It is likely that most people, including Washingtonians, think about the Department of the Interior rarely, if ever. In fact, the most common response to the sex and drugs scandal that rocked DOI's Minerals Management Service last fall was probably surprise that something interesting could actually happen in the Interior Department. While those nefarious activities were happening mostly in the Denver headquarters, DOI's main location here in Washington is in an enormous building at 18th and C Streets NW that is well worth a visit. It was the first fruit of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's attempt to revive the failing American economy through massive federal spending on infrastructure. If this sounds familiar, and not in a good way, consider just this part of FDR's New Deal. more ›

Hope for a last minute hail mary. After the highs and lows of almost getting an installment of Live Earth in our town, then having Congress stomp all over it, Al Gore's figured things out in the final hour and is adding the District to the globe-crossing concert. Live Earth will take place tomorrow, from 9 locations around the world. The purpose of the massive undertaking is to raise worldwide awareness of climate change. Musical... more ›

Washington may be deserted this week, but there is still art to see. If you are stuck at work without much to do, ducking out early to hit some less-crowded galleries would be an excellent idea. Here a few things to help you conclude 2006. >> You have a couple weeks, through January 15, to see Ruth Duckworth, Modernist Sculptor, a selection of 80 ceramic pieces at the Renwick Gallery. Many of these works are... more ›

Wednesday’s unseasonable warmth called for sunny day music. A happy coincidence then, that Ben Kweller, a purveyor of cheerful college rock, was headlining the 9:30 club that evening. Looking at the small crowd of underage early arrivals jostling for position, a question came to mind: is Kweller an artist or a phase? To paraphrase a famous film quote, it seems that he gets older but his fans stay the same age. The answer came... more ›

Last night, we heard the National Symphony Orchestra give its first program of 2006, the second in the usual series of three concerts. This concert featured guest conductor James Conlon and three opera singers in the marquee work that really filled the hall, a concert performance of the first act of Richard Wagner's opera Die Walküre. more ›

Well, people, you had to get through a few weeks without your DCist Classical Music Agenda, and now the agony is over. Yes, there are once again concerts worth your while in Washington, and we are here to tell you where to go. If you are one of those classical fans who has somehow not heard, this year the world celebrates the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, on January 27. As a result, everyone and... more ›

Closed! more ›

Yes, we were similarly perplexed at the idea that the District had recently been deforested. The Amazon maybe, but the District? more ›

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), our non-voting representative in the U.S. Congress, yesterday requested that the District be allowed to place two statues in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall, at right, where each state is granted the right to place two statues of prominent citizens. The request came during a debate on New Mexico's request to place a statue of Po'pay, a Native American leader who launched what has been called "the first American Revolution"... more ›

Today will be mostly cloudy with highs around 40 and a chance of snow showers. The photo is by John W. via Flickr. Snow Storm Falls Short Predictions: The area papers noted yesterday's storm fell short predictions, but closed schools in the area, to the frustration of parents. WTOP notes the snowfall set a record at Dulles Airport. Indian Lobbying Up: The Examiner reports that lobbying expenditures by Native American tribes is up recently. They... more ›

D.C. is home to a few interesting holiday traditions, but the Eighth Annual Norwegian Christmas is certainly one of the most unique. more ›

How are things going at the newly-opened National Museum of the American Indian? According to a PDF document posted to their site, the opening at least went very well. more ›