PAST: ART: "Bedtime Stories: Storytelling Through Art" at The Art League in Old Town Alexandria WED, May 2nd - MON, May 28th, Free

Bedtime Stories: Storytelling Through Art at The Art League
Free

On view Wednesday, May 2nd - Monday, May 28th

"Bedtime Stories – Storytelling Through Art" will be offered as part of The Art League's programming for MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Children and the Arts. This exhibit will feature narrative works that invite the viewer to visually wander through the world the artist has created, whether real or imagined.

Gallery hours: Monday - Saturday10:00am - 6:00pm, Thursdays 'til 9:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm

The Art League

in the Torpedo Factory
105 North Union St - Alexandria, VA (map)

Metro: King St and take the free trolley down King St to the Waterfront or take any bus down King to the Waterfront 

PAST: ART: "Mujeres: sus historias" Paintings by Beatriz Luna at the IDB Gallery at 13th & NY Ave MON, April 30th - FRI, May 11th, Free

Mujeres: sus historias Paintings by Beatriz Luna
Free
On view Monday, April 30th - Friday, May 11th

Open to the public Monday-Friday from 12:00pm - 6:00pm,. I believe that you'll need to show your ID and sign in when you enter this building.

IDB Staff Association Art Gallery (ISAAG)
Inter-American Development Bank - 13th St. Entrance
1300 New York Ave, NW
Metro: Metro Center or take the S2 or S4 bus that runs along 16th St, there's a stop right in front at 13th and NY Ave.

PAST: FILM: "Meerkats 3D" Screens at National Geographic select dates and times SAT, April 20th - FRI, May 10th, $7

Film Screening of "Meerkats 3D" at National Geographic

Select dates and times Saturday, April 20th - Friday, May 10th

$7 buy tickets

Filmed over the course of a year, Meerkats 3D follows an extraordinary--not to mention adorable--family that stands just 12 inches tall. Discover how these tiny but strong creatures survive in the harsh desert, led by the family's tenacious matriarch, Klinky. Her daunting task is both to protect her offspring and to produce more pups to ensure the family's survival for generations to come. Together, this family of 20 will battle a rival gang to protect their territory, their pups, and their lives as they also contend with the desolate environment that is their home.

National Geographic
1145 17th Street, NW
Metro: Farragut North or take the S2 or S4 bus along 16th St to M St

DONATION DRIVE: If you Love Free in DC Please Show your Love! Donate/Pay-What-You-Can of course

The "Show your Love!" Campaign is on!

If you benefit from this site and want to help keep it up and running please show your appreciation with a donation!

SHOW YOUR LOVE!

Click the button below to donate via PayPal

Think for a minute about how many events have you found out about and attended because of this site? Hopefully more than a few! No donation is too small so please give what you can. If everyone who read this site donated even just $5 it would really help a lot.

I started Free in DC because it was the site that I wish existed and I needed a way to keep track of all of the fabulous, free and low-cost things to do every single day of the year, and to share that knowledge and appreciation with others. This site is offered free of charge to readers and to those who request that their events be posted - for now at least - and though I do have some sponsors, the site is truly offered for the love of it as a public service. It would be great if those who benefit from this site contribute back to it to help keep it going! 

Please donate whatever amount you feel called to so that I can continue investing time and energy into this site, facebook and twitter. Feel free to also post appreciations on Free in DC's facebook page or @FreeinDCBlog on twitter!

We are so fortunate to have access to such amazing art and culture here in DC and there is not a day that goes by that I take that for granted. I truly do love this city - and all of the amazing affordable and free things there are to do here! 

If you share my love, please show your love today with a donation! 

Note:  If you don't have a PayPal account you can still donate - two options below!  

You can send money as a personal gift donation to freeindcblog at gmail.com

1) Click the Tab that says "Send Money" and select "Personal"

2) Select the option that says "Gift" which prevents paypal from taking a fee

Another way to donate without a PayPal account, listed below:
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With Thanks and Appreciation! 

Amy Melrose, Founder of Free in DC

PAST: ART: "Nine Degrees" featuring works by nine MFA students including local artist Ben Tolman at American University's Katzen Center SAT, April 21st - SUN, May 13th, Free

Nine Degrees - Works by 9 MFA Students Free
View the AU MFA Student Gallery
Free
On view Saturday, April 21st - Sunday, May 13th

The exhibition, Nine Degrees, showcases works by graduating MFA students Temme Barkin-Leeds, Michèle Colburn, Kate Demong, Joo Yeon Ha, Adam Robert Hager, Tyler Mullan, Camden Place, Samuel Dylan Scharf, and Ben Tolman (Ben is a super talented local artist, if you haven't heard of him before, his  work is really amazing up close and one of his drawings has even been displayed at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. His work is pictured in this post as well).

