Our Picks

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Can't Miss

1. Tiny Ninja Theater

[on stage] We're just going to say it: A man playing with diminutive plastic ninjas that he makes spout Shakespeare does not exactly sound like theater. Yet Dov Weinstein's theater company takes the bizarre and makes it brilliant. Founded in 1999, the show amused critics with its abbreviated versions of "Macbeth" (which shows Monday and Tuesday) and "Romeo and Juliet" (Wednesday and Thursday).

Monday-Thursday at 6 p.m. Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

2. Silverdocs

[movie] The AFI/Discovery Channel documentary film festival has catapulted indie films into the national spotlight, including last year's Oscar winner, "The Blood of Yingzhou District," and the controversial "Jesus Camp." This year's program features 100 selections from more than 40 countries. "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song," Jim Brown's doc on the music icon, kicks off the six-day event. (Also see Buzz Worthy, Page 5.)

Opens Tuesday. Through June 17. Locations vary. For details, visit http://www.silverdocs.com. $10, opening gala $50, ticket packages available. 301-495-6776.

3. La Vie en Rose

[movie] Marion Cotillard's portrayal of French singer Edith Piaf illuminates her transformation from an impoverished ingenue into a celebrated balladeer. Nicknamed the "Little Sparrow," Piaf led a rags-to-riches life that ended tragically. Gérard Depardieu co-stars. In French with English subtitles.

Opens Friday. Landmark's Bethesda Row, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. 301-652-7273. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. 202-452-7672. Both $6.75-$9.50.

4. Exotic Fever Fest

[concert] A slew of local bands -- including punk rockers Mass Movement of the Moth, which released its first LP last year, and Pash, a Fredericksburg outfit whose second album is available for pre-order -- perform at the music mash-up put on by College Park-based Exotic Fever Records. Other groups scheduled are New Idea Society, Den of Thieves and Kathy Cashel.

Friday-Saturday at 9 p.m. Warehouse Theater, 1021 Seventh St. NW. $6. 202-783-3933.

5. 3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament

[sports] If you can control your urge to dunk, register a team of three to five players by Wednesday to compete in six or seven 10-minute games during the round-robin tourney. If, however, your basketball skills are best left to sideline coaching and ruminating, show your support for the teams and the cause: The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund has awarded about $2.5 million to D.C. public school students since it was founded in 1996. Bonus: There's entertainment, food and celebrity sightings.

Saturday, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. On Pennsylvania Avenue NW, from Third to Sixth streets. Free to watch, $80 per team. 202-289-6459.

-- Akeya Dickson

And More ...

[Concerts]

ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI-- Today at 7:30 p.m. The indie-pop collective -- which hails from Australia, not Finland -- creates playful, twee tunes with an eye-popping variety of instruments. With Santogold and Black Moth Super Rainbow. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $16. 202-265-0930.

ELECTRELANE-- Today at 8 p.m. The English act's sophisticated rock mixes Krautrock aesthetic, intricate composition, hypnotic rhythms and a melodic flair. With Tender Forever and the Shondes. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $13. 202-667-7960.

MORNINGBELL-- Today at 9 p.m. It takes a special kind of band to turn nostalgia for the choose-your-own-

adventure books of the '80s into a skip-around-tracks concept album, but this Florida psychedelic-rock band has done just that. How might that translate onstage? Who knows? But the band's Web site boasts a $100 light show. Galaxy Hut, 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $5. 703-525-8646.

EXIT CLOV-- Monday at 8:30 p.m. The local dream-pop favorites seem most at home on Iota's intimate stage. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $10. 703-522-8340.

AVISHAI COHEN-- Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Israeli bass guitarist combines Middle Eastern and Israeli music with electric and acoustic jazz. Inter-American Development Bank, Cultural Center, 1300 New York Ave. NW. Free. 202-623-3558.

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY-- Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The swing revivalists are still shilling retro cool. Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $29.50. 703-549-7500 or 703-573-7328.

