Thursday
Beyond the Book Bans: The Samuels Public Library Story
Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, 6 to 7:30 p.m., free
In honor of Banned Books Week, Arlington Public Library welcomes leaders from Samuels Public Library in Front Royal, Virginia. Last year, Warren County Board of Supervisors voted to defund the 200-year-old library, responding to residents who found some materials objectionable. Although some county funding has since been restored, the librarians will visit Arlington to discuss navigating community controversy.
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“The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk” at Theater J
1529 16th St. NW, 7:30 p.m., $49
Artist Marc Chagall and his wife and model Bella are the main characters in this 2017 play with music receiving its D.C. premiere. True to the title (and imagery in Chagall’s paintings), two aerial artists will perform in the show at Theater J, Washingtonian’s theater focusing on the Jewish diaspora. Performances continue through Nov. 1.
More to explore: Bertha: Grateful Drag show at the 9:30 Club.
Friday
Michael Kosta at The Howard Theatre
620 T St. NW, 7 p.m., $44 to $67
There aren’t too many pro tennis players who have pivoted to late-night TV, but that’s Michael Kosta’s schtick, and he is sticking to it. The 6’4” comic has been a guest on “The Tonight Show,” Conan and Seth Meyers, and since 2024 has been on the rotating list of hosts for “The Daily Show,” but he still makes time for stand-up. His “Big Dad Energy” tour draws on his varied professional experiences and personal responsibilities as the parent of two girls and a dog named Walter.
Author Barbara Kingsolver at Lisner Auditorium
730 21st St. NW, 7 p.m., $61
Bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver follows up her 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner “Demon Copperhead” with “Partita,” the story of an aspiring pianist who abandons conservatory training for farm life, far away from the lights of concert halls, until an expected reunion forces her to reprise the past. Presented in partnership with Politics and Prose.
More to explore: ’90s cover band White Ford Bronco at The Atlantis
Saturday
Family Day at the Embassy of Sweden
2900 K St. NW, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, registration required
You’ve taken your kid to Ikea, now take them to Family Day at the Swedish Embassy. This annual event is a considerable upgrade from the Småland ball pit. Enjoy crafts, storytime, Swedish “fika” sweets and “Tillie the Terrible Swede,” a puppet show about the pioneering Swedish bicycle racer Matilda Andersson.
Capitol Hill, 2 to 6 p.m., free
What if the real reason Congress took an early election recess is to avoid the first Capitol Hill Porchfest? Just a thought. One hundred and fifty-nine bands have signed up to perform on 52 porches over a four-hour period this Saturday, with music from Potomac Avenue all the way north to I Street. The festival is sponsored by Waymo, so look out for autonomous vehicles.
More to explore: The IN Series opens M.A.K.A.do, a contemporary riff on Gilbert and Sullivan, at Arena Stage.
Sunday
Costume Swap at the SPARK! Art Market
2700 S. Nelson St., Arlington, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free
Arlington’s monthly art market gets on the recycle/reduce/reuse bandwagon with a costume swap for revelers of all ages. Bring last year’s Minion costume and come home with everything you need to trick-or-treat as a witch. The usual roster of more than a dozen artists will be at the park selling everything from candles to ceramics while a DJ spins Halloween novelty songs and the Rossana “Mobile Espresso Experience” pumps out the lattes.
“Oedipus in Seattle” at Studio 1469
1469 Harvard St. NW, 7 p.m., $20
Three pairs of respected DMV actors will take turns portraying Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in this parody of “Sleepless in Seattle,” but with three caveats: There are no rehearsals, they’ll be receiving stage directions via headphones, and the rom-com’s plot will be mashed up with Sophocles’ incestual tragedy “Oedipus Rex.” (Also Saturday night; Monday show sold-out.)
More to explore: The documentary “If You Lived Here You Would Be Home Now” screens at the National Gallery.