2014-08-13



Arts & Entertainment:

Happenings in Metro DC

August 14 – 20, 2014

Always call or check the event website before heading out;

Event information is subject to change.

***Washington D.C.***

Theatre Lab School of Dramatic Arts Summer Teen Program
Kennedy’s Center Millennium Stage
Thursday, August 14  ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!

Participants perform scenes from Evita and West Side Story.

Art on 8th: Ryan Martinez
Presented by Dance Place
Arts Plaza at Monroe Street Market
Thursday, August 14 ∙ 6:30 pm ∙ FREE!

Ryan Martinez is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Takoma Park.  He’s played with rock, hip-hop, folk, and afro beat groups.  His fourth solo album, Renaissance, is an ecclectic combination of acoustic rock, electronic dance music, and ukulele reggae.

Energizers Creative Arts Camp Concert 2014
Dance Place
Thursday, August 14 & Friday, August 15  ∙ 7:00 pm ∙ $10-$15

The culmination of 7 weeks of summer fun, this concert showcases the talent of the Energizers Creative Arts Camp students in dance, music, and more.

Film Series: Master Class: Pina and Tanaquil: Pina
National Gallery of Art
Thursday, August 14 ∙ 7:00 pm ∙ FREE!

German director Wim Wenders was in the midst of filming the groundbreaking modernist choreographer Pina Bausch when she died suddenly in 2009. A visionary whose cogent and compelling work with the Tanztheater Wuppertal transformed the history of dance, Bausch believed in blending the formal vocabularies of theater, dance, sound, and design. Although Wenders stopped all work on the film when his subject died, he was able to complete the project two years later. Pina made its debut at the 2011 Berlinale. (Wim Wenders, 2011, 100 minutes). McGowan Theater, National Archives.

Disney’s The Lion King
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Ends Sunday, August 17 ∙ schedule varies ∙ $40 – $170

Winner of six Tonys including Best Musical,Disney’s The Lion King returns! With direction and costumes by Julie Taymor, Elton John and Tim Rice’s score brings the African Pridelands to life with “Circle of Life” and many more great songs.

American Experience: The Panama Canal (2008; 81 minutes)
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Friday, August 15 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE!

On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal opened, connecting the world’s two largest oceans and signaling America’s emergence as a global superpower. The museum presents this PBS documentary in recognition of the 100th anniversary of one of the world’s most significant technological achievements. Discussion with a museum educator follows the film.

Jazz in the Garden: Swingtopia (big-band swing)
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Friday, August 15 ∙ 5:00 pm ∙ FREE!

Swingtopia consists of eight musicians from Washington DC who between them have performed and toured throughout the world with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, Tex Beneke, Ray Anthony, Les Brown, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Diva, and many others. Most are also past or present members of the premier service bands in DC, including the Airmen of Note, the Army Blues, and the Navy Commodores.

Quraishi
Kennedy’s Center Millennium Stage
Friday, August 15  ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!

World-class Afghan-American rubab player Quraishi offers a performance of original compositions that carry a deep dedication to his native country’s artistic tradition and its national instrument.

Art on 8th: Line Dancing with Denise Bryant
Presented by Dance Place
Arts Plaza at Monroe Street Market
Friday, August 15 ∙ 6:30 pm ∙ FREE!

Denise Bryant and students from her group Music2yourfeet will be leading the audience in some easy-to-enjoy line dances. Get down to  R&B, Country, Soul and everything in between, oldies as well! Denise will be teaching two of 2014′s hottest line dances: Blurred Lines and Happy and more!

Pokemon: Symphonic Evolutions
Warner Theatre
Friday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16  ∙ 8:00 pm ∙ $37.50-$67.50

Pokémon: Symphonic Evolution, a live orchestral concert, will showcase memorable music from throughout the world of Pokémon, featuring all-new musical arrangements that will entertain not just Pokémon fans but all music lovers. Look forward to a wonderful symphonic experience that covers nearly 20 years of Pokémon entertainment around the world.

Free Summer Saturdays: Kid Pan Alley Performance
Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design
Saturday, August 16 ∙ 11:00 am∙ FREE!

This week, see a special performance from budding songwriters and artists enrolled in the Corcoran’s Kid Pan Alley Camp Creativity session as they perform their original songs inspired by art in the Corcoran’s galleries.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art and Design’s Free Summer Saturdays series of programming includes gallery tours, workshops, demonstrations, and performances. Admission to the museum and to these special programs and workshops is free every Saturday between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend.

Guided Tours are available from 11am-3pm.

Children’s Film: Getting to Know Degas and Cassatt
National Gallery of Art
Saturday, August 16 ∙ 11:00 am & Sunday, August 17∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE!

