"Free in DC" Free Events & Things to do in DC!

UPCOMING: MEDITATION: Tonight! Near Foggy Bottom, K St or Georgetown? You might want to check out this Free 3 Week Workshop on "Meditation and Personal Happiness" on WED, Feb 1st, 8th & 15th at the West End Library 24th & L St , NW from 7:30pm - 9:00pm, Free

2012-02-01T00:12:00.000-05:00

"Meditation and Personal Happiness"
Wednesday nights - three week series
Wednesday, February 1st, 8th & 15th
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Free

David Newcomb will be leading a free three week meditation workshop focusing on personal happiness based on the practices of Jyoti Meditation. The first class of a three-part meditation series will focus on a brief history of meditation, followed by an explanation of the technique, and concluding with a group meditation. Part two, on Wed., Feb. 8th, 7:30 pm, will focus on lifestyle changes that interact with meditation, and review the progress from week one. Part three, on Feb. 15th, will examine the relationship between teacher and student, and again review the progress from weeks one and two.

About the workshop facilitator: David Newcomb is a long time DC resident who worked for 28 years as a contract consultant for the law firm of Holland + Knight, LLP, where he provided litigation support services, specializing in construction contract disputes, until his retirement in 2010. In addition, David is a published author, and has written three stage plays and numerous poems. His more recent work includes a collection of spiritual songs, Satsangi Symphony and he is currently working on a musical which, like his meditation practice, focuses on spreading the message of love, unity and peace through meditation and service.

West End Library
1101 24th St, NW

corner of 24th & L St

Metro: Foggy Bottom or take the Circulator bus from Dupont or along K St to the stop closest to 24th and walk a block over to L St

UPCOMING & ONGOING: KARAOKE: Tonight! "Kostume Karaoke" at Solly's every 2nd & 4th WED and at Little Miss Whiskey's every 1st & 3rd 8:00pm - 1:30am, 21+, Free

2012-02-01T00:00:00.003-05:00

Kostume Karaoke every Wednesday night!
at Little Miss Whiskey's on H St, NE
every 1st & 3rd Wednesday
and at Solly's on U St
every 2nd and 4th Wednesday

Tonight at Little Miss Whiskey's!
Wednesday, February 1st
8:00pm - 1:30am
Free, 21+

Some people come for the karaoke, some come for the costumes, some come for both... and a whole lot of silliness as well! Costumes provided on site and you must be in costume if you want to take the mic. You can learn more about Kostume Karaoke on their facebook group here.

Solly's Tavern

11th & U St

Metro: U St, African American Civil War Memorial exit

UPCOMING: AUTHOR TALK: Tonight! Alec Wilkinson "The Ice Balloon: S. A. Andrée and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration" WED, Feb 1st at 7:00pm + Naomi Benaron "Running the Rift " THURS, Feb 2nd at Politics and Prose, Free

2012-02-01T00:00:00.002-05:00

Author events this week at Politics and Prose
Wednesday, February 1st & Thursday, February 2nd
7:00pm
Free

Wednesday, February 1st

Alec Wilkinson - The Ice Balloon: S. A. Andrée and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration

Thursday, February 2nd

Naomi Benaron - Running the Rift

Politics and Prose

5015 Connecticut Ave, NW

Metro: Van Ness and take the L2 bus up Conn Ave toward Chevy Chase Circle

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: Monthly: Tonight! Flo Anito plays at Chief Ike's WED, Feb 1st - and every 1st WED of the month - with guest artists, this month from 8:00pm - Midnight, Free, 21+

2012-02-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

First Wednesday's with Flo Anito at Chief Ike's

Wednesday, February 1st
every first Wednesday of the month

9:00pm - 12:00am
Free, 21+

Wednesday, February 1stFlo Anito features with a full band!
with Jon Heintz and Ross Anderson

Music usually starts at 9:00pm at this monthly event, every first Wednesday of the month at Chief Ike's, but Flo says that there is a rumor that someone will be there at 8:00pm to play a set before Jon Heintz takes the stage. She'll perform with at full band at 10:00pm, and Ross Anderson, of Evan and Ross, is up at 11:00pm. As usual, the music is free, so come on out and support live, local music! You can also learn more about Flo and her music on facebook here!

Chief Ike's
in Adams Morgan

1725 Columbia Rd, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights and walk or take the Circulator bus two stops from Columbia Rd or Woodley Park and take the Circulator to the Safeway stop.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Today! Free Lunchtime Performances every WED in Chinatown as part of "Happenings at the Harman" 12:00pm - 1:00pm

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

"Happenings at the Harman"
Performances every Wednesday
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Free

Wednesday, February 1st
Charles Mokotoff and Matt Palmer
perform a program of classical guitar music.

"Happenings at the Harman" is a performance series that takes place at Harman Hall every Wednesday from noon - 1:00pm. The series brings the community up close and personal with the performers and performances at the Harman Center for the Arts as well as throughout the metro-D.C. community. Performances are free, arrive early to grab a good seat! Learn more and view schedule here!

Sidney Harman Hall

610 F St, NW

Metro: Gallery Place - Chinatown, Arena exit

UPCOMING: FILM: BloomScreen presents "Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action" followed by discussion at BloomBars TUES, Jan 31st 7:00pm - 9:00pm, All ages, by donation

2012-01-31T21:55:00.000-05:00

BloomScreen presents: Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action

Tuesday, January 31st
7:00pm - 9:00pm
by donation, suggested $10
All ages, RSVP requested, but not required
Free refreshments and popcorn provided

Homeland tells the story of five remarkable Native American activists dedicated to protecting the environment and preserving the sovereignty and cultural survival of their people. Q &A with climate activists Nils and Yiming of DC Citizens Climate Lobby and Melissa Bisagni of the National Museum of American Indian, will follow the film.

Bloombars

3222 11th St, NW

next to Wonderland, at Kenyon

Metro: Columbia Heights, walk up 14th St, turn right on Kenyon, left on 11th

UPCOMING: Free Arts and Culture Events this Week! Thanks to CultureCapital.com THURS, Feb 2nd - TUES, Feb 7th

2012-01-31T21:47:00.001-05:00

Here are some more great free arts and culture events happening this week from CultureCapital.com. Please click through for complete details about the event and location details!

Thursday, February 2nd

Chamber Music
Friday Morning Music Club: Concert
11:00am - 12:00pm
The program includes selections from Dvorak's dances featuring piano for four hands, along with works by Debussy and others.
Strathmore
Metro: Grosvenor

Chamber Music
Friday Morning Music Club: Concert
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Works by Beethoven, Poulenc and others. See program.

Calvary Baptist Church
Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown

Saturday, February 4th

Family Friendly Event
Tour & Workshop
12:00pm
Tour "A Space of Their Own" exhibition and learn about the four historic Prince George's County African American townships incorporated in the 1920's and 1930's. Participate in an arts and crafts workshop.
Gallery 110 (map)
Metro: Rhode Island Avenue and take a bus, see metro for best bus access

Film Screening + Live Music
Ciné-Concert: Nathan the Wise
2:30pm
Manfred Noa, 1922, DigiBeta from 35 mm, 128 min
Theater organist Dennis James performs his historically themed organ score for Nathan der Weise, a 1920s adaptation of the famously controversial Enlightenment-era play about religious tolerance from dramatist philosopher Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. Read more here.
National Gallery of Art
East Building Concourse, Auditorium
Metro: Judiciary Sq, closes to the East Building

Sunday, February 5th

Lecture
Side by Side: Cimabue and Giotto at Pisa
2:00pm
Lecture given by Julian Gardner, Samuel H. Kress Professor, Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art.

National Gallery of Art
East Building Concourse, Auditorium
Metro: Judiciary Sq, closes to the East Building

Classical Concert
Voyage to Germany
Listen to some of the finest works by German composers, including Mendelssohn and the twentieth century composer Richard Strauss, concluding with Beethoven's Fourth Symphony. See program. Schlesinger Hall
at NoVa Comm. College, Alexandria Campus
Metro: See metro for best bus access from metro

Monday, February 6th

Artist Talk
Visiting Artist: Kara Walker
7:00pm
NOTE: This program is Sold Out. An on-site waitlist will begin the night of at 6:30pm.
As part of the 30 Americans Visiting Artists Series. Read more here.
Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St, NW
Metro: Farragut West or Farragut North, walk down 17th St

Art Lecture
Works in Progress: More than Ninety Miles Away:
A Dialogue with Cuban Artist Rodolfo Peraza
12:10pm
Lecture given by Rodolfo Peraza, artist, in conversation with Michelle Bird, curatorial assistant, department of French paintings, National Gallery of Art.
National Gallery of Art

East Building Concourse, Auditorium
Metro: Judiciary Sq, closes to the East Building

Tuesday, February 7th

Film Screening
Tuesdays at Noon - The Man
12:00pm - 1:30pm
1972, 72 min
Written by Rod Serling, James Earl Jones plays the first African-American President of the United States. Introduced by actor and film historian Clayton LeBouef. Black History Month selection.
National Geographic
Metro: Farragut North or take the S2 or S4 bus along 16th St to M St, NW

Literary Evening
Michael Dirda, Author of On Conan Doyle
7:00pm

Dirda is the Pulitizer-prize winning book critic for the Washington Post. His study is an elucidating primer on Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the world's most famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Books will be available for purchase and signing. A reception will follow.

Arts Club of Washington
Metro: Foggy Bottom or Farragut West

CultureCapital is a program of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, linking you to the Metro DC's vibrant arts community.

Want to see more upcoming free events and exhibitions on view in the DC metro area? Visit the customized Inside-Out page on their site designed especially for fans of Free in DC!

UPCOMING: KIDS: FILM: "Monster Mash" Animated Shorts at the NGA East Gallery this SAT, Feb 4th at 10:30am & SUN, Feb 5th at 11:30am, Free

2012-01-31T20:21:00.000-05:00

Film still from The Gruffalo

Children's Film: Monster Mash
this Saturday & Sunday, February 4th & 5th
recommended for ages 5 and up
Free

The National Gallery of Art will be screening a series of animated shorts featuring furry and fun-loving monsters of all sorts, sizes, and shapes!

Saturday, February 4th
10:30am - 11:30am

Sunday, February 5th
11:30am - 12:30pm

Featuring The Gruffalo (Max Lang and Jakob Schuh, 2009, 30 minutes), an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic Where the Wild Things Are (Weston Woods Studios, 1988); Mike's New Car (Pixar Animation Studios, Pete Docter and Roger Gould, 2002); Hair Raising Hare (Warner Bros., Chuck Jones, 1946); End of a Scarer (Chris O'Hara, 2007); and The Silence Beneath the Bark (Joanna Lurie, 2010). "

National Gallery of Art
East Building Auditorium
4th & Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Judiciary Sq - closest to the East Building

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Free Classical Concerts every SUN night at the National Gallery of Art, West Building from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

2012-01-31T20:00:00.000-05:00

Classical Music at the National Gallery of Art
every Sunday night
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Free

Sunday, February 5th
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Asteria
Music by Renaissance composers for lute and voice. Presented in honor of Antico: The Golden Age of Renaissance Bronzes.

National Gallery of Art

West Building Main Floor, West Garden Court
Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial, closest to the West Building

ON VIEW: Australian Artists Claire Healy & Sean Cordeiro "Are We There Yet?" at the Corcoran SAT, Dec 3rd - SUN, March 11th, Free

2012-01-31T19:54:00.000-05:00

Christian Schnur. Courtesy the artists and Gallery Barry Keldoulis

On view now at the Corcoran Claire Healy & Sean Cordeiro: Are We There Yet?
Free
Saturday, December 3rd - Sunday, March 11th

This is the first exhibition of Australian artists Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro in the US. Commissioned by and created especially for the Corcoran, the exhibition is the third exhibition in the NOW at the Corcoran series, a program dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging and mid-career artists.

You can also watch a video about the exhibit!

Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St, NW

Metro: Farragut West or Farragut North and walk down 17th St

UPCOMING: ART: Opening Reception for "Rivers and Memories" at the Brentwood Arts Exchange this SAT, Feb 4th from 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Free

2012-01-31T19:34:00.003-05:00

Opening Reception for Rivers and Memories
Saturday, February 4th
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Free
On view Monday, January 30th - Saturday, March 24th

Rivers and Memories features E.J. Montgomery's and Lilian Thomas Burwell's explorations into the expressive potential of color and space.Timed to coincide with Black History Month as well as Women's History Month, Rivers and Memories brings together these two influential artists to form an exhibition and talks that cannot be missed.

