BARBER’S BEST BETS: A weekend for the women in Woodbridge, beyond

THEATER
» Washington Women in Theatre presents its annual festival of staged readings of new works, written by and for women, starting July 29. This year’s offerings include a piece about a young woman preparing for her prom and a cabaret series evening of Cole Porter songs. Performances will be presented through Aug. 1 at Flashpoint Arts space at 916 G Street, N.W. Call 478-414-1921 for reservations and information.

» Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company hosts America’s leading improvisational comedy troupe a bit longer. Second City’s “Barack Stars,” a revue of new and revived satirical political skits, has been extended and continues at Woolly through Aug. 9.

» Finally, as of press time, Olney Theatre Center’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” celebrating the music of composer “Fats” Waller, is set to close Aug. 2, as is “Spring Awakenings” at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre.

CLUBS & CONCERTS
» The Birchmere in Alexandria welcomes ’80s soul and disco star Jody Watley on July 30. Local favorites Deena Bogart and the Tom Principato Band share the bill with an evening of blues and jazz on the 31st and sax star Gato Barbieri takes the stage on Aug.1. Aug. 5 is an evening of Irish and Scottish tunes with the Young Dubliners and Enter the Haggis.

» Nissan Pavilion welcomes Kid Rock and Lynyard Skynyard on Aug. 1.

» The State Theatre in Falls Church works up an “appetite” on Aug. 2, as Appetite for Destruction performs.

» Wolf Trap will make a lot of folks’ “dreams come true” when Darryl Hall and John Oates visit the Filene Center on Aug. 2. In fact, only lawn seats are available for the concert.

» The American Idol Live 2009 tour, featuring this season’s Top 10 finishers, arrives at the Verizon Center on Aug. 4.

» Blues Alley in Georgetown welcomes Hirmoni’s Sonic Bloom, a piano and keyboard-based jazz group, for four nights, starting July 30.

» Merriweather Post Pavilion presents the Progressive Nation 2009 tour, featuring Dream Theater and Zappa Plays Zappa, on Aug. 1 and the Blitzed and Confused tour, headlined by Slightly Stoopid and Snoop Dogg, on Aug. 5.

» Rams Head Live in Baltimore welcomes Sugar Ray on July 31. Enjoy!

Joe Barber’s entertainment reviews and reports can be heard Fridays through Sundays on the WTOP-FM Radio Network (103.5, 103.9, 107.7 and Wtop.com.) He can be seen regularly on WETA-TV’s Around Town.