EVENTS **Admission is free unless otherwise noted. All information on event venues can be found on The Washington Diplomat Web site at www.washdiplomat.com. Times and locations are subject to change. Unless listed, please call venue for specific event times and hours of operation. ART Through April 2 Timeless Experience: An Architectural Journey Through Itria, Italy An evocative series of brown-toned and black-and-white photographs by Rajesh Nair capture the atmospheric buildings and landscape of Itria, Italy. American Institute of Architects Headquarters Gallery April 2 to May 8 The Art of Egg Writing More than 300 decorated eggs from Poland, Hungary, Russia and the Ukraine demonstrate the vibrate art of egg writing, with examples by master artist Father Czeslaw Krysa, a practitioner of the Polish batik decorating method. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Through April 4 Mr. Whistlerís Galleries: Avant-Garde in Victorian London Although primarily known for his paintings and prints, expatriate American artist James McNeill Whistler was also an influential designer of both public and private interiors, as seen in this design-focused exhibition. Freer Gallery of Art April 4 to July 25 Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya ìCourtly Artîóthe first exhibit ever devoted to this subject in the United Statesódemonstrates the visual magnificence of ancient Maya art with more than 176 masterpieces drawn from public and private lenders around the globe. National Gallery of Art April 4 to July 25 The Cubist Paintings of Diego Rivera: Memory, Politics, Place Emphasizing Diego Riveraís distinctive approach to synthetic cubism, this exhibit present some 25 works from Riveraís time in France and Spain from 1913 to 1915. National Gallery of Art Through April 5 American Paradigms: David Opdyke and Lane Twitchell Made of obsessively constructed miniature models and mandela-like forms, ìAmerican Paradigmî is designed to provoke questions about oneís surroundings and the seemingly innocuous objects around us. Corcoran Gallery of Art April 9 to Dec. 12 Playful Performers This groundbreaking exhibit is the first to look at the immense creativity of African children as they explore the world of masquerade performance. National Museum of African Art Through April 10 Fascinating Rhythms Artists Verna Hart, a native New Yorker, and Preston Sampson, a local figurative pa inter, translate their love of jazz onto the canvas. International Visions Gallery Through April 10 20 Years of 20th-Century Art Five European artists with diverse technical styles and cultural backgrounds offer their perspectives on the restlessness of the last two decades of the 20th century. Marninart Gallery Through April 10 Yan Suryana: Distilling the Essence of Bali The bold canvases of Indonesian painter Yan Suryana celebrate the exotic culture, rituals and daily life of the Balinese people. Embassy of Austria Through April 15 Birds of Australia This exhibit celebrates the centenary birth of eminent ornithologist John Gould, who in 1838 embarked on a two-year trip to study Australiaís natural history, including its more than 500 species of birds. Embassy of Australia Through April 15 Retro/Spection New York-born Joyce Ellen Weinstein presents her works dealing with the understanding of human relationships, beginning with oneís self and extending outward to include family, community, ethnicity and nationality. Embassy of Lithuania April 16 to Aug. 1 Timeless Connections: Exploring Tapestry Weave Objects drawn for the Textile Museum collection demonstrate the broad geographic dispersion and historical continuity of one of the worldís oldest and most versatile textile techniques. The Textile Museum Through April 17 Leith Eaton Self-taught American-born impressionist Leith Eaton has won worldwide acclaim for being the founder of scintillism, an evolutionary school of impressionist art. Foxhall Gallery at Foxhall Square April 17 to Sept. 26 Perspectives: Do-Ho Suh Korean-born Do-Ho Suhís ìclothings for spaceî installations feature diaphanous silk and nylon fabrics and are based on full-scale models of his homes in Korea and the United States. