Living in the Nation's Capital, with so many free events going on year-round, it might seem silly to spend a princely sum of money for the privilege of becoming a Member of a local arts organization. But there are a number of good reasons to think about becoming a member -- maybe you're interested in a particular subject that's only shown at a pay-for museum, maybe you're an artist looking to grab a foothold in... more ›

We were taken aback by this beautiful photo by Samer Farha in the DCist Flickr pool this morning. After only a quick glance at the tag "Library of Congress," I was trying to place this building somewhere in the city, but then realized this is a shot of the gorgeous architecture of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, out in Culpeper, Va. Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, both American and international film, television, and... more ›

Many apologies for bringing you the arts agenda a day late this week -- we're getting darned worn out by all these great events going on lately. Visual art continues to stampede the city throughout April, and this weekend brings us a four-day festival as well as the continuation of the two huge exhibition projects sweeping the metro area. Get your fill below, just remember to stay hydrated as you enter the middle of this marathon. more ›

Here are a few highlights for your first full week of classical concerts in March, followed by a respectable list of free events for the small of budget. >> Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter won the second prize, after the astounding performance by Yundi Li, at the Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 2000. She will play a free recital at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave. NW). You need a... more ›

What to do on New Year's Eve can be a yearly dilemma—one that rarely presents an easy answer. Restaurants book up early and often forgo their usual fare for a more creative prix fixe option. Bars and clubs are expensive, crowded, and can be difficult to get into. The big parties are also expensive, and feature notoriously long lines for the bar. So, what about taking a break from all the craziness and checking out one of the First Night celebrations going on around town? Admission is usually low cost or free and activities include bands, dancing, entertainment, fireworks, laser light shows, and more. Plus, since these events are billed as family friendly, they usually limit or do not allow alcohol, which means that you won't be starting off the new year with a monster hangover. more ›