(Ages 4 and up) Join us for two animated films about Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt based on Mike Venezias Getting to Know the Worlds Greatest Artists books. Learn about the life and work of these two artists who were friends and collaborators in later 19th-century Paris. (Mary Cassatt, Mike Venezia, U.S., 2008, 24 mins.; Edgar Degas, Mike Venezia, 24 mins.) A free Family Guide to the exhibition Degas/Cassatt will be available at each screening. West Building Lecture Hall.

Be Creative (Studio 21 Gallery Workshop)
Presented by Dance Place
Arts Plaza at Monroe Street Market
Saturday, August 16 ∙ 12:30 pm ∙ FREE!

This event takes place at Studio 21 located on the Arts Walk at Monroe St. Market.

Enjoy arts and crafts workshops at Studio 21 from 12:30pm – 2:00pm, led by Carla Perlo, Andrea Petty-Brown and guest artists.

Charles Covington, Steve Abshire, and Ken Kimery
Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
Saturday, August 16 ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!

The trio offers a performance of jazz standards.

Half-Price Summer Sundays: August 2014
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Sunday, August 17 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ $4-$5
Enjoy half-price admission to the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) every Sunday in August! Take this opportunity to visit NMWA’s collection and current exhibitions. Explore Total Art: Contemporary Video, which highlights the inventive processes that sustain women artists’ position at the forefront of video. Also, examine Meret Oppenheim: Tender Friendships, featuring sculptures, books and drawings created by artist Meret Oppenheim.

SynchroSwim!
Presented by Washington Project for the Arts (WPA)
Capitol Skyline Hotel
Sunday, August 17 ∙ 5:00 pm ∙ FREE!

DC’s performance art explosion is taking to the pool with SynchroSwim 2014, the fourth presentation of WPA’s synchronized swimming performance art competition! A celebration of creativity and enthusiasm. During the one-hour event, 4 artist teams will perform short, unique routines set to musical compositions. Performers this year include DC Synchromasters, The Docents, The Elementals, and Fluid Movement.

Ezekiel’s Wheels
Kennedy’s Center Millennium Stage
Monday, August 18 ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!

The internationally recognized klezmer ensemble blends the intimacy of chamber music with the rowdiness of a dance band.

Beadazzling Beads!
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Tuesday, August 19 ∙ 10:30 am ∙ FREE!

Join jewelry artist and entrepreneur Elena Aikens as she facilitates a seed bead workshop for adults. Learn to create bead jewelry for a special occasion. Elena repeats this workshop on September 9.

Carlos Nunez
Kennedy’s Center Millennium Stage
Tuesday, August 19  ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!

The Galician multi-instrumentalist and world-famous gaita (bagpipe) player plays expressive Celtic traditional music.

The Quebe Sisters
Kennedy’s Center Millennium Stage
Wednesday, August 20  ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!

The Quebes musical repertoire includes a wide variety of traditional styles, especially western swing, hot jazz and swing standards, western and cowboy songs, vintage country and bluegrass.

Community Forum: Women in Business, Pt 1
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Wednesday, August 20 ∙ 7:00 pm ∙ FREE!

Hear women business owners discuss their recipes for success, motivation, and the businesses they started as a result. Program repeats Wednesday, August 27 with new speakers.

***Maryland***

Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs
The Puppet Co. Playhouse
Thursday, August 14 – Sunday, August 17 ∙ various show times ∙ $10 [check for Discount Tickets]

What’s so bad about the Big Bad Wolf? At last B.B. (Big Bad) Wolfe tells his side of the story, in rap, no less. Has the notorious pork poacher and grandma impersonator gotten a bum rap, or is he truly deserving of his moniker? You be the judge! This tongue-in-cheek version of two children’s favorites uses humor and music to explore our fear of things we don’t understand. This is one of our funniest productions and includes lots of audience participation. The show continues through Sunday, August 31.

Artists of the Arc of Prince George’s County II
Brentwood Arts Exchange
Saturday, August 16 ∙ FREE!

The Brentwood Arts Exchange and The Arc Prince George’s County celebrate two years of making art together with this exhibition of artwork created by The Arc’s Day Center participants in classes at the Brentwood Arts Exchange as well as the Day Centers.

Pinkalicious – The Musical
Adventure Theatre MTC
Saturday, Aug 16 through Monday, Aug 18 ∙ various show times ∙ $10.50-$19

Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. Based on the book “Pinkalicious” by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann∙ Book by Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann ∙ Music by John Gregor ∙ Lyrics by John Gregor, Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann ∙ Directed by Carl Menninger ∙ Starring Felicia Curry ∙ All Ages.  The show continues through Sunday, August 31. Check TicketPlace.org for discount ticket availability.

Best of Strathmore Tribute Shows
Strathmore
Saturday, August 16 ∙ 8:00 pm ∙ $15 – $29

This celebratory concert will feature the Music of Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, The Band, and many others, with performances by Julia Nixon, Jon Carroll, Patti Reese, Owen Danoff, Eric Scott, Mary Ann Redmond, and more!