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Through April 23 Visages et Paysages de France Parisian-born Marie-Laurence Gaudrat, who took part in the restoration of the French National Assembly, brings her dreamy interpretation of her home country to Washington. La Maison FranÁaise April 23 to May 15 From Skaagen to Bordeghera: Danish Painting, 1872-1922 Spotlighting the works of such renowned Danish artists as Holger Drachman, Peder Monsted and Carl Budtz-Muller, the exhibit celebrates the development of modern Danish art. Guarisco Gallery April 23 to July 31 The True Artist is an Amazing Luminous Fountain In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the Kreeger showcases art from the di Rosa Preserve in Napa, Calif. The Kreeger Museum April 23 to Sept. 12 Nordic Cool: Hot Women Designers From celebrated furniture and loom-woven fabrics to the latest in digital shorts and Web designs, the more than 200 objects in this exhibit are among the most beautiful and functional examples of Nordic design. National Museum of Women in the Arts Through April 29 Office Swedish photographer Lars Tunbj^rk captures the mundane yet intriguing details of office life. Embassy of Sweden Through April 30 Discover Japan Through Contemporary Posters Since the 1950s and í60s, Japanese graphic artists have excelled in using their medium as a forum for social commentary, a dynamic that evident among the nearly 40 artists in this exhibit whose posters examine the complexity of contemporary Japan. Japan Information and Culture Center Through April 30 Paintings by Marie-Laurence Gaudrat Acclaimed French artist Marie-Laurence Gaudrat imbues her work with joy, health and happiness, whether she paints landscapes, still lifes or portraits. La Maison FranÁaise Through April 30 Tradition and Entrepreneurship: Popular Arts and Crafts From Peru An array of Peruvian arts and crafts pay tribute to the nation that is hosting the 45th annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank. Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center Through April The Impressionist Tradition in America The Corcoran uses its collection of impressionist works by Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and others with ties to Europe to illustrate the evolution of American Impression. Corcoran Gallery of Art Through May 9 Douglas Gordon This marks the first American survey of works by Scottish artist Douglas Gordon, best known for his video installations that take as their inspiration classic Hollywood films such as ìPsychoî and ìTaxi Driver.î Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Through May 14 Wim Wenders: A Panoramic Road Movie Nearly 30 photographs taken by internationally acclaimed German director Wim Wenders capture the vastness of the Australian Outback. Goethe-Institut Through May 16 Discovering Milton Avery: Two Devoted Collectors, Louis Kaufman and Duncan Phillips ìDiscovering Milton Averyî spotlights two of the pioneering American painterís most important patrons and their personal approaches to collecting. The Phillips Collection Through May 16 Edda Renouf: Revealed Structures Thirty of Edda Renoufís meditative abstract paintings and oil pastels reveal structures that address themes of time and the four elements of nature. National Museum of Women in the Arts Through May 16 Visual Arts of Japan ìVisual Artsî features sculpture and artwork by some of the most distinguished Japanese artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as pieces by artists influenced by Japanese aesthetics and culture. Georgetown University Lauinger Library Through May 22 Thomas Trevelyonís Pictorial Miscellany (1608) An impressive range of subjectsófrom proverbs and epigrams to portraits of kings and queensóThomas Trevelyonís elaborately illustrated miscellany is essentially a history of England and the world since the beginning of time. Folger Shakespeare Library Through May 23 Guardians of the Law: Chinese Luohan Paintings More than 20 works depicting ìluohansîóenlightened beings exempted by Buddha from the cycle of rebirth to act as guardians of the lawósurvey the major trends in the evolution of luohan painting. Freer Gallery of Art Through May 23 Toulouse-Lautrec: Master of the Moulin Rouge More than 100 rarely seen posters and prints by Henri Toulouse-Lautrecówho became a sensation after his poster of a cancan-performing dancer hit the streets of Parisóportray raucous scenes of the Parisian cabaret and groundbreaking 19th-century advertisements. Baltimore M useum of Art Through May 31 Mark Rothko: The Mural Projects This special installation of nine works by American artist Mark Rothkoórelated to two mural commissionsócelebrates the centenary of his birth. National Gallery of Art Through May 31 A New Heart Will I Give You Part two of this four-part exhibit illustrates Pope John Paul IIís efforts at reconciliation through his work to advance peace among nations, social classes, religions and even his own attempted assassination. