"Free in DC" Free and low-cost things to do in DC!: March 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

PAST: ART: "Dimensional Landscapes" at Fisher Gallery in Alexandria FRI, April 1st - SUN, May 15th, Free

Dimensional Landscapes: New Perspectives of our Natural World

Art works by Linda L. Anderson

Friday, April 1st - Sunday, May 15th

Free

Pictured: "Chorus of Light" by Linda L. Anderson

Fisher Art Gallery at the

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center
3001 North Beauregard Street (map)
Alexandria, VA 22311

Metro: See metro trip-planner for best bus access from metro

Sunday, March 27, 2011

PAST: Open House this THURS, April 28th at MINT Gym's 16th & K St, location, Organized with WTD, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Free with RSVP

Join WTD for a special Open House

at MINT gym at 16th & K St, NW

Thursday, April 28th

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Free

RSVP Required

If you're looking for a fun way to spend your Thursday evening, join WTD at DC's brand new, beautifully designed MINT Gym in the heart of DC at the corner of 16th and K St, NW!

This Thursday, WTD is changing it up from our normal happy hour series to bring you something extra special! Join WTD this Thursday, April 28th from 6-9pm for a totally free Open House at MINT at the Downtown location on K St.

Food will be provided by Brown Bag as well as (fitness) drinks. You will also have the opportunity to take advantage of different services:

TRX with Tyronne
Chair Massages with Damion
Intensity Circuit with Chris
Pilates Demostrations
Instruction from trainers Mac and Jenn

Mint
1011 16th St, NW
Metro: McPherson Square or take any bus along 16th St to K St, NW

Why Free in DC recommends WTD (What's The Deal):

What's the Deal DC is a locally owned and operated site that offers "deals" specifically in the DC metro area.

Unlike other sites which only run 1 deal per day, WTD also has multiple deals running all of the time.

They also give you more time to purchase your deal - usually about a week or so (which is great if you are waiting for your check for instance)... AND

In alignment with Free in DC's event listings - they always are sure to havegreat deals for $10 or less on their site!

You can view all of their current offers here!

Free in DC Pick for Best Deal of the Week ($10 or less of course)

60% off a Four Mini-Cocktail Sampler plus Full Cocktail at 19th Bar

Pay just $10 for $25 value!

Click link above to buy in!

For just $10 you'll enjoy a sampler of 4 mini-cocktails plus a full cocktail of your favorite! Cocktails include Cereal Treat Martini (made with Marshmallow Vodka), Red & Stormy (Beet Rum), Mango Habanero Margarita (Lime & Cilantro Tequila) and a Fruit Juicy Vodka cocktail. Must be redeemed by October 31, 2011.

19th Bar
1900 I St, NW
Metro: Farragut West

PAST: Family Friendly: Art Day at the Aviation Museum in College Park, MD this SAT, April 30th at 11:00am, $4 - $2

Art Day at the Aviation Museum

Saturday, April 30th

11:00am

Free with museum admission

$4, seniors $3, kids $2

Everyone is invited to come create their own piece of aviation artwork! The museum will provide art supplies. Participants will then have the option to enter their artwork into the museum's art contest, open to grades K-12, running through May 2nd.

Museum is open 10:00am - 5:00pm

College Park Aviation Museum

1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive

College Park, MD 20740 (map)

Metro: College Park

PAST: MUSIC: Chamber Ensemble Recital with American Youth Philharmonic in Fairfax, VA this SUN, May 1st at 1:00pm, $7, $5 students/seniors

Chamber Ensemble Recital with American Youth Philharmonic
Sunday, May 1st

1:00pm

$7, $5 for students and seniors

An intimate afternoon of music presented by the finest young chamber ensemble musicians from the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Hear a variety of small ensembles composed of students who perform with amazing quality, clarity, and depth of understanding.

Old Town Hall, City of Fairfax

3999 University Drive, Fairfax, VA (map)

Metro: See metro trip planner for best metro and bus access

PAST: MUSIC: Russian-born pianist Sofja Gülbadamova plays at NMWA, WED, April 27th, 7:30pm, Free, RSVP Required

Pianist Sofja Gülbadamova performs at the National Museum of Women in the Arts Tonight! Part of the Shenson Chamber Music Concert Series

Wednesday, April 27th

7:30pm

Free, RSVP required

RSVP to email reservations@nmwa.org or call 202-783-5000.