Free Summer Outdoor Concert: DakhaBrakha
Strathmore
Wednesday, August 20 ∙ 7:00 pm ∙ FREE!

Enjoy the distinctive world music sound of DakhaBrakha, the quartet from Kiev whose name means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language. DakhaBrakha blends traditional Ukranian music with instrumentation from India, Arabia, Africa, Russia and Australia to create an amazing sound that crosses sonic boundaries.

***Virginia***

Second Thursday Art Night
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Thursday, August 14  ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!

Second Thursday Art Night series brings the fun and spontaneity of the creative process to the streets of Old Town. Visitors can browse open studios and galleries, interact with artists, and enjoy refreshments and music for free on the second Thursday of each month. Stop by on your way to dinner and make an evening of it!

This year’s events focus on specific artistic disciplines represented in our building.  Look for special themed exhibits, sales and activities designed to highlight a particular visual form.

‘Scapes: Opening Reception
Presented by The Art League
The Art League Gallery
Thursday, August 14 ∙ 6:30 pm ∙ FREE!

The Art League’s annual juried (land)scape show, ’Scapes is open to interpretations of not just landscapes but cityscapes, seascapes, and skyscapes, real or imagined.

Legally Blonde – The Musical
Workhouse Arts Center
Saturday, August 16 thru Sunday, August 24 ∙ schedule varies ∙ $20

MPAT is proud to present Legally Blonde – The Musical, a high-energy musical from an all-teen cast! Based on the 2001 novel by Amanda Brown and the hit film, this Broadway musical follows the story of Elle Woods, as she goes on a mission to find love (and herself) at Harvard Law School. After discovering how the law can be used to help others, Elle finds herself using her new found skills to defend a workout-queen caught in a murder trial!

Free Fine Art Photography Lecture and Demonstration
Workhouse Arts Center
Saturday, August 16  ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE!

Instructor Craig Rudlin will explore the elements of Fine Art Photography and how to utilize them to create images that engage and challenge the viewer. The seminar will be a short journey into the essence of Fine Art Photography with room for discussion, illustrated with examples from the instructor and possible “live” processing of raw captures into final images as time allows. Registration required.

Mount Vernon Nights: IONA (Celtic)
Workhouse Arts Center
Saturday, August 16 ∙ 7:00 pm ∙ FREE!

IONA’s trademark is a high-energy, pan-Celtic weave of the traditional music of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall (England), Brittany (France), the Isle of Man and Galicia (Spain), featuring fiddle, vocals, flute, guitar and percussion.

A Matter of Worth
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Saturday, August 23  ∙ 10:30 am ∙ FREE!

Inspired by the current Ubuhle exhibition, artist Marcia Cole performs a one-woman “vo-collage” she titles “A Matter of Worth.” The work is a series of dialogues, poetry, quotations, and proverbs unified by themes of exploration and self-evaluation. Cole says of the performance, “It’s for the anonymous ancestors—gone but not forgotten.”

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts – Filene Center
Saturday, August 23  ∙ 7:15 pm ∙ $25-$38

Maria, the Von Trapp family, and even the lonely goatherd are back to bring you a few of your favorite things: the classic film shown on huge screens with lyrics and an unforgettable costume contest.

Dolley Day at Dumbarton House: War of 1812 Commemoration
Dumbarton House
Sunday, August 24  ∙ 1:00 pm ∙ $10

Join us for an extra-special Dolley Day! Celebrate this special day at Dumbarton House with an afternoon of fun and festivities! Make your own ice cream, sample “Dolley” cake and learn period games with Dolley herself!

On August 24, 1814, as the British marched toward Washington, Dolley was preparing for a party. As the British came closer, Charles Carroll, owner of Dumbarton House and close friend of the President and Dolley Madison, sent his carriage to the White House to bring Dolley to safety. During her flight, Dolley stopped at Dumbarton House on her way to Virginia.

The Fresh Beat Band Live In Concert!
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts – Filene Center
Saturday, August 30  ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ $25-$50

Its a Great Day to sing and dance Just Like a Rockstar with Kiki, Marina, Twist, and Shout from Nick Jr.s sensational TV band!

National Symphony Orchestra: Labor Day Capitol Concert 2014
Presented by National Symphony Orchestra
West Lawn US Capital
Sunday, August 31  ∙ 8:00 pm ∙ FREE!

The National Symphony Orchestra celebrates the beginning of its 2014-2015 season with its annual Labor Day Capitol Concert. Participating artists and program to be announced.

That’s why we call CultureCapital.com Your Link to the Arts in Metro DC.

Find the best of DC, Maryland and Virginia theatres, performing arts, museums, galleries, arts classes and more at CultureCapital.com. Search here by date, range of dates, locality and interest and choose from among 300 presenters throughout Metro DC. There are even categories for Free and Family Events!

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Disclosure:  This blog post is sponsored by CultureCapital.com – Your Link to the Arts in Metro DC.

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