Friday, August 29

If you aren’t afraid of heights, take a trip to the Washington Monument and take advantage of the last few days of its summer hours, which end Sept. 1. Open until 10 p.m., the nighttime view from the observation platform 500 feet up will leave you breathless, and you’ll get to see the National Mall and other D.C. landmarks, such as the National Cathedral and the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, in a whole different light.

The Washington Monument’s observation platform will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. The monument is located at 15th Street and Constitution Avenue. Tickets are necessary, available on site and free. Metro: Smithsonian (Blue and Orange lines).

Saturday, August 30

Tonight, hit up the coolest club in Washington, D.C.: Club Lau! What many once believed would be a lame evening, has since become a popular campus tradition. So, in between scouting for parties on the rooftops and random townhouses, join the dance party, featuring the latest music and delicious food and drinks, including chocolate covered strawberries. Club Lau is sponsored by the Georgetown Program Board and What’s After Dark, campus groups that support fun, after-hours activities that don’t involve alcohol.

Club Lau is open from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Lauinger Library. Admission is free.

Sunday, August 31

Each month the Foundry Gallery hosts a show to display the works of some its members, who are primarily local artists who together support the gallery by pooling a part of their money. The show, “Interpretive Realms,” is a collection of modern landscapes — both imaginary and real. The style of painting range from mixed media to watercolor to collage, meaning there is something for every.

Today is the last day of the exhibit “Interpretive Realms”. The Foundry Gallery is located at 1314 18th St. NW and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 to 6p.m. Admission is free. Metro: Dupont (Red line).

Monday, September 1

Cool down this Labor Day with some ice cream and environmentalism at the “Art of Recycling: The Coolest Show in Town.” The Department of Energy sponsored a program entitled “Recycle My Fridge,” in which art was created out of people’s old refrigerators to educate about recycling and renewable energy. The art will, be displayed in the great hall of the beautiful National Building Museum. Today, Edy’s ice cream will be handing free frozen treats outside the museum.

“The Art of Recycling: The Coolest Show in Town” runs through Sept. 2. The National Building is located at 401 F St. NW and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested donation. Metro: Judiciary Square (Red line).

Tuesday, September 2

For half a century, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater has been a leading name in modern and experimental dance. In celebration of the troupe’s contribution to culture and performance art around the world, the Library of Congress is hosting an exhibit of photographs, films and other artifacts relating to the troupe and their rich history during these past 50 years.

“50 Years as Cultural Ambassador to the World” runs through Sept. 6. The Library of Congress is located at 101 Independence Ave. SE and is open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Metro: Capitol South (Blue and Orange lines).

Wednesday, September 3

“Jerry Springer” and “opera” are three words you probably wouldn’t expect to hear in a sentence together. But that all changes with the satiric show “Jerry Springer: The Opera,” which turns the classic trash-television show into a boisterous musical. Putting back in what the FCC takes out on television, the show is naughty, violent and hilarious, combining the crazy nature of classic opera with the its modern day component — reality TV.

“Jerry Springer: The Opera” runs through Sept. 6 with performances at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Studio Theater is located at 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets cost $39. For more information call 202-332-3300. Metro: Dupont Circle (Red line), McPherson Square (Blue and Orange lines), U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green line).

Thursday, September 4

Celebrate “Liberté, Egalité et Fraternité” by seeing a performance of the famous musical “Les Miserables,” based on the novel by Victor Hugo. This epic tale of love and oppression, with a little bit of French history thrown in, is being performed at the beautiful outdoor Wolf Trap Theater, a 3800-seat amphitheater — and this week is your last chance to catch it.

“Les Miserables” runs through Sept. 7. The performances are on Sept. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. The Wolf Trap Theater is located at 1551 Trap Rd. in Vienna, Va. Tickets cost between $25 to $80. Call 703-255-1900 for more information.