Brentwood Arts Exchange
At the Gateway Arts Center
3901 Rhode Island Ave (map)
Brentwood, MD 20722
Metro: Rhode Island Avenue and take a bus, see metro trip-planner for best bus access

UPCOMING: ART: Opening Reception for the "2nd Annual Excellence in Printmaking Exhibition" at WPG this SAT, Feb 4th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Free

2012-01-31T19:25:00.000-05:00

Featured ''Navy Gator'' by Shana Stephens

Opening Reception for the 2nd Annual Excellence in Printmaking Exhibition

Saturday, February 4th

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Free

Wednesday, February 1st - Sunday, February 26th

Since 2004, The Washington Print Club has joined with the Washington Printmakers Gallery and its nonprofit arm, The Washington Print Foundation, to award an annual Excellence in Printmaking student prize. The aim of this award is to encourage printmaking and the use of traditional, non-digital techniques. This year's juror is Joann Moser, Senior Curator, Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Washington Printmakers Gallery

8230 Georgia Avenue, 2nd Floor
Silver Spring, MD

Metro: Silver Spring, the Pyramid Atlantic building is on the southbound, west, side of Georgia Avenue at Ripley Street, 2 blocks south of Wayne Avenue.

UPCOMING: FILM FESTIVAL: African Art House Film Festival at E St Cinema on THURS nights this month - Starts this THURS, Feb 2nd 6:30pm - 8:30pm and continues through Feb 23rd, Free!

2012-01-31T16:44:00.000-05:00

African Art House Film Festival at E St Cinema
organized by the National Museum of African Art
Thursday, February 2nd - 23rd
every Thursday night for four weeks!
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Free, 18+

Limit 4 passes per person, tickets on a first-come, first-served basis from theater box office on the day of screening

Thursday, February 2nd
Man On Ground - U.S. Premiere!
Q & A with director Akin Omotoso (pictured) and actor Hakeem Kae Kazim
Dir. Akin Omotoso. South Africa 2011. 90 min, English with Yoruba, Sotho, Zulu.An indie thriller that portrays the rising xenophobia against Nigerian immigrants in South Africa.

Thursday, February 9th
Touki Bouki
Q & A with film historian Françoise Pfaff (Howard University)
Dir. Djibril Diop Mambety. Senegal 1973. 85 min., Wolof, Arabic, French with English subtitles.This classic road movie from Senegal follows two young lovers living in Dakar who long for Paris and concoct schemes to pay their way.

Thursday, February 16th
Aristotle’s Plot
Q &A with film historian Mbye Cham (Howard University)
Dir. Jean-Pierre Bekolo. Zimbabwe /Cameroon 1996. 71 min. With a heavy dose of satire, this postmodern film questions if Africans prefer high art festival films or American action flicks.

Thursday, February 23rd
The Nine Muses
Q &A with director John Akomfrah
Dir. John Akomfrah. Alaska and archival material, 2011. 94 min.This beautiful and enigmatic documentary film mixes archival material and original scenes, and considers mass migration to post-war Britain from 1949 to 1970 as a parallel to Homer’s The Odyssey.

E Street Cinema
555 11th St, NW
between 10th & 11th
Metro: Metro Center or Gallery Place - Chinatown and walk a few more blocks. You can also take the S2 or S4 bus that runs along 16th St directly to 11th & E St, NW.

UPCOMING: MUSIC: The Composer's Society of Montgomery County plays a free Winter Concert in Kensington, MD this SUN, Feb 5th from 7:30pm - 9:30pm, donations appreciated

2012-01-31T16:18:00.000-05:00

Composer's Society of Montgomery County
Winter Concert in Kensington, MD
Sunday, February 5th
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Free, donations appreciated

This concert will featured a wide range of musical styles. Reception to follow.

Kensington Baptist Church
10100 Connecticut Ave
Kensington, MD 20895 (map)
Metro: Friendship Heights and take the RIDE-ON BUS L8 at 7:00pm towards ASPEN HILL and get off at Conn Ave & Everett at 7:15pm. Walk .03 miles north on Conn to 10100 Conn Ave.

UPCOMING: DC FemEx Intro Call this THURS, Feb 2nd from 8:30pm - 9:15pm, Free, RSVP requested

2012-01-31T15:19:00.000-05:00

fem•ex - a community-based organization focusing on women and sexuality - wants you to know that session seven is starting soon
If you're interested in the session, attend one of these first!
Find DC FemEx on facebook and read more here!

"Engage.Explore.Empower." "fem•ex builds respectful communities where we can challenge ourselves and grow together through exploration and exchanges of our individual experiences of being female – contributing to a collective understanding of the female experience."

Thursday, February 2nd
8:30pm - 9:15pm
Conference Call Info Session
RSVP to femexevents@gmail.com for call-in information

"fem•ex ran an unprecendented 4 classes during the Fall 2011 session. We’re super excited to be building our community and offering fem•ex in 2012.Please join us for our Spring 2012 Info Sessions this month!" It is mandatory to attend an info session before applying for the spring session and RSVP is requested.

A current particpant wrote a Fem2pt0 blog post on her experience with fem•ex – read it here!

The group is currently pursuing a non-profit 501c3 status, and has been in existence since 2008, when Lisa Molinaro, who participated in and facilitated FemSex (Female Sexuality) – a women’s empowerment course created by and for students at UC Berkeley – moved to DC and modified the curriculum for a group of friends, meeting once a week to explore their female identities. The success of the experiment led to more formalized groups – bringing together strangers in living rooms across DC for 16-week sessions. After two-and-a-half years, fem•ex has reached over 150 women in the DC area. Read more here!

UPCOMING: MUSIC + GUESTS: "The Charlie Visconage Show" is back at the DCAC this THURS, Feb 2nd, 10:00pm - 11:00pm, $10 discounted tickets

2012-01-31T14:59:00.000-05:00

The Charlie Visconage Show
Thursday, February 2nd
10:00pm - 11:00pm
$10 discounted ticket*
*enter the code"Facebook" at checkout to get the $5 off

The Charlie Visconage Show features all the trappings of a late night talk show, plus this week's special guests:Jon Gann, Festival Director, DC Shorts Film Festival SM Shrake, Leader of Story League and Musical performance by Paperhaus.

DC Arts Center
2438 18th St, NW

in Adams Morgan

Metro: Woodley Park and walk over the bridge or take the Circulator bus to Adams Mill Rd stop by the Fed Ex, you can also take the Circulator bus from McPherson Sq, 14th & RI Ave, 14th & U or Columbia Rd and 14th St from the Columbia Heights Metro to Adams Mill, where it turns right off of Columbia. The 42 bus also goes to 18th & Columbia from downtown Conn Ave and Dupont Circle.

UPCOMING: POETRY: Beltway Poetry Slam Women of the World Poetry Slam Qualifier at The Fridge MON, Feb 6th from 8:00pm - 10:00pm, doors 7:30pm, $5

2012-01-31T14:44:00.000-05:00

Beltway Poetry Slam Women of the World Poetry Slam Qualifier
Monday, February 6th
8:00pm - 10:00pm, doors 7:30pm
$5

Join the Beltway Poetry Slam for this qualifying competition to see who will represent DC at the Women of the World Poetry Slam this March in Denver! The event will start with a short open mic followed by a 4-round slam with the poets qualified to compete. These are the top female poets in DC--- please come and support their work and find out who will represent your city!

The Fridge DC
516 8th St, SE
Metro: Eastern Market, walk down 8th and turn left into the alley past 516 8th St across from matchobox

UPCOMING: ART: Openings as part of "First Fridays in Dupont" include the Foundry Gallery's new show FRI, Fen 3rd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Hillyer stays open til 9:00pm, Free

2012-01-31T14:37:00.002-05:00

It's another "First Friday in Dupont" which means that Art Galleries are Open Late!
Friday, February 3rd
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Hillyer is open 'til 9:00pm
Free

Feb Four Show Opening at the Foundry
view and share invite on facebook
On view Wednesday, February 1st - Sunday, February 26th

I suggest starting off at the Foundry Gallery, on the south side of Dupont Circle, next to Yola, and checking out their new Feb Four Show highlighting works by four new member artists, Linda Button, Lesley Clarke, Edward Bear Miller, and Peter Loge, who joined the Foundry Gallery in 2011. The artists’ works range from figurative oil painting, to mixed media on canvas, to conceptual assemblage.

From there, cross the circle and you can head over to WPA, located on Mass Ave between 20th & 21st, and then heading right on 21st and walking over to R St Galleries, with the last stop being Hillyer, where it usually feels like a bit of a party. Hillyer usually requests donations at the door and they are tucked back in an alley between the Phillips Collection buildings, walk back and turn right.

There isn't a website for the galleries in Dupont but if you start at WPA or Hillyer they may have an old map on hand, thought some of which have moved or closed. If not, you can just follow the people to galleries along R St between 20th & 21st St mainly. There are a few galleries still along Conn Ave I believe as well, between the Circle and Florida Ave.

From Hillyer email "First Friday Openings are a collaborative effort to strengthen arts and culture in the beautiful, multi-cultural neighborhood that is Dupont Circle. On the First Friday of every month galleries in our community open their doors to multitudes of art enthusiasts from all walks of life for simultaneous openings. We encourage all to join us for our openings and to circulate between our neighboring galleries, which host an ever-changing array of styles and media."

Additional Galleries:
Washington Project for the Arts
2023 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Hillyer
9 Hillyer Court NW
(between N Florida Ave & N 21st St)
Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St exit

The Foundry Gallery
1314 18th St, NW
Metro: Since the Dupont Circle South exit is closed for the next 8 months or so, I suggest that you either walk north on Conn from Farragut North or walk south from the Dupont Circle Q St exit. Closest access is by the 42 bus, take it to the stop closest to to N St and walk over to 18th St. The gallery is located on 18th St, south of the circle, between the Mass Ave and N St, next to Yola.

UPCOMING: PHOTOGRAPHY: Opening for new Exhibit at the Goethe "gute aussichten: Young German Photography 2011/2012" this THURS, Feb 2nd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Free, RSVP requested

2012-01-31T14:09:00.000-05:00

Opening for new Exhibit at the Goethe
gute aussichten: Young German Photography 2011/2012
Thursday, February 2nd
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Free, RSVP requested
RSVP to 202-289-1200 ext. 165 or rsvp@washington.goethe.org

On view Thursday, February 2nd - Sunday, April 29th

At the Opening, for “Germany’s most renowned competition for young photographers” you 'll have a chance to meet the curator Josefine Raab and Stefan Becht. The show will feature works by seven winners of gute aussichten 2011/2012, the eighth annual German competition for graduate photography students. Featuring Sebastian Lang, Sara-Lena Maierhofer, Johannes Post, Luise Schröder, Miriam Schwedt, Julia Unkel and Franziska Zacharias. Individual images are distinguished by their "highly diverse aesthetic, formal and conceptual approaches, providing an insight into the multifaceted themes that form the focus of young artists’ interests today."According to curator, Josefine Raab, “last year’s trend for treating the medium of photography both experimentally and playfully and lacking coercion also continued this year."

Regular Gallery Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00pm - 5:00pm and Friday 9:00pm - 3:00pm

Goethe-Institut Washington
812 7th St, NW
at the corner of I St, NW
Metro: Gallery Place - Chinatown

UPCOMING: OPEN MIC: Monthly: The DC Center hosts an Open Mic featuring Andrew Fogle this FRI, Feb 3rd - and every First FRI of the month - from 8:00pm - 10:00pm, Free, donations appreciated, 18+

2012-01-31T13:50:00.000-05:00

Monthly Open Mic Night at The DC Center
This month's Open Mic will feature Andrew Fogle
Friday, February 3rd
and every 1st Friday of the month!
8:00pm - 10:00pm
Free, donations appreciated , 18 +
view and share facebook invite

This month, the DC Center's Open Mic Night will feature Andrew Fogle, "a DC-based cultural sexual interloper who has contributed to the vitality of the Greater Metropolitan LGBT community through his active role as managing editor of Outrage DC as well as The New Gay. Fogle’s role as a performer has also been showcased through out the District and has been recently featured in Boys Be Good: SOLIPSISSY."

The DC Center
1318 U St, NW
Metro: U Street

UPCOMING: ART: Opening for Photography Show "Suwarna" at The Jerusalem Fund Gallery FRI, Feb 3rd 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Free

2012-01-31T00:10:00.000-05:00

Opening for Suwarna at The Jerusalem Fund
Friday, February 3rd
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Free
On view Friday, February 3rd - Friday, March 2nd

"Suwarna, meaning “our pictures” in Arabic, is an exhibitionof photography taken by the participants in “Triple Exposure,”a public art project at Tomorrow’s Youth Organization (TYO)in Nablus in the Northern West Bank, in which Palestinianboys and girls, ages 10 to 16, use their cameras to capturetheir homes, neighborhoods, schools, friends, hobbies,and daily moments of beauty."

TYO is an American, non-governmental organization that works in disadvantaged areas of the Middle East, enabling children, youth and parents to realize their potential as healthy, active and responsible family and community members.

The Jerusalem Fund Gallery
2425 Virginia Ave, NW
Metro: Foggy Bottom, outside Potomac Plaza building - the gallery is located on the first floor of what looks like an apt building.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MEDITATION: The Shambhala Center in Cleveland Park hosts a guided practice every THURS Night 6:30pm - 8:30pm and 1st & 3rd SUN morning of the month + Open Meditation, Unguided, MON & TUES nights 6:00pm - 6:45pm, Free

2012-01-29T19:57:00.000-05:00

Meditation Schedule at the Shambhala Center

Free and open to the public, donations welcome

Every Thursday night
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Evening meditation practice and instruction
7:30pm - 8:15pm
Public talk and open discussion
followed by tea at 8:15pm

In addition, there are evening meditation practices on Monday and Tuesday nights that are open to the public, though there is no formal instruction.

