A bit of a hodgepodge of activities that might be of interest, both in DC and beyond this beltway.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time*****

This outstanding play, based on a wonderful book, is about to open in DC at the Kennedy Center (Oct.5-23). We saw the original production in London and then a second one in NYC. Though there were some differences, both were terrific theater, and I suspect the DC production will be worth your time. It not only tells an engaging story, it also gives you an understanding of what it can mean to be autistic. The NY production won five Tony Awards in 2015 including Best Play.

The National Book Festival*****

Another event in DC. I wrote about this earlier (see Save the Date). It’s a one-day celebration of reading and writing, with events for everyone in the family and anyone who enjoys books and authors from the young to the old. It’s only here for one day, Saturday, September 24. Over the years this festival has grown, been moved indoors from the Mall, and now covers several floors of the DC Convention Center.

Sully****

This film is now in major movie theaters around the country. It’s the story of Chesley Sullenberger’s “Miracle on the Hudson.”  ‘Sully’ was the pilot who landed the USAirways Flight 1549 in and on the Hudson River in 2009 with no loss of life to the 155 passengers and crew. What’s best about the film is Tom Hanks’ performance as Sullenberger. (Aaron Eckhart’s’ portrayal of Sully’s co-pilot Jeff Skiles is also quite good, as is the re-enactment of the emergency landing and the rescue of all on board). What’s not so good is director Clint Eastwood’s exaggeration of the role of the National Transportation Safety Board. In an attempt to create tension and add to Sullivan’s role, Eastwood plays up a conflict  that was not really as central as its made out to be (dramatic license gone awry?). Still, a film worthy of being seen at a time when there’s not much else out to see. See the contrasting reviews of the film for yourself.

The Trump Card

This one man show by Mike Daisey (of The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs) is returning to DC’s Woolly Mammoth Theater for the third time, Oct. 25-30th. (Disclosure: The Trump Card is directed by Isaac Butler, the son of good friends.) It will be at this DC theater from October 25-30, and tickets go on sale to the public on September 26th. See A Dark Theory of Trump from One Performer to Another and Mike Daisey Plays the Trump Card.

Survival Expo & Gun Show:On a morning ‘walk’ with our seven-month old granddaughter today in Kansas City, I noticed a large billboard touting “Survival Expo & Gun Show, Oct. 1-2 at the KCI Expo Center.” Googling it reveals this is only one of a number of Prepper Shows on this theme around the US. The Expo includes “100s of booths of survival and preparedness gear” and seminars on these topics.