Saturday, May 19, 2007

Today

ON STAGE "Scenes From the Big Picture" Owen McCafferty's Belfast chronicle, "Scenes From the Big Picture," plays at Catholic University for the next month. The show, which snared several new-writing awards for the playwright after its London opening in 2003, is presented jointly by D.C.'s Solas Nua company and Northern Ireland's Tinderbox Theatre. $20; students and seniors, $15. Today at 8 p.m., tomorrow at 3, through June 24. Callan Theatre, Catholic University, 3801 Harewood Rd. NE. 800-494-8497.

ON STAGE Kings of Their Castle The Great Big International Drag King Show, the annual showcase of "drag king" talent spotlighting burlesque, dance, music and a smattering of theater, courtesy of 22 performers from such places as Portland, Ore., Chicago and London, returns to the 9:30 club tonight. This year marks Round 7. $25. 9 p.m. 815 V St. NW. 800-955-5566.

CONCERT Joseph Arthur Returns The singer-songwriter lauded for his last record, "Nuclear Daydream," a '60s-style homage with Dylanesque lyrical ambitions, plays the 9:30 club Monday with his band, the Lonely Astronauts, to promote their first record together. "Let's Just Be" is more aligned with the garage rock of the 1970s. $15. 7:30 p.m. 815 V St. NW. 800-955-5566.

THE SCENE Like the Vikings Do Hej Hej, a dance party dedicated to the rocking sounds of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Denmark, plays the basement party at Cafe Saint-Ex on Tuesday. You'll be shaking it to those groups you don't usually hear at pubs on 14th Street -- this time around, bands could include Sweden's Shout Out Louds, Iceland's Bang Gang and Denmark's Tiger Baby. Free. 10 p.m. 1847 14th St. NW. 202-265-7839.

FILM An Unexpected Flick From Japan The Library of Congress's Mary Pickford Theater takes a break from its seemingly "all Shakespeare, all the time" format of late to show "Konketsuji Rika" ("Half-Breed Rika"), a 1972 female yakuza movie about the exploits of "girl gang bosses." The plot here is dark: A girl born to a Japanese woman and American GI lives a tough life that includes rape, gangs, fighting and underworld dealings. She's in a miniskirt and she's looking for some vengeance. Written by Kaneto Shindo. Free. 7 p.m. 101 Independence Ave. SE. 202-707-5677.