FRIDAY

As soon as the fall semester at George Washington University begins, the intersection of 23rd and I Streets NW becomes one big game of Frogger. Kids in shorts and sweat shirts emerge from the Foggy Bottom Metro station and hop right out into traffic without so much as a glance to see whether the little flashing white man is on their side. No doubt emboldened by the presence of a hospital less than 50 feet away, these pathetic pedestrians are a nuisance for the drivers who must swerve around them. Luckily, things calm down after evening rush hour—unless there happens to be a performance at Lisner Auditorium. Then, there are not only GW kids to contend with, but legions of locals hustling to get to their seats before the curtain rises. And this evening, however, drivers should let a few people cross against the light as they rush to see Gajamukha, a performance by the Portland, Ore.–based Rasika dance troupe. (Jayanthi Raman, troupe founder, choreographer, and principal dancer, is pictured.) It’s a safe assumption that ticketholders won’t be concentrating on looking both ways—they’ll be trying to make sure they don’t miss a minute of this Indian-classical-dance/theater production, with its rich adherence to the ancient dance styles, music, and dress of Southern India. But savor the break while it lasts, theater-goers: As soon as the show ends, so does the truce. Rasika performs Friday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW. $25–$45. (202) 785-9727. (Sarah Godfrey)