Every Monday night
6:00pm - 6:45pm

Evening meditation practice, no instruction

Every Tuesday night
6:00pm - 6:45pm

Evening meditation practice, no instruction

First Sunday morning of the month
9:00am - 12:00am
Meditation practice and instruction; practice period begins and ends with Buddhist chants (come and leave anytime during this period).
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Various formal and informal community groups occasionally host a lunch after sitting at noon; if you are interested in hosting a lunch, please contact communitylunch@dcshambhala.org

Third Sunday morning of the month

9:00am - 11:00am
Meditation practice and instruction; practice period begins and ends with Buddhist chants (come and leave anytime during this period).
11:00am - 12:00pm
Sadhana of Mahamudra (Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in the Sadhana of Mahamudra practice.)

Note: The third Sunday practice schedule may be adjusted when other weekend programs are offered; please check the calendar.

Shambhala Meditation Center of Washington, DC

3520 Connecticut Ave, NW

Metro: Cleveland Park, super close to the metro

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: Live Jazz at Tryst in Adams Morgan! MON, TUES & WED Nights, Free

2012-01-29T19:55:00.000-05:00

Live Jazz at Tryst in Adams Morgan
Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
8:00pm - 10:00pm

Free

Monday Nights

The Will Rast Trio

Tuesday Nights

The Peter Adelman Quartet

Wednesday Nights

Love Some Thing Jazz Trio

Tryst2459 18th St, NW
Metro: Woodley Park or Columbia Heights
Take the Circulator bus to 18th St & Adams Mill

UPCOMING & ONGOING: The Harikaraoke Band & Gong Show at Wonderland this TUES, Jan 24th - and every TUES night - from 9:00pm - 12:00am, Free, 21+

2012-01-29T00:40:00.000-05:00

The Harikaraoke Band & Gong Show
every Tuesday night
9:00pm - 12:00am
Free, 21+

The Harikaraoke Band & Gong Show with Live Karaoke Band, every Tuesday night at Wonderland Ballroom.

The Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St, NW (map)
Metro: Columbia Heights

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Free Classes as part of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop 40th Anniversary Celebration! 40 Free Events in 40 Days! WED, Jan 4th - SUN, Feb 12th, Free, most events require advance RSVP

2012-01-29T00:03:00.000-05:00

CHAW Celebrates 40th Anniversary with 40 Free Events in 40 Days!

Starting on Wednesday, January 4th - Sunday, February 12th

See complete schedule here!

Free, most events require advance registration

The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will be hosting 40 free events over the course of 40 days beginning January 4, 2012 to celebrate their 40th anniversary. See a complete list of events and register online here!

All events are Free! Kid-friendly events are marked with a *

Pre-registration is required for some events

Call (202) 547-6839 or visit CHAW online to register.

Founded in 1972, CHAW is celebrating it's 40th anniversary! Read more about the history of CHAW and the impact it has had on the Capitol Hill Community in the Hill Rag article from October 2011 written by Megan Cheek.

See the complete list of events by date here!

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

545 7th St, SE

Metro: Eastern Market

UPCOMING & ONGOING: OPEN MIC: Poetry Event at Busboys and Poets 14th & V St, every TUES Night! 9:00pm - 11:00pm, All ages, $4

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Tuesday Night Open Mic at Busboys!

every Tuesday night

9:00pm - 11:00pm

All ages, $4 per person*

Open Mic Night at Busboys every Tuesday night, different feature each week. Description from their site "For two hours audiences can expect a diverse chorus of voices and a vast array of professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies, musicians and a different host every week. Expect to be moved, expect a packed house, expect the unexpected, but above all come with an open mind and ear. --- $4/person.

* Wristbands for Tuesday night open mic at 14th & V are sold all day in the Bookstore beginning at 10:00am until sold out. Limit of 4 wristbands per person. Cash only. Sorry, No Refunds." This Open Mic has become pretty popular and tends to sell out early in the eve. Best to get there earlier in the day to pick up wristbands, I've seen it sold out before 6pm before. If you're not sure if there are tickets available, I suggest you call first.

Busboys and Poets
14th & V St, NW
Metro: U St

ON VIEW: ART: Last Chance! January All-Media Exhibit at The Art League in Old Town, Alexandria WED, Jan 4th - MON, Feb 6th + Opening Reception on THURS, Jan 12th 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Free

2012-01-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

Opening Reception for the January All-Media Exhibit
at The Art League in Old Town, Alexandria
Thursday, January 12th

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Free
On view Wednesday, January 4th - Monday, February 6th

Juried by Alan Beland, this exhibit by Art League members will feature artwork of all media and subject matter. Gallery hours: Open every Thursday evening until 9:00pm, Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm.

The Art League
105 North Union St (map)
inside of the Torpedo Factory in Old Town, Alexandria, VA

Metro: King St and take the free trolley or a bus from the metro down King St to the Waterfront

ON VIEW: ART: Last Chance! "Decathlon" at the DCAC in Adams Morgan FRI, Jan 13th - SUN, Feb 5th, Free

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

DC Arts Center Decathlon
Free
Friday, January 13th - Sunday, February 5th

"After centuries of specialization in art that has relied on labels like painter, sculptor or photographer, DCAC asked artists working in the DC metropolitan area to submit proposals that explore the significance of what being "unspecialized" means to being a working artist today. The semi-finalists of the decathlon, Shanthi Chandrasekar, Lee Gainer, Lisa Rosenstein, and Mary Woodall, will exhibit their works at DCAC. This exhibition will culminate in a medal ceremony, but only one artist will walk away with gold!"

DCAC - DC Arts Center - in Adams Morgan
2438 18th Street NW
Metro: Woodley Park and walk or take the Circulator bus to Adams Mill or you can take the 42 or 43 bus along Conn Ave or from Dupont toward Mt Pleasant and get off at 18th & Columbia.

ON VIEW: American University Museum at the Katzen Center new Winter Exhibitions SAT, Jan 28th - Feb 28th, March 18th and April 15th, Free

2012-01-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

On view at AU's Katzen Center Winter Museum Exhibitions
Free
Saturday, January 28th - February 28th, March 18th and April 15th

New exhibitions listed below:

Kids@Katzen: The Photographic Life
Saturday, January 28th - Tuesday, February 28th
Photographs by Kids@Katzen participants inspired by the exhibitions Re-viewing Documentary: The Photographic Life of Louise Rosskam and Wayne Barrar: An Expanding Subterra.

Raoul Middleman: City Limits
Saturday, January 28th - Saturday, March 18th
Baltimore maestro Raoul Middleman’s nudes are not pretty— they are sagging, dimpled, and real. His cityscapes reveal the underbelly of post-industrial rot, his narrative paintings give contemporary life to his personal obsessions. They are intelligent, messy, and utterly masterful.

Regaining Our Faculties: Zoë Charlton, Tim Doud, Deborah Kahn, and Luis Manuel Cravo Silva
Saturday, January 28th - Saturday, March 18th
Recently returning from sabbaticals (sab·bat·i·cal) adj any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training), American University faculty members Zoë Charlton, Tim Doud, Deborah Kahn, and Luis Manuel Cravo Silva used their time wisely.

Anil Revri: Faith and Liberation through Abstraction
Saturday, January 28th - Sunday, April 15th
Anil Revri’s paintings function as aids to meditation, while at the same time the process of their creation is itself an act of meditation. They are beautiful, their craft is breathtaking, but their success depends on whether they further us, and the artist, along in the process of our own enlightenment.

Gabarrón’s Roots
Saturday, January 28th - Sunday, April 15th
The sculptures and paintings of Cristóbal Gabarrón have been seen in hundreds of exhibitions around the world, but never in Washington, D.C. Here, his vibrantly colored sculptures are larger than life, yet human in scale and effect; his painted tondos evoke archaeological and zoological mysteries.

American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center
4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Metro: Tenleytown, take the free AU shuttle bus to campus, tell the driver you want to get off at the Katzen Center

UPCOMING: THEATER: "Locally Grown" Festival at the DC JCC hosts Staged Readings and Performances from DC area Playwrights! Continues MON, Feb 6th - SUN, Feb 19th, $10 for each event or get a Festival pass for $30

2012-01-24T00:02:00.000-05:00

Locally Grown: Community Supported Art
From Our Own Garden

Theater J's new festival focusing on the
thriving Washington DC playwright scene

"This robust new initiative is inspired in part by the “locovore” and Community Supported Agriculture movements which focus on cultivating, appreciating and utilizing local resources for local consumption. Theater J’s dynamic new initiative translates these principles to DC’s burgeoning theatre scene, fostering the talent of DC playwrights through four mini-commissions, round-table discussions and staged readings."

Locally Grown: Community Supported Art Festival
Remaining readings and performances listed below
$10 each, or purchase a festival pass for $30
Buy your tickets here!

Monday, February 6th
7:30pm
Reading of Hot and Cold
by Gwydion Suilebhan

Sunday, February 12th
5:00pm
Workshop presentation of
The Prostate Dialoguesby Jon Spelman

Monday, February 13th
7:30pm
Reading of Married Sex
by Laura Zam

Sunday, February 19th
5:00pm
Workshop presentation of
The Prostate Dialogues
by Jon Spelman

Washington DC JCC Theater J
16th & Q St, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle and walk over 4 blocks or you can take any bus along 16th St - S1, S2, S4, S9, right to Q St.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: COMEDY: Open Mics most TUES, WED & THURS Nights in DC and the Metro Area!

2012-01-24T00:00:00.003-05:00

Here's a list of Comedy Nights happening in the DC area

See Standup Comedy To Go and DC Stand Up for more info about stand-up nights and comedy shows in the area.

Tuesday nights in Chinatown
Open Mic every Tuesday Night in DC!
Tuesday, December 27th
at new comedy club, Riot Act

8:30pm - 10:30pm

$10

Buy a Riot Act T-Shirt (which I think costs $20) and wear it to get in Free every Tuesday!

Every Tuesday amateur, local and national headliners gather for a showcase of comedy showcase. Each show begins with a hand full of real first timers cutting the rug in one of their first stage performances ever, followed by local and national comics showcasing their new material. Note, if you want to perform, you need to register in advance.

Riot Act Comedy

801 E St, NW

Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown or Archives - Navy Memorial

Wednesday nights in Arlington, VA

Ri-Ra Wednesdays

Ha-Ha at Ri-Ra in Clarendon

8:00pm - 10:00pm

Free

Free Live stand-up comedy show. $25 cash prize joke contest for non-com audience members after the show and ½ price burger night.

Ri-Ra Irish Pub

2915 Wilson Blvd

Arlington,VA 22201

Metro: Clarendon

Thursdays nights in Dupont

Topaz Thursdays

The Laughing Buddha-ha-ha in Dupont Circle

Live Stand-up Comedy Show

8:00pm – 10:00pm

Free

$25 cash prize joke contest for non-com audience members after the show

Topaz Hotel Bar

1733 N St, NW

Metro: Dupont Circle

Saturday nights in Bethesda, MD

Hyatt Saturdays at the Hyatt Hotel

$10 cover for this one

Metro: Bethesda

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park Guitar and Drum Circle Find an Indoor Home for the Winter at BloomBars! SUN, Jan 29th - and every SUN in the winter! 2:00pm - 5:30pm, All ages, donations welcome

2012-01-23T00:05:00.000-05:00

Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park Guitar and Drum Circle Find an Indoor Home for the Winter
beginning on Sunday, January 29th

and every Sunday in the winter!
2:00pm - 5:30pm

All ages, donations welcome

‎Bloombars hosts an indoor Drum Circle on Sundays when it's too cold to be in the park! "Guitar Circle, 2 pm to 3:30 pm Drum Circle, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm The Drum Circle in Malcolm X Park is certainly one of Washington, DC’s treasures. And more recently, the Guitar Circle and Meet-up in the lower part of the park has been a harmonious gathering for the string being set. With the temperature starting to dip, we’ve invited everyone to our humble home to keeping the spirit going year-round!"

‎Bloombars

3222 11th St, NW

at Kenyon, next door to Wonderland
Metro: Columbia Heights

ON VIEW: ART: "Amy Hughes Braden: Too Extroverted To Paint" THURS, Jan 19th - SUN, March 11th at the Artisphere in Rosslyn, Free

2012-01-22T00:58:00.000-05:00

"Amy Hughes Braden: Too Extroverted To Paint"

On view at the Artisphere

Free

Thursday, January 19th - Sunday, March 11th

"Plagued by the need for human interaction, stuck in a world of tweets and tags, Amy Hughes Braden will paint large portraits of "tweens" working towards her 2013 show in Artisphere's Mezz Gallery. Amy is an Arlington native and recent graduate of the Corcoran College of Art and Design. Stop by during her onsite residency and tell her about your own awkward experiences as a tween.

