Free and Easy

Get a lesson in go-go at the new library in Shaw, explore the up-and-coming NoMa neighborhood during ZestFest and attend a colorful art opening at Flashpoint.

Monday
Hip Hop Dance Ambassadors
Columbus Day at Millennium Stage offers the chance to get into the groove and feel the beat when dancers from around the world, including Abraham Pari Seis from Bolivia, Min Htun from Burma and Yvonne Zinyoro from Zimbabwe, show of their moves.

Tuesday
LEA: Hear Me Roar
Expect an energetic performance from the contemporary R&B singer who performs as part of the Take Five series.

Wednesday
Go-Go: Not an Intro
Join the D.C. Music Salon as go-go scholar Kip Lornell discusses "The Beat: Go-Go's Fusion of Funk and Hip-Hop," and clips of the cult-favorite go-go film, "Good to Go," will familiarize newbies to the sounds of Trouble Funk and Chuck Brown.

Thursday
Zest Fest
If you haven't visited NoMa (that would be the area north of Massachusetts Avenue near the New York Avenue Metro station) in a while, here's the perfect opportunity to check out all of the new development. This three-week festival offers different programming every day, including live music and painting Thursday. Later in the run, catch free salsa lessons, parties and a Halloween costume contest for dogs.

Friday
"Adam de Boer: Finca"
The local artist spent some time at his friend's farm in Colombia last December and his new opening features a series of colorful, narrative paintings inspired by his visit.

Saturday
Hispanic Heritage Family Day
Learn about Argentineans who have impacted mankind's advances in aviation, like Jorge Newbery, who founded Latin America's first aviator's club over a century ago. An afternoon of hands-on activities includes demonstrations of how space suits and hot-air balloons are made.

Sunday
"Max and Moritz: A Cartoon Opera in Seven Pranks"
The Embassy of Norway and the New York Opera Society present the world premiere of a new children's opera based on a popular 19th-century European story about young troublemakers.

-- Alex Baldinger, David Malitz and Stephanie Merry