PAST: LITERARY FESTIVAL: Final Day of The Bethesda Literary Festival, Free events at venues throughout Downtown Bethesda! SUN, April 21st 11:00am - 4:00pm, Free

Bethesda Literary Festival
is this weekend!
Final Day! Sunday, April 21st
11:00am - 4:00pm
All events are, Free

See the schedule of events here!

Downtown Bethesda celebrates the diversity of modern literature by presenting the 14th annual Bethesda Literary Festival this weekend! Events begin on Friday night and continue through Sunday late afternoon. The festival will feature an array of local and national authors, journalists and poets, as well as writing contests and children’s events.

Downtown Bethesda at various locations
including The Writers's Center
Metro: Bethesda

PAST: HIGHLIGHTS: Four More Free Daytime events for this SAT April 13th

More events during the day on Saturday, April 13th
organized by start time

Educator Workshop at the NBM "Green Community Teaching Kit"
Saturday, April 13th
10:00am - 12:30pm
Free Workshop for Washington, D.C. metropolitan area school educators only, RSVP required
The Green Community Teaching Kit is recommended for teachers of students in grades 5-8.
"Learn how to bring city planning and green building concepts into your classroom. Museum staff models lesson plans, demonstrates teaching tools, and explores content from Green Community, a classroom-ready curriculum kit. Each participating teacher will receive a Green Community Teaching Kit ($110 value) at no cost."
National Building Museum
401 F St, NW
Metro: Judiciary Sq

"One Man's Trash" Opening Reception +  Second Saturday
Free Workshop "Creating Treasure from Trash"
Saturday, April 13th
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Free
On view Saturday, April 13th - Friday, April 26th
Local artists, Chuck Baxter and Reynaldo "Quinnessential" Quinn, who make art from commonly discarded materials, will show pieces from their collection at Off-Rhode Studio at Art Enables Gallery. There will also be a free workshop held at the same time! Join the community from the Ludlow-Taylor School in NE DC as they create whimsical flowers and plants at Art Enables studio. Materials will range from hubcaps, bottlecaps and milk bottles for their community garden set to 'bloom' later this month.
Art Enables - Off Rhode Gallery
2204 Rhode Island Ave NE
Metro: Rhode Island Ave and take the 82, 84, 86 or T18 bus

Artist Talk with Nepali Photographer Surendra Lawoti
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Free
Nepal-born, Toronto-based Surendra Lawoti will do a present of his photographic works spanning from the last ten years. Surendra’s work stems out from his deep interest in social issues, politics, documentary, art and beauty. Within the context of larger social and political landscape, his work focuses on individuals, social groups and their milieus. His current work 'This Country is Yours' focuses on activists of six political movements of Nepal, and it looks at the social and political transformation of Nepal.
Bloombars
3222 11th St NW
Metro: Columbia Heights

Author Event at the Potter's House in Adams Morgan

Black Flags and Windmills with Scott Crow

4:00pm - 6:00pm

Free
This Saturday the Potter’s House welcomes Scott Crow–community organizer, writer, strategist and speaker who advocates the philosophy and practices of anarchism for social, environmental, and economic aims–to present a talk about his book Black Flags and Windmills: Hope, Anarchy and the Common Ground Collective.  Crow uses his book as a foundation for a visual, fast moving and engaging presentation of stories to show what ordinary people can do to change their own worlds and create power from below without governments. The presentation seeks through a collection of stories to show how the philosophy of anarchism has shaped and changed modern political movements. Read more on facebook and online here. 

The Potters House 

1658 Columbia Rd NW
Metro: Columbia Heights or Woodley Park and walk or take the Circulator bus to Ontario Rd, or the 42 bus from Connecticut Ave from Dupont Circle toward Mt Pleasant to Mozart Pl.

PAST: HIGHLIGHTS: Art Reception at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town, Alexandria, VA at noon + Art Talk at the NGA at 2:00pm + Outdoor Art Performance by the Tidal Basin at 6:00pm on SUN, April 7th, Thanks to CultureCapital.com!

Here's a list of more free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com, a super online resource from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington that covers the metro area's vibrant arts community! You can also find more upcoming free events and exhibitions on view in the DC metro area on the customized "Free in DC" Inside-Out page. Remaining Free events below are organized by start time. Be sure to click through for more details!

Sunday, April 7th 

Lunchtime - Art Reception at the Torpedo Factory - Old Town, Alexandria, VAFriends Mentor Show Reception 12:00pm
Join the Friends of the Torpedo Factory in the Target Gallery for the exhibition reception honoring the students and their Torpedo Factory artist mentors. Awards will be presented for outstanding works and refreshments will be served.
Target Gallery in the Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 North Union St - on the Waterfront 

Old Town, Alexandria, VA
Metro: King St and take the free trolley down to the Waterfront or catch any bus from the metro that runs down King St or gets you close to the Waterfront

Afternoon - Art Talk at the National Gallery of Art, East Building
The Sixty-Second A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts:
Framed and Hung: Architecture in Public from the Salon to the French Revolution
2:00pm

Barry Bergdoll, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art, and professor, Columbia University. "The A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts were established in 1949 to bring to the people of the United States the results of the best contemporary thought and scholarship bearing upon the subject of the fine arts. In anticipation of high attendance, the six lectures in this series will be video recorded. A screening of the recording will be shown the week after each lecture in the East Building Auditorium at 12:00pm."

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

Early Evening - Outdoor Performance by the Tidal Basin
"changeling tree: the forest lies about you"
Presented by DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
6:00pm - 6:45pm
The performance takes place in the Paddle Boat parking lot at Maine Ave. & 15th St. NW.
"changeling tree: the forest lies about you is a continuation of brown's ever-evolving narrative and a direct nod to Japanese Noh theater; which is by tradition tied to nature. As a finale to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a choreographed procession of two of brown's mythic characters, embodied by dancers Monstah Black and Beasty, will take place just before dusk along the Tidal basin. It is amongst the blossoms, where the heroic myth will come to a ceremonial close in Washington."
The Tidal Basin - Paddle Boat parking lot
Maine Ave. & 15th St, NW
Metro: Smithsonian

PAST: HIGHLIGHTS: Free Arts and Culture events for SUN, March 24th Thanks to CultureCapital.com!

