Fall for the Book, Banned Book Read-Out, 'The Velocity of Autumn'

Monday, Sept. 23

Free fiction workshop for military veterans, service members and their adult family members at the Old Naval Hospital’s Hill Center. Monday 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and repeats weekly until Oct. 28. To register, emaillaura.spencer@writer.org and put “Free Workshop for Military” in the subject line. The center is located at 921 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003. 202-549-4172.

Alexandria’s Athenaeum hosts the Banned Book Read-out. Participants will read segments of their favorite banned books, bringing attention to the issue of censorship. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St.,703-548-0035.

The fairer sex? You decide during a screening of “The Women,” the 1939 film about a shop girl who lures a woman’s wealthy husband away from her, with Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell, Paulette Goddard and Joan Fontaine. 6:30 p.m., National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free ticket, one per person, distributed 30 minutes before each show. 202-783-3372.

George Mason University hosts the Fall for the Book festival through Friday, Sept. 27. For a complete schedule of book festival events, including author talks, see the event website. 

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Take a tour of National Cathedral and then sip some tea. Enjoy an in-depth tour followed by traditional English tea every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The tour begins inside the nave, directly through the west entrance on Wisconsin Avenue. Cost is $30 per person and reservations are required. See the National Cathedral website for information. Nationalcathedral.org, 202-537-6200

“The Velocity of Autumn,” a play by Eric Coble, is now playing at Arena Stage. It’s the story of a 79-year-old woman who lives alone in a Brooklyn brownstone, with a lot of explosives. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays; noon Oct. 8, 9 and 16. The performance runs through Oct. 20. Arena Stage is located at 1101 6th St., SW. Tickets range from $40-$90. 202-488-3300 or www.arenastage.org. 

Wednesday, Sept. 25

Play an antique piano keyboard connected to radios in the name of art. Artisphere resident artist Emily Francisco deconstructs parts of an antique baby grand. At Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-875-1100. The exhibit runs through mid-January. Artisphere.com

A celebration of Verdi will be held at the Embassy of Italy, 3000 Whitehaven St., NW, Washington. A lost aria, lyrics and music will be discussed during the event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the composer. Free, at 7 p.m. 202-612-4400

Thursday, Sept. 26

Author Rosemary Gibson discusses the book “Medicare Meltdown: How Wall Street and Washington Are Ruining Medicare and How to Fix It,” at the Arlington County Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. Free. 7 p.m. 703-228-5990. 

Friday, Sept. 27

Eggplant Eggstravaganza cooking demonstration. Join the Cook sisters – Adrienne Cook and Danielle Cook Navidi - for new ways to use eggplant. At noon and 12:45 p.m. at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 202-225-8333.