PAST: Another one of note! Synetic Theater Pay-What-You-Can for new original play "Home of the Soldier" at 8:00pm in Crystal City,VA

Tonight! Pay-What-You-Can preview at Synetic Theater!

Thursday, May 31st

8:00pm

Tonight in Crystal City, VA Synetic hosts a PWYC preview for a new original play "Home of the Soldier," written by Ben Cunis. The play "tells the story of a young man, who joins the army during an unnamed conflict after the disappearance of his father, a respected soldier. The son journeys through the landscape of modern war in search of clues to his father's fate and his own identity..."

Appropriate for ages 14+ (parental guidance suggested) $30 Previews June 1 and June 2 at 8pm ($10 student tickets for the previews). Tickets: Regular Run $45 – $55 with discounts for students, seniors, military and groups.

Synetic Theater

Crystal City

1800 South Bell Street

Metro: Crystal City (Blue/Yellow Lines) if you use the elevator exit you can just cross the street and take the stairs down on the right side to the theater.

PAST: More Free events THURS, May 31st... Film Screening at Artisphere, Songwriter's Showcase at Dahlak, Author George Pelecanos...

More FREE events for Thursday, May 31st

Film Screening

Free Film Screening of "Cultures of Resistance"

at the Artisphere Dome Theater

8:00pm

"The film examines how unity and creativity can be the building blocks in the battle for peace and justice and the impact of them reaching five continents. The journey begins in Mali, where the music of Tuareg resistance rises from the desert; moves to Burma, where monks acting in the tradition of Gandhi take on a dictatorship; then on to Brazil, where musicians reach out to slum kids and transform guns into guitars; and ending in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, where photography, music and film have given a voice to those rarely heard."

Directed by Lara Lee.The documentary features: Medellín poets for peace, Capoeira masters from Brazil, Niger Delta militants, Iranian graffiti artists, women’s movement leaders in Rwanda, Lebanon’s refugee filmmakers, U.S. political pranksters, Argentinas Madres de Plaza de Mayo, indigenous Kayapó activists from the Xingu, Israeli dissidents, Hezbollah, Hamas, and hip-hop artists from Palestine, and many more.

Artisphere

1101 Wilson Blvd - Arlington VA

Metro: Rosslyn, turn left on Wilson and walk a half block

Live Music

Free Monthly Songwriter Showcase at Dahlak

on the last T

hursday of every month

8:00pm - 11:00pm

Tonight features live sets from The Ash Lovelies, Flo Anito and others. Should be a great night to swing by!

Dahlak

near 18th & Florida Ave, NW

at the Bottom of Adams Morgan

Metro: not really that close to any metro, between Dupont and Woodley Pk and U St. You can take any of the 90 line buses close to there or the L2 or L4 bus

Author Event

"Once Upon a Time in D.C." with George Pelecanos and Thomas Mallon talk with Frank Foer

at the Embassy of Canada

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Free, RSVP is required

George Pelecanos (pictured), author of more than a dozen D.C.-based crime novels, and Thomas Mallon, author of Watergate, talk with Frank Foer about the role of D.C. in their work.

Embassy of Canada

501 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial

PAST: ART: "Bushmen Dreams" at Parish Gallery in Georgetown features works by Printmaker Percy Matin, FRI, Oct 21st - FRI, Nov 18th

“Bushmen Dreams” on view at the Parish Gallery in Georgetown
Works by Print maker Percy Martin
Free
Friday, October 21st – Friday, November 18th

Read more about the gallery and the show here.

Parish Gallery
1054 31st St, NW
in Canal Square
Metro: Dupont Circle or Foggy Bottom and take the Circulator bus to Georgetown, you'll need to walk over from Wisconsin and M St if you take the Union Station – Georgetown line along K St or Pennsylvania Avenue, the Dupont Route goes along M St.

