Arts and Events: October 2008 Archives

There's something strangely comforting and yet oddly disturbing about watching Barbara Rappaport chop an onion.

Happy Halloween. Or All Saints Day, or All Hallows Eve, or perhaps Nightmare Before Christmas? Flickr user brandonwu was able to capture and highlight every strand of this spider web giving it a bit of Tim Burton style, perfect for today, whatever you decide to call it. EXIF.

Keep an eye out on your commute home tonight, as you may be surprised with some award-winning poetry. Each year a number of talented high school seniors from D.C. Public Schools are honored with Poet Laureate Poetry Awards, a program supported by the Office of the D.C. Poet Laureate, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Inter-American Development Bank and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

We're experimenting with moving the Weekend Picks to Thursdays. Let us know what you think.

Written by DCist contributor Dave Weigel

Shelby Cinca is a longtime fixture in this town, going back to the early 90s with his days with the noisy post-punks in Frodus. Following that band's 1999 breakup, Cinca played with Fugazi's Joe Lally in Decahedron, and then formed a whole slew of other bands, the most well-known of which is probably The Cassettes. With The Cassettes, Cinca shifted gears away from the sound and fury of many of his previous bands toward a rootsier tone that owed heavily to classic rock in its early days, and has moved more heavily into folk-influenced territory since a significant lineup shift 5 years ago.

With Halloween arriving tomorrow (and all the events that go with it), it's a bit of a slow week in the arts world. We've got a few picks for you below, but a heads up for November: our press release inbox is overflowing with events all over town starting next week through Thanksgiving.

Is it voyeurism if you're watching shadows?  Flickr user mcphale takes a safer route to human observation, capturing the shadows of couples cast against the wall, rather than risk getting caught.  EXIF.

'Tis the season for South Asian dance, apparently. After last week's well-attended Fall Festival of Indian Arts, folks who wish to continue their fix may catch Bollyb!end, the first ever full-length dance production from the Dhoonya Dance Performance Company, taking place this Saturday at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (they will also be performing on Friday along with DJ Rekha at the Black Cat's Bhangraween party).

Black Flag frontman turned globetrotting hilari-phizer Henry Rollins has been captivating audiences with stories of his travels for a quarter-century now. The onetime Henry Garfield first toured the country in his early 20s as the fourth and final singer of iconic punk outfit Black Flag, and has continued to write and perform music with various lineups of his Rollins Band. Through his company, 2.13.61, he has published more than a dozen volumes of his journals and travelogues. He turns up in movies occasionally, and he hosted an eclectic assortment of guests on his Independent Film Channel talk show from 2005 to 2007. He remains the host of Harmony in My Head, a weekly music program on Los Angeles's Indie 103 FM that consists wholly of Rollins playing music he likes, regardless of genre or era. He's published three volumes of his program notes from the show, under the series title Fanatic!

We've seen the guitar, piano, drums trio before in DC but Caverns take that combination into a territory so far removed from the tightly crafted pop songs or gritty garage rock that sounds a little more familiar. The intricate melodies of pianist Patrick Taylor and the dissonant shrieks from Kevin Hillard's guitar make for strange bedfellows, but the somewhat harsh juxtaposition, especially when backed by drummer Ross Hurt is not only memorable but highly enjoyable. It's clear upon repeated listens that they're just as influenced by classical and jazz music as post-rock and punk. Never has such a complete sonic assault sounded so sweet.

>> Three Stars alum John Lee, one of the area's best and busiest guitarists, will be leading his own group tonight at Utopia. Joining him will be drummer Dave McDonald, bassist Andrew Cox, and fellow Three Stars alum, Matt Rippetoe, on saxophone. 9 p.m. No cover

HAPPY HOUR: The Onion in D.C. is hosting a big Society for Beer Enjoyment Happy Hour at Woolly Mammoth. Enjoy free pizza and beer from 6 to 8 p.m., as long as you RSVP to dcpromo@theonion.com.

This is a very cool Metro shot by Ghost_Bear. The slightly altered color tones and perfect, just barely overexposing shutter speed work out brilliantly. EXIF.

             

Written by DCist contributor Shauna Miller

Halloween-themed events and activities abound for the rest of the week. Here's just a few of the spooky upcoming goings on we've heard about that sound like they might actually be fun for adults. Add your suggestions in the comments.

SPORTS: Tonight's the annual Dupont High Heel Race! The group assembles at 8 p.m., with the race going off at 9. The start line is at JR's at 17th and Church, with the finish line at 17th and Riggs. If you hope to get a decent spot to view the race, get to 17th Street by 6:30 at the very latest. And don't forget to bundle up.

