The Colonial Fair & Market, Sept. 22-23, at Mount Vernon.

Best of Fall Entertainment

Fair Game

Any time you can assemble 50 people donning colonial attire to do anything, it’s a party, right? OK, maybe not. But if they’re talented artisans who demo 18th-century craftwork such as woodcarving, leatherwork, furniture making and delicate weaving, the result is impressive—and it’s the theme of the Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon (Sept. 22−23, mountvernon.org). You’ll also see how colonial beer was brewed (plan on samples), and families can take in military drills with General Washington, fire eating, sword swallowing and puppet and magic shows.

Pastoral Tunes

The Nationals will be on the road in St. Louis on Sept. 29, but the team’s outfield will be put to good use. Washington National Opera stages its Opera in the Outfield simulcast performance in Nationals Park at 7 p.m. Tote your blanket, prep a picnic basket and sit on the lush turf to watch “Don Giovanni” on the jumbo screen with thousands of other opera fans—and many rookies, too. Concessions will be open for the requisite ballpark fare, and we love the idea of eating a so-called Stras-burger while the baritones and tenors wail.

Glory Days

Some stories are worth repeating. The World War II triumph of the Tuskegee Airmen is one of them. Yes, the George Lucas−produced “Red Tails” flew through movie theaters earlier this year, but Ford’s Theatre stages “Fly” (Sept. 21−Oct. 21) with equal ambition. The play follows African-American airmen as they fight racism at home and fascism in the skies above Europe. The staging twists: video footage woven into the live action, along with Tap Griot, a dancing storyteller who conveys each pilot’s emotions.

Danish Wonder

If Denmark is one of the happiest places on earth, we want a little of that eternal sunshine. This fall, the Phillips Collection (phillipscollection.org) introduces America to Dane Per Kirkeby, one of Scandinavia’s most esteemed living artists you’ve likely never heard of. Beginning Oct. 6, you can see 36 of Kirkeby’s bronze sculptures and richly layered paintings. The artist’s 40-year career also includes innovative filmmaking, poetry and writing, and his work reflects a belief that art is in a constant state of change, never slowing down long enough to be categorized or, worse, found and quickly forgotten.

Pictures Telling Stories

Powerful enough to engender change, the photographs and videos from the annual competition of the White House News Photographers Association remain a visual juggernaut each year. The Eyes of History 2012 opens Sept. 28 at the Newseum (newseum.org) and showcases stunning images from Washington and the world. See award-winning work from the best photographer, video photographer and video editor of the year, along with many other commendable entries. Safe bet: Several of these images will stay with you long after 2012 fades. Through March 29.

5 More We Love

“Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins,” Arena Stage (arenastage.org), through Oct. 28. Starring Kathleen Turner as the newspaper political columnist and Texas wonder woman.

National Book Festival, National Mall (loc.gov/bookfest), Sept. 22−23. Best-selling authors in a range of genres, book signing, readings and multimedia expos. Free.

“A Women’s Event” (awomensevent.com), Oct. 5-7, historic downtown Easton, Md. A celabration of arts, wellness and nature in a gorgeous setting.

Civil War Georgetown House and Walking Tours, Tudor Place (tudorplace.org), Oct. 13. Tour the mansion, learn about who lived in the house during the Civil War and what the Federal city was like during the long conflict.

A Night With David Sedaris, Strathmore Hall (strathmore.org), Oct. 23. The sardonic, insightful author and radio star does his one-man show brimming with zany anecdotes from a life where candor is king.