The artist will be working onsite:
Fridays
4:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturdays
1:00pm - 7:00pm
Sundays
1:00pm - 5:00pm

Artisphere
1101 Wilson Blvd - Arlington, VA
Metro: Rosslyn, turn right when you exit the metro, take a left on Wilson, look for the domed building on the left about a block down.

UPCOMING: Please see facebook for more events Today, Tonight and Tomorrow that I didn't have time to create individual posts for! Lots of good ones!

2012-01-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

Please visit Free in DC on facebook for more events

I don't have time to craft individual posts for every event so I often post facebook events and links to events on the Free in DC facebook page.

FYI in case you aren't on facebook, you don't actually need to have a facebook account to view the info. You can just click on the link above.

OF NOTE: Honoring MLK: You can watch the MLK Day at the National Cathedral which took place on MON, Jan 16th online now! Free

2012-01-16T00:34:00.000-05:00

MLK Day Celebration at the National Cathedral

Monday, January 16th

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Free

NOTE: Though this event has passed, you can still watch it online here!

Special Celebration at the National Cathedral! Tribute honoring the life of Dr. King. Featured groups such as Malcolm X Dancers & Drummers, St. Augustine Gospel Choir, poet Tony Keith, Urban Nation H.I.P.–H.O.P. Choir, Washington Performing Arts Society’s Children of the Gospel Choir, and CityDance with singers from School Without Walls will “rock the nave” from 2 to 4 pm. A coat and winter clothing drive is also planned.

The National Cathedral

3101 Wisconsin Avenue

Metro: Tenleytown and take any of the 30 series bus (31, 32, 36, or 37) south on Wisconsin Avenue to Woodley Avenue or Dupont Circle and take the N2, N3, N4, or N6 bus until you reach the corner of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues. Walk north on Wisconsin 1/2 block to the Cathedral.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Free Performances Every Day at The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

2012-01-13T23:24:00.000-05:00

Free performances every night on The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center

Watch in person or live stream the show online!

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Free

To see the schedule click here

The Kennedy Center - Millennium Stage

2700 F St, NW

Metro: Foggy Bottom and take the free shuttle

OF NOTE: For more Free events happening this month, please see CultureCapital.com's INSIDE-OUT page custom designed for Free in DC readers!

2012-01-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

Did you know that CultureCapital has a special INSIDE-OUT page designed specifically for Free in DC readers! This page highlights 4 weeks or more FREE events, shows and exhibitions in the DC metro area!

Free in DC has teamed up with CultureCapital to provide you with CultureCapital INSIDE-OUT a quick guide to Metro DC's vibrant Arts & Culture scene. Like Free in DC, this INSIDE-OUT will feature cool, free, and super cheap things to do in Metro DC... proving that you needn't spend a lot of money to live a rich life in this town!

CultureCapital and TICKETPLACE.org (half-price, advance sale tickets) are programs of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington serving the arts & culture community and the public for over 30 years!

ON VIEW: EXHIBIT: The only US appearance of the "Anglo-Saxon Hoard: Gold from England's Dark Ages" at National Geographic! Now - SUN, March 4th $8 -$4

2012-01-09T23:59:00.000-05:00

Anglo-Saxon Hoard: Gold from England's Dark Ages

$8, military, members, seniors, students $6, ages 5- 12 $4

On view Saturday, October 29th - Sunday, March 4, 2012

In July 2009 on a farm in Staffordshire, England, a metal detectorist uncovered the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found-more than 3,490 pieces from hundreds of individual objects dating to about 650 A.D. In their only appearance in the U.S., more than 100 of these intricately detailed artifacts will travel to National Geographic Museum.

National Geographic

145 17th Street, NW

Metro: Farragut North is closest, you can also walk from Farragut West or take the S1, S2, S4 or S9 bus to 16th & M St and walk over a block.

ON VIEW: "Art @ Work" at the Joan Hisaoka Gallery at the Smith Center FRI, Jan 13th - SAT, Feb 18th, Free

2012-01-09T23:21:00.000-05:00

Art @ Work - at the Joan Hisaoka Art Gallery at the Smith Center

Free

On view Friday, January 13th - Saturday, February 18th

Joan Hisaoka Art Gallery at the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, in partnership with Albus Cavus, an arts group that transforms communities through public art, presents an open reception for Art @ Work! A number of my friend John Grunwell's latest pieces will be featured alongside with works by lots of other awesome DC-area artists, most of whom work in the arenas of "street art" and graffiti. "

"Art @ Work, a collaboration with the Albus Cavus arts group, features over 40 local graffiti artists working with local children and residents to beautify DC’s public spaces, including DECOY, Ben Tolman, Kelly Towles, Aniekan Udofia, CHE, and Jazirock! Over the course of 3 on-site mural workshops, visitors will work together with graffiti-mural artists to transform the gallery into a working studio, creating a large-scale mural that will be permanently installed in a local neighborhood."

Joan Hisaoka Art Gallery at the
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
1632 U St, NW
Metro: Closest reached by bus, take the S1, S2, S4 or S9 bus from anywhere along 16th St to U St or you can walk about 4 long blocks from the U St metro.

ON VIEW: ART: Milena Spasic's "Kosovo Series" at the Washington Studio School in Dupont MON, Jan 9th - FRI, Feb 10th, Free

2012-01-09T23:20:00.000-05:00

Milena Spasic's "Kosovo Series"

On view at the Washington Studio School

Free

Monday, January 9th - Friday, February 10th

Washington Studio School is pleased to exhibit the paintings of DC artist Milena Spasic.

The Washington Studio School

2129 S St, NW

Metro: Dupont Circle.

ON VIEW: ART: Arlington Arts Center hosts three new shows! "She Got Game" Gillian Schroeder's "herd" and "Students Select Students" FRI, Jan 13th - SUN, March 18th, Free

2012-01-09T23:08:00.000-05:00

Three new exhibitions on view at the Arlington Arts Center
She Got Game, Gillian Schroeder's herd and Students Select Students
Free
Friday, January, 13th - Sunday, March 18th

AAC celebrates the opening of two new exhibitions. For She Got Game, curator Jeffry Cudlin has brought together 11 artists—female, male, and transgendered—who explore shifting contemporary perceptions of women’s bodies, gender roles, and identities through the lens of sports spectacle. In the Wyatt Gallery, AAC Resident Artist Gillian Schroder presents new work in her solo exhibition herd.

Pictured: work by Cory Oberndorfer.

Save the date for these free performances related to She Got Game

Saturday, February 11th
12:00pm - 4:30pm
Performances by Amber Hawk Swanson and Kristina Bilonick

Saturday, March 17th
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Performance by Holly Bass

Arlington Arts Center
3550 Wilson Blvd - Arlington, VA
Metro: Virginia Square, just across the street from the metro on Wilson

ON VIEW: FILM: Screening of Jesse Kanda's "Waking From A Coma" at the Artisphere, in Rotation all day long, THURS, Dec 22nd - WED, Feb 15th, Free

2012-01-09T21:36:00.000-05:00

Jesse Kanda: Waking From A Coma
Film Screening - in Rotation
on the Town Hall Video Wall at the Artisphere
Thursday, December 22nd - Wednesday, February 15th
Free

"Jesse Kanda is a Japanese-born, London-based designer and filmmaker. Coming from a graphic design background, he creates experimental films which merge mediums ranging from 3D and 2D to live footage. Taking advantage of the possibilities technology allows today, he aims to trigger the senses with sights and sounds, depicting images never quite seen before. Kanda's work will be shown on Artisphere's video wall as well as satellite screens located throughout the building."

Artisphere
1101 Wilson Blvd - Arlington, VA

Metro: Rosslyn - turn right when you exit metro, take a left on Wilson, walk about a block, look for the domed building

ON VIEW: ART: "Liana Finck: The Bintel Brief " at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue WED, Jan 11th - FRI, March 2nd, Free

2012-01-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

Liana Finck: The Bintel Brief on view at Sixth & I
Free
Wednesday, January 11th - Friday, March 2nd

The exhibit showcases pieces from Liana Finck’s upcoming graphic novel based on The Jewish Daily Forward’s “Bintel Brief” advice column. Through the column, young immigrants sought advice on a variety of heartbreaking and absurd dilemmas. Finck’s illustrations capture these letters as seen from the point of view of a narrator – an omniscient but relatively helpless columnist inspired by the Forward’s founding editor, Abraham Cahan.

Liana Finck graduated from Cooper Union and received a Fulbright Fellowship to Brussels to write a graphic novel about Georges Remi, the creator of the beloved comic book character Tintin. She is a recipient of the prestigious Six Points Fellowship, a two-year grant for emerging Jewish artists.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
600 I St, NW
Metro: Gallery Place - Chinatown, you can also take the Circulator bus, Union Station-Georgetown Route, from lots of stops along K St downtown to 5th & Mass.

ON VIEW: ART: Honfleur Gallery presents "Visual Audio: Inquiries Into Found Media" FRI, Jan 13th - FRI, Feb 24th, Free

2012-01-09T00:15:00.000-05:00

"Visual Audio" On view at Honfleur
Free
Friday, January 13th - Friday, February 24th

Honfleur Gallery's newest exhibit, "Visual Audio: Inquiries Into Found Media," is a collaboration by Radio Transmission Ark and the Vernacular Preservation Society that combines atmospheric sounds, writings, drawings and more from the surrounding Anacostia community.

Note: While in the area you should also swing by Vivid to check out their new photography exhibition, just a few blocks away from Honfleur.

Honfler Gallery
1241 Good Hope Rd, SE
Metro: Closest reached by bus, you can take the new Circulator express bus, which you can catch from the Eastern Market Metro or you can walk from the Anacostia Metro.

ON VIEW: ART: Photography: "Second Look: Selections from a Print Lab's Archives" at Vivid Solutions in SE from FRI, Jan 13th - FRI, March 30th, Free

2012-01-09T00:10:00.000-05:00

"Second Look: selections from a print lab's archives" at Vivid Solutions
Free
Friday, January 13th - Friday, March 30th

This group photography show, specifically geared towards exhibiting works, highlights the range of specialized skills and creative visions of VS Print Lab’s customer base. The images printed at Vivid Solutions DC Print Lab include work from photographers: Adam Davies, Ben Droz, Bobby Bruderle, Bobby Washington, Bruce McNeil, Danny Harris from The People's District, David Rehor, Ed Mays, Eric Gottesman, Jonathan French, Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, Marlon Norman, Michael Platt, Nicholas Huynh, Pat Padua, Otis P. Motley and Deborah Terry. This show was collectively curated by Vivid Solutions DC Print Lab staff and The Gallery at Vivid Solutions. Read more on Vivid's website here.

You can also check out the show down the street at Honfleur which is also hosting an opening on the same night from 7:00pm - 10:00pm

The Gallery at Vivid Solutions
2208 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE
Metro: Anacostia or you can take the new Circulator bus to Anacostia from Eastern Market Metro.

ON VIEW: ART: "Michael Craig-Martin: Drawings" and "Let's Eat! Works from the GW Permanent Collection" at GWU's Luther Brady Gallery, WED, Dec 7th - FRI, Feb 17th, Free

2012-01-09T00:08:00.000-05:00

Two Exhibitions on view at GWU Luther Brady Gallery

Michael Craig-Martin: Drawings
Free
On view Wednesday, January 11th - Friday, February 17th

The center piece of the Michael Craig-Martin: Drawings exhibition is a large 5 ft. x 4 ft. wall drawing created on site especially for the gallery. The show includes more than 30 drawings of subjects drawn from ordinary life, which he portrays using a mechanical line. On January 10, 2012, the artist created a large wall drawing in the Luther W. Brady Art Gallery. This video was created by William Atkins and Christopher Boyes from the Office of External Relations.

Let's Eat! Works from the GW Permanent Collection

2nd floor cases
Free
On View Wednesday, December 7th - Friday, February 10th

This exhibition is produced in conjunction with First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Museums & Gardens campaign and GW's Urban Food Task Force. Pairing paintings, sculptures, and prints from GW's notable permanent collection with healthy recipes related to their subjects, this exhibit hopes to demonstrate how small changes in one's diet can make a difference.
All of the recipes are available online: Let's Eat Recipes

Luther Brady Art Gallery
2nd Floor Casings
805 21st St, NW
Metro: Foggy Bottom

ON VIEW: ART: Solo Show for Mike Weber at Long View Gallery THURS, Jan 19th - SUN, Feb 19th, Free

2012-01-09T00:06:00.000-05:00

Long View Gallery Opening for LA-based Artist Mike Weber
Free
Thursday, January 19th - Sunday, February 19th

"Mike Weber spent his childhood exploring rural farmland outside of St. Louis, Missouri. Like any inquisitive child, he was drawn to investigate the abandoned homesteads that dotted the landscape. These forgotten buildings, full of history and littered with hints of their grandiose past, left a lasting impression on the youngster. Recalling his experiences in these abandoned homes brings up mysterious childhood emotions for Weber." See pdf invite.

