Arts Agenda
>> The Foggy Bottom outdoor sculpture tour is back again, starting with a curator-led tour this Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by artist-led tours every second Saturday of the month through October. DCist enjoyed the tour back in 2008. Free.
>> Irvine Contemporary opens a new exhibition with paintings by Aaron Johnson and Barnaby Whitfield. Though they each create their own works in different media and styles, Don't be Scared, You're Supposed to Be is heavily influenced by the artists' close friendship and dialogue through the creative process, largely focused on America's view of painting in contemporary culture. Reception Saturday 6 to 8 p.m.
>> If you keep your ear to the ground of the art world, you've already heard plenty of (largely good) buzz regarding Bansky's new film, Exit Though the Gift Shop. The movie featuring the famed British graffiti artist centers on his well-guarded anonymity as a French shop keeper tried to hunt him down, and includes other well-known street artists (Shepard Fairey, et. al) in interviews and as they work. Opens at E Street Cinema on Friday.
>> There are still some tickets left for Asia After Dark at the Freer + Sackler Galleries. Dance to DJs, participate in hands-on workshops, hear lectures on traditional Tibetan music and more. $18 in advance, $20 at the door.
>> See the abstract paintings of local artist Dan Treado during the reception at Addison/Ripley for his new exhibit Requesting Quiet, Saturday, 5 to 7 p.m.
>> The Soundry opens F*ck the Machine, an exhibit that was peer-juried in a no-holds-barred public event with "no secrecy, no anonymity, no fluff, no decorum, no bureaucracy." But not so bold they can print Fuck without the asterisk, I guess. See the resulting works at the reception Saturday, 7 to 11 p.m.
Dance:
>> Check out one of the many activities for Dance is the Answer, going on through May 2. Tons of workshops, classes and performances will take place throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia -- Jane Franklin Dance performs tonight at the Torpedo Factory at 7 p.m., kids can learn beginning hip hop tomorrow at Joy of Motion at 7:30 p.m., attend the 26th annual Waltz Ball at Glen Echo Park on Saturday, or keep an eye out for (or even participate in) one of the many dance "flash mobs" (we're not sure you can call it that if you send out a press release about it, but hey, still sounds like fun).
>> You may also happen upon traditional English folk dancers on your way to run errands this Saturday. The Foggy Bottom Morris Men will celebrate May Day with performances starting at 6 a.m. in the Takoma Park Gazebo, at 10:30 a.m. in the Columbia Heights plaza, at 1:30 p.m. in the plaza at Columbia Rd. and 18th St. NW, and will finally rest with a reception at Chief Ike's at 2:30 p.m.
>> Ron K. Brown and Evidence Dance Company will offer two performances of their traditional African dance combined with contemporary dance and spoken word at Sidney Harman Hall, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; tickets start at $20.
Art Notes:
- City Gallery opens Lights & Allusion with a reception Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.
- American University's first year MFA students open InTENtion this Friday at the Katzen Arts Center.
- The Greater Reston Arts Center opens Beautiful: Virgina Women Artists and the Body with a reception Saturday, 5 to 7 p.m.
- Learn about legal issues for artists at Hamiltonian Gallery tonight at 7 p.m.
- Head over to Del Ray Artisans on Saturday for their 7th Annual Outdoor Art Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
- Listen to famed D.C. based sculptor Dan Steinhilber talk about his artistic process at the Kreeger Museum tomorrow, 6:30 p.m. $12, RSVP to 202-338-3552.