PAST: ART: Gallery Plan b features Paintings by Delna Dastur & Photos by Kermit Berg WED, Oct 19th - SUN, Nov, 20th, Free

Now on view at Gallery Plan b Paintings by Delna Dastur & Photos by Kermit Berg

Free

Wednesday, October 19th - Sunday, November 20th

"Influenced by the brilliance of colors that surrounded her as a child in India, the paintings of Delna Dastur are complex in color and subject matter combined with the intensity of commitment from the artist. Kermit Berg will be presenting his portfolio of images entitled "Tokyo Night Office." These photos (shot before the recent, devastating earthquakes) are multi-layered and show an interesting perspective of what normally might be a non-descript visual."

“Tokyo Night Office” – Kermit Berg and “Encroachment” – Delna Dastur

Gallery Plan b

1530 14th St, NW - at Q St

Metro: Dupont Circle or U St and walk or take the Circulator bus to RI Ave/ P St from McPherson Sq or down 14th St from U St

PAST: Festival of Lights Art + Craft Fair 40th Anniversary this Weekend in Greenbelt, MD this SAT, Dec 3rd & SUN, Dec 4th, Free

Festival of Lights Art + Craft Fair 40th Anniversary!
at the Greenbelt Community Center
Saturday, December 3rd & Sunday, December 4th
Free

"Fabulous and funky! Featuring juried professional artists and crafters selling their own, handmade wares." See vendor list. Though this isn't the most public transit friendly location (see map), I figure folks with kids who live in Maryland might be interested in checking this one out and would likely have a car.

Saturday, December 3rd
Art + Craft Fair
10:00am - 5:00pm

Also on Saturday, Take Craft Project from 1:00pm - 3:00pm and Live World Music with Harp 46 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.

Sunday, December 4th
Art + Craft Fair Open
11:00am - 4:00pm

Also on Sunday, Wreath Making Workshop from 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Live Klezmer Music with The Alexandria Kleztet from 2:00pm - 4:00pm and Artists' Studio Open House and Holiday Sale from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.

Greenbelt Community Center

15 Crescent Rd - Greenbelt, MD
Metro: Greenbelt and take a taxi or see if there is a bus that'll get you there.

PAST: ART: Annual Small Works Exhibit" and "What Art to Wear" at The Art League in Old Town, Alexandria, Now - MON, Dec 5th, Free

Last Chance to see the "Annual Small Works Exhibit" at The Art League in Old Town, Alexandria
Free
On view Wednesday, November 9th - Monday, December 5th

This annual Small Works exhibit features some of the best works by Art League members in all media, packs a lot of talent into one gallery. Works are restricted in size but not in subject matter, skill, or wow factor. The pieces in this exhibit, popular with holiday gift-givers and arts appreciators, were selected by by Jordan Faye Block. Pictured: ''Haley'' by Wendy Donahoe.

Also, Last Chance to see "What Art to Wear"
Free
On view Wednesday, November 9th - Monday, December 5th


Wearable art, also known as "art to wear," refers to individually designed pieces of hand-made clothing or jewelry or other adornments created as fine or expressive art. Not all garments created as wearable art must be made from traditional fibers or fabrics, and not all such artworks need to be intended for ordinary, practical use. This juried exhibit may feature art made with clay, fiber, glass, metal, paper, wood, or any combination of these.

The Art League

105 North Union St - Alexandria, VA

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

PAST: ART: "OBSTRUCTION" at GWU Classroom 102, Smith Hall of Art, TUES, Nov 15th - FRI, Dec 2nd, Free

"OBSTRUCTION" Curated by GWU undergrads

as part of the course "The Art of the Exhibition"

Free

Tuesday, November 15th - Friday December 2nd

Featuring School Without Walls and GWU MFA/BFA students. Browse the art and enjoy some food at this opening, curated by GWU undergrads as part of the course "The Art of the Exhibition." Read more about the exhibit here.