View press release to read more.

Long View Gallery
1234 9th St NW
Metro: Mt Vernon Sq - Convention Center

ON VIEW: ART: Murals DC Tour with DCCAH, self guided

2012-01-09T00:00:00.007-05:00

MURALS DC

To Request a pdf map with infomation about the murals, contact:

deirdre.ehlen@dc.gov 202.724.5613

Murals DC Tour includes:

Walter Pierce Park

2630 Adams Mill Rd, NW

intersection of Adams Mill Road and Ontario Place, NW

Artist: Aniekan Udofia

3904 14th Street, NW

Artist: Words Beats and Life

314 Carroll Street, NW

Artist: Words Beats and Life

907 Barry Pl NW

Artist: Albus Cavus

1320B Good Hope Road, SE

Artist: Helping Inner City Kids Succeed (HICKS)

615 Division Ave, NE

Artist: Ward 7 Arts Collaborative

The DCCAH invites you to celebrate the completion of six new murals! You can now take a self guided tour, which includes a number you can call from your cell phoneto learn more about each piece of art! MuralsDC was initiated in 2007 by Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham as an effort to replace illegal graffiti with artistic works, to revitalize sites within the community and to teach young people the art of aerosol painting.

JOIN THE DCCAH MAILING LIST HERE!

ON VIEW: EXHIBIT: Love LEGO? Love Architecture? You'll Love this Exhibition at the National Building Museum! Now - MON, Sept 5th, 2012! $8

2012-01-09T00:00:00.006-05:00

LEGO® Architecture: Towering Ambition

Extended! Now on view through Monday, September 3rd 2012 - yes, 2012, one more year!

New pricing for this exhibition is in place as well:

Adults $8, Ages 3-17, students and seniors $5

Saw this one recently, pretty neat I must say! Worth spending a little cash on, plus you get to see the rest of the exhibitions at the Building Museum and enjoy the really beautiful architecture of the building itself. They also have a really great museum gift shop, one of my favorites.

Love LEGO? Then you are going to love this exhibit at the National Building Museum. "Trained as an architect, Tucker rekindled his childhood interest in LEGO® bricks and began experimenting with LEGO as a medium for his art in 2003. The result of his vision--15 buildings from around the world made entirely from LEGO bricks--will be the centerpiece of the exhibition LEGO® Architecture: Towering Ambition." Read more here! See video here.

Tickets are sold at the Museum's Information Desk Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:30pm; and Sunday 11:00am-4:30pm.

National Building Museum

401 F St, NW

Metro: Judiciary Square

ON VIEW: EXHIBIT: “Earth as Art” at the Library of Congress TUES, May 31st - THURS, May 31st, 2012, Free

2012-01-09T00:00:00.005-05:00

This exhibition looks really neat! “Earth as Art” on view at The Library of Congress

Free
Tuesday, May 31st - Thursday, May 31st, 2012

This exhibit, designed by the US Geologic Survey, displays 40 award-winning satellite images. Although the satellites are used to monitor important natural processes, these images of the earth’s surface have been chosen for their aesthetic appeal, rather than for their scientific value. Pictured above is the Parana River Delta a huge forested marshland about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 40 images are on display for one year, and will subsequently become part of the LOC permanent collection. On view outside of the Geography and Map division in the James Madison building. Learn more and view images here.

The Library of Congress

James Madison Building
101 Independence Ave, SE
Metro: Capitol South

ON VIEW: PHOTOGRAPHY: "Big Cats" at National Geographic SAT, Sept 24th - SUN, April 8th, Free

2012-01-09T00:00:00.004-05:00

"Big Cats"at National Geographic

Free

Saturday, September 24th - Sunday, April 8th

"Stunning photographs feature eight endangered big cat species: lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, snow leopards, clouded leopards, and mountain lions." Read more here!

Photo by Beverly Joubert.

National Geographic
1145 17th Street, NW
Metro: Farragut North or take the 42 bus along Conn Ave to M St or any of the S line buses along 16th St to M St

ON VIEW: ART: "Multiplicity" at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, FRI, Nov 11th - SUN, March 11th, 2012 , Free

2012-01-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

“Multiplicity” on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Friday, November 11^th- Sunday, March 11^th, 2012

Free

The concept of making multiple images from the same matrix has been integral to printmaking ever since the earliest prints were pulled from woodblocks and metal plates in the 15^th century. Each impression is considered to be an original work of art. This exhibit features 83 works by contemporary artists, including John Baldessari, John Cage, Vija Clemins, Chuck Close, R. Luke DuBois, Sol LeWitt, Brice Marden, Julie Mehretu, Martin Puryear, Susan Rothenberg, Kiki Smith, and Kara Walker along with additional artists. Curated by Joann Moser. The works on view explore repetition, pairing and variations on a theme as artistic strategies.

Smithsonian American Art MuseumBetween 7th & 9th, F and G St, NW
Metro: Gallery Pl – Chinatown

ON VIEW: ART: "Harry Callahan at 100" at the National Gallery of Art West Building SUN, Oct, 2nd - SUN, March 4th, Free

2012-01-09T00:00:00.002-05:00

"Harry Callahan at 100" on view at the
Sunday, October 2nd - Sunday, March 4th, 2012
Free

"Callahan (1912-1999) was one of the most innovative and influential photographers of the 20th century. Celebrating the 2012 centenary of his birth, the exhibition of some 100 photographs explores all facets of Callahan's art..." read more.

Pictured: Harry Callahan, Eleanor, Chicago, 1947, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of The Herbert and Nannette Rothschild Memorial Fund in memory of Judith Rothschild

National Gallery of Art

West Building

6th & Constitution Avenue, NW

Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial is closest to the West Building

ON VIEW: ART: "Year's End / New Beginnings " at Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilllion in Friendship Heights, TUES, Dec 1st - SAT, Feb 25th, Free

2012-01-09T00:00:00.001-05:00

Year's End / New Beginnings
at Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilllion
Free
Tuesday, December 1st - Saturday, February 25th

This mixed-media show commemorates the clever ingenuity of artists and salutes the whimsical spirit of the visual arts. The show features works by artists: Fabiano Amin, Justin Beller, Brooke Fierce Bronner, Jay Burch, Eric Ehlenberger, Stephen Hansen, Peter Kephart, Joan Konkel, Michael Madzo, Chris Malone, Karen Starika, Bradley Stevens, Cassie Taggart and Ken Wyner. Art will also be displayed throughout Chevy Chase Pavilion.

Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilion

second level next to Embassy Suites

5335 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Metro: Friendship Heights

ON VIEW: ART: "30 Americans" features works by African American Artists (Rubell Family Collection) at the Corcoran, Oct 1st - SUN, Feb 12th, $10, $8

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

30 Americans now on view at the Corcoran - from the Rubell Family Collection

Saturday, October 1st - Sunday, February 12th, 2012
$10 general, $8 seniors 62+/students with valid ID, members/ those under 12, free

Pictured: Kehinde Wiley, Sleep, 2008. Oil on canvas, 132 x 300 inches. Rubell Family Collection, Miami. - Saw this in person and it is really impressive - an incredibly large canvas.

"30 Americans showcases works by many of the most important African American artists of the last three decades. Provocative and confrontational, this exhibition focuses on issues of racial, sexual, and historical identity in contemporary culture, and explores the powerful influence of artistic legacy and community across generations."

Gallery Hours:

Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

10:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday - open late!

10:00am - 9:00pm

Corcoran Gallery of Art

500 17th St, NW - near E St

Metro: Farragut West or Farragut North, walk about ten minutes or so down 17th

PAST: ART: "The Invention of Glory: Afonso V and the Pastrana Tapestries" at the NGA East Building, SUN, Sept 18th - SUN, Jan 8th, Free

2012-01-03T18:20:00.000-05:00

The Invention of Glory: Afonso V and the Pastrana Tapestries

On view at the National Gallery of Art
Sunday, September 18th - Sunday, January 8th
Free

The Pastrana Tapestries were commissioned in the late 1400s, likely by the king of Portugal, Afonso V (1432-1481), to commemorate his 1471 campaign in Morocco. Exquisitely rendered in wool and silk by Flemish weavers in Tournai, the tapestries depict a vivid world set against maritime and urban landscapes.

National Gallery of Art
East Building - 4th & Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Federal Triangle is closest to the East Building, you can also walk through the West Building to get there, the Archives - Navy Memorial metro station is closest to the West Building.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: Weekly: Free Lunchtime Concert Series - every TUES - at The Church of the Epiphany, near Metro Center, 12:10pm - 1:00pm, donations appreciated

2012-01-01T00:20:00.000-05:00

The Tuesday Concert Series at the Church of the Epiphany is back!

lunchtime concerts every Tuesday

12:10pm - 1:00pm
Free, donations welcome

After major renovations to the church, the series is back on. The pic in this post is from before the renovations but it captures some of the beauty of the space. If you work near metro center, you should totally check it out!

Church of the Epiphany

1317 G St, NW

Metro: Metro Center

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

2012-01-01T00:03:00.000-05:00

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: OPEN MIC: Weekly: "The Garden" Open Mic for Music, Poetry, Storytelling, Dance... every MON night at Bloombars in Columbia Heights from 9:00pm - 11:00pm, 8:30pm sign up, All ages, by donation

2012-01-01T00:02:00.000-05:00

"The Garden" Open Mic night at BloomBars

every Monday night

9:00pm - 11:00pm

All ages, by donation $5 - $10 suggested

sign up starts at 8:30pm

This Open Mic is open to all styles - poetry, music, comedy, story telling, dance... and is usually hosted by Jonathan B. Tucker and Gowri K. Doors. Sign up starts at 8:30pm, show starts at 9:00pm.

BloomBars

3222 11th St, NW
at Kenyon, next to Wonderland
Metro: Columbia Heights

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: Weekly: "Blue Monday Blues" every MON Night at Westminster Church by the Waterfront Metro, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, $5

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Blue Monday Blues

every Monday night

6:00pm - 9:00pm

$5 cover

kids 16 and under Free

view schedule here

"Blue Monday Blues" brings together great local blues players for an evening of down-home blues. Over 100 people usually attend this exciting event. Food and beverages available for purchase from SW Catering Company, featuring Southern and Mediterranean cuisine, from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. View pics on flickr here.

Westminster Church

400 I St, SW (map and directions here)

Metro: Waterfront, seems to be a short walk from the metro

For those with cars, parking is available in the church lot or on the street.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: TRIVIA: Weekly: "Trivia Night" at Tonic in Foggy Bottom every MON at 8:30pm and Tonic in Mt Pleasant every WED night at 8:00pm, Free

2012-01-01T00:00:00.002-05:00

Trivia Night at Tonic in Foggy Bottom

every Monday night!
8:30pm - 11:00pm

Free

Tonic Foggy Bottom
2036 G St, NW
Metro: Foggy Bottom

"Think your smarter than the average bear? Put your money where your mouth is and come to TRIVIA. Teams of 2-6 compete in all areas of knowledge to win both bragging rights and a $50 Tonic gift card. Trivia starts at 8pm, but we suggest you come a little early to secure your spot! Specials include: - $3 Miller High Life's and $4 drafts (draft choice subject to change)"

Trivia Night at Tonic in Mt Pleasant
every Wednesday night!

8:00pm - 10:00pm

Free

Tonic

3155 Mt Pleasant St

Metro: Columbia Heights or take the 42 or 43 bus from Conn Ave or Dupont Circle to Mt Pleasant

UPCOMING & ONGOING: DANCE: Weekly: Belly Dancing Classes at BloomBars every MON Night from 6:45pm - 8:00pm, $10 suggested donation

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

Belly Dancing Classes at BloomBars

Oriental/Tribal Belly Dance by Marta
every Monday Night

6:45pm - 8:00pm
by donation, suggested $10

Learn to belly dance with Marta Vizueta Bohorquez. No experience necessary. Please wear comfortable, yoga type pant and top, not too baggy as she'll want to see your body to determine correct posture, etc. Bring a water bottle, yoga mat, and finger cymbals, if you own a pair.

"Explore the mechanics of dance posture; soft & hard isolations; how movements initiate, flow & culminate; timing & sinking into the movement; listening & improvisation; deep, internal undulations with careful attention to weight shifts; beautiful hands & arms; shimmy drills & combinations. Oriental & tribal styles, all levels. Bilingual community classes. Info? Visit www.moveyourbelly.com"

"A nurturing and demanding instructor, Marta approaches teaching from a holistic perspective, emphasizing technique, stylization, and musical interpretation. With a clear historical and cultural foundation, she invites more advanced students to fuse their own styles, where appropriate, allowing for the exploration of each one's unique voice."

