Going Out Guide, Aug. 22: Savoring Summer

Have you noticed the sun setting just a little earlier each night? Back-to-school ads everywhere? The feeling that your flip-flops are wearing out? There's no denying the end of August is here. If you feel like you haven't soaked up some of the season's traditions yet, there's still lots of time to savor each day of summer. Today, in particular, gives you lots of options.

Washington Gardener magazine and the Silver Spring FreshFarm Market host the second annual Tomato Tasting on Saturday. Head to the market this morning to nibble your way through the ballot and mark down your top choices. Children are even allowed to play with their food; they can fashion Mister and Miss Tomato Head characters with toothpicks and produce. The winner will be announced at the market this afternoon and results will be posted on Washington Gardener's blog at http://www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com.

10 a.m.-noon Saturday. Silver Spring FreshFarm Market, Ellsworth Drive between Fenton Street and Georgia Avenue.

Feel like you spent too much of your summer in the office? You can still take a European vacation, free of charge. National Geographic is displaying a selection of the magazine's photos documenting American tourists who made the transatlantic trip in the years following World War II. The result is an array of Kodachrome (as in, colorfully vibrant) photos from palazzos in Italy and the beaches of Spain. It's not quite the same as feeling the sand of Ibiza on your toes, but the bright photos do offer a satisfying sense of the carefree days of summer.

Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. 202-857-7588.

The only one of its kind this close to D.C., the drive-in movie series organized by Fairfax County holds its final screening of the season Saturday with the animated "The Tale of Despereaux." At Starlight Cinema, you can tune your radio to 88.7 FM to pick up the sound, but most viewers at this series just bring their lawn chairs and blankets to get comfy on the ground up in front of the dual 40-foot screens. Before the show starts, entertain the kids with a band, two moon bounces, face-painting and a beanbag toss. Gates open at 6 p.m., but hundreds of people start lining up by 5.

Free. Film begins at dusk Saturday. 5870 Trinity Pkwy., Centreville. 703-324-7469.

Summer may be drawing to a close in Washington, but in New Zealand, it won't even begin until mid-December. Celebrate our good fortune with a Polynesian Luau at the Embassy of New Zealand -- a night of food, drink, dancing and culture. Feast on New Zealand lamb and wine and Auckland greens, listen to traditional music from a New Zealand band, watch performances by Kiwi and Hawaiian dancers and tour the embassy, then stick around for a late-night DJ. The dress code is "Smart Polynesian" -- no jeans or shorts.

$90. 8-11:30 p.m. Saturday. Embassy of New Zealand. 37 Observatory Cir. NW. 301-519-8030. http://www.thingstododc.com.

Closing night of the Fort Dupont Concert Series gives you one last chance to catch a good summer vibe, and there are few bands better equipped to provide that than Philadelphia husband-and-wife R&B duo Kindred the Family Soul. Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon are all about staying positive and professing their love for each other in song -- their first two albums were titled "Surrender to Love" and "In This Life Together," after all. It might come off as overly sentimental, but the pair seems genuinely committed to each other. And it helps that the jazzy, neo-soul music accompanying their lyrics is plenty catchy on its own.

Free. 8 p.m. Saturday. Fort Dupont Park, Minnesota Avenue and Randle Circle SE. 202-426-5961.