TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY: Honestly, we didn't expect to see R. Kelly anywhere near the Daughters of the American Revolution, but tonight and tomorrow he'll be performing at Constitution Hall.
We're keeping all our fingers and toes crossed for a live rendition of "Trapped In the Closet," his sweeping hip-hop opera about a one-night stand — except that the opera is so long that we'd be struck there till the next American revolution.
» DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW, Tue. and Wed., Nov. 24 and 25, 8 p.m., $65-$85; 202-638-2661. (Farragut West)
Written by Express' Sarah Mimms
Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post
SATURDAY: The resurgence of handmade culture in America bodes well for the future. At the very least, if civilization collapses we'll have tons of people who know how to make ugly hats and "Twilight"-themed Fimo jewelry.
But it's nice to see people making things for themselves, and that's commemorated in "Handmade Nation," a short documentary about crafters showing at the Renwick Saturday afternoon. Will DIY sink back into obscurity once this recession is over? We hope not. Go check out the movie — maybe it'll inspire you to make something of your own.
» Renwick Gallery, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. NW; Sat., Nov. 21, 2 p.m., free; 202-633-1000. (Farragut West)
Photo from Indiecraftdocumentary.blogspot.com
ATTRACTING AWARDS like a magnet lures iron filings, Virginia Galloway's "The Music Lesson" screens as part of National Geographic Live on Friday.
The documentary trails 10 classically trained music students from Boston as they travel to Laikipia, Kenya, for a musical, social and cultural exchange none of the participants will ever forget.
Galloway herself will be on hand after the screening to answer questions about this moving and enlightening film and the kids whose newly opened minds starred in it.
» National Geographic Museum, Grosvenor Auditorium, Fri., 7 p.m., $10 non-members, $8, members; 202-867-7700, nglive.org. (Farragut North/Farragut West)
Photo by Virginia Galloway
TUESDAY: Christian Siriano made a reality show splash on "Project Runway," with his bewildering catchphrases and startling, bold designs.
Now he's written a book, "Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self," and he's stopping by the Corcoran to give tips in person. Feel like you can't pull off a giant ruff or cigarette jeans at the office? Siriano will convince you otherwise. Send us pictures of the ensuing fashion-forward and office-ridiculous hilarity.
» Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW; Tue., Nov. 3, 7 p.m., $20; 202-639-1700. (Farragut West)
Photo by Frazier Harrison/Getty Images
SATURDAY: If you've ever walked through a museum and thought to yourself, "This place would be so much better if you added dancing and booze," fear not! The 1869 Society for young professionals has you covered.
Their annual Fall Fete at the Corcoran Gallery of Art is a place to see, be seen — and check out the gallery's beautiful "Sargent and the Sea" exhibit. There will be music, dancing and, most importantly, an open bar. In honor of the exhibit, the party is nautical themed. No land-lubbers allowed. We're hoping to spy one or two striped tuxedos.
Proceeds will benefit the Corcoran's ArtReach program, which provides free art education programs to needy communities in the area.
» Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW; Sat., Oct. 24, 8 p.m., $90-$200; 202-639-1700. (Farragut West)
Written by Express' Sarah Mimms
Photo by Denny Henry
ZOE HELLER'S 2003 novel, "What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal" was a major breakthrough, earning her a spot on the Man Booker Prize shortlist and inspiring an acclaimed film adaptation starring Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench.
But despite her last book's success, Heller set out with different goals in mind for her new novel, "The Believers."
"What Was She Thinking?" portrayed a teacher-student sex scandal through the rather warped perspective of one over-invested colleague. "The Believers" is a far more complicated undertaking, as is so often the case when families are involved.
After patriarch Joel, a successful defense lawyer, falls into a coma while defending a suspected terrorist, his idiosyncratic family members struggle to find a purpose even as the ideologies they have based their lives around seem to crumble.
Prior to her upcoming discussion with Washington Post Book World editor Ron Charles, Heller spoke with Express about her "badly behaved" characters, the impact of 9/11 on her fiction and her upcoming projects.
Continue Reading "Family Dynamics: Zoe Heller, 'The Believers'" »
MONDAY: Keep your indie rock and nu-folk; the sound of today is NOW. The NOW Ensemble is a group of young musicians whose chamber music goes beyond stuffy strings and into the 22nd century.
The New York City-based septet comes to the Corcoran Gallery of Art for a performance on Monday evening. Leave your lace hankies at home and come with open ears.
» Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW; Mon., Oct. 19, 7 p.m., $20; 202-639-1770. (Farragut West)
Photo courtesy Stephen Gorbos
DURING THE SEVENTH season of "American Idol," Brooke White made a big impression by performing barefoot and admitting she'd never seen an R-rated movie. Her debut CD, "High Hopes & Heartbreak," expands on that down-to-earth character by delivering a bouquet of earnest acoustic pop tunes about life's little ups and downs. But the Arizona native's persona wasn't just an invention for TV's sake.
"Quite honestly, the transition off of 'Idol' is kind of traumatic in a way," said White. "It just changes your whole life, and not to be cliché, but you're never the same again."
Continue Reading "Tween Girls Get an 'Idol': Brooke White" »
WEDNESDAY: Regina Spektor may be an indie heartthrob for her bohemian background, non-threatening accent and adorable curls, but she's also one of the most appealing, interesting female songwriters pursuing a solo career right now.
Her work is heavily influenced by Ani DiFranco and Joni Mitchell, but if you've seen this JC Penny commercial you already know what she sounds like and whether you like her.
» Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW; Wed., Sept. 30, 7 p.m., $45; 202-397-7328, Dar.org. (Farragut West)
Photo courtesy The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
TUESDAY: So according to People magazine, Lady Gaga is NOT dating Kermit the Frog, which was pretty disappointing. But that means she'll have to do something even crazier — a music video actually filmed on the moon, for example, or a song where she's dressed as the H1N1 virus or John Adams.
We're looking forward to seeing what she'll come up with in her concert at DAR Constitution Hall.
» RELATED: "Goo Goo for Gaga: Lady Gaga's Five Most Befuddling Outfits" [Express, Sept. 2009]
» DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW; Tue., Sept. 29, 7 p.m., $25-$45; 202-397-7328, Dar.org. (Farragut West)
Photo by Steven Lovekin/Getty Images
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