The George Washington University

Classroom 102 - Smith Hall of Art

801 22nd Street, NW - at H St, NW

Metro: Foggy Bottom or take the Union Station - K St - Georgetown Circulator bus to 22nd & Penn

PAST: FILM: Screening of "Food, Inc" at the National Archives WED, Nov 30th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Free

Screening of "Food, Inc" at the National Archives
Wednesday, November 30th
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Free

In conjunction with "What's Cooking, Uncle Sam?" the Oscar®-nominated documentary Food, Inc. (2008, 93 min) is presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the Charles Guggenheim Center for the Documentary Film and the Foundation for the National Archives.


National Archives
Constitution Avenue, NW
between 7th and 9th Streets
Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial

PAST: More Events on FRI, Dec 2nd Lunchtime Harp Concert, Holiday Market, Open Mic, CD Release Party, Live Music... Free or by donation

More events.... copied from facebook posts. Organized by time of day.


Friday, December 2nd

Lunchtime Baroque Music near GWU 
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Free
The Friday Noon Concerts Baroque Music concert featuring Harp music! Harpist, Anastasia Pike, will perform two works by J. S. Bach, two short sonatasi by Domenico Scarlatt, and two works by Georg F. Handel. Read more on the facebook invite.
The Arts Club of Washington
2017 I St, NW
Metro: Farragut West

Annual Holiday Market in Chinatown 
The annual downtown holiday market starts today!
12:00pm - 8:00pm
Free - though you'll likely want some money to buy things
Market runs from December 2nd - December 23rd
Along F St between 7th  & 9th St, NW outside of SAAM/NPG
Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown

Monthly Open Mic at the DC Center on U St
8:00pm - 10:00pm
by donation, $5 suggested
The DC Center hosts their monthly Open Mic Night - this month featuring JT Bullock. December's Open Mic will have an HIV/AIDS theme in honor of World AIDS Day. JT Bullock is poet, writer, and aspiring teller of stories... Hosted by Mike Brazell. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring work to share.
The DC Center
1318 U St, NW
Metro: U St

CD Release Party in Columbia Heights
8:00pm - 11:00pm, Free.
Celebrate the release of "Incantation at the Golden Hour" with Mercedes Mill (who is friend of a good friend of mine - and I've been told is quite talented) along with Matthew Leonard, and Mark Stroh.
Acre 121 (former spot for Commonwealth)
1400 Irving St, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights

Live Music at BloomBars 
8:30pm - 10:00pm
All ages, by donation, $10 suggested
Band of Brothers ( three real brothers from Laurel, MD) perform at Bloombars - see invite.  "Influenced by artists like Eric Johnson, Coldplay, U2, and the Police, Band of Brothers brings a unique sound blend to the table. They play to create the deepest artistic expression of the human experience through music, make something beautiful, give others hope, and let them know that they are not alone."
BloomBars
3222 11th St, NW - near Wonderland
Metro: Columbia Heights

PAST: FILM: BloomScreen Indie Film Night presents "What's "Organic" About Organic?" at BloomBars TUES, Nov 29th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, by donation

BloomScreen presents: What’s “Organic” About Organic?
Tuesday, November 29th
7:00pm - 9:00pm
All ages, Free, donations encouraged
Popcorn and refreshments provided

What’s Organic About Organic? (2010, 59 min) by director Shelley Rogers - explores how the “organic” label has evolved, how organic farmers view their work and the tension between maintaining high environmental standards and rapid market expansion.Through the stories of farmers who steward land from Harlem to the foothills of the Rockies, from upstate New York to Florida, the film offers audiences a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in creating a more sustainable food system.

There will be an interactive discussion about organic food after the film, led by Jeremiah Lowery, a program fellow at Common Good City Farm. Common Good City Farm is an organization whose mission is to grow food, educate, and help low-income DC community members meet their food needs.

BloomScreen Indie Film Night – is a weekly series of independent and foreign films, accompanied by discussions with filmmakers and other experts. Our goal is to provide a unique experience that a local Cineplex cannot – an opportunity for discussion that allows a better understanding of issues affecting our communities and our world. If you are interested in helping out in any way, they are also looking for volunteers to help out, email jonathan@bloombars.com if you are interested in supporting BloomScreen.