Hearing her tell it, you'd think emoniFela has been making music for a number of years. The truth of the matter is she's not old enough to vote in next week's election and when she was born, the emerging medium for recorded music, CDs, came in long, rectangular cardboard packaging. Yet at age 17, the high school graduate has already rocked stages on both the West and East coasts while rubbing elbows with the likes of KRS-One and D.C.’s hip-hop elite.

Shakespeare Theater announced today that its annual "Free For All." a no-charge outdoor restaging of one of the company's productions, will no longer be held at Carter Barron Amphitheater.

We were curious about exactly what the helium gas outlets, captured in our pick for Photo of the Day by volcanojw, were for in the Library of Congress -- and boy are we really glad we asked. Volcanojw has pretty much the coolest job ever; she's a Research Chemist with the LoC and has been working with daguerreotypes for the past few days. She told us she's trying to figure out:

What did 19th century photographers use as plate bases for their daugerreotypes?

Can we tell what the tarnish is on his plates?

Can we treat the tarnish without destorying the image?

>> Local artist Tamara Wellons found herself with a house hit several months back, and now is set to release her album, Life Is. She'll be at Bohemian Caverns. $20 in advance, 8 p.m.

It's a busy week for lectures, D.C. See below for our picks, including discussions on vampires, butterflies, fashion, art collecting and conservation, and man's best friend. Also, be sure to check out the Smithsonian website for their exhaustive list, including over ten events at the SI museums this weekend alone.

              

Written by DCist contributor Dave Weigel

How about some introspection this morning? Daniel caught this majestic scene at the National Zoo on Sunday. There's nothing better on a Monday than a photo that whisks you back to the beautiful autumn weekend that was. EXIF.

>> Long Beach, California's Crystal Antlers have been the subject of much hype during the past few months, as they've traveled up and down the coasts peddling a fractured hodgepodge of post-punk, psych and garage. Come catch their infamously raucous live show before the band makes the inevitable jump to larger venues. At the Black Cat, with D.C.'s own avant-poppers True Womanhood, $8, 9:00 p.m.

             

DCist contributor and photographer extraordinaire Kyle Gustafson swung by this morning's 33rd annual Marine Corps Marathon and snapped us some excellent shots. As far as the race goes, Andrew Dumm notched an impressive 2:22:42 to pace the men; meanwhile, Cate Fenster finished in front of the women's pack. You can check out the rest of the unofficial results here.

From now until Thanksgiving, the classical music schedule is seriously overloaded with concerts we have to hear. So, here are the essentials.

FRIDAY:

Flickr user Amber Wiley has been playing around with an oktomat camera and showing off the results. An oktomat is a 35mm film camera that has 8 lenses which shoot in succession over approximately 2.5 seconds. You can see some of her other shots, but we liked this capture of The Awakening statue best.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

John Powers is hilarious. First of all, John Powers isn't his real name. It's the alter-identity local bartender and drummer Trae Lamond takes on when he steps out from behind the drum kit to play his absurd and silly songs with a guitar in his hands. Strumming out single notes in a steady rhythm, it's more of a hair-rock comedy show than a concert. But it's a hell of a lot of fun. If Weird Al and Glen Danzig had a baby, it would be John Powers (and, a medical miracle).

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum sent us this photo today of a celebration yesterday in their Space Hall. More than 200 elementary school students danced the afternoon away to the sounds of children's band Rocknoceros to launch the "Flights of Fancy" program, which uses activities, storytime and dramatic play to teach kids about all things air and space. After listening to some Rocknoceros tunes on their web site (and laughing giddily at the silly '80s style design complete with waving space monkeys), we might just get up and dance, too.

Do you remember the cover for Broken Social Scene’s breakthrough album, You Forgot It In People? Basically it was a bunch of faceless musicians, silhouetted against a blank backdrop with guitars slung – the middle of a jam session.

It’s already a cliché – or perhaps a symptom of our diseased, decaying age - that getting shot is nowadays regarded as a smart career move (see Curtis James Jackson III, DBA Fifty Cent). Time was, if a young buck wanted to make a name for himself, he had to kill somebody.

