Over in academia, it's finals time, but the receSs improv team over at George Washington University isn't compromising their weekend, which will mark the group's final show of 2007, over it. On their unofficial blog, The Colonialist, they're offering up reasons why their peers shouldn't either. In the past, receSs alums have gone on to pursue real-life comic gigs, including TJ Miller (now on the ABC show "Carpoolers"), Herschel Bleefeld (who landed a role in... more ›

A little over a year since the Reynolds Center, where the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are housed, re-opened its doors, it continues to celebrate huge improvements to the building. This Sunday stop by for the grand opening of the Kogod Courtyard, which will include tons of musical performances both in the courtyard and inside on the third floor, hands-on activities for all ages (a Lite Brite station!), and, as usual,... more ›

We'll have a full preview tomorrow, but here's a friendly video reminder about the show we're co-sponsoring with BrightestYoungThings and Blisspop at 9:30 Club, featuring Georgie James, Soft Complex, The Dance Party and a set by DJ Will Eastman. This Saturday at 11 p.m. for a late show, $10.... more ›

[Updated]: So much music, so little time. While tomorrow's This Week In Jazz column will preview this year's fantastic Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, there is even more jazz to be had for those who can't wait that long. This Saturday, September 8, the 17th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival will take place at Gateway Park from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. On the same day, D.C.'s Maryland suburbs get their own jazz celebration in the form... more ›

Ahhh, summer music festivals. As any music blog reader could tell you, as soon as the ground starts to thaw, they're all the indie kids can talk about. Last year we were all lathered up about getting a mega-fest of our very own (or at least, within reasonable stomping-ground distance). Several DCists embarked upon Pimlico and were pleased to report that the festival was wonderfully organized, accomodating, really well done and... that it just plain rocked. more ›

Be a good son or daughter and call your mother today. Then you can start thinking about what concerts to hear this week. Maybe you can ask your mom to come with you. THE BIG GUNS: >> Joining the National Symphony Orchestra this week is Chinese pianist Lang Lang. He and composer Jennifer Higdon have parted ways about her new piano concerto, which he was supposed to premiere this week. Instead, Lang Lang will play... more ›

FRIDAY: >> What, you mean you don't already see enough of Ian Svenonius around town? The DJ, Internet talk show host and former head of Nation of Ulysses and The Make-Up is giving you another chance to eyeball his annoying multitalentedness with a slide show presentation in conjunction with the release of "The Psychic Soviet", a collection of essays he's recently published. 7 p.m. tonight at Crooked Beat Records. SATURDAY: >> There is an open... more ›

This Saturday, DC 101 is once again hosting its annual Chili Cook-Off, that popular concert, food and drink festival of gong show proportions that benefits the National Kidney Foundation. Tickets are sold-out, but for those of you who already got yours or are willing to brave the wilds of craigslist to score some, be sure to stop by the judging area and say hello to myself and DCist Food Editor Adam Bailey. Adam will be judging the International Chili Society sanctioned Red Chili contest starting at 2 p.m., because he knows actual stuff about food. I'll be judging the 1 p.m. "Bring Your Own Chili", anything-goes freestyle competition, because all I bring to the table is a willingness to be poisoned by strangers. more ›

There are more ways to take in our local arts scene than strolling the quiet museums on a Saturday afternoon or gulping some free wine at a gallery reception. Checking out events and lectures around the city is a great way to get exposed to not only the current exhibitions, but new ideas and theories you might not come upon while browsing the canvases by yourself. >> Patrick Swayze probably won't be there to perform,... more ›

This Saturday is the sixth annual Free Comic Book Day, which is exactly as awesome as it sounds. Independent shops all over the country will be handing out a hearty selection of comics to anyone who wants one. The idea emerged as a way to introduce people to the art form who might only associate comics with this guy or a childhood fascination with Superman. These days comics are as diverse as any other medium,... more ›

This Saturday evening, the Washington National Opera opens its highly anticipated production of Leoš Janáček's Jenůfa. This is only the second Janáček opera in the history of the WNO, with one Cunning Little Vixen done in English translation in 1993. This new production directed by David Alden premiered at Houston Grand Opera in 2004: after it played to critical success last fall at English National Opera, it won the Laurence Olivier Award for best new... more ›

When Peter Gelb took over as the new general director of New York's Metropolitan Opera, he promised several initiatives to bring opera to broader audiences. The leading American opera company opened its season last September, and New Yorkers were able to watch the celebrity-studded performance of Madama Butterfly on large screens in the plaza of Lincoln Center and the chaos of Times Square. The Met even brought a brief scene from its production of... more ›