JOSS STONE-- Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The 20-year-old British singer-songwriter, who has made major waves in American R&B, returns with her new album, "Introducing Joss Stone." With Ryan Shaw. Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. $28-$42. 877-965-3872 or 703-255-1868.

JOHN PRINE-- Friday at 8 p.m. Two great American songwriters share this much-anticipated bill. Prine, hailed by former U.S. poet laureate Ted Kooser as "a genuine poet of the American people," headlines. Earthy Arkansas troubadour Iris DeMent opens. Warner Theatre, 13th and E streets NW. $49.50-$59.50. 202-783-4000 or 202-397-7328.

EXOTIC FEVER FEST-- See Can't Miss.

WALTER BEASLEY-- Saturday at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. The sensuous R&B vocalist and saxophonist is a star of the contemporary jazz scene. Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. $29.50. 410-268-4545.

WASHINGTON SOCIAL CLUB-- Saturday, doors at 9 p.m. The local rock standout takes a triumphant turn on the 9:30 club stage to celebrate the release of "Bigger Than Your Boyfriend." With the Dance Party. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $12. 202-265-0930.

[Exhibits]

FOTO: MODERNITY IN CENTRAL EUROPE, 1918-1945-- Opens today. Through Sept. 3. About 150 photographs, books and illustrated magazines explore pictures from Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Austria during a time of social and political upheaval. National Gallery of Art, West Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-737-4215.

VOICES & VISIONS OF THA BLOCK-- Opens today. Through Aug. 12. Photographs, poems and essays in this exhibition by Ellis L. Marsalis III detail the lives of residents on one block in Baltimore. Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. Free. 202-287-3306.

REMARTE 2007-- Thursday at 6:30 p.m. An auction of contemporary art from the Americas, Spain and Portugal includes wine and tapas. Organization of American States, Hall of the Americas, 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. $50-$75. 202-458-6016.

MINGERING MIKE: THE AMAZING CAREER OF AN IMAGINARY SOUL SUPERSTAR-- Through July 28. Music enthusiast Dori Hadar displays a collection of cardboard records and album sleeves that catalogue the dream career of a fabricated '70s soul musician. Hadar happened upon the handmade works while perusing the stacks at a local record shop. Hemphill Fine Arts, 1515 14th St. NW. Free. 202-234-5601.

[Literature]

SALLY JENKINS-- Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Washington Post columnist delves into the sports history of Pennsylvania's Carlisle Industrial Indian School in "The Real All Americans: The Team That Changed a Game, a People, a Nation." Founded by an Army captain who oppressed its Native American students, the school produced an indomitable football squad that included renowned athlete Jim Thorpe. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. 202-364-1919.

OUT OF THE BOOK FILM SERIES: IAN McEWAN-- Wednesday at 7 p.m. A screening of a 30-minute film about McEwan and his latest novel, "On Chesil Beach," which focuses on a newly married virgin couple in 1962. With music by Brandon Butler and a discussion led by local authors Susan Coll, Keith Donohue and Thomas Mullen. Warehouse Theater, 1021 Seventh St. NW. Free with purchase of book ($18.61). 202-783-3933.

[Miscellaneous]

LAW OF ATTRACTION & THE SECRET: MANIFEST THE LOVE, SUCCESS & WEALTH YOU DESERVE-- Tuesday at 8 p.m. Learn how to tap into the power of positive thinking in your career, love life and interpersonal relationships during this workshop. Felix Lounge, 2406 18th St. NW. $30. 202-483-3549. For reservations, go to http://www.moxieinthecity.net.

RALPH NADER-- Thursday at 12:30 p.m. The former presidential candidate and Green Party champion signs copies of "An Unreasonable Man," his just-released DVD. Borders, 18th and L streets NW. Free. 202-466-4999.

[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.

SILVERDOCS-- See Can't Miss.

RETURN OF THE IDIOT (NAVRAT IDIOTA)-- Wednesday at 8 p.m. The contemporary love story inspired by Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot" follows a man who tries to assimilate into society after being released from a psychiatric hospital. In Czech with English subtitles. Presented by Lions of Czech Film. Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave. NW. $9.75; seniors, students and ages 11 and younger $7. 202-966-6000.