      

Given the blatant trend chasing that often consumes the world of indie rock (Freak-folk? Electro-disco? Indie-afro-pop?), it's sometimes easy to forget just how compelling a bunch of earnest dudes with guitars can be. Luckily for us, The New Year stopped by DC9 on Tuesday night to offer up a little reminder and a whole lot of rock. Formed by the brothers Kadane (formerly of Bedhead) in 1999, The New Year have spent the last nine years honing their craft as purveyors of guitar-based indie-pop that's by turns delicate, sincere and muscular (think Built to Spill, Death Cab for Cutie or fellow Texans, the American Analog Set).

Hybrid cars have elicited complaints that one cannot hear them coming, as if they operate solely in stealth mode. But what if you weren't able to see them coming either? Flickr user m hoek captures the latest development in hybrid technology: the incorporeal car. Imagine the gas mileage possibilities! EXIF.

>> The Smithsonian American Art Museum might be holding the most interesting art event this weekend, with the alternate reality game “Ghosts of a Chance.” On Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m., head to the museum to play a scavenger hunt that will rid the museum of haunted spirits. The six “quests” can be played by people of all ages, but become increasingly difficult. “Ghosts of a Chance” was also an online game that 4,500 people across the country participated in, and artifacts made by participants will be on display. Clues are distributed via cell phone, so make sure you bring yours. And if all that still sounds confusing, click over to the web site for more information.

U Street’s new Hamiltonian Gallery opened on October 11 to a bustling crowd of curious onlookers. Those who were there to see how the space had been transformed after its twenty years of vacancy were in for a treat right from the start, and greeted at the front door by Nao Matsumoto’s Whore, an oversized but functioning quarter-fed vibrator. The sculpture doesn’t much resemble your typical sex toy, but instead is a huge, anvil-shaped pink eraser perched atop a black metal box labeled “WHORE”, with a cutesy pink heart informing us it takes quarters only (it really does).

MUSIC: Big name spoken word performer Ursula Rucker is performing two shows at Bohemian Caverns in support of her latest effort, Ruckus Soundsysdom. $15 in advance, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

       

Lykke Li (pronounced, roughly, luke-uh-lee) is the stage name for the pixie-voiced Swedish songstress Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson. She started gaining some traction in the states by overstating her fame back in Sweden to promoters in Brooklyn, in order to book gigs. That lead to her dance-friendly debut album, Youth Novels, which made fans all over the place with its collection of sad sad songs dressed up as friendly pop numbers. I first fell in love with Lykke Li by watching her videos — all dark and full of incredible dancing and ideas that go beyond what most everyone else is doing. So it was with intense anticipation that I went to the Black Cat on Sunday night to see her for the first time in person. The show exceeded my expectations, over and over again.

We'll call this one "Close-up Inspection of Fall." Samer Farha made this clever set up by squishing the leaf between the double glass of a diploma frame, holding it upright with two clamps, and setting white foamboard behind it. The careful flash set-up highlights the intricate vein structure and the lovely orange-to-yellow colors. Well done. (Samer, incidentally, just came back from a three month world tour, starting with the Beijing Olympics -- browsing through all his images is worth it, if also envy inducing.)

>> The Firecracker Jazz Band keeps alive music from jazz's early days, whether it be N'awlins ragtime, standards of Tin Pan Alley, or the Parisian jazz of Django. The group, which features ex-members of The Squirrel Nut Zippers and Tommy Dorsey's Big Band, will bring its hot sound to Twins Jazz tonight. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.

MUSIC: DMBQ are a raucous Japanese hard rock outfit known for their insane live performances. Bring earplugs to the Velvet Lounge, with Awesome Color and Pit Er Pat. 9:30 p.m., $12.

Every year the Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company mounts its Fall Festival of Indian Arts, a month long multi-disciplinary event which combines the ancient and contemporary by presenting traditional Indian art forms in a modern context. The highlight of the event is a weekend of dance held at the venerable Lincoln Theatre. This year, the performances will take place this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Folger Theater's production of Henry IV Part I, with its grand design and pedigreed actors, lends itself nicely to marketing such as "Rick Foucheux IS Henry IV" and "FEATURING Delaney Williams as Falstaff." And while those familiar faces are undeniably excellent, the marquee headline really belongs to a less recognizable actor whose role isn't quite so flashy: David Graham Jones as Hotspur.

We're going to give Flickr user Cazimiro a pass on the poor quality cameraphone pick, to say: Congrats! Cazimiro, who lives in Arlington, took the oath yesterday to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. Especially at a time so close to a presidential election that's fired up such a huge percentage of Americans, it's exciting to see even more people work so hard to become part of this democracy. A little sappy? Perhaps, but I bet Cazimiro is one happy man today. (Unfortunately, he was naturalized a few days too late to vote in this election -- but it certainly isn't too late to participate in other ways.) In his set of photos, he challenges us to the ol' civics test required of all immigrants. Can you remember all the answers?

