Monday, June 15 
Experience the emotions, thoughts, and daily routines of American soldiers throughout history at the National Museum of American History’s Letters Home. This free theatrical performance, held in the in the Clara Barton Ambulance room, takes place four times (11, 1, 2:30, and 4) every day in June.

Tuesday, June 16  
Laura Izibor, the 20-year-old Dublin native dubbed “the soul of Ireland,” is headlining the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in a free concert tonight at 6.

Additional Emerald Isle celebrations today include a free reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses at Mackey’s Pub. The Washington version of the Irish Bloomsday Festival, which is responsible for the event, isn’t quite as involved as its Dublin counterpart (elders tramping around in old-fashioned garb are nowhere to be found), but the reading did attract a rather large, enthusiastic crowd of literary buffs last year. 7 PM. Call 202-331-7667 for more information.

Wednesday, June 17
Opened Memorial Day weekend, Flora: Growing Inspirations is the newest exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden.  If weather permits, take a long lunch and stroll through a highly stylized series of gardens featuring contemporary sculptures inspired by and celebratory of the role of plants in culture.   The Conservatory is free to the public and open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, including all weekends and holidays. 

Monday, June 1
• Luis Alberto Urrea will read and discuss his latest novel, Into the Beautiful North, at Politics and Prose. The book tells of a small-town girl whose life suddenly finds purpose after watching the movie The Magnificent Seven. 7 PM.

• Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra, a steel-drum group composed of students from the Saturday Academy in Maryland, performs at the Kennedy Center’s free Millennium Stage. 6 PM.

Tuesday, June 2
• The Washington Psychotronic Film Society screens Evil Brain From Outer Space at the Warehouse. The film, believe it or not, is about a pajama-wearing superhero fighting space monsters in order to save our planet. The screening is free, but a $2 donation is encouraged. 8 PM.

• Jazz musician Marcus Johnson will perform songs from his most recent album, Poetically Justified, at the 18th and L streets location of Borders in downtown DC. He’ll autograph copies of his album following the performance. 12:30 PM.

Nothing brings back summer childhood memories of melted ice-cream cones and belly flops quite like the smell of chlorine. Pools are the destination for area residents who can’t bear the heat and humidity of Washington’s summer. City and county recreation departments list neighborhood pools, but unexpected spots to cool off can also be found at area hotels. Read our guide for places where you can take a dip.

>> See the full guide to pools in the Washington area 

Tuesday, May 19
In Annie’s Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret, Steve Luxenberg, an editor at the Washington Post, uncovers his mother’s hidden past and an aunt he never knew existed. Luxenberg will discuss his book with New York Times reporter Scott Shane at the Borders at 18th and L streets, Northwest, at 6:30.

Wednesday, May 20
Washington Post columnist David Ignatius will read from and his discuss his newest thriller, The Increment, at Politics and Prose at 7. The novel centers around the Iranian nuclear threat and how a CIA agent must betray his country and turn to a secret British spy team called the Increment to save the day.

Thursday, May 21
The Smithsonian American Art Museum screens The Grapes of Wrath in its McEvoy Auditorium at 6. John Ford’s adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel follows the Joad family, who attempt to leave behind the Great Depression by heading west to California.

Monday: Free Summer Movies
At the Crystal Screen Summer Film Series, this year’s Crystal Screen theme is superheroes. The Monday-night films include Spider-man, Hulk, Superman, X-Men, and more. The series started on May 4 and runs through September 21. Films begin at sundown at 18th and Bell streets, across from the Crystal City Metro station. Tonight's film is Spider-Man 3. For a full listing of free outdoor summer movies, check out our guide.

Tuesday: Coming Attractions Trailer Night
Let’s be honest: A lot of times when we head out to the theater, the trailers end up being our favorite part of the experience. Lucky for us, we can head to the D.C. Film Society’s Coming Attractions Trailer Night at the E Street Cinema, where they’ll screen trailers from upcoming movies like Bruno, Funny People, Public Enemies and lots more. $8; 7 PM.

Wednesday: Arcadia at the Folger Theatre
Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia is set in an English country house between 1809 and 1812 and in the present. Its themes are order and disorder, scientific theory and everyday life, the past and present. “It’s wanting to know that makes us matter,” one of the characters says. 7:30 PM; $25-55.

Tuesday, May 12
Richard N. Haass, director of policy planning in the State Department under Colin Powell, reflects on the differences between the 1991 and 2003 Iraq wars in War of Neccessity, War of Choice: A Memoir of Two Iraq Wars. Haas will read from and discuss his book at Politics & Prose at 7.

Wednesday, May 13
Author Vincent Bzdek brings The Kennedy Legacy: Jack, Bobby and Ted and a Family Dream Fulfilled to the L Street location of Borders at 12:30. Bzdek argues that each Kennedy brother’s accomplishments can been seen as a means of fulfilling the interrupted promise of the brother before him. The author will read from the book and discuss who now carries the family’s torch.

Monday, May 11: Rock the Red
The Caps play Pittsburgh in a pivotal game tonight. Want to root for our hometown team with fellow fans? Here are bars where you can Rock the Red with pride. Check out our roundup of spots with giant TVs and discounted (or free!) food and drinks during the game.

Tuesday, May 12: Mischief. Mayhem. Sushi.
Proving it's never too early in the week to embarrass yourself, Sticky Rice hosts Karaoke Club ever Tuesday night, starting at 10. Drink specials include $2 Tecate beer.

Wednesday, May 13: Lost and Drunk
When it comes to dissecting and discussing Lost, we get our fix from Entertainment Weekly's Doc Jensen, but, not ones to turn drink specials away, we encourage you to check out The Post's Lost Happy Hour at the Reef.  Lost bloggers Jen Chaney and Liz Kelly will hosting a happy hour in celebration of the show's season finale. Drinks, like the Dharma-tini, Jin and Tonic, and Sex on the Beach (with Sawyer), will be served from 5 to 7.