>> Artist J.J. McCracken will engage in a series of performances at Project 4 over the next week. Living Sculpture incorporates figures, spheres, and lots of clay in a way that ponders expectations and movement in life. See one of two performances tonight, 7 p.m. or 8:15 p.m., or next Friday, August 29, at 7:30 p.m.

>> A new video work opens in Hirshhorn's Black Box next Monday. British duo Ruth Jarman and Joseph Gerhardt, who make up Semiconductor, collaborate to design "digital noise and computer anarchy." A collection of their short films will be shown, including "Magnetic Movie," creating during -- seriously -- an artist residency at the NASA Space Sciences Laboratories at U.C. Berekely.

>> Need to start your art collection with something reasonably priced? Art Enables is having an inventory sale this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., with discounts up to 20-50 percent. You can also see work by some of their artists hanging in Kefa Cafe, 963 Bonifant Street, Silver Spring, Md. until September 5.

>> More deals! The Corcoran is waiving their admission price until September 3. Head over now to see, among other things, Elena Del Rivero's fantastic Home Suite sculptures.

>> Pyramid Atlantic opens a printmaking exhibit this weekend, Scratching the Surface, featuring 23 artists from Metro area universities. Stop by their reception on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m., catered by Mayorga Coffee. Then on Sunday at 7 p.m., catch the second Sonic Circuits festival.

>> The Torpedo Factory is satisfying your need to be closer to the ocean breeze, sort of. Their Beach Party on Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. includes a lemonade stand, a breakdancing battle, a guitar hero competition, treats catered by the Hard Times Cafe, and, of course, open studios in throughout the building.

>> Although last week was pretty slow, a few exhibits opened up that are definitely worth checking out. Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow just got back from a month in China and are showing you their inspired works at Longview Gallery. Over at The Athenaeum Gallery, John James Anderson and Mark Cameron Boyd delve into the meaning of text design in TXT MSG. And the title of the new exhibit at the National Geography Museum, Odysseys and Photographs--Masters from the National Geographic Archives, says it all. See them all during the venues' regular hours.

>> Head over to the National Gallery of Art for another weekend of kid-friendly films. Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame about a girl in present-day Afghanistan, plays Saturday at noon and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the East Building Auditorium. Free.