[Art]

Sunday, February 26, 2006

More happenings

around town that still

had tickets available

at press time:

[Art]

AMOROUS INTRIGUES AND PAINTERLY REFINEMENT: THE ART OF FRANS VAN MIERIS -- Opens today. Through May 21. The works of the 17th-century Dutch master, known for his interior scenes and portraits, are explored in an exhibition that stresses themes such as love, deceit, vanity and imitation. National Gallery of Art, West Building, Dutch Cabinet Galleries, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-737-4215.

ARTY GRAS -- See Can't Miss, this page.

DIVINE AND HUMAN: WOMEN IN ANCIENT MEXICO AND PERU -- Opens Friday. Through May 28. More than 400 objects examine the roles of women in ancient Mesoamerica and South America as mothers, daughters, healers, scribes, artists, warriors, priestesses and goddesses. National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. $8, students and seniors $6. 202-783-5000.

HOKUSAI -- Opens Saturday. Through May 14. Co-organized by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc. and in cooperation with the Tokyo National Museum, the exhibit focuses on the paintings created during the seven-decade career of the great Japanese artist. The print "Great Wave Off Kanagawa" is his most widely recognized image, but Hokusai's works spanned a variety of media, including large, colorful folding screens, scrolls, fans, small drawings, sketches, prints and printed books. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 12th Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. 202-633-4880.

[Books]

WASHINGTON ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR -- Friday, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The 31st-annual show of old, rare and collectible books offers an old-fashioned alternative to Amazon.com. Holiday Inn Rosslyn, 1900 N. Fort Myer Dr., Arlington. $6-$12. 301-654-2626, Ext. 109.

[Concerts]

ANTELOPE -- Today, doors at 8:30 p.m. Dischord Records post-punk trio. Warehouse Next Door, 1017 Seventh St. NW. $8. 202-783-3933.

NOFX -- Monday, doors at 7 p.m. The often political, always satirical California punk legends play with the Lawrence Arms and the Loved Ones. Nation, 1015 Half St. SE. $20. 202-397-7328.

GEORGE CLINTON & THE PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC ALL STARS -- Monday at 7:30 p.m. The legendary funk artist's career runs from doo-wop to hip-hop. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $40. 202-265-0930.

TINA DICO -- Monday at 8:30 p.m. Danish singer known for her collaboration with British downbeat outfit Zero 7. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $12. 703-522-8340.

SCOTT STAPP -- Tuesday, doors at 7:30 p.m. Maybe the former Creed frontman can sing away the blues caused by his recent arrest and his unreleased sex tape buddy-flick costarring Kid Rock. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $25. 202-265-0930.

THE GRANDSONS -- Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. A Mardi Gras party by the masters of New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing and country two-step. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $10. 703-522-8340.

SMOKING POPES -- Thursday at 7 p.m. The band's unconventional take on pop-punk (they sound like a loud guitar band with a laid-back lounge singer) is often attributed to singer Josh Caterer's love of big band music and old black-and-white movies. With Bayside. Nation, 1015 Half St. SE. $10. 202-397-7328.

EARTHA KITT -- See Can't Miss, this page.

BRAZILIAN GIRLS -- Friday at 9 p.m. Although the name is false advertising (only one member is female and none are Brazilian), they are known for crafty club music that fuses samba, reggae, trip-hop and lounge. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $25. 202-265-0930.

THE SUBWAYS -- See Can't Miss, this page.

STRIKE ANYWHERE -- Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Richmond's melodic hardcore heroes play with a Global Threat and With Honor. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $10. 202-667-7960.

STEEL PULSE -- Saturday, doors at 10 p.m. The British reggae band is heading into its 31st year together. Crossroads, 4103 Baltimore Ave., Bladensburg. $25. 301-927-1056.

[Miscellaneous]

CLARENDON-COURTHOUSE MARDI GRAS PARADE -- See Can't Miss, this page.

[Movies]

Films open Friday and are in general release unless otherwise noted. Opening dates subject to change. Checkhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/moviesor Friday's Weekend section for details and complete movie listings.

THE ABORTION DIARIES -- Tuesday at 9 p.m. A documentary by Penny Lane features 12 women who speak candidly about their experiences with abortion. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $5. 202-667-7960.

SHOWCASE OF ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEES -- See Can't Miss, this page.

