PAST: ART: "Bedtime Stories: Storytelling Through Art" at The Art League in Old Town Alexandria WED, May 2nd - MON, May 28th, Free

Bedtime Stories: Storytelling Through Art at The Art League
Free

On view Wednesday, May 2nd - Monday, May 28th

"Bedtime Stories – Storytelling Through Art" will be offered as part of The Art League's programming for MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Children and the Arts. This exhibit will feature narrative works that invite the viewer to visually wander through the world the artist has created, whether real or imagined.

Gallery hours: Monday - Saturday10:00am - 6:00pm, Thursdays 'til 9:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm

The Art League

in the Torpedo Factory
105 North Union St - Alexandria, VA (map)

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

PAST: ART: "Mujeres: sus historias" Paintings by Beatriz Luna at the IDB Gallery at 13th & NY Ave MON, April 30th - FRI, May 11th, Free

Mujeres: sus historias Paintings by Beatriz Luna
Free
On view Monday, April 30th - Friday, May 11th

Open to the public Monday-Friday from 12:00pm - 6:00pm,. I believe that you'll need to show your ID and sign in when you enter this building.

IDB Staff Association Art Gallery (ISAAG)
Inter-American Development Bank - 13th St. Entrance
1300 New York Ave, NW
Metro: Metro Center or take the S2 or S4 bus that runs along 16th St, there's a stop right in front at 13th and NY Ave.

DONATION DRIVE: If you Love Free in DC Please Show your Love! Donate/Pay-What-You-Can of course

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Think for a minute about how many events have you found out about and attended because of this site? Hopefully more than a few! No donation is too small so please give what you can. If everyone who read this site donated even just $5 it would really help a lot.

I started Free in DC because it was the site that I wish existed and I needed a way to keep track of all of the fabulous, free and low-cost things to do every single day of the year, and to share that knowledge and appreciation with others. This site is offered free of charge to readers and to those who request that their events be posted - for now at least - and though I do have some sponsors, the site is truly offered for the love of it as a public service. It would be great if those who benefit from this site contribute back to it to help keep it going! 

Please donate whatever amount you feel called to so that I can continue investing time and energy into this site, facebook and twitter. Feel free to also post appreciations on Free in DC's facebook page or @FreeinDCBlog on twitter!

We are so fortunate to have access to such amazing art and culture here in DC and there is not a day that goes by that I take that for granted. I truly do love this city - and all of the amazing affordable and free things there are to do here! 

If you share my love, please show your love today with a donation! 

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Amy Melrose, Founder of Free in DC

PAST: ART: "Nine Degrees" featuring works by nine MFA students including local artist Ben Tolman at American University's Katzen Center SAT, April 21st - SUN, May 13th, Free

Nine Degrees - Works by 9 MFA Students Free
View the AU MFA Student Gallery
Free
On view Saturday, April 21st - Sunday, May 13th

The exhibition, Nine Degrees, showcases works by graduating MFA students Temme Barkin-Leeds, Michèle Colburn, Kate Demong, Joo Yeon Ha, Adam Robert Hager, Tyler Mullan, Camden Place, Samuel Dylan Scharf, and Ben Tolman (Ben is a super talented local artist, if you haven't heard of him before, his  work is really amazing up close and one of his drawings has even been displayed at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. His work is pictured in this post as well).

"Lilith" by Ben Tolman

Save the Date - Gallery Talk
Saturday, May 5th
4:00pm
Free

American University Museum
Kreeger Lobby, Katzen Arts Center
4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Metro: Tenleytown and take the free AU shuttle to the Katzen Center

PAST: ART: “The Birds and the Bees: A Swarm of Recent Paintings by Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow” at Adah Rose Gallery in Kensington, MD this WED, April 18th - SUN, May 20th, Free

“The Birds and the Bees: A Swarm of Recent Paintings by Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow” at Adah Rose Gallery

Free

On view Wednesday, April 18th - Sunday, May 20th

"Internationally recognized DC-based art couple Matt Sesow and Dana Ellyn keep it local with this exhibition of recently created paintings featuring some of their most recognizable iconography. “The Birds and The Bees”: an idiomatic expression used to represent the familiar and the obscure... a euphemism." If you can't get there, you can also View the entire Exhibition online!

