PAST: Free Conference on Cuba this THURS, June 2nd, 9:00am - 5:30pm, RSVP please

"Questions of Racial Identity, Racism and anti-Racist Policies in Cuba Today"
Thursday, June 2nd
9:00am – 5:30pm
Free

RSVP to fiorella@ciponline.org

Those interested in international issues of race should enjoy this conference. The purpose of this conference is to “bring attention to Cuba’s internal discourses and negotiations on racial identity, racism, and government policies to address one of the most fundamental democratic issues in Cuba today.” The conference begins with coffee at 9:00am, and includes four panels with a break for lunch at noon. View schedule and read more here.

University of California Washington Center
1608 Rhode Island Ave, NW
Metro: Farragut North or Farragut West

PAST: THEATER: Synetic Theater offers a one night Pay-What-You-Can Perfromance of "Don Quixote" in Crystal City, VA this WED, June 1st, 8:00pm

Synetic Theater offers a one night only Pay-What-You-Can Preview of Don Quixote

Tomorrow night! Wednesday, June 1st
8:00pm
This show is by donation, PWYC

The amazingly talented physical theater troupe, Synetic Theatre, will be opening their new show on Thursday, with tickets regularly selling for $40-50. For one night only, this Wednesday, they will be previewing the play for no fixed fee. If you haven't seen them before - or if you are like me and see them every chance you get - Synetic's unique style of wordless, or mostly wordless, performance based on physical theater and dance is something to be experienced. The shows make me feel like I am in some other dreamlike state, using mostly input through the senses rather than mostly through words. I highly recommend checking them out.

Don Quixote stars Dan Istrate as the wandering knight lost in the world of his books. "From his love of the heedless Dulcinea to his journey across the Spanish countryside, Quixote is a simultaneously inspiring and ridiculous character." This comedy, written by local playwright Ronald Reed, focuses on the question of what it means to be normal.

Tickets purchased at the door, starting 1 hour before the show. Best to get there early to get your tickets and secure good seats!

Crystal City Theater
1800 S. Bell St in Arlington, VA
Metro: Crystal City - best to use the elevator exit so you don't get lost in the maze that is Crystal City. When you get out, cross the street and stay on the right side and head down the outdoor stairs to the theater.

PAST: Author Event: British Biographer Jehanne Wake "Sisters of Fortune" THURS, June 2nd at the Dumbarton House, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, $5 - $8

Author Book signing, Reception & Lecture at Dumbarton House

''Sisters of Fortune''

Thursday, June 2nd

6:00pm - 8:00pm

$5 - $8, buy tickets here

"Join "Dolley Madison," a contemporary of the fascinating Caton sisters, for a wine and cheese "squeeze" reception at 6:00pm, followed by a talk and book signing by British biographer, historian, and author Jehanne Wake starting at 6:30pm. $8/$5 members and get one glass of wine with admission; cash bar.

Dumbarton House

2715 Q St, NW

Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St north exit and walk 7 blocks or take a bus

PAST: Family Friendly: Children's Historic Home Tour at Strathmore Mansion SAT, June 4th 10:30am, Free, RSVP is required

Children's Historic Home Tour

at Strathmore Mansion
Saturday, June 4th

10:30am
Free, RSVP required

Designed for children 5 and up, this special guided tour tells the stories of the Mansion at Strathmore and gives an overview of its architectural features. RSVP by phone, (301) 581-5109.

Strathmore Mansion

5301 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD

Metro: Grosvenor

PAST: Drawing in the Sculpture Garden, Adult Workshop, THURS, June 2nd at 1:00pm, Free

Adult Programs Workshop Twelve at Twelve: Sketching Roxy Paine's "Graft"

Thursday, June 2nd

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Free

Explore Roxy Paine's Graft using sketching as a tool for careful looking and discussion. Worshop led by Liz Diament and Kim Hodges, museum educators, National Gallery of Art. Materials provided. (weather permitting).

Meet in front of Graft in the Sculpture Garden

between 7th & 9th, Constitution Ave, NW and Madison Dr.

Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial

PAST: FILM: Shortie Awards this SUN, June 5th at the Artisphere, 2:30pm – 5:00pm, Free, RSVP requested

Shortie Awards

Sunday, June 5th

2:30pm – 5:00pm

Free

RSVP to pbalakrishnan@mhznetworks.org

The Shortie Awards is a film festival of youth-created media from around the world. Now in its 10th year, the Shortie Awards will hand out awards to the young film and documentary-makers. The Shortie Awards: International Film & News Festival is the premiere film festival for students ages 7 to 18 and their teachers! Seating is limited, so make sure to RSVP with your name and the number of people in your party. Read more here.

The Artisphere

1101 Wilson Blvd

Metro: Rosslyn

PAST: ART: Works by Multi-media fiber artist Leslie Blackmon "Baa-merica! Icons Revisited" at the Art League Now - MON, June 6th, Free

"Baa-merica! Icons Revisited" at the Art League
On view Thursday, May 5th - Monday, June 6th

Free

Solo exhibition of Multi-media fiber artist Leslie Blackmon. Read more about the show here.

The Art League
105 North Union Street

Metro: King Street and take the free trolley or a bus down King St to the waterfront

PAST: ART: "Gauguin: Maker of Myth" at the NGA, SUN, Feb 27th - SUN, June 5th, Free

Gauguin: Maker of Myth at the National Gallery of Art

Sunday, February 27th - Sunday, June 5th

Free

Gallery Talk "Gaugin: Maker of Myth"

Thursday, June 2nd

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Free

Special hour long exhibition gallery talk given by Sally Shelburne, David Gariff, J. Russell Sale, or Diane Arkin, staff lecturers, National Gallery of Art. Meet in the East Building on the Ground Level at the Information Desk.

Paul Gauguin's sumptuous, colorful images of Brittany and the islands of the South Seas--some of the most appealing paintings in modern art--will be among more than one hundred works by Gauguin in the first major exhibition of his work in the United States in 20 years. Read more here.

National Gallery of Art

401 Constitution Avenue, NW

Metro: Judiciary Square or Archives - Navy Memorial

PAST: MUSIC: Live Jazz at Phillips After 5 this THURS, June 2nd at 5:00pm, Admission is officially by donation

Live Jazz at Phillips After 5

Thursday, June 2nd

5:00pm

Free*

This concert is presented as part of the DC Jazz Festival. Matt Wigler is a jazz and blues pianist, composer, organist, and singer from Baltimore, Maryland. At age 16, Matt has performed at notable venues including The Kennedy Center, Strathmore Music Center, and Blues Alley, and in 2010, Matt was selected as an Artist in Residence at Strathmore.

Note:* Admission to the Phillips permanent collection is officially by donation during the weekdays as well as on Thursday nights, though you will need to ask them for a donation based ticket or else they will likely expect you to pay the full cover charge, which would give you access to the special exhibit and related activities. See their page on Phillips after 5 as well as their admission page to read more.

Phillips Collection
1600 21st St, NW

Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St exit

PAST: MUSIC: Classical Concert with Clarinetist & Pianist at The Church of the Holy City this SUN, May 29th at 3:30pm, Free, donations appreciated

Classical Concert at The Church of the Holy City

with Clarinetist Elena Maria Liberatore

and Pianist Mary-Victoria Voustas

Sunday, May 29th

3:30pm

Free, donations are appreciated

The acoustics in this space are incredible for vocal and musical performances. I was happy to discover this space, and their free concert series, earlier this year. The design inside reminds me of a small church from Europe from back in the day, very pretty. I've been to a few of these and the performances tend to be on the shorter side so best to arrive on time. Reception follows. Donations to the Tower Restoration Fund welcome.

This Sunday afternoon, Liberatore will be performing works by Mozart, Weber and Stravinsky on clarinet and Voustas will be performing works by Bach, Liszt and Kabalevsky on piano.

Save the date for the final concert of the season, June 12th at 5:00pm featuring International concert organist Neva Krysteva, D. M. A. playing The Magnificent Baroque. Learn more here.

Church of the Holy City

1611 16th St, NW (near Q St)

Metro: Dupont Circle and walk or you can take any bus along 16th St to Q

PAST: Special Tribute and Performance on the Issue of Gay Bullying FRI, May 27th at BloomBars 7:00pm - 9:00pm, by donation

Beyond The Blues: A Performance Piece on the Issue of Gay Bullying

Friday, May 27th

7:00pm - 9:00pm

$10 suggested donation

In commemoration of DC Black Pride and Capital Pride, The Downtown Players will pay tribute to several youth lost to suicide through a performance of song, dance, poetry and special readings. During the evening they will shed light on the deaths of Seth Walsh, Raymond Chase, Asher Brown, Billy Lucas, Justin Aaberg, and most notably Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers University student who took his life after he was humiliated by being publicly and virally outed by his roommate. His death brought national attention to an issue that has plagued the gay community for decades.

