D.C.-area nightlife, events and dining

Fancy Nancy, the title character of Jane O'Conner's book series, and her classmates are headed to a planetarium -- just like the Howard B. Owens Science Center! During the story time, kids can follow Nancy's adventures and learn about about stars, planets and constellations. After the reading, everyone can take a tour of the night sky.

In the go-go canon, Backyard Band -- BYB for short -- is the crucial link between the classic crank of the late '80s and the rugged, hip-hop-influenced sound of the '90s. BYB brought rowdy rawness to the go-go while still keeping the pocket going, and also can be cited as a precursor of today's bounce beat. Lead talker Big G is a crown prince of go-go and a cherished D.C. icon. After 25 years, BYB is enshrined among the greatest to ever do it, and it will be celebrating its silver aniversary anniversary at the Howard Theatre.

Nomadic Massive is a fitting name for a hip-hop crew that rolls nine deep, features members from nine countries and weaves five languages into its work. Racking up passport stamps since its 2004 debut, the band integrates traditions from every immigrant community of its Montreal home, incorporating reggae, jazz, blues and hip-hop. You can catch the group at Artisphere with D.C.?s own stylistic shape-shifter Kokayi and his band.

Billed as an evening of "family BONDing," the event includes scavenger hunts, trivia and contests centered around the "Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains" exhibit. Best for age 5 and older.

Fifty-five films from 15 countries make up the 23rd Washington Jewish Film Festival.

The National Gallery of Art continues in that pop-art vein with a retrospective of 20th-century artist Roy Lichtenstein. The largest since his death in 1997, this exhibition features 134 of his works from every major period in his career. Among the traveling show's highlights is "Look Mickey," from the National Gallery's own collection.

Along with a handful of jewelry pieces and one robe, the show features beautiful -- and, in this age of Photoshop, surprisingly faithful -- likenesses of members of the Qing dynasty, the royal family of Manchu origin that ruled China from 1644 to 1912.

The economics writer will discuss his book "Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the Data"

Carole Bean, flute /piccolo Jamie Roberts, oboe Edward Cabarga, clarinet Steven Wilson, bassoon James Nickel, horn

The Brooklyn-based band Yarn draws from across the spectrum of what's considered "Americana": the country-tinged rock of Graham Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers, the acoustic side of Neil Young, and Waylon Jennings's outlaw period. It all comes together in weary, whiskey-soaked lyrics, a steady shuffle beat and the delicately trilled notes of a mandolin. The band has a huge following dubbed "the Yarmy," so advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Hiddi hiddi! That's how to say hello on the Island of Elska, the imaginary volcanic island off the coast of Iceland is home to the singer Elska and a small population that includes her two-foot-tall best friend, an arctic fox and a colony of lost socks. "The Middle of Nowhere," her first children's album, is packed with kid-friendly electronic pop songs about life on the island.

Queen Nur shares stories, rhymes and songs. Best for age 5 and older. At the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center.

The Kennedy String Quartet demonstrates how different sounds can create moods and emotions. Best for age 4 and older. At the Family Theater.

Q and Not U was one of the most beloved and critically lauded bands to come out of Washington around the turn of the millennium. The trio broke up in 2005, but members John Davis (currently in Title Tracks) and Chris Richards (currently The Washington Post?s pop music critic) have gotten back together for a more mellow new project called Paint Branch. They?ll be performing songs from new album ?I Wanna Live? at Adams Morgan?s Red Onion Records, beginning at 6 p.m.

The National Gallery of Art continues in that pop-art vein with a retrospective of 20th-century artist Roy Lichtenstein. The largest since his death in 1997, this exhibition features 134 of his works from every major period in his career. Among the traveling show's highlights is "Look Mickey," from the National Gallery's own collection.

Fifty-five films from 15 countries make up the 23rd Washington Jewish Film Festival.

Along with a handful of jewelry pieces and one robe, the show features beautiful -- and, in this age of Photoshop, surprisingly faithful -- likenesses of members of the Qing dynasty, the royal family of Manchu origin that ruled China from 1644 to 1912.

