Will Rast of Funk Art
@ Fort Reno
Q:What's your song for summer?
A:"'I Ain't Nobody's Baby' by Sharon Jones."
THIS WEEK: Folks will call it the "Dark Continent" no more if the National Museum of African Art has anything to say about it. The exhibition "Artful Animals" looks to correct misunderstandings and educate museum-goers about Africa and contemporary African life. Although the exhibit's aim may be serious, expect entertaining displays of animal sculptures and figures, particularly fun for children.
» National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW; through Feb. 21, free; 202-633-4600, africa.si.edu. (Smithsonian)
Photo courtesy National Museum of African Art
SATURDAY: Jimmy Smits hosts a night spent on the nation's front lawn at this year's Capitol Fourth celebration, the climax of which is, of course, a sky full of fireworks. Grab a spot on the Mall, and prepare to get cozy with many, many of your fellow citizens as acts including Aretha Franklin, Natasha Bedingfield, the cast of "Jersey Boys" and others entertain.
» The National Mall between the U.S. Capitol & the Lincoln Memorial; Sat., July 4, 8-9:30 p.m., free; 202-619-7222. (Smithsonian)
Photo courtesy City of Alexandria
SATURDAY: Kids can indulge their movie-inspired fantasies this summer as Smithsonian Associates hosts "Night at the Museum" Smithsonian Sleepovers. Get to know the National Museum of Natural History by moonlight and take in an IMAX screening. The series begins this Saturday with 12 hours of educational fun that includes a tour, evening activity, snack and light breakfast — but probably not Owen Wilson.
» National Museum of Natural History", 1000 Constitution Ave. NW; Sat., June 27, 8 p.m.-Sun., 8:30 a.m., 8 years old and up, $125; 202-633-3030. (Smithsonian)
Photo by Linda Davidson/The Washington Post
DESPITE ITS FOCUS on regional and national cultures, the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival has a truly global scope. This year, the 10-week event highlights Wales, African-American oral traditions and Latin-American music styles, which may seem like disparate programs but have all disseminated new ideas and customs around the world.
Examining African-American oral tradition through storytelling and theater, "Giving Voice" was developed with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which will open in 2015.
Complementing these programs is "Las Américas," which festival production manager Stephen Kidd says will "look at the variety of musical traditions that exist within Latin American countries and at the relationships among them and the differences between those cultural traditions."
Continue Reading "Harmony In Three Voices: Folklife Festival" »
Leaving It Behind
When cellist Daigo Kobiyashi (Masahiro Motoki) loses his job with an orchestra, he is frustrated at loose ends. So he moves back to his hometown and takes a job, unwittingly, as a "nokanshi," one who prepares the dead for their journey to whatever is next. "Departures," last year's surprise Oscar winner for best foreign film, tracks Daigo's own journey into finding peace and compassion in his death-drenched job and whole new life.
» E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW; opens Fri., June 19; 202-452-7672. (Metro Center)
WEDNESDAY: Today would be Arthur Conan Doyle's 150th birthday and, in celebration, the Smithsonian is hosting a lecture and performance in honor of his greatest literary creation — and fiction's finest sleuth — Sherlock Holmes. Mystery writer Daniel Stashower and actor Scott Sedar collaborate to bring you inside Doyle's world and into Holmes' adventures. Extra points if you wear a deerstalker hat.
» Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW; Wed., June 17, 6:45 p.m., $45; 202-633-3030. (Smithsonian)
Photo by Marshall S. Berdan
SURE, THE death of Screen on the Green was a good excuse for a mourning party. But if you've scheduled one, should probably cancel it — because this is one classic D.C. summer activity that's been saved!
When HBO couldn't find a sponsor for the event — which involves movie screenings outdoors on the National Mall, for those of you who are wondering — they announced that it would be canceled. There was enormous public outcry — thanks, guys! — and now Comcast and the Trust for the National Mall are co-sponsoring the event.
There's no schedule yet, but we know the first film in the series will be "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and that it will screen on July 20. The films will be shown every Monday night.
Photo by Tyler Mallory
THURSDAY: RAAAAAAAWR! Sorry. We just get excited when the Hirshhorn shows Godzilla movies.
They'll have free screenings of various iterations of the franchise all summer, beginning with "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" on Thursday, June 11. In this one, aliens come to earth and wake Godzilla, so he gains nuclear power from a Soviet submarine — yes, exactly — and goes on the prowl.
» Hirshhorn Museum, Ring Auditorium, Independence Avenue at Seventh Street SW; 7 p.m., free; 202-633-1000. (Smithsonian)
Photo courtesy Toho Co. Ltd.
THURSDAY: Get away on the cheap this summer at the Freer and Sackler Galleries' new series, "Asia After Dark." This weekend's kickoff art/food/entertainment evening sold out quickly, but the Sept. 3 event is just around in the corner. Also at the Freer is the film series, "Asia Trash" celebrating cult movies including Yoshihiro Nishimura's stabby satire, "Tokyo Gore Police,"(pictured right) and the Eastern Western "Tears of the Black Tiger."
» Freer & Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW; 202-633-1000, asia.si.edu. (Smithsonian)
Photo courtesy Freer & Sackler
SATURDAY: In order to emotionally escape his childhood home of Winnipeg, Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin has created a delirious documentary (of sorts) wherein he casts actors to play his family and re-enacts scenes from his childhood. One thing's for sure: "My Winnipeg" is no love letter to an idyllic, bucolic hometown.
Yes, yes, it's that weird. But it's also fantastic, funny and strange and sad. And free! You can take in one of two complimentary screenings at the National Gallery this weekend.
» National Gallery of Art, 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW; Sat., May 30, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., free; 202-842-6799. (Smithsonian)
Photo by Jody Shapiro
Addison Road