Below you'll find a list of more free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com, a super online resource from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington that covers the metro area's vibrant arts community! You can also find more upcoming free events and exhibitions on view in the DC metro area on the customized "Free in DC" Inside-Out page. Remaining Free events below are organized by start time. Be sure to click through for more details!

Sunday, March 24th

Afternoon - Art Lecture on Albrecht Dürer -  NGA
Intro to the Exhibit: "Albrecht Dürer: Master Drawings, Watercolors, and Prints from the Albertina"
2:00pm
New exhibit opens today! Andrew Robison, A. W. Mellon Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings. "Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) has long been considered the greatest German artist, uniquely combining the status held in Italian art by Michelangelo in the sixteenth century, by Raphael in the 18th and 19th centuries, and by Leonardo da Vinci in our own day."
National Gallery of Art
East Building Concourse, Auditorium
4th & Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Judiciary Sq, closest to the East Building


Afternoon - "Nostalgic Mix of Music and Memories" - Alexandria, VA
The Dream Hour
2:00pm
"With the stirring strains of The Marines' Hymn, the National Broadcasting Company brings you the music of the United States Marine Band!" Thus began every script of one of the longest running programs in radio history, NBC's "The Dream Hour," which was on the air for nearly 30 years. "Created for shut-ins, the program relied heavily upon audience participation; Patrons were asked to send in their requests, resulting in hundreds of postcards bound for Marine Barracks, 8th & I, every week. Local radio personality Mike O'Meara will be the host for this nostalgic mix of music and memories of yesteryear."
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall
3001 North Beauregard St - Alexandria, VA
Metro: See metro trip-planner for bus access

Late Afternoon - Film Screening - NGA
Film Event: The Fifth Season
4:30pm
Washington premiere. Presented in association with the Environmental Film Festival.
Film: (Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth, 2012, HDCam, French and Flemish with subtitles, 94 minutes) In Belgium's secluded Ardennes, where people live close to the land, a mystifying force is changing the natural order--seasons are erratic, seeds don't sprout, and birds and bees ignore their labor. Without the cyclical rhythms, the local villagers are on the verge of lunacy and revert to their only hope for recovery--a sacrifice of one of their own. Weaving a surreal tapestry, The Fifth Season (La Cinquième saison) recalls the canvases of Magritte, Delvaux, and Ensor. "A mad elegy to the land"--Cameron Bailey.
National Gallery of Art
East Building Concourse, Auditorium
4th & Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Judiciary Sq, closest to the East Building

PAST: MEDITATION: Meditation comes to the Mt. Pleasant Libary! Karin Silverman talks about "Meditation for Healthy Living" on SAT, March 23rd from 3:00pm - 4:30pm, Free

Learn more about "Meditation for Healthy Living" with Karin Silverman at the Mount Pleasant Library!

Saturday, March 23rd
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Free

Karin Silverman, of Science of Spirituality DC chapter, will be coming to the newly renovated Mt. Pleasant Library to lead an interactive talk about how meditation can help you to live a more ease filled and balanced life. Karin, a long-time meditator and licensed massage therapist, will share simple and effective meditation techniques during this free workshop. All are welcome. No meditation experience is necessary. Learn more about SOS DC and Jyoti Meditation on their website and feel free to connect with SOS DC on facebook and @SOS_WashDC on twitter.

Mount Pleasant Library
3160 16th St, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights and walk, corner of 16th & Lamont, or take the S2 or S4 along 16th St or from Dupont Circle you can catch the 42 toward Mt Pleasant to Lamont.

PAST: MUSIC: Local Musician Margot MacDonald plays live at the Cherry Blossom Festival Sunday, April 7th from 12:00pm - 12:30pm + Additional Performances all day long, 'til 7:00pm, Family Friendly and Free

Local Musician Margot MacDonald plays live at the Cherry Blossom Festival
Sunday, April 7th
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Free, family friendly!

Local musician Margot MacDonald will perform on the Cultural Performance Stage near the Jefferson Memorial on The Tidal Basin this Sunday as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Click the link for the lineup of additional free performances on Sunday from 12:00pm - 7:00pm.

Cultural Performance Stage
Ohio & E Basin Dr, SW
Metro: Smithsonian

PAST: HIGHLIGHTS: Free Screening of the Korean Film "Jiseul" - DC Premiere - at the Sackler on SUN, March 24th, Thanks to Gravy - a new, free hyper-local events App for iPhone and Android users!

Here are some Highlights for Free Events this Weekend from the new hyper local, Free App - Gravy!
All events below are Free and Metro accessible,  organized by date and time
Gravy App is available for Free for Android and iPhone users - Download it here!

I recently discovered an app called timeRAZOR which has been revamped and relaunched as Gravy! The Hyper Local App is available for Free to iPhone and Android users and allows you to find fun events - lots of which are free - happening nearby! You can also save events and select to have them saved directly to your own personal calendar on your iPhone (personally love that option!) and if you want to search by what you are in the mood for you can search by five Categories - Whatever, Lively, Classy, Brainy and Playtime - and currently trending events. *Get the GRAVY APP for FREE here!*

Sunday, March 24th

Afternoon - Film Screening at the Sackler

Screening of "Jiseul" at the Sackler

2:00pm
Jiseul (South Korea, 2012, 108 min.) Washington, D.C. Premiere Recreating little-known tragic events that occurred on Jeju Island off the southern coast of Korea, this powerful film tells a harrowing story. In 1948, following an uprising after soldiers fired on a gathering of protestors, the South Korean government, in collusion with the United States military, cracked down on the island's residents, ordering them to report to the military or be executed as Communists.World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic, 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Introduced by Tom Vick, Curator of Film, Freer and Sackler Galleries. Read more here.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
1050 Independence Avenue SW
Metro: Smithsonian 

*Get the GRAVY APP for FREE here!*

PAST: MUSIC + SPOKEN WORD: Tonight! "Skin of the Day" - "a musical conversation with Virginia Woolf and local female composer-pianists" at the Artisphere this WED, April 24th at 7:30pm, by donation/ Pay-What-You-Can

"Skin of the Day" Music + Spoken Word Project/ Event - A musical conversation with Virginia Woolf and local female composer-pianists

Wednesday, April 24th

7:30pm

Pay-What-You-Can!

