WHEN YOU GO to any 1970s R&B group's concerts, you are guaranteed to be surrounded by middle-aged people shakin' it like a Polaroid picture. A Maze featuring Frankie Beverly show would be no different, but even if you're too young to remember them from the first time around, Frankie's grooves are sure to give you happy feelings too.
The young and the young at heart can party like it's 1979 when Frankie and Maze come to Constitution Hall this weekend.
» D.A.R. Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW; Fri., Nov. 28, 8 p.m., $75; 202-397-7328 (Farragut West)
Written by Express' Kelsey Parrish
Photo courtesy Phil Bray
POST-MOD, pre-mod, hyper-mod? Or "confusing art phenomena"? The instructors at the Corcoran Gallery of Art can help the struggling teacher in your life not get completely lost with "Modern, Mod, Moderne, Modernism, Post-Modern, Contemporary" offered this Saturday as a primer on introducing kids to art for those teaching grades four to 12.
» Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW; Sat., Nov. 22, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5; 202-639-1700. (Farragut West)
Written by Express' Nathan Martin
THE WEATHER'S GROWING chilly here in D.C. But with a few quick trips to local watering holes, you can cobble together an international experience to make you forget the dropping temps.
Beginning in Europe, as all culturally insensitive Westerners would, stop at Le Chat Noir. Yes, that means "the black cat," and no, we're not talking about that one. This Friendship Heights bistro serves half-priced wine from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Also, the food is incredible — the steak frites are delicious, but go for some of the less-Americanized food, since this is a place that does authentic French cuisine well.
The best happy hour in D.C. is hiding inside one of its fanciest restaurants: Mie n Yu, in the heart of Georgetown, is an exotic, theatrical dining experience where menus expound in flowery terms on "flavors of the Silk Road" and patrons dine inside of giant birdcages. But from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday, slide into a seat at the bar for a menu of cheap happy hour munchies (the best deal is the bowl of veggie tempura for $2) and a featured cocktail for $5.45. There are also featured cheap beers and a plethora of kind and thoughtful bartenders. What more could you ask?
WINSOME, BESPECTACLED LISA LOEB, the force behind the '90s hit "Stay," may be a girly sing-along superhero, but, like the rest of us, she was once a kid. A kid who went to summer camp, learned campfire songs and ate cafeteria food.
With the release of her second collection of children's music, "Camp Lisa," the singer-songwriter switches topics from grown-up love to the love of PB&J sandwiches. She also set up the Camp Lisa Foundation with SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Provide and Edge, Inc.) and will perform songs from "'Camp Lisa" at National Geographic on Saturday.
» EXPRESS: Have you ever made it through an interview without being asked about your glasses?
» LOEB: Actually, I'm working on an eyewear line, coming out next year. People are always asking me about glasses, and others can have the same ones I'm wearing, or ones that may fit their face better.
FOR THOSE OF YOU who think the Smashing Pumpkins are "so 1995," think again — the rock 'n' roll powerhouse is alive and kicking.
Billy Corgan and an incarnation of the Pumpkins have been together again since 2005 and released an album, an EP, a single for "Guitar Hero," and, yesterday, "If All Goes Wrong," a double DVD package commemorating their 20 years of material.
Even if the new stuff is foreign to you and you're still entrenched in a "Siamese Dream," you'll want to catch their second and last show in the area tonight.
» Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW; 8 p.m., $58.50; 202-638-1776. (Farragut West)
Photo by Paul Brown
DANCE-PUNKERS WE ARE SCIENTISTS hit the British scene big in 2006 with their second album, "With Love and Squalor," which earned them a touring slot with Arctic Monkeys.
Now, back home in the U.S., the band is getting attention for 2008's "Brain Thrust Mastery" plus several surreal videos directed by "SNL Digital Shorts" mastermind Akiva Schaffer. The group is opening for Kings of Leon at DAR Constitution Hall on Nov. 10.
Express talked to bassist Chris Cain.
» EXPRESS: In the spirit of the DAR, are you planning some sort of revolt against the Kings during the show?
» CAIN: Absolutely. I think it would be downright un-American to do otherwise. I'll keep the bloody details a surprise, but it should get pretty gol-darn hectic up in Kings of Leon's hairpiece — in a friendly way.
APPARENTLY, Kings of Leon was once a roots-rock band. It looks like things have changed, since they are now the kind of band that unironically releases a song called "Sex on Fire." If you are nostalgic for their music of yesteryear, or if you just want a chance to ask them what "Your sex is on fire" actually means, you can catch them at DAR Constitution Hall tonight.
» Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW; Mon., Nov. 10, 7 p.m., $38.50; 202-397-7328. (Farragut West)
Photo courtesy Big Hassle Media
WHAT DOES TERRORISM LEAVE? Photographer Leo Rubinfien explores the effects of what he calls, "freelance warfare" on the faces of people who have known terror in their recent past. The quietly powerful exhibition features photos from across the world and is on display at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
» Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW; Through Feb. 16., 10-5 p.m., $10-$14, 202-639-1700. (Farragut West)
Photo courtesy Leo Rubinfien
PEACOCK GRAND CAFE is encouraging a phenomenal attitude in the midst of an economic downturn. The folks there say "Hard Times Taste Great," which also happens to be the name of tonight's artisan pizza and beer pairing event at the restaurant.
It costs some dough to enter, but then you get unlimited beer and appetizers followed by a sit-down meal featuring the aforementioned pizza and (you guessed it) more beer. In sum: Cease stressing out and treat yourself to a tipsy, delicious evening.
» Peacock Grand Cafe, 2020 K St. NW; Wed., Oct. 22, 6 p.m., $45; 202-530-2020. (Farragut West)
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
NO ONE HAS more soul than Aretha Franklin. No, seriously. She will fight you. Show some respect.
Catch the legendary diva this Wednesday, and see what everyone has been kvelling over since the mid-'60s. The Queen of Soul hasn't lost any of her punch, and it's not often you get to see such a legend in person.
» Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW; Wed., Oct. 22, 8 p.m., $65-$125; 202-397-7328. (Farragut West)
Photo courtesy Arista Records
Addison Road