BloomBars
3222 11th St, NW
near Kenyon next to Wonderland
Metro: Columbia Heights

UPCOMING & ONGOING: JAZZ: 355 Jazz Masters Quartet play at India Garden on Rockville Pike this SAT, Jan 14th - and every SAT in Jan and Feb- 6:30pm - 9:30pm, Free, All ages

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

355 Jazz Masters Quartet play at India Garden on Rockville Pike
every Saturday in January and February
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Free, all ages

355 Jazz Masters, a high-energy, toe-tapping, hard-bop and contemporary funky jazz quartet - with Rich Durbin, Colton Hammond, Craig Falk, and Steve Silverman - plays every Saturday night from 6:30-9:30 in January and February 2012 at India Garden Restaurant in Rockville, across from BMW and Best Buy.

India Garden Restaurant
Woodmont Station Center
1321-C Rockville Pike - Rockville, MD
Metro: Twinbrook, take a bus along Rockville Pike or walk, just under one mile (map). Take a right on Chapman, Left on Halpine, then straight up Rockville Pike.

OF NOTE: Want to see more events happening today? Check out Free in DC on facebook and twitter! Some events are posted there that are not on the site

2011-12-28T19:01:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Free in DC is on facebook? Just search for "Free in DC" or click here!

Since lots of my content comes from facebook and I don't always have time to craft individual posts on this site for every event I come across (especially when I am traveling, as I am most weekends this summer), I often link to events on facebook through facebook and I usually link to and post events happening that day or the next day or two through facebook as well so that might be helpful for some of you. You can become a fan on facebook to get updates through your feed and you can also go directly to the page to view the info - even if you aren't on facebook - at facebook.com/FreeinDC

If you are on twitter, you can also follow me there at @FreeinDCBlog. Posting on twitter is not as consistent as facebook, but I do post quite a bit there as well.

OF NOTE: YOGA: New Studio Opens in Petworth on MON, Jan 2nd, Special Intro 8 class pack, just $5 per class

2011-12-28T12:23:00.000-05:00

New Yoga Studio - Golden Heart Yoga DC opens in Petworth! Grand Opening on Monday, January 2nd

Intro Special - $5 a class when you buy an 8 class pack!

If your New Year's resolutions include trying yoga, my friend Yael will be teaching a beginner's class at Golden Heart Yoga DC, Tuesdays at 5:30pm in Petworth, DC. The new studio will open on January 2nd and they are offering a special intro package for 8 classes for $40 which is just $5 a class!

Golden Heart Yoga DC, is owned and operated by DC yoga instructors Elizabeth Lloyd and Julie Eisenberg, will offer yoga classes for all levels, as well as teacher trainings, workshops, and other special events. You can read more about the studio on Prince of Petworth's post

Golden Heart Yoga DC
4804 Georgia Ave, NW
across from Fusion and Moroni and Bros
Metro: Georgia Ave - Petworth

OF NOTE: Where to Wi-Fi for Free in DC! Updated List - February 2011

2011-11-29T23:59:00.000-05:00

Free Wi-Fi Spots in DC!
I am sure there are more I haven't listed yet... Please add any additional locations in DC or next to a metro in MD or VA along with the address, area, and link if you have it in the comment section and I will add it to the list! This list was updated in February, 2011.

My personal favorite coffeeshops to work from: Bourbon, Tynan, Tryst, Filter, Chinatown Coffee and Yola.

Coffeeshops and Cafes:

...in NW

Busboys & Poets

(waiter service only)

-1025 5th St NW
Chinatown/ Mt Vernon Sq

-2021 14th St NW
U St Area

U St Cafe
where Mocha Hut used to be
-1301 U St NW
2 hour internet ticket with purchase
U St Area

Yola

Great new eco-conscious Yogurt Parfait place

serving Counter Culture Coffee - yum!

Lots of seating available, nice staff.

- 1323 Connecticut Avenue

Dupont Circle, south exit

Caliyogurt *Late Night Spot*
-2473 18th St NW
tea and frozen yogurt shop, open late!
everyday til midnight, 1:00am Fri & Sat
Adams Morgan

Tryst

(waiter service only)

Note: Wi-Fi turned off on weekends
great espresso drinks, good food

-2459 28th St NW

Adams Morgan

Open City

(waiter service only)
Sister restaurant to Tryst, yummy espresso

-2331 Calvert St NW, close to Connecticut

Woodley Park

Tynan Coffee and Tea
- 1400 Irving St
You get a 2 hour free wifi ticket with purchase
open 'til 8:00pm daily, next to metro and Five Guys
Columbia Heights

Sticky Fingers Bakery

*vegan food only* good for gluten free too
Note: they do not offer cream for your coffee

pink glittery furniture with old school diner vibe
Note: I heard that they turn off their wifi on Saturdays

so check first if you go on a weekend

-1370 Park Rd NW
Columbia Heights

Qualia Coffee

"fresh off the roast"

- 3917 Georgia Ave NW

Georgia Ave - Petworth

just a few blocks north of the metro across from the Safeway

ACKC
- 1529 14th St NW, north of P
Logan Circle/ 14th St

Filter

nice place, but super small

hard to find seating sometimes

-1726 20th NW (between R & S)

Dupont Circle

Steam Cafe & Lounge
-1700 17th St NW around R St
Dupont Circle/ 17th St

Crepes-a-Go-Go
- 2122 P St NW
Dupont, P St

Point Chaud Cafe and Crepes

- 1736 14th St, NW

(between N Riggs Pl & N S St)

14th St Corridor between U and P St

Soho Tea & Coffee
-2150 P St NW
one of DC's very first coffeeshops!
(didn't see website, reviews online) please
call for info 202- 463-7646

Dupont, P St

Bourbon Coffee

"crop to cup" beans from Rwanda!
-2101 L St NW
Super comfy, nice decor! Great story/mission.

Foggy Bottom/ K St Area

P.S. If you like ice cream, you should try Bourbon's

ice kaffe
(scoop with espresso poured over it!

delicious, especially with cinnamon on top)

Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
-2101 L St NW
(next door to Bourbon Coffee)
See their website for hours and more info.
Foggy Bottom/ K St Area

Chinatown Coffee Company
no cozy seating, delicious espresso

now serving beer, wine and absinthe!

-475 H St NW
Chinatown

Cafe Collage

- 1346 T St, NW

cute place, also serves sandwiches and Ethiopian food

14th St Corridor, U St

Couscous Cafe & Catering
-1195 20th St NW
Downtown

Big Bear Cafe
-1st & R St NW
Bloomingdale

Baked and Wired
-1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW
Just past canal from M St/ Barnes & Noble
Between 30th & 31st St, K & M St

Georgetown

...in NE / Union Station, Capitol Hill & H St Corridor

Sidamo
-417 H St NE
H St Corridor

Ebenezers Coffeehouse
-201 F St NE
Union Station

Jacob's Coffee House

- 8th & D St, NE
Capitol Hill (walk or bus from Eastern Market)

...in SE / Eastern Market area

Peregrine Espresso
- 660 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Eastern Market

Port City Java
-701 North Carolina Ave. SE
Eastern Market

... in SE / East of the River in Anacostia

Big Chair Coffee

- 2122 MLK Ave SE

Anacostia (bus or walk from metro)

Chains Stores/ Cafes in DC:

Pret A Manger

All 3 DC locations now have wi-fi!

-11th & F St, NW

Metro Center

-18th & I St, NW

Farragut West

-19th & L St, NW

Farragut North or West

Saxby's Coffee
Hours vary, Please call to find out what
days and hours each location is open.

Georgetown, near University
-3500 O Street NW
202-338-3777

Downtown, near K St
-1000 Vermont Avenue NW
202-898-0233

Dupont Circle, South exit
-1309 19th Street NW
202-223-9590

Au Bon Pain
Free wifi, locations all over the city

Caribou Coffee
Free wifi, locations all over the city

-601 13th St NW

-1400 14th St NW

-1101 17th St NW

-1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW

-1800 M St NW

Lots in Farragut Sq/ McPherson Sq

Corner Bakery
locations throughout the city!
Metro Center, L St, etc...

Organic To Go
-1311 F St NW
Metro Center

(Note: please confirm about wifi and their hours,
not sure if they DC locations are all still open)
-1200 19th St NW
-1700 K St NW

Chains in DC with locations also in MD & VA

Barnes and Noble

All Barnes and Noble's now offers free wifi!

Locations also in MD & VA

- 12th & E St
Metro Center

- on M St around 30th
Georgetown

Locations in MD and VA as well. Clarendon, Bethesda, Springfield and Rockville are close to metro I believe. Tysons Corner, Seven Corners and Potomac, car required.

Borders

now offers free wifi as well!

Locations also in MD & VA.

- 18th & L St, NW (closing March 2011)

Farragut West/North

- 600 14th St, NW

McPherson Sq/ Metro Center

-5333 Wisconsin Ave

Friendship Heights

Locations in both MD and VA, some of which are metro accessible. Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, Wheaton in MD.
Pentagon City, National Airport and Baileys Crossroads in VA.

Starbucks

New: as of July 1st, 2010 totally Free!

no login, password, card, etc.... easy to use!

Read their post about their new Free easy to use wi-fi!

(You used to need to buy a card with at least $5 on it and set up a starbucks account online, being sure to login and to use your card every 30 days, to have money on it, etc... )

Panera

now two locations in DC!

-1350 Connecticut Avenue

Dupont Circle, south exit

-Irving at 14th St, NW

Columbia Heights

they also have locations by metro in:

just north on Colesville at Georgia

Silver Spring, MD

in the Ballston Commons Mall

Ballston, VA

Safeway

many Safeway stores now have free wireless in their cafes so you should call first

some are run by Starbucks. I know for sure that these two have:

-1100 4th St, SW

Waterfront

-5th & K St, NW

Gallery Place, Mt Vernon Sq, Circulator bus

McDonalds

New: Apparently, most all of the McDonalds in the area now have offer free wireless internet! To see which ones in the area have wi-fi and to learn more, please click here. You'll want to type in your zipcode and look for the ones with a green box on the far right.

Cosi
locations throughout the city and in MD and VA!
Dupont, Downtown, Capitol Hill

Bars & Restaurants in DC:

Angelico
pizza and sandwich place, casual
*multiple locations, see list online
-4529 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Tenleytown

*I know the one in Tenleytown has

seating, waiter service and free wireless,

not sure about the others, please call

Breadsoda *Late Night Spot*

beer, billiards, sandwiches, open late!
-2233 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Glover Park (bus access from Tenleytown metro)

Commisary
-1443 P St NW
Logan Circle

Buffalo Billiards
-1330 19th St NW
Dupont Circle

Domku

-821 Upsher St, NW

Georgia Ave - Petworth

Chief Ikes
-1725 Columbia Rd NW
Adams Morgan

Red Derby
-3718 14th St NW (at Quincy)
Georgia Ave/Petworth

Z Burger
-4321 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Tenlyetown

Museums:

Kogod Courtyard and Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum & NPG
Open 11:00am - 7:00pm
-8th & F St NW
Chinatown

Smithsonian Castle

Open 8:30am - 5:30pm

- 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW

Smithsonian

they have free wireless in cafe area

coffee and food is pricey if you are hungry

you may want to pack snacks or food

DC Public Libraries:

Great quiet place to work throughout DC!

MLK Library at 9th & G St, NW is open latest

Chinatown

View the list of Library locations!

I know that these are right near metro:

Tenleytown (brand new library! right by metro)

Shaw (brand new library! right by metro)

Cleveland Park (about a block or so from metro)

Outdoor Parks:

Farragut Square
-17th St & I St
Yes, there is free wifi in the park!
Select Golden Triangle Wireless
this directs you to GTBID site
You can change url from there
Farragut West or North

Crystal City

- free wireless in courtyards and park areas, see map

Crystal City

Northern Virginia:

Artisphere *Late Night Spot*

open late! free wi-fi art space

11am - 11pm M-F, Sat -2am, Sun - 9pm

Rosslyn

Buzz (like this new place quite a bit)

new coffeeshop, bakery, cafe and bar and on Wilson

Ballston (walk to Wilson, turn left and go a few blocks)

Cafe Amity

-1000 N. Randolph St

Ballston

Arlington Central Library

-1015 N Quincy St

Ballston

Greenberry's

-1737 Wilson Blvd

between Courthouse and Rosslyn

Busboys and Poets

Shirlington, VA (bus or car)

Java Shack

-2507 N. Franklin Rd

Arlington, VA 22201

Free wireless on Weekdays and

Until 1:00pm on Sat, Sun & Holidays

Courthouse

Northside Social (former murky)

the food and coffee here is quite good

-3211 Wilson Blvd

Clarendon

Independent cafes in MD

Jason's Deli

- 7356 Baltimore Ave.

Metro: about a 10 min walk from College Park Metro

UPCOMING & ONGOING: TRIVIA: Monday Night Trivia at Wonderland in Columbia Heights every MON night starting at 7:30pm, 21+ Free

2011-10-31T23:22:00.000-04:00

Monday Night Trivia Night at Wonderland

7:30pm

features prizes and drink specials
21+, Free

Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Calling all Coffee and Espresso Fans! Free Coffee Cuppings every FRI at Counter Culture's Training Center, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T23:12:00.000-04:00

Coffee Cupping with Counter Culture at their Adams Morgan Training Center every Friday morning!