"A musical conversation with Virginia Woolf and local female composer-pianists."

Featuring songs paired with passages from "A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf, audience participation, and a discussion and screening of a "Girl Effect" video about 21st century answer - educate girls - to poverty in the 3rd world. How do we celebrate the 2nd century of new opportunities for women in the arts, mostly in the Western World, while raising awareness about the 21st Century of continued oppression of women, especially in the third world?  Excerpts from A Room of One’s Own will be read and “responded to” as part of this SKIN OF THE DAY performance-conversation. The Girl Effect video will be screened."  Read more about the musicians, Amy Bormet and Sarah Fridrich, here.

Artisphere - Town Hall

1101 Wilson Blvd - Arlington, VA

Metro: Rosslyn, turn right when you exit the metro, left on Wilson and the Artisphere is on the left

PAST: POETRY: "The Art of Poetry" in Honor of National Poetry Month! Local Poet Fred Joiner will discuss the Written Word and the Visual Arts + Write your own Poems Inspired by the Works at the Luce Foundation Center at SAAM/ NPG in Chinatown! SUN, April 21st at 1:30pm, Free

The Art of Poetry in honor of National Poetry Month 

at the Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor of SAAM/ NPG

Sunday, April 21st

1:30pm

Free

Local poet Fred Joiner will discuss the written word and the visual arts, and you will have the opportunity to write and share your own poems inspired by artworks in the Luce Center. The program is open to all ages and poetic ability. 

Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor 

Smithsonian American Art Museum 

and National Portrait Gallery Building 

8th & G St, NW
Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown

PAST: SELF DEFENSE: Free Self Defense Workshop in Mt Pleasant in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month SAT, April 13th from 1:30pm - 3:30pm, Free with advance RSVP so be sure to reserve your spot, it's $25 at the door if not

Free Self Defense Workshop Tomorrow! 

in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Saturday, April 13th

1:30pm - 3:30pm

Free with advance RSVP, $25 at the door

This free workshop is presented by the DC Self Defense Karate Association and the D C Rape Crisis Center in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and is open to adults and teens with adult guardian. Workshop will include basic verbal and physical strategies of self-defense. Register now here to ensure your space!

Bancroft School 

18th & Newton, NW 

Metro: Columbia Heights and walk about across Park to 18th, about 13 minutes (see walking map), or take the 42 bus from Dupon to the last stop at Mt Pleasant and Park and walk two short blocks. 

PAST: HIGHLIGHTS: Staged Reading of "Terminals" by David Robinson at Wonderland Ballroom on SUN, April 7th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Thanks to Gravy - a new, free hyper-local events App for iPhone and Android users!

Here are some Highlights for Free events this Week from the new hyper local, Free App - Gravy!
List of events organized by date and time
Events are all in DC and Free, unless otherwise noted Metro accessible VA and MD events and donation-based events will be noted

Gravy App is available for Free for Android and iPhone users - Download it here!

I recently discovered an app called timeRAZOR which has been revamped and relaunched as Gravy! The Hyper Local App is available for Free to iPhone and Android users and allows you to find fun events - lots of which are free - happening nearby! You can also save events and select to have them saved directly to your own personal calendar on your iPhone (personally love that option!) and if you want to search by what you are in the mood for you can search by five Categories - Whatever, Lively, Classy, Brainy and Playtime - and currently trending events.

Gravy Highlights for Sunday, April 7th listed below! Click for details.

Sunday, April 7th

Staged Reading of "Terminals" by David Robinson at Wonderland Ballroom

7:00pm - 9:00pm
"After taking the experimental drug Somniflex before takeoff, frequent traveler Scott Sipala starts moving forward and backward in time. During these seven year jumps, Scott must learn to deal with not only the radical time shifts but also his inability to return to his main vector where he can see his daughter and granddaughter."

The Wonderland Ballroom 

1101 Kenyon St, NW 

Metro: Columbia Heights, walk north on 14th one block to Kenyon, turn right, walk to 11th

PAST: MUSIC: Local cellist Wytold plays his more experimental music at the Luce Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the "Luce Unplugged" Series, Talk at 1:30pm, Performance from 2:00pm - 3:30pm, Free, Coffee and tea will also be served

Luce Unplugged features local cellist Wytold
Sunday, April 7th

1:30pm - 3:30pm
Talk at 1:30pm, Music at 2:00pm
Free

Complimentary coffee and tea served as well!

Luce Unplugged is an acoustic concert series that invites local musicians to perform after staff-led  art talks on artworks chosen by the performing artists! Sit and enjoy the music, or tap your feet while wandering the Luce Center’s three interactive levels and more than 3,300 works of art. 

This Sunday, local cellist Wytold experiments with finger-picking and percussive bowing. You'll likely get to see him perform on his electric, body-less cello (pictured to the right). Wytold was recently named as an 2013 Artist Fellow of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. He'll be joined by local hip-hop and Grammy-nominated artist Christylez Bacon at this performance, who you can see pictured in this post playing at a previous Luce Unplugged. 

I highly recommend this one! I saw both of these local talents perform a week or so ago along with an amazing harp player and some other musicians at the Washington Sound Museum event Christylez organizes at BloomBars every month. On that note, be sure to save the date for the next one on Saturday, April 27th!

