Low-ceilinged and striped with neon, the newest exhibit at the International Spy Museum feels more like a top-secret command center than an educational gallery. Glossy black walls are lined with flashing lights and flickering computer screens. Headlines scroll along a red-lettered marquee, and at the front of the room, a color-coded map of the United States outlines the location of power grids.

Suddenly, the lights fizzle out and the sleek little room is plunged into darkness. The computer screens fade until one video slowly comes into greenish focus, outlining a budding crisis: A cyber attack has shut the system down, incapacitating major parts of the infrastructure.

That means no communication.

No transportation.

No electricity.

No food.

No water.

Photograph by Kyle Jameson

A bull, an octopus, and a shark—just some of the aluminum creatures on display at Union Station as part of Washington’s first “Art of Can” exhibition.

Sponsored by Red Bull, the energy-drink company that “gives you wings,” the exhibit kicked off last night, attracting a crowd of art wonks and caffeine addicts alike.

Through October 19, Washingtonians are invited to check out (for free!) some of the country’s most highly carbonated contemporary artworks—all created or inspired by Red Bull’s iconic blue-and-silver cans—on display at Union Station’s main lobby.

Fifty-six works are on display, including an eight-foot octopus and a larger-than-life bull, which incorporates more than 2,000 cans into the design. The artists responsible for the sculptures come from all walks of life: students, industrial designers, sales professionals. Most are from the United States, but some have traveled from as far away as the United Kingdom.

Check out photographs of the exhibit. 

Monday, August 10
Israeli artist Irit Zohar’s colorful canvases are on display through August 31 at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. The exhibit, called “Painting in Action,” can be viewed Monday through Friday 10 to 4.

Tuesday, August 11
Take the Portraits Alive! tour at the National Portrait Gallery with the museum’s Teen Ambassadors. Students who participated in an eight-week seminar will walk you through the gallery, stopping at nine portraits to perform their dramatic interpretations of well-known figures such as Rudolph Valentino and Angela Davis. Meet in the F Street lobby for the 2:15 performance, which takes place every day through Friday.

Monday, July 27
Show your support for universal access to clean water at the Science Club in DC’s downtown. The Global Water Challenge throws its launch party from 6 to 8 PM, where you’ll find out more about the water crisis and what the organization is doing to help. To RSVP, click here. Free.

Tuesday, July 28
Humidity is reaching a summertime high, but the seals at the National Zoo aren’t feeling it. Meet at the sea-lion pool at 11:30 AM for a free training demo with the friendly ocean mammals.

Wednesday, July 29
A graphic-arts specialist at the American History Museum demonstrates how Civil War generals used tabletop printing presses to give orders to their troops. Meet on the first floor. 11 AM to 1 PM.

In case you missed it last month, Community Night at the Spy Museum means free admission from 5 to 9 PM. Click here to reserve a spot.

Monday, July 20
Liz Taylor fans will be happy to know that Giant is free on the screen at the National Theatre tonight at 6:30. Watch Brock Hudson and the iconic actress fall in love in the dusty plains of Texas in this 1950s classic, which garnered ten Academy Award nominations. Tickets are distributed 30 minutes before showtime on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for more information.

And how could we forget? Screen on the Green kicks off tonight! Here’s the full schedule.

Tuesday, July 21
How philanthropic Is The Philanthropist? The Hudson Insititute (1015 15th St., NW) hosts a free lunch, screening, and panel discussion in the name of examining the NBC show’s portrayal of the professional philanthropy world. The event kicks off with an optional 10:45 AM episode viewing, followed by a luncheon buffet and a 12:10 talk on where the series gets it right and where it stretches the truth. Tom Fontana, the co-creator and writer of the show, will be on hand. To reserve a spot and find out more, click here.

Monday, July 6
Get ready to rock out in DC’s Tenleytown: Local bands Go Home Robot, Sea Monsters, and Power Pirate take the stage in tonight’s installment of the Fort Reno concert series. 7:30 PM.

Tuesday, July 7
Volunteers from the Annapolis Quilt Guild demonstrate quilting, piecing, and other quilt-making techniques and explain related tools from the textile collection of the National Museum of American History. Fashion design it ain’t, but anyone interested in the mechanics of cloth-based construction should consider checking it out. 11 AM to 1 PM.

Wednesday, July 8
The importance of cursive in the professional world may have been the biggest sham of your elementary-school years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a little pretty handwriting now and then. Round up those you know ages 8 to 14 and join them for a free calligraphy lesson with Omani scriptor Saleh Shukairi at the Sackler Gallery’s ImaginAsia classroom. Activity books will be passed out after the demonstration for some hands-on practice in the art of letter-writing and traditional Islamic decoration. 2 PM.