"Russian-born pianist Sofja Gülbadamova began her musical education in Moscow at the tender age of five. Commended for her technical perfection and dramatic performances, as well as her "highly personal interpretation...and dreamy self-assurance" (Frankfurter Allgemeine), Gülbadamova is ascending to new heights internationally." Read more.

National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, NW (map)

Metro: McPherson Square or Metro Center or various buses to 13th & H St, NW

Saturday, March 26, 2011

PAST: Free Events this Week from CultureCapital.com! THURS, April 28th - TUES, May 3rd

Below is a list of additional FREE events this week from CultureCapital. Culture Capital is a program of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, a nonprofit organization serving Metro DC’s arts & culture community and the public for over 30 years.

Please c
lick through for complete details about the event and location details!

Thursday, April 28th

Opera

Maryland Opera Studio: Opera Scene Study
12:30pm

Singers from the MD Opera Studio perform a preview of their May 5th and 6th performances

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Metro: College Park and take a taxi or UM shuttle 104 to campus

Friday, April 29th

Music

Friday Morning Music Club: Chamber Music Concert
Lunchtime performance by the Friday Morning Music Club

PAST: ART: Cindy Packard Richmond's 'Food, Glorious Food' at the Art League in Old Town Alexandria, Now - Monday, May 2nd, Free

Cindy Packard Richmond's 'Food, Glorious Food' on view at the Art League in Old Town Alexandria

Now - Monday, May 2nd

Free

"For Cindy Packard Richmond, novelist and food writer turned painter, food has always been a central interest in her life. Richmond's sweeping food-scapes are bursting with color, flavor, and an innovative perspective. Richmond is an accomplished oil painter and pastelist. Her work has been juried into national exhibitions, and has been published in a variety of regional, national, and international art publications." Read more.

The Art League

105 North Union Street (map)
in the Torpedo Factory on the

Waterfront in Old Town Alexandria

PAST: "America I AM: The African American Imprint" at National Geographic leaves this SUN, May 1st $12 - MON - FRI visits, Now just $6

HALF-PRICE Tickets now available! Just $6 plus small service fee for Monday - Friday visits!

See TICKETPLACE.org

On view at National Geographic "America I AM"

Wednesday, February 2nd - Sunday, May 1st

Regular admission is $12 general, $10 seniors, students, military, members, $6, kids 2-12

America I AM: The African American Imprint is a touring exhibition celebrating nearly 500 years of African American contributions to the United States across four core areas: economic, socio-political, cultural, and spiritual. Twelve thematic galleries feature more than 200 rare historic objects, documents, photographs, and multimedia.

National Geographic
1145 17th St, NW

Metro: Farragut North, or take any of the S line buses along 16th St to M St

PAST: PANEL: A bit heavy but worth noting- Learn more about Sexual Violence Against Jewish Women during the Holocaust TUES, May 3rd 7:30pm $11-$9

Panel Discussion at the DCJCC

Sexual Violence against Jewish Women during the Holocaust

Tuesday, May 3rd

7:30pm

$9 members, $11 general

purchase tickets online

Note: Though this event is slightly over $10 if you are not a member of the DCJCC I feel that the topics being discussed are important and worth mentioning.

Rochelle Saidel, an editor of the book Sexual Violence against Jewish Women during the Holocaust, and two contributors, Professor Eva Fogelman and University Distinguished Professor Emerita S. Lillian Kremer, will discuss their ground-breaking anthology, whose topics include rape, forced prostitution, assaults on childbearing, artistic representations of sexual violence, and psychological insights into survivor trauma. Panel will be moderated by Dr. Myrna Goldenberg.

"Using testimonies, Nazi documents, memoirs, and literary and film interpretations, this volume broadens and deepens our comprehension of rape and other forms of sexual violence during the Holocaust, challenging claims that Jewish women were not sexually violated and revealing the sexual violence committed in ghettos and in hiding."

Washington DC JCC

Corner of 16th & Q St, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle and walk or take any of the S line buses along 16th St right there.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

PAST: MUSIC: The Fourth Stream, Nistha Raj and Gowri K. at BloomBars SAT, April 23rd 8:30pm - 10:30pm, All ages, $10 donation suggested

Live Music with The Fourth Stream along with
violinist Nistha Raj and poet Gowri K.
Saturday, April 23rd
8:30pm - 10:30pm
All ages, by donation, $10 suggested
View and share facebook invite here

The Fourth Stream is a collaboration between keyboardist Geoff Rohrbach, guitarist Rob Coltun, and drummer Sriram Gopal, all regulars of the District’s music scene - often found playing at Bossa in Adams Morgan. The trio set out with the goal of playing improvisational music that maintains a steady groove while offering an international flavor.

