Bulgaria is a country with a voice, and her name is Tatiana Sarbinska.

The Balkan-born singer, who now resides in New Market, Md., has earned “national treasure status” in her own country and today she brings her extensive repertoire of music to the Library of Congress.

The noon concert is part of the the Library’s Capital Roots concert series, which is held once a month at Madison Hall.

Other concerts in the series include a Nov. 20 performance by Ganga, a family group performing the music of Bengal, and a Dec. 11 performance by Sensación Vallenata con Gustavo Nieto, who will bring the regional dance music of Colombia’s coastal region to the Library.

All concerts are free, and no tickets are required.

Touchstone Gallery Offers Open House

Touchstone Gallery, the artist-owned gallery located in the Seventh Street Arts District, will hold an open house reception this Friday for groups interested in reserving the gallery space for upcoming events.

With music provided by soul artist Nathan Heathman and light fare provided, the event will be an opportunity to survey the gallery space and to schedule upcoming events at reduced rates.

A preferred vendor listing and materials to aid in event coordination will be on hand. For more information, contact Christine Johnson at (571) 212-6376.

Touchstone is at 406 Seventh St. NW and is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday.

‘Grapes of Wrath’ On Stage at Ford’s Theatre

After a summer of endless dust and pounding construction noise, the historic Ford’s Theatre has reopened with “The Grapes of Wrath.”

John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize- winning story that follows the difficulties of an American family during the Great Depression opened Sept. 30. The play, originally adapted for the stage by the playwright and director Frank Galati, will run through Nov. 15.

In addition to performances, the theater also has open workshops for students interested in stage production. The remaining workshops are today, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 and 13. Those interested should call the sales and marketing office at (202) 638-2367.

“A Christmas Carol” will kick off the holiday season Nov. 22 and run through Dec. 31. For information on tickets to any performance, call (202) 347-4833 or visit www.fordstheatre.org.

Memorial Service Slated For Exon COS

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday for Lewis Gregory Pallas, 52, former legislative director and chief of staff to then-Sen. James Exon (D-Neb.).

Pallas died last Friday after a three-year battle with a rare intestinal cancer, pseudo-myxoma peritonei.

The service and interment will be at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel. Pallas was a graduate of the New York Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or PMP Pals, P.O. Box 6484, Salinas, CA 93912.

— John McArdle, Jessica L. Brady and Douglas Fruehling