Gallery Hours: Tuesday 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Friday - Sunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm, and by appointment.

Adah Rose Gallery 

3766 Howard Ave - Kensington, MD

Metro: The gallery is super close to the Kensington MARC train station, which you can catch from Union Station, though I believe many MARC trains only run for commuters Mon - Fri during rush hour. You can call 1-800-325-RAIL to ask or try navigating their website. According to their directions, they say the best way to get there is to take the metro to Medical Center NIH and then catch the Ride-On bus #4 or #34. It looks like it's about 2 miles or so from a few different metro stations, right in the middle of the U shape that the red line makes. Please see metro for best access, or take a taxi from the metro station that's easiest for you.

PAST: ART: "NEXT at the Corcoran: Class of 2012" at the Corcoran Gallery SAT, April 14th - SUN, May 20th, Free

NEXT at the Corcoran: Class of 2012 
Free
On view Saturday, April 14th - Sunday, May 20th

"NEXT at the Corcoran: Class of 2012' is a dynamic, interactive, and innovative presentation of work by the graduating students of the Corcoran College of Art + Design. NEXT, for the first time, includes both an exhibition of the thesis work of the bachelor of fine arts class of 2012 and a showcase of the masters of arts degree programs at the Corcoran. Come to scope new, emerging art talent. Though there is an admission for the main Corcoran Gallery, admission to NEXT is free!"

Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design
500 17th St, NW
Metro: Farragut West

PAST: ART: Paintings by Kathy Beynette at Gallery plan b in Logan Circle WED, April 11th - SUN, May 13th, Free

Paintings by Kathy Beynette at Gallery plan b

Free

Wednesday, April 11th - Sunday, May 13th

Kathy Beynette returns to gallery plan b with more of her intricate, painterly and whimsical works. Her background as a fiction writer manifests itself on the surfaces of her quirky narrative paintings. Her topics range from nursery rhymes to social and political commentary.

Hours: Wed- Sat 12:00pm - 7:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Gallery plan b

1530 14th St, NW - near Q St

Metro: U St or Dupont Circle and walk about 15 minutes or so, or you can take the McPherson Sq - Woodley Park Circulator bus that runs along 14th St o RI Ave/ P St stop. 

PAST: ART: "Urban Forest" at Long View Gallery, THURS, April 12th - SUN, May 20th, Free

"Urban Forest" on view at Long View Gallery

featuring works by Michelle Peterson-Albandoz

Free

Thursday, April 12th - Sunday, May 20th

From the invite: "Michelle’s strong ties to the natural world were born of her childhood spent surrounded by the rain forests of Puerto Rico and the woods of Connecticut. It was in these forests where she became hyper aware of the effects humans and technology have on these delicate ecosystems. After moving to Chicago, Peterson-Albandoz was surrounded by the ever-changing urban landscape, full of both construction and destruction. Her emotional reaction to the accumulating waste became the catalyst for her current artistic direction."

Long View Gallery 

1234 9th St, NW

Metro: Mt Vernon Sq - Convention Center, just a block from the metro, walk down M St to 9th, turn right, Longview is across the street just a few storefronts up.

PAST: "Gathering Space" Timothy Thompson's site-specific installation at Hamiltonian Gallery on U St, SAT, March 30th - SAT, May 4th, Free

"Gathering Space" on view at Hamiltonian Gallery
Free
Saturday, March 30th - Saturday, May 4th

Hamiltonian fellow Timothy Thompson broadens his exploration on the perception of place in Gathering Space, a site-specific installation that intersects Hamiltonian's 1,800 square foot gallery. "Abandoning his usual sculptural materials such as iron and wood for hand-sewn nylon fabric and fiberglass rods, Thompson creates sculptures that act as both conduits through the gallery and formidable monumental barriers. As they move amongst the sculptures, viewers are asked to reconsider how they navigate and perceive a physical space."