10:00am - 12:00pm

Free

Every Friday at the Counter Culture Coffee Training Center in Adams Morgan. Tryst and Counter Culture invite you to free coffee cuppings every Friday in Adams Morgan. P.S. Counter Culture Coffee is delicious. I am a huge fan of all of their espresso blends I've had so far!

Counter Culture Coffee Training Center

1836 Columbia Road, NW (above the old DWR)

Metro: Woodley Park or Columbia Heights and take the Circulator bus to 18th St/ Adams Mill or walk from Woodley. You can also take the 42 bus from Dupont Circle toward Mt Pleasant to 18th St.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Monthly: Live Band Karaoke at Chief Ike's in Adams Morgan every third WED of the month from 8:00pm - 11:00pm, Free, 21+

2011-10-31T23:00:00.003-04:00

Live Band Karaoke at Chief Ike's
every third Wednesday of the month
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Free, 21+

Live Band Karaoke brought to you by Northeast Corridor, the band. Sing On Stage with a live cover band! Over 100 hit songs to choose from. Get more details and check out the song list here!

Chief Ike's Mambo Room
1725 Columbia Road, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights or Woodly Park and take the Circulator bus, it's about a 15 minute walk from Columbia Heights. You can also take the 42 bus from Dupont or Conn Ave downtown toward Mt Pleasant and get off at Ontario Rd

UPCOMING & ONGOING: OPEN MIC: At Politics & Prose Coffeehouse every FRI night 7:30pm - 10:00pm, Free!

2011-10-31T23:00:00.002-04:00

Open Mic at Modern Times Coffeehouse at Politics and Prose Bookstore

Every Friday night!

7:30pm - 10:00pm

Free

Sign up at 7:30 at the counter in the coffeehouse. Free to watch and play. Please note, there are no mics.

Modern Times Coffeehouseinside of Politics & Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave, NW

Metro: Van Ness and take the L2 bus or walk uphill for a bit

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: King Street Bluegrass plays live at Telegraph Station every THURS, 7:30pm - 10:30pm, by donation, 21+

2011-10-31T23:00:00.001-04:00

King Street Bluegrass Live at Telegraph Station

every Thursday night

7:30pm - 10:30pm

Free, donations welcome

King Street Bluegrass plays at Telegraph Station every Thursday night to help raise money for the Cat Tails Inc. Rescue group. Even a small donation helps.

Telegraph Station

5735 Telegraph Road

Alexandria, VA
Metro: Huntington and take a short taxi or bus ride

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Free Community Yoga Classes every SUN at Quiet Mind Yoga in Columbia Heights 4:00pm - 5:00pm

2011-10-31T23:00:00.000-04:00

Quiet Mind Yoga Community Classes
Every Sunday *except during holidays and teacher training*

Please be sure to confirm first on their website

4:00pm - 5:00pm

(possibly 12:00pm - 1:15pm as well)

Free!

Each Sunday Quiet Mind Yoga generously hosts a Free Community Yoga Class and a chance for you to check out their eco-friendly studio and mingle with your neighbors!

Quiet Mind Yoga Studio
3423 14^th St, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights, walk north on 14th St a few blocks, studio is on the right

UPCOMING & ONGOING: JAZZ: Jazz Night at Westminster Church every FRI night in Southwest by the Waterfront Metro from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, $5, under 16 free!

2011-10-31T22:30:00.000-04:00

Jazz Night at Westminster Church

in Southwest by the Waterfront Metro

every Friday night!

6:00pm - 9:00pm

All ages

$5, free for those under 16

Jazz Night every Friday night at Westminster Church just a block or so from the Waterfront Metro station in SW. See the full schedule of performances here. Food and beverages are available for purchase from 5:30pm to 8:45pm. For those driving, parking is also available in the church lot, neighboring commercial garages, or on the street.

Westminster Church

400 I Street, SW

Metro: Waterfront

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Meditation & Vegetarian Dinner at Seekers Church in Takoma hosted by SOS DC Every SUN except the 1st one 3:00pm - 5:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T20:00:00.000-04:00

SOS DC hosts Meditation Satsang - followed by a free vegetarian meal

every Sunday except the 1st Sunday of the month

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Free

Enjoy a free meditation with the folks from Science of Spirituality and a free vegetarian meal afterwards. Every Sunday of the month, except for the 1st one.

Contacts if you have questions: Karin 301.649.7670 or David 202.258.507 Email: DCInfo@sos.org

Seekers Church

(Note: please use back entrance)

276 Carroll Street, NW (map)

Metro: Takoma, walk about a block, across the street on Carroll

UPCOMING & ONGOING: You can Walk the Labyrinth at The National Cathedral again! Every last TUES of the month from 6:00pm - 8:45pm, Free

2011-10-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

Very happy to see that this event is back up and running now that the Cathedral has been reopened! This monthly event is super if you're looking for something a bit more contemplative.

Walk the Laybrinth at the National Cathedral

an evening of contemplative practice on
the last Tuesday of every month

6:00pm - 8:45pm

Free

Walk the Labyrinth and listen to live music every last Tuesday of the month at The National Cathedral. Includes a Special Program from 7:30pm - 8:30pm each month.

Washington National Cathedral

3101 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Wisconsin & Mass Ave basically

Metro: Dupont Circle and bus along Mass Ave or take the metro to Tenleytown and then take any of the 30 line buses south along Wisconsin Ave. The buses along Wisconsin Ave run more frequently than the crosstown ones so when I go I usually go this way or I wait for the 96 line to McLean Gardens (also doesn't run frequently but takes you right to the Cathedral) from the Woodley Park metro to the intersection of Woodley Rd and Connecticut.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: POETRY: Open Mic Night at IOTA in Clarendon, VA every 2nd SUN of the month, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T13:17:00.000-04:00

Poetry Open Mic at Iota

every 2nd Sunday of the month

6:00pm - 8:00pm
Free

"The IOTA Poetry Series is held each second Sunday of the month from 6pm to 8pm and is hosted by poet Miles David Moore. Unless otherwise noted, open readings follow readings by featured artists. Free admission. Poets are encouraged to attend the IOTA Poetry Series and sign up for the open reading."

IOTA Club & Cafe

2832 Wilson Blvd
Metro: Clarendon, just a few blocks

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MEDITATION: IMCW meets every SUN at All Souls 16th & Harvard near Columbia Heights & Adams Morgan, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, by donation

2011-10-31T12:04:00.000-04:00

Insight Meditation every Sunday Night at All Souls on 16th St

6:00pm - 7:30pm

dhana, donation, based, $10 suggested, no one turned away
Hosted by IMCW

Note that the Second Sunday of the month is a shorter meditation followed by a vegetarian potluck

"Insight meditation cultivates our natural wisdom and compassion. Meditation practice develops concentration, which allows us to calm and steady the mind. This class includes a 30-minute guided meditation, 45-minute dharma talk, and then discussion. Newcomers to meditation and long time practitioners are welcome to attend our classes in metro D.C. No registration is necessary. Chairs are always provided or you may bring your sitting gear."

This evening meditation is usually led by Hugh Byrne, Klia Bassing or Vicki Goodman. Sometimes Ken Yamaguchi-Clark will lead a tai chi or movement exercise as well. You can check out all of their bios here.

All Souls Unitarian

in the Eaton Room, 2nd floor

16th and Harvard St, NW, enter on Harvard between 15th & 16th

Metro: Columbia Heights or take S2 or S4 bus along 16th St to Harvard

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MUSIC: "Hill Country Live" brings the Spirit of Austin's Music Scene to DC every TUES - SAT nights, Most Shows are Free!

2011-10-31T12:00:00.001-04:00

Enjoy the Musical flavors of Texas on 7th St, NW

"Hill Country Live" brings the spirit of Austin's music scene to DC

Most of the shows downstairs in the Boot Bar are free!

"Hill Country Live" showcases American Roots Music found in Texas and beyond its borders - artists who play with heart and soul are welcome, no matter where they are from. Styles you don't find in many other venues in the DC area include: Honky-Tonk, Western Swing, Rockabilly, Roots Rock, Alternative Country, Blues and Americana.

Hill Country has a BBQ market on the main floor, while the Boot Bar downstairs serves as a performance venue Tuesday through Saturday nights. Live band karaoke on Wednesday nights too. Shows are all free unless there is a cover noted. See schedule here.

Hill Country - in the Boot Bar

410 7th St, NW

Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial or Gallery Pl - Chinatown

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Live Band Karaoke with Northeast Corridor at Chief Ike's this WED, Dec 21st - and every 3rd WED of the month - 8:00pm - 11:00pm, Free, 21+

2011-10-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

Live Band Karaoke with Northeast Corridor

every third Wednesday of the month at Chief Ikes

8:00pm - 11:00pm

Free, 21+

Northeast Corridor plays Live Band Karaoke party every 3rd Wednesday of the month at Chief Ike's in Adams Morgan! Choose from over 100 hit songs! They provide the lyrics, the grooves, and the background singers. You rock the Mic! Invite your friends and arrive early to get the song of your choice.

Chief Ike's Mambo Room
1725 Columbia Rd, NW - in Adams Morgan

Metro: You can take the 42 or 43 bus there from Conn Ave downtown or Dupont, get off at the stop by the Safeway, Ontario Rd. You can also take the Circulator bus from Woodley Park metro to the same stop or you can take the Circulator from Columbia Rd and 14th St from Columbia Heights Metro, or walk about 15 minutes.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: POETRY: Monthly "Poetry in Bloom" Writing Group every fourth WED of the month from 6:00pm - 7:00pm, by donation

2011-10-31T00:54:00.000-04:00

Monthly "Poetry in Bloom" Writing Group

Wednesday, February 22nd
6:00pm - 7:00pm

by donation, $5 - $10 suggested

Tonight, Bloombars will be having their monthly "Poetry in Bloom" Writing Group upstairs in the Gallery, hosted by Joseph LMS Green. No experience necessary-- just paper and pen. You'll have a chance to "plant the seeds for new poetry by free-writing using writing prompts, sharing your work, and getting some practice reading aloud. BloomBars is a safe and encouraging space so don’t be shy, give it a try!" Guest instructor: Joseph LMS Green will lead the first three workshops in 2012, on Jan 25, Feb 22nd and March 28th. You can reaad more about him on the invite.

BloomBars

3222 11th St, NW

next to Wonderland at Kenyon

Metro: Columbia Heights, walk up 14th a block, turn right on Kenyon, left on 11th

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MEDITATION: Relax... Learn to Meditate

2011-10-31T00:31:00.000-04:00

Learn to Meditate! Here are some locations where you can meditate for Free in DC.

IMCW
Sunday nights in Columbia Heights, All Souls
Wednesday nights at River Road, MD

The Shambhala Center
Cleveland Park

Art of Living
15th St, Columbia Heights

Science of Spirituality
Takoma Park

UPCOMING & ONGOING: POETRY: Sparkle queer-friendly open mic at Busboys and Poets 5th & K every fourth WED of the month from 9:00pm - 11:00pm, $5

2011-10-31T00:23:00.000-04:00

*Sparkle* queer-friendly open mic
Wednesday, February 22nd

every fourth Wednesday

9:00pm - 11:00pm

$5

*Sparkle* is a monthly queer-friendly poetry reading and *open mic* hosted by local poets and spoken word artists Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou. If you want to sign up for the open mic, please arrive at 8:50pm. The slots are 3-4 minutes long and *all styles* - poets, singers, storytellers, comedians, musicians - are welcome to perform! Pictured, Jessica Genia Simon.

Wristbands/tickets are $5 and are sold all day in the Global Exchange store beginning at 11:00m, 'til they are sold out. Limit of 4 wristbands per person. Cash only. No Refunds.

Busboys and Poets

5th & K St, NW

Metro: Take the Circulator bus to 5th & Mass or walk from Gallery Place or Mt Vernon Sq Metro.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: JAZZ: "Take Five!" Live Jazz every Third THURS of the month in the Kogod Courtyard at SAAM/ NPG from 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T00:10:00.004-04:00

"Take Five!" Live Jazz at SAAM/ NPG
every Third Thursday of the month!

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Free

Take Five! takes place in the Kogod Courtyard, one of the architectural marvels of DC and one of my personal favorite places! It's huge, high-ceilings and open space look up to the sky through an undulating glass canopy. Note: This museum is located in Chinatown, not on The Mall.

Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery -Kogod Courtyard

Between 7th & 9th St, F & G St, NW
Metro: Gallery Place - Chinatown

UPCOMING & ONGOING: IMPROV: Washington Improv Theater puts on Harold Night at Source Theatre TUES, Dec 27th and every TUES night at 10:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T00:10:00.003-04:00

Check out some Improv at WIT's Harold Night

every Tuesday night at Source Theatre

10:00pm, doors at 9:45pm
Free!