It's that time of the year again, when people make resolutions they do not plan on keeping. Join DCist in resolving to see more art in 2007, but let's mean it. You could get started this week. >> Studio Gallery will have an invitational show featuring artists from the greater D.C. metropolitan area (January 3 to 28). This will include Suzanne Quinlan, whose work is shown at right. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 2108 R St.... more ›

Planning on heading to the movies this Saturday night? Mind taking your camera with you? It seems that a group of lonely singles in the D.C. area are planning on finding each other at the multiplex this weekend, having previously announced their intention to don a white hat to signify their status as being "available." The plan was announced and discussed on Frank Warren's popular PostSecret blog: more ›

Back in September, we told you all about how you, too, could walk in the footsteps of legions of spiky-haired, leather jacketed youths armed with just your cell phone and the force of memory. The Yellow Arrow Capitol of Punk tour gives participants an interactive walking tour of the people and places associated with D.C. punk’s salad days, and has received an enthusiastic response, according to organizers. This Saturday at the Warehouse Theater, you can... 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 ›

It's one of those great D.C. occasions where out-of-staters turn the city into a melting pot of American tradition. It's for a good cause. It's sure to be a good time. And, it's too bad Stephen Colbert couldn't stay one more weekend in town because it's got the one thing on which he places his highest premium: balls. more ›

? Neither could this DCist until she joined 30 other would-be dancers onstage at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium for a class with flamenco expert Sara Jerez-Marlow last night. more ›

One of the joys of Spring Training is supposed to be taking a break from the icy darkness of wherever you're from to head south and dream of the warm summer nights that must be around the corner if baseball's begun. This winter, of course, we've all been able to keep our tans, and the kids never had to quit their stickballing in the alley, but it's still pretty exciting to think that it's nearly... more ›

Everyone knows the "18th Street at 2 a.m." side of Adams Morgan, but what about the rich and diverse history of the neighborhood? And don't you wonder what it looks like in the daytime? This Saturday, there is a chance to learn about the "other side" of Adams Morgan with Step Back Into History: The Adams Morgan Heritage Trail Walk, the inaugural event of the fifth Heritage Trail in the District. A joint collaboration between... more ›

In late October the major musical groups in Washington -- the Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra -- take a break from performing for a couple weeks until November. You might think that their absence would mean a reduction of concert volume, but this is not really the case. In fact, we have a lot to tell you people about for the next two weeks, and without opera and symphony, we may even get... more ›

It may be a worn out slogan by now, but reading really is fundamental. This Saturday, the UDC State Education Agency will sponsor their Fifth Annual 3K Walk for Literacy to raise funds for and awareness of adult literacy needs in the city. more ›

The only good thing about the end of summer for this DCist (sniff) is that we can hear more good music this week, and that means that your Classical Music Agenda finally has something to report. Unfortunately, if your budget is limited, most of the city's free concert series, but not all, do not begin their fall seasons until October. Nevertheless, thanks to our tireless searching on your behalf, we still have a few free concerts to tell you about, too. more ›

Okay, so D.C. may not be very sexy, but we certainly are wired. Our streets, cafes, and metro cars are replete with Blackberries, WiFi, iPods, and countless other icons of 21st century high-tech culture. While such electronic services and devices may have the ability to both enrich our lives and boost our productivity, let us never forget that behind any scientific or technological advance is the ever-present promise of profit. Steve Jobs may be a... more ›

We start this week's Arts Agenda with some news from the Hirshhorn. Tyler Green of Modern Art Notes tells us that the Hirshhorn has a new director, noting that: The Hirshhorn held no press conference introducing their new director. The Corcoran, however, just held a presser to announce that they don't have a director! Anyhow, back to the latest listings ... Kick off summer by visiting some of the new exhibits around D.C. this week.... more ›

A legendary figure in the alternative music scene, Bob Mould came to prominence in the 1980s with his group Husker Du, who influenced independent music for years to come. Mould later formed the band Sugar, and now moonlights as a DJ (alongside local producer Richard Morel) at Blowoff, a popular dance night at the 9:30 Club where he spins everything from Depeche Mode to Gwen Stefani to his own material. This Saturday's Blowoff will... more ›

A week after our London sister site launched, DCist is proud to announce the newest addition to the Gothamist family. Welcome, Torontoist. So like Londonist, they'll be in beta test mode until the bugs are worked out. After the election, DCist heard a lot of disgruntled politcos in the nation's capital say that they were intent on moving to Toronto, but we haven't seen much of an exodus to the other side of Lake Ontario... more ›

From DCist contributor Rebecca Walters: more ›

From DCist contributor Rebecca Walters: more ›