Here are some great free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com! This site is a fantastic resource for free and ticketed events Here are some great free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com! This site is a fantastic resource for free and ticketed events presented by nearly 300 Metro DC Arts Presenters. For quick way to find even more free arts and culture events try our "Free in DC" Inside Out feature, curated by the staff of CultureCapital.com.
TICKETPLACE.org is another great program where you can find discount tickets to performances throughout metro DC @TICKETPLACEDC on twitter and at TICKETPLACE.org.
Last Chance! On view through Saturday, December 5
Implicit Bias, Seeing the Other: Seeing Our Self
Hours: Wed - Friday 11:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday, 11:00am - 3:00pm, and by appointment
This exhibition deals with Implicit Bias: A subtle attitude or belief beneath our conscious awareness. These unconscious beliefs can subliminally cause stereotypical and sometimes unjust associations to form when relating with people of a different cultural background. Read more here.
Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery
1632 U St NW
Metro: U St
See the "Free in DC" page on CultureCapital.com for more free events and exhibits on view!
Wednesday, December 2
Lunchtime - Gallery Talk at the NMWA - Metro Center
Gallery Talk: Womanimal
12:00pm - 12:30pm
These bite-size lunchtime talks are offered most Wednesdays. This week, Director of the Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center Heather Slania discusses selections from the special exhibition Womanimal: Zine Art by Caroline Paquita. During each talk, museum staff members facilitate interactive conversations, encouraging visitors to look closely and investigate the mediums, techniques and overarching themes of special exhibitions and works from the museum’s collection. Note: Talk is free but if you want to tour the museum before or after, regular admission applies.Free, bite-size lunchtime talks are offered every Wednesday.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave, NW
Metro: Metro Center, use the 13th St exit and up two blocks to NY Ave or take one of many buses that go to 13th & H St
Afternoon - Conversation on Black Education in the U.S. - Archives
Role of the Federal Government in Black Education
2:00pm
Free, RSVP required
Tina L. Ligon, archivist, will discuss records relating to desegregation, integration, and studies on black education. She will cover the Brown v. Board of Education case, the Little Rock Nine crisis, research activities at historically black colleges and universities, and busing in Charlotte, NC, and Boston, MA.
National Archives
between 7th & 9th on Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial
Evening - Tie-Dye a Canvas Wine Bag at Artomatic - New Carrollton, MD
Artomatic: Erin Cassell: Wine Bag Tie Dye Workshop
7:00pm
"Tie dye a canvas wine bag. When you take wine to a party or for a romantic picnic, show up in style! You wanna Dress to Impress! So does that bottle! Bring the Groovy to the party. Way more fun than walking in with a naked bottle! (especially on a first date!)"
Artomatic
8100 Corporate Drive - Hyattsville, MD
Metro: New Carrollton, short .04 mile walk from metro, just about 7 minutes or so, keep left when you exit, follow the signs along the road, you'll need to cross one street to turn on to Corporate Drive, keep left.
Evening - Artist Talk at new Washington Project for the Arts space - U St
Artist Talk: Joyce J. Scott at the new home of WPA right by the 9:30 Club - U St
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Free, RSVP required
Joyce J. Scott is a master raconteur and performer as well as celebrated visual artist. Her sculpture often combines humor and beauty with profound themes of racial and gendered injustice. She began showing her work with the WPA in the 1980s. She will share her memories along with a presentation of current work.
Washington Project for the Arts (WPA)
2124 8th St NW
Metro: U St, exit toward the African American War Memorial
See the "Free in DC" Inside Out page on CultureCapital.com for more free events and exhibits on view and visit TICKETPLACE for half-price tickets to performances in the DC metro area! You can also Follow CultureCapital.com on facebook and @TICKETPLACEDC on twitter.
Thursday, December 3
Early Evening - National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Performances on the Ellipse - Federal Triangle
National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
4:30pm
You can also watch the event live online!
