District community events, Oct. 29-Nov. 4, 2009

Thursday 29

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. and 1:30 p.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday, Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. $10. 202-537-6200 or http://www.nationalcathedral.org.

CHILDREN'S PUPPET SHOW, for ages 2-7, "Why the Bat Flies at Night," a play from Africa; attend in costume to participate in the interactive story "The Ghosties' Happy Day"; take a camera. 10:15 a.m. Thursday, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Friday, noon Saturday, Discovery Theater at S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. $6; ages 2-16, $5; 1 and younger, free. 202-633-8700 or http://www.discoverytheater.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY TALK, Patricia Fanning discusses her book "Through an Uncommon Lens: The Life and Photography of F. Holland Day," about the late-19th century photographer known for his theatrical costumes. Noon, Library of Congress, Madison Building, Dining Room A, 101 Independence Ave. SE. Free. 202-707-5221.

JOHN F. KENNEDY AND THE BERLIN WALL, Dick Smyser discusses his book "Kennedy and the Berlin Wall: A Hell of a Lot Better Than a War." 4 p.m., Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, Room 119, 10 First St. SE. Free. 202-707-2692.

"A GATHERING OF DRUMMERS," Czech drummers perform using four drum sets and other percussive instruments in genres such as jazz, classical and world music. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

WILLIAM WILEY FILMS, "The Great Blondino" (1966), "Plastic Haircut" (1963) and "Man's Nature" (1971). 6:30 p.m., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW. Free. 202-633-1000.

"CELEBRATING GERMANY," German culture through stories, folk tales, crafts and a snack. 7 p.m., Palisades Library, 4901 V St. NW. Free. 202-282-3139.

CITYDANCE ENSEMBLE, contemporary dance by choreographers Alex Neoral of Brazil, Isabel Croxatto of Chile and Rachel Erdos of Israel. 7:30 p.m., Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, 2700 F St. NW. $20, $34, $55. 202-467-4600.

"OUR NEXT GENERATION OF EXPLORERS," Katherine Amato discusses her studies of primates in Mexico's tropical forest; Patrick Walters discusses the havoc wreaked by Asian carp on the Illinois River; Ross McDermott discusses small-town festivals, including the National Hobo Convention in Iowa to the Middle of Nowhere celebration in Nebraska; and Trip Jennings discusses his caving and paddling in Papua New Guinea. 7:30 p.m., National Geographic, 17th and M streets NW. $18. 202-857-7700.

"THE BEAST STALKER," Dante Lam's 2008 crime film about fear, regret and the courage to survive, in Chinese with English subtitles. 8 p.m., Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. 202-633-1000.

Friday 30

"THE OCTOBER MAN," Roy Baker's 1947 film about a man who fears that he might be a psychotic killer after his friend's daughter is killed in a bus collision and a fellow boardinghouse resident is murdered. 3 p.m., National Gallery of Art, East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free. 202-842-6799.

VOCAL RECITAL, singer-songwriter and actress Efrat Gosh performs folk, cabaret and rock music. 6 p.m., Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.