If you’re looking for weekend plans, here are my DC events picks in the Washington Times with something for every taste, available in the print edition, in PDF format, and below.

Washington Times Get Out: The Week’s Pocket Picks for August 1, 2014

By Samantha Sault

Pick of the Pack: Sunday in the Park with George

A blank canvas and so many possibilities. On Tuesday, Arlington’s Signature Theatre opens its 25^th anniversary season with a musical exploring those possibilities. “Sunday in the Park with George,” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, debuted on Broadway in 1984 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the following year, as well as several Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier awards. Inspired by “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” by post-Impressionist painter Georges Seurat, the musical tells the fictionalized story of the painter and the creation of his most famous work. The musical is presented in conjunction with a new exhibit at the Phillips Collection, “Neo-Impressionism and the Dream of Realities: Painting, Poetry, Music,” which opens September 27. On August 27 and September 9, the theater will lead free discussions at the museum about the play and the real Mr. Seurat’s influences. Through Sept. 21 at the Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Dr., Arlington, Va. 703/820-9771. Web: signature-theatre.org. 

“A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” by Georges Seurat inspired Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George.” (Credit: Art Institute of Chicago)

Art: Nam June Paik Birthday Tribute

Korean-American artist Nam June Paik was light years ahead of his time. Considered the founder of video art, his works were heavily influenced by philosophy, technology, and science—and he was one of the earliest known users of the term “electronic superhighway” before it became part of our vernacular. This weekend, the Smithsonian American Art Museum will celebrate what would have been the artist’s 82^nd birthday with a discussion on his work and influence on art and the world. The museum knows a great deal about this innovator, having acquired the Nam June Paik Archive in 2009, a collection of his works and writings, as well as personal objects important to his craft. The lecture begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, featuring Michael Mansfield, the museum’s associate curator of film and media arts, and Stephen Vitiello, a punk guitarist turned visual artist who worked closely with Mr. Paik. Friday at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8^th St. & F St. NW. 202/633-1000. Web: americanart.si.edu. 

Symphony: NSO at Wolf Trap

Despite the picturesque views of Georgetown and the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center knows that the last thing you want to do on a summer evening is sit in a cold, dark concert hall. So, every summer since 1971, the National Symphony Orchestra has taken the show to Wolf Trap for a series of outdoor concerts. This weekend, take your pick of two performances featuring Grammy Award-winning guest stars. On Friday, country singer and songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter will join the orchestra to perform songs from her new orchestral album “Songs from the Movie,” released in January. You’ll recognize many of the rearranged tunes, including “Come On Come On,” “On and On It Goes,” and “Goodnight America.” On Saturday, world famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma will work his magic with Dvorák’s Cello Concerto and songs from Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide,” among other compositions. Friday and Saturday at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va. 877/965-3872. Web: wolftrap.org. 

Lecture: Colin Powell

“It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.” “Remain calm. Be kind.” These are just two of Gen. Colin L. Powell’s 13 rules for success in your career and your life, which he outlined in his second book, “It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership,” released in 2012. The retired four-star Army general knows what he’s talking about when it comes to success, with a laudable career that also includes a stint as national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush and secretary of state under President George W. Bush. Gen. Powell will be on hand Monday to discuss his career and book, and provide advice on how to achieve your goals in life. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing after the program. Monday at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University, 730 21^st St. NW. 202/994-6800. Web: lisner.gwu.edu. 

Rock: Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden

Longtime fans of Soundgarden may be stunned to realize that the ‘90s grunge band from Seattle, Wa., is on tour to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of their groundbreaking fourth album, “Superunknown,” which propelled the band and their genre to mainstream fame with the Grammy Award-winning hits “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman.” Though Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, they reunited in 2010 to perform at Lollapalooza and have since released two more studio albums for a new generation of music fans. Soundgarden has joined with another quintessential ‘90s band, Nine Inch Nails, to co-headline a tour across North America, which stops Monday in the Washington area. The industrial rock band founded by Trent Reznor has also won several Grammys, including for the songs “Wish” and “Happiness in Slavery,” and heavily influenced the rock and metal scenes, too. Monday at Jiffy Lube Live, 7800 Cellar Door Dr., Bristow, Va.  800/745-3000. Web: livenation.com. 

© Copyright 2014 The Washington Times, LLC and Samantha Sault