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2015 will feature Fall Out Boy, Andra Day, Tori Kelly, Trombone Shorty, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Aloe Blacc, Kelsea Ballerini & more. The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is the beginning of three weeks of celebration in holiday music in the nation’s capital. Musical groups from DC and across the country provide holiday entertainment to the countless visitors for a one of a kind holiday experience set against the backdrop of the National Christmas Tree.
The Ellipse
17th St and Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Federal Triangle is closest, you can also walk down from Farragut West, walk south toward Constitution or take uber or lyft there, see new user promo codes below.
Evening - Special Talk on Alcohol Monitoring Technology at The National Archives - Archives
The Drunkometer to Digital Apps: How Technology Changes the Way We Drink
7:00pm
Free, RSVP required
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has issued a national challenge to design a wearable or discreet device to measure blood alcohol levels. Tonight’s discussion examines the history and current research on alcohol consumption and the promise of new technology. First used by the criminal justice system to enforce drunk driving laws, alcohol monitoring technology now has the potential to improve personal health and aid scientific research.
National Archives
between 7th & 9th on Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial
Find more events and exhibits on view on the "Free in DC" Inside Out page on CultureCapital.com!
Friday. December 4
Lunchtime - Classical Concert with FMMC in Chinatown - Gallery Pl
Friday Morning Music Club Concert
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Members of the Friday Morning Music Club perform works by J.S. Bach, Tchaikovsky, Liszt and Bernstein as part of the weekly performance series on Fridays at Calvary Baptist Church in Chinatown.
Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th St. NW - near H St NW
Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown
Lunchtime - Author Talk at The National Archives - Archives
Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America
12:00pm
Free, RSVP required
In his new biography, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner T. J. Stiles radically changes our view of Gen. George Armstrong Custer and his turbulent times. Stiles paints a portrait of Custer both deeply personal and sweeping in scope, proving how much of Custer’s legacy has been ignored.A book signing will follow the program.
National Archives
between 7th & 9th on Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial
Evening - Meet the Artist Reception at Zenith - Upper 16th St/ south of Silver Spring
Great Moments in Art: Works by Stephen Hansen - Meet the Artist Reception
Friday, December 4
4:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday, December 5
2:00pm - 5:00pm
This exhibit takes famous paintings by the masters and adds Hansen's painter characters actually painting the masters art. Stephen not only creates the sculpture he paints a copy of the painting. That alone is significant to be able to sculpt and paint with such talent and creativity and make you laugh. They say it is far harder to make people laugh than make them cry. Come here and you will laugh so hard you will cry! His work is shown world wide over the past 40 years, in many Embassies around the world, TV shows, many museums, commercial buildings, airports, government buildings; including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission here in Washington. Once you buy one Stephen Hansen you want more, they are a humorous addiction.
See press release and view exhibit here
On view December 4 - January 30, 2016
Zenith Gallery
1429 Iris St, NW
Metro: Silver Spring or Columbia Heights - walk over to 16th Street and take the S2 or S4 bus - about a 10 or 12 minute bus ride - to Hemlock, which is the stop closest to Iris and walk to Iris, and a block and a half over to the address. You can also uber or lyft there. See new user promotions at the bottom of this post.
Evening - Holiday Party & Open House at the Art League, Old Town Alexandria - King St, VA
Artfete Open House & Holiday Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Join The Art League at their Madison Annex as we kick off the holiday season with live music, great artwork, artist demos, and more. This year's music is by The Sea Life and Go Cozy. Admission is free and all are invited!
The Art League 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
Evening - Performance of Japanese Music, Gamelan & Koto, at UMD - College Park, MD
UMD Gamelan and UMD Koto Ensemble
8:00pm
The quiet beauty, simplicity and harmonizing effect of Japanese nature are revealed in the music of the UMD Koto Ensemble. Then the complex interlocking rhythms of Balinese music on percussive instruments, the myriad expressions and the delicate motions of Balinese dance unite in the UMD Gamelan Saraswati.