The show will include music, dancing and readings. At the Kay Theatre.

Fifty-five films from 15 countries make up the 23rd Washington Jewish Film Festival.

The National Gallery of Art continues in that pop-art vein with a retrospective of 20th-century artist Roy Lichtenstein. The largest since his death in 1997, this exhibition features 134 of his works from every major period in his career. Among the traveling show's highlights is "Look Mickey," from the National Gallery's own collection.

The American Legion Riders host an all-you-can-eat buffet to support military families.

Part of the Washington Jewish Film Festival. At the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater.

Part of the Washington Jewish Film Festival. At the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater.

The ensemble performs works by Brahms and Schubert. At the Terrace Theater.

At the Francis Scott Key Auditorium.

The Mexican-American writer will discuss his novel "The Queen of America" about a healer who becomes the spiritual leader of the Mexican Revolution

A selection of wedding vendors, including products, services and more.

The Washington Stage Guild hosts a reading of Thomas Morton's comedy. At the Undercroft Theatre.

Ralph Nurnberger of Georgetown University and Maseh Zarif of American Enterprise Institute discuss "The Threat of a Nuclear Iran in the Middle East"

The MacArthur fellow and award-winning fiction writer will discuss his widely-praised story collection "Tenth of December," about separation and semi-sweet salvation among people

Paul Jameson of the Jameson Wine Experience leads a blind tasting comparison of wines from France and Virginia.

Nicholas Stovall, oboe Loren Kitt, clarinet Truman Harris, bassoon Laurel Bennert Ohlson, horn Alice Kogan Weinreb, flute

Cramton Auditorium at Howard University Concert National Symphony Orchestra Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Steven Reineke, conductor Jason Moran, piano Elena Urioste, violin Afro Blue Integriti Reeves, vocalist Charles Covington, piano Howard University Choir. At the Cramton Auditorium.

Vs. the Orlando Magic

Astrophysicist Lawrence Krauss discusses how the Higgs boson particle was discovered and why it is important. At the Baird Auditorium.

The two photographers display their work. At the Photoworks Gallery.

A panel of genealogists, including Chuck Mason, Sharon Hodges, Phyllis Kelley and Paul Phelps, give suggestions on alternate places to seek genealogical information.

The lexicographer will discuss his book "Words from the White House: Words and Phrases Coined or Popularized by America's Presidents"

Directors, actors and design members give the audience a behind-the-scenes look at the In Series' staging of Mozart's opera.

For age 8 and older, waterfowl viewing on the back deck of the Visitor Center. Scopes, binoculars and hot cocoa provided while they last

A book signing and talk by Michael Sulick, author of "Spying in America."

Wintle gives a talk about "Uncle Tom's Cabin.". At the Jefferson Building, Whittall Pavilion.

The Barnard College psychology professor will discuss her book "On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes" about the details we miss in everyday experiences

Resident playwright Karen Zacarias presents readings of her stage adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel. Each performance is followed by a post-show discussion

The exhibition, featuring some of Nast's most beloved holiday images, will explore the themes of family and celebration in times of national strife. Nast is also popularly credited with inventing the image that we now associate with Santa Claus.

The tenor performs in recital with pianist Graham Johnson, presented by Vocal Arts DC. At the Terrace Theater.

The portraits in this show reveal the hidden presence of Africans in Renaissance society and the many roles they played.

Will discuss his latest D.C. thriller "The Fifth Assassin," which follows Beecher White, National Archives archivist, as he tries to unravel a long-running conspiracy to ass assassinate the president

Get a jump on inaugural tourists and celebrate early. This Okayafrica bash at Tropicalia features some of the city's favorite DJs, including DJ Underdog, Jahsonic and Sam Burns.

Five-course meal featuring pork and pinot noir.

For children, explore the grounds and create art inspired by winter

Executive director of Food and Water Watch, a Washington-based advocacy group, will discuss her book "Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America." The event is sponsored by Teaching for Change and Food and Water Watch.

At the Millennium Stage.

Resident playwright Karen Zacarias presents readings of her stage adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel. Each performance is followed by a post-show discussion