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Through May Naga Tribal Adornment: Signatures of Status and Self This display of Naga jewelry, textiles and artifacts reveals the rarely seen people and culture of Nagaland. Bead Museum Through June 1 The East Building: Celebrating 25 Years This special installation highlights the history of the East Building, its construction and its ever-growing collection of modern art through architectural drawings and other archival material. National Gallery of Art Through June 6 Draped, Wrapped and Folded: Untailored Clothing Although simple in form, untailored clothing can reveal a great deal about both the weaver and the culture from which the clothing originates, as seen in this showcase of 19 garments from Africa, Asia and the Americas. The Textile Museum Through June 7 Memento: Muriel Hasbun Photographs Selected to represent El Salvador at the 2003 Venice Biennale, Muriel Hasbun displays her collection of haunting, emotionally complex and collage-like photography. Corcoran Gallery of Art Through June 21 Joel Barlow: The Sage of Kalorama On the 250th anniversary marking the birth of ambassador and author Joel Barlow, the Woodrow Wilson House explores the life of this underappreciated yet fascinating figure in the founding of the nation. Woodrow Wilson House Through June 26 Churchill and the Great Republic This comprehensive exhibit of Churchill materialóthe first of its kind in the U.S.óexamines the career of Winston Churchill and his lifelong links with the United States. Library of Congress Through June 27 Ancient Threads, Newly Woven: Recent Art From Chinaís Silk Road Immense, remote, and utterly different from the rest of the country, far Western China has in recent years produced a large number of new artists whose works have rarely been seen outside Chinaóuntil now. Meridian International Center Through July 18 Birds and Beasts in Japanese Art An array of objects and paintings, including Japanese screens, highlight the Freerís distinct collection of bird, flower and animal artwork. Freer Gallery of Art Through July 18 Faith and Form: Selected Calligraphy and Painting From the Japanese Religious Traditions This is the first in a series of exhibitions showcasing important private collections of Japanese art, complemented by works from the Freer Gallery of Art. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Through July 18 The Tea Ceremony as Melting Pot The constant search for new tea utensils among imported goods contributed to the excitement and fascination with the tea ceremony in Japan from the 16th century onward. Freer Gallery of Art Through Aug. 1 Drawings of Jim Dine Consummate draftsman Jim Dine perfected his images of tools, large-scale nudes, self-portraits and nature studies to create some of the most accomplished and beautiful drawings of our time. National Gallery of Art Through Aug. 8 Return of the Buddha: The Qingzhou Discoveries This exclusive North American presentation offers viewers a rare glimpse of 35 extraordinary Chinese Buddhist statues from the sixth century that were accidentally unearthed by workers in 1996. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Through Aug. 15 Whistler in Paris: Lithographs From the Belle Epoque, 1891-1896 Many of Whistlerís most subtle and beautiful prints are his lithographs, which challenged contemporary notions of form and finish. Freer Gallery of Art Through Nov. 28 Insights Forty pieces of artófrom paintings to sculpture to lithographsóby nine contemporary African artists offer a thoughtful look inside the artistic process. National Museum of African Art DANCE Thu. and Fri., April 1 and 2, 8 p.m. Butterflies From My Hand The Donna Uchizono Company premieres this evening-long dance work that poses provocative questions about vulnerability and the power of letting go. Tickets are $25 or $5 for students. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Sat., April 3, 2 p.m. Cinderella The Fredericksburg Ballet enchants children and adults alike with a full-length classical ballet performance of the timeless tale ìCinderella.î Please call (540) 373-0978 for ticket information. Massaponax High School Fredericksburg, Va. Through April 4 CoppÈlia The Washington Ballet brings to life the charming comedic tale of Dr. Coppelius and his wish to create a doll with a soul. Tickets are $29 to $80. Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater April 8 to 10 Lyon Opera Ballet Franceís great modern dance company, known for its witty and surprising choreography, presents its new work, ìTricodex.î Tickets are $12 to $36. Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater April 16-18 Jane Comfort and Company: Persephone Choreographer Jane Comfort and her company premiere their new work, which examines the myth of Persephone in a setting of bamboo, metal and neon sculpture. Tickets are $20. Dance Place Sat., April 17, 8 p.m. Bharat Sambhavam This classical dance ballet performed by the Kalamandapam Indian dance academy is a colorful kaleidoscope of Indiaís epic glories. Tickets are $40 to $75. Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater DISCUSSIONS Wed., April 7, 6 p.m. The Prado in Madrid Two scholars of Spanish art step into the remarkable city of Madrid to stroll the halls of one of the worldís most important art museums. Tickets are $40 or $30 for Smithsonian members. Please call Resident Associates at (202) 357-3030 for location information. Location TBA Thu., April 8, 12 p.m. Medici Granducal Archive Edward Goldberg, founder of the Medici Archive Project in Florence, speaks about the legendary family of grand dukes and duchesses who presided over the most brilliant court in Europe. Library of Congress Thu., April 8, 7:30 p.m. My Wild Life: Adventures in Filmmaking Mireya Mayor discusses her travels as a primatologist, searching for rare creatures from Guyana to Madagascar, where she discovered a new lemur species that may be the smallest primate on earth. Tickets are $16 or $14 for National Geographic members. Gilbert Grosvenor Auditorium Wed., April 14, 7:30 p.m. Photographing the Worldís Last Wild Places Hear how wildlife photographer Steve Winterís travels in search of rare and endangered wildlife have taken him to some of the worldís most inaccessible places. Tickets are $16 or $14 for National Geographic members. Gilbert Grosvenor Auditorium Thu., April 15, 7 p.m. Embassy Residences: An Evening at the Residence of the Chilean Ambassador / Book Signing Chilean Ambassador AndrÈs Bianchi and his wife host an evening at their residence in honor of Mrs. Bianchiís book, ìEmbassy Residences in Washington D.C.î Tickets are $50 or $40 for Corcoran members. Corcoran Gallery of Art Thu., April 15, 7 p.m. Jean-Luc Godard, the Man Who Revolutionized Film Learn how Jean-Luc Godard, most commonly associated with the French New Wave of the early 1960s, became one of filmís most influential figures. Tickets are $15 or $12 for Smithsonian members. S. Dillon Ripley Center Sat., April 17, 2 p.m. Empowerment Through Education Kiran Bedi, a civilian police advisor to the United Nations and the highest-ranking female on the Indian police service discusses the power of education. University of Maryland Hoff Theater Mon., April 19, 7:30 p.m. Chimpanzees, Tools and Termites Discover how young chimpanzees learn successful ìtermite fishingî skills by modifying blades of grass. Tickets are $16 or $14 for National Geographic members. Gilbert Grosvenor Auditorium Tue., April 20, 6:30 p.m. A Secret Life: The Story of Ryszard Kuklinski Two former CIA officers tell the story of Polish Col. Ryszard Kuklinski, who as a CIA spy gave the United States secret Soviet plans from 1972 to 1979 before escaping to the West. Tickets are $20 or $16 for Spy Museum members; advance registration is required. International Spy Museum Thu., April 22, 6 p.m. Ancient Wine In this illustrated presentation with a wine tasting, anthropologist Patrick McGovern recounts his adventures tracking down the original wine species of the Neolithic period, some 7,000 years ago. Tickets are $25 or $20 for Smithsonian members. Smithsonian Castle Thu., April 22, 6:30 p.m. The Papyri of Herculaneum Three scholars from the international team working on the papyri reveal how these ancient writings have been brought back from the ashes. Tickets are $35 or $28 for Smithsonian members. Please call Resident Associates at (202) 357-3030 for location information. Location TBA Sat., April 24, 9:30 a.m. East to Tartary: Russia and the Tartar Connection Russian architectural historian William Brumfield shares his extensive research and photographic work on the vast Russian Tartary. Tickets are $120 or $75 for Smithsonian members. S. Dillon Ripley Center Sun., April 25, 6 p.m. Teatro Tasso: A Musical