>> The Philly-based husband and wife group, Kindred The Family Soul, will be holding a listening party at Bohemian Caverns for their new album, The Arrival. RSVP at: TheArrivalDC@yahoo.com, 6 p.m.

This week, we've got discussions on climate change, the Muslim world, sex, freedom, finances and the new Don DeLillo.

Those present on Saturday night to see ace drummer Terri Lyne Carrington (pictured left) witnessed a performance that showcased a strong tension that exists in today's jazz scene. On the one hand, those who celebrate musicianship, free-flowing improvisation, and a dedication to craft would have appreciated the high level of artistry that was on display during Saturday night's first set at the KC Jazz Club. On the other, those of us who value the emotional connection between musicians and audience found the show lacking.

>> Benjy Ferree continues to make a bid for the title of hardest working man in D.C. rock 'n' roll with a performance of his raucous and rootsy tunes on the Black Cat backstage. The former Three Stars subject will be joined by The Griefs 9 p.m., $8.

MUSIC: The House of Sweden hosts the first of two nights of successive free concerts tonight, welcoming Stockholm-based indie poppers Hello Saferide for an 8:30 p.m. show. RSVP to rsvp-hos(@)foreign.ministry.se, cash bar, more info on Facebook.

How nice is too nice? How sunny too sunny? Just how much Technicolor optimism can one working class corner of London bear before thoroughly breaking down the purveyor of this bubbly outlook with the grim scowl of reality? These are the questions posed in Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky. And Leigh knows a thing or two about those grim realities. He's spent much of his career exploring just how they rip us apart.

We're constantly impressed with the finds that our Flickr pool contributors dig up. For instance, check out today's POTD taken by NCinDC - is this a southwestern ranch retreat? Of course not - it's the Franciscan Monastery located at 1400 Quincy Street NE in Brookland. EXIF.

Josh Kornbluth wants you to think about Democracy. With an election less than a month away, that's not exactly surprising.

   

You asked for more weekend photography and we were more than happy to oblige - we're capping a weekend chock full of great photos with this trio of relaxing shots from flickr user maxedaperture. It's obvious from these images: autumn is a perfect time to take a weekend jaunt to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where one can enjoy the natural beauty formed at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.

Cycle the Round Ghost evidently recognizes that this picture could be the advertising campaign backdrop for an update on the Roman Polanski classic. Or a Raymond Chandler book cover. Or other things that one doesn't usually associate with the Capital City.

>> For fans of fine keyboard playing, the most important day this week will be Friday (October 24, 7:30 p.m.) when the adventurous, authoritative French pianist Alexandre Tharaud will play a much anticipated recital at La Maison Française. Tharaud has made several critically acclaimed recordings since his last recital here in 2005, masterful interpretations of Bach, Couperin, and Chopin. At the French embassy his program will combine the set of op. 28 preludes from that most recent recording with Miroirs, from his excellent complete Ravel recording. With a seat at only $20, this is the biggest ticket of the week.

        

They may have once been a metal band, but you never would have known it when Weilheim, Germany's the Notwist stopped at the 9:30 Club on Wednesday night, in support of their latest long player, the excellent The Devil, You + Me. Nearly 20 years into their career, the band seems to have settled into a more mature, introspective groove, largely trading in guitar-based indie-pop with pronounced electronic underpinnings.

We spotted this new Shepard Fairey mural on 14th Street NW between U and V Streets last night, on the side wall of popular restaurant/bar Marvin. The artist put up another one yesterday on P Street in Logan Circle. Unfortunately, the view of the mural is a bit obstructed by construction fences and accompanying banners, but it's definitely cool nonetheless. This mural is actually a made of many posters pasted up on the wall. Word on the street is that this mural went up Wednesday night, and that there may be many more around town. Has anyone spotted any other new Fairey works?

You can almost hear this kid quietly exclaim, "whoa," as he checks out this totally cool sabre-tooth tiger skull. Flickr user j6 photo caught this perfectly framed, priceless moment while at the Natural History Museum. Science is awesome! EXIF.

