'Before the Beatles': Rock's Early Days

THE DISTRICT

Today

FILM The Films of Stan Brakhage and Bill Viola This screening at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, rescheduled from June, offers a rare chance to see work by the vanguard filmmaker Brakhage (film-school kids will know the name), along with the video-art pieces by the artist Viola. On tonight's bill: Brakhage's "The Wonder Ring," "Window Water Baby Moving" "Mothlight" and "The Riddle of Lumen" (all films were made between the 1950s and early 1970s); and Viola's 1976 "Four Songs" series, with segments called "Junkyard Levitation," "Songs of Innocence," "The Space Between the Teeth" and "Truth Through Mass Individuation." Free. 6 p.m. McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level, Eighth and F streets NW. 202-633-1000.

ON STAGE "1984" Catalyst Theater Company opens its season in a new location, moving from Capitol Hill to the Atlas Performing Arts Center in the bustling H Street NE corridor. It revives George Orwell's classic tale about a dystopian world with Big Brother; the play is produced with Olney Theater Center's Artistic Director Jim Petosa at the helm. The show just started, and pay-what-you-can previews continue through Saturday night. Regularly, $10. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays at 2 p.m. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993.

CONCERT Save Africa Concert: Darfur Day Fans of world music or Afro pop may dig tonight's show at DC9, featuring Silver Spring band Elikeh, whose members come from Cameroon, Togo and the Ivory Coast, among other nations, and Nigerian pop singer Tolumide. The show aims to draw attention to the situation in Darfur, with proceeds going to Amnesty International's efforts to stem violence there; the event will also feature poetry readings. $10. 8:30 p.m. DC9, 1940 Ninth St. NW. 202-483-5000.

Saturday

ON STAGE Improvapalooza: Seven Hours of . . . Improv? Washington Improv Theater's popular, now-annual event is a celebration of talent. Of comedy. Of endurance. The fest on Saturday will be at the theater company's new space, Source on 14th Street NW, and it will be long: In all, the theater's mini troupes will present 34 10-minute plays, with titles such as "Donna Martin Graduates Presents: Networking Is Better Than Not Working." Come and go as you please, but know that reentry isn't guaranteed (breaks are offered every two hours if you want to leave). $10 (available at the door only. Note that last year, there was a line). 5 p.m.-midnight. (Doors open at 4:30.) Source, 1835 14th St. NW. 202-204-7770 or visit http://www.washingtonimprovtheater.com.

MARYLAND

Today

FOR FAMILIES Maryland State Fair The massive 11-day festival in Timonium continues this weekend, wrapping up Monday night. Like most fairs, there will be livestock, contests, food and rides, but this event offers its own charms, too: The "masters of the chainsaw" log-carving competition, for example (you can catch it several times a day). And, of course, there is the birthing center, where you can watch animals being born. You will miss this fair when it's gone. $8; seniors and ages 6-11, $3; 5 and younger, free. (Rides are one to six tickets, with tickets $1 apiece.) 10 a.m.-10 p.m. today-Monday. Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium. 410-252-0200, Ext. 227, or visit http://www.marylandstatefair.com for a full schedule.

ON STAGE Silver Spring Stage One-Act Festival It's the final installment of the three-part festival that started Aug. 14; today through Saturday, four plays are staged, including one about a dejected would-be actress and another about Napoleon. $13-$18. 8 p.m. today-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Silver Spring Stage, 10145 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. 301-593-6036 or http://www.ssstage.org.

Saturday

CLOSING "Body Worlds 2" Every weekend at this long-term exhibition at the Maryland Science Center is busy, but this week, expect crowds: The popular show closes Monday. The exhibit displays real donated bodies, manipulated to show skin, muscles, the brain, even what happens to the body during pregnancy. The bodies are preserved through "plastination," which allows the public to peek at muscles and organs without being totally grossed out. $19-$24; ages 3-18, $13-$18; older than 62 and students with ID, $16.50-$23. Exhibit, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through Monday. (Hint: The exhibit has been a little less crowded before the museum opens at 10 a.m., and after 5 p.m.) Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. 410-685-2370.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Today

CONCERT Kinky Friedman The novelist and former candidate for Texas governor (independent, thankyouverymuch) was also once lead singer for the Texas Jewboys. And it is as a country musician that he arrives tonight at the Birchmere. $29.50. 7:30 p.m. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 202-397-7328.

THE SCENE Doggie Happy Hour The old Holiday Inn happy hours for dogs live on at the Hotel Monaco; tonight on the patio, dogs can get treats and water, and you don't have to feel bad about leaving them at home while you go out for a drink. Free admission. 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Halloween. 480 King St., Alexandria. 703-549-6080.

Tomorrow

ON STAGE "Resurrection""Emergence-SEE!" creator and performer Daniel Beaty returns to Arena Stage tomorrow with his latest production, about the interconnecting lives of six African American men. Directed by television and Broadway producer Oz Scott and featuring an original score by renowned violinist DBR, the show should be a promising follow-up. $47-$66; student and under-30 discounts available. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays at 2 p.m. through Oct. 5. Arena Stage, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington. 202-488-3300.