Every year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee captures the attention of ESPN viewers who prefer noncontact sports. For those individuals particularly fascinated by orthography, Ford’s Theatre presents another entertainment option: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The quirky musical follows six pubescent spellers as they make their way through the competition and reveal quirky techniques, personal stories, and embarrassing tales along the way. Read more >>> The play runs March 14 to May 17 at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. $25–$62. (202) 347-4833. fordstheatre.org. (Caroline Jones)

EAT THIS

Shake Shack hot dogs get a little spicier today when the restaurant teams up with Gordy’s Pickle Jar for the “Super Fry Frickle” dog. The Vienna all-beef hot dog, topped with Gordy’s fried Thai basil jalapeno pickles, shallots, cheddar, and American cheese sauce, is available until March 23, and only at Shake Shack’s District locations. Shake Shack. 1216 18th St. NW. (202) 683-9922. 800 F St. NW. (202) 800-9930. shakeshack.com. (Quinn Kelley)

OH AND ALSO

Friday: Canadian dance troupe Kidd Pivot performs Shakespeare-inspired works at American Dance Theatre. Read more in our Spring Arts Guide. 8 p.m. at 1570 East Jefferson Drive, Rockville. $15–$30.

Friday: Local muralist Kelly Towles opens “The Death of Ulysses,” his first solo exhibition in seven years, at Adams Morgan’s Hierarchy. 7 p.m. at 1841 Columbia Road NW. Free.

Friday and Saturday: GALA Hispanic Theatre presents PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo, the story of a Salvadorean man who leaves prison and attempts to rebuild his life. 8 p.m. at 3333 14th St. NW. $20.

Friday and Saturday: Stormwater runoff has created plenty of strife in Fairfax County in recent years. “Dissolving,” a new work by Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, uses the human form to explore similar issues when it premieres this weekend at McLean’s Alden Theatre. Read more >>>The company performs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. $18–$27. (703) 790-0123. aldentheatre.org. (Chelsea Bryan)

Saturday: “Loop,” a collaborative work by artist Jennifer Steinkamp and composer Jimmy Johnson, takes over the Corcoran’s rotunda for the next five weeks. Read more in our Spring Arts Guide. 10 a.m. at 500 17th St. NW. $8–$10.

Saturday: “And I Am Not Lying,” a crazy variety show featuring burlesque, comedy, and music created by typewriters, returns to the Black Cat. Find out what to expect in our interview with organizer Jeff Simmermon. 9 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $12–$15.

Sunday: Dwele brings an enchanting presence to his songs, and casual hip-hop listeners will remember his vocal contributions to Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” and “Power” and fellow Detroit native Big Sean’s “Celebrity.” His hip-hop roots remain apparent, but his solo work resides more comfortably within the neo-soul subgenre. Read more >>> Dwele performs with Raw Beauty at 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $45. (703) 549-7500. birchmere.com. (Julian Kimble)

Sunday: Celebrate the life and legacy of folk singer and activist Pete Seeger with a musical tribute at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.

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