The show will include performances by Isaac Marsh, Jade Foster, Damien Carter, Shaunice Alston and many more. Popular events promoter, Breeze Bennett of Live OUT Events and Ebone Bell, Founder of B.O.I. Marketing & Events Promotions and the Capital Queer Prom, will give special readings on some of the lost youth.

BloomBars

3222 11th St, NW

next to Wonderland near Kenyon St

Metro: Columbia Heights

PAST: MUSIC + Fireworks! Celebrate Memorial Day at Wolf Trap with a Free Marine Band Concert and Fireworks, SUN, May 29th at 8:00pm, Free

Marine Band Performs a Memorial Day Weekend Concert + Fireworks at Wolftrap

Sunday, May 29th

8:00pm

Free, but limited capacity

The United States Marine Band performs 2011 Summer Blast Off! "The President's Own" with Fireworks at Wolf Trap this Sunday. Note that the park will close at capacity so best to arrive early if you want to be sure to get a spot. Read more here.

Wolf Trap

Filene Center (directions)

Metro: West Falls Church and take the Wolf Trap Shuttle bus

PAST: EXHIBIT: "Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life" is on view now at the American History Museum, Now - May 31st, Free

Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
On view at the National Museum of American History
Free
Now - Tuesday, May 31st

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, the Smithsonian has put on view a collection of artifacts associated with Lincoln’s life. Each object highlights a moment from Lincoln’s life, with stories from people who knew him at the time. Many of these objects have never been exhibited before, so if you are interested in seeing this collection, make sure to get to get the NMAH before it closes at the end at the end of the month. You can also check out the online exhibit.

National Museum of American History
1400 Constitution Ave, NW

Metro: Federal Triangle

PAST: Meditation: Learn more about Meditation at a Lunchtime Workshop at MLK Library 9th & G St, NW THURS, May 26th 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Free

Special Lunchtime event downtown!

Meditation for Stress Reduction

Workshop with Gerry Gorman

Thursday, May 26th

12:00pm-1:30pm

Doctors, health practitioners, universities, and even insurance companies are now recognizing the practice of meditation as a means of creating a more positive, healthy lifestyle. It is an invaluable tool helping people reduce stress, gain a deeper sense of fulfillment in life as well as foster greater physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

In this talk, Gerry Gorman presents a very practical form of meditation and explores how this practice can help each of us develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. He focuses on how we can achieve balance and peace while meeting the demands of family and career.

Gerry Gorman has been a student of meditation for over 30 years and has studied with two of the most respected mystics of our time: Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj and Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj. Professionally, he has worked as an engineer, engineering manager, and business development executive for a number of computer controls and technology companies and he now runs his own controls company.

MLK Library

901 G St, NW (map)

Metro: Gallery Place - Chinatown, museum exit

Hosted by Science of Spirituality DC Chapter - an organization that teaches Jyoti meditation. You can also follow @SOS_WashDC on twitter.

"As Human Beings - our inherent nature is Spiritual - and our natural habitat is Love. Jyoti Meditation is a technique that aligns us with our inherent nature."

PAST: The Paper Party - Launch Party this THURS, May 26th 7:00pm - 10:00pm, Suggested donation $10

The Paper Party - Launch Party

Thursday, May 26th

7:00pm – 10:00pm

By donation, suggested $10

RSVP here

Come out to the launch party of The Paper Collective. There will be live music, hands on art activities, and door prizes. First, they request that you submit your “self-portrait” paper project - learn more here. All proceeds from the suggested donation will benefit CHAW.

Gold Leaf Studio
443 I St, NW
Metro: Mt. Vernon Sq - Convention Center

PAST: Free Pre-Concert and Pre-Game Keg Party at The Yards Park with WTD this FRI, May 27th from 4:30pm - 6:30pm, Free with RSVP

It's time for another WTD free special event!

This week is a unique one, a pre-game keg party at The Yards!

