Edited by Lynn Norusis
1‘Listen to Your Mother’
Mother’s everywhere are rejoicing now that the stories of their trials and tribulations of raising the next generation are brought to the masses through performance. Local blogger Kate Coveny Hood and actor/writer Stephanie Dulli stage the show with live readings hitting close to home as they are directed, produced and performed by local writers. / Synetic Theater (5/4); listentoyourmothershow.com/dc/
2Owen Danoff’s ‘Twelve Stories’
The Metro-D.C. native and son of Bill Danoff (Grammy Award-winning songwriter of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Afternoon Delight”) just released his first album “Twelve Stories,” accompanied by Rami Jaffee, keyboardist for The Wallflowers and Foo Fighters, and Chris Shiflett, lead guitarist for Foo Fighters, that features his blend of pop, folk and rock ‘n’ roll. / Jammin Java (5/4) jamminjava.com/events/owen-danoff
3‘The Threepenny Opera’
Dubbed “the greatest musical of all time” by Newsweek, Matthew Gardiner takes on the 1928 musical adapted from an English ballad “The Beggar’s Opera.” The comedic take of socialist critique on capitalism is revived with a jazz score and biting lyrics bringing the audience into the underground of London. / Signature Theater (Through 6/1) signature-theatre.org/shows/the-threepenny-opera
4GI Film Festival
In what is called “the Sundance for the troops,” the GI Film Festival brings the realities of military life to the big screen, depicting the major conflicts and the hardships the troops return to at home: post-traumatic stress, homelesness and unemployment. Actor Gary Sinise headlines the Salute to Hollywood Patriots Night on May 23. / Alexandria and D.C. (5/19-5/25) gifilmfestival.com/
5Virginia Gold Cup
Celebrating it’s 89th anniversary, one of the nation’s largest steeplechase races is back at Great Meadow in The Plains. Dressed in your best derby duds, watch hurdle and timber horse races and Jack Russell Terrier races while enjoying the social pleasantries of tents, tailgating and the ever-important hat contests. / Great Meadow (5/3) vagoldcup.com; Read our post about the Virginia Gold Cup here.