Story of Sorrento Members of the Teatro Tasso theater company depict 19th-century life in the Italian town of Sorrento through song and dance. Tickets are $22 or $18 for Smithsonian members. National Museum of Natural History Mon., April 26, 6:30 p.m. In Stabiano: Exploring an Ancient Roman Resort This reception features a tour of the new exhibit ìIn Stabiano,î which highlights a selection of significant art objects and artifacts excavated from ancient Roman villas. Tickets are $67 or $50 for Smithsonian members. National Museum of Natural History Through April 26 Contemporary Issues for Art Collectors The last in this four-part lecture series demystifies the unique problems faced by art collectors when it comes to estate planning, taxes and probate. Tickets are $40 or $30 for Corcoran members. Corcoran Gallery of Art Tue., April 27, 6:30 p.m. Cíest Magnifique: The Cooking of Provence Author Patricia Wells, an American-born resident of France, shares her culinary expertise over hors díoeuvres and a glass of wine. Tickets are $118 or $95 for Smithsonian members. The Madison Hotel Wed., April 28, 6:30 p.m. The Nude in Modern Art Erich Keel, head of education at the Kreeger, discusses the subject of modern artís fascination with the nude. Tickets are $8 or free for Kreeger members. The Kreeger Museum Thu., April 29, 7:30 p.m. Dawn of the Maya In this special preview screening, examine how a revolution in Maya studies is revealing that the ancient culture was flourishing approximately 1,000 to 1,800 years preceding the time of Christ. Tickets are $16 or $14 for National Geographic members. Gilbert Grosvenor Auditorium Thu., April 29, 7 p.m. Private Exhibition Preview and Reception at the Embassy of Australia An official from the Australian Embassy previews an exhibit of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from Queensland. Tickets are $50 or $40 for Corcoran members. Corcoran Gallery of Art MUSIC Thu., April 1, 7:30 p.m. Masters of Mexican Music More than 20 musicians and dancers present the rich musical traditions of four distinct regions of Mexico. Library of Congress Fri., April 2, 8 p.m., Sat., April 3, 8 p.m. Dennis Lee and Chee-Hung Toh The Embassy Series presents these brilliant duo-pianists as they return to the Malaysian Embassy for a program of piano solos and duets, including Beethoven, Schubert and Bizet. Tickets are $35. Embassy of Malaysia April 2 to 4 Folger Consort: Gather Ye Rosebuds Hundreds of years later, hear how the intoxicating smell of flowers inspired the songs and virtuoso instrumental music of Jacobean and Carolingian England. Tickets are $27. Folger Shakespeare Library Sat., April 3, 4:30 p.m. Sir James Galway Irish flutist James Galway shines as an interpreter of classical repertoire and a consummate entertainer who reaches out to new audiences with crossover recordings. Tickets are $25 to $75. Kennedy Center Concert Hall Sat., April 3, 8 p.m. Amadeus Trio: In a Minor Mood Back by popular demand, this seasoned ensemble closes the Dumbarton Concert Series with a program of deep-hued piano trios. Tickets are $28. Dumbarton Church Sun., April 4, 4 p.m. Dvor·k Stabat Mater The National Philha rmonic honors the centennial of Czechoslovakian composer AntonÌn Dvor·kís death with the rarely performed ìStabat Mater,î a touchingly simple text drawn from a medieval poem about Mary Magdaleneís grief. Tickets are $ New York Avenue Presbyterian Church April 20 to 26 Fifth Washington Jewish Music Festival With the theme, ìSongs From the Desert, Echoes From the Mountains,î the Fifth Washington Jewish Music Festival brings an exciting mix of sound and energy to the nationís capital. Please call (202) 777-3208 or e-mail Jessika@dcjcc.org for specific show information. DCJCC Fri., April 23, 7:30 p.m. Klavier Trio Amsterdam / Reception Seasoned soloists Joan Berkhemer, Nadia David and Kl·ra W¸rtz fused their talents and their shared love of chamber music to create this internationally acclaimed ensemble. Tickets are $60 or $50 for Corcoran members. Corcoran Gallery of Art Fri., April 23, 8 p.m. Till Fellner, Piano Austriaís talented young pianist, Till Fellner, who has performed across Europe, is featured in this Embassy Series concert. Tickets are $35. Embassy of Austria Fri., April 30, 8 p.m. An Evening With Jeffrey Chappell This Embassy Series program celebrates the musical stylings of Jeffrey Chappell, a master interpreter of standard repertoire, American music and French classics. Tickets are $35. La Maison FranÁaise THEATER Thu. and Fri., April 1 and 2, 8 p.m. Manteca (Lard) Three siblings living in the close confines of a tiny Havana apartment struggle over a decision on New Yearís Eve in this dramatic comedy performed by the Teatro de la Luna troupe. Tickets are $25 or $5 for students. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Fri., April 2, 8 p.m. Nippongaku Mannojo Nomura, a celebrated follower of traditional kyogen theater, brings his company of more than 50 dancers and musicians for this visually stunning performance commemorating the Commodore Perryís historic visit to Japan in 1853. Tickets are $25 to $30. Kennedy Center Concert Hall April 3 to 22 La Cenerentola The Washington Opera presents Rossiniís very Italian and very humorous version of Cinderellaócomplete with a comically pompous father and a Prince and his valet who swap identities and both fall for the heroine. Tickets are $41 to $285. Kennedy Center Opera House April 9 to May 23 SeÒor Discretion Himself In a sleepy Mexican hamlet, life is listless and routine, but when a colorful stranger arrives, things take a miraculous and delightful turn. Tickets are $42 to $60. Arena Stage April 14 to May 16 Oh, Coward! This breezy musical revue salutes British knight and prolific composer Noel Coward, one of the theaterís greatest bon vivants. Please call for ticket information. Olney Theatre Center April 14 to May 23 The Comedy of Errors The mistaken identities of two sets of identical twins separated at birth create a circus of confusion in one of Shakespeareís most farcical comedies. Tickets are$25 to $33. Folger Shakespeare Library April 15 to May 15 Belgrade Trilogy In the aftermath of the NATO air war, young Serbian ÈmigrÈs are forced to seek out a new life in the capitalist West in this Scena Theatre production. Tickets are $25. Warehouse Theatre Through April 18 Los Big Names A Latina lesbian actress prepares for her upcoming underwater death scene with her Cuban comedian dad and Puerto Rican belly dancer mom with her in spirit in this Woolly Mammoth Theatre production. Tickets are $24 to $39. Kennedy Center Film Theater Through April 19 Manon Lescaut Chilean soprano VerÛnica Villarroel stars as the alluring Manon, a pleasure-loving French girl who deserts her impoverished husband for a life of wealth, in this Washington Opera production of Pucciniís third opera. Tickets are $41 to $285. Kennedy Center Opera House April 30 to May 8 Clara The University of Marylandís Opera Studio presents the story of Clara Wieck Schumann, who a gifted 19th-century pianist whose rise to fame was compromised by conflicts that threatened to consume her. Please call for ticket information. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Through May 2 Fences This powerful drama follows an aging Pittsburgh garbage collector struggling for fairness in a society that offers none. Tickets are $29 to $39. Round House Theatre Through May 2 Henry IV, Part 2 Shakespeare explores the concepts of honor, duty and the struggle between the public and private man as the mantle of kingship is passed from father to son. Tickets are $16 to $66. The Shakespeare Theatre Through May 9 Far Away This powerful play by contemporary playwright Caryl Churchill portrays a world at war, where violence brews in every corner of life. Tickets are $25 to $45. The Studio Theatre Through June 6 Children of Eden Soaring melodies and witty banter punctuate this spectacular musical based on the Book of Genesis, which deals with second chances and universal truths. Tickets are $29 to $45. Fordís Theatre TOURS Sat., April 3 and 10 Georgetown: Then and Now Discover how a colonial tobacco port evolved into Washingtonís most elite communities. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling (301) 588-8999. Tour DC Wed., April 14, 10:15 a.m. Distinguished Historical Residences of Washington This spring walking tour, led by University of Maryland professor Lindley Vann, takes participants to a selection of glamorous and historical residences, all designed by prominent architects. Tickets are $80 or $65 for Corcoran members and include lunch. Corcoran Gallery of Art Sat., April 24, 4 p.m. Embassy Row and Dupont Circle During WWII This informative tour reveals how embassies up and down Embassy Row struggled to hold onto their buildings as the Nazis overran Europe, while many old private mansions were turned over for the war effort. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling (301) 588-8999. Tour DC