ONGOING: Sure, you could go see the big William T. Wiley retrospective at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Or you could see his new solo show, "Trust Us for Just Us," at a tiny gallery in Dupont Circle. Which sounds better as your Facebook status? Yeah, that's what we thought too.
The show closes Nov. 14, so you'd better hurry.
» Marsha Mateyka Gallery, 2012 R St. NW; through Nov. 14, free; 202-328-0088. (Dupont Circle)
Photo courtesy Marsha Mateyka Gallery
MONDAY: It's not really clear why a bunch of people from National Public Radio (including host Jacki Lyden, pictured) are talking about photography ... but they are. Maybe mankind has learned to transmit photos through the radio, and nobody told us.
A panel of photographers and NPR journalists will speak about digital storytelling as part of a Fotoweek DC event. To attend, RSVP to pictureshow@npr.org.
» National Geographic, Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW; Mon., Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m., free; 202-857-7700. (Dupont Circle)
Photo by Bill O'Leary
ONGOING: The Alex Gallery near Dupont Circle extends a welcome to David Goslin, whose works helped define the Washington Color School movement. "Re-Introducing David Goslin" demonstrates how the D.C.-specific style progressed since its inception in the 1960s. Goslin's clean, bright lines and sense of visual balance give a modern spin to the stripe-heavy genre while retaining its mid-century appeal.
» Alex Gallery, Gallery A, 2106 R St. NW; through Nov. 30, free; Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. or by appointment; 202-667-2599. (Dupont Circle)
Photo courtesy Alex Gallery
SATURDAY: We can't condone the drunken, half-naked morass that is M Street on Halloween. But we can't deny that the Nightmare on M Street bar crawl that takes place on the stretch below Dupont is a time-honored tradition, like the Drag Race or the State of the Union.
Register for the insanity at Mackey's, McFadden's or the Front Page. Party until closing with no cover at those bars and 12 others: Rumors, BlackFinn, Ozio, the Exchange, Public Bar, Madhatter, Bread 'n' Brew, James Hoban's, Singapore Bistro, Fast Eddie's, the Bottom Line and Steve's Bar Room. A $10 advance cover is good for specials at every bar, including $2 Coors Lite, $3 Blue Moon beers and $4 Captain Morgan and Jeremiah Weed sweet tea vodka drinks.
Oh yeah, one more thing: costumes are encouraged. So are designated drivers and the buddy system.
» LindyPromo, Sat., Oct. 31, 3 p.m.-1 a.m.; advance tickets through LindyPromo.com or bars, walk-in tickets $20.
Written by Express' Anne Polsky
Photo by Kevin Clark/Washington Post
THE NUMBERS IN "Adding Machine: A Musical," by Joshua Schmidt and Jason Loewith, aren't the kind likely to become breakaway hits or even stick in your head.
Certainly not "The Party," in which a group of neighbors displays unusual facility with racial epithets. Or "Zero's Confession," in which the musical's lead character unleashes the inner turmoil, then rage, that spurs him to violence.
But Studio Theatre 2nd Stage's production (directed by Loewith) of the darkly comedic update of a 1923 play features bravura performances from its actors, who are tasked with playing some truly despicable people.
SINCE THE FIRST edict in "The Runner's Rule Book" ($17.99, Rodale) is "Have fun," it seemed that author Mark Remy — executive editor of Runnersworld.com — would have some ideas for guys slipping into stilettos (like this Sarah Palin look-alike last year) tonight for the High Heel Race on 17th Street NW.
First, let's talk common courtesy. "If you know you don't have a realistic chance to win, don't stand in front of people who might," Remy says. Folks in large races often start ahead of where they should, which is a big no-no. And when heels are involved, slowpokes could be in real danger.
Also, don't try to sprint the race cold. Remy suggests light jogging ahead of time, preferably in flats. As for what to wear, he says comfort comes first, which may not be the easiest rule to follow tonight. But bonus points for anyone with a wicking boa.
Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
ONGOING: Some people (we're not naming names) think Neil Simon is overrated, that his comedy is often dated and that his appeal is overestimated in this day and age.
But even those people admit that his "Lost In Yonkers," the story of two boys growing up in New York with an evil grandmother and a gentle aunt, is touching, clever and perfectly written. D.C. standby Holly Twyford stars, so this is a sure bet.
» Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW; through Nov. 29, $30-$55; 202-518-9400. (Dupont Circle)
Photo courtesy Theater J
TUESDAY: It's time to whip out those stilettos and pumps, girls! Or rather, boys.
Yep, the 17th Street High Heel Drag Queen Race has arrived. Every year, thousands of people line up along the streets of Dupont Circle to watch hundreds of high-heeled, fabulously tacky runners participate in the 0.2-mile run.
The race doesn't start until nine p.m., but the streets start filling up around six p.m., so go early if you want to join in on the fun.
» 17th St. between Church and R; Tue., Oct. 27, 9 p.m., free; 202-789-7000. (Dupont Circle)
Written by Express' Erika Kauder
Photo by Kevin Clark/The Washington Post
ONGOING: In its latest exhibit, "The Ink Storm," Transformer Gallery turns traditional Chinese ink work on its head via modern video and mixed-media installations.
The works, by three emerging Beijing-based artists, cast light on global art, traditional media and the limitless possibilities of a single brush stroke.
» Transformer Gallery, 1404 P St. NW; through Oct. 31, free; 202-483-1102. (Dupont Circle)
Photo from transformergallery.org
THIS MONTH: If there was ever a good time for a pre-Depression musical about economic unease and the encroachment of impersonal technology and industry on American lives, it would be now.
Elmer Rice's expressionist drama "Adding Machine" comes to Studio Theatre in a new guise — adapted by Joshua Schmidt and Jason Loewith (Loewith also directs) into a musical about the anxiety of the newly jobless Mr. Zero (David Benoit).
» Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW; through Nov. 1, $42-$69; 202-332-3300. (Dupont Circle)
Photo courtesy Studio Theatre
Addison Road