Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Union Station: Country at the White House

First Lady Michelle Obama is taking this week off after a sprint through Russia, Italy and Ghana with her mom, the girls and the president. But there have been sightings, nonetheless.On Tuesday, my Politics Daily colleague Walter Shapiro tipped me that Mrs. Obama was lunching at Acadiana in downtown Washington.

On Wednesday, Fox News White House correspondent Major Garrett reported that NBA star Carlos Boozer had visited the White House and met Mrs. Obama and all of the senior staff.

And though it has been reported for months that the Obamas will vacation on Martha's Vineyard in August, the Boston Herald has a few more details. The first lady and the kids will arrive either Aug. 16 or 17, with the president following on Aug. 20. They will stay until Aug. 31.

Plan accordingly.

The East Wing pace picks up next week when Mrs. Obama has public events on Tuesday and Friday.

On Tuesday, the president and first lady will host country music stars and music students, a continuation of the White House music series that began in June by spotlighting jazz greats.

Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Union Station perform at the White House that evening. In keeping with Mrs. Obama's plan to pack more meaning into each White House event, those stars will lead workshops Tuesday afternoon for some 125 music students from across the country.

The concert -- billed as "The Country Music Celebration" -- is being presented with help from the Country Music Association and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Grand Ole Opry and Great American Country Television are co-producing.

On Friday, Mrs. Obama helps the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum celebrate the 10th annual National Design Awards with a lunch honoring the winners and finalists, as well as an educational program to highlight all kinds of design at museums in the city.