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

PAST: Free Arts and Culture Events FRI, Dec 2nd

More Free Arts and Culture events happening today, highlights from CultureCapital.com. Be sure to click through for more info about the event and location details.

Friday, December 2nd

Chamber Music Concert
Friday Morning Music Club

12:00pm -1:00pm

Works by Beethoven, Shostakovich and others

Calvary Baptist Church

Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown

Film Screening
Andy Warhol 16 mm: The Chelsea Girls

1:00pm

Andy Warhol, 1966, 210 minutes

National Gallery of Art

East Building Concourse, Auditorium

Metro: Judiciary Square

Film Shorts

From the Vaults: The WPA
12:00pm - 1:10pm

A selection of short films produced by the federal government designed to promote the policies of programs of the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration. (70 minutes.)

National Archives

Metro: Archives

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

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

PAST: Artful Weekend Holiday Show in Arlington On view SAT, Dec 3rd from 10:00am - 5:00pm & SUN, Dec 4th from 12:00pm - 4:00pm, Free

Add caption

Artful Weekend Holiday Show in Arlington this weekend!
Free

Saturday, December 3rd
10:00am - 5:00pm
Music from the Star Dust Dance Band
2:00pm


Sunday, December 4th
12:00pm - 4:00pm

The 9th annual "Artful Weekend," a holiday show sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance, takes place this weekend at the restored early 20th century Hendry House, Fort C. F. Smith, Arlington, VA.

The show and sale will feature forty 2- and 3-d artists working in oil, pastel, water media, collage, ceramics, wood, textiles, and glass in a variety of styles from realism to non-representational abstract. There will be work priced for every budget and suitable as gifts or for home and business. Throughout the show there will be opportunities to meet exhibition artists and enjoy light refreshments. There will be an opening "Meet the Artists" Reception as well on Friday, December 2nd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

Hendry House

Ft. C. F. Smith (map)
2411 24th St N
Arlington, VA

Metro: Rosslyn is closest, you can take a taxi from there, or perhaps a bus

PAST: Artist Talk: Australian artists Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro at the Corcoran this THURS, Dec 1st at 7:00pm, $10 general, discounted $5

Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro in conversation with Beatrice Gralton
Thursday, December 1st

7:00pm

$10 general, $5 students, free for members and Corcoran students and faculty

The Australian artists Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro discuss their work, their approach to art making, and the creation of their Corcoran exhibition with Beatrice Gralton, Evelyn S. Nef Associate Curator of Contemporary Art. A reception follows the lecture.

Please Note: The National Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on the evening of December 1st in the area behind the White House across from the Corcoran so it might be a bit harder getting down there, please leave enough time and be sure to plan accordingly.

Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St, NW

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

PAST: More Free Arts & Culture Events this Weekend! Thanks to CultureCapital.com SAT, Dec 3rd - SUN, Dec 4th

More Free Arts and Culture events happening this weekend! Thanks to CultureCapital.com. Be sure to click through for more info about the event and location details.

Saturday, December 3rd

Film Screening

The African Twin Towers
4:00pm

Originally planned as a fiction feature, The African Twin Towers is a documentary about Christoph Schlingensief's (1960–2010) last, unfinished film, set in Namibia. (Christoph Schlingensief, 2006, HD-Cam, subtitles, 71 minutes)

National Gallery of Art

East Building Concourse, Auditorium
Metro: Judiciary Square - closest to the East Building

Sunday, December 4th

Lecture
Time Frames: Andy Warhol's Film and Video2:00pm
Lecture given by John Hanhardt, senior curator for media arts, Smithsonian American Art Museum.

National Gallery of Art

East Building Concourse, Auditorium

Metro: Judiciary Square - closest to the East Building

Poetry Reading

Sunday Open Door Readings: 12/04/11

2:00pm

Two poets, Kathleen Ossip and W. M. Rivera, read from their works.

