EVENTS **Admission is free unless otherwise noted. Unless listed, please call for specific event times and/or hours of operation. art Through April 4 The Passage of Time: From Drawings to Mixed Media Archaeology, architecture and color collide in an exhibit that traces the evolution of Venezuelan artist Waldo Vincesís career from his original drawings to paintings using mixed media. Embassy of Venezuela April 4 to May 16 With the Flow Against the Grain Soothing textile creations by Australian-Japanese artist Keiko Amenomori Schmeisser make up this visually stunning exhibit. Embassy of Australia April 4 to June 15 Kendall Buster: Inventory of Imagined Places One of Washingtonís star sculptors, Kendall Buster fashions large-scale sculptures that are both object and architectureócomplete with portals that allow viewers to explore the artistís intriguing interior spaces. The Kreeger Museum Through April 13 Elizabeth I: Then and Now The Union Station hosts the first viewing of a panel exhibition offering a sampling of reproduced images from the Folger Shakespeare Library and its Elizabeth I exhibit. Union Station April 13 to July 13 Frederic Remington: The Color of Night Some 25 paintings reveal the spare modernism and surprising use of color and light in Remingtonís series of works depicting the ìcolor of night.î National Gallery of Art April 14 to May 9 Come Face to Face with Africa: A Day in the Life of Africa One hundred of the worldís foremost photojournalists visited 53 African nations on a single day for this panoramic perspective on the people, culture and environment of this diverse continent. Union Station Through April 20 ...douard Vuillard Comprising some 200 works, this exhibit represents the full range of ...douard Vuillardís subject matter, revealing both the public and private sides of this quintessentially Parisian artist. National Gallery of Art Through April 25 digITALYart To celebrate Italyís diverse artistic heritage, the IDB presents examples of Italian technological art, featuring digitally designed architectural projects, interactive images and the seminal piece ìRoma IIî by Fabrizio Plessi. Inter-American Development Bank Cultur Center Through April 26 Mesoamerican Cultures Dozens of pre-Hispanic reproductions from the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico depict a panoply of ancient cultures from the Aztec to the Zapotec societies. Mexican Cultural Institute Through May 1 Martin Gredler: Panoramas of Recollections, Water Colors More than 100 watercolorsógrouped around the exhibitís theme of ìhome and abroadîówere assembled into a mosaic of large-size works specially designed for the Austrian Embassy. Embassy of Austria Through May 4 Art of the Ballets Russes Experience the excitement of the Ballets Russes in a rare presentation of original costumes and stage designs by some of the 20th-centuryís greatest artists, including Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Baltimore Museum of Art Through May 4 Brilliance of Bakst: Theater and Textile Designs from Baltimore Collections Exhibition featuring the multi-paneled stage set and more than 12 brilliantly colored textile designs by Russian painter and stage designer LÈon Bakst. Baltimore Museum of Art Through May 4 Faith and Culture: The Art of Egg-Writing in Poland In Poland, decorating eggs during Easter has become nothing short of its own unique art form, signaling the start of spring and the promise of a new beginning. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Through May 5 Whistler and His Circle in Venice This exhibition commemorates the centennial of Whistlerís death with a look back at the artistís efforts to capture his beloved Veniceóbeyond its popular tourist traps. Corcoran Gallery of Art Through May 7 The Road to Rome: A Modern Pilgrimage Father Jerome Tupa, a Benedictine monk, retraces his spiritual journey through 21 cities in Italy with an innovative, abstract take on the sacred sites he encountered along the way. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Through May 11 Margaret Bourke-White: The Photography of Design, 1927-1936 Discover how Margaret Bourke-Whiteís images of industrialization in Fortune magazine catapulted her to the upper echelons of American photography and earned her a spot in womenís history. The Phillips Collection Through May 11 Thomas Gainsborough, 1727-1788 English painter and draftsman Thomas Gainsborough is considered one of the great proponents of 18th-century portraiture and landscape painting. Find out why in this comprehensive exhibit of more than 100 of his works. National Gallery of Art Through May 18 Gerhard Richter: 40 Years of Painting More than 120 works demonstrate German artist Gerhard Richterís prowess for evocative abstract canvases, his highly diverse style, and the influence he has wielded during his prolific career. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Through May 25 Common/Places: Contemporary Photography From Germany and Northern Europe Familiar scenes of everyday life are transformed into stunning, large-scale works by some of the most influential contemporary photographers in ìCommon/Places.î This exhibit runs concurrently with ìParallel Tracks: The History of Photography in Two Brief Installments,î which chronicles the evolution of street versus studio photography. Baltimore Museum of Art Through May 26 The Floating World Revealed: Ukiyo-e Paintings and Prints The style of art known as ukiyo-e depicts a panoply of actors and courtesans from the entertainment, theater and pleasure quarters of Japanís great cities during the Edo period (1615-1868). The exhibit runs concurrently with ìTea in the Floating World,î which looks at tea ceremonies in Kabuki theaters during the same time period. Freer Gallery of Art Through June 1 Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1880-1938 This is the first major U.S. exhibition in 30 years devoted to Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, one of the most prolific and creative of the German Expressionists. National Gallery of Art Through June 1 Hands of Peace, Hands of Prayer A casting of the hands of Abraham Lincoln, Pope John Paul II and more than 300 school children are on exhibit in conjunction with several workshops and craft activities for children and families. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Through June 1 Laying the Foundation for Liberty Learn how America prepared for Franceís monumental gift through the design and construction of the pedestal that anchors the Statue of Liberty. The Octagon Museum Through June 2 Hold It! Textiles as Containers Discover the distinctive ways various cultures have exploited textile containers to suit their needs in this unique exhibit. The Textile Museum Through June 15 Jean Hugo: An Artist Observes World War I Thirty watercolors and drawings capture vivid images of World War I in France through the eyes of Jean Hugo, great grandson of legendary writer Victor Hugo. Woodrow Wilson House Through June 15 Whistler in Venice: The Pastels Expatriate American artist James McNeill Whistler fell in love with Venice during what was supposed to be a short stay, remaining there instead for 14 months to create an array of pastels exploring the cityís backwater canals and decaying palazzos. Freer Gallery of Art Through June 18 An Imperial Collection: Women Artists From the State Hermitage Museum Sculptures and paintings by women trained in the European traditionórarely viewed outside of Russia or Europeóreveal how female patrons and painters contributed to Russian imperial, social and cultural history. National Museum of Women in the Arts Through July 20 Light Screens: The Leaded Glass of Frank Lloyd Wright This exhibit showcases Frank Lloyd Wright, the innovative icon of American architecture, with 48 of his stained glass windows, two architectural models and 13 original plates. American Art Museum Through July 27 After the Madness: The Secular Life, Art, and Imitation of Bada Shanren This aptly named exhibit looks at the great Qing dynasty Chinese artist Bada Shanren, a descendant of Ming royalty who became a Buddhist monk, was considered to have gone mad in his middle age, and ultimately returned to secular life and painting in his 60s. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Through Aug. 10 Auto * Focus: Raghubir Singhís Way Into India ìAuto * Focus,î one of Raghubir Singhís last great projects, combines the photographerís passions for color and the Indian landscape with his fascination for the Ambassador car, a symbol of modern India. