District Community Events Jan. 8-15, 2009

Thursday 8

"RAPUNZEL," for ages 3-9, the Puppet Company performs Duane T. Bowers's version of the fairy tale. 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. today and tomorrow, Smithsonian, S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. $6; ages 2-16, $5; 1 and younger, free. 202-633-8700.

ALTERNATIVE SOUL MUSIC, a performance by Levi Stephens. Noon-1 p.m., Old Post Office Pavilion, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free. 202-289-4224.

ELVIS PORTRAIT TALK, researcher Warren Perry discusses Ralph Cowan's portrait of Elvis Presley. Noon, National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. Free. 202-633-1000.

"STAR-SPANGLED BANNER" EXHIBITION, Megan Smith, a member of the team that preserved the flag, discusses the process of creating the exhibit. Noon-12:30 p.m., National Museum of American History, Flag Hall, second floor, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-633-1000.

TUPAC SHAKUR DOCUMENTARY, "Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel (The Life of an Outlaw)." 6 p.m., Washington Highlands Library, 115 Atlantic St. SW. Free. 202-645-5880.

MUSIC FROM BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro's Marcio Local performs rhythm and blues, soul and funk. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

PORTRAIT TALK, curator Anne Goodyear discusses Martin Schoeller's portrait of photographer and film director Cindy Sherman. 6 p.m., National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. Free. 202-633-1000.

KING, MANDELA TALK, Washington Post columnist Joe Davidson discusses the leadership qualities of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and former South African president Nelson Mandela and how they became symbols of freedom and equality. 6:30 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. Free. 202-727-1211.

Friday 9

KING STORIES, for ages 1-5, a librarian reads stories, shows short films and leads activities based on the civil rights leader's life. 10:30 a.m. today, Monday and Wednesday, Washington Highlands Library, 115 Atlantic St. SW. Free. 202-645-5881.

CHILDREN'S AVIATION STORY, a museum staff member reads Pam Munoz Ryan's "Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride," based on a 1933 incident in which Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart slipped away from a White House dinner and flew between Washington and Baltimore. 11 a.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, National Air and Space Museum, Gallery 208, Sixth Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. 202-633-1000.

RECITAL, Friday Morning Music Club members perform works by Haydn, Ermano Wolf-Ferrari, Chopin and others. Noon, Charles Sumner School, 1201 17th St. NW. Free. 202-333-2075.

CITY PLANNING DISCUSSION, students of Browne Gibbs Education Center and Howard Road Academy discuss their development proposals for the area near Interstate 395, between Penn Quarter and Union Station, hosted by the D.C. Office of Planning; light refreshments. 6 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Free. 202-272-2448.