| | First look at Fringe | | The annual Fringe Festival kicks off in three weeks, presenting 120-plus shows that are all varieties of weird and wild. Get a first look at this year's offerings. [ Read more ] | | Music at Strathmore, Mexican art and more. [ Read more ] | | Gurus' Picks | | | David Malitz Wednesday, June 22 | Find a loved one and head to Verizon Center to hear Sade's soulful, sultry R&B at what will surely be the summer's most romantic concert. [ Read more ] | | | Justin Rude Thursday, June 23 | Graffiato, Mike Isabella's highly anticipated Penn Quarter restaurant, is set to open on Thursday for dinner service at 5 p.m.. [ Read more ] | | | Fritz Hahn Friday, June 24 | Soundclash — your monthly dose of classic '60s and '70s Jamaican ska, rocksteady and dub tunes — celebrates its ninth anniversary with all the golden oldies you care to dance to. There's no cake, but Room 11 bartender/author Dan Searing will be in the house cooking up a special rum punch. [ Read more ] | | | Stephanie Merry Friday, June 24 | Gaia, a group of musicians, singers, dancers and DJs, take over the Corcoran for an eclectic evening of entertainment. [ Read more ] | | | Jess Righthand Saturday, June 25 | The NSO Pops orchestra joins Latin rock/jazz group Ozomatli for a dynamic concert blending genres from funk to cumbia. [ Read more ] | Lavanya Ramanathan Saturday-Sunday, June 25-26 | The documentary "Better Than Something," traces the story of the Memphis noise rocker, who died at age 29. [ Read more ] Alex Baldinger Tuesday through July 24 | Shakespeare Theatre's first staging of "The Merchant of Venice" in more than a decade sees the action re-set in the Lower East Side of the 1920s. [ Read more ] More From Going Out Guide | | | | Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, NEXT TO NORMAL is an emotional powerhouse of a musical with a thrilling contemporary score about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. At the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater, June 28-July 10. Click here for tickets! | A WORLD PREMIERE! THE HISTORY OF KISSES, starring David Cale. A writer sequesters himself in an oceanfront motel to finish a collection of tales of seaside romance, only to find himself drawn into the romantic and sexual goings-on around him. An intoxicating mix of spicy stories, amorous encounters, and original sea shanties.Tickets at studiotheatre.org or 202.332.3300. | Grupo Fantasma have gained popularity not only as one of Prince's backing band, but for their own high-energy brand of Latin funk. Supporting their Grammy Award-winning album, El Existential, Grupo Fantasma will bring their stand-out performance to 9:30 Club next week.Ticketfly.com | | | | | | | | | |