Top Stops

A Jolly Good Idea: Shop Around at Strathmore

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:54 -0500

THIS WEEKEND While huffing and puffing at the gym the other day, we almost flew off the treadmill when we saw a Walmart holiday commercial come on the tube. Really? It's not even Thanksgiving yet! In a Scrooge-styled harrumph, we decided that if we are going to splurge on goodies early, it had better be worth our while.

Well, sugar plums, the Shop Around at the Mansion at Strathmore totally is. An $8 admission — all of which benefits the museum's art and education programs — gets you into the event that features items from the area museum gift shops. Whether it's a replica of a Faberge egg from the Hillwood Museum & Gardens, or a silky scarf from the Textile Museum, there's plenty to stock your stuffing with. Besides, unlike the real museum shops, this event will be tourist free. Now that's a jolly good time!

» Mansion at Strathmore 10701 Rockville Pike; Bethesda, Thu., Nov. 12-Sun., Nov. 15., $8; 301-581-5100, Strathmore.org

Photo courtesy Strathmore

Sufi-ce to Sing: Kailash Kher and Kailasa

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

TUESDAY: To many people, the massively popular Kailash Kher and Kailasa make world music. But to millions of Indians, the Sufi-informed combination of Kher's soaring vocals and the techo-tinged sounds of Kailasa (brothers Naresh and Paresh Kamath) is simply modern folk with pop twists. Their first international CD, "Yatra (Nomadic Souls)," is what brings them to the U.S., but you can bet the place will be packed with Indians shouting requests for Kher's numerous Bollywood classics.

After the jump: Listen to all of "Yatra (Nomadic Souls)."

» Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW; Tue., Nov. 10, $25-$45; 800-551-7328. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)

Streets of China: 'Sound Kapital: Beijing's Music Underground'

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:00:27 -0500

ONGOING: China isn't just about thousands of perfectly choreographed dancers celebrating the Olympics. It has punk culture too, and it's beautifully captured in "Sound Kapital: Beijing's Music Underground," a show of photographs at Govinda Gallery.

Check out the visual evidence of the rebellious kids of China. It looks like American punk, but it hasn't been taken over by Hot Topic. Yet.

» Govinda Gallery, 1227 34th St. NW; through Nov. 28, free; 202-333-1180.

Photo courtesy Matthew Niederhauser

Poor Relation: 'Trust Us for Just Us'

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:00:14 -0500

ONGOING: Sure, you could go see the big William T. Wiley retrospective at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Or you could see his new solo show, "Trust Us for Just Us," at a tiny gallery in Dupont Circle. Which sounds better as your Facebook status? Yeah, that's what we thought too.

The show closes Nov. 14, so you'd better hurry.

» Marsha Mateyka Gallery, 2012 R St. NW; through Nov. 14, free; 202-328-0088. (Dupont Circle)

Photo courtesy Marsha Mateyka Gallery

Fall Folk: Blind Pilot

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500

WEDNESDAY: Blind Pilot navigate a folk-pop territory that is less grandiose than that of Fleet Foxes and less potentially annoying than Conor Oberst. The band's stripped-down "3 Rounds and a Sound" CD is Iron & Wine-esque porch-sitting music, but it's not for warm summer days: Blind Pilot is perfect for the fall, when the darkness comes early and there's a wistful chill in the air.

After the Jump: Download three free MP3s after the jump and watch five performance videos from Blind Pilot.

» RELATED: Read our interview with show openers The Low Anthem

» Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW; with The Low Anthem, Mimicking Birds, Wed., Nov. 11, 8 p.m., $15; 202-667-4490. (U St.-Cardozo)

Photo by Jay Blakesberg

The Kids Are Alright: The Black Hollies

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500

WEDNESDAY: The Black Hollies are the zillionth group aping the psychedelic blue-eyed blues of mid-'60s Brit-rock bands such as The Kinks, The Yardbirds and The Who, but this New Jersey quartet carries its homage with upper-class sass. You've heard The Black Hollies' new CD, "Softly Towards the Light," a billion times — but the garage-rock formula is so great, listen to it a billion and one. (And their lives shows are supposed to be hotter than overdriven tube amp.)