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Stadium Drive, UMD - College Park, MD
Metro: College Park and take a bus, taxi, uber or lyft. See uber and lyft promo codes for new users at the bottom of this post.
Find more events and exhibits on view on the "Free in DC" Inside Out page on CultureCapital.com!
Saturday, December 5
Daytime - Annual Ceramics Show & Sale at NoVa Community College - Alexandria, VA
NOVA Alexandria Ceramics Sale at the Schlesinger Concert Hall
10:00am - 2:00pm
The annual Ceramics Sale by the NOVA Alexandria Ceramics Department will include a variety of items at reasonable prices.
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall
at NoVa Community College
3001 North Beauregard St - Alexandria, VA
Metro: See metro trip-planner for best bus access from metro
Smithsonian Holiday Festival + Pop-Up Holiday Market at the Hirshhorn on The National Mall - L'Enfant Plaza
WPA Holiday Pop Up Shop at the Hirshhorn Museum
10:00am - 5:30pm
also on Sunday at the same time
Washington Project for the Arts, in partnership with Smithsonian Enterprises, is pleased to announce it will be sponsoring a two-day holiday pop up shop at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden during the Smithsonian Holiday Festival this Saturday & Sunday. The shop will feature unique and exciting holiday gifts, including small works of art, crafts, and other handmade goods by WPA member artists. Read more here.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Independence Ave & 7th St SW
Metro: L'Enfant Plaza
Lunchtime - Write your Name in Arabic - New Carrollton, MD
Artomatic: Arabic Calligraphy Workshop
12:00pm
Come learn to write your name in Arabic. A calligraphy workshop for those interested in the beauty of letters.
Artomatic
8100 Corporate Drive - Hyattsville, MD
Metro: New Carrollton, short .4 mile walk from metro, just about 7 minutes or so, exit metro to the right and follow the signs to the left, cross over to Corporate Drive, follow the signs, keep left
Afternoon - Paper Ornament Workshop - Brentwood, MD
Paper Ornament Workshop at the Brentwood Arts Exchange
2:00pm
This free, family-friendly, workshop provides the opportunity to create paper ornaments for the Holiday season. All materials are provided. If you have special paper you would like to use, feel free to bring it the day of the event. No registration required. We look forward to sharing the Holidays with you.
Brentwood Arts Exchange
At the Gateway Arts Center
3901 Rhode Island Ave - Brentwood, MD
Metro: Rhode Island Ave or West Hyattsville and take a bus, or see the uber and lyft promos below. From the Red Line: Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Station (Red Line): Take the 83 bus to 39th Street, and you arrive at the Gateway Arts Center. The T18 and 86 buses will get you as far as 37th Street
Afternoon - Film Screening at The National Archives - Archives
My Favorite Year (Film Screening)
2;00pm
Free, RSVP required
(1982; 92 minutes; rated PG)
Peter O’Toole stars as Alan Swann, a carousing, hard-drinking matinee idol at the twilight of his career who appears on a 1954 television comedy show. Mark Linn-Baker plays a young writer who is tasked with keeping him under control. Directed by Richard Benjamin.
National Archives
between 7th & 9th on Constitution Ave, NW
Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial
Early Eve - Holiday Concert at the American Art Museum - Gallery Pl -Chinatown
21st Century Consort: The Passion of Scrooge featuring baritone William Sharp
4:00pm pre-concert discussion, 5:00pm concert
Back by popular demand! Jon Deak's seasonal classic, The Passion of Scrooge or A Christmas Carol, featuring baritone William Sharp, marks the beginning of the holiday season. This year it is paired with the incomparable music of Paul Schoenfield. This concert is a part of the Smithsonian Holiday Festival.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th & F St NW
Metro: Gallery Pl - Chinatown, take the elevator exit or 9th & G exit for easiest access
Afternoon - Meet the Artist Reception at Zenith - Upper 16th St/ south of Silver Spring
Great Moments in Art: Works by Stephen Hansen - Meet the Artist Reception
2:00pm - 5:00pm
See description above, Friday.