This set will feature special guests Nistha Raj on violin and vocalist and poet Gowri K., who is also the co-host of the Monday night open mic night at BloomBars, "The Garden."

BloomBars
3222 11th St, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights

PAST: FILM: "Blue Velvet" Final Screening in the David Lynch Retrospective at the Artisphere Dome Theater this WED, April 27th at 8:00pm, $8, $6

David Lynch Retrospective at Artisphere in the Dome Theater

Wednesday nights in April

8:00pm

$8, $6 ‎

Film Film Screening:
Wednesday, April 27th

8:00pm

"Blue Velvet" (1986)

Artisphere

1101 Wilson Blvd in Arlington

Metro: Rosslyn

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

PAST: Reading/Closing Event for Corcoran College's "26th Annual Printmaking Portfolio" Exhibit at 87FLORIDA FRI, April 22nd, 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Free

Artists from the Corcoran College of Art + Design''s
26th Annual Printmaking Portfolio Exhibition
Free
On View April 1st - 22nd

Literary reading with local poets,

Corcoran faculty, and students
Friday, April 22nd

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Free

The Corcoran College of Art + Design’s Printmaking Department will debut the 26th Annual Printmaking Portfolio exhibition at the urban art space 87FLORIDA. This year’s theme, Distracted Living, is brought to life through a collaborative effort between Corcoran artists and poets in the D.C. community and beyond.

The exhibition will be open to the public on Saturdays from 10:00am –4:00pm.

87FLORIDA

87 Florida Ave, NW

Metro: U St and take any of the 90 line buses or see metro trip-planner for best bus and metro access.

Monday, March 21, 2011

PAST: Meditation event on the Mall! "Med Mob" this SUN, April 24th 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Free

Meditation event on the Mall! "Med Mob"

Sunday, April 24th
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Free and open to all

Spend Easter Sunday meditating on the Mall! 20+ cities across the world will be sitting together in one hour silent meditation to come together as a community and send positive intentions out into the world. In DC, they'll gather at the Washington Monument for a silent meditation from noon till one, and will be followed by a “sound bath”. Click here for more information

Washington Monument
Madison Dr NW & 15th St NW
Metro: Smithsonian

PAST: Zombies Attack! Night time Zombie Tag this SAT, April 23rd in Montrose Park 6:00pm - 10:00pm, Free

Night Tag + Zombie Survival = Zombie Tag!

Saturday, April 23rd

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Free

See details on facebook invite or on Meetup!

Montrose Park

3001 R Street NW

Metro: nearest stop in Dupont Circle, you can take a bus, taxi, walk or bike

PAST: TALK: "The Art of Healing: Finding Wholeness in a Broken World" with Smith Farm's Michael Lerner this SAT, April 23rd at 5:00pm, Free

"The Art of Healing: Finding Wholeness in a Broken World"

with Smith Farm co-founder Michael Lerner

Saturday, April 23rd

5:00pm

Free

This talk will take place at Busboys and Poets at 14th & V St, NW and provide practical information to promote health coupled with reflections on how we might find meaning and a sense of peace while living in troubled times. Micheal Lerner is the co-founder of Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts, located at 1632 U St, NW, and the co-founder of Commonweal, a health and environmental research institute in Bolinas, California, where he co-leads the Commonweal Cancer Help Program. He is the author of Choices in Healing and the recipient fo a MacArthur Prize Fellowship. Learn more here.

Busboys and Poets

14th & V St, NW

Metro: U St

PAST: ART: If you missed the show at the Kreeger you can still view 16 of the 20 pieces from "In Unison" at Hillyer, Now - FRI, April 29th, Free

If you missed this show at the Kreeger

you can still see selected works from

In Unison: 20 Washington, DC Artists

at Hillyer now - 16 of the 20 pieces are on view
Free

On view through Friday, April 29th

This exhibit is the culmination of a project initiated by renowned artist Sam Gilliam, consisting of 20 established artists from the DC community, working in different styles and mediums. Of these 20 which were on view at the Kreeger - for an admission - 16 are on view now for free at Hillyer Art Space, easily accessible in Dupont Circle. I saw the show when it was at the Kreeger and recommend checking it out, those some of my favorites are not in this show, it's still worth a visit.