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor

museum is between 7th & 9th, F & G St, NW

Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown 

PAST: STUDENT DISCOUNT: TEDxChange Viewing Party + Speakers, Students can attend the TEDxDupont Circle viewing party of the Seattle program "Positive Disruption" followed by Presentations from Local Speakers for just $7 plus small fee online, regular admission $15, FRI, April 5th from 10:00 - 4:00pm

TEDxDupontCircle viewing party of the Seattle program "Positive Disruption"
Friday, April 5th
10:00am - 4:00pm, 9:00am doors
$7 for students, register online here + 1.38 fee
Note: regular admission is $15

"Convened by Melinda French Gates, TEDxChange focuses on issues surrounding development and global health. TEDxDupontCircle will host a viewing party of the program in Seattle, Washington and live talks by dynamic and inspiring local voices. This year’s theme is positive disruption."  Learn more on facebook invite.

Hear how disruption can shed a unique light on difficult issues, giving a fresh urgency and perspective to the challenges of our global community.

TEDxChange Speakers: Melinda Gates, Cathleen Kaveny, Halimatou Hima, Roger Thurow, Salim Shekh and Sikha Patra, and Julie Dixon

TEDxDupontCircle Local Speakers:  Malika Bilal, William Eggers, Jonas Singer and Alli Sonsa.

Program:
9:00 am Doors Open / Check In / Morning Snack
10:00 am TEDxChange Screening from Seattle, Washington
12:30 pm Picnic Lunch
1:30 pm Local Speakers
4:00 pm Post-Event Celebration

FHI 360 Conference Center
1825 Connecticut Ave, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle

PAST: ART TALK: Final Talk on "Faking It: Manipulated Photography before Photoshop" at the National Gallery of Art, West Building, FRI, March 29th from 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Free

Wanda Wulz, Io + gatto (Cat + I), 1932, 

Lent by The Metropolitan  Museum of 

Art, Ford Motor Company Collection, 

Gift of  Ford Motor Company and John 

C. Waddell, 1987 © Alinari/ Art

 Resource, NY

Gallery Talk: Faking It: Manipulated Photography before Photoshop

Friday, March 29th
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Free

Special exhibition gallery talk given by Adam Davies, staff lecturer, National Gallery of Art.

National Gallery of Art

West Building Main Floor, Rotunda

6th & Constitution Avenue, NW

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

PAST: Off Work for Presidents Day? See Presidents Day Celebrations + Scroll down to see ON VIEW: posts - listed on Jan 31st - Most Galleries are closed on Mondays but the Museums are open!

Today you can celebrate the day off - if you have it - at the museums. Top two picks for today would be for the Ai Weiwei exhibit at the Hirshhorn, which leaves at the end of this week, and for the permanent exhibit of America's Presidents on view at the National Portrait Gallery in Chinatown. Both museums are free!

Here are two special events commemorating Presidents Day:

Today! Monday, February 18th

10:00am - 12:00pm

Celebrate George on Presidents' Day at Tudor Place! 

$10, $5 for kids and members

"Celebrate our country's first President at Tudor Place, containing the largest collection of Washington artifacts outside Mount Vernon. Enjoy self-guided tours through the historic mansion and a special exhibit of rare objects tied to George Washington. In 2013, for the first time, these will include a gold, 1741 pocket watch, recently donated to Tudor Place and conserved by experts after 270 years in private hands."

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden
1644 31st St, NW

in upper Georgetown, between Q & R St

Metro: Accessible by Circulator bus or metro bus from Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Farragut West and Foggy Bottom. See metro trip-planner for best bus access. 

PAST: PANEL DISCUSSION:"Science & Islam: Religious Orthodoxy and the Battle for Rationality" Panel Discussion at GWU on WED, April 24th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Free, RSVP requested

"Science & Islam: Religious Orthodoxy and the Battle for Rationality" Panel Discussion at GWU

Wednesday, April 24th
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Free, RSVP here

AIC and Project Nur, with support from the John Templeton Foundation, present the third event in a groundbreaking series exploring the intersections and divergences of faith and reason. Dialogues, held at college campuses across the country, address issues like creation, evolution and extraterrestrial life. A panel of prominent Muslim scientists, along with students and other audience members, explore Muslim perspectives on science and discusses how Muslim Americans grapple with some of today’s scientific advancements. Learn more about the series here.

GWU Elliot School of International Affairs
7th Floor, City View Room
1957 E St NW
Metro: Foggy Bottom - GWU

PAST: ART: Opening at RandallScottProjects on H St 6:00pm - 8:00pm + Performance Art at The Fridge from 7:00pm - 8:00pm - Guest Post from East City Art, Weekend Round Up, Free Art events in NE and SE on SAT, April 20th

Weekend East City Event Round Up: The Sublime and the Imagined Edition

Saturday, April 20th
Remaining Free events organized by start time

Art Opening at RandallScottProjects on H St NE
6:00pm - 8:00pm
RandallScottProjects will show James Busby’s Smoke and Mirrors. Busby painstakingly builds up his canvases with gesso, graphite and paint then etches out his final compositions by scratching away at the layers.
RandallScottProjects
1326 H St NE, 2nd Floor
Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown and take the X2 bus from H St NW to the stop near 13th & H NE or take a short taxi, about 1.3 miles, from Union Station

Performance Art by Emily Francisco at The Fridge!
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join the gallery for an evening of performance art by Emily Francisco. Her work confronts limitation and loss in reaction to the confines of the environment. While not destructive for its own sake, Francisco’s work pushes objects to the limits of their ability to withstand force in order to understand their subsequent transformation.
From the facebook invite: "Emily Francisco constructs situations that manifest in response to personal and physical understandings of limitation and loss. Her work is not destructive, though it involves deconstruction. She pushes the limits of how much an object can withstand, while exploring how things can transform. The night will open with a classical cello performance featuring David Ross utilizing a bow that not only plays the instrument, but also sources a live radio feed. It will conclude with a performance with Emily playing a toy piano constructed in an enclosed space that will slowly flood. Emily’s work is on view alongside pieces from Jenny Sawle and Ashleigh Werner for our April exhibit Pia Mater."
The Fridge
516 1/2 8th St SE entrance is in the alley
Metro: Eastern Market, turn right when you exit the metro on to 8th St SE, cross the street and turn left into the alley after Belga Cafe across from matchbox

Phil Hutinet is the Editor-in-Chief of East City Art. You can get more information about East City Art on Facebook by follow them on Twitter or click here to sign up for their newsletter.

