District Community Events July 3-10, 2008

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Thursday 3

ANIMAL SENSES, for ages 4 and older, a National Park Service ranger discusses how animals use their senses to survive in the forest. 4 p.m., Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd. NW. Free. 202-895-6070.

GAMES AT LANGSTON LIBRARY, learn how to play or sharpen your skills in chess, checkers and other board games. 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Langston Community Library, 2600 Benning Rd. NE. Free. 202-724-8665.

OLD POST OFFICE PERFORMANCE, C. Huff performs rhythm and blues. Noon-1 p.m., Old Post Office Pavilion, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free. 202-289-4224.

SOMERSET MAUGHAM TALK, a librarian leads a discussion of Maugham's short story "A String of Beads." 2:30 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. Free. 202-727-1186.

GRETA GARBO PORTRAIT, historian Amy Henderson discusses the portrait in the exhibition "Ballyhoo! Posters as Portraiture." 6 p.m., National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. Free. 202-633-1000.

MUSIC FROM TEXAS, Charles Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces perform. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

"JAZZ ON JACKSON PLACE," Bobbe Shore and First Call perform; beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres served. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Decatur House, 748 Jackson Pl. NW. $25, reservations recommended. 202-842-0920, Ext. 41239.

ZOO ZYDECO CONCERT, Little Red and the Renegades. 6:30-8 p.m., National Zoo, Lion/Tiger Hill, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. 202-633-4480.

MARINE PARADE, Marine Silent Drill Platoon and Drum and Bugle Corps in ceremonial uniform, 8:45 p.m.; Marine Band concert, 9 p.m., Marine Barracks, Eighth and I streets SE. Free, reservations suggested. 202-433-4073.

Friday 4

CEMETERY WREATH-LAYING, at the tomb of Elbridge Gerry, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and vice president of the United States. Sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution. 10 a.m., Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. Free. 202-543-0539.

WHITE HOUSE FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES, includes games and crafts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., White House Visitors Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free. 202-208-1631.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES PROGRAMS, presentation of colors by the Continental Color Guard; a performance by the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry (Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps; keynote remarks by Allen Weinstein, archivist of the United States; a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by Riley Temple, Foundation for the National Archives board member, with actors portraying Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Ned Hector, 10 a.m. Meet actors portraying Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Bernardo de Galvez and other historical figures; air your grievances in a Revolutionary manner with a quill pen; try on a tricorn hat; and step up to the podium to declare your independence, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit the exhibit "Running for Office" and other displays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., National Archives, Constitution Avenue NW, entrance near Seventh Street. Free. 202-357-5000.

CATHEDRAL ORGAN RECITAL, cathedral organists Scott Dettra and Christopher Jacobson perform patriotic, classical and popular music. 11 a.m., Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. Free. 202-537-6200.

SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL, this year's themes: the Kingdom of Bhutan; the 50th anniversary of NASA; and the music, food and wine of Texas. Includes art shows, musicians, dancers, storytellers and demonstrations by craftspeople. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., the Mall, between Seventh and 14th streets SW. Free. 202-633-1000 or http://www.folklife.si.edu.

PALISADES PARADE, neighborhood children on decorated bicycles, city officials, the Washington Scottish Bagpipe Band, Bolivian Soul, the Georgetown-Palisades Lions Club, D.C. Fire Department Engine Company 29, clowns, drivers of vintage cars and other groups start at Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard NW, then walk along MacArthur to the Palisades Park and Recreation Center at Sherier and Dana places NW. The center will host a picnic, including free hot dogs, juice and watermelon; children may use the playground facilities and spray area and participate in horseback rides and two moon bounces. Local businesses will provide prizes. 11 a.m. Free. 202-363-7441.

NAVY FILMS AND MEMORIAL BELL RINGING,"Hero Ship: USS Constitution," 11 a.m.; "Hero Ship: USS Nautilus," 1 p.m.; "Hero Ship: USS Hornet," 3 p.m.; 13 visitors will be invited to strike a bell to honor the 13 original states as part of the annual "Let Freedom Ring" event that is celebrated across the nation at the same time. 2 p.m., outdoor plaza, Naval Heritage Center, U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free. 202-737-2300.

ART FILMS,"The Giant Buddhas" (2005), Swiss filmmaker Christian Frei's essay on the Taliban's 2001 destruction of the huge Bamiyan Valley Buddhas in Afghanistan, noon Friday; "Glass: A Portrait of Philip in 12 Parts" (2007), about the composer in the process of writing a new symphony, staging an opera, scoring several films and interacting with friends and family, 3 p.m. Friday and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, National Gallery of Art, East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-842-6799.