Hamiltonian Gallery
1353 U St. NW Suite 101
Metro: U St, or take the Circulator bus Woodely/14th/McPherson route to 14h & U St

PAST: ART: "Befriending The Triangle" at the Foundry Gallery in Dupont WED, April 4th - SUN, April 29th, Free

Befriending The Triangle
Free
On view Wednesday, April 4th - Sunday, April 29th

The Foundry Gallery is pleased to invite you to visit its new April solo exhibit Befriending The Triangle, featuring new paintings by member artist Julia Latein-Kimmig. While there, you can also check out the member show on exhibit.

The Foundry Gallery
1314 18th St, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle

PAST: VARIETY SHOW: Monthly: "The Wonderland Circus" - usually features Comedy, Burlesque, Storytelling and Music - at Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights on select WED nights from 8:30pm - 10:00pm, doors 8:00pm, Free, Donations welcome for the Artists, 21+

The Wonderland Circus Monthly Variety Show brought to you by Christian Hunt and the producers of The Capital City Showcase
select Wednesdays of the month
8:30pm - 10:00pm, doors 8:00pm
Free, $5 donation suggested, 21+
All donations go to the performing artists
Seating is first come, doors at 8:00pm

New monthly variety show, launched in February, at Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights! The event is organized by the same folks behind The Capital City Showcase, and they will be bringing you an evening of DC’s finest performing artists! "The Wonderland Circus" is open to a wide variety of performers, so you can "expect thrills, chills, and amazement."

Dates vary each month but are always on Wednesday nights. Stay connected to The Capital City Showcase to be posted on the next one.

The Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St NW
Metro: Columbia Heights, walk one block north on 14th St to Kenyon and turn right and walk a few blocks, Wonderland is at the corner of 11th and Kenyon

PAST: JAZZ: Live Jazz + Happy Hour Mixer Thursdays at Artisphere most THURS eves from 5:30pm - 8:00pm, Free

Sarah Hughes plays on April 25th

Free Live Jazz + Mixer Thursdays at the Artisphere

Thursday nights in Rosslyn at the Artisphere 

5:30pm - 8:00pm Live Jazz

All ages, 21+ to drink, Free

Free Jazz starts at 5:30pm. Drinks and food available for purchase, Happy Hour specials from 4:00pm - 7:30pm. This after-work Jazz event takes place most Thursday nights at the Artisphere in Rosslyn, VA and  is organized in collaboration with WPFW 89.3FM.

Artisphere

1101 Wilson Blvd 

Metro: Rosslyn, exit metro, turn right to get to Wilson, make a left and walk down about a block or so, look for the domed building on the left side of the street.

PAST: COMEDY: Silver City presents "The Good, The Bad, and the Funny Comedy Show" and Comedy Open Mic at the Brass Monkey in Adams Morgan every FRI night from 8:00pm - 10:30pm, sign-up 7:00pm, Free, 21+

Silver City presents: The Good, The Bad, and the Funny Comedy Show and Comedy Open Mic
every Friday night
8:00pm - 10:30pm, sign-up 7:00pm
Free, 21+

"The Good, The Bad, and The Funny Comedy Show" and Open Mic brings live stand-up comedy to the Brass Monkey in Adams Morgan. Hosted by Comedian Martin Amini, Music by: Dj BO.

Brass Monkey
2317 18th St, NW
Metro: Woodley Park or Columbia Heights and take the Circulator bus to Adams Mill or walk, or take the 42 or 43 bus from Connecticut Ave downtown or from Dupont Circle to 18th & Columbia

PAST: COMEDY: Weekly: "Laugh til ur Blue" Comedy Night at The Blue Banana on Georgia Ave near Petworth Metro every TUES night starting at 8:30pm, Free, 21+

Weekly Comedy Night at the Blue Banana
"Laugh til ur Blue Tuesdays"
every Tuesday night

8:30pm show

Free, 21+

UPDATE: Please call first to confirm if this event is still taking place.  I heard that the Blue Banana was undergoing renovations.

Hosted by Pat Coffey and Haywood Turnipseed, Jr. Produced by District Comedy.

Blue Banana 

3632 Georgia Ave, NW

Metro: Georgia Ave, short walk south on Georgia