PAST: FILM: Final Day of the Earth Month Film Festival at Union Station, lots of Free Films, THURS, April 18th, Free

Free Film Screenings at Union Station as part of the Earth Month Film Festival

Free

Wednesday, April 17th & Thursday, April 18th

Highlights of the Earth Month Film Festival include the Academy Award nominated film Chasing Ice, which will screen on Wednesday, April 17th at 5:00pm. The festival also includes the feature films Shore Up and Elemental, award winning short Black Inside, featuring Julia Roberts, NASA stunner Dynamic Earth and many more. Read more about the festival here.

At Union Station 

Metro: Union Station

PAST: STAGED READING: WSC Avant Bard presents a Staged Reading of "Orlando" Adapted by Sarah Ruhl, at the Artisphere in Rosslyn WED, April 17th from 8:00pm - 9:30pm, Free

WSC Avant Bard presents a staged reading of "Orlando" adapted by Sarah Ruhl
Wednesday, April 17th
8:00pm - 9:30pm
Free
RSVP requested
See invite on CultureCapital here

WSC Avant Bard presents a staged reading of "Orlando" by Sarah Ruhl, adapted from the novel by Virginia Woolf as the first reading in "The First Annual Free Gaurav Gopalan Reading Series."

Directed by Amber Jackson, featuring Acting Company members Sara Barker and Kim Curtis, with Andrew Ferlo, Dylan Myers, and Victoria Reinsel. "One of America’s hottest playwrights adapts for the stage the work of one of history’s most inventive writers. Sarah Ruhl’s new adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s most imaginative novel, Orlando, is a wild and wonderful romp through centuries and across genders. Based in part on the life of Woolf’s lover Vita Sackville-West, the novel has been described as “the most charming love-letter in literature.” The reading will take place in Artisphere’s Town Hall/Lobby and the bar will be open."

Artisphere
1101 Wilson Blvd - Arlington, VA
Metro: Rosslyn, turn right when you exit the metro and turn left on Wilson, the Artisphere is just down the street on the left.

PAST: WORKSHOP: Special "Cooperative Games" Workshop at The Peace House with Dada Maheshvarananda, Yoga Monk and Prout Institute Founder, MON, April 15th from 2:00pm - 5:00pm, Free, donations welcome

Today! The DC Free School at the Peace House presents a last minute special Cooperative Games workshop with Yoga Monk and Prout Institute Founder, Dada Maheshvarananda
Monday, April 15th

2:00pm - 5:00pm
Free, donations welcome

Yoga Monk Dada Maheshvarananda, activist and author of After Capitalism: Economic Democracy in Action holds a special last minute workshop while on his way through DC!

Dada says: "We need a new cooperative paradigm that promotes kindness, honesty, trust and teamwork. We need to overcome our fears – of failure, of looking bad, of getting hurt. And in the process we need to lighten up, have fun, and realize that the best things in life are not for sale. Cooperative games and “initiative challenges” involve creative problem solving. Some games involve running around, others are sitting; some are very funny, while others are silent and profound. They are full of surprises and challenges, but some of them are very ancient!"

About the presenter: "Dada Maheshvarananda, born in the US, is an activist, writer, and monk. Since 1978 he has taught meditation and yoga and supervised social service projects, in Southeast Asia, South America and Europe. His recent book, "After Capitalism: Prout's Vision for a New World", has been published in 10 languages. He has given hundreds of seminars and workshops around the world about social issues and spiritual values. In October 2006 he opened the Prout Research Institute of Venezuela, which he directs." Dada will also be a featured speaker at the Economic Democracy Conference in Madison, Wisconsin October 11th-14th. Read more at www.aftercapitalism.org.

The Peace House
1233 12th St NW, W between M and N

Metro: Mt Vernon Sq or take the Circulator bus along 14th St to RI Ave/ P St and walk over.

PAST: ART: Performance, Artists' Talk and Closing Reception for "Be/ Longing: Art from the South Asian Women's Creative Collective" at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts on U St this SAT, April 13th from 3:30pm - 7:00pm, Free

Closing Reception & Artist's Talk "Be/Longing: Art from the South Asian Women's Creative Collective"  at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
Saturday, April 13th
3:30pm - 7:00pm
Free

Performance 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Artists' Talk 4:30pm -5:30pm
Closing Reception 5:30pm - 7:00pm

"Be/Longing" is a show comprised of women artists of the South Asian diaspora, is a story of rapture, struggle and fierce female identity. Saturated with history, religion, and an explosive mix of ideas and materials, the exhibit address the politics of gender, hierarchy, and sexuality within the framework of a post-colonial globalized world. Be/Longing showcases how diasporic women - each with her own ambiguous identity and multiple allegiances - navigate "belonging" to a country, a place, or a collective. The artists' talk will be moderated by special guest, Masum Momaya, curator of HomeSpun, the Smithsonian's Indian American Heritage Project See a write up on the show in the Washington Post! 

The artists in the exhibition are: Samira Abbassy, Jaishri Abichandani, Nida Abidi, Amina Ahmed, Shelly Bahl, Marcy Chevali, Ruby Chishti, Chitra Ganesh, Monica Jahan Bose, & Sa'dia Rehman. Images: Jaishri Abichandani's The Return of Devastasia, Ruby Chishti's Soft Restraints & Monica Jahan Bose's Indelible Scent

Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Friday, 11am-5pm, Saturday, 11am-3pm, and by appointment.

Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery
at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U St, NW

Metro: U St, and walk about 10 minutes along U St, or take the S2 or S4 bus along 16th St to U St

PAST: FAMILY FRIENDLY: "Flying in the Great Hall" at the National Building Museum this SUN, April 7th from 11:00am - 4:00pm, Free

Flying in the Great Hall at the National Building Museum
Sunday, April 7th
11:00am - 4:00pm
Free
Admission applies if you want to actually see the exhibits at the museum

Watch as the D.C. Maxecuters fly their model airplanes in and across the National Building Museum's Great Hall.

National Building Museum
401 F St, NW
Metro: Judiciary Sq

PAST: POP-UP SHOP: Spring Vintage Pop-up in Adams Morgan SUN, April 7th from 12:00pm - 4:00pm, Free

Spring Vintage Pop-up in Adams Morgan
Sunday, April 7th
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Free

Hop into spring with some new vintage finds at the Moishe House vintage pop-up. Local vintage venders will be displaying their wears. Our featured vendor is Lori Noto of Notoriously Vintage who touts approachable and alluring vintage for both sexes, and who was recently featured in Refinery 29.

Moishe House
1753 Euclid St, NW
around the corner from City Bikes
Metro: Woodley Park or Columbia Heights and walk about 18 minutes or so, or take the Circulator bus to Ontario Rd and walk down one block, left on Champlain, left on Euclid

PAST: SCREENING + PARTY: The Sherman House Webisodes "Wrap Party" features a Screening of all Ten episodes with the Cast and Crew followed by Q&A and Live Music from the SKiffleLoungeSound at The Dunes FRI, April 5th from 7:00pm - 11:00pm, Free, donations appreciated, 21+

SHWebisodes "Wrap Party" Screening at The Dunes in Columbia Heights
Friday, April 5th
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Free
Free, donations accepted, 21+

Come on out to The Dunes for a chance to watch all 10 episodes of the Sherman House Webisodes with the cast/crew followed by a Q&A moderated by Award-Winning Producer Joe Fab (Director of "Paperclips".) Afterwards, stick around for a set with The SkiffleLoungeSound, the music behind the show, and mingle with the cast & crew. If you can't make it out to the screening, you can also watch all ten episodes online now here.

Schedule:
 7:00pm - Happy hour $4 Vodka Cocktails/$3 Beers
 8:00pm - Ep.01-04 Screening (followed by a short break)
 9:00pm - Ep.05-07 Screening (followed by a short break)
 9:45pm - Ep.08-10 Screening
10:30pm - Cast Q&A moderated by award winning documentary filmmaker, Joe Fab
11:00pm - Live performance from The SkiffleLoungeSound, the music from the SHWebisodes.

The Dunes

1402 Meridian Pl, NW

Metro: Columbia Heights, walk north on 14th St

PAST: MUSICAL THEATER: Today! Liberated Muse presents a Live Performance of "In Her Words" - Celebrating Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and others - at The Potter's House in Adams Morgan this SAT, March 30th at 4:00pm, All ages, Free, donations appreciated

"In Her Words" Live Performance by Liberated Muse

at the Potter's House in Adams Morgan

Saturday, March 30th 

4:00pm

All ages, Free, donations appreciated, $10 suggested

Liberated Muse Arts Group and the Potter's House  present the second show of the 2013 season of "In Her Words," a musical theatrical presentation examining the lives of artists Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Zora Neale Hurston and Lucille Clifton -- creative women who used their artistic prowess to ignite and support social and political movements. Music and spoken monologue from the legendary women, culled from transcripts of speeches, autobiographical excerpts and interviews. Written and directed by playwright Khadijah Ali-Coleman, and featuring Quineice, Naomi Rose, Lyn Artope, Anisha "Moon" Newbill, Nia Simmons and Colie Williams as poet Lucille Clifton.

Music accompaniment by the legendary bass player William "Spider" Henderson.

The Potter's House
1658 Columbia Rd, NW

Metro: Columbia Heights and walk, south one block on 14th, take a right on Columbia and walk a few more blocks, or take the Circulator bus from Woodley Park metro to the stop by the Safeway and walk a block or so north on Columbia, or take the 42 bus from Dupont toward Mt Pleasant and get off at Columbia & Mozart Pl, walk back a half a block 

PAST: FAMILY FRIENDLY: Today! DJ, Clowns, Face Painting, Moon Bounce, Food and Free Dental Screenings for the Entire Family in Oxon Hill, MD this SAT, March 30th from 11:00am - 5:00pm, Free

DJ, Clowns, Face Painting, Moon Bounce, Food and Screenings
Family First Dental's Fun, Food and Free Screenings For The Entire Family
Saturday, March 30th
11:00am - 5:00pm
Free, no RSVP needed

Family First Dental will be sponsoring a day of fun, food and free dental screenings for the community this Saturday, March 30th starting at 11:00am. There will be a live DJ, clowns, face painting, moon bounce, food and free dental screenings. Dentists will also be available on site to answer and questions that you have.

Family First Dental/ Southern Market Shopping Center
803 Southern Ave, SE - in Oxon Hill, MD
Metro: Southern Avenue and take a bus - D12, D13, D14, P12, W15 or the bus 33 route - see metro trip-planner for the best bus access

PAST: MEDITATION & WORKSHOPS: The Meditation Museum in Silver Spring hosts a Workshop on "Mindful Teaching: From Practice to Community" SAT, March 30th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm, Free, Please RSVP

Free Workshops and Events coming up at The Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, near the Metro

Free
RSVP Requested on eventbrite or Meetup

If you haven't been to the Meditation Museum before, this unique space is easily accessible by Metro and bus, located close to Wayne & Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, MD. In addition to the museum space, which features art ranging from pictures, posters, paintings and sculptures, designed to remind us of our true, highest selves and our responsibility to humanity, there are also lots of workshops and events offered at the Meditation Museum that are all free of charge! Of course, donations are welcome and appreciated.

