Top Stops

Still Simply the Best: Tina Turner

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:47 -0500

HOW DOES SHE DO IT? Those legs for days, those powerful pipes ... Tina Turner's been around for a while, but she's definitely still on top of her game. She hasn't recorded much new material lately, just a greatest hits album including rare live recordings and two new tracks. But with about a million studio albums, live albums, and compilations under her belt, what does another one really matter? We're just glad to see she's got her groove back.

Her "One Last Time" concert in 2001 was supposed to be...well, the one last time she took the stage. But apparently going back to Nutbush, Tennessee, to be Anna Mae Bullock again just wasn't the retired life Tina wanted to lead. See her back in action when her tour stops at the Verizon Center this weekend.

» Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW; Sun., Nov. 23 and Mon., Nov. 24, 7 p.m., $59.50-$153; 202-397-7328. (Gallery Place)

Written by Express' Kelsey Parrish
Photo courtesy of Business Wire

Nine Hundred Miles ... Or Not: The Oranges Band

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:46 -0500

THE ORANGES BAND doesn't do anything angry or scary or intimidating. They play upbeat, classic-sounding rock. These are good boys from Baltimore, and they have truck with nothing unpleasant. And in this time of tsuris, there are worse things that rock music that makes you feel good.

» The Red & The Black, 1212 H St. NE; Sat., Nov. 22, 9 p.m., $8; 202-399-3201.

Photo by Tad Kubler

Factual Facelift: American History Museum

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:35 -0500

TWO YEARS, two months and 16 days: That is how long the National Museum of American History has been closed since the Smithsonian shut the 42-year-old building down for renovations. Well, the long wait is over and Washingtonians will finally have their history back when the museum cuts the ribbon and reopens this weekend.

In addition to architectural enhancements and infrastrucutre updates, this new and improved version of the museum will also feature a state-of-the-art gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner, 10-foot-high artifact walls and a new exhibit on the study of invention and innovation. See what $85 million of renovations can do for yourself at Friday's grand reopening.

» National Museum of American History, 14th St. and Constitution Ave., NW; Fri., Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sat and Sun., Nov. 22 and 23, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., free; 202-633-1000. (Smithsonian)

Written by Express' Thomas Floyd
Photo courtesy National Museum of American History

Celeb-In-Chief: 'President Harding Is a Rock Star'

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:28 -0500

WARREN G. HARDING was widely considered to be one of our worst presidents. He boozed and gambled his way through the White House — oh, and did we mention the numerous affairs he allegedly engaged in?

Harding rocketed to the presidency in a landslide often attributed to his glowing media coverage. The press took up his slogan of "Return to Normalcy," and championed his campaigning methods, while movie stars of the day agreed to stump for him. It was the beginning of the celebrity candidate phenomenon, though it's likely that today's press wouldn't ignore his drinking problems and various extramarital dalliances.

It's from this undeserved fame that Landless Theatre Company drew the concept: Harding as an actual rock star, complete with jumpsuit, keytar and cocaine. This isn't history, but it's massively entertaining, well-produced and excitingly performed. Plus, Napoleon does cocaine! You won't see that at the Shakespeare Theatre.

» DCAC, 2438 18th St. NW; through Nov. 30, $18. (Woodley Park)

Photo courtesy Amanda Williams

Getting His Talk On: David Rees

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:12 -0500

DAVID REES was perhaps the first popular Web cartoonist to realize that you don't need to be able to draw to be a popular Web cartoonist.

While some Web artists resort to stick figures, Rees turns instead to clip art to accompany his political satire. His strip is so popular that it's been made into a play — and Rees will be speaking about his contribution to political discourse at the new Busboys and Poets space on Sunday.

» Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th St. NW; Sun., Nov. 23, 6 p.m., free; 202-789-2227. (Mt. Vernon Square)

Photo courtesy Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Burning Bright: Phosphorescent

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:54 -0500

LIKE IT OR NOT, beards are the indie-rock fashion essential, and with the resurgence of folk, the scraggly face-dressing is here to stay. Phosphorescent represents the trend and sound at DC9 on Thursday. His heartfelt melodies are perfect for a cold November night.

» DC9, 1940 9th St. NW; Thu., Nov. 20, 9:30 p.m., $10; 202-483-5000. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express' Nathan Martin

Mod Times: 'Modern, Mod, Moderne, Post-Modern, Contemporary'

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:43 -0500

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

Ponies on the Prince: Lipizzaner Stallions

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:38 -0500

IF THE WORD "ponies" sends your heart into flutters, then the three performances from the prancing white Lipizzaner Stallions might be just the recipe for a weekend of guilty pleasure. It's the third longest-running touring attraction in America and it's coming to the Patriot Center Friday and Saturday.

» Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax; Fri. and Sat., Nov. 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m; $24.50-$40, 703-993-3000.

Written by Express' Nathan Martin

Fairy Tale Love: 'Belle et la Bete'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:33 -0500

THERE ARE many great film romances, but nobody can handle love like the French, so it should be no surprise that Jean Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" endures. It's an ethereal, iconic film, full of slightly sinister magic and oh-so-sureal, oh-so-beautiful love scenes.

This is NOT the Walt Disney version you're used to — and if you've only seen the animated musical, you're missing something magical.

» AFI Silver Theater, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring; Wed., Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m., $6-$10; 301-495-6720. (Silver Spring)

Photo courtesy AFI

Long Live the Beer!: Chimay Anniversary Celebration

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:31 -0500

BELGIAN BEER LOVERS everywhere know about Chimay. And even though I'm more of a wine gal, I am a huge fan of these tiny brown bottles with their red, white and blue labels.

The red (Rouge) has the least alcohol and is easiest on puny palates. The Blue (Bleue) is the most alcoholic and is the classic Chimay. The white (Blanche) is mediumly alcoholic and only for the most refined of beer drinkers. Although, who am I kidding, none of these are for a Miller Lite fan.

Adams Morgan favorite The Reef is celebrating the arrival of these fine suds on American shores 25 years ago with a Chimay Anniversary Celebration tonight: expect Chimay beer, Chimay cheese, prizes and other Belgian beers from Allagash.

» The Reef, 2446 18th St. NW; Wed., Nov. 19, 6-11 p.m., free; 202-518-3800. (Woodley Park)