Tonight, the D.C. theater community will descend on Warner Theater, decked out in tuxes, kilts, ball gowns and whatever else the artsy crowd comes up with to approximate “black tie” attire. It's the night each year they get the chance to party their brains out and recognize the outstanding contributions they've made this year; it's the Helen Hayes Awards. As busy theater critics with day jobs, we don’t get the chance to attend and review... more ›

Fans of classical music had a light schedule last week, but there is plenty to be heard this week to make up for lost time. Most evenings it is going to come down to a choice. WEDNESDAY: >> The Embassy of Austria (3524 International Ct. NW) is hosting a series of concerts called An das Lied: Festival of Song 2007, devoted to the greats of German-language song composition. The music starts this Wednesday, with a... more ›

Funny females are a hard commodity to come by these days. DCist doesn't blame biology. It's a simple fact that there aren't many works around that showcase women's comic talents. more ›

Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of archivists like the threat of fire (well, perhaps fear of flooding is up there as well). more ›

Sure, with Free Night of Theater on the horizon, it may be hard to justify shelling out for a ticket to a stage show, but trust us — with all the intriguing offerings that local companies have in store, you'll want to see more than one show this month. Previously at the Fringe Festival, Round House Silver Spring presents Bushwa: A Modern Ubu, about an intellectually-challenged king. Hmm. Wonder what it's like to have your... more ›

In case you were wondering, we checked in with a few people who headed out to the Warehouse last night in the wee hours to see Daniel Burkholder and Jonathan Matis doing their 24 hour long performance piece unmapped, and the pair were not cheating or anything. Kudos to you, gentlemen, for bringing a dose of unhinged ambition. We hope you have a good night's sleep tonight. The Capital Fringe Festival is going all out... more ›

Editor's note: The following preview was written by Missy Frederick "Bard-37" ... What does this phrase bring to mind? A punk band? A brand of malt liquor? A series of all of Shakespeare's plays read in chronological order at a local Arlington playhouse? All snark aside, option C is correct. Washington Shakespeare Company has been performing each of the playwright's works as part of its Bard-37 Canon Cabaret. Tonight, they will read King Lear at... more ›

Editor's Note: This preview of the Olney Theatre Center's Summer Shakespeare Festival comes to us from Missy Frederick, who has joined our staff to write about theater. DCist appreciates, heck, even admires the egalitarian nature of the annual Shakespeare Theatre Free For All's ticket giveaway madness that went down last month. The getting up early, the waiting in line for hours, then the returning to the amphitheater well in advance of curtain time only... more ›

Don't forget to check out our music and arts agendas for other events going on this Memorial Day weekend (especially since this weekend is your last chance to see a lot of great exhibitions). more ›

The Shakespeare Theatre's Free for All is perhaps this DCist's favorite thing about summer in the city. Sure, blistering 90 degree days stuck in rush hour traffic are also a highlight, but nothing compares to seeing a little bit of Shakespeare in the park. more ›

(Written by Mike Grass and Kanishka Gangopadhyay) It was perhaps one of most lavish non-political parties Washington has seen in quite some time. The much talked about opening of IndeBleu on Saturday evening saw limos pulling up on G Street, photographers deployed to the entryway, all the while champagne greeted guests at coat check and at least one woman, painted as a forest nymph, walked about the place in A Midsummer Night's Dream-esque fashion.... more ›