"Afronauts" by artist Daniel Kojo Schrade, who will speak during the Goethe-Institut Washington's panel on Afrofuturism on Monday.
The Going Out Guide recommends free things to do for every day of the week.
MONDAY
Kick off Black History Month with a lesson on Afrofuturism, a literary and cultural movement that focuses on science-fiction and fantasy from a black perspective. The cultural association screens three short films, including the 2009 Kenyan science-fiction short "Pumzi," by Wanuri Kahiu, and hosts a panel discussion about Afrofuturism moderated by Karen E. Milbourne, curator at the National Museum of African Art. "Afrofuturism: Artists on Three Continents Explore 'Black to the Future' " will be on display through Feb. 28.
6:30 p.m. Goethe-Institut, 812 Seventh St. NW. 202-289-1200. www.goethe.de. RSVP required.
TUESDAY
The Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico's contemporary music ensemble performs new Mexican music, featuring works by such artists as Julio Estrada, Georgina Derbez and Jorge Torres.
6:45 p.m. Mexican Cultural Institute, 2829 16th St. NW. 202-728-1628. www.instituteofmexicodc.org. RSVP required.
WEDNESDAY
Take a group bicycle ride through Rock Creek Park, organized by City Bikes. The weekly event takes riders on a 15-mile route through Cleveland Park, Van Ness and past Carter Barron Amphitheatre.
5:30 p.m. City Bikes Adams Morgan, 2501 Champlain St. NW. 202-265-1564. www.citybikes.com. RSVP required.
THURSDAY
'Latino Artists on Race, Representation and African Diasporic Culture'
Three Latino artists - painter María Magdalena Campos-Pons, painter/sculptor/performance artist Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz and painter Freddy Rodríguez - talk about the Afro-Latino themes in their work. They will also discuss the impact art created from a Latino perspective can have on the representation of diasporic Africans in American art. E. Carmen Ramos, curator of Latino art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, moderates the panel.
6 p.m. Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium, Eighth and F streets NW. 202-633-1000. www.americanart.si.edu.
FRIDAY
Jinfan Dance Troupe of Beijing School No. 9
Middle- and high-school dance students from Beijing School No. 9 present traditional dances from several Chinese regions.
6 p.m. Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. www.kennedy-center.org.
SATURDAY
Want to hear a few stories from one of the writers of "The Office"? Writer, stand-up comedian, director and actor B.J. Novak (known to many as Ryan Howard from "The Office") visits Politics and Prose to talk about his new book, "One More Thing: Stories and Other Short Stories," which features 64 pieces of fiction.
6 p.m. Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-1919. www.politics-prose.com.
SUNDAY
If you haven't had a chance to check out one of Inna Alesina's breadmaking events at VisArts Rockville, now is the time. This is the last day of the exhibit/workshop. Learn about wheat sprouting, yeast, malt and wild foods, and be sure to check out the Bread Zoo, which features breadmaking tools and containers.
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. VisArts Rockville, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. 301-315-8200. www.visartsatrockville.org. RSVP required.
