District Community Events Aug. 14-21, 2008

Thursday 14

CATHEDRAL BEHIND THE SCENES, for age 11 and older, a docent leads a strenuous walk up stairwells and onto balconies to view gargoyles, keystones, stained-glass windows and other architectural features. 10:30 a.m. weekdays, through Aug. 29, meet at the West End Nave docent station, Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. $10. 202-537-6200.

COMPUTER CLASSES FOR SENIORS,10:30 a.m., Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. Free. 202-645-4297.

SAVING SEEDS GARDENING PROGRAM, Zach Lester and Georgia O'Neal of Tree and Leaf Farm in Purcellville demonstrate how to prepare seeds, including heirloom varieties, for saving. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Free. 202-225-1116.

REAGAN BUILDING JAZZ CONCERT, Maurice Lyles performs. Noon-1 p.m., Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free. 202-674-7023.

RENWICK BUILDING HISTORY TOUR, gallery chief Robyn Kennedy leads a tour of the building and discusses its history before it became a showcase for contemporary crafts and decorative arts in 1972. 3 p.m., Renwick Gallery, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Free. 202-633-1000.

"WHERE ARE ALL THE BEARS?," a National Park Service ranger discusses the era when bears roamed Rock Creek Valley and why they left. 4 p.m., Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd. NW. Free. 202-895-6070.

VIOLINIST JOSHUA COYNE, performance will include jazz, classical and Broadway selctions, on violin, piano, saxophone, mandolin, viola and guitar. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

MARINE BAND CONCERT, works by John Philip Sousa, Richard Wagner, Eric Cook, Johann Strauss Jr. and Rimsky-Korsakov. 8 p.m., Sylvan Theater, on the Washington Monument grounds near 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. 202-433-4011.

Friday 15

"KANDAHAR,"2001 Afghani film about a journalist who leaves her work in Canada to help her sister at home in Afghanistan, in English, Farsi and Pashtu with English subtitles. 2:30 p.m., National Gallery of Art, East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-842-6799.

CHESS FOR YOUTHS, for ages 12-19, learn to play or brush up your advanced skills. 4 p.m. Friday, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. Free. 202-727-5535.

MUSEUM JAZZ CONCERT, by saxophonist Perry Conticchio. 5-8:30 p.m., National Gallery of Art, Sculpture Garden, Seventh and Constitution NW. Free. 202-289-3360.

COUNTRY MUSIC BAND CONCERT, the Air Force Band's Silver Wings. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.