By this point, you’re probably quite aware whether you’re someone who would roll eyes at the concept of dancing gangs snapping their fingers on the street, or someone whose heart soars when subjected to the lush, romantic melodies of Leonard Bernstein. For those of us in the latter category, Wolf Trap has just what we need as summer comes to an end – a traditional take on the musical theater classic, West Side Story. Alan…

>> The Jets are gonna have their day tonight at Wolf Trap with the first night of a one week stand of the Leonard Bernstein/Steven Sondheim classic West Side Story. The production celebrates the 50th anniversary of the musical. 8 p.m., $18-$55. >> It’s a great evening for movies. If the Jim Jarmusch classic we recommended last week isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then there’s also a FREE screening of Butch Cassidy and…

A trip out to Rockville is no minor undertaking for a committed city dweller, but the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington hosts a concert series that offers regular enticement. For the Sunday evening recital by Bejun Mehta (his first ever in the Washington area), rain did not prevent an impressive crowd from filling the center’s small auditorium. The celebrated American countertenor has been in town this month, for the Washington Concert Opera’s performance of…

This is your last weekend to take part in Take a Friend to the Symphony Month, the brain child of music blogger Drew McManus at Adaptistration. The big news in classical music this week is that the area’s two leading symphony orchestras are both offering great concerts that feature 20th-century music and even some from the 21st century. We are going to try to review them both for you. MODERN SYMPHONY: >> Former music director…