"Lilith" by Ben Tolman

Save the Date - Gallery Talk
Saturday, May 5th
4:00pm
Free

American University Museum
Kreeger Lobby, Katzen Arts Center
4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Metro: Tenleytown and take the free AU shuttle to the Katzen Center

PAST: ART: “The Birds and the Bees: A Swarm of Recent Paintings by Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow” at Adah Rose Gallery in Kensington, MD this WED, April 18th - SUN, May 20th, Free

“The Birds and the Bees: A Swarm of Recent Paintings by Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow” at Adah Rose Gallery

Free

On view Wednesday, April 18th - Sunday, May 20th

"Internationally recognized DC-based art couple Matt Sesow and Dana Ellyn keep it local with this exhibition of recently created paintings featuring some of their most recognizable iconography. “The Birds and The Bees”: an idiomatic expression used to represent the familiar and the obscure... a euphemism." If you can't get there, you can also View the entire Exhibition online!

Gallery Hours: Tuesday 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Friday - Sunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm, and by appointment.

Adah Rose Gallery 

3766 Howard Ave - Kensington, MD

Metro: The gallery is super close to the Kensington MARC train station, which you can catch from Union Station, though I believe many MARC trains only run for commuters Mon - Fri during rush hour. You can call 1-800-325-RAIL to ask or try navigating their website. According to their directions, they say the best way to get there is to take the metro to Medical Center NIH and then catch the Ride-On bus #4 or #34. It looks like it's about 2 miles or so from a few different metro stations, right in the middle of the U shape that the red line makes. Please see metro for best access, or take a taxi from the metro station that's easiest for you.

PAST: ART: "NEXT at the Corcoran: Class of 2012" at the Corcoran Gallery SAT, April 14th - SUN, May 20th, Free

NEXT at the Corcoran: Class of 2012 
Free
On view Saturday, April 14th - Sunday, May 20th

"NEXT at the Corcoran: Class of 2012' is a dynamic, interactive, and innovative presentation of work by the graduating students of the Corcoran College of Art + Design. NEXT, for the first time, includes both an exhibition of the thesis work of the bachelor of fine arts class of 2012 and a showcase of the masters of arts degree programs at the Corcoran. Come to scope new, emerging art talent. Though there is an admission for the main Corcoran Gallery, admission to NEXT is free!"

Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design
500 17th St, NW
Metro: Farragut West

PAST: ART: Paintings by Kathy Beynette at Gallery plan b in Logan Circle WED, April 11th - SUN, May 13th, Free

Paintings by Kathy Beynette at Gallery plan b

Free

Wednesday, April 11th - Sunday, May 13th

Kathy Beynette returns to gallery plan b with more of her intricate, painterly and whimsical works. Her background as a fiction writer manifests itself on the surfaces of her quirky narrative paintings. Her topics range from nursery rhymes to social and political commentary.

Hours: Wed- Sat 12:00pm - 7:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Gallery plan b

1530 14th St, NW - near Q St

Metro: U St or Dupont Circle and walk about 15 minutes or so, or you can take the McPherson Sq - Woodley Park Circulator bus that runs along 14th St o RI Ave/ P St stop. 

PAST: ART: "Urban Forest" at Long View Gallery, THURS, April 12th - SUN, May 20th, Free

"Urban Forest" on view at Long View Gallery

featuring works by Michelle Peterson-Albandoz

Free

Thursday, April 12th - Sunday, May 20th

From the invite: "Michelle’s strong ties to the natural world were born of her childhood spent surrounded by the rain forests of Puerto Rico and the woods of Connecticut. It was in these forests where she became hyper aware of the effects humans and technology have on these delicate ecosystems. After moving to Chicago, Peterson-Albandoz was surrounded by the ever-changing urban landscape, full of both construction and destruction. Her emotional reaction to the accumulating waste became the catalyst for her current artistic direction."

Long View Gallery 

1234 9th St, NW

Metro: Mt Vernon Sq - Convention Center, just a block from the metro, walk down M St to 9th, turn right, Longview is across the street just a few storefronts up.

