talk, readings, Dickens scholars Karen Chase and Michael Levenson discuss the rise of Dickens’s literary career; actor Will Wurel gives Dickens readings. 6:45 p.m., S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. $40. 202-633-3030.

Southwest Chamber Music Players, performance of works by Beethoven, Burgmuller, Mendelssohn and others. 7:30 p.m., St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW. Donations requested. David Ehrlich, 202-484-6354, or www.southwestchamberplayers.org.

“Reimagining Leadership in Jewish Organizations: Ten Practical Lessons to Help You Implement Change and Achieve Your Goals,” Misha Galperin, president and CEO of Jewish Agency International Development, discusses his book on seeing what is working and what is not in today’s increasingly demanding world, a practical way to improve current lay and professional leadership in Jewish community organizations. 7:30 p.m., Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. Free with reservation. 202-777-3254.