See press release and view exhibit here
On view December 4 - January 30, 2016
Zenith Gallery
1429 Iris St NW
Metro: Silver Spring or Columbia Heights - walk over to 16th Street and take the S2 or S4 bus - about a 10 or 12 minute bus ride - to Hemlock, which is the stop closest to Iris and walk to Iris, and a block and a half over to the address. You can also uber or lyft there. See new user promotions at the bottom of this post.
Late Afternoon - Annual Messiah Sing-Along in Arlington - Ballston, VA
TMC Annual Messiah Sing-Along with the Metropolitan Chorus
4:00pm
The Metropolitan Chorus performs their annual sing-along at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington. Audience members are asked to bring not only their scores but also canned goods that will be donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), a program supported by First Presbyterian Church of Arlington.
First Presbyterian Church of Arlington
601 North Vermont St - Arlington, VA
Metro: Ballston, short walk. Head toward Ballston Commons Mall. Walk through the mall; proceed to the corner of N. Glebe and N. Carlin Springs Rd., where there is a traffic light. Turn right. The church is two blocks up on the right.
Late Afternoon - Holiday Music Sing-Along with US Marine Band at Wolf Trap - Vienna, VA
Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long
4:00pm
Note: No buses during the winter months from the metro, but you can take a 15 - 20 minute uber or lyft there from the West Falls Church Metro and if you go with a group this could be worth it)
Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Wolf Trap’s 2015 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.
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts - Filene Center
1551 Trap Road - Vienna, VA
Metro: West Falls Church and take an uber or lyft there from the metro about 15 - 20 minutes. If you have a group going with you this is not an expensive option. See promotions at the bottom of this post for $20 off your first uber ride and $10 off your first lyft ride. Be sure to select uberx for the cheapest option.
Find more events and exhibits on view on the "Free in DC" Inside Out page on CultureCapital.com!
Sunday, December 6
Smithsonian Holiday Festival + Pop-Up Holiday Market at the Hirshhorn + Free NSO Holiday Concert - L'Enfant Plaza
WPA Holiday Pop Up Shop at the Hirshhorn Museum
10:00am - 5:30pm
Washington Project for the Arts, in partnership with Smithsonian Enterprises, is pleased to announce it will be sponsoring a two-day holiday pop up shop at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden during the Smithsonian Holiday Festival this Saturday & Sunday. The shop will feature unique and exciting holiday gifts, including small works of art, crafts, and other handmade goods by WPA member artists. Read more here.
In conjunction with the event, the National Symphony Orchestra Horn Ensemble will perform an “NSO In Your Neighborhood” free concert featuring holiday music in the Lerner Room Sunday, December 6 at 4:00pm.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Independence Ave & 7th St SW
Metro: L'Enfant Plaza
Afternoon - Winter Art Show Opening Reception in Reston, VA - Wiehle-Reston East + bus
Surrealistic Film by Barry Carver, sprayed
and brushed acrylic & Triangular
Rainbow by R. Neville Johnston, pastel
Wonderland: An Exhibit by R. Neville Johnston and N. Barry Carver: Opening Reception
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Wonderland emphasizes their unique styles while displaying their ability to create linear, often surreal, abstract art. Since both are writers, they are masters at telling a story and creating images designed to make us think. R. Neville Johnston is host of Telepathic TV, has written several books, and is a lifetime artist and sculptor. N. Barry Carver has been painting since the 70s while also pursuing careers in acting, filmmaking, news production and writing. Barry will read selections from his recent book of short stories, Lost in Dictation: Blasphemy, Sedition & Outright Lies, during this reception.
Reston Community Center
2310 Colts Neck Rd - Reston, VA
Metro: Wiehle-Reston East and catch the Reston Bus 2 towards Reston Town Center to Colts Neck & Hunters Sq. See metro trip-planner for schedule details.