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Through Aug. 10 Carpets of Andalusia During the period of Muslim rule over the Iberian Peninsulaówhat we today call Spainócarpet weaving was introduced into Spain and the practice continues to reflect an impressive amalgamation of cultural traditions. The Textile Museum Through Oct. 5 Ethiopian Icons: Faith and Science Reflecting two voicesócurator and conservatoróìEthiopian Iconsî explores the unique imagery of icons using the museumís own collection, which recently underwent a technical analysis and conservation treatment. National Museum of African Art Through Nov. 30 Journeys and Destinations: African Artists on the Move ìJourneys and Destinationsî examines the migration of African artists living in Europe and America and how they have negotiated their changing artistic, cultural and personal identities. National Museum of African Art Through Dec. 31 Myths of St. Petersburg: Impressions of the City From the Hillwood Collection To honor the 300th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg, the Hillwood Museum has compiled more than 50 objects that explore the famed cityís symbolic meaning and its place in Russian history. Hillwood Museum and Gardens Through Jan. 11, 2004 The Mountain of the Lord Five detailed models of the temples built on the ancient Temple Mount in Jerusalem give visitors the chance to explore these sacred sites firsthand. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center benefits Tue., April 22 Champions and Heroes: A Night at the Fights The NYPD boxing team takes on the London Metro Police in this unique boxing benefit extravaganza featuring a cocktail reception and dinner, eight matches and a silent auction for various signed boxing paraphernalia, all to benefit fallen law enforcement officials. Tickets are $250. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel dance Wed., April 2, 7 p.m. Spectacular Evening of Spanish Dance With Zivaís Spanish Dance Ensemble Guest artist Jorge Navarro of Seville joins Ziva and her sizzling Spanish Dance Ensemble in breathtaking dramatizations of traditional flamenco and other Spanish dances. Tickets are $20 or $15 for Corcoran members. Corcoran Gallery of Art April 2 to 6 Mood Swings The Washington Ballet swings into spring with ìMood Swings,î a mixed repertory program honoring the best of balletís classical and cutting-edge contemporary works. Tickets are $29 to $75. Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater Wed., April 23, 7:30 p.m. Tatiana Baganova Russian choreographer Tatiana Baganova and her daring dance company bring their distinctive dance-theater permutations to Washington for their first Kennedy Center appearance. Tickets are $20. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater festivals Sat., April 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun., April 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Washington International Print Fair This spectacular selection of works by American, Japanese and European artists offers rare prints and drawings spanning the 16th century to the presentóall available for purchase. Tickets are $10. Holiday Inn Rosslyn Westpark Hotel April 8 to 13 Fourth Annual Washington Jewish Music Festival This exciting musical extravaganza provides a venue for cutting edge Jewish music featuring an array of Spanish-speaking, Sephardic, Mizrahi and spiritual traditions. Tickets are $18 to $28. Please call for specific performance information. DCJCC Through April 11 Francophone Music Festival The Smithsonian Associates along with The Francophonie organization invite you to enjoy the melodies of French bands from around the world, including Quebec, Guinea, Cambodia, Morocco, Louisiana, France and Mali. Please call the Resident Associates at (202) 357-3030 for specific show and location information. Locations Vary May 1 Space Day 2003: Celebrating the Future of Flight In this daylong cosmic celebration, space enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of hands-on programs and participate in the interactive Cyber Space Day Web cast featuring Sen. John Glenn. National Air and Space Museum galas Sat., April 5, 9 p.m. A Venetian Masquerade The 1869 Society presents its annual black-tie gala celebrating the exhibit ìWhistler and His Circle in Veniceî with live music and Italian hors díoeuvres and desserts in this mesmerizing masquerade ball. Tickets are $100 to $169. Corcoran Gallery of Art Thu., April 10, 6:30 p.m. Splendors of Spain Spend an evening celebrating the exhibit ìCarpets of Andalusiaî with a savory dinner of Spanish cuisine and wine and a special showing of the exhibit. Tickets are $95 or $85 for Textile Museum members. The Textile Museum Fri., April 25, 7 p.m. Forty-Eighth Annual Corcoran Ball The Womenís Committee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art presents this dazzling black-tie event featuring an exclusive viewing of ìWhistler and His Circle in Venice.