The appointment of Christoph Eschenbach to head the National Symphony Orchestra may have had some unintended consequences. As Anne Midgette wondered in the Post yesterday, has the Eschenbach news deflated the significance of the first concerts led by Iván Fischer (pictured) as the NSO's Principal Conductor? Fischer may have felt odd seeing Eschenbach's picture on the marquees outside the Kennedy Center this week — the new Music Director will not actually conduct the orchestra again until 2010 — but fans of Fischer's Mahler, on disc and live with the NSO, filled the Concert Hall last night, to hear him conduct Mahler's third symphony.

Calling all atmospheric sciences geeks: the National Weather Service recently moved in to fancy new headquarters in Sterling, Va., and they're throwing an open house this weekend that's open to the public.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

Senators Obama and McCain may finally have taken the gloves off last night in the final of their three Presidential debates, but here in Our Nation's Capital on Saturday, the tone will take a turn for the civil, at least for a couple of hours. From 2 to 4 p.m., an unknown number of hunters and, like, hunteds will play a most dangerous game of cat and mouse in a web of intrigue where there can be only one victor and everything will change in the blink of an eye. Well, most of that probably won't happen, but there will be a big game of Cruel 2 B Kind, "a game of benevolent assassination."

Phew, it's a busy week for artlovers. If you dig political art, graphic design, or street art, head to cloud nine, and stay there all weekend. As evidenced by our spotting of him in Logan Circle near his newly created mural, Shepard Fairey (most famous for his Obey Giant insignia and accompanying graphics) is in town, his calendar is booked solid, and we're all invited.

MUSIC: Monotonix, the Israeli rock band known for their stage antics are at DC9, with Mount Pleasant's own Imperial China and the Electricutions. $10. 9 p.m.

Shepard Fairey was out in Logan Circle today touching up a mural he put up overnight on the alley wall next to Logan Hardware on P Street NW, between 14th and 15th. Fairey is most well-known for his "André the Giant Has a Posse" stickers, which morphed into the ubiquitous Obey Giant street art project, and more recently for his graphic work depicting Barack Obama.

Over the past two decades, saxophonist Steve Wilson has earned himself a solid reputation within the jazz community, both as a sideman and a band leader. He is probably best known for his mid-90s work with Chick Corea's Origins ensemble, but he has also made notable appearances with legendary saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Avishai Cohen, and clarinetist Don Byron, in addition to a host of others.

Who else is ready for this election season recession Philadelphia baseball success Indian Summer to end?  I want to be cold at night.  I want to feel the crisp air while looking at the leaves change color.  Flick user EvinDC captures a pumpkin providing a flirtatious reminder that the temperature is about to drop and we should be out in the patches looking for round orange spheres to carve.  Your days of walking around in short sleeves are over (tomorrow).  EXIF.

We spoke with artist Laurel Hausler last February for a studio visit, and tonight, her solo exhibit, A History of Dogs and Witches, opens at the Nevin Kelly Gallery. We met up with the painter again this week to find out what she's been working on, and to give you a preview of the show.

>> Bay Area chanteuse Jacqui Naylor has garnered rave reviews across the country. Tonight she'll be at Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

MUSIC: Okkervil River devotees will want to head straight to the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage after work tonight to catch a free performance by Shearwater, a side project of OR's Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff. 6 p.m.

Flickr user NCinDC took this photo of a classic car parked, quite appropriately, outside a row of houses in this historic neighborhood -- the caption notes that this area of Capitol Hill is listed in the National Register of Historical Places (a great resource for you history nerds out there). The color palate here is quite interesting, and we especially like the composition, which kind of makes the car look like an ostentatious tree planter. Can anyone identify the make and model of the car?

MUSIC: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are back again at DC9 for their latest residency performance. This one's sold-out, too, but check with Craig. With Pwrfl Power, doors 8 p.m.

First Union Station, now the John A. Wilson Building. The home of D.C.'s city government is celebrating its centennial tomorrow, and a new exhibit inside the building will open to the public starting at 9:45 a.m.

Today's murky PotD -- a photo of another photo projected into a full bathtub from Flickr user sintixerr -- has a lot of things working together to make it pop out. The cool blue tones go great with the slightly off center shadow of the fountain giving the photo a dark and beautiful feeling. The bubbles give it an unusual eye grabbing texture, and the way they stop just before the shadow is perfect.

>> As far as we can tell, Janet Jackson intends to show up for her concert at the Verizon Center. She'll be joined by LL Cool J. $49.75-$129.75, 7:30 p.m.

>> North Carolina's Spider Bags add slide guitar and raw vocals with a country flavor into their punky rock. They'll be on a bill with locals the Face Accidents, Austin's The Golden Boys, and New York's The Antlers at the Velvet Lounge.

>> Tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., head over to the Greenbelt Library at 11 Crescent Rd. for a free vegan dinner and lecture by Michael Greger, M.D., the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at The Humane Society. The lecture will give practical guidance on foods which prevent, treat, and even reverse chronic disease.

, which has received sweeping praise from music critics. The album’s title is a nautical term that refers to a path of constant bearing. Formed as a college band, they became serious about their music after graduation and further narrowed their focus after the unexpected death of their drummer last year. The album’s title is a reference to their collective determination and commitment to the band. Many of their songs seem to encapsulate the mourning and catharsis of the period following the tragedy.

For our wedding anniversary, my wife and I took a trip out to the Virginia countryside for a glass-blowing class.  We took several pictures (not including sticking my hand too far into the over-1000-degree cauldron), but none nearly as stunning as Flickr user Karon's shot of a demonstration at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.  The heat coming off the liquid glass obscures the spectators and reflects some psychedelic colors off of the finished works.  EXIF.

This week's major events are all of the vocal variety, some accompanied by orchestra on a vast scale and others in more intimate settings. More options, including a bevy of free concerts, can be found after the jump.

this year — is keeping the District in shape. After Hours tickets are on sale now and will not last long here. Bonus Dan Deacon after the cut.

Washington, D.C. may run decidedly blue in elections, and you may have to walk past 25 blocks of Obama canvassers before you even spot a McCain sticker here these days, but that doesn't mean we're all in agreement in this city.

              

Barring a last-minute Flaming Lips concert announcement, Of Montreal probably just put on the most visually overstimulating, over the top, batshit crazy fun concert to have hit D.C. this year. Nothing was too sacred for Of Montreal, as dancing Buddhas wore gold lamé, Greek statues shook their genitalia and John McCain's mug was pictured uttering the famous line "Here's Johnny!" from The Shining in large cartoonish letters. It's no wonder that the escapism of the Athens band sold out the 9:30 Club.

     

This Saturday is a milestone in the life of both the Hamiltonian Gallery and Hamiltonian Artists. Not only is it the grand opening of the venue itself, but it marks the first show by So Hamiltonian Fellows. Amid the clatter of last minute construction, DCist got a preview of the space -- which will also be the new home to Project 4 -- and a refresher on the So Hamiltonian Fellowship program that will be showcased Saturday night. (You can read about the program in our interview with its founder, Paul So.)

Arguably the most well-known husband and wife duo in today’s art world is Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the pair who wrapped the Reichstag and draped Central Park. They’re at it again, and this time, Colorado’s Arkansas River is the subject. While the environmental installation is not anticipated until at least 2012, the Phillips Collection's new exhibit Over the River is the first to highlight the work in progress.

FRIDAY:

adaption star to feel almost as tame as an adolescent-run Haunted House.

The striking, colorful contrast between the two different sides of the train, along with the extreme perspective, are what drew us into this illustrious photo by Flickr user LaTur. The dark, artificial lighting reflected in the long side of the train helps to emphasize the interesting lamp that is bathed in soft, natural light, on the front. EXIF.

Gregg Gillis studied biomedical engineering in college. He's also been playing music since he was a teenager. Combining that interest in breaking things apart and seeing how they work with his love of music, maybe it's not all that surprising that Girl Talk was the result. Girl Talk, as anyone who's been to a dance party in the past few years probably knows, is Gillis' stage name; he mixes samples of dozens of songs together to make unbelievably smart and fun songs in their own right. His recent album, Feed the Animals, worked its way onto most everyone's iPods after Gillis and his label, Illegal Art, decided to follow the Radiohead model and let people choose what they wanted to pay for a download. Tonight the Pittsburgh native is coming to the 9:30 Club, to put on a show that sold out long, long ago. We talked with him last week about old friends, Lil Wayne and the economic crisis.

Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities, which opened at the Smithsonian American Art Museum last week, shows that works of art can indeed converse with each other. With photographs by Adams and paintings by O'Keeffe, Natural Affinities features the artists's depictions of the same, or similar scenes and locations, and examines two very different ways of thinking about nature.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

marks the return of a well-received pairing of Veanne Cox and Christopher Innvar as the play's romantic leads. But these two have some competition for the spotlight -- from the show's costumes.