AMERICAN INDIAN MUSEUM SHORT FILMS,"I Am Pedro; We Are Mixteco" (2007), about an Oaxacan man who immigrates to the United States and becomes a fruit picker and activist, 12:30 p.m.; "Standing Silent Nation" (2007), about how armed federal agents raided the property of a Lakota family that was growing industrial hemp on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, 3:30 p.m., National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth and Independence SW. Free. 202-633-1000.

HOW TO GROW AQUATIC PLANTS, for ages 9 and older, National Park Service Ranger Kate Bucco teaches how to grow aquatic plants in a small yard or shady spot without a pond. 1 p.m., Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905.

AIR FORCE BAND CONCERT, performances by the Concert Band and the Max Impact, Singing Sergeants and Air Force Strings ensembles, with guests Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. 4 p.m., Washington Monument, 15th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-767-5658 or 202-619-7222.

AIR FORCE BAND'S SILVER WINGS CONCERT, a performance of classic rock, country and blues music. 6 p.m., National Air and Space Museum, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. 202-767-5658.

MARK HALATA AND TEXAVIA, a Houston-based Czech polka band with a country music flair led by accordion player Halata. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

"A CAPITOL FOURTH," actor Jimmy Smits hosts musical performances by Huey Lewis and the News, "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Broadway performer Brian Stokes Mitchell, classical singers Hayley Westenra and Harolyn Blackwell and the National Symphony Orchestra; a performance of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," with cannon fire provided by the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery, 8 p.m. Fireworks, 9:10 p.m. Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, East Capitol and First streets; fireworks on the Washington Monument grounds, Independence Avenue and 15th Street NW. Free. 202-619-7222.

Saturday 5

MARSH BIRD WALK, a National Park Service ranger leads a walk in the wetlands and points out various species. 7:15 a.m. Saturdays, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. Free. 202-426-6905.

WATERLILY AND LOTUS WALK, a National Park Service ranger leads a 45-minute walk to see the flowers before they close for the day and tells the story of the park's history. 9 and 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, except July 19, through Aug. 10, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. Free. 202-426-6905.

PALISADES LACE GROUP, the group discusses and practices its art. 10 a.m., Palisades Library, 4901 V St. NW. Free. 202-282-3139.

MUGHAL ROYAL FAMILY ALBUMS ART NIGHT, view the designs of royal album pages compiled for Mughal emperors Jahangir and his son Shah Jahan, creator of the Taj Mahal; participants will use handmade paper to make an album page in the Mughal style; bring a 4-by-6-inch or 5-by-7-inch, full-length portrait or group photograph, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6 p.m. July 10, through July 16, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Free. 202-633-1000.

MUSIC AND DANCE FROM BHUTAN, musicians and masked dancers perform traditional religious dances that date back to the 16th century. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

Sunday 6

GEORGETOWN BLACK HISTORY, for age 8 and older, a National Park Service ranger leads a heritage tour of Herring Hill. 10 a.m., Old Stone House, 3051 M St. NW. Free. 202-426-6851.

GUIDED BIKE RIDE, about three hours, led by a National Park Service ranger, with stops to discuss the Mall and George Washington's vision for the federal city. Bring a bike and water. Helmet required. 1 p.m., Thomas Jefferson Memorial, 900 Ohio Dr. SW. Free. 202-619-7222 or e-mail jason_martz@nps.gov.

KIDS FRIDA KAHLO ART PROGRAM, for ages 6-12, Mexican music and dance and making Mexican crafts; children receive a piñata to take home. 1-4 p.m., National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Free. 202-783-7370.

CATHEDRAL PATRIOTIC ART TOUR, a docent shows depictions of historic patriots in paintings, stained-glass windows, needlepoint works and carved stone and wood. 1:30 p.m., Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. $5. 202-537-5628 or e-mail tours@cathedral.org.

GERSHWIN PROGRAM," 'S Wonderful: The Life and Music of George Gershwin." David Ylvisaker portrays the composer, with vocals by Alvy Powell, Gina Watson Powell, Beverly Cosham and Henry Fiske. 4 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday, National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. Free, reservations suggested. 202-633-8520 or e-mail npgpublicprograms@si.edu.

MUSIC FROM TEXAS, James "Slim" Hand performs country music. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

Monday 7

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS, five days, for high school students and college undergraduates, led by writers Merle Collins, Donna Hemans and others. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday, National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Free. 202-783-7370.