Friday, May 27th

4:30pm - 6:30pm (or until the kegs run out)

Free with RSVP, 21+

Join the folks from WTD at The Yards Park this Friday for a pre-game party in the park. They'll have 4 kegs of Starr Hill beer on hand for those who RSVP and WTD members. While there you can also enjoy free cornhole bocce, beer games and a live concert from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, this week with Sin Miedo playing Salsa music as part of the free Friday Evening Concert Series at The Yards Park. Those who want to head over to the Nats vs. Padres game can purchase tickets to the game, but it's not required to attend.

The Yards Park
10 Water Street, SE

Metro: Navy Yard

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)

50% off Drinks and Dining at Via 19

Get $20 worth of food and drink for just $10

click here to buy in!

Via 19
1140 19th St NW

Metro: Farragut North

PAST: ART + Performance: Chajana denHarder’s interdisciplinary artistic project “Body" at the Corcoran SAT, May 28th, 10:00am - 3:00pm, Free

Body Exhibition/Performance

Saturday, May 28th

10:00am – 3:00pm

Free - as part of free Summer Saturdays!

View and share facebook invite

This intriguing performance at the Corcoran is the culmination of Chajana denHarder’s interdisciplinary artistic project “Body.” DenHarder invited residents of DC to respond to the questions “What do you most desire?” and “What have you lost?” “Participants wrote their responses directly on eight life-size body casts of the artist, one for each of the eight wards.” Read more about the project here and on facebook here.

On Saturday, which is also the final day of the show, there will be a final cast for participants to write on from 10am-1:30pm. At 2:00pm, denHarder will “use her body to collapse all nine casts together…to destroy boundaries, to merge, to make the words indecipherable.”

Corcoran Gallery of Art

500 17th St, NW

Metro: Farragut West

PAST: Free Events this Week from CultureCapital.com! WED, May 25th - SUN, May 29th

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!

Events this week are a little lighter with it being the holiday weekend.

Wednesday, May 25th

Gallery Talk

Picture This: Modern Art for People with Visual Impairments

1:00pm - 1:50pm

National Gallery of Art

East Building Ground Level, Information Desk

Metro: Judiciary Square (closer to East Bldg)

Lecture

Mahler and Fin-de-Sicle Vienna:

Gustav Klimt and the Vienna Secession
2:00pm

Lecture series with David Gariff

National Gallery of Art

West Building, Ground Floor, Lecture Hall

Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial (closer to West Bldg)

Art Talk

Scholars Selection Gallery Talks: May Night
6:30pm

Sarah Cash will present some of the fascinating discoveries made while researching Willard Metcalf's May Night for the American paintings collection catalogue.

Corcoran Gallery of Art

Metro: Farragut West

Sunday, May 29th

Film

A Season of Rohmer: Astre and Cladon
5:00pm

Part of the A Season of Rohmer series. 2007, 35 mm, French with subtitles, 109 min

National Gallery of Art

East Building Concourse, AuditoriumMetro: Judiciary Square (closer to East Bldg)

Sign up for the Free Weekly email by clicking the logo!

PAST: ART: Last Day! IN-FLUX: Judy Byron's ''What Matters'' at Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm closes tomorrow WED, May 25th, Free

IN-FLUX: Judy Byron presents ''What Matters''
in the window of the gallery - on view 24 hours a day

closes this Wednesday, May 25th

Free

Learn more about the gallery and about Judy Byron.

Window show at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm Center

1632 U St, NW

Metro: U St or take any S bus along 16th St to U St

PAST: MUSIC: Stripmall Ballads play in Petworth at the Blue Banana this SAT, May 28th, 10:00pm - 2:00am, Free, 21+

Stripmall Ballads Live at the Blue Banana

Saturday. May 28th

10:00pm - 2:00am

Free

View and share invite on facebook

The Blue Banana

3632 Georgia Ave, NW (map)

Metro: Georgia Ave - Petworth

PAST: ART: New Prints by Jenny Freestone at the Washington Printmakers Gallery, WED, April 27th - SUN, May 29th, Free

New Prints by Jenny Freestone at WPG

Wednesday, April 27th - Sunday, May 29th

Free

New etchings and lithographs by artist/printmaker Jenny Freestone. Pictured image is entitled Fall 2.