BAMAKO-- Showing for one week, Mauritian writer-director Abderrahmane Sissako's musically threaded film focuses on the Malian capital, which is in the throes of financial struggle and political unrest. With a cameo by Danny Glover. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $6.75-$9.50. 202-452-7672.

FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER-- Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben face Dr. Doom while the Silver Surfer (Doug Jones) joins the cast of superheroes for this sequel.

FIDO-- After taming flesh-eating zombies, the corporation Zomcon makes the undead workers domestic servants in a small town with a 1950s "Pleasantville" feel. Stars Carrie-Anne Moss, Billy Connolly and Dylan Baker.

GOLDEN DOOR-- In Emanuele Crialese's tale, a Sicilian widower (Vincenzo Amato) develops a romance with a mysterious Englishwoman (Charlotte Gainsbourg) on a steamship headed for America. In English and Italian with English subtitles. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $6.75-$9.50. 202-452-7672.

LA VIE EN ROSE-- See Can't Miss.

NANCY DREW-- The teen detective tries to solve a murder mystery that involves a movie star while on a business trip to Los Angeles with her father. Emma Roberts stars in this film based on the popular decades-old book series.

PAPRIKA-- A doctor illegally uses a psychotherapy treatment that explores the dream world to help her patients. Satoshi Kon's visually striking Japanese animated sci-fi flick is based on Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel of the same name. In Japanese with English subtitles. Landmark's Bethesda Row, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. 301-652-7273. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. 202-452-7672. Both $6.75-$9.50.

[On Stage]

TINY NINJA THEATER-- See Can't Miss.

SOUVENIR-- Opens Wednesday. Through July 1. Stephen Temperley's 1930s-set musical takes on the rise of Florence Foster Jenkins, who was a tone-deaf cult singing sensation, and her accompanist, Cosme McMoon. Studio Theatre, Milton Theatre, 14th and P streets NW. $39-$55. 202-332-3300.

DRAFTHOUSE COMEDY LOUNGE: ADAM DODD-- Thursday at 7:45 p.m. Acoustic guitar drives Dodd's musical comedy, which is rife with adults-only lyrics. With comedians Jim Pate, Bird Knight and Jermaine Fowler. Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. $8. 703-486-2345.

ROBERT SCHIMMEL-- Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at 8 and 10:30 p.m. June 17 at 8 p.m. The "Howard Stern Show" regular has produced a new comedy CD with William E. McEuen, the man behind the comedy career of Steve Martin. DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. $22-$25. 202-296-7008.

CITYDANCE CELEBRATES: WOMEN IN THE ARTS-- Friday at 8 p.m. The production features Sophie Maslow's "Dust Bowl Ballads," a restaging of CityDance Ensemble founder Tara Pierson Dunning's "Endless Cycle" and other works. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. $20-$35, seniors and students $15. 301-581-5100.

BOWEN McCAULEY DANCE-- Saturday at 8 p.m. The annual outdoor performance closes the troupe's 11th season with new works by guest choreographer Christopher Doyle. Lubber Run Amphitheatre, 200 N. Columbus St., Arlington. Free. 703-228-1850.

[Sports]

MYSTICS-- Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Phoenix Mercury. Friday at 7 p.m. against the Los Angeles Sparks. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. $10-$115. 202-397-7328.

3-ON-3 CHARITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT-- See Can't Miss.

DIVAS-- Saturday at 7 p.m. against the New York Sharks. Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Rd., Landover. Free-$25. 240-676-5090.

CHESAPEAKE TIDE-- Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Miami Valley Silverbacks. Show Place Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro. $12-$20. 301-952-7999.

[Volunteering]

SACRAMENTO NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER-- Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Hip-hop and praise dancers are needed for an annual community day. Sacramento Neighborhood Center, 8792E Sacramento Dr., Alexandria. To volunteer, call 703-619-2964.