The Writer's Center

Metro: Bethesda, elevator exit is closest

Family Friendly Holiday Event
Wolf Trap’s Holiday Sing-A-Long4:00pm

Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Wolf Trap's 2011 Holiday Sing-A-Long. This annual musical celebration hosts a performance by the United States Marine Band and a Sing-A-Long of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with choir and vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area.

Filene Center at Wolf Trap (directions)

Note: There is usually a bus that goes from the West Falls metro to Wolf Trap but apparently that only runs in the summer. Still thought this was worth posting. "There is no bus service for performances at The Barns at Wolf Trap, the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, and the Holiday Sing-A-Long at the Filene Center."

Classical Concert

Pacifica String Quartet
6:30pm

Music by Beethoven. Sixth in a series of the complete Beethoven string quartets
National Gallery of Art

West Building Main Floor, West Garden Court

Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial

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

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

PAST: ART TALK: "Great America" by Kerry James Marshall at the National Gallery of Art FRI, Dec 2nd, 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Free

Gallery Talk at the National Gallery of Art
"Great America" by Kerry James Marshall
Friday, December 2nd

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Free

National Gallery of Art
East Building Ground Level, Information Desk
Metro: Judiciary Sq, closest to the East Building

PAST: Jewelry Show & Sale & Ceramic and Pottery Show & Sale at The Art League's Madison Annex Old Town this Weekend! FRI, Dec 2nd - SUN, Dec 4th, Free

Jewelry Show and Sale and Ceramic and Pottery Show and Sale
at The Art League's Madison Annex
Friday, December 2nd - Sunday, December 4th
Free

Ceramic and Pottery Show and Sale
"From functional to freeform, one of a kind ceramic vessels and sculptures created by students and associates of The Art League will be for sale during our popular annual Holiday Ceramic and Pottery Sale. These unique works of art are perfect for holiday gift giving! Don't forget to check out The Art League's jewelry sale and holiday party, also part of ArtFest 2011." Note that this event will take place at The Art League's Madison Annex - about .7 miles from the Torpedo Factory on Madison, near N Fairfax.

Jewelry Show and Sale

Back for the entire ArtFest weekend in 2011, The Art League's Jewelry Show and Sale will showcase a variety of unique jewelry pieces created by Art League students. Find original, hand-crafted works of art to fit all tastes and budgets, and come see The Art League's ceramic sale and holiday party, also part of ArtFest 2011.

Friday, December 2nd

12:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday, December 3rd
10:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday, December 4th
12:00pm - 5:00pm

The Art League's Madison Annex
305 Madison St - Alexandria, VA (map)
Metro: King St and walk or take the free trolley to the waterfront or any bus down King St to the stop closest to N Fairfax and walk over

PAST: Artfest 2011:The Art League's Annual Open House & Holiday Party! FRI, Dec 2nd from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Free

Artfest 2011: The Art League's Annual Open House & Holiday Party
Friday, December 2nd

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Free

Enjoy some artwork and take some home as holiday gifts this weekend. On Friday night, The Art League throws its annual holiday party for ArtFest 2011 in the Madison Annex, our 3D instructional space located less than a mile from the main space on the waterfront on Madison, near N Fairfax. From live music, to art demos and exhibits, to ceramic and jewelry sales (open all weekend), to food and drinks, there's something for everybody.

The Art League's Madison Annex
305 Madison St - Alexandria, VA (map)
Metro: King St and walk or take the free trolley to the waterfront or any bus down King St to the stop closest to N Fairfax and walk over

PAST: Historic Homes Holiday Open House Tours - Tudor Place, Dumbarton House, Anderson House and Woodrow Wilson House - SAT, Dec 3rd, 4:00pm $10, $5

Holidays Through History: Open House Tours

Saturday, December 3rd

4:00pm

See note about admission below

Participating Houses included the Dumbarton House, Anderson House, Tudor Place and Woodrow Wilson House. "Stroll through the four mansions and delight in their holiday ambiance and festive decorations that interpret traditional holiday celebrations from the Federal period through the Gilded Age. At Tudor Place, for example, children create their own holiday cards in an art workshop lead by Artist-in-Residence Peter Waddell. Shuttle bus transportation provided between sites."