After the jump: Check the video for "Paisley Pattern Ground" plus some live clips for proof of the band's style-filled substance. Plus, download a free MP3 of the howler "Gloomy Monday Morning."

» The Metro Gallery, 1700 North Charles St., Baltimore, Md.; with Title Tracks, Bryan Scary, Baby Aspirin, Wed., Nov. 11, 8 p.m., $8; 410-244-0899.

Photo courtesy Big Hassle Media

Go to the Picture Show: 'Storytelling in a Digital World'

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:00:42 -0500

MONDAY: It's not really clear why a bunch of people from National Public Radio (including host Jacki Lyden, pictured) are talking about photography ... but they are. Maybe mankind has learned to transmit photos through the radio, and nobody told us.

A panel of photographers and NPR journalists will speak about digital storytelling as part of a Fotoweek DC event. To attend, RSVP to pictureshow@npr.org.

» National Geographic, Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW; Mon., Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m., free; 202-857-7700. (Dupont Circle)

Photo by Bill O'Leary

Pop Tart: Lenka

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

MONDAY: Singer-songwriter Lenka has said her music is a mixture of the Beatles, Burt Bacharach and Bjork. Like the first two she shares a good ear for bouncy melodies, but Lenka and Bjork are alike only in that they both evoke pixies. But the Australian singer has a voice as cute as her face (that is, very), and her sweet 2008 debut, "Lenka," spawned the ultra-catchy pop song "The Show," which Old Navy used in a major campaign.

After the jump: See the video for "The Show" and several other songs.

» Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE; with Colin Smith, Danni Rosner, Mon., Nov. 9, 7 p.m., $15; 202-388-7625.

Photo courtesy Big Hassle

Runway Jury: The Museum of Over It

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

DWINDLE, DWINDLE, LITTLE STARS. The five remaining designers will be sliced to three by the end of the episode, so the pressure's on, especially for Christopher, who's the last man standing. And, considering how copiously he cries, I use the word "man" advisedly.

Heidi sends them to meet Tim Gunn at "an iconic place," which turns out to be the Getty Museum. Ooh, I love that place. When I was little, I used to wander around there pretending I lived in it, wondering where to put the couch.

L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has nothing better to do than greet the scissor monkeys. Tim gives them their assignment: Explore the museum, the architecture, the grounds and the beautiful ocean view for inspiration, with their models at their sides to serve as muses.

"There's so much to see," says Lonely Boy. "So much to not touch." Say, Handsy McTearduct, have you ever been in a museum before?

A Tights Spot: Embellished, Edgy Stockings

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0500

IN OLDEN DAYS (or, at least, for the past few seasons) a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something far from shocking. Snoozy black tights ruled both runways and workdays. But this fall, designers encrusted hosiery with sequins and beads, and rolled out lace and fishnet styles that'd make a can-can girl weak in the knees. "Clothes this season don't have much trendiness," says designer Cynthia Rowley, who trotted out metal-studded and lace-trimmed pairs. "Embellished tights can be the thing that's spontaneous about your outfit." The ideal mate for such ornamental legwear: fall's sky-high statement heels and punky booties. Just be prepared for all eyes to be on your chic calves. "And I worry a little bit that the studded pairs might set off the metal detector at the airport," Rowley laughs.

1) Menswear Hose: Dandify a sheath with Wolford's spat-like tights ($58, Wolford, Tysons Galleria; 703-448-5586) and Sergio Rossi booties (Hu's Shoes, 3005 M St. NW; 202-342-0202).
2) Sun, Meet Shade: Natty herringbone stockings ($12.50, Thegap.com) play off the updated Victorian vibe of Tibi's suede pumps ($352, Sassanova, 1641 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-471-4400).
3) World-Wise Web: Pair Calvin Klein's spidery gray fishnets with YSL's pencil-heeled crocodile stilettos ($18 and $875, Nordstrom, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington; 703-415-1121).