MONDAY, MARCH 7
NATURE: Humans have discovered more than a million living species on earth, but we’ve barely scratched the surface. The Smithsonian’s latest exhibit “Life in One Cubic Foot” at the National Museum of Natural History delves into this idea, using art and research to highlight the diversity of life on the planet. The exhibit features pictures and videos of organisms in a diverse range of locations—from California to French Polynesia. Free, 10 AM.
MUSIC: Break away from House of Cards for the night and let the Vienna Mozart Orchestra transport you back to the 1700s. The world-renowned orchestra brings two singers—soprano Sera Gösch and baritone Sokolin Aslla—to Strathmore for an evening of Mozart’s masterpieces and archaic period costumes. $39-$97.50, 8 PM.
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
FILM AND DISCUSSION: Tuesday is International Women’s Day, and the DC Independent Film Fest will be showing three shorts (varying between 19 and 43 min in length) films at BloomBars for the occasion. Stick around afterwards to take part in a question and answer session with Meryl Murman, who directed the dance-infused, New Orleans-based “Le Pain,” which will be playing tonight along with romance drama “Another Love” and time travel-centered “The Last Line.” Suggested donation of $10, 7 PM.
EAT DRINK AND LEARN: Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Australian wines at River Bend Bistro & Wine Bar. The Alexandria restaurant is hosting a delicious and educational evening with a reception followed by a five-course meal paired with the best Australian wines. Wine importer Fran Kysela will also be on-hand to answer all of your questions. $75, 6 pm.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9
DISCUSSION: Be sure to catch what promises to be an emotional discussion at the 14th Street Busboys and Poets (courtesy of Politics & Prose) between CNN commentator Van Jones and Shaka Senghor, who was incarcerated for 19 years for second-degree murder and spent nearly half of those years in solitary confinement. Senghor details that and more in his powerful memoir, Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison. Free, 6:30
LAUGH: Head over to Wonderland Ballroom for laughter and (rum-based) bug juice courtesy of The Summer Camp Show. Local performers and comedians will show off their best camp-themed material, including but not limited to: music, arts and crafts and guided meditation. Free, 8 PM.