To see a list of upcoming free workshops and events at the museum, please visit their website at MeditationMuseum.org. You can also stay connected to the museum and their upcoming events through Meetup, facebook and twitter.

Upcoming events at the Meditation Museum include:

Saturday, March 30th - Afternoon
Mindful Teaching: From Practice to Community

1:30pm- 3:30pm
Free, RSVP here

Educators are faced with the immensely important role of not only teaching youth, but supporting them with value systems which they will maintain throughout their lifetime. Mindful Teaching is an approach to empower teachers to become more aware of how they guide children and share knowledge. This is a follow-up to our first session on Mindful Teaching, and it is intended to offer a community of practice for teachers striving to not simply teach, but inspire and develop as well.

The Meditation Museum

8236 Georgia Avenue

Metro: Take the S2 or S4 bus toward Silver Spring to the last stop, on Wayne near Georgia, from anywhere along 16th St or take the Metro to Silver Spring, (see walking map) walk north on Colesville and keep right on Wayne, walk up to Georgia, turn right on Georgia and the Meditation Museum is just a block and a half down on the right side of the street.

PAST: HEALING & WELLNESS EXPO: Today! It's time for the 37th Natural Living Expo from Pathways Magazine this SUN, Marc 24th from 10:30am - 7:00pm right near the White Flint Metro, $10 admission, with the coupon, includes Expo and lots of Workshops!

Pathways 37th Natural Living Expo

142 Exhibitors - 64 Workshops 

Sunday, March 24th
10:30am - 7:00pm

$10 with the $5 off discount coupon

Watch a video about the event here!

In addition to the 142 exhibitors, you can also choose from 56 dynamic, creative mind, body, spirit workshops (see schedule), all included in the $10 price of admission with the discount coupon. Click here for information. See the brochure here.

Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

5701 Marinelli Rd -  North Bethesda, MD (directions)
Metro: White Flint, just one block from the metro! Plus, free parking for those driving. 

PAST: MEDITATION: "Spring into Meditation" with a Free Workshop at the Georgetown Library on THURS, March 21st, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, Led by David Newcomb of Science of Spirituality DC

"Spring into Meditation" two-part meditation series in Georgetown
Thursday, March 21st

7:00 - 8:30pm
Free

Learn simple and easy technique to help you find peace and joy this spring with meditation. David Newcomb of Science of Spirituality DC will teach meditation to enrich your life -- personally, professionally, and spiritually. He has been teaching meditation for more than 30 years both in the U.S. and elsewhere.  Two week session, beginning on Thursday, March 14th. Feel free to attend any or all of the sessions!

Science of Sprituality offers free meditation workshops throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including the DC area. Learn more about SOS DC and Jyoti Meditation on their website and feel free to connect with them on facebook and twitter as well @SOS_WashD

Georgetown Neighborhood Library
Meeting Room, Lower Level
3260 R Street, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle and take the G2, D2 or D6 bus across to Wisconsin Ave or take the Circulator bus, Union Station - Georgetown route along K St from Farragut North or West or Foggy Botttom, to the stop closest to Wisconsin and R St, NW

PAST: FESTIVAL: The Cherry Blossom Festival features lots of Family Friendly, Free events! WED, March 20th - SUN, April 14th

National Cherry Blossom Festival 2013
Lots of Free events throughout DC!

Wednesday, March 20th - Sunday, April 14th

Enjoy events daily featuring traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. See link above for a list of upcoming events at various locations throughout DC! 

According to their website, the Tidal Basin Welcome Area Performance Stage dates have been extended until April 12th! I am looking for more info about the lineup and will post if I find any more details.

PAST: POETRY: Monthly Poetry Reading and Open Mic "Sunday Kind of Love" co-sponsored by Split this Rock and Busboys and Poets features Pam Ushuk & Ruth Forman at Busboys 14th & V location this SUN, April 21st from 5:00pm - 7:00pm, All ages, $5

April's "Sunday Kind of Love" features Pam Uschuk & Ruth Forman and will be hosted by Sarah Browning & Katy Richey

Sunday, April 21st

5:00pm - 7:00pm

All ages, $5 online or at the door
As always, Open Mic follows!

The "Sunday Kind of Love" monthly poetry reading and open mic is co-sponsored by Busboys and Poets and Split This Rock. Read more about the features below. 

Called by The Bloomsbury Review, "one of the most insightful and spirited poets today," Pam Uschuk is the author of six books of poems, including the award-winning Without the Comfort of Stars: New and Selected Poems (2007 Sampark Press).... Uschuk is Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Fort Lewis College. Editor-In-Chief of the literary magazine, Cutthroat, A Journal of the Arts, she lives in Bayfield, Colorado, and Tucson, Arizona. 

Ruth Forman is the author of three award-winning books: poetry collections We Are the Young Magicians and Renaissance (both from Beacon) and the children's book, Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon (Children's Book Press)... Forman is a former teacher of creative writing with the University of Southern California and June Jordan's Poetry for the People program at UC Berkeley and an eleven-year faculty member with the VONA-Voices writing program. Her latest collection is Prayers Like Shoes (2009) from Whit Press. Forman currently lives in Washington, DC.

Busboys and Poets

14th & V St, NW

Metro: U St or take the Circulator bus, Woodley/14th St/ McPherson route, to 14th & U.

PAST: ECO-MARKET: Eco Art + Design Depot organized by Benevolent Media at Union Market in Celebration of Earth Day! SUN, April 21st from 10:00am - 4;00pm, Free

Eco Art + Design Depot organized by Benevolent Media at Union Market

Sunday, April 21st
10:00am - 4:00pm
Free

As a pre-celebration of Earth Day, Benevolent Media and Union Market present an afternoon of eco-conscious art and design, featuring a pop-up marketplace of local vendors and interactive workshops led by teaching artists dedicated to inspiring “creative reuse” and environmentally sustainable behavior.

