In Town

THE PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY performs two programs of its classics this weekend outside Baltimore. The schedule: "Aureole," "Troilus and Cressida," "Promethean Fire" and "Cloven Kingdom," Friday at 8; and "Arden Court," "Banquet of Vultures" and "Esplanade," Saturday at 8. Tickets cost $35. In the UMBC Theater at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Cir., Catonsville. 410-752-8950 orhttp://www.umbc.edu/arts.

In Town

A YOUNG WOMAN SCHEMES to avenge the murder of her father, King Agamemnon, in "Elektra," Richard Strauss's operatic adaptation of the ancient tale, opening Saturday at 7 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The Washington Opera production, in German with English supertitles, continues through May 27. Tickets cost $45 to $300. At 2700 F St. NW (Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU, with free shuttles). 202-295-2400 or 202-467-4600, or http://www.dc-opera.org.

MORE THAN 150 LOCAL BELLY DANCERS and musicians will share the stage at "Under a Desert Moon," the sixth annual production by Sahara Dance, Saturday at 4 and 8 and Sunday at 1 and 5 at American University's Greenberg Theatre. Performers also include faculty and students of Raqs Sahara and Sahara Tribal. Tickets cost $25. At 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-362-4400 or http://www.saharadance.com.

KENILWORTH PARK AND AQUATIC GARDENS celebrates International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, welcoming the osprey, egrets, wrens and other birds that stop at the park during their flights north. The theme is "Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People." Gates open at 6:30 a.m. Guided walks, children's games and other activities continue until 10, when a volunteer boardwalk cleanup begins. 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905 or http://www.nps.gov/keaq. FREE

UNION STATION HOSTS National Train Day on Saturday from 10 to 3, with model train displays, train simulators and tours, children's activities and a concert at 1 by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, whose "Love Song" was in the Top 5 on the Billboard pop charts last year. The event kicks off National Transportation Week. At 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE (Metro: Union Station). 202-289-1908 or http://www.nationaltrainday.com. FREE

WOMEN JAZZ ARTISTS step into the spotlight at the 13th annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center, opening Thursday at 6 with a free show by the 2008 Sisters in Jazz Collegiate All-Stars on the Millennium Stage. More free shows are May 16 at 12:30 and 6. Other shows include a concert by the Metta Quintet in the Family Theater ($15), and concerts in the Terrace Theater by Grace Kelly, Sheila Jordan and other stars ($35). At the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW (Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU, with free shuttles). 202-467-4600 or

http://www.kennedy-center.org.

Around Town

U.S. AND ITALIAN TEAMS face off Saturday at the Land Rover America's Polo Cup in Leesburg. Gates open at 2, and a celebrity match starts at 2:50. The U.S. Cartier and Italian Eli Lilly teams take the field about 3:30. Post-match concerts starting at 6:45 feature tenor Vittorio Grigolo, the Gipsy Kings Family and Huey Lewis & the News. Fireworks follow. Admission at the gate is $50 per person, age 12 and younger free.

At Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. 888-695-0888 or http://www.americaspolocup.com.

ABOUT 60 ARTISTS will show their works at Art in the Foothills, Friday from 10 to 6 and Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 5 in the Stable at Bluemont Vineyard, 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, off Route 7 west of Purcellville. 540-554-8715 or http://www.friends-of-bluemont.org.

CATCH TWO '70S FILM CLASSICS on the big screen this week at the American Film Institute's Silver Theatre in Silver Spring. You can see "Rocky" (1976) on Saturday at 4:30 and Sunday at 3, and "Annie Hall" (1977) on Sunday at 1 and 7:30, and Monday and Tuesday at 7. The shows are part of a celebration of United Artists' 90th anniversary. Tickets cost $9.75. At 8633 Colesville Rd. (Metro: Silver Spring). 301-495-6700 or http://www.afi.com/silver.

FORMER FIRST COUPLE GEORGE H.W. AND BARBARA BUSH host the fifth annual Celebration of Reading on Tuesday at 7 at the Music Center at Strathmore. Authors will read from their works after a buffet dinner. Tickets start at $150. The event benefits the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. At 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda (Metro: Grosvenor-Strathmore). 800-222-5652 or http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com.

THE UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS,"hip-hop under the big top," opens Wednesday in Landover. Day and evening performances of "Jabulani: Joy, Happiness and Laughter," with aerialists, acrobats and animal trainers from around the world, continue through June 1. Tickets cost $15 to $28.50. On the grounds of the old Capital Plaza Mall, 6200 Annapolis Rd., Landover Hills. For tickets, 202-397-7328; for information, 800-316-7439 or http://www.universoulcircus.com.

THE LONGTIME LEADER OF THE Fairfax Symphony Orchestra bids farewell Saturday at 8 at George Mason University. William Hudson, music director since 1971, is retiring after conducting the FSO's last concert of the season, featuring music by Debussy, Prokofiev and Max Bruch. A post-concert reception will honor his service. Tickets cost $25 to $55, students $15. At the Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax. 888-945-2468 or http://www.fairfaxsymphony.org.

-- Compiled by Barry Barriere