Afternoon - Literary Reading at The Writer's Center - Bethesda, MD
Open Door Reading: Washington Writers' Publishing House
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Reading by writers published by Washington Writers' Publishing House, including Michelle Chan Brown, author of Motherland with Wolves, and Patricia Schultheis, author of St. Bart's Way.
The Writer's Center
4508 Walsh St - Bethesda, MD
Metro: Bethesda, elevator exit is closest, note that you'll need to cross the street to the northbound lane on Wisconsin as Walsh is only accessible for that side
Afternoon - Want to Write a Book? Free Workshop at Artomatic - New Carrollton, MD
Artomatic: Sunday Literature: From Idea to Craft: Drafts and Editing
2:00pm
Learn how authors write a novel; from the process of inspiration to getting the words on paper. How to overcome challenges in the process, such as writers block. How to prepare a finished manuscript for its “birth” to the world in its book format, from manuscript editing to finalizing book cover. In addition in this session we will review different distribution methods/ venues in which to publish your book.
Artomatic
8100 Corporate Drive - Hyattsville, MD
Metro: New Carrollton, short .4 mile walk from metro, just about 7 minutes or so, exit metro to the right and follow the signs to the left, cross over to Corporate Drive, follow the signs, keep left
Afternoon - Learn more about fats Workshop at Joe's Movement Emporium - Mt Rainier, MD
The Skinny On Fats
2:00pm
Free, RSVP Required
"Can I eat fats now, or are they still dangerous to my health? Designed for people who are confused about what fats are good to eat and what fats lead to inflammation and disease. Participants will learn about the sources of fat in the diet as well as the difference between saturated, unsaturated and trans fats, and which are the fats that are to be avoided. Participants will recognize the different names for fats, the benefits of some essential fatty acids for optimal health and will receive concrete recommendations on how to cook and store their oils to prevent them from spoiling."
Joe's Movement Emporium
3909 Bunker Hill Road (map)
Mt. Rainier, MD 20712
Metro: West Hyattsville and short taxi (1.2 miles, see map) or see if there is a bus
Late Afternoon - Appalachian Music Holiday Concert at the NGA West Building - Archives
Concert: Mark O'Connor, "An Appalachian Christmas"
3:30pm
Holiday concert
National Gallery of Art
West Building, West Garden Court
6th & Constitution Ave NW
Metro: Archives (Note: If cold outside or inclement weather, you can enter at the 7th St entrance just past Constitution, they also have a free coat check right there)
Late Afternoon - Youth Chamber Music Concert at the Spectrum Theatre - Rosslyn, VA
Crescendo Youth Chamber Music Concert
presented by the Arlington Philharmonic
4:00pm
The inaugural concert of the Arlington Philharmonic's youth chamber music group, Crescendo, will feature two small ensembles of talented musicians in grades 8-12. A bass quintet will perform a piece by the composer George Onslow and a string quartet will showcase a Beethoven selection. All nine musicians will also combine to play a number of holiday tunes.
Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre
1611 N Kent St.
Arlington, VA 22209
Metro: Rosslyn, exit to the right, turn left at the corner and walk down the hill a block or two, keep left
Evening - Chamber Music Concert at UMD - College Park, MD
Honors Chamber Music Recital
7:30pm
This concert showcases exceptional ensembles of the UMD School of Music’s chamber music program, as selected by faculty.
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Stadium Drive, UMD - College Park, MD
Metro: College Park and take a bus, taxi, uber or lyft. See promotion for new users below.
Find more events and exhibits on view on the "Free in DC" Inside Out page on CultureCapital.com!
Special Promotions for uber and lyft: Smart phones users can download the uber and lyft apps. New users get $10 off your first lyft ride with promo code FREEINDC10 here and $20 off your first Uber with the promo code FREEINDC14 here - be sure to select uberx for best price!