î Guests enjoy cocktails, a gourmet seated dinner and dancing. Please call for more information. Corcoran Gallery of Art lectures Wed., April 2, 7:30 p.m. Social Change and Conscience in South Africa Today The archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, comes to Washington to increase American awareness of world poverty and the crippling effects of the African AIDS epidemic. Washington National Cathedral Tue. and Thu., April 8 and 10, 7 p.m. Faith-based Diplomacy Hear from hands-on peace activists who work at the grassroots level on how religious traditions have evolved to encompass shared understandings of peace. Tickets are $15. Washington National Cathedral Wed., April 9, 7 p.m. Insider Embassy Nights Officials from the Finnish Embassy reflect on Jewish tradition and culture in this series of discussions sponsored by the DCJCC. Tickets are $30 or $20 for DCJCC members. Embassy of Finland Wed., April 9, 6:30 p.m. Lorna Goodison Jamaican poet Lorna Goodison reads from her works and speaks on her creative development and the struggle of Caribbean women. Inter-American Development Bank AndrÈs Bello Auditorium Mon., April 14, 7:30 p.m. The Wolves of Yellowstone The Yellowstone Gray Wolf Project began reintroducing the endangered gray wolf to Yellowstone after a 70-year extinction in 1995. Seven years later, biologist Douglas Smith examines the surprising success of this fascinating undertaking. Tickets are $16 or $13 for National Geographic members. Gilbert Grosvenor Auditorium Wed., April 23, 7:30 p.m. Blue Latitudes Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tony Horwitz shares stories from his book about the life of British explorer James Cook and his legacy in the South Pacific and the Aleutians. Tickets are $16 or $13 for National Geographic members. Gilbert Grosvenor Auditorium Sat., April 26, 2:30 p.m. The Cultural Legacy of Medieval Spain MarÌa Rosa Menocal of Yale University reveals an enlightened time and place in which religious differences were transcended by a shared respect for knowledge, learning and the arts. Tickets are $10 or $7 for Textile Museum members. The Textile Museum music Tue., April 1, 8 p.m. Inti-Illimani Playing more than 30 instruments and singing in harmony and counterpoint, the infectious music of Inti-Illimani symbolizes the struggle against oppression in their native Chile. Tickets are $20 to $30. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Tue., April 1, 8 p.m. Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra Mahlerís sixth symphony melds with a Mozart violin concerto in a work of ravishing beauty and lighthearted grace. Tickets are $30 to $65. Kennedy Center Concert Hall Sat., April 5, 8 p.m. Dmitri Berlinsky and Elena Baksht Award-winning violinist Dmitri Berlinsky and pianist Elena Baksht have each toured the world and now join forces for this special Washington performance, part of the Embassy Series. Tickets are $40 Embassy of Hungary Sat., April 5, 8 p.m. Leaves of Grass Jazz composer/pianist Fred Hersch assembled a stellar international ensemble of improvising jazz musicians for the premiere tour of ìLeaves of Grass,î a full-evening piece inspired by and featuring the poetry of Walt Whitman. Tickets are $20 to $30. Lisner Auditorium Sat., April 5, 8 p.m. In the Still of the Night The St. Petersburg String Quartet along with the Erato String Quartet perform Haydn and Shostakovich pieces, followed by the Mendelssohn Octetóa spectacular conclusion to the Dumbartonís 25th anniversary season. Tickets are $26. Dumbarton Church Sun., April 6, 3 p.m. MonteverdióVespers of 1610 The 200 voices of the Grammy-winning Washington Chorus recreate the antiphonal, spatial nuances of Monteverdiís timeless ìVespers of 1610.î Tickets are $15 to $46. Kennedy Center Concert Hall Sun., April 6, 8:30 p.m. John Rutter in Concert With Columbia Union College Renowned English composer and conductor John Rutter joins the Columbia Collegiate Chorale and New England Symphonic Ensemble in a concert of his own compositions. Tickets are $19 to $58. Kennedy Center Concert Hall Fri., April 11, 7 p.m. Charlotte Blake Alston Philadelphia-born Alston performs from her repertoire of stories and songs from the African and African-American experienceóincluding educational raps, monologues, poetry and impersonationsóin this benefit concert. Tickets are $35. Embassy of Austria Fri., April 11, 8 p.m., Sun., April 13, 5 p.m. Kevin Kenner With Jerome Barry Pianist Kevin Kenner accompanies baritone Jerome Barry in ìWater,î a unique multimedia presentation of art, narratives, song and piano music. Tickets are $35. La Maison FranÁaise Sat., April 12, 4:30 p.m. Lang Lang Manchurian pianist Lang Lang plays timeless selections from Mozart, Liszt, Schumann and more. Tickets are $20 to $55. Kennedy Center Concert Hall Mon., April 14, 7 p.m. Classical Music of Persia Nader Majd leads the Chakavak Ensemble in an enchanting selection of classical songs from the ancient art form of Persian music, which dates back to the fifth century B.C. Tickets are $15 or $12 for Corcoran members. Corcoran Gallery of Art Thu., April 17, 6:30 p.m. Point Line Cloud Dr. Curtis Roads, associate director of the University of Californiaís Center for Research in Electronic Art Technology, electrifies audiences with his digital sound and video performance ìPoint Line Cloud.