Spotlight

Pianist Chu-Fang Huang plays from Gershwin and Ravel while the orchestra, led by Christopher Zimmerman, focuses on lively dance rhythms from Argentina, France and Spain. Saturday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Tickets are $25 to $55. Call 703-563-1990 or visit fairfaxsymphony.org.

University of Maryland School of Music students perform Gaetano Donizetti’s Elixir of Love, a comic story of a simple peasant who buys a supposedly magic potion to woo the beautiful and wealthy girl that he loves. Fully staged, with minimal production and only piano accompaniment, this opera focus attention squarely on these young singers and the characters they create. Performed in Italian with English supertitles. Friday, Nov. 20, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Also Sunday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Gildenhorn Recital Hall, University of Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, College Park. Tickets are $21. Call 301-405-ARTS or visit claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

When at the vibrant, festive Banana Cafe, do as any visiting Cuban would do -- order up yourself a sub-style Cuban Sandwich, packed with tender, juicy sliced roast pork loin, honey baked ham and swiss cheese. Even better, go for a Cuban Pizza, smothered with ground beef, pork, plantains and mozzarella cheese. The restaurant, owned and operated by artist Jorge Zamorano, prides itself on its authentic Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisine, but it also traverses Tex-Mex and Tapas territory, offering a tangy ceviche, cod fish fritters, quesadillas, nachos, tacos, burritos, and a terrific trio of Empanadas (beef, chicken, seafood). But no matter which way you go with your food, make sure not to miss Banana's Mojito. Cigars notwithstanding, it's as close to Cuban perfection as you'll ever get.

BANANA CAFE & PIANO BAR 500 8th St. SE Washington 202-543-5906 Cost: $$

Pictured: Banana Cafe's Stuffed Plantains | Photography by Todd Franson

Lesbian comic Kate Clinton returns with her timely political humor in a show entitled Yes on K8! Friday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Tickets are $45. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birchmere.com. Clinton also appears Friday, Nov. 20, at 1 p.m. Lambda Rising Bookstore, 1625 Connecticut Ave. NW. Call 202-462-6969 or visit lambdarising.com.

The famed guitarist and songwriter from folk-rock band Eddie From Ohio and host of XM’s Robbie Schaefer’s Stuck in a Real Tall Tree entertains audiences with an energetic warmth and honesty in his music. Lucy Wainwright Roche is his special guest. Thursday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $18. Call 703-255-1900 or visit wolf-trap.org.

Signature Theatre hosts Signature Sings, a special cabaret series throughout the season to celebrate its 20 years of musical theater. Next up: select songs from Sondheim productions during the company's second five years, including Cabaret, Passion, The Rink, Sunday in the Park with George and A Little Night Music. Opens Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 8:30 p.m. To Sunday, Nov. 22. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets $33. Call 703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.

Local film critics Joe Barber and Bill Henry host D.C. Film Society's Coming Attractions Trailer Night, in which the audience gets to watch – and vote on – the preview reels of this season’s potential Hollywood blockbusters. Exactly which film trailers will be screened wasn’t set at press time, but among the possibilities: James Cameron’s Avatar, Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, the latest Twilight flick New Moon, Pedro Almodovar’s Broken Embraces, Disney’s The Princess and the Frog featuring an African-American princess – and too much George Clooney, with at least three Clooney vehicles. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Tickets are $8. Visit dcfilmsociety.org for more information and updates on the trailers to be shown.

This year’s A Taste of Dupont, an annual benefit for the Historic Dupont Circle Main Street, allows participants to create their own progressive dinner by redeeming individual $5 tasting tickets at any one of dozens of participating restaurants, including Annie's Paramount Steakhouse, Beacon Bar & Grill, Bread and Brew, Café Dupont, Eola, Hank's Oyster Bar, Level One, Pesce, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Scion, SoHO Tea & Coffee, The Front Page, Twist Dupont and Urbana. Many restaurants will offer specialty paired and priced cocktails, beer or wine with chefs’ creations. Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 a tasting, or five tastings for $20. Visit DupontCircle.biz.

ASCAP’s Michael Kerker conducts an interview with the multi-award-winning NSO Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch. The night also includes highlights from Hamlisch’s many award-winning scores for stage and screen, including A Chorus Line, The Sting, Sophie’s Choice and The Way We Were, performed by Liz Callaway, Kevin Early and Karen Ziemba. Monday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $18. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

Known for its kitschy attire, humorous music videos and off-the-wall live shows, this weird and wonderful band is joining the “play a classic album in its entirety” bandwagon. But why stop at just one album? Devo will perform Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! on Sunday night, and then Monday the band runs through Freedom of Choice, in preparation for the re-release of both sets. Sunday, Nov. 15, and Monday, Nov. 16. Doors at 7 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $45 each night. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.