Arts Agenda
A little over a year since the Reynolds Center, where the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are housed, re-opened its doors, it continues to celebrate huge improvements to the building. This Sunday stop by for the grand opening of the Kogod Courtyard, which will include tons of musical performances both in the courtyard and inside on the third floor, hands-on activities for all ages (a Lite Brite station!), and, as usual, all the exhibits open for viewing. The new courtyard features a full glass canopy designed by Foster + Partners. Stop by for the festival between noon and 6 p.m.; the event is free.
>> This Saturday BeBar will hold another installment of X and Pulse, the thumping, innovative music and art performances/shows/competitions. Between 6 and 10 p.m. swing by for X, featuring live belly dancing and a real-time graphic design competition, while videos by area artists are projected on the walls. Bring a T-shirt for the DC51 Artist Collective to put one of their stencils on ($5-10). When the clock hits 10 p.m., Pulse begins with the musical stylings of Aaron Sparks and Ryan Elliott. X is $8, Pulse is $5 (or free if you email info [at] eightyeightdc [dot] com by 10 p.m. tomorrow).
>> Haven't yet seen our very own permanent D.C. art collection? Get a free tour of the City Hall exhibit by one of the artists and learn about the capital's diverse local talent, November 28 at noon. RSVP to beth [dot] baldwin [at] dc [dot] gov with the number of people in your party.
>> It's worth checking out the regular event listings at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum for their focus on local history. Next Tuesday at 7 p.m. take in part of their Community History Series with a discussion about the histories of the Ledroit Park and Shaw neighborhoods. Events are free, but see the web site for RSVP info.
>> A couple strange (or possibly strangely awesome) exhibits open up in the coming week at the National Geographic Museum, starting today with Extreme Dinosaur: Africa's Long-Necked Fern Mower, "one of the most bizarre dinosaurs ever discovered." And next Tuesday they'll open an exhibit on that bird of symbolism in many a tale, Albatross, Photographs by Frans Lanting.
Art Notes:
- The Art Museum of the Americas holds a weekly film series, Cine Americas. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. see the second of four Colombian films, Confesión a Laura. The event is free but seating is limited, so see the web site for RSVP info.
- Photography lovers should stop by Hemphill Fine Arts on Saturday at 10 a.m. for a panel discussion on the "changing definitions of photography." James Huckenpaler will also be there to discuss his current exhibit.
- G Fine Art will hold a fundraiser for health care for Tibetan women and children next Monday between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. A contribution of $50 will enter you in a raffle for some great prizes, including a work by their current exhibitor Linn Meyers.
- Remember warm, sunny beaches? Tonight's Artful Evening at the Phillips Collection will discuss the impressionists use of the French beach scenes that permeate their work. Talks are at 6 and 7:30 p.m., free with admission.