FIRST NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM FILM FESTIVAL -- Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 1 p.m. The (not-yet-open) National Law Enforcement Museum's inaugural three-day festival features three films, accompanied by guest speakers who provide behind-the-scenes knowledge about how accurately movies depict police work. "The French Connection" plays Thursday, "Se7en" Friday and "Dragnet" Saturday. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. Free. 301-495-6720.

AQUAMARINE -- Two 12-year-old girls discover a mermaid in the pool of their beach house and get her a date with the cute boy who runs the food bar. Huh?

DAVE CHAPPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY -- Director Michael Gondry's cameras capture the comedy superstar as he hosts a once-in-a-lifetime free block party in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The combination of comedy and music was shot on location and features appearances by Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, the Roots, Cody Chesnutt, Big Daddy Kane, and Fugees (who reunited for their first performance in more than seven years). Oh yeah, there's brand-new material by Mr. Chappelle, too.

GAY SEX IN THE 70S -- Filmmaker Joseph Lovett's documentary focuses on the sexual exploration that marked the 12 years from the Stonewall riots in 1969 to the first reported cases of AIDS in 1981. Archival film and photographs document the erotic life of New York's West Side piers, trucks, bars, dance clubs, baths and beaches. At Landmark E Street Cinema.

KING KONG -- Boasting a brand-new digital print, and Fay Wray's classic pipes, the 1933 ape-in-the-big-city classic is again a must-see on the big screen. At AFI Silver Theatre.

16 BLOCKS -- A burnt-out detective played by Bruce Willis (who else?) transports a repeat offender (Mos Def) from jail to a courthouse 16 blocks away. Along the way he learns that the rest of the force wants the witness dead, and he must choose between his loyalty to his colleagues and protecting his charge.

THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE -- The 1973 feature debut by Spanish director Victor Erice is set in the early 1940s, when Franco's Nationalists had just come to power after the Civil War. The coming-of-age tale follows two sisters growing up in a remote Castillan village. At AFI Silver Theatre.

ULTRAVIOLET -- Milla Jovovich stars as a genetically modified soldier in the late 21st century, who -- caught in the middle of a war between the government and their super-soldiers -- finds herself protecting a 9-year-old boy who has been marked for death. It has to be better than "Aeon Flux."

[On Stage]

NEW YORK CITY BALLET -- See Can't Miss, this page.

PAULA POUNDSTONE -- Friday at 7 and 10 p.m. The stand-up comic is known for her casual wit and improvisational skills, but we love her for her performance as Paula Small on the much-missed UPN and Comedy Central animated show "Home Movies." Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. $29.50. 410-268-4545.

DANCE BETHESDA -- Friday, 8-10:30 p.m. Saturday, 3:30-8 p.m. March 5, 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The annual festival of dance is highlighted by free lessons, parties and performances by six regional dance companies showcasing various genres. Venues vary. For a complete schedule of events and locations, see http://www.bethesda.org . Free. 301-215-6660.

BOSMA DANCE -- Saturday at 8 p.m. March 5 at 7 p.m. Award-winning choreographer Meisha Bosma premieres "Shelter," a new solo featuring Bosma and a life-sized sculpture by artist Jenny Young. The company also presents "Violent in My Winter," a quartet based on the work of Emily Dickinson, and "Handle With Care," a 45-minute dance-theater piece. Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE. $20; seniors, students, teachers and artists $15; children $7.

202-269-1600.

THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF HISPANIC THEATER -- Through March 11. This week's performers hail from Cuba. For a schedule of events and performances, see http://www.teatrodelaluna.org . Locations vary. $10-$25, ages 12 and younger free-$25. 703-548-3092 or 202-882-6227.

[Sports]

THE 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS -- Today, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Coverage of the games in Turin, Italy, concludes with the men's hockey gold-medal game at 8 a.m. on NBC, a figure skating overview at 11 a.m. on USA, the men's cross-country 50K final at 4 p.m. on NBC and the closing ceremony at 7 p.m. on NBC.

WWE RAW AND SMACKDOWN SUPERSHOW -- Monday at 6:45 p.m. Beefy boys and buxom babes fake fight in the last television event before Wrestlemania. MCI Center, 601 F St. NW. $20-$45. 202-397-7328.

WIZARDS -- Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Indiana Pacers. MCI Center, 601 F St. NW. $10-$150. 202-397-7328.

STILL LOOKING? For more area happenings, look in Friday's Weekend section or go online athttp://www.washingtonpost.com/cityguide.