Alphabet City

National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW. Free. 202-633-4600. http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/index.html.

K

Kilts. How 'bout them Scottish, eh? And their bagpipes? They produce beautiful music and their handlers wear funky skirts -- what's not to love? For some melodic tunes, look to the City of Washington Pipe Band ( http://www.serve.com/cowpb). Book the whole band or a lone piper for a party -- or hear the musicians practice on Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Parking Lot 1 of the University of Maryland at College Park, off Campus Drive near Adelphi Road.

L

Little Mexico. For herbs from Oaxaca, fruits and veggies such as mamey and guaje, plus a dizzying selection of tacos, tortas and conchas (soft and chewy egg-based bread coated in sugar), head to Riverdale Park and Bladensburg, where a stretch of Kenilworth Avenue and adjoining streets are filled with Mexican restaurants, markets and bakeries -- earning the area the moniker "Little Mexico."

Little Mexico, along Kenilworth Avenue roughly from Good Luck Road to Annapolis Road in Riverdale Park and Bladensburg.

M

Meridian International Center. Billed as the place where "the world comes together," this nonprofit organization brings in international speakers, art exhibitions and guides designed to help fulfill its motto. On display through July 29 is "Wishes and Dreams: Iran's New Generation Emerges," an exhibition of young, up-and-coming artists -- works that provide a window into the generation's heritage, dreams and beliefs.

Meridian International Center, 1630 Crescent Pl. NW. Free. 202-667-6800. http://www.meridian.org. http://

N

Noraebang. Terrified of making a karaoke spectacle in the barroom? Consider noraebang, a Korean pastime that's essentially karaoke but in private rooms. So while there's still a good chance of embarrassment, at least it's only among friends. Check out places such as Cafe Muse in Annandale, which rents rooms for $31 per hour for the first three people and $4 per hour for each additional person.

Cafe Muse, 7356-B Little River Turnpike, Annandale. 703-658-9351.

O

Dancers get in the spin of things at Germantown's Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest.

Okay, so the annual festival on Oct. 6 in Germantown isn't quite the same convivial debauch as the one in Munich, but it's a nice nod to the town's Bavarian roots and an excellent opportunity to imbibe German brews. Ein Prosit!

Ridge Road Recreational Park, Route 355 (Frederick Road) and Route 27 (Ridge Road), Germantown. Free. http://www.germantownoktoberfest.org/.

P

Pins and needles. Washington traffic giving you a headache? Politicians making you nauseous? Try acupuncture, the ancient Chinese practice of using hair-thin needles to balance chi (the body's life force or energy) and fix ailments. Despite the intimidating number of needles used, aficionados say the procedure is relatively painless. Check http://nccam.nih.gov/, a Web site of the National Institutes of Health, to determine how various conditions respond to acupuncture, and consult the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine ( http://www.nccaom.org/) to find certified acupuncturists in the area. One local favorite is Gao Jingyun, a native of China who has been practicing for 25 years at the Comprehensive Health Clinic in Georgetown.