Washington Improv Theater (WIT) puts on Harold Night every Tuesday night at Source. Each week is a demonstration, celebration, and experiment in the world-famous improv longform, Harold. It starts with an audience suggestion and explores whatever themes emerge through a series of scenes. Stories are made up on the spot and characters intended to delight, and always a good time. Harold Night has been running in DC every Tuesday since March 18, 2010. Come down to Source and check them out, every Tuesday night.

Source Theatre
1835 14th St, NW
Metro: U St

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Website Development: Free Drupal Trainings every month on the 1st and 2nd TUES of the month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm

2011-10-31T00:08:00.002-04:00

2 free Drupal trainings a month
1st and 2nd Tuesday of the month

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Free

Note: This class will be offered once a month starting in December and will be at a new location as well. I'm awaiting information about new location - will update post when I have the new info. Of course, you can check their website as well for updates.

Free Drupal trainings are offered on the second Tuesday evenings of each month. No need to make a reservation: Just show up at the door with your laptop and your Drupal ambitions (or problems). The free trainings cover a range of topics designed to gently bring you or your staff into the world of Drupal. Unique classes are offered for designers, content managers, and developers. Each topic is chosen to be beneficial to the widest audience possible.

Learn more and view a list of free Drupal trainings.

Questions, call 202.325.0505 and ask for DC Drupal Training

Location: TBA

UPCOMING & ONGOING: WORKOUT: Free Intro to Capoeira Classes every MON night on U St from 6:30pm - 7:30pm

2011-10-31T00:07:00.002-04:00

Free Capoeira Classes at Center on U St

every Monday night

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Free

Saw a poster hanging at Tryst, though the free class isn't listed on their website so you may want to call or email them first to confirm, (202) 628-0095 or ucac.dc[at]gmail.com.

The Universal Capoeira Angola Center

1351 U St, NW

Metro: U St

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Here's a List of Regular Classes and Events at BloomBars!

2011-10-31T00:04:00.000-04:00

Regular Weekly Events at BloomBars

Sundays:

Capoeira: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Drumming Classes: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Seed the Sound: 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Mondays:

Poetry in the Morning 7:30 am – 8:15 am

Belly Dance – Danza del Vientre: 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm

The Garden: Open Mic: 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Tuesdays:

BloomScreen Indie Film Night: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Thursdays:

Samba Class: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Improv Comedy Night: Every Other Thursday at 8:15 pm – 9:00 pm

Saturdays:

Capoeira: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bachata Classes: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Monthly Events at BloomBars

Jazz to Mother Earth
Cipherstock Open Jam
Mind Power Freestlye Jam
StoryTime for BabyBloomers
Meditation Classes
High School Open Mic
Sunrise Cinema
Tap Dance Workshops

BloomBars (see full calendar)

3222 11th St, NW (at Kenyon)

Metro: Columbia Heights

UPCOMING & ONGOING: MEDITATION: Dharma Talk & Meditation every THURS night at the Shambhala Center in Cleveland Park 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T00:03:00.000-04:00

Thursday Night Meditation followed by Dharma Talk
at the Shambhala Center in Cleveland Park
every Thursday night

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Free, Donations appreciated

Schedule:
7:00pm –7:45pm Meditation practice and instruction

7:45pm -8:00pm Tea and refreshments
8:00pm Dharma Talk and Open Discussion

Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no charge for talk, meditation session or instruction. If you are new to the Center, meditation instruction is available at 7pm. After the meditation there will be a Dharma Talk and Open Discussion led by a senior student or teacher where you'll have a chance to explore and discuss various topics, from Buddhism, to meditation and the world of our daily lives at the Shambhala Center in Cleveland Park.

Shambhala Meditation Center of Washington, DC

3520 Connecticut Ave, NW

Metro: Cleveland Park, super close to the metro

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Open Drum Circle on Capitol Hill, every 1st and 3rd TUES from 7:30pm - 9:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T00:02:00.007-04:00

Rhythm Workers Union Open Drum Circle
every 1st and 3rd Tuesday
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Free

The Rhythm Workers Union meets twide a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays nights at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church for an open drum circle and jam, with some African, Latin, Middle Eastern and other rhythms from around the world.

Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church
4th and Independence Ave, SE
Metro: Capitol South

UPCOMING & ONGOING: OPEN MIC: "Spit Dat" every THURS at the ECAC, 8:45pm - 11:30pm, $1

2011-10-31T00:02:00.006-04:00

"Spit Dat" Open Mic Event at the ECAC
Every Thursday Night
8:45pm – 11:30pm
All ages, just $1

Droopy the Broke Baller and Mister Mysterious Dwayne B present "Spit Dat" weekly open mic event every Thursday night at the ECAC!).

Note: From the description: "There is no age restriction for our "Spit Dat" open mic event. We welcome all open-minded and respectful audiences. However, if you plan to bring youths through the event, please realize that we do not censor our artists and therefore your children [and, for that matter, you] may be exposed to content of an "explicit" nature."

Emergence Community Arts Collective (ECAC)
733 Euclid St, NW (right near Georgia Ave)
Metro: Shaw - Howard University and take a bus north on Georgia Ave

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Contact Improv Jam every SUN on Capitol Hill, 2:00pm - 5:00pm, Donation $5 - $10 suggested

2011-10-31T00:02:00.004-04:00

Contact Improv Sunday Afternoon Jam
every Sunday afternoon
2:00pm - 5:00pm
$5 to $10 donation

Every Sunday of the month, you are invited to a contact improv jam! Best to arrive on the early end if you are new so you can get acquainted with the jam, and jamming in general! All donations support the church's community outreach program.

Read more here!

Please note: As part of the insurance coverage that our hosts require, every sunday jam participants are asked to sign a liability release/waiver which you can print and sign if it's your first time (they should also have some at the door).

St. James/St. Monica Church parrish hall, Capital Hill
222 8th St. NE (map, walking from Union Station)
Metro: Union Station, it's about a 15 minute walk from there

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

2011-10-31T00:02:00.003-04:00

Free Salsa Classes at Lima Lounge
Every Monday Night (starting Jan 11th)
9:00pm
21+, Free

Note: I suggest that you call or go online to confirm this event is still occurring.

Open bar for ladies 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Free Salsa lessons taught by Stuck on Salsa
Beginners 9:00pm, Intermediate - 9:45
Dance party 10:30pm on
Bemba spins Latin rhythms with a splash of hip hop, reggae and house

Lima Lounge
1401 K St, NW
Metro: McPherson Square

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

2011-10-31T00:02:00.001-04:00

Big Boy Little Band performs at the Zoo Bar

Saturday, July 2nd

and 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.

Zoo Bar

3000 Connecticut Ave, NW

Metro: Walk about 15 minutes or so, across the bridge, from Cleveland Park or take the L2 or L4 bus on Connecticut Ave

UPCOMING & ONGOING: JAZZ: Live Jazz every WED at Georgia Brown's from 6:00pm - 10:00pm, Free

2011-10-31T00:01:00.014-04:00

Live Jazz at Georgia Brown's
every Wednesday night
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Free

You can sit at the bar and have a drink or enjoy the some live jazz over dinner.

Disclaimer: I didn't see an image to use from their website so I found this one through google images. Please note that it's not a pic of the actual band that will be playing.

Georgia Brown's
950 15th St, NW
between K and I Streets
Metro: McPherson Sq or take any bus along 14th or 16th to K and walk a block or so

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Monthly "Community Sing" with Ysaye Barnwell at Levine School Campuses -usually WED or THURS eve mid-month- $5

2011-10-31T00:01:00.012-04:00

Monthly Community Sing with Ysaye Barnwell

usually mid-month on a Wed or Thurs

7:00pm - 9:00pm
$5

This is one of the best kept secrets in the event realm in this town if you ask me. You can take an amazing vocal workshop with Ysaye Barnwell of the vocal group "Sweet Honey in the Rock" for just five bucks! No prior singing experience is required and no need to even have a super voice, just a desire to sing! She covers a great musical range of styles and forms that I couldn't possibly capture in this post, and I encourage you, and that includes men, to check it out if you can. Just watching Ysaye lead this group is worth the price of admission!

Below is the 2012 schedule! All of the events are at the Northwest DC Campus unless otherwise noted.

Save the dates for the upcoming sings:

Wednesday, February 15th

Thursday, March 15th

Wednesday, April 18th

Wednesday, May 9th

Wednesday, June 13th
Levine School of Music
2801 Upton St, NW
Metro: Van Ness and walk about 10-15 minutes

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Improv Night at BloomBars with Third Beat and others every 2nd & 4th THURS of the month, 8:15pm - 9:00pm, All ages, by donation

2011-10-31T00:01:00.007-04:00

Improv Night at BloomBars with Third Beat Improv

Thursday, December 22nd

and every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month

8:15 pm - 9:00pm

Short show, please arrive before 8:15pm

All ages, by donation, $10 suggested

Third Beat Improv is dedicated to celebrating the funny things that happen when people show humanity on stage. Improv night happens at BloomBars every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. "At our performances, you might see Disney characters on break, our version of Nordstrom hell, or a father and son on a fishing trip."

Photo: Subsidized Corn

BloomBars

3222 11th St, NW (at Kenyon)

Metro: Columbia Heights

UPCOMING & ONGOING: Comedy Night: At Tonic GWU Campus on the first TUES of every month, Free

2011-10-31T00:01:00.006-04:00

Comedy Night at Tonic Foggy Bottom - at Quigley's GWU Campus

the first Tuesday of every month

9:00pm - 11:00pm

Free

Tonic at Quigley'son GWU Campus
2036 G St, NW
Metro: Foggy Bottom

UPCOMING & ONGOING: POETRY: Youth Open Mic SAT, August 20th and every 3rd SAT of the month at Busboys and Poets 5th & K St, NW, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, $4

2011-10-31T00:01:00.001-04:00

Youth Open Mic at Busboys

every 3rd Saturday of the month

5:00pm - 7:00pm

$4, cash at the door

This monthly youth-focused and youth-led series is held every 3rd Saturday. Young people (under 20) are encouraged to come share their poetry, music, rap, acting, or other appropriate skills. Doors and open mic list open at 4:30pm. Email slam@splitthisrock.org for more info.

Busboys and Poets

5th & K St, NW

Metro: between Gallery Pl and Mt Vernon Sq or you can take the Circulator bus to 5th & Mass.

UPCOMING & ONGOING: YOGA: Here's a Great List of Free & Low Cost Community Yoga Classes in DC!

2011-10-31T00:01:00.000-04:00

Free & Low Cost Community Yoga Classes in DC!

Below is a list of some of the more popular studios that offer free, donation-based, and reduced price yoga classes as part of their weekly schedules. This list has been copied from Welcome OM DC.

Disclaimer from their site: This list is by no means comprehensive! Please let us know about any omitted studios! Studios are listed alphabetically. To add on to that, if you know of any other studios or places where you can find free yoga classes, please post a comment here or on Free in DC's facebook page or email me to let me know!

Also note please that this list was last confirmed about a year ago, on July 23rd, 2010 so please check to make sure these offers are still valid by clicking through the links.

Boundless Yoga
One Pose at a Time Classes, Sundays 2:15pm - 3:45pm, $10. Details here.

Circle Yoga
Saturday Sangha Day, free classes at 12:30pm. Details here.

Down Dog Yoga
Community class on Fridays at 4:00pm that are $10 for a drop in and $6 for students. Details here.

Flow Yoga Center
Donation-based (pay-what-you-can) classes every Saturday at 1:30pm to benefit charities dedicated to making yoga and wellness services accessible to individuals in need. Details here.

Lululemon Athletica
Five DC metro area locations, and a location in Annapolis, all offering free Sunday yoga classes. Lululemon Athletica also offers Free yoga in the park, in Dupont Circle south, every Wednesday at 6:30pm, from May through August. Details for Logan Circle Store and Georgetown Store.

Quiet Mind Yoga
Free community classes at this eco-friendly studio in Columbia Heights every Sunday, except on holiday weekends and during teacher training, from 4:00pm - 5:00pm, supporting recent Yoga Works teacher training graduates. Please confirm first on their website. Details here.

Stroga

Pay-what-you-can 1.5 hr yoga class every Saturday morning from 10:15am - 11:45am, benefits the Capital Area Food Bank. Details here.

Studio Serenity
$10 yoga classes every day of the week at locations in either Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan and offers free classes for members who bring friends to class. Details here. They also offer a $10 for 10 consecutive days for newcomers, details here.

Tranquil Space
Donation-based “on-the-go” 60 min class on Tuesdays at 8:30pm. Proceeds to Tranquil Space Foundation. Details here.

Unity Woods
$5 Community class on Fridays, 6:00pm - 7:00pm at the Bethesda, MD location only. Details here.

Willow Street Yoga
Free Community Class every Saturday from 12:00pm- 1:00pm at the Takoma Park location. Details here.

Yoga Chai
Weekly $5 Friday Lunch special, 12:30pm - 1:30pm. They also have a super introductory special of $10 for 10 consecutive days of classes. Details here.

Yoga District
All classes are always $10 at this studio’s various locations! Details here.