Let's get this out of the way: Whether you like it or not, Annie Leibovitz is an American Icon. Her intimate portrait photographs of the famous are so pervasive that even if you don't know the name, you're guaranteed to have seen her work, and lots of it. She began her career with Rolling Stone magazine when it was in its infancy, photographing the musically talented, and quickly became known for her deconstruction of human... more ›

This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King, and appreciated their beautiful skyline. Chicagoist knows what it's like to like the Cubs. But naming your kid Wrigley Fields? At least they can breathe a little easier now that Grossman's out and... more ›

Poor Victor Reinoso. First the acting Deputy Mayor for Education gets caught up in a plagiarism scandal, then D.C. Council chairman Vincent Gray delays his confirmation vote, calling into question whether Reinoso should be in his job, or if anyone should have his job in the first place. The guy could only be more embattled if he had a sex scandal hanging over his head. What's that you say? The Examiner reports that one of... more ›

There’s a great Canadian TV show called Slings and Arrows about the backstage sound and fury at a fictitious Shakespeare company. In one memorable episode, the director of a troubled production of MacBeth — and theatrical superstition holds that there can be no other kind — tries to turn things around by making the blowhard actor he’s been forced to cast in the title role perform his first scene with Lady MacBeth in the... more ›

The D.C. council is set to vote on legislation proposed by Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) tomorrow that would create exemptions to allow strip clubs displaced by the new Nationals stadium to relocate to Ivy City in Ward 5. As we told you previously, Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas opposes the legislation and has offered several amendments to the bill, including one that was adopted that would give $3.6 million to improve the... more ›

LAist is experimenting with blogging dates from J-Date, but finds the best men are found offline. Some date vicariously online and that is one reason why porn is big -- really freaking big -- so they ask if they should cover XXX since the heart of it lays in the city's San Fernando Valley. A writer grapples with her food porn photography obsession, another gets censored on Flickr, one gets scooped by the LA... more ›

>> The United States Postal Service increased postage rates today. First class letters now cost $0.41 (first ounce) and $0.17 for each additional ounce. New rates and fees for all classes of mail went up today except Periodicals, which is delayed until July 15. You can apparently find a handy chart of all the new rates in a pdf here, though we're having a little trouble downloading it in Firefox. One more reason to... more ›

After the whirlwind of April arts events, May looks to be a little quieter, perhaps even serene at times. Though if you're looking for a party, we've got the info for this week's Artomatic events, which is only just past its halfway point. >> Ever dream of being one of those madly rich people with original Van Goghs or Kandinskys in your climate controlled, wood paneled library (in the east wing)? Bring your envious eyes... more ›

If you managed to stay inside basking in the glow of fluorescent lights and humming computers, congrats. Our informal survey of the city's green spaces indicates that most Washingtonians didn't share your stamina and came up with some excuse to get outside. Whether you were "taking the dog to the vet," "coming down with a touch of the flu" or just dealing with the House's voting malarkey, we now proudly offer "Go Home Already:... more ›

Ain't Named Passion For Nothing Once again, the men of Passion Food's restaurants (TenPenh, Ceiba, D.C. Coast, and Acadiana) get out of their kitchen kits for a nude romp through 2007. Mr. Kliman over at the Washingtonian lets us in on what's underneath the aprons of some of Passion Food's cookmen, like Acadiana sous chef Anthony Piscioneri and TenPenh chef de cuisine Cliff Wharton. Though most aren't totally naked (though I hear Mr. October, Ceiba's... more ›

Wow! It seems like we haven't posted anything since last year! We hope you enjoyed your holiday and are at least 86% less hungover than yesterday. The new year begins with an extra day off for many of you, as federal offices are closed in remembrance of President Ford. Those planning to go to work, or for that matter, anywhere else, should heed these street closures and parking restrictions. If you're out and about and... more ›

Michel Gondry's latest film, La science des rêves (The science of dreams), opened last Friday in Washington under its American title, The Science of Sleep. After an extended period working in the United States, notably in collaboration with the screenwriter Charlie Kaufman on Human Nature and the Oscar-winning Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Gondry has returned to his roots and set this film in his old stomping ground, the 18th arrondissement of Paris. As... more ›

Whether you've ever walked into an art gallery and seriously thought, "Hmm, I could do that," or you're just looking for a way to stretch your creative muscles, the city is overflowing with art classes and easels with your name on them. Practice something you've always loved, or try something new and unusual. Whatever you do, don't sit in front of the TiVo waiting for inspiration to strike. At the very least, you'll make out... more ›

This post was written by DCist contributor Salima Appiah-Kubi. Warning: Some links contain nude photographs. This Saturday some of the leading ladies of modern burlesque will be taking it off for a good cause. Warehouse Theater will present Burlesque...As It Was, a night of classic striptease benefiting the Exotic World Burlesque Museum and Hall of Fame in Helendale, California. Produced by Kitty Victorian, the force behind much of D.C.’s burlesque scene, the benefit will... more ›