PAST: "Gathering Space" Timothy Thompson's site-specific installation at Hamiltonian Gallery on U St, SAT, March 30th - SAT, May 4th, Free

"Gathering Space" on view at Hamiltonian Gallery
Free
Saturday, March 30th - Saturday, May 4th

Hamiltonian fellow Timothy Thompson broadens his exploration on the perception of place in Gathering Space, a site-specific installation that intersects Hamiltonian's 1,800 square foot gallery. "Abandoning his usual sculptural materials such as iron and wood for hand-sewn nylon fabric and fiberglass rods, Thompson creates sculptures that act as both conduits through the gallery and formidable monumental barriers. As they move amongst the sculptures, viewers are asked to reconsider how they navigate and perceive a physical space."

Hamiltonian Gallery
1353 U St. NW Suite 101
Metro: U St, or take the Circulator bus Woodely/14th/McPherson route to 14h & U St

PAST: ART: "Befriending The Triangle" at the Foundry Gallery in Dupont WED, April 4th - SUN, April 29th, Free

Befriending The Triangle
Free
On view Wednesday, April 4th - Sunday, April 29th

The Foundry Gallery is pleased to invite you to visit its new April solo exhibit Befriending The Triangle, featuring new paintings by member artist Julia Latein-Kimmig. While there, you can also check out the member show on exhibit.

The Foundry Gallery
1314 18th St, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Monthly: The National Museum of Women in the Arts offers free "Community Day" every 1st SUN of the month, Admission is Free!

Visit the National Museum of Women in the Arts for Free!

every first Sunday of  the month!

12:00pm - 5:00pm

Free

Community Days are held on the first Sunday of every month. Regular admission to the museum is $10, $8 for students and those 65+, 18 and under free.

When you are there, be sure to check out the current exhibit Women Who Rock. Also recommend checking out their gift shop, where you can find wearable art and items made from recycled materials. Aside from the gift shop at the Building Museum, this may be my favorite one in town. I got one of my favorite fabric necklaces there last time I visited.

National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave, NW
Metro: Metro Center, us the 13th St exit and up two blocks to NY Ave

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: Monthly: Big Boy Little Band performs at the Zoo Bar every first SAT of the month at 10:00pm, Free

Big Boy Little Band performs at the Zoo Bar

every first Saturday of the month

10:00pm

Free

If you like R&B and Blues you might want to check out Big Boy Little Band. They perform live every first Saturday. Visit the band's main website here!

Zoo Bar

3000 Connecticut Ave, NW

Metro: Woodley Park or Cleveland Park, it's uphill from Woodley so easier walk I think from Cleveland Park if you are taking metro. You can also take the L2 or L4 bus along Connecticut Ave to the zoo entrance stop.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: DANCING: Weekly: Free Salsa Classes! MON Nights at Lima Lounge, 9:00pm, 21+

Free Salsa Classes at Lima Lounge

every Monday Night
Beginners 9:00pm, Intermediate 9:45pm
Free Dance party from 10:30pm on
Free, 21+

Note: I believe this event is still occurring, it's still on their website, but you may want to call first to confirm.

Free Salsa lessons taught by Stuck on Salsa. Open bar for ladies 9:00pm - 11:00pm. Bemba spins Latin rhythms with a splash of hip hop, reggae and house

Lima Lounge
1401 K St, NW
Metro: McPherson Square

UPCOMING & ONGOING: JAZZ: Weekly: Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra performs every MON night, 8:00pm - 11:00pm, All ages, $7

Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra

every Monday night

8:00pm - 11:00pm

All ages, $7

buy tickets here

"The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra is a 17 piece big band co-founded by baritone saxophonist Brad Linde, trumpeter Joe Herrera and club owner Omrao Brown. The BCJO now presents a variety of music from big band literature and features some of the District's best musicians on Monday nights at the historic Bohemian Caverns. Music from Ellington, Basie,Strayhorn, Thad Jones, Oliver Nelson, Maria Schneider and originals by band members will embrace and challenge the tradition of big band repertoire."

Bohemian Caverns

11th & U St, NW

Metro: U St

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: Live Music at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray every WED - SAT in Alexandria, VA from 8:00pm - 10:00pm, All ages, Free

Live Music at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub

in Del Ray - Alexandria, VA
every Wednesday - Saturday

8:00pm - 10:00pm

All ages, Free 

Enjoy live music at St. Elmo's, a cute coffee shop on the main drag in Del Ray, every Wednesday - Saturday starting around 8:00pm. They have a nice selection of coffee and tea there as well. A complete updated list of events can be found on the St. Elmo's facebook page under 'Venue Profile.'

St. Elmo's Coffee Pub

2300 Mt. Vernon Ave 

in Alexandria, VA 

Metro: Braddock Rd and take a bus along Mt Vernon Ave, see www.wmata.com for best bus access from metro.