We are super pleased to welcome the Hamiltonian Gallery officially into the D.C. art scene. After over a year of construction at their 1352 1353 U Street location and a few inevitable delays, the new venue will open to the public with a grand opening reception this Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Hamiltonian focuses on emerging and mid-career artists, choosing ten for two-year So Hamiltonian Fellowships, who take turns displaying at the gallery throughout the year. DCist is getting a sneak peek at the new (very green) space tonight and will have a preview for you tomorrow. We hope to see you Saturday night to see the work of Nao Matsumoto, Bryan Rojsuontikul and Ian MacLean Davis, with music by DJ Gavin Holland.

You don't need to be told who Sarah Vowell is anymore. You can immediately recognize her voice from years and years of This American Life appearances, her role in The Incredibles, and her road-trip ready audio books, especially Assassination Vacation. Maybe you find her nasal tone irritating, maybe you don't, but you know that she has an uncanny ability to nail down the unique contradictions to be found in the stories of Americans. You also know, or at least you should, that she's a lot smarter than you. Her new book is The Wordy Shipmates, which delves into the history of the Puritans who settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century. Vowell is in town tonight for a reading at the Avalon Theater at 8:15 p.m., sponsored by Politics and Prose. Tickets are already sold-out, but if you're a Vowell disciple, that probably won't stop you from heading down to the theater tonight to see if you can snag an extra from someone on their way in. Vowell took some time to chat with DCist last week.

Shudder to Think was one of only two bands to ever make the jump from local indie stalwart Dischord Records to a major label. In the mid-1990s they signed with Epic, and released Pony Express Record, still one of the finest pieces of art-damaged post-punk ever produced by a band in this town. It was an odd record for a major label, deeply complex, with shifting time signatures and singer Craig Wedren's distinctive falsetto taking center stage. While the band's previous output hadn't necessarily been conventional, one imagines the folks at Epic were scratching their heads over what to do with a record that was so relentlessly original and like little else in the post-Nirvana soundscape. The record became a cult hit though, and the video for "X-French T-Shirt" could actually be seen pretty frequently on MTV in the summer of '95, while the "Hit Liquor" video even managed to attain that most auspicious of '90s honors, being skewered by metal-head delinquents Beavis and Butthead.

"That'll be me one day...I just know it will!"  Flickr user Sanjay Suchak's capture of performers taking the stage at Fiesta DC brings back old memories when we wistfully decided about what we wanted to be when we grew up.  One day, you decide you'll be a first baseman at your first Mets game.  The next day, a drummer while attending your first Air Supply concert.  EXIF.

>> Smooth jazz superstar David Sanborn sets up shop tonight at Blues Alley, where he will be playing daily 8 and 10 p.m. sets through Sunday. Tickets are $60 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

Is satirizing Christianity through the lens of an 'N Sync-style boy band a gag that can remain funny throughout a whole 90 minute show?

MUSIC: Hot Chip and Ted Leo & the Pharmacists are sold out. You can try to score something last minute on Craigslist, or you can choose to just head over to The Rock and Roll Hotel for a solid local line-up featuring Gist, Poor But Sexy and The Andalusians. $10, 8:30 p.m.

It's safe to assume that when April Hill left the relative stability of her job at a Wall Street powerhouse firm to pursue her love of music, she couldn't have predicted that the country's financial sector would sink to shockingly low depths and her drastic career shift would seem like a smart move.

       

Written and photographed by Martin Locraft

As the awesome PotD yesterday reminded us, autumn is now upon us, and I doubt I'm the only one looking forward to some brisk-weather harvesting. Today we have four eye-catching photos that reminded us to block off at least one weekend to get out to a nearby pumpkin patch or orchard and get our fill of some tasty natural treats. Clockwise from top-left: corn and ribbons by apium; apples in a crate at Lee's Orchard by Kevin H.; orange physalis at Eastern Market by lorigoldberg; and a great color combo of orange pumpkins on a bright blue bench, also by lorigoldberg.

This was the wrong show to have forgotten to bring earplugs. Scotland's newest highly hyped export, Glasvegas, are not afraid to be very, very loud. They've got fuzzy shoegaze guitar riffs that would make their countrymen in The Jesus and Mary Chain proud, and the audience-filling charm that would make bands like the amazing but overlooked Twilight Sad jealous. Even those of us with throbbing eardrums found the band magnetic enough to overlook the pain and hearing loss and look forward to the day when they'd return for more.

MUSIC: Avant-garde artists The Residents have tried on a host of genres, personas, costumes and attitudes while always being brilliantly satirical and interesting. This seated show at the 9:30 Club will combine music from their latest album and a series of narrative videos and performance that tell the story of "the bunny boy," whose search for his missing brother compels him to post videos on the internet as a "cry for help." Doors at 7 p.m., $35.