“In Unison” represents a collaboration of a group of DC artists, distinguished by their diversity in terms of accomplishments - emerging, mid-career, and masters; ethnicity – African American, White American, Asian American and Latin American; age – from the 30’s to the 80’s; gender – male and female; and varying artistic approaches – painters, sculptors, digital media and installation artists, and a few printmakers. These artists came together in the welcoming space of the print studio at George Mason University School of Art to each create 5 monoprints. Read more here.

Hillyer Art Space

9 Hillyer Court

in the alley between Phillips Collection buildings

Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St north exit

PAST: ART: "Process: Reaffirmation" at Hillyer Now - FRI, April 29th, Free

Process: Reaffirmation at Hillyer Art Space

On view Now - Friday, April 29th

Free

PAST: Chocolate and Wine Tasting! It's April Sample Day at Biagio this SAT, April 23rd from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, Free

Complimentary Chocolate and Wine Tasting

April Sample Day at Biagio Fine Chocolate

Saturday, April 23rd

3:00pm - 6:00pm

Free

Sample Day is a monthly event held at Biagio Fine Chocolate where you can enjoy over a dozen varieties of some of the world's best chocolate available for tasting at their Studio B tasting room/gallery behind the shop. This month's wine selection will be from First Vine.

Biagio Fine Chocolate

1904 18th St, NW

(south of Florida Ave across from Lauriol Plaza)

Metro: Dupont Circle or U St and walk or take any of the 90 line buses from U St

PAST: MUSIC: Good Friday Concert features works by Bach & Reger at Calvary Baptist Church in Chinatown, FRI, April 22nd at 7:30pm, Free

Good Friday Concert at Calvary Baptist Church in Chinatown.
Friday, April 22nd

7:30pm

Free, donations appreciated

Free Good Friday Concert performance of Max Reger's "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden" and Bach's BWV 161, "Komm, du süße Todesstunde" featuring Elaine Dalbo, soprano; Susan Sevier, contralto; Jason Rylander, tenor; Christian Clough, organ; the Chalice Singers & Ensemble; Cheryl Branham, conducting. Donations benefit the Shalom Scholarship Foundation, a scholarship fund for high school and university students in El Salvador.

Historic Sanctuary of the Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th St. NW

Metro: Gallery Place - Chinatown

Sunday, March 20, 2011

PAST: Free Happy Hour at Neyla in Georgetown Tomorrow! Thanks to WTD, THURS, April 21st, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Free with RSVP, 21+

It's time for another WTD Happy Hour! This week get free drinks at Neyla in Georgetown

Thursday, April 21st

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Free with RSVP, 21+

Come out to Neyla Mediterranean Grill in Georgetown this Thursday and snag two free drinks - choose from these drinks: Sangria, Mediterranean Mojito, Svdeka vodka and mixers, white or red wine or Amstel or Heineken beer - when you RSVP in advance on WTD! Neyla has a great bar inside and a relaxing patio outside.

Neyla

3206 N St, NW

Metro: Dupont or Foggy Bottom and take the Circulator bus to Wisconsin and M St and walk a block or two

Why Free in DC recommends WTD (What's The Deal):

What's the Deal DC is a locally owned and operated site that offers "deals" specifically in the DC metro area.

Unlike other sites which only run 1 deal per day, WTD also has multiple deals running all of the time.

They also give you more time to purchase your deal - usually about a week or so (which is great if you are waiting for your check for instance)... AND

In alignment with Free in DC's event listings - they always are sure to havegreat deals for $10 or less on their site!

You can view all of their current offers here!

Free in DC Pick for Best Deal of the Week ($10 or less of course)

60% off a Four Mini-Cocktail Sampler plus Full Cocktail at 19th Bar

Pay just $10 for $25 value!

19th Bar
1900 I St, NW
Metro: Farragut West

PAST: THEATER: Pay-What-You-Can Tonight for Woolly Mammoth's new show WED, April 20th at 8:00pm

Pay-What-You-Can Tonight at Woolly!
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind

(30 PLAYS IN 60 MINUTES)

created by Greg Allen, written, directed & performed by The Neo-Futurists

Wednesday, April 20th

8:00pm show

Line forms early, I suggest arriving before 5pm as tickets usually sell out. Tickets go on sale at 6:00pm, max two per person, cash or check only. This show is back by popular demand with a new slate of plays and Neo Cast members.

