The Examiner
2007-03-15 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

Best galleries

1. Museum of Women in the Arts

The fine art of femininity

Italian Women Artists from Renaissance to Baroque

1250 New York Ave. NW, Washington

What did Properzia de’Rossi use to carve 100 heads onto that cherry pit? “A pin, perhaps?” curator Jordana Pomeroy mused while preparing for Friday’s opening of this first-ever international exhibition of works by Italian women artists of the 16th and 17th centuries.

These will blow your mind, said Pomeroy, marveling over a tempera on vellum portrait of the Duke of Savoy. Giovanna Garzoni’s intricate detailing of the sly gent looks like a miniature magnified. No wallflowers, the 15 showcased talents wooed patrons and won over critics of their day. See what historians missed. – Robin Tierney

Tickets: Admission varies Info: 202-783-5000; ww.nmwa.org.

2. Get your mod on

Modernism: Designing a New World

Bauhaus, Suprematism, Purism — get a crash course in these rule-breaking movements.

Info: Opens Saturday; Corcoran Gallery of Art; www.corcoran.org

3. Art riot grrrls

Woman’s Work

Visual chick lit? Not from the hands of these female artists who aren’t afraid of the dark.

Info: Nevin Kelly Gallery; opening reception tonight; 202-232-3464

4. Counter-kitsch

The Theory of Everything

Colossal white monument possesses the allure of the Disney castle and Buddhist shrine.

Info: Cross MacKenzie Ceramic Arts, 1054 31st St. NW, Washington

5. Behold ... the beer can

Prints by Jasper Johns

Can one make a fortune by depicting ale cans, light bulbs and numerals 0 through 9?

Info: National Gallery of Art, East Building; www.nga.gov

Best brain food

1. Bridging the Gap: Participants learn about five basic bridge types before solving a transportation problem. Info: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, National Building Museum.

2. How to Be a Shakespearean Actor: Learn about classical theater. Info: 6 p.m. Saturday, Kennedy Center.

3. Women at War Film Series: “Flight Nurse and Inga”: The Korean War is dramatized in this film about a nurse torn between two GIs. Info: 7 p.m. Friday, Library of Congress.

4. Dennis Oppenheim: Alternative Landscape Components, 2006: Artist often uses public places and his own body. Info: 5 p.m. Saturday, The Katzen Arts Center at American University.

5. Strokes of Genius: Rembrandt’s Prints and Drawings: Featuring Dr. Eric Denker. Info: Noon Friday, National Gallery of Art.

– Cultural Tourism DC, CulturalTourismDC.org

Best family

1. Harlem Globetrotters: Celebrating their 81st consecutive season. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Patriot Center.

2. North American Wildlife Celebration: Animal demonstrations and craft activities. National Zoo.

3. Modern Mobiles: Take part in hands-on crafts. Corcoran Gallery of Art.

4. How Plants Work: A Guide to Being Green. Learn about life as a plant. 10 a.m. Saturday. U.S. Botanic Garden.

5. “Magical Mozart.” The Unlikely Trio performs an array of Mozart’s greatest works. The Kennedy Center.

– www.Washington.org

Best music

1. Queens of the cabaret

Washington Performing Arts Society

Broadway ingénue Barbara Cook evolved into queen of the cabaret, earned rave reviews for her one-woman shows and became the first non-classical solo vocalist to perform with the Met.

With four Tony Awards in tow, Audra McDonald spread her wings and incorporated new works into her concerts, then turned dramatic in Shakespeare’s “Henry V” and in HBO’s production of “Wit,” for which she received an Emmy nomination.

In a one-time-only event, these leading ladies display their stratospheric ranges in selections from musicals that made them famous, favorite standards and lesser-known contemporary and pop numbers.

– Emily Cary

When: 4 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $40 to $95

Info: 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324, www.kennedy-center.org

2. V is for violin

National Symphony Orchestra

Concert features Khachaturian’s “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra” and other works by Rimsky-Korsakov and Dvorák

Info: Kennedy Center Concert Hall

3. Home sweet Montana

New-age piano

Pianist stylist George Winston’s “Montana: A Love Story” honors his place of birth.

Info: The Barns at Wolf Trap;

877-WOLFTRAP, www.wolftrap.org

4. ‘Hell to Raise’

Motown sound

Soul singer Bettye Lavette performs her latest album, “I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise.”

Info: 8 p.m. Saturday; Music Center at Strathmore; www.strathmore.org

5. Irish eyes smiling

St. Patrick’s Day music

The Irish Tenors are beloved ambassadors of Irish song, charm and cherished traditions.

Info: 2 p.m. Sunday; Music Center at Strathmore; www.strathmore.org

Best outdoors

1. Capital Running Company St. Patrick’s Day 8K & 1K Leprechauns Leap: Premier springtime 8K marks the official start of the spring racing season. Freedom Plaza.

2. Race for Justice, 5K run: Run benefits the GW Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program. Hains Point.

3. Plan a picnic in Fort Dupont Park: The park is open from dawn until dusk. Southeast D.C.

4. Kids campfire: Enjoy stories and roast s’mores over the fire. Mt. Rainier Nature Center.

5. St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Celtic dancers, floats, bagpipe bands, equestrian units and more. Gaithersburg.

– www.Washington.org

Best movie

‘The Namesake’

Starring: Kal Penn, Jacinda Barrett

Funny and touching, the story of an Indian couple’s journey to America is a generational family saga with a tender, true heart.

Rating: PG-13; Length: 122 mins.

Best day trips

1. Historic Occoquan: A historic village with a sophisticated flair. Info: www.occoquan.com.

2. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.: For galleries, shops and historic sites. Info: www.harpersferrywva.net.

3. James River Plantations: Elegant plantation and garden tours. Info: jamesriverplantations.org.

4. Assateague State Park: Beachcombing and walking along the shore are never out of season. Info: www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.html.

5. New Market, Md.: The “Antiques Capital of Maryland” boasts 30 shops, plenty of restaurants and charming lodging.

Info: www.townofnewmarket.com.

Best gatherings

1. “The Big Jig” St. Patrick’s Day event: Celtic rock/folk/funk/klezmer band Scythian takes over a huge tent on Mount Vernon Square. Carnegie Library.

2. Adams Morgan Art Market: Western Market is a weekly outdoor arts market in the heart of hip and lively Adams Morgan. 18th and Wyoming streets.

3. St. Patty’s Day Celebration: With three floors of Irish entertainment. RnR Bar & Lounge.

4. Shamrocks and Shenanigans: Miller Lite drafts: 17 cents from 4 to 6 p.m.; $1.17 from 6 to 8 p.m., $2.17 from 8 to 10 p.m. Rumors, 18th and M streets.

5. Emerald Ball: Experience the spirit of Ireland with the Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria. Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City.

– www.Washington.org

Best theater

1. “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune”: Two loners struggling to connect. Arena Stage.

2. “Doubt”: A Catholic nun thinks a priest is abusing children. National Theatre.

3. “The Pillowman”: Martin McDonagh’s chilling horror play. Studio Theatre.

4. “Insurrection: Holding History”: American history can seem so bizarre. Theater Alliance.

5. “Drama Under the Influence: An absorbing collection of one-act plays. American Century Theater.