Washington may not be all that serene these days, what with the political goings-on and the influx of tourists. If you need a break, you can experience a bit of La Serenissima at the National Gallery of Art with Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and the Renaissance of Venetian Painting, an exhibit that opened a couple weeks ago and continues through September 17. Focusing on the first part of the 16th century in Venice, the exhibit combines... more ›

San Francisco is proud host of a new reality show called "How to Get the Guy" that's unfortunately not a descendant of Will and Grace, Queer Eye, The L Word, American Idol etc. Also a biodefence lab is coming to the East Bay and SFist teaches wine pairing. Getting on the wrong train sucks. Getting on the wrong train and becoming the victim of what will later be described as a "stabbing spree" really sucks.... more ›

Why do we always find about these things a day after they happen? According to WTOP, a group of naked cyclists took to the city's streets yesterday in an effort to promote alternatives to oil. This isn't to say that we would have joined in -- after all, the idea of riding nude isn't terribly appealing -- but we would have taken pictures. Publisher Remains Missing: Philip Merrill, publisher of the Washingtonian magazine, went missing... more ›

Seattlest saw a house party get senselessly attacked with a shotgun and end with seven dead. A local senator is debated and their version of the big dig is investigated. To truly get to the bottom of it they interview the writer Jonathan Raban. Bostonist has its first birthday party and investigates how to attach more gambling dollars to the Red Sox. Benjamin Franklin is celebrated and Johnny Damon is not. DCist reports that the... more ›

Editor's note: This top ten list was compiled by local art blogger and man-about-town Kriston Capps. Let’s be forward about it—top ten lists don’t really make a lot of sense. Especially for a field as diverse as contemporary art. Really, how much better is the sculpture of the giant Cheetoh than the digitally manipulated photograph? A true accounting for the decision-making process behind a hierarchical ranking of art shows would make the BCS computerized college... more ›

WEDNESDAY: >> Recently named Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor for Ballet, Suzanne Farrell knows George Balanchine's repertory better than anyone else -- she ought to, since Farrell herself is his most famous protégée. So you can expect nothing but exuberant and masterful performances, through Nov. 27, of The Suzanne Farrell Ballet's all-Balanchine extravaganza. Tickets are $29 to $84, at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. THURSDAY: >> It's Thanksgiving, and most of you will be gathering... more ›

The current issue of the MetroWeekly magazine has an interesting cover story detailing the impact of the proposed baseball stadium site in Southeast we first wrote about in December. The article examines the impact of the proposed stadium site, which would evict a number of businesses catering to the gay community: Ziegfeld's. Secrets. Glorious Health and Amusement. The Follies. Club Baths. Heat. All lie just beyond the proposed right field. Just outside of the stadium's... more ›

Someone, somewhere, unbeknownst to DCist, issued a memo to the women of D.C. stating that now is the time to start wearing their white shoes. Please disregard this memo, it contains misleading and malicious information. Yes, we know that this is the 21st century and most people think that fashion rules are antiquated. But really, some rules are there for our own good, and this rule helps make fashion a bit more fun. Like when... more ›

If there are two things we here at DCist love, it's hunky actors and blogs. Imagine our delight when we were alerted to this story that combined the two. For the next month, actor Matthew McConaughey will be cruising across the country in a Airstream trailor and keeping a blog to chronicle his adventure. McConaughey is hitting the road not only to promote his new action adventure/romantic comedy flick "Sahara", which co-stars Penelope Cruz, but... more ›

DCist hears that the Museum of Modern ARF in Arlington has been vandalized. The gallery's director, John Aaron, informs us that a number of pieces have been either broken or stolen during the night over the past few weeks. The exhibition "Hand Picked," developed by participating Art-O-Matic artists, included the display of a series of abstract iron snakes (at right) on the front of the building -- two of which were removed. This was all... more ›

No, Nigella Lawson (above) is not involved in this one (it seems that she's busy at the Royal Society of Literature, according to Londonist), but the news headlines would be all the better if she were ... Perhaps in an effort to make food sexy, a Maryland garden club in Frederick has produced a cookbook with recipes garnished with pictures of "nearly nude women" aged 55 to 70, the AP, via the W.Times, reports. It's... more ›

High winds yesterday caused some power outages, and caused this house under construction near Howard University to collapse. Today will be mostly sunny with highs in the 50s. (The photo is Courtesy of D.C. Fire and EMS, via the AP.) Metro Board Doesn't Ride Metro: Following up on an issue raised during last month's first-ever town hall meeting, the Post has investigated just how much each member of the WMATA Board of Directors used... more ›

A family "adorned with Bush-Cheney buttons and stickers" summoned police to the Museum of Modern ARF in Clarendon over the weekend, protesting the offensiveness of a controversial nude painting of President Bush on display there. According to a statement sent to DCist, the museum said that the family found the exhibition to be "demonic, sadistic, obscene and highly unpatriotic." Police sent to investigate the artwork found that everything was in order and that director John... more ›

The creators of the ubiquitous political flash film This Land have released another work, this time declaring It's Good To Be In D.C. While we appreciate the subject matter (It is good to be here!) the flash doesn't quite measure up to This Land - which the brothers readily admit on their blog: "In truth, we’re a couple of whores. Jay Leno asked if we’d be interested in making another one to debut on The... more ›