î Inter-American Development Bank AndrÈs Bello Auditorium receptions Thu., April 10, 6:30 p.m. Easter Celebration at the Embassy of Poland His Excellency Przemyslaw Gruzinski hosts this delightful evening where participants learn about Polish Easter customs and partake in a lavish Polish buffet. Tickets are $50 or $40 for Corcoran members. Embassy of Poland Tue., April 29, 6:30 p.m. Glamorous Evening at the Moroccan Ambassadorís Residence His Excellency Aziz Mekouar opens his residents for guests to enjoy a discussion on Moroccan design and adornments, followed by a reception. Moroccan Residence theater April 1 to 20 I Worry The Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company stages a smart and savvy ride examining what happens when the world as we know it suddenly changes. Tickets are $21 to $38. Kennedy Center AFI Theater Thu. and Fri., April 3 and 4, 8 p.m. El Invitado (Houseguest) Teatro de la Luna presents this engrossing tale of friendship, affection, solidarity and above all, identity by characters with a questionable past and an uncertain future. Tickets are $25. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Kogod Theatre April 3, 6, 9 and 11 Don Giovanni Pl·cido Domingo conducts The Washington Operaís production of Mozartís masterpiece with young bass sensation Erwin Schrott in the title role. Tickets are $41 to $285. DAR Constitution Hall Through April 6 The Good Thief An anonymous Dublin hit man finds himself mixed up in a botched crime in this black monologue about the nature of good and evil. Tickets are $15 to $20. Scena Theatre April 10 to May 11 El Loco y La Triste (Bonds of the Fringe) This gritty drama portrays a homel ess man and an aging prostitute who befriend each other in the outskirts of a South American city and proceed to change each otherís lives. Tickets are $28. Gala Hispanic Theatre April 16 to May 18 The Miser The tightfisted Harpagon takes his greed a little too far when he tries to upend his childrenís plans to marry in this classic Moliere farce. Tickets are $25 to $35. Olney Theatre Center April 17 to 19 and 24 to 26, 7:30 p.m. On the Bedpost Overnight Storyteller Jon Spelman explores the cultural history of beds and bedtimes, touching on such universal concepts as origins, births and deaths. Tickets are $12. District of Columbia Arts Center Through April 20 La Vagabonde Spend an enchanting evening in 1907 Montmartre in this original adaptation of the novel by revolutionary French writer Coletteówhich marks the final production for Le Neon Theatre. Tickets are $15 to $25. Gunston Arts Center Theater II April 22 to May 18 As You Like It The Royal Shakespeare Company returns to the Kennedy Center for its first engagement in an unprecedented five-year American residency with the pastoral comedy ìAs You Like It.î Tickets are $25 to $70. Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater Through May 4 Elizabeth the Queen A sea of political plots and schemes are hatched to unravel the already strained relationship between the Earl of Essex and Elizabeth I, portrayed by Michael Learned. Tickets are $29 to $46. Folger Shakespeare Library Through May 4 Uncle Vanya Chekhovís story of disillusionment and betrayal chronicles an aging man, starved for love and suffering from alcoholism, who must come to terms with the truths of his life and the needs of his family. Tickets are $15 to $17. Classika Theatre Through May 18 Richard III Gale Edwards directs Shakespeareís riveting portrait of a world perched on the edge of war, driven there by a bent and brutal man whose only goal is destruction. Tickets are $16 to $66. The Shakespeare Theatre Through May 25 SalomÈ A young princess is consumed by her desire for an imprisoned holy man, culminating in a perverse web of passion, love and death. Tickets are $25 to $30. Stanislavsky Theater Studio Through June 1 1776 This Tony Award-winning musical takes a humorous look at the making of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Tickets are $29 to $45. Fordís Theatre