Admission for one museum: 

$10 general admission for one museum, $5 children, members free 

Admission for all four museums: 

$16 (advance registration) or $20 at the door, Children: $10

Dumbarton House
2715 Q St, NW

Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St exit and walk about 7 blocks or take any of the D buses to 27th St or take the Circulator bus to 28th St.

PAST: MUSIC: "The Rhythm Road" Paul Beaudry & Pathways followed by The Melvin Williams Group at National Geographic THURS, Dec 1st, 6:00pm & 7:15pm, Free

The Rhythm Road: Paul Beaudry & Pathways followed by The Melvin Williams Group
Thursday, December 1st
Paul Beaudry & Pathways
6:00pm and 7:15pm
The Melvin Williams Group
Free
"For this prestigious series, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U. S. State Department have collaborated to produce a tour featuring top performers of jazz, urban, and roots music. The performers were selected from applicants from around the country to represent American music and culture at venues overseas. Don't miss this chance to hear some of the country's finest musicians in advance of their tours abroad."

"Paul Beaudry & Pathways balance original compositions with standards from jazz’s broad stylistic range, featuring exciting rhythms and swinging, soul." Pictured above.
"The Melvin Williams Group, featuring GRAMMY Award nominee Williams, bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary gospel music with a raw and high-energy sound." Pictured below.

National Geographic
1145 17th St, NW (enter on M between 16th &17th)
Metro: Farragut North or take the S1, S2, S4, or S9 bus along 16th St to M St

PAST: ART: Guest Post from East City Art: Weekend Round Up for events on the East side of DC and MD - SAT, Dec 10th & SUN, Dec 11th, Free

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Buy Local, Buy Art Holiday 2011 Edition

All events are free to attend, though you might want to have some money to spend, especially for the holiday craft fairs. See metro trip planner for best bus access by bus and metro.

Saturday, December 10th

Brentwood Arts Exchange Holiday Event

10:00am - 4:00pm

In addition to hosting rotating exhibitions of local artists, the Brentwood Arts Exchange displays the work of local artisans and craftspeople. Their extensive inventory of superb crafts will make finding the ideal holiday gift a simple task.

The Brentwood Arts Exchange

3901 Rhode Island Ave - Brentwood, MD

GRUMP Holiday Market

11:00am - 5:00pm

A local collective of artists and artisans, many of whom are Crafty Bastards alumni, will sell their wares in time for the holidays. The event will take place at the American Legion on Capitol Hill. Part of the sales proceeds will be donated to a DC National Guard charity fund.

The American Legion Hall

224 D St SE

Mount Rainier Studios Open House

1:00pm - 5:00pm

Several Studios are hosting holiday open houses in Mount Rainier including the Washington Glass School’s 10th Annual Winter Sculpture show. Next door, Flux Studios and Ellyn Weiss will also open their doors to the general public.

Studious participating are all in Mt. Rainier, MD: The Washington Glass School - 3700 Otis St + Flux Studios - 3708 Wells Ave + Ellyn Weiss Studio - 3706 Wells Ave

Artist Talk at 39th Street Gallery

2:00pm - 4:000pm

The 39th Street Gallery will host an artist talk with artists Karl Connolly, Jan Razauskas and curator Stewart Watson talk about their show Shape Shifters. The 39th Street Gallery is located in the Gateway Arts Center complex.

The 39th Street gallery

3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, MD

CHAL Holiday Art Opening

4:00pm - 8:00pm

The Capitol Hill Art League hosts an opening reception for its annual Wrap it Up holiday gift giving event at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. Affordable, framed and ready-to-hang pieces are gift wrapped for the buyer. If you miss the opening, know that the remaining inventory will be on display through December 22.

