Friday, June 16, 2006

Today

A Thrilling Ride "Charlie Victor Romeo," if you haven't heard by now, is drawn from the black-box recordings of actual airline emergencies. It's darker than a horror movie because its victims are real. $38-$46. Through June 25. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. 202-332-3300.

Midwest Representing Omaha's Tilly and the Wall, whose members go way back with Bright Eyes brain Conor Oberst, make cute, girlie indie pop set to tap dancing. Yup. Tap dancing. $12. Tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. 202-667-7960.

"Firebird" Takes Flight The National Symphony Orchestra stages "The Magic of the Firebird," based on a Russian fairy tale and aimed at children, at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday. An hour before each concert, kids can see up close the violins, harps and other instruments used in the performance. $15. Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600.

Pride Continues The National Museum of Women in the Arts screens "New Queer Shorts: A Pride Celebration" on Sunday, including films about a Chinese lesbian coming out to her family and two older women finding love. $5; students and 60 and older, $4. 3-4:30 p.m., 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202-783-5000.

The Trouble With the Media Hearst columnist Helen Thomas, whose interrogations at White House news conferences have long been the stuff of lore (and among press secretaries, a source of fear), reserves her latest lashing for her fellow journalists. She reads from her new book, "Watchdogs of Democracy?," Monday at 7 p.m. Free. Olsson's in Penn Quarter, 418 Seventh St. NW. 202-638-7610.