Operatic Tragedy: 'Nights at the Opera'

THIS WEEK: Let us clarify: The series at the Kennedy Center entitled "Nights at the Opera" does not, in fact, include any operas. Instead, the three plays are all about opera. The first one — and the newest — is "Golden Age," which is set backstage at an opera company.

» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; through April 4, $29; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom)

Every Day Is Irish Day: 'Everything Between Us'

THIS WEEK: You might think that there'd be a lull in Irish-themed events immediately post St. Patrick's Day, but you'd be wrong. Solas Nua is bringing "Everything Between Us," a play about reconciliation in Northern Ireland, through Washington this week.

» Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW; Tue., March 23 through Sun., March 28, $20; 202-315-1317. (Gallery Place)

In Their Own Words: Terrence McNally Panel Discussion

MONDAY: As part of their ongoing series of Terrence McNally plays, the Kennedy Center is hosting a discussion between some actors who have performed his work in the past, including Shakespeare diva Zoe Caldwell — she's as good as Judi Dench, even if you've never heard of her — and four-time Tony award-winner Audra McDonald (pictures). They're articulate as well as talented, so it should be an interesting evening.

» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; Mon., March 22, 7:30 p.m., $15; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom)

Photo by Michael Wilson

Slapstick Noir: 'The 39 Steps'

THIS WEEK: Ever seen "The 39 Steps," Alfred Hitchcock's thriller about spies and murder? Well now you can see the entire film onstage, performed by a cast of four. It's Hitchcock by way of Monty Python, and it works surprisingly well.

» Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW; through March 28; $30-$70; 202-783-4000. (Metro Center)

Photo by Criag Schwartz

A Journey to the 'Ghetto': Portugal. The Man

JOHN BALDWIN GOURLEY of the band Portugal. The Man never wanted to make a concept album, but some things just can't be skirted.

"It definitely became a concept record in itself, which I always wanted to avoid," Gourley said of the psych-pop group's fifth LP, "American Ghetto."

"I have this really, really bad habit of writing lyrics all at the same time, so the themes end up carrying through, which is good, I think. It's always great to have consistency in the albums. We never put focus on one track over another — we're all about making albums."

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And One Table for All: Communal Tables Fill D.C. Restaurants

LONG, LEGGY AND both loved and feared, the communal table has probably already landed in a neighborhood near you. This oversized piece of furniture has been steadily gaining territory in area restaurants for the past decade, popping up at uptown neighborhood haunts, downtown hot spots and suburban bakeries alike. If you haven't yet experienced one, allow us to provide an introduction.

The communal table is a lengthy slab seating eight to 20-some people, be they small groups of strangers or one large party. Restaurants prize them for their versatility, and also because they evoke a sense of community and sharing — plus, they're striking. They hark back to the days when eating was more of a family or community affair; conjure images of spring picnics and fall farmhouse dinners; and borrow a page from the Tuscan book on entertaining (the more the merrier).

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Blind Ambition: Fruit Bats, Black Cat

IN LATE 2006, Fruit Bats leader Eric D. Johnson's musical career took on a much higher profile when he was asked to join the indie institution the Shins, just before the band's tour for its big-selling "Wincing the Night Away" CD. Playing in two bands might seem like a daunting task, but to hear Johnson tell it, the career move actually made his life easier.

"I've had a ton of time because I haven't really had to go back to a real day job," the Seattle-based singer-guitarist says. "I had made money off of [the popular Fruit Bats song] 'When You Love Somebody,' but I still had to augment. I had my own catering company. It was a flexible job because I was my own boss, but I still had to do it."

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Bring a Camera: Black Lips

FRIDAY: Those Black Lips — they are a mess. But deliberately so. The ferociously badly behaved garage-rock fuzzsters are known for indecent onstage behavior and nasty devil's music softened with trippy psychedelia.

» Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW; Fri., March 19, 9 p.m., $15; 202-667-4490. (U St.-Cardozo)

Summertime Is Coming: 'Porgy and Bess'

ONGOING: The Washington National Opera brings George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" back to its opera roots with a production that kicks off on Saturday at the Kennedy Center.

» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; opens Sat., through April 3, $50-$300; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)

The Long Journey: 'Laborious Futility'

ONGOING: Artist Elena Patino explores dirt-under-the-fingernails issues — including labor and migration and how they affect American consumption — in her show at Hillyer Art Space. "Laborious Futility" uses textiles and other fiberous materials to tell the story of production and use and the people on both ends of the process.

» Hillyer Art Space, 9 Hillyer Court NW; through March 27; 202-338-0680. (Dupont Circle)