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FRIDAY

“Donna Martin graduates!” It was the mantra that gave a generation of high-schoolers pause before boozin’ it up on that most magical of nights. Ah, the prom: That special season when pasty winter flesh makes its tentative debut amid waves of lavender chiffon. When awkward, bookish older brothers are called upon as warm-bodied arm accessories for younger sisters’ dateless girlfriends. A time when both hormones and bangs reach unprecedented heights and even good girls might give it up. This subject matter, which has provided fertile fodder for so many John Hughes films, finally crosses over into the finer arts. Angela West’s photographic series “Sweet Sixteen” captures Daddy’s little princess posing hard in her frilly best. Though some might consider West’s images nothing more than mantel-worthy, education specialist Deborah Gaston sees in them a window into the adolescent condition. A window that any parent will insist be boarded up. And nailed shut. Be sure your updo is flawless when Gaston speaks at 12:30 p.m. at the information desk at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 7th Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. (202) 633-1000. (Kara McPhillips)