Benefit Alexandria Carpenter's Shelter!

To benefit Alexandria’s Carpenters Shelter, attend the Cook Off at the Birchmere May 1^st from 12 pm to 3 pm.  Live entertainment and food from local Alexandria restaurants.  Carpentersshelter.org.

Family Day!!!

The opening of the carousel at Glen Echo Park is celebrated with magic shows, exhibits and art projects from noon to 6 April 30^th.  www.glenechopark.org/family-day-2011.

Benefit Alexandria Hospital

To benefit Alexandria Hospital, have brunch between 11am and 2pm at Union Street Public House May 1^st. www.unionstreetpublichouse.com.

A Taste of France!

The 8^th annual French Market in Georgetown between P and Reservoir Road 10-5pm April 29^th and 30^th.  Mimes, family fun, food, live music and more. 

Flash Mob

Gather at the Smithsonian at 6:45 Friday April 29^th for a flash dance in honor of World Dance Day.  More info:  Dcflashdance@blogspot.com

Stand Back!

April 29^th is the Running of the Brides at Filene’s in Mazza Gallerie.  Prospective brides will fight over 1700 dresses to be sold from $249-$699.  Starts at 8, but some may be in line all night.  www.Filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides.

The Royal Wedding!

Watch at the DC Ritz Carlton with a full English breakfast from 5 a.m. Or at Union Jack’s British Pub in Ballston (www.unionjacksballston.com) or try Public House No. 7 in Fairfax (www.publichouseno7.com) with a champagne brunch.  WETA coverage begins at 3 am!!

Quintessential Sondheim

April 26-June 12 – “Side by Side by Sondheim” at Signature- where else?!  Make a night of it – plenty of restaurants within walking distance ! www.signature-theatre.org

Topical Play

At the Olney Theatre Center, see “Farragut North” about the trials of a press secretary  April 27-May 22.  www.olneytheatre.org.

The Daily Grind

Show the kids where mom and dad go all day! April 28^th is “Take our Daughters and Sons to Work” day.  Daughtersandsonstowork.org.

Wonk Alert!!!

Alan Greenspan and Andrea Mitchell discuss the film following a screening of “The Philadelphia Story” at the Newseum April 26^th.  www.newseum.com

Remember Them?

The vocal quartet, The Manhattan Transfer, appears at Georgetown’s Blues Alley April 26th through May 1st. bluesalley.com.

Nest Project

Just perfect for spring, enjoy the nest installation project in and around Alexandria’s Torpedo Factory and along the river including a community nest building. Maps at the Torpedo Factory. Torpedofactory.org.

Theatre!

“We’re in the Money” and “Lullaby of Broadway” – these are two of the songs you’ll hear at the musical “42nd Street” at TJ Community theatre in Arlington through tomorrow night. www.thearlingtonplayers.org.

Doesn’t get better than this!

Happy Hours outside! This evening, gather at 3 Bar and Grill in Arlington for a pig party and the opening of their patio space. The Redskin Hogettes will be there! www.restaurantthree.com.

Duke Ellington

Hear about DC Native Duke Ellington and see the PBS documentary at the Watha Daniel-Shaw Neighborhood Library tonight at 7. www.dclibrary.org/watha.

Country, folk and rock!!

A favorite local duo, the Kennedys, opens for singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith at the Birchmere April 20th. www.birchmere.com.

Local Collections!

Peruse an exhibition that presents portraits that reside in private Washington, D.C. collections.  Many of these portraits have never been on display before.  This collection will display a range of styles suitable to everyone's taste!  The exhibition will be up from April 8th-September 5th.  Visit http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/exhcapital.html for more information!

Get Decorating Ideas!

Stop by the 2011 Design House, an English Tudor located in the Forest Hills section of the District.  It is open through May 8^th from 12-5 on the weekends and 10-3 other days except Monday!  20 different designers contributed rooms!  Dcdesignhouse.com.

