Out and About: Weekend Picks
FRIDAY
>> Ashes of Time Redux screens for free at 7p.m. tonight at the Freer Gallery of Art, part of the Made in Hong Kong Film Festival. You do need a ticket, and we recommended you reserve a seat in advance via Ticketmaster, or else arrive one hour early for entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
>> Don't miss our other film picks of the week, including special screenings of Jules & Jim at the AFI Silver on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
>> DCAC's annual Wall Mountables exhibit opens tonight with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery is divided into two by two foot squares, which artists acquired first come, first served during installation yesterday. The exhibit is typically an Artomatic re-deux (many artists uninstalled Artomatic last week and walked their artwork straight over to DCAC), but one that you can actually view in a single visit, at least. Expect some affordable work, for those of you with empty wall space over your couch.
>> The Washington Nationals play three games against the Chicago Cubs this weekend. Friday’s and Saturday’s games start at 7:05 p.m., and Sunday’s at 1:35 p.m.; tickets start at $10.
>> DJs Lunch Money and Nitekrawler are hosting a dance night called Escapism at the Black Cat's Backstage, where they'll spin soul and funk. Free, 9:30 p.m.
>> The Capital Fringe Festival keeps rocking and rolling this weekend. Keep checking this link for all of DCist's latest reviews.
SATURDAY
>> Head to Linganore Winecellars in Mt. Airy on Saturday or Sunday to hear two reggae bands, Passion Reggae and Image Band, play while you sit on your blanket and taste food from local vendors. Admission is $15 and photo ID is necessary. Transportation is available and provided by CaribUnited from the Lake Forrest Mall in Rockville (meet in the front parking lot at 701 Russell Avenue) for $40 round-trip, which includes the festival’s admission fee, or driving directions are provided online, if you've got a designated driver handy.
>> Or head to Baltimore for the country’s largest free public arts festival, Artscape. The festival is open on Friday 12-10 p.m., Saturday 12-10 p.m. and Sunday 12-8 p.m. Artscape features over 150 artists, including street performers, dancer, musicians, photographers, and ceramics artists, just to name a few. For transportation, Astscape’s website offers a variety of information on whatever your need is for getting to the festival.
>> The Sackler Gallery opens Moving Perspectives on Saturday, featuring the miniature painting and video art of Shahzia Sikander and Sun Xun. The elegance and abstract designs of Sikander's work "becomes a buzzing hive" of "calligraphy whirls," while Xun's world of fantasy tells darker tales. See it during the museum's regular hours.
>> Virginia Beach's Clipse will be performing at the DC Star with Wale (backed by U.C.B.), Phil Ade., X.O. and Kingpin Slim. $15 in advance/$20 at the door, 8 p.m.
>> New-wave nostalgia purveyors Stellastarr* always put on a good show. They're at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight with The Postmarks and Wild Light. 8:30 p.m. doors. $12 advance/$14 night of.
>> Get in on the infectious Afro-pop action with King Sunny Ade at the 9:30 Club. 7 p.m., $25.
SUNDAY
>> Tonight, the Capital Skyline Hotel features a free synchronized swim competition from 6-7 p.m., alongside screenings of experimental films curated by D.C. artist Brandon Morse, courtesy Conner Contemporary gallery. If you can make it out to the pool earlier, work on your tan before the competition and film start by paying a $10 admission fee, which includes entry to a BBQ hosted by Good Stuff Eatery's Spike Mendelsohn.
>> What could be better on a beautiful Sunday than getting in your swimsuit, meeting new people and playing beach volleyball. While you won’t have a real beach accessible, there are sand volleyball courts near the Kennedy Center which are free for pick-up games on Saturdays and Sundays. Games typically start at 10 a.m. and go until dusk. All levels are welcome. Note: because the courts are pick-up, there is no formal organization over the games. The courts are located in the grassy area between the Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center along the water, on Rock Creek and Potomac parkway.
>> Start your toddler's rock education right by providing their first visit to the world-famous 9:30 Club today for Rocknoceros. The Great Zucchini will also perform in this family-friendly daytime show. $15. 2:30 p.m. doors.
>> Post-rock gods Tortoise are at Black Cat, with Grey Reverend. $20, 8 p.m.