On Stage April 20 – May 1, 2011
Appropriate for ages 14 and up.
Running Time: 70min (no intermission)

Woolly Mammoth

641 D St, NW

Metro: Gallery Place - Chinatown or Archives - Navy Memorial

PAST: The 26th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards at the Kennedy Center WED, April 20th at 6:00pm, Free

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

present The 26th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards

Wednesday, April 20th

6:00pm

Free

RSVPs are not required but encouraged

In addition to revealing the winners in five arts and two teaching categories - see list of finalists - the program also features performances by acts including the Manzari Brothers, the Post-Classical Ensemble, and ELEW, creator of "ROCKJAZZ."

The Mayor's Arts Award is the highest honor conferred by the District of Columbia in recognition of artistic excellence and service among artists, arts organizations, and arts patrons in the city. A special Mayor's Award for Visionary Leadership in the Arts will be presented to The Jones Haywood Dance Company.

The 2011 awards will be presented in the following categories: Excellence in an Artistic Discipline, Excellence in Service to the Arts, Innovation in the Arts, Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education, Outstanding Emerging Artist and Mayor's Award for Arts Teaching. Finalists were chosen by the Mayor's Arts Awards Advisory Jury comprised of prominent members of the District's arts community with expertise in dance, music, theatre, literary arts, visual arts and arts education.

Tickets are distributed on a first come, first served basis. For more information about tickets and to reserve seats, please contact artsawards@dc.gov.

Kennedy Center Concert Hall

2700 F St, NW

Metro: Foggy Bottom and take the free Kennedy Center Shuttle

Saturday, March 19, 2011

PAST: Glass Art Show 3rd Anniversary Event from Capitol Hemp + Live Performance by The Nobis WED, April 20th 7:00pm - 12:00am, Free, 18+

Washington's First Functional Glass Art Show

Capitol Hemp's 3rd Anniversary Event

to Benefit Restoring Japanese Agriculture

Wednesday, April 20th

7:00pm - midnight

Free

18+ please bring legal ID

Glass Art Show & Live Performance by Japanese Radiation Refugees 'The Nobis' (now staying in Adams Morgan at the Moishe House, see articlein this week's City Paper)

To celebrate Capitol Hemp's third annual '420 Holiday,' the store will host DC's first functional glass art show, featuring a wide array of functional art including work by Hybrid Glass, AKM, Salt, Lace Face, Mike Higgins, Fat Mike and others. There will also be a room full of glowing uranium glass objects spanning the Victorian (1880s), Depression (1930s), and revival (1990s) eras of glass making. The collection is the largest of its kind to have been shown in DC. Proceeds from the sale of the vintage uranium glass will be used for hemp bio-remediation of polluted Japanese farmland.

The art show will also feature musical performances by DC's own Thomas Blondet, and Japanese duo The Nobis, who recently relocated to Washington DC after being evacuated from their home near the Fukushima reactor (see City Paper article about them here!)

Montserrat House

2016 9th St, NW

(corner of 9th and U St)

Metro: U St, NW

PAST: Dance + Demo: Members of Step Afrika! Give Free Demo followed by Performance at National Geographic SAT, April 23rd 10:00am, 12:00pm, $10

Members of Step Afrika! perform at National Geographic

Step Afrika! Demonstration

Saturday, April 23rd

Learn the basics at a Free Demonstration

10:00am

Followed by a Dance Performance

12:00pm

$10

Fun for folks of all ages. The performance will include a participatory demonstration.

Created in 1994 as a cross-cultural exchange program with the Soweto Dance Theatre of Johannesburg, South Africa, Step Afrika! fuses traditional African gumboot dance, practiced by South African mine workers, with "stepping," a percussive style of dance originated by African American college students.

Presented in conjunction with the National Geographic Museum exhibition America I AM: The African American Imprint. Tickets to the exhibit, which will be open until 7:00pm on Saturday, are $6 – $12. Discount tickets for certain days can also be found on TICKETPLACE.org.

National Geographic

1145 17th St, NW

Metro: Farragut North or take the S2 or S4 bus along 16th St to M St