The United States Botanic Garden is a favorite summer destination, and the list of reasons to visit has gotten longer. In a recently opened exhibit, Celebrating America’s Public Gardens, the nation’s most important public gardens have sponsored mini-displays in two sections called Green Today, Growing Tomorrows (in the National Garden, at the Mall end of the grounds) and A Sense of Place (on the Conservatory Terrace, facing Capitol Hill). In the latter exhibit, each garden’s…

FRIDAY: >> At 11 a.m. today or noon tomorrow, grab the kids and a box or twelve of tissues and head down to the National Archives for a screening of An American Tail. Part of their celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, they’re sharing the story of Fivel and his cheese-paved streets with the next generation. We can only assume they’ll watch it over and over like we did, each time hoping Fivel doesn’t go…

We are well into the season of seasonal concerts at this point. If you are looking for a performance of Handel’s Messiah or a Christmas or Holiday Concert, we’ve dealt with that. Here is what else is happening this week in classical music. NOT CHRISTMAS: >> Ironically, possibly the best performance this week also happens to be free, the latest concert in the excellent series at the Library of Congress. On Friday (December 15, 8…

This week, the free concerts are at the top of my classical music picks, because everyone loves to hear music for free, especially when it promises to be of such high quality as most of these concerts. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS: >> It is finally time to go hear excellent chamber music at the Library of Congress again. This Wednesday (October 11, 8 p.m.), one of the finest chamber groups around, the Beaux Arts Trio, will…