Washington Printmakers Gallery

8230 Georgia Avenue, 2nd Floor

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center

Metro: Silver Spring

PAST: "PEEP Show" at the Artisphere SAT, May 7th - TUES, May 31st, Free

"PEEP Show" on view at the Artisphere

Saturday, May 7th - Tuesday, May 31st

Free

"Artisphere has partnered with Artomatic to bring highlights from the 5th Annual Washington Post PEEPS® Diorama Contest to Artisphere. See the First Place Winner--"Chilean CoPeepapo Mine Rescue" and finalists such as Lady Gaga's Grammy-Awards entrance! The 2011 diorama contest drew more than 900 entries from local and regional artists and PEEPS® lovers. The exhibition will feature over 20 entries and can be viewed anytime during Artisphere's regular hours."

Artisphere
1101 Wilson Blvd

Metro: Rosslyn

PAST: ART: "Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals" at the National Gallery of Art Now - MON, May 30th, Free

Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals
exhibition on view at the National Gallery
On view through Monday, May 30th

"The city of Venice inspired a school of competitive "view painters" whose achievements count among the most brilliant in 18th-century art. The exhibition celebrates the rich variety of these Venetian views, known as vedute, with 21 masterworks by Canaletto and 34 by his rivals."

Pictured: Canaletto, The Piazza San Marco and the Piazzetta, looking South-East, about 1743. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Mrs. Barbara Hutto

National Gallery of Art
401 Constitution Avenue, NW
East Building Concourse, Auditorium
Metro: Judiciary Square or Archives -Navy Memorial

PAST: FILM: Free Screening Tonight of two Short Hawaiian Films, FRI, May 20th 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Free

Screening of “Stones” and “Papa Mau: The Wayfinder”
Friday, May 20th
6:30pm – 8:00pm
Free
RSVP encouraged as seating is limited

In conjunction with their Celebrate Hawai’i Festival this weekend, the National Museum of the American Indian will be holding a special screening of two films by Indigenous Hawaiian directors. “Stones” is great short film - an adaptation from a Hawaiian legend about the last two residents of the island after the arrival of the humans. “Papa Mau,” follows “a group of young Hawaiians…on a mission to revive the traditional Polynesian arts of canoe-building and wayfinding (non-instrument, celestial navigation).”

National Museum of the American Indian
4th St and Independence Ave, SW
Metro: L’Enfant Plaza

PAST: FESTIVAL: The DC JCC Celebrates Israel's 63rd Birthday with Festival, Film Screening, After Party & Concert! All day SUN, May 22nd, Free

To Celebrate the 63rd Birthday of Israel, the DC JCC hosts Festivities all day long!

Sunday, May 22nd
11:00am - 11:00pm
Free

see full list of events

Activities for the family during the day and free screening of “Mom I Didn’t Kill Your Daughter,” followed by an After Party, and Concert

Film Screening about a transgender couple in Israel

4:30pm - 5:20pm

RSVP requested

Join the DCJCC for an afternoon and evening celebrating the 63rd Anniversary of Israel. The activities begin with a film screening of “Mom I Didn’t Kill Your Daughter,” a film about the struggle of a transgender couple to “become what they were meant to be in a world that doesn’t understand them.”

After-Party

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Free, RSVP required, 21+

Outdoor Concert with Tel Aviv duo Axum

8:00pm

Free, No RSVP needed

Israeli Dancing with Rikud DC

8:15pm - 11:00pm

Free, No RSVP needed

At 6:00pm, young professionals can join the JCC for an after-party featuring Israeli Ethnic Cuisine and Wine Tasting. The evening concludes with an outdoor concert at 8:00pm by Tel Aviv duo Axum.

DC Jewish Community Center
1529 16th St NW
Metro: Dupont Circle

PAST: “Celebrate Hawai’i Festival” is this Weekend at NMAI! SAT, May 21st & SUN, May 22nd 10:30am – 4:30pm, Family Friendly, Free

“Celebrate Hawai’i Festival”
Saturday, May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd
10:30am – 4:30pm
Free

This weekend at the National Museum of the American Indian is the annual Celebrate Hawai’i Festival, one of my favorite Smithsonian festivals (they also have a chocolate festival every year that I love). There will be live performances, short films, discussions and lectures and family fun stuff like Hawaiian games, demonstrations of wood carving and kappa pounding and opportunities for kids to stamp their own kappa patterns. Every day from 2:00pm – 3:00pm, there will be also be traditional hula in the Potomac Atrium.

For a full list of events, see the brochure online.

National Museum of the American Indian
4th St. and Constitution Ave, SW
Metro: L’Enfant Plaza