THIS WEEKEND: If you have the means to get out the the Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, a magical wonderland is waiting for you there. And by that we mean they are building a giant Christmas tree entirely out of Lego blocks, and THEY NEED YOUR HELP.
This is exactly like that dream you once had where Santa came to your window and knocked and said only you could make the toy he needed and you saved Christmas, but then you woke up and it was January and Christmas was farther away than the moon. So we guess this event is better than that dream.
Disclaimer: This event is actually aimed at children.
» Arundel Mills Mall, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover; Fri.-Sun., Nov. 6-8, free; 410-540-5100.
Photo courtesy Lego
FRIDAY: After a three-year hiatus from television, brothers Jamie and Bobby Deen hope to be burning up the small screen with a new Food Network hit by 2010.
Until then, the pair is busy letting their recipes speak for themselves with their latest cookbook: "The Deen Brothers Take It Easy." Relax with the cooking duo at Barnes and Noble where they'll be signing copies of the new book.
» Barnes and Noble, 7851 Tysons Corner Center, McLean; Fri., Nov. 6, 7 p.m., free; 703-506-2937.
Photo courtesy Ballantine Books
ATTRACTING AWARDS like a magnet lures iron filings, Virginia Galloway's "The Music Lesson" screens as part of National Geographic Live on Friday.
The documentary trails 10 classically trained music students from Boston as they travel to Laikipia, Kenya, for a musical, social and cultural exchange none of the participants will ever forget.
Galloway herself will be on hand after the screening to answer questions about this moving and enlightening film and the kids whose newly opened minds starred in it.
» National Geographic Museum, Grosvenor Auditorium, Fri., 7 p.m., $10 non-members, $8, members; 202-867-7700, nglive.org. (Farragut North/Farragut West)
Photo by Virginia Galloway
SATURDAY: Experience the love at the One Love Reggae Festival at Crossroads in Bladensburg this Friday. This festival features some of Jamaica's top dancehall and reggae performers, including Capleton, pictured, called "The Prophet" by his fans at home; Cocoa Tea; Anthony B and Jah Thunder.
» Crossroads Entertainment Complex, 4103 Baltimore Ave., Bladensburg, Md.; Sat., 9 p.m., $20; 301-927-1056.
Photo courtesy Crossroads
FRIDAY: Not every talent is ripe for public display, like that thing Uncle Robert used to do with his trick knee. But if you've got a flair for something palatable, bring it to Busboys & Poets Live!, a new talent show hosted by Ne'a Posey, a local R&B singer, and held the first Friday of every month at the shop's 14th Street location.
Whether you're a dancer, musician, comedian or mime, you're welcome at the open mic, which starts at 11 p.m. Not that mimes need mics. Well, maybe really bad mimes.
» Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St. NW; begins Nov. 6, 11 p.m., free; 202-387-7638. (U St.-Cardozo)
Written by Express' Sarah Mimms
Photo by Susan Biddle/The Washington Post
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