Pay Homage to the Classics

Transport your family back in time while eating at American City Diner on Connecticut Avenue.  Every night beginning at 8 they will feature classic films such as Bonnie and Clyde, Psycho, Casablanca, To Kill a Mockingbird, and North by Northwest while patrons munch on classic diner items like milkshakes, french fries, and burgers!

Visit their website www.americancitydiner.com for a full menu and movie schedule.

Switch up your Saturday Morning Run!

And join Kelley Cares on Saturday, April 16th at 8 am at GW Middle School to benefit the therapeutic Recreation Program in Alexandria.

http://www.kelleycares.org/

SNL in Arlington!

Pharoah, SNL cast member, best known for his movie star impressions, appears at the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse April 15^th and 16^th.  www.arlingtondrafthouse.com.

House Envy

Join the crowd visiting 6 Old Town Alexandria homes and gardens from 10-4 pm April 16^th sponsored by Virginia Garden Week.  Refreshments will be available along the tours of some of the most historic and beautiful homes and gardens in Virginia. From 8-4, select herbs to plant on sale at Carlyle House (carlylehouse.org).  Vagardenweek.org.

The Color Purple

At the National Theatre from  April 12^th to the 24^th, see “The Color Purple” after its 2 year run on Broadway.  

http://www.telecharge.com/BehindTheCurtain.aspx?prodid=8360

All Things Rock 'n' Roll!

Feeling nostalgic for 80's rock music?  Then stop by the Del Ray Artisans for an all media exhibit celebrating rock and roll bands, their instruments, and rebellious lifestyle now through May 1st.   The gallery is free of charge and open to the public so visit thedelrayartisans.org for a complete schedule!

The Glass Menagerie

Here’s another chance to see “The Glass Menagerie”.  This time at 1st Stage, a new theatre in Tyson’s, playing through April 17th!  1ststagetysons.org.

Eagerly Awaited!

The 29th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show is at the Building Museum April 14^th to 17^th featuring 120 artists, including 54 first-time exhibitors!

http://www.smithsoniancraftshow.org/indexmain.asp

3rd Annual Chef Challenge!

Twelve Embassy chefs enter an hors d’oeuvre competition at the Ronald Reagan Building April 12^th with a silent auction. www.Culturaltourismdc.org

A Night Out at the Theater!

“Stage Door”, the Edna Ferber/George S. Kaufman play about an aspiring New York actress will open April 8^th and run through May 7^th at The American Century Theatre in Arlington.  http://www.americancentury.org/

On Your Toes!

If you've always loved ballet or have aspiring ballerinas in your family see below for fantastic opportunities to attend three majestic performances this weekend!

The Russian National Ballet Theater performs "Romeo and Juliet" April 9th and "Swan Lake" April 10th at the George Mason Center for the Arts.  Visit www.cfa.gmu.edu for more information.

The New York City Ballet performs Balanchine choreographed pieces in repertory at the Kennedy Center through April 10th.  www.kennedy-center.org

Filmfest DC!

Those with an eclectic movie taste will enjoy this year's Filmfest DC!  From April 7th to April 17th over 70 featured international and indie films will be shown.  Featured films hail from countries such as Germany, South Korea, Iran, and Greenland.  Filmfest DC is also a great idea for a date-night as those who attend will receive free admission to the Park at Fourteenth for an evening of dancing!

Visit filmfestdc.org for more information, schedule, and venues!

World Festival to benefit DC after school programs

Join foodies, philanthropists, and elected officials on April 6^th at 6 pm at the Carnegie Institution, 1530 P Street, to dine on culturally inspired and gourmet delicacies prepared by famous DC chefs such as Art Smith, Nora Pouillon and Carla Hall! Proceeds will benefit DC after school programs that teach low income students to cook healthy and nutritious food.  www.commonthreads.org.

Taste of the Nation Tonight!

Share our Strength's annual foodie event is tonight at the beautiful National Building Museum featuring over 80 chefs including Top Chef favorite, Mike Isabella!

www.strength.org/Washington