Ahhhhh! They're coming to get you! Today's formidable POTD from akkleis makes me want to run for the hills. While some of the comments state this reminds them of a Tim Burton movie, the first thing that popped in my head was this "classic '80s horror movie. The great angle and framing used for this shot and terrific textures turn this into a grabbing, frightening image.

Entering its fourth year of existence, the Can A Sista Rock A Mic? Festival will be taking place October 8-11. Last year's lineup featured seasoned veterans Bahamadia and MC Lyte, among others. This year, there's a heavy emphasis on female up-and-comers who look to make names for themselves in the near future. As it has in the past, CASRAM puts a premium on artistry and providing a venue for acts that deserve greater attention.

>> Welcome to the week of the sold out show! Oz’s favorite sons, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, sold out both dates of their 9:30 Club run months in advance, but there are still some pricey Craigslist options if you’re really kicking yourself for missing last night’s performance of moody, guttural rock 'n' roll.

DCist's guide to lectures and panel discussions in the D.C. area (plus bonus readings this week!)

              

This weekend, Bethesda welcomed the Small Press Expo to town. The event has developed into one of the biggest independent comic conventions there is, bringing comic artists and aficionados from all over the continent to the D.C. area. But despite its relatively high profile, it has a remarkably laid-back, D.I.Y. feel. Unlike the bigger, major comic cons, the level of full-scale geekery is scaled back at SPX: a minimum of costumes and dudes you suspect might still live in their parents' basements. Instead, there's just a huge group of friendly people with a shared interest in comic art. And that art comes in a lot of diverse forms here, so that within a few steps you can see slightly skewed super-hero fare, intensely personal and ornately drawn mini-comics, or even graphic novelizations of old Baby-sitter's Club books. You could make a weekend of just perusing all the work on display in the main hall, but SPX had a full schedule of panels, discussions, and workshops to go along with the exhibition. The highly sought-after Ignatz Award was given in ten categories to some of the best comics of the Expo, as rated by the visitors.

 

When a restless audience opens a sold out show with chants of, "Oh Ee Oh, Chromeo," you know you're probably in for a treat. And at their first ever show in D.C., Chromeo killed it. Chromeo is Patrick Gemayel and David Macklovitch, boyhood friends who describe themselves as, "the only successful Arab/Jewish collaboration since the beginning of time." In addition to their ethnic differences, the pair is also visually... distinct. Macklovitch, the lead singer, is as tall and lanky as his counterpart is short and round. When it comes to their sound, the Montreal-based duo crank out extra funky, tongue-in-cheek (their stage names are Dave 1 and P-Thugg) electro with a heavy emphasis on synth bass lines and whip-snapping beats.

Flickr user yospyn shared this delightful meta-photo of a shoot with fellow photog graemeking at his "outdoor studio," which just so happens to be located in a Dupont Circle alleyway. It's a fun, playful homage to the photographer's craft, dedication, and ability to operate under less-than-ideal circumstances.

The major events of this week's concert schedule are next weekend's twin concerts sponsored by Washington Performing Arts Society. If the price tag is too high, there are plenty of free concerts to hear, too.

In Synetic's production of , even the pantomimed act of suiting up for war is a thing of lyrical beauty.

FRIDAY:

In case you hadn't heard, Union Station is celebrating 100 years this week, along with the 20th anniversary of its restoration in 1988. The AP trotted out a boilerplate history of the station to mark the occasion, and Amtrak is throwing what sounds like will be a nifty party this weekend. All the details about the event can be found here, but rail nerds should know that they'll be displaying a bunch of historic locomotives and coaches, and regular passengers should consider stopping by to enter to win free train tickets. The Centennial Celebration goes on Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 5, from noon to 4 p.m.

It's First Friday tonight, though many of the Dupont galleries seem to be showing the same exhibit as last month. Enjoy a brisk fall walk to see them again, and find at least one new show at Studio Gallery. Artist Langley Spurlock and poet John Martin Tarrat bring a little art nerdism in Secrets of the Elements 2: The Unfinished Universe, where "painting, collage, sculpture, prints and haiku meet the periodic table of the elements." They're also featuring some of Matthew Carucci's cross-hatching drawings, which were some of our favorite pieces at this year's Artomatic.

We like the simple and circular composition of this tire shot by Flickr user volcanojw. Notice how the reflection of a car, complete with bike rack, is centered and clear in the shiny hub cap. EXIF.