Free and easy events

This week's free events include Ozomatli at the Kennedy Center, a neighborhood festival on H Street and a dose of opera outdoors.

Monday
Gary Shteyngart
The witty author of the satirical "Absurdistan" reads from his latest novel, "Super Sad True Love Story," which follows an old-fashioned man who finds himself out of place in a hyper-superficial, post-literate world.

Tuesday
'Soul Power' and 'Duke Ellington's Washington'
The U Street Movie Series closes out with a twin bill of "Soul Power," a documentary about the famous concert staged in Zaire in 1974, and "Duke Ellington's Washington," which brings to life the early years of the D.C.-born jazz legend.

Wednesday
Ozomatli
The celebration of Mexico's bicentennial is the occasion for one of the Millennium Stage's biggest shows of the year as genre jumper Ozomatli bring its unique blend of Latin, hip-hop, rock and reggae to the Kennedy Center's South Plaza. Tlen Huicani & Trio Tlayoltiyane and Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad Veracruzana also perform.

Thursday
Opening reception for 'Images From ... Beyond: Visions of Our Solar System'
Outer space moves indoors when Long View Gallery exhibits the work of Michael Benson, who manipulates photos shot by space probes to give some semblance of what it would feel like to float in front of planetary rings or above a volcano on Mars.

Friday
Constitution Day
You didn't know it was Constitution Day? You didn't know there was a Constitution Day? The National Archives celebrates with cake, a documentary and a panel about the state of the Constitution that includes scholar Michael Meyerson and NPR news analyst Cokie Roberts. Okay, so it ain't exactly July Fourth.

Saturday
H Street Festival
It sounds like a broken record at this point, but much has changed on H Street NE the past year. Check out some of the new arrivals at this afternoon showcase of the neighborhood's food and drink, plus art sales, parades, fashion shows, a pie-eating contest, outlandishly decorated cars and a boxing ring.

Sunday
'Opera in the Outfield'
Washington National Opera presents a live simulcast of its season-opening production, "A Masked Ball," at Nationals Park. There will also be kids activities and giveaways.

-- Alex Baldinger, David Malitz and Stephanie Merry