The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

545 7th Street SE

Art Opening at The Fridge

8:00pm - 11:00pm

The Fridge’s has its own take on holiday gift giving. Project Dispatch, a collective of over a dozen artists, offers buyers a subscription of smaller wrapped art. The buyer takes a leap of faith as the art remains unseen until it is unwrapped. Larger “visible” pieces will also be on display.

The Fridge

516 1/2 8th St SE rear alley

Sunday, December 11th

Riggio Design - Closing Reception

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Riggio Design will be closing their current show Interior Design as Art. Food and drink will be served.

Reggio Design

5710 Baltimore Ave - Hyattsville, MD

Phil Hutinet is the Editor-in-Chief of East City Art. You can also stay connected to East City Art on Facebook and Twitter.

PAST: MUSIC: The NSO Presents events throughout DC with the "In Your Neighborhood: Columbia Heights" Festival! WED, Jan 4th - MON, Jan 9th, All events are Free! Some require advance registration

NSO "In Your Neighborhood: Columbia Heights"
The first time they are doing this program in DC!
Wednesday, January 4th - Monday, January 9th
All events are Free!
Some events require advance registration


The National Symphony Orchestra presents free chamber performances, educational events, and outreach programs in DC this week! They'll be focusing in and around the Columbia Heights area. The hope is that people of all ages embrace classical music with the same excitement that they do at the NSO. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Some events require advance RSVP and seating may be limited so best to show up a little early to get in!

For more information regarding the NSO in Your Neighborhood: Columbia Heights activities, visit the official NSO "In Your Neighborhood" site, e-mail or call (202) 416-8112. To connect with NSO in your neighborhood online, you can also visit their Tumblr page

PAST: MUSIC: HOLIDAY: Annual Messiah Sing-along at The Kennedy Center this FRI, Dec 23rd, 8:00pm Free! Tickets required

Messiah Sing-along at The Kennedy Center
Friday, December 23rd
8:00pm
Free! Tickets required*

"Washington's most popular free holiday event! Guest conductor Barry Hemphill leads the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, a 200-voice choir, professional soloists, and a very enthusiastic audience in a glorious "sing-along" of excerpts from Handel's beloved masterpiece. A family and community tradition since 1971!"

Performance Timing: 

Parts I & II-- approximately 50 mins. each, with a 15-min. intermission

*Tickets will be distributed beginning at 6 p.m. on the day of the performance (Fri., Dec. 23) in the Hall of Nations. ONE ticket per person in line will be distributed. Kennedy Center policies have been vetted to be non-discriminatory and to provide equal access for everyone.

The Kennedy Center

2700 F St, NW

Metro: Foggy Bottom nd take the free Kennedy Center Shuttle

PAST: "Meditation for Stress Reduction" Interactive Meditation Workshop at the Shaw Library MON, Dec 12th at 7:00pm - 8:30pm, Free

"Meditation for Stress Reduction" Interactive Meditation Workshop with Gerry Gorman at the Shaw Library
Monday, December 12th

7:00pm - 8:30pm
Free

Gerry will talk about how the practice of meditation can help each of us to achieve balance and peace and develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. Learn more about Jyoti meditation here. The talk will be at the Shaw Library, pictured.

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.

Watha T. Daniel / Shaw Library

1630 7th St, NW

Metro: Directly above the Shaw station

PAST: DJ Night at Jimmy Valentine's Anniething Goes presents AbsoLina with 4 DJ's this SAT, Jan 7th, 10:00pm - 3:00am, Free, 21+

Anniething Goes presents AbsoLina 2012
Saturday, January 7th
10:00pm - 3:00am
Free,  21+

Note, bar is cash only


Anniething Goes presents ...AbsoLina with  DJs: Team Zapata [Juan & Hugo], Charles Martin, Nutty and vANNIEty Kills.

Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Hearts Club
look for the unmarked door at
1103 Bladensburg Rd, NE - (map)
across from the Capital City Diner
Metro: Best reached by car or taxi to be totally honest now that the H St shuttle does not run, you can take the X2 bus to Benning Rd at 15th St from Gallery Pl - Chinatown at 7th on H St and walk up Bladensburg Rd, NE about .34 miles according to metro walking map. You can see metro trip planner for bus access though I would say that it's best to get a ride or take a cab if you can.

