I can’t remember a time when my childhood home wasn’t awash in the sweet sounds of Motown. On Sundays especially, the music was nonstop: That was house cleaning day. At the crack of dawn, my mother would rise, get her CD case out, pop in any number of Motown artists, and start mopping. As soon as I heard the opening notes of Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” I knew it was time to get to work—I usually faked sleep to get out of it. I used to get so annoyed when my mom would turn on the oldies. I wanted to listen to Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, and pretty much anything else topping early aughts radio charts. Now, those songs mean the world to me. They remind me of my mother, my father, my home. This is the experience of so many others. Not many things can convey a sense of place and take you to cherished memories, particularly for black families like mine, as easily as listening to magical black music like “Stop! In the Name of Love” or “My Girl.” Outside of nostalgia, the music is just damn good. So groove with Signature favorites Nova Y. Payton, Mark G. Meadows, and Felicia Curry as they perform selections from the Motown library, from Smokey Robinson to Stevie Wonder. Read more>>> The show runs from March 13 to March 25 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. $35–$70. (703) 820-9771. sigtheatre.org. (Kayla Randall)

EAT THIS

Treat your tastebuds on Pi Day at Centrolina, where pastry chef Caitlin Dysart has been baking three types of pies to get ready for the occasion: mocha silk pie, classic apple pie, and strawberry rhubarb. The pies are available by the slice for $6. Or if you choose to dine-in, you can enjoy a slice a la mode for $10. Centrolina, 974 Palmer Alley NW, (202) 898-2426, centrolinadc.com. (Laura Hayes)

OH AND ALSO

Avant-garde Baltimore rock band Horse Lords performs at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.

At Politics and Prose at The Wharf, Rania Abouzeid discusses her new chronicle of the Syrian War, No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria. 7 p.m. at 70 District Square SW. Free.

The Folger Theatre puts on The Winter’s Tale, one of Shakespeare’s First Folio plays about the kingdoms of Sicilia and Bohemia. 7:30 p.m. at 201 East Capitol St. SE. $35–$79. 

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