Featured Art + Design Vendors: Brody Rose, Daniella Creations, Jen-A-Fusion, One Mango Tree, Remember Your Roots, Spoolia, Sweet Pepita, YB Green Jewelry...and more! + Special Activities: Fabric Flowers, 12pm-2pm, Handmade and Recycled Seed Starting Pots, 2pm-4pm ...and more!

Union Market

1309 5th St, NE
Metro: NoMa and walk a few blocks, exit on Florida Ave, turn right  and walk over to 5th St two blocks and turn left

PAST: LAUNCH PARTY: Progressive Erotica Launch Party features Belly Dancing from Maya, Global Beats from DJ BEATRIX. and More! Explore Erotic Equality this SAT, April 20th, at Veranda at 11th & P St NW, from 6:30pm - 11:00pm, Free, 18+

Progressive Erotica Launch Party!
Saturday, April 20th
6:30pm - 11:00pm
Free,  18+

A friend of mine recently launched a new site called Progressive Erotica, and they are having an  official launch party this Saturday, 4/20 at 4:20pm! Most of the activities won't begin til a little later in the eve though. "Artists and thinkers, participants and voyeurs, join us as we explore erotic equality." The party will go 'til midnight or so and will  include live music, dancers, space and supplies for artists to create, conversations about happy + sexy and erotic equality, a naughty cake, and you! Belly dancing by Maya and Music by DJ BEATrix.

Veranda Restaurant and Bar

11th & P St, NW
Metro: Shaw, Howard University

PAST: FILM: DC Premiere Screening of "Last Shop Standing: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of the Independent Record Shop" this THURS, April 18th at Comet Ping Pong, sponsored by Crooked Beat Records, from 8:30pm - 10:00pm, All ages, Free

DC Premiere Screening of "Last Shop Standing: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of the Independent Record Shop" at Comet Ping Pong 
Thursday, April 18th 
8:30pm - 10:00pm 
Free

The film "Last Shop Standing," directed by Pip Piper, is based on a book by Graham Jones. Synopsis: "Last Shop Standing inspired by the book of the same name by Graham Jones takes you behind the counter to discover why nearly 2000 record shops have already disappeared across the UK. The film charts the rapid rise of record shops in the 1960′s / 70s and 80’s, the influence of the chart, the underhand deals, the demise of vinyl and rise of the CD as well as new technologies. Where did it all go wrong? Why were 3 shops a week closing? Will we be left with no record shops with the continuing rise of downloading?"

"Hear from over 20 record shop owners and music industry leaders as well as musicians including Paul Weller, Johnny Marr, Norman Cook, Billy Bragg, Nerina Pallot, Richard Hawley and Clint Boon as they all tell us how the shops became and still are a part of their own musical education, a place to cherish and discover new bands and new music."

This screening is sponsored by Adams Morgan based indie record shop Crooked Beat Records, and will be hosted by Comet Ping Pong. Screening will take place in the back room. Arrive early to ensure seating. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Comet Ping Pong
5037 Connecticut Ave, NW  
Metro: Van Ness and walk uphill, just under a mile, about 18 minutes, or take the L2 bus north on Connectuicut, or you can walk about a mile or take a bus from Friendship Heights, see metro trip-planner for best bus access from metro

PAST: TRUNK SHOW: "Art Buzz" Jewelry Trunk Show at VeraCruz Gallery just off of U St this WED, April 17th from 6:00pm - 8:30pm, your $10 donation gets you a drink ticket and light appetizers

ART BUZZ Jewelry Trunk Show 

at VeraCruz Gallery just off of U St
Wednesday, April 17th

6:00pm - 8:30pm
$10 donation gets you a drink ticket and light appetizers, additional alcohol available for purchase

Peruse hundreds of jewelry pieces for both men and women, all priced from $15 to $100, this Wednesday at ART BUZZ Jewelry Trunk Show at VeraCruz Gallery. The Trunk Show, supporting the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative's "Arts for Every Student" (AFES) Program, will feature the works of DC jewelry designers at Vera Cruz Gallery. The event will be hosted by Cher Castillo Freeman, Jade Floyd and Ora Nwabueze. You'll have also have a chance to see the current exhibition at Vera Cruz Gallery featuring the work of New York based artist Haruto Imamura. You can also purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a signature piece from each designer that evening.

Designers include: ~ April Fish Jewelry ~ Calamarie (made from orange peels! pictured to the right - love the bracelet I have from them)  ~ Prissy Treasures ~ Gail Murdock ~ Deidree Bennett ~ Elizabeth Rothschild ~  Soyini George ~ and more to be announced!

AFES provides DC public and chartered schools with access to cultural opportunities throughout the Washington metropolitan area. The DC Collaborative ensures that nearly 30,000 underserved DC public schools benefit from the region's rich array of arts amenities. They provide free transportation and free tickets to music,dance, and theater experiences; plus trips to The Kennedy Center and museums.

VeraCruz Gallery
2108 Vermont Ave, NW
Metro: U St, African American War Memorial exit

PAST: HIGHLIGHTS: Tonight! Two more Free events for WED, April 17th!

Reception for World Book Night Volunteers

Wednesday, April 17th
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Free
One More Page hosts a reception for World Book Night volunteers. World Book Night U.S. is a celebration of books and reading held on April 23, when 25,000 passionate volunteers across America give a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don’t regularly read. To apply to be a World Book Night, click here.
One More Page Books
2200 N. Westmoreland St - Arlington, VA
Metro: East Falls Church, turn right when you exit the station onto N. 19th St, which becomes N. Westmoreland St, and the store is on the left.

Hump Day Humor Comedy Open Mic
Wednesday, April 17th
8:00pm - 10:00pm
Free, 18+
"Rising stars of the local comedy scene perform hilarious, fresh material. The show also features a “Comedy Lightning Round” where veteran comedians and other brave souls walk-in and participate on the spot in a fast paced series of 2 minute comedy sets. Enjoy great drink specials and a full, tasty menu as well!"
Touchdown
1334 U St, NW
Metro: U St