PAST: DANCE: Class + Dance every TUES night at the Artisphere - this TUES, Nov 22nd features DJ Killer Joe Falero 7:30pm Class, 8:30pm dance, $8

Salsa Tuesdays - DJ Bruno

Tuesday nights

7:30pm class, 8:30pm dance

$8, $6 students, military, seniors

Every Tuesday, Artisphere presents dance lessons followed by DJs spinning the best in salsa in our Ballroom. Come early for happy hour food and drink specials.

Artisphere - Ballroom

1101 Wilson Blvd - Arlington, VA

Metro: Rosslyn, just a short block or so walk down Wilson, look for the domed building

PAST: Subcontinental Drift's Collaboration Night v. 2.0 at Liv on U St MON, Dec 12th 7:00pm - 10:30pm, by donation, $5 min suggested

Subcontinental Drift's Collaboration Night v. 2.0

Monday, December 12th

7:00pm - 10:30pm

sign up starts at 6:30pm

by donation, $5 min suggested

Back in May, Subcontinental Drift held its first Collaboration Night with the idea that it would give an opportunity for performers to team up with each other. The results were outstanding. So outstanding, in fact, that they decided to do it again this month. While it won't be mandatory, it is encouraged that those interested in performing join forces with other artists. The hosts for the evening will be Namita Koppa and Rashad Ullah. The mic is open from 7:00pm - 9:00pm and is first come first serve to perform basis, so please arrive early! This is especially true if you have instruments and such that require set-up time. Folks are invited to stick around and mingle afterwards. The invite says that there is a $5 minimum donation at the door, but no one will be turned away.

Liv - above Bohemian Caverns

2001 U St, NW - enter on 11th

at the corner of 11th and U,

PAST: Some more free and low-cost events! SUN, Dec 18th from 8:00pm - 11:00pm, $10 - by donation

• Some more free and low-cost events tonight! 

  Copied from Free in DC facebook posts:

  
  

  Sunday, December 18th

  8:00pm - 11:00pm

  By donation or $10
  
  Tonight! Live Music at Bloombars from 8:00pm - 11:00pm. Persian/Flamenco Music Fusion with Persian guitarist Mahyar Salek and Anahita on vocals. This event is part of the monthly event designed to give you a taste of world music with "Global Blooms."  All ages, by donation. 3222 11th St, NW Metro: Columbia Heights http://www.facebook.com/events/331336863546140/

  
  

  Global Blooms Presents: Persian Flamenco Fusion

  
  

  Sunday, December 18 at 8:00pm
• Storytelling event Tonight! "Story League Stands Up" at Busboys and Poets 14th & V St, NW from 8:00pm - 9:30pm. Story League presents their first "special group" show of Stand-Up Comedians telling their stories. Limited number of $10 tickets at the door, suggested to get $10 in advance (no fees) at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/213563 See facebook invite for the list of performers! http://www.facebook.com/events/243516525702145/

  
  

  Story League Stands Up

  
  

  Sunday, December 18 at 8:00pm at Busboys and Poets 

  
  

• Open Mic Tonight! 8:00pm - 10:00pm at Busboys and Poets 5th & K St, NW One Common Unity presents "Voices of a Movement" A Community Open Mic event for music, spoken word poetry and other artistic mediums. This month's featured topic is Human Trafficking. Featured artists include: D.P.E., E-Baby, and La Veda (see facebook invite for links to the artists). Every month they highlight a different issue facing our community, but you're welcome to bring work about any topic which concerns you to share. Suggested donation $5-$10, to benefit One Common Unity's Fly By Light youth program. http://www.facebook.com/events/190961550985436/
  

  
  

  Voices of a Movement Open Mic - DECEMBER!

  
  

  Sunday, December 18 at 8:00pm at Busboys and Poets