PLANET PROGRAM, for ages 7 and older, a National Park Service ranger leads a walk on a model of the solar system and discusses the distance between planets. 10 a.m., Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd. NW. Free. 202-895-6070.

JAZZ FROM ECUADOR, Jazz Envoys perform. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB, for adults who understand basic English but want to improve their conversational skills. 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. Free. 202-727-1291.

"JEZEBEL," Bette Davis, Henry Fonda and George Brent star in William Wyler's 1938 film about a stubborn Southern belle who loses her former fiance to another woman. 6:30 p.m., National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free tickets distributed 30 minutes before the show. 202-783-3372.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL TOUR, a National Park Service ranger leads the tour and discusses the war. 7 p.m., meet at the ranger station, National World War II Memorial, 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-438-9710.

"NO EXIT," Dror Sabo's Israeli film about the darker side of reality-dating television shows; in Hebrew with English subtitles. 7:30 p.m., D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. $10; seniors and students, $9. 800-494-8479.

Tuesday 8

SHADDOW PUPPET PERFORMANCE, for ages 4-10, with storytelling. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Capitol View Library, Central Avenue and 50th Street SE. Free. 202-645-0755.

AFRICAN DANCE, Lesole's Dance Project performs tribal dances from the Zulu homelands. 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through July 11, Smithsonian, S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. $6; ages 2-16, $5; 1 and younger, free. 202-633-8700.

"PLANNING FOR AMERICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE," Petra Todorovich, director of America 2050, a national planning initiative, presents her organization's research on population trends and how the findings could affect local and regional land use planning and investment decisions. 12:30 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Free. 202-272-2448.

CHESS CLUB, for ages 8 and older. 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Washington Highlands Library, 115 Atlantic St. SW. Free. 202-645-5880.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB, for adults who speak and understand basic English but want to improve their conversational skills. 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW. Free. 202-541-6300.

HIP-HOP THEATER, Sonia Sanchez hosts poets from the Brave New Voices College Tour and the DC WritersCorps Slam Team. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

Wednesday 9

CATHEDRAL GARDEN TOURS, All Hallows Guild docents lead one-hour tours. 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 31, meet at the Herb Cottage on Pilgrim Road, Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. Free. 202-537-2937 or http://www.cathedral.org.

SINGING FRENCH SONGS, for parents and caregivers to learn French songs to sing to toddlers. 11 a.m., Palisades Library, 4901 V St. NW. Free. 202-282-3139.

HOLOCAUST REFUGEE TALK, Louis Maier discusses his book, "From the Golden Gate to the Black Forest: The Odyssey of a New American in Search of His Parents." Noon, Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, African/Middle Eastern Reading Room, 10 First St. SE. Free. 202-707-3779.

"THE MARIE ANTOINETTE COSTUME," costumes and textiles curator Howard Kurtz discusses Marjorie Merriweather Post's habit of dressing to look like the French queen at the glamorous events she hosted at Hillwood. 12:45 p.m., Hillwood Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. $12; age 65 and older, $10; ages 6-18, $5; 5 and younger, free. 202-686-5807.

MANGA AND ANIME CLUB, for ages 6-18. 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Langston Community Library, 2600 Benning Rd. NE. Free. 202-724-8665.

BLUES CONCERT, blues harmonica player Bruce Ewan and his guitarist brother, Bobby Radcliff, perform. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

ERROL FLYNN SWASHBUCKLER FILM,"The Warriors" (1955), about the "Black Prince," son of King Edward III, including scenes of jousting competitions, a castle siege and damsels in distress, co-starring Joanne Dru, Peter Finch and Christopher Lee; a short film precedes the feature. 7 p.m., Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE. $5. 202-547-6839.

Thursday 10

GANGSTERS IN AMERICAN FILM, Washington Post film critic Stephen Hunter discusses the iconic nature of gangsters in American film and shares his top 10 favorite gangster moments. 7 p.m., Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. $20. 202-639-1774.

"MAGIC LANTERN," the Minwa-za Company of Tokyo presents utsuhi-e, colorful moving images accompanied by live narration and music. 7 p.m., Freer Gallery, Meyer Auditorium, Jefferson Drive and 12th Street SW. Free. 202-633-1000.

-- Compiled by GERRI MARMER

To Submit an Item

E-mail:dcextra@washpost.com(to the attention of Gerri Marmer)

Mail: Community Events, District Extra, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20071

Details: Announcements are accepted on a space-available basis from public and nonprofit organizations only and must be received at least 14 days before the Thursday publication date. Include event name, dates, times, exact address, prices and a publishable contact phone number.