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For Kids

In the 1970s, writer and illustrator David Macaulay hooked many a young 'un on the subject of architecture with his immaculate children's books. So it's fitting that the National Building Museum is showcasing his work in the exhibition "David Macaulay: The Art of Drawing Architecture" with a bunch of family-friendly, interactive activities designed to get young visitors thinking about architecture and making their own drawings.

The show's themes -- visual archaeology, perspective, structure and imagination -- are taught through exercises at tables throughout the exhibition. One activity prompts families to study the architectural elements of mosques; another has visitors practice drawing spatial relationships, using Macaulay's sketch "Locating the Vanishing Point" as a guide.

Near the exit for the show, the museum has set up a book nook where families can read Macaulay's children's books (check out "Cathedral," about an imaginary Gothic church, and "Pyramid," about Egyptian temples). Parents, don't miss this chance to take a load off during a long day of schlepping the kids around. Free. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Jan. 21. 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448.

The District

Today

CONCERT: NSO's Family-Friendly Concert Tonight marks the second and final free outdoor performance at Carter Barron Amphitheatre. Damon Gupton, an assistant conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, leads a program titled "American Originals," with works by Bernstein, Barber and Rodgers. Bring children at 6:45 p.m. for a "petting zoo," where they can see the instruments up close. 7:30 p.m. (Rain date is tomorrow at 7:30; call 202-416-8113.) 4850 Colorado Ave. NW.

Tomorrow

LITERATURE: Better Than an Apple Local poet and activist Sarah Browning presents her first book of poetry, "Whiskey in the Garden of Eden," about topics such as femininity and war. "They don't say / how long Eve dreamed / of reaching . . . before she took," Browning says in a poem called "Things They Never Tell You." Another title: "Falling for Tiger Woods in a St. Louis Airport Bar." Free. 6-8 p.m. Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW. 202-387-7638.

Monday

FILM: Screen on the Green The event of choice for the young professional crowd has to be Screen on the Green. It kicks off Monday on the Mall near the Capitol with the best urban-relationship movie ever: "Annie Hall." Later in the summer, you can catch "Wait Until Dark," "The Thing" and "Casablanca." Free. Dusk (about 8 p.m.). Mondays through Aug. 13. Constitution Avenue between Fourth and Seventh streets NW. 877-262-5866 for rain updates; for a schedule, visit http://cityguide.aol.com/washington/screenonthegreen.

FILM: A Historic Mission In August 2005, the Israeli army removed about 8,000 Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip. Filmmaker Yoav Shamir captured the process that resulted in tears rather than the expected bloodshed. His documentary "5 Days" screens Monday at the D.C. Jewish Community Center's Goldman Theater. $10; members, seniors and students $9. 7:30 p.m. 1529 16th St. NW. 800-494-8497.

Tuesday

LITERATURE: "Welcome to the Terrordome" Sportswriter Dave Zirin uses the exodus of Katrina flood victims to the Superdome to explore the intersection of sports and politics. In his new book, the author (whose previous works include "What's My Name, Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States") takes on the political implications of, among other things, Zinédine Zidane's 2006 World Cup head-butt and searches for "jocks for justice" (besides our own Washington Wizard Etan Thomas). Zirin reads from "Welcome to the Terrordome" Politics and Prose. Free. 7 p.m. 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-1919.

Maryland

Today

THE SCENE: Monster Jam A "monster truck" is a glorious thing -- a custom-made, several-ton crushing machine sitting on five-foot tires. The Monster Jam tour, which features several of the trucks racing against one another and showing off their skills solo, is at the Hagerstown Speedway through tomorrow. (For families looking to avoid any potential rowdiness, go during tomorrow's "family day," when alcohol is prohibited.) Advance tickets, $12; $15 at the gate; ages 2-12, $5. 8 p.m. today, tomorrow at 2 p.m. 15112 National Pike, Hagerstown. 202-397-7328.

EXHIBIT: Bethesda Artist Market This time, the market features the wares of about 30 artists from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, plus musical performances by folk outfit Cletus Kennelly and Lori Kelley (10 a.m.-noon), jazz performer Dave Cosby (12:30-2:30 p.m.) and folk guitarist Jerry Haines (3-5 p.m.). Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bethesda Place Plaza, Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Avenue. 301-215-6660.

Tomorrow

FESTIVALS: Columbia Heads Over the Hill Columbia's 40-day 40th-birthday festival concludes with a day-long party at Merriweather Post Pavilion tomorrow featuring live music by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The original cast of a now-defunct acting group called the Young Columbians will perform at 6 p.m. Free. Noon-8 p.m. 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. See http://www.columbia40.com for a full schedule.

Wednesday

ON STAGE: Love Those Brooklyn Boys A novelist's relationship with his dying father is at the center of playwright Donald Margulies's "Brooklyn Boy" at the Olney Theatre Center. Jim Petosa directs a cast including Howard Elfman, Lee Mikeska Gardner and Paul Morella in this bittersweet comedy. The performances this weekend are essentially sold out (you can snag $25 standing-room tickets), but seats open up next week about Wednesday. $25-$46. Through Aug. 12. 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney. 301-924-3400.

Northern Virginia

Today

CONCERT: The Tone Rangers at the Arlington A Cappella Festival This local outfit -- whose members have included a lawyer, two lobbyists and a college dean -- has made a name for itself nationally with quirky, fun a cappella music (the group's album, for example, features a "sitar" sound made solely through vocals). Also on the bill: the DC Accidentals and Skyline. Free. 8 p.m. Lubber Run Amphitheatre, North Second and North Columbus streets, Arlington. 703-228-1850.

Tuesday

THE SCENE: Flamenco Nights Las Tapas Restaurant has revived its Flamenco Nights, with performances at 7:45 and 8:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Free (but it's at a restaurant, so, you know . . .). 710 King St., Alexandria. 703-836-4000.

Wednesday

FOR FAMILIES: 18th-Century Children's Day Gadsby's Tavern Museum hosts two days this month just for children and families by focusing on daily life and community (rather than the drinking part of its history). The first one, on Wednesday, takes guests on 90-minute tours with activities and snacks and a highly anticipated performance by Pam the Learned Pig ("learned" animals, which seem to do math, read and other tricks, were popular back in the day, it turns out